Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 532 - 527: Ni Qiuping’s Depression Again? Pretrial Skirmish

Chapter 532: Chapter 527: Ni Qiuping’s Depression Again? Pretrial Skirmish

Monday, a workday.

At 9 a.m., the civil court at Dongfang Capital’s city court started buzzing with activity.

Over the weekend, many people had time to think things through at home.

If something in your life or work makes you unhappy, what’s a good way to make yourself feel better?

Sue them, of course!

If you believe you’re in the right, then go to civil court and sue that person or company that’s causing you grief.

If you win the case, you not only get compensation but also an apology from the other party!

So, Monday at the civil court was exceptionally busy.

The grievances of the people, built up over two days, generally erupted on Monday.

The desks of all the judges in the civil court were piled high with complaints.

And the court’s messengers, pushing carts full of files, brought even more complaints into the offices.

Knock, knock, knock!

The sound of knocking was followed by a messenger pushing open the door.

"Judge Ni, these are the new complaints!"

After placing a stack of files on the desk, the messenger didn’t chat with Ni Qiuping but quickly left the office.

The desk, already laden with more than a dozen complaints, now saw the stack grow to a dreadful forty-plus under the messenger’s handoff.

Ni Qiuping couldn’t help but let out a long sigh as she looked at the pile of documents.

"Monday, can’t you give this old lady a break?"

"I can’t take it anymore, I’m really going to get depressed!"

She found that since becoming a judge in the civil court, she hadn’t had a happy day in over ten years.

Every day, it was either dealing with all sorts of cases or getting irritated by the damn plaintiff and defendant lawyers in the courtroom.

Ni Qiuping swore that if God gave her a chance to do it all over again, she definitely wouldn’t study law, let alone apply to work at the courthouse.

If possible, she should have aimed to be a pastry chef; by now, she might have had her own bakery after so many years.

Being a judge leads to depression because of the high work pressure.

But she’s never heard of pastry chefs getting depressed.

"Come on, let’s see what kind of stupid cases these idiots have filed!"

After dreaming for a few seconds, Ni Qiuping accepted reality and began to look through the complaints in front of her.

"A wife sues her husband for having an affair?"

"A husband sues his wife for having an affair?"

Ni Qiuping frowned slightly and her face was full of unsurprised irritation.

Marital breakdown and infidelity are the most common cases in civil court.

Of course, unless there’s specific evidence, these cases generally lead nowhere.

So these cases, directly pass!

"Somebody sues another for raping his wife?"

"The accused sues the other for blackmail?"

"This is a criminal court case, how did it end up in my civil court?"

After glancing at two more complaints, Ni Qiuping was speechless.

This must be another case the criminal court couldn’t handle, probably due to lack of evidence. Neither party willing to give in, they dumped this mess onto her division.

Pass!

"A son sues his father for having an affair with his daughter-in-law?"

"A father-in-law sues his son-in-law for infidelity, soliciting prostitutes?"

"A father-in-law sues his son-in-law for having an affair with his own wife?"

"A son-in-law sues his mother-in-law for seducing him, ruining his marriage with his wife?"

Wow, what’s with the consecutive cases, huh?

Indeed, they wouldn’t be a family if they didn’t share a doorway!

Ni Qiuping rubbed her slightly swollen forehead, feeling a headache coming on.

It was only Monday, just the start of the morning, and she was already dealing with these bizarre cases.

She put aside the complaints in front of her and quickly picked up the thermos on the desk, intending to take a sip of water.

As she drank, she naturally continued to look through the complaints.

"Oh, Gu Shimang sues her husband Gao Tianri for domestic violence and infidelity, initiating divorce proceedings and demanding that the husband leaves the house empty-handed?"

Finally, Ni Qiuping came across a case that interested her.

Unlike the previous trivial family matters, this time the plaintiff was Gu Shimang.

Judge Ni was naturally familiar with her; she had seen several dramas starring the actress.

Of course, when this woman first started her career, her acting wasn’t that impressive—she couldn’t cry when she needed to, her smiles were stiff during the comedic scenes, and there were also poorly executed green screen effects and awkward acting.

"Come on, let’s see who the entrusted lawyer for this case is..."

Judge Ni picked up her thermos cup and took a gentle sip of tea.

[Plaintiff: Gu Shimang, Date of Birth: XX-XX-XX... (basic information).]

[Entrusted Litigation Representative: Laura Campbell, Partner Lawyer at William International Law Firm.]

[Defendant: Gao Tianri, Date of Birth: XX-XX-XX...]

Seeing this, Judge Ni wasn’t surprised; after all, Gu Shimang was a big star, and it wasn’t strange that she could afford a lawyer from William International.

"Who’s the defendant’s lawyer? It’s written in the indictment, right?"

Judge Ni continued reading and indeed found the information about the defendant’s entrusted lawyer in a line of the indictment.

[Defendant’s Representative Lawyer: Zhang Wei, Lawyer at Jincheng Law Firm...]

Pfft—

Judge Ni, seeing this all-too-familiar name, couldn’t help but spit out all the tea in her mouth.

What a mess!

It really is a mess!

She had never imagined that on a Monday, she’d be confronted with such an annoying situation.

Goddammit!

Judge Ni was close to cursing out loud.

How was she supposed to deal with this, how was she supposed to get on with her day.

Judge Ni: @￥#%*&!&...

"Wait a minute!"

After a moment of swearing, she thought again and felt that this case seemed kind of interesting.

A big star, a famous director, Laura from William International, and Zhang Wei from Jincheng Law Firm.

This case brought together the cream of the crop from Dongfang Capital’s showbiz and entertainment circles, along with representative lawyers from the top two of the Top Ten Firms—it was truly a star-studded, high-heat gathering!

Of course!

Cases with Zhang Wei had their fair share of noteworthy points, over and beyond the spotlight.

At least, every time in court, Judge Ni felt she could hardly restrain herself from cursing or even getting physically violent.

But as she glanced at the indictment now soaked with tea, her frown quickly smoothed out.

"This case should just be a run-of-the-mill celebrity couple’s divorce, right? It shouldn’t involve anything major, should it?"

Truth be told, Judge Ni was a bit traumatized by Zhang Wei’s cases.

Yet she looked at the other indictments on the table.

There’s a saying that makes sense, though everyone’s a mess, you have to consider who you’re comparing them with, right?

Compared to Zhang Wei’s cases, the other cases were like rotten sweet potatoes and spoiled eggs, simply unbearable to look at.

"Alright, let’s go with this case then, it’s the first one I’ll take on!"

"However, the rule for divorce litigation is to first communicate with both parties to see if a settlement is possible..."

While saying this, Judge Ni dialed the plaintiff’s contact indicated on the indictment, which was William International’s number.

She quickly got a definitive response from William International.

No settlement!

Judge Ni thought for a moment and then dialed Jincheng Law Firm’s number, successfully reaching Zhang Wei.

The response she received was the same.

No settlement!

OK, so that settles it.

...

Jincheng Law Firm.

Inside Zhang Wei’s private office.

Zhang Wei put down the phone and then looked at the group of people in front of him.

The parties involved were Gao Tianri, the temporary bodyguard Xia Qianyue, the internet strategist Zhao Xiaoxiao, the legal protector Zhang Xinwu, the driver Zhang Xinyan, along with... a group of buddies from the criminal department.

The apprentices Lin Yumeng, Li Yueqin, and Xiao Su were also there, all of them staring intently at Gao Tianri.

"So this is the famous director Gao Tianri, my idol was brought into the limelight by him."

"I heard Director Gao has worked with many big stars; I wonder if he could introduce us, I really want xx’s autograph."

"I heard that Director Gao is involved in scandals with many female celebrities. I wonder if that’s true. My favorite xx, I don’t know if she knows Director Gao or not. I hope she doesn’t..."

Hearing the whispering and murmuring of his young colleagues, Zhang Wei couldn’t help but shake his head.

A bunch of youngsters, all they like is to gossip, right?

"By the way, aren’t you supposed to be working today? It’s Monday, you know. There should be plenty of clients contacting you, right?"

Zhang Wei felt awkward to drive them away directly, so he tried to change the subject.

"Xiao Li, Xiao Meng, Xiao Su, and the rest of you, the phones outside have been ringing non-stop~"

"Oh, the phone is ringing!"

"Hurry, hurry, let’s get back to work!"

Upon Zhang Wei’s reminder, his colleagues quickly ran out.

The office finally emptied.

Only then did Zhang Wei approach Gao Tianri and said, "I just contacted Old Ni at the city court, she told us to come for a pre-trial conference this afternoon."

"A pre-trial conference this afternoon, that’s so soon?"

Gao Tianri was also startled; the efficiency of the city court seemed too high, didn’t it?

But if he knew how absurd some cases in the civil court were, he would understand why Ni Qiuping specially picked his case out of the bunch.

"No way around it, special cases require special handling. Your case has a significant impact; I guess Old Ni has her considerations," Zhang Wei explained.

Ni Qiuping would say: No, son, you’re overthinking it. I just think your case is relatively less absurd.

In any case, the pre-trial was set for that afternoon.

Zhang Wei and the others spent the morning busily.

...

PM.

City Court, Civil Division.

Because it was a pre-trial, and Ni Qiuping had decided on the spot to have it in the afternoon, only a few media and paparazzi received the news.

Not many people came to the civil division, aside from some who were interested in the case, and a few colleagues from the criminal department.

They were there, not to support Zhang Wei, but to catch a glimpse of the big star Gu Shimang, and also to see if there might be other celebrities showing up at the hearing.

Unfortunately, they were disappointed.

Apart from the plaintiff and defendant, not many others came to the civil division.

On Gao Tianri’s side, aside from Zhang Wei’s team, there wasn’t any other member of the showbiz circle in attendance.

On the plaintiff’s side, besides the client Gu Shimang, there were only Laura from William International and the silver-haired man Grey. The other lawyers were sitting in the back in the audience.

However, the amount of lawyers that William International brought was considerable. Not only was Laura a key player, but also Grey, the specialist divorce lawyer who acted as an adviser, and a group of lawyers from his divorce litigation department as a support team. Although their names were just colors, their professionalism couldn’t be doubted.

On the other hand, apart from Zhang Wei, only Xia Qianyue and Zhao Xiaoxiao, both there to watch the drama, were left on the defendant’s bench.

As for the support team, Zhang Xinwu and Zhang Xinyan were mostly on alert duty, while the colleagues from the criminal department were pondering whether any big stars would show up at the next hearing, wondering if their favorite celebrities or idols would appear...

"All rise, please welcome the honorable Judge Ni to the courtroom!"

As both parties awaited, Ni Qiuping finally arrived.

"Please be seated, today is just a pre-trial, so there’s no need for too much formality!"

After taking her seat, Judge Ni was quite generous, nodding to both the plaintiff and defendant.

Once everyone sat down, Judge Ni leaned forward toward the plaintiff’s bench.

"Miss Gu Shimang, are you sure you wouldn’t like to discuss the matter with your husband once more?"

Laura stood up immediately and said coldly towards the defendant’s bench, "Judge Ni, my client has made her position clear, and our side has already presented the conditions for the settlement to the defendant’s side. We will not accept any form of compromise, nor will we modify the settlement conditions!"

Judge Ni inwardly exclaimed, ’Wow, you guys are tough.’ I have also seen that settlement condition, and I must say, it takes guts and quite some greed.

Although I’m a woman, I must admit, if anyone agrees to that settlement condition, their head must have been kicked by a donkey.

"What about you, Zhang Wei?"

"Old Ni, you’ve seen that condition, don’t you think both my client and I must have been kicked in the head by donkeys?"

Judge Ni’s lips twitched and she muttered, ’You little rascal.’

So you’re trying to cozy up to me before the trial even starts, huh?

Don’t you know that I, Ni Qiuping, am known for being stern and impartial in the city court?

"Well, if both parties disagree on a settlement, then this court has nothing further to say."

Judge Ni struck the gavel, her gaze sweeping across the room.

"This court announces that the divorce case filed by the plaintiff Gu Shimang against the defendant Gao Tianri has been officially accepted by the city court. The specific demands of the plaintiff’s divorce claim have been published on the court’s notice board and official account, which everyone may look up!"

"Court Guard, let the prospective jurors in."

With a wave of Judge Ni’s hand, the Court Guard naturally allowed the jury panel entry to the courtroom.

The civil division jury panel would eventually need only six jurors, so the twenty potential jurors present were more than enough.

Twenty jurors, half male and half female.

Laura and Zhang Wei each began to prepare.

"Women, only women will support women, so our goal is very simple, keep as many women as possible while eliminating as many men as possible!"

"Men, only men will understand men, so our goal is very simple, keep as many men as possible while eliminating as many women as possible!"

Laura and Zhang Wei each began to strategize.

Laura took the initiative to stand up and approached the jury.

"May I ask, those of you who do household chores, please raise your hands!"

Half of the women in the jury raised their hands, and two or three men did as well.

Seeing this, Laura had a good idea of what to do next.

"Judge Ni, we request to dismiss juror numbers 2, 5, 6..."

"Objection!"

Just as Laura announced the dismissal of jurors, Zhang Wei immediately stood up to stop her.

"Judge Ni, isn’t it a bit one-sided to dismiss some jurors just based on whether or not they do household chores?"

Zhang Wei naturally knew Laura’s intention; typically, women do the household chores, and men rarely do. Therefore, her question was aimed at filtering out male and female jurors.

Although he always did household chores at home, naturally he wouldn’t let Laura dismiss those men who didn’t.

"Well, when you put it like that, it does make some sense..."

Judge Ni initially nodded but then suddenly changed her tone, "However, weren’t those bizarre questions you came up with even more absurd?"

After saying this, she nodded to Laura. "The plaintiff may continue questioning!"

"Old Ni, that’s not very fair of you!"

Zhang Wei suppressed the urge to snark and sat down, feeling disgruntled.

Laura had a smile on her face, as if her scheme had been successful, and continued to question.

"May I ask the jurors, how much time do you spend looking after your children at home on regular days..."

Under Laura’s questioning, she managed to dismiss six men.

Now looking at the jury, they were almost exclusively female, with just four men remaining.

"Lawyer Zhang, it’s your turn!"

Seeing that her objective was achieved, Laura walked back to the plaintiff’s seat with confident strides.

Zhang Wei looked at the jury, where men were few, and had to stand up.

It was still okay, with four men left. If all were kept, the jury would still be one-third men.

However, keeping all of them was evidently impossible.

"Ahem, I’d like to ask everyone, is your work busy?"

Many in the jury looked at each other; some nodded, others shook their heads.

"Those who consider themselves to be busy with work, please raise your hands?"

All four men in the jury raised their hands, while many women did not.

Why? Because they were not employed; they were not the breadwinners.

"Objection!"

From the plaintiff’s seat, Laura stood up.

"Judge Ni, there are many housewives in the jury who, although they do not work, cannot be said to have a light burden; the defense lawyer’s questions are targeted!"

Laura also understood Zhang Wei’s purpose, which was to filter out female jurors through their employment status.

After all, it is mostly men who have jobs, while many women stop working after getting married.

"Hmm, when you put it like that, it does make some sense..." Judge Ni couldn’t help but nod her head.

"Judge Ni, while the plaintiff’s lawyer has a point," Zhang Wei began, "I want to ask, whose burden is actually heavier?"

"Women might have a home, but men have to bear the brunt of the world for that home, working tirelessly, for the baby’s milk money, the wife’s daily expenses, clothes, makeup, even the family’s mortgage and renovation costs, and all those are the hard-earned tears of us men."

"I don’t deny the saying that ’women hold up half the sky,’ but I also want to point out that it’s really not easy for men out there; society is filled with oppression against us, and we just have to swallow our broken teeth and keep going, because we still need to live, struggle, and suffer for our families. Can’t we catch a break?"

"Hearing the plaintiff’s lawyer, I shook with anger, drenched in cold sweat in the heat, hands and feet ice-cold!"

As Zhang Wei spoke, his voice was full of emotion, and he gesticulated passionately, which made many men in the jury and the audience nod in agreement, feeling an inner resonance.

This lawyer really gets our tears, a lawyer you can count on!

"This..."

Both Laura and Judge Ni were speechless upon hearing this oddly familiar speech.

Where have we heard this before?

And besides, is all this emotional rhetoric and pitiful appeal really necessary just for selecting jurors?

To those unaware, one might think you’re giving a speech in front of millions!