Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 542 - 537: Going to Lose This Time? The Qilin Child of the Zhang Family?

Chapter 542: Chapter 537: Going to Lose This Time? The Qilin Child of the Zhang Family?

"But I refuse!"

This sentence was originally used by Zhang Wei to reject Gu Shimang.

Unexpectedly, she learned from this and used it to reject the conditions offered by our side.

This indeed has a bit of the "things change with time" feel to it.

"I didn’t hear wrong, did I, Shimang, you’re refusing?"

Zhang Wei looked at Gu Shimang in disbelief, since she refused, did it not mean that she had other motives?

"I know what you’re trying to say, you would think I’m a woman of insincerity, with your conditions being so favorable, ordinary people would definitely not refuse. But I still rejected it, isn’t it because I am essentially a greedy and selfish woman, wanting more, thus my boundless greed, right?"

"This..."

It was the first time Zhang Wei encountered someone who preempted his own words, he immediately shook his head in denial, "No, I would say more, I wouldn’t just get it over with in a single sentence!"

The courtroom was silent: "..."

You dare to admit it, truly shameless.

"Hmph, I guessed as much!"

But a cold smile appeared on the corners of Gu Shimang’s mouth.

She raised her hands, then grabbed the sleeve of her left arm with her right hand and ripped it forcefully.

A tearing sound—

The sleeve was torn open, revealing her arm, along with a bruised and purple wound.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, and the audience in the hearing room, I, Gu Shimang, am here to tell you why I refused the generous terms offered by the other party. It’s because I’m not satisfied, I don’t want to see Gao Tianri get off lightly from the lawsuit."

"Look, this is the pain he has inflicted on me, the agony he has pressed upon my psychology. I have many such wounds on my body, some have healed, but others haven’t."

Gu Shimang pointed to the bruises on her arm and even to her chest, her waist, her thighs, and other places.

Clearly, there were injuries everywhere.

"Physical wounds can heal, but what about the wounds on the soul?"

"Since the years I married him, he has inflicted pain on me, the torment in my heart. Doesn’t all this count for anything?"

"Every deep night, what I feel isn’t the happiness of a wife, but a profound fear!"

As she spoke, a terrified expression surfaced on Gu Shimang’s face, her tone becoming tremulous, "Can you imagine, every time I go to bed, I’m unable to achieve deep sleep because I’m scared."

"I’m afraid that a hand would reach out from behind, covering my mouth, silencing my calls for help, and preventing me from breathing."

"I’m scared that when I wake up, my hands and feet would be tied up with straps and in front of me, the faces of strange men appear. I’m scared..."

With Gu Shimang’s terrified and trembling voice, she painted for everyone the misfortunes she suffered.

It must be said, this woman’s acting skills and ability to depict scenes were incredible.

The days she spoke of were absolutely heartbreaking, moving listeners to tears, and many people cried.

This was no way for a human to live.

Forcing a fragile woman to live in constant fear like this.

Gao Tianri, you are truly devoid of conscience!

Everyone looked towards the defendant’s bench with angry gazes, staring at Gao Tianri, many eyes blazing as if shooting fire.

In the courtroom, Gu Shimang’s performance continued.

"...I really hadn’t imagined that this would be what my married life would look like, the 10 years I lost, all spent in such pain. I... sob..."

Towards the end, Gu Shimang started crying again.

"Cough cough, Shimang, you’ve said quite enough, please restrain your grief!"

Zhang Wei quickly interjected a reminder, but the underlying meaning was clear.

You’ve done enough with the acting, no need to go so far, enough already!

"Lawyer Zhang, no need for your hypocritical concern here, I know what you’re really hoping for, that I’d just die crying right here in the courtroom. This way, me and the child in my belly wouldn’t be any bother to your client, right?"

"Shimang, how can you speak of me like that, am I, Zhang Someone, that kind of person?"

"Aren’t you?"

"It’s unjust!"

Zhang Wei cried out in injustice, but the surrounding glances shot at him were far from friendly.

Hypocrisy!

Everyone believed Zhang Wei’s concern was nothing more than a hypocritical act.

Feeling the hostility all around, Zhang Wei felt that he must make some moves.

"Judge Ni, our side believes that the plaintiff Miss Gu Shimang is too emotional to continue with the hearing, so for humanitarian reasons, we request the court to allow Miss Gu Shimang some time to recover."

Judge Ni Qiuping glanced at Gu Shimang and saw that the latter had cried her eyes red and was sobbing softly in the witness stand.

"Well, the court approves, let’s adjourn for today then."

She paused, then flipped open her schedule, "So tomorrow... Oh, you want her to rest more, right? Then let’s tentatively set the trial for the day after tomorrow. I’ll have the clerk notify both parties of the exact time!"

"The court is now adjourned!"

As Judge Ni Qiuping declared with the strike of her gavel, the entire courtroom gradually dispersed.

It was only after the hearing gallery and jury had left the courtroom that Gu Shimang, who was sitting in the witness stand, finally stopped crying.

"Lawyer Zhang, you have run out of tricks!"

At that moment, Gu Shimang showed none of the frailty of the woman from before, only the maliciousness and venom of a vengeful woman.

"Shi Man, was there really a need for this? As soon as they left, you reveal your true self?"

"Hmph, Lawyer Zhang, I could have given you a chance, but you didn’t seize it. Since you refused to help me at the beginning, now I’m going to make you pay the price!"

Having said that, Gu Shimang met up with Laura and then swanned off.

The more pitiful she had cried before, the more arrogantly she walked away now.

Moreover, she didn’t care at all that her true nature was exposed in front of Zhang Wei and the others.

After all, she never expected her acting could fool Zhang Wei and the others.

"How can this woman be so wicked?"

As Gu Shimang walked away, Xia Qianyue approached Zhang Wei and voiced her bewilderment.

The simple-minded Silly, obviously couldn’t understand how a woman could cry on command in front of others but be so ruthless behind their backs.

"Yes, too wicked. It’s more comfortable being with you all!"

Zhao Xiaoxiao also joined in, clearly indignant.

Interacting with Xia Qianyue, Zhang Xinwu and others didn’t require too much thought, and everyone was very simple.

Even when with Xiao Baihe and Jessica, they were all close friends.

Zhao Xiaoxiao simply couldn’t imagine if Xia Qianyue and the others turned into someone like Gu Shimang, whether they could still get along well.

"Lawyer Zhang, why didn’t your strategy work?"

Even Gao Tianri was confused at this point.

He had clearly had the upper hand before, so how had the advantage disappeared in the blink of an eye?

He had made such a sacrifice, willing to split 50% of his estate and set up a trust fund of 20 million for his child.

He himself believed that he had been very sincere, but he still hadn’t managed to sway the jury.

Before the court adjourned, the jury had looked at him in such a way that it was really...

Gao Tianri felt like he was doomed.

"Director Gao, as you saw, I can only say your wife, Gu Shimang, is a very impressive actress, her ability to improvise is undeniable."

"Yes, that’s also why I chose her at first. I thought such an outstanding woman would definitely get a higher remuneration in the future. I figured it would be better to tie her to my side directly, so next time I make a movie, I wouldn’t lack a leading actress."

"That was your initial thought?"

Zhang Wei’s eyes widened.

Good lord!

So Gao Tianri married Gu Shimang to save on her acting fees.

You, a famous director, actually thought of mooching off her!

This caused the way everyone from Zhang Xinwu to Zhang Xinyan and the rest of the crew looked at Gao Tianri to change.

Afterwards, they returned to Sifang Gate Street to rest and discuss their next moves.

Having suffered such a setback today, they needed to find a way to reclaim their position.

...

That afternoon at 5 p.m. sharp.

On the outskirts of Dongfang Capital, a certain manor.

The manor was vast, with a lawn that stretched as far as the eye could see, and a helipad marked out on the grass.

At that moment, a group of people with strong presence and identity stood on the grass, gazing into the distance as if waiting for someone.

Gurgle gurgle...

But just then, a series of discordant sounds broke the solemn atmosphere.

"Hey, Zhang Tianlong, your son said he’d be here by 5 p.m. Where is he?"

The person whose stomach growled not only didn’t show any semblance of apology, but instead took the initiative to question someone.

"Fatty Lin, shut your mouth!" Another man scolded in a low voice.

"Zhang Dihu, getting cocky again, huh? Think about your own situation first. Now every time you go out, aren’t there a dozen people from the Investigative Department watching you, and you still talk tough to me?"

"You..."

Fatty Lin from the Lin Family, who brought up the most unwelcome topic, instantly angered Zhang Dihu.

"If it weren’t for that bastard Zhang Wei, if it weren’t for him!"

"Ah Hu, today is a great day, let’s not mention that person!"

In front of the crowd, the leader frowned slightly, his words carrying a hint of warning.

"Yes, Big Brother!"

"Zhang Tianlong, you’ve finally spoken, I ask you, where is your son? Why hasn’t he arrived yet? I’m starving!"

Although Zhang Tianlong scolded his brother, Lin Xiangtian still wasn’t quite satisfied and kept nagging in his ear.

This made him rather annoyed.

The Zhang Family is the head of the Five Great Families, and I, Zhang Tianlong, am the first among the Five Great Families. How can I not even keep you, a fatty from the Lin Family, in line?

Look at the people from the other three families—the Wu Family’s Wu Yuanzong, the Hua Family’s Hua Chaoqun, and Zhao Qingyan from the Zhao Family.

After they arrived, from beginning to end, they didn’t utter a single word. Who else talks as much as you do?

"He’s here!"

Just at that moment, Hua Chaoqun, standing behind Zhang Tianlong, suddenly pointed towards the distance.

All eyes present turned in that direction.

A small black dot suddenly appeared on the horizon, then quickly got larger and larger.

It was a helicopter flying at high speed, arriving over the helipad in just a moment.

The helicopter hadn’t even landed when a figure leapt from it, a dozen meters in the air, then landed smoothly on the ground.

"What remarkable agility, Nephew!"

Hua Chaoqun only glanced once and knew the newcomer was no slouch, at least far superior physically to ordinary people.

"Dad!" the newcomer called out to Zhang Tianlong, confirming his identity.

He was Zhang Tianlong’s son, the Zhang Family’s auspicious Qilin child, Zhang Youlin.

The person who had jumped from the helicopter was dressed in a black combat uniform, with a supremely handsome build, facial features sharp and distinct as if carved, his angular face could only be described as very handsome.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, worthy of being your son, Zhang Tianlong, he certainly inherits that face of yours!"

Even Lin Xiangtian, who was always so critical, couldn’t help but praise the newcomer’s appearance.

"Hmph, of course!"

Zhang Tianlong was also extremely satisfied with his own son.

After all, this was his flesh and blood, the Qilin child of the Zhang Family.

When it came to Zhang Youlin, Zhang Tianlong naturally felt very pleased.

Although his son had left the Zhang Family and been sent by his father to the War Department for further training and had even been dispatched overseas to offer support, he had indeed felt some reluctance at first.

But as Zhang Youlin earned his military achievements in the War Department, the father’s reluctance turned into pride.

It was said that his son had been given the title "Human Qilin" in the War Department, an absolute trump card among the elite.

Now that the period of further training had ended, his son had returned to Dongfang Capital and was about to take over the Zhang Family’s status in Dongfang Capital, becoming the number one figure of the younger generation!

Zhang Tianlong was already looking forward to the day his son would soar.

"Dad, Second Uncle!"

After Zhang Youlin arrived in front of everyone, he first greeted Zhang Tianlong and Zhang Dihu.

Polite and respectful, neither overbearing nor humble, it could be said that Zhang Youlin understood etiquette well.

Then he turned to Lin Xiangtian and the others, saying politely, "Uncle Lin, Uncle Zhao, Uncle Wu... and Uncle from the Hua Family, Youlin greets you all!"

"Where, where, you’re too kind, too kind!"

Lin Xiangtian also smiled broadly, continuously complimenting how sensible the young man was.

Even Zhao Qingyan, Wu Yuanzong, and Hua Chaoqun nodded in greeting to the newcomer.

"Youlin, come, let your father give you a welcoming feast to cleanse the dust off your travels, and we’ll arrange for you to meet your grandfather after a while."

"As you say, Dad. I’ve missed Grandfather a great deal and am eager to see him soon!"

Zhang Youlin said, a smile spreading across his lips.

He took off the combat uniform he was wearing, crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it directly to a nearby bodyguard.

The latter hadn’t expected such a move from Zhang Youlin at all. By the time he raised his hand, the clothes had already fallen to the ground, too late to be caught.

Upon seeing this, a fierce glint flashed in Zhang Youlin’s eyes.

"Dad, what’s with these bodyguards you have around you? Can’t they even manage this simple task? Are you keeping a bunch of useless people?"

The bodyguard felt a flicker of anger upon hearing this.

But in the next moment, his vision blurred, and a whip kick was already sweeping towards his face.

So fast!

This was the bodyguard’s last thought before being hit.

Crack!

As his face made hard contact with the whip kick, his upper body nearly twisted down completely; he spun 270° before his head slammed hard onto the ground.

"Hmph, just a domesticated dog, yet you dare to stare at me, your master!"

As for Zhang Youlin, the instigator, he did not even glance at the bodyguard he had severely injured; he just walked past with a look of sheer arrogance.

This scene had many, including Zhang Tianlong, exchanging bewildered looks.

"Zhang Tianlong, your son assaulted my bodyguard, and so severely at that. You’d better not think about skimping on the medical expenses!"

"Fatty Lin, just handle it. I’ll have my secretary contact you later!"

"Alright... You guys, come and help already, pull him up!"

Lin Xiangtian said, waving his hand to the bodyguards on either side, and then hurried to rescue the unconscious bodyguard and rushed him for medical treatment.

What Zhang Youlin probably did not know was that his father did not bring any bodyguards with him this time—the one he beat up was Lin Xiangtian’s personal bodyguard.

minutes later.

Inside a manor, in a grand hall.

Zhang Tianlong sat in the main seat, flanked by Zhang Dihu and Zhang Youlin, while Lin Xiangtian, Zhao Qingyan, and others all sat around the table, dining together—a meal to welcome and purify Zhang Youlin.

Over the dinner table, as everyone ate and drank, naturally the conversation flowed.

"Dad, have I missed anything big in Dongfang Capital these past few years?"

"Haha, Youlin, what big things could happen in Dongfang Capital?"

"But I heard that recently Dongfang Capital seems to have been a bit troubled, and there’s a person named Zhang Wei who has been causing trouble for our Five Great Families?"

Upon hearing this name, the atmosphere at the dining table became slightly tense.

Expressions on the faces of Zhang Tianlong, Zhang Dihu, Lin Xiangtian, and Wu Yuanzong subtly changed.

"Ah, it’s my fault for not disciplining my people properly, allowing him to act so arrogantly for so long. I’ll punish myself with three cups!"

Lin Xiangtian immediately stood up, admitting his fault outright.

"Uncle Lin, that Zhang Wei is from Jincheng Law Firm, is he really that capable? Even I, who have been training at the War Department, have heard his name often!"

"Ah, I must admit, the kid does have a bit of my own style back in the day!"

Lin Xiangtian’s words caused everyone, including Zhao Qingyan, to be momentarily stunned.

Known for being shameless, but no one’s seen shamelessness like yours, Fatty Lin.

We’re talking about Zhang Wei here, and you’re giving yourself glory?

After Fatty Lin apologized, he immediately turned to a person across the table, "Oh right, Second Brother Wu, didn’t your family run into some trouble this time?"

"Fatty Lin, who are you talking about? What trouble? Don’t spout nonsense!"

Wu Yuanzong became unhappy the moment Lin Xiangtian brought up his name.

Trouble?

What nonsense are you talking about? Everything’s fine, so what’s this about trouble?

"But the female celebrity you’ve been hooking up with, hasn’t she been targeted by Zhang Wei?"

As if privy to many pieces of information, Lin Xiangtian smiled and looked at Wu Yuanzong, "Be careful, that Zhang Wei may not have other skills, but his ability to stab you in the back in court is something you won’t see coming!"

"Hmph, I don’t believe that kid has the guts!"

Wu Yuanzong snorted confidently, "Besides, I’ve already received clear intel that there’s no issue on Shi Man’s end!"

"Is that so, no issue?"

Lin Xiangtian didn’t press further but continued smiling at Wu Yuanzong.

Zhang Dihu was also full of confidence regarding Qian Moli’s case, saying there was no issue, yet he ended up in a mess.

And then there’s Cheng Lisha, who is even...

Lin Xiangtian said, his eyes turning towards Zhang Dihu and Zhang Tianlong, with an increasingly evident smile on his lips.

"Uncle Wu, does Zhang Wei have a grudge against you?"

"Nephew, don’t worry about it. That Zhang Wei is just a small fry; my Wu Family could crush him with ease."

Wu Yuanzong stated, his face brimming with confidence.

What could be done? The Wu Family’s standing was what it was, and what was Zhang Wei’s by comparison? There was simply no contest.

For the Wu Family to crush the latter was as easy as stepping on an ant.

"I’m not worried, it’s just that before he fails, I would like to meet this person. I want to see for myself what kind of man Zhang Wei is, the one who has made such a name for himself all the way to the War Department!"

"If that’s the case, you might want to pay attention to Shi Man’s upcoming case. She should be winning soon, and I also really want to see this kid’s moment of defeat!"

As Wu Yuanzong spoke, he laughed toward Zhang Dihu and Zhang Tianlong, "When the time comes, I’ll let Shi Man take care of this kid. It’ll be like avenging you all as well!"

Wu Yuanzong’s words did not cheer up Zhang Tianlong and Zhang Dihu; in fact, their expressions seemed a bit gloomy.

Because the brothers actually preferred to take their revenge with their own hands.

Fatty Lin, sensing the mood had turned somewhat sour, quickly raised his cup, "Great, to let out some anger. I’ve found that kid disagreeable for a long time as well, Second Brother Wu, thanks in advance~"

With Lin Xiangtian lightening the mood, the dinner continued.