Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 613 - 606: Zhang Wei’s Scheme Causes Bai Meiqi to Vomit Blood

Chapter 613: Chapter 606: Zhang Wei’s Scheme Causes Bai Meiqi to Vomit Blood

Civil courts typically only require a six-person jury.

However, Ren Xingzhou, on behalf of the Wu Family and Mr. Momoji and son, made a special request.

To increase the jury size to twelve members and require that the additional six to be foreigners.

What kind of peculiar request is that?

Are they implying that the jury of Dragon Country isn’t fair enough?

In fact, it’s quite likely.

They themselves said that considering the issue of resentment towards the rich, a Dragon Country jury might not be truly fair and impartial.

After all, the Wu Family is a prominent clan, and when ordinary people hear the term "prominent clan," their attitude is questionable.

The father of Momoji is a diplomat, and he himself belongs to the "second-generation rich" category, equally notorious for his profligacy in Ancient Elephant Country.

Ren Xingzhou anticipated that Lawyer Zhang Wei might exploit Momoji’s status in Ancient Elephant Country to provoke the jury’s resentment of the rich, so he devised a preventive strategy.

If the jury cannot ensure fairness and impartiality, it would undermine the rights of Xiao Mo Moji and Wu Renjie, which informed the request to increase the jury size.

Because who can guarantee that a six-person jury from Dragon Country won’t harbor hostility towards the "elite class"?

Therefore, conversely...

Including some foreign friends, some who are less likely to harbor resentment towards the rich, would better ensure fairness and impartiality.

Hence, Judge Ni Qiuping, looking at the hundreds of names in her hand, couldn’t help but fall into deep thought.

"Lawyer Ren, you come from a prosecutor’s background, are you serious?"

Judge Ni Qiuping had obviously heard of Old Ren and couldn’t help but ask.

Such an odd request, not to mention civil courts, even criminal courts haven’t encountered it; you, Ren Xingzhou, are really breaking new ground.

"Judge Ni, have I ever defended a foreign friend like Mr. Momoji’s son before?"

Ren Xingzhou spread his hands, indicating that this was also his first attempt.

In any case, his request had been presented and the reasons explained, and he even considerately provided the court with a list.

Now, it’s your turn to consider.

But Ren Xingzhou was confident that the court would agree to the request because it concerned the fair trial rights of the defendants.

"Lawyer Zhang, do you agree with the defense’s request?" Judge Ni Qiuping could only look towards Zhang Wei to ask for his opinion.

"No problem at all, since the defense wants a twelve-person jury, we have no objections!"

Unexpectedly, Zhang Wei’s side agreed to the defense’s unconventional proposal.

"Alright, since the defense’s request has no objections from the prosecution, the court approves it," Judge Ni Qiuping said, then looked at the list in hand, "However, everyone on this list must be verified by the court, with a simple background check, so it might cause a little delay."

"Let’s do this, I estimate the background check may take about 5-6 hours, it’s 8 o’clock in the morning now, if the background check is done by around 2 p.m. and if these foreign nationals can be present in sufficient numbers, we’ll start the preliminary hearing, how about that?"

"We have no objections!" Ren Xingzhou was naturally the first to respond.

"Nor do we!" Zhang Wei nodded in agreement.

So, at the indication of Judge Ni Qiuping, both parties dispersed and left on their own.

Judge Ni Qiuping naturally called her clerk and also contacted the court staff and the background investigators to start the work.

Meanwhile, Ren Xingzhou’s side and Zhang Wei also left the civil court’s office.

"Lawyer Zhang, I didn’t expect that you would actually play this hand!"

"Old Ren, I didn’t expect that you would counter me with such an unconventional move either?"

Both sides left the office at the same time, then walked in the courthouse together. As the representative lawyer, Ren Xingzhou also greeted Zhang Wei.

"Hahaha, our request is fair and in accordance with the rules, and upgrading to a twelve-person jury should pose no difficulty for you, Lawyer Zhang. Perhaps you might even find it especially familiar?"

"Are you implying that a twelve-person jury feels more like criminal court, right?"

Indeed, compared to the six-person jury of civil court, Zhang Wei preferred the twelve-person jury of criminal court.

In Jincheng Law Firm’s records, although Zhang Wei is also skilled in civil and commercial litigation.

What he is best at is criminal defense, helping those who should have been convicted by the prosecution to win acquittal.

So a twelve-person jury is, for Zhang Wei, a preferred number.

"By the way, Old Ren, have you visited Boss Shen yet?"

"Shen Zhengyi?"

Ren Xingzhou furrowed his brow, somewhat incredulously.

Zhang Wei actually brought up Shen Zhengyi proactively. What was that about?

Was your relationship with Shen Zhengyi that good, Zhang Wei?

How did the other party enter the hospital, don’t you have an inkling?

How did he lose his partner position, lose everything, do you really think you are the victim?

For you, Zhang Wei, to proactively mention Shen Zhengyi—it’s like a weasel crying at a grave—so fake it can’t be any faker!

"Lawyer Zhang, why do you mention him?"

"Nothing much, just that when I went to see Boss Shen that day, he told me some things, but it’s unrelated to you."

As Zhang Wei spoke, he waved his hand and turned with a smile to Bai Meiqi, who stood behind Shen Zhengyi: "Lawyer Bai, Boss Shen told me a lot about you!"

"Me?" Bai Meiqi was startled. What did Shen Zhengyi say about me?

"I never expected to clash with Lawyer Bai this time, it’s a surprise joy indeed. Go for it, Lawyer Bai, I have high hopes for you, and I hope you won’t let down Boss Shen’s expectations!"

As he spoke, Zhang Wei waved to Bai Meiqi then quickly ran out of the city courthouse with Zhang Xinwu in tow.

Ren Xingzhou and his entourage, or to be precise, the five-member defense team from Jincheng, exchanged glances at this moment.

"Lawyer Bai, are you still in contact with Shen Zhengyi?" Among the three-member group from the defense team, Lawyer Shen, the new litigation department head, showed a hint of suspicion.

Beside him, the elite member from the project department, Lawyer Han, vaguely sensed something was off.

Similarly, Lawyer Yang stared intently at Bai Meiqi, as if trying to discern something from her.

A suspicious atmosphere pervaded among the five.

"Boss Ren, what are you looking at me like that for? Zhang Wei was just talking nonsense, obviously trying to disrupt our team of five, you..."

"Lawyer Bai, I know, the way that kid spoke, he certainly didn’t mean well!"

Ren Xingzhou gestured for Bai Meiqi not to explain further—he could naturally see through Zhang Wei’s ploy.

However, although he could see through it, there was a saying that fit well here: I understand the logic, but I just can’t accept it!

Similarly, whether Zhang Wei was truly just speaking carelessly, attempting to divide their group of five, everyone could see that.

But what if, just what if?

What if among their group of five, there really was a traitor, or they actually had a planted pawn of the opposing side?

Take Bai Meiqi, for instance. When the big boss found her and asked her to join the anti-Zhang Wei team, her initial attitude seemed to be somewhat uncooperative.

Was this non-cooperation really because she was too busy, or was it for some other reason—that was not easy to say...

Therefore, Lawyer Shen, Lawyer Han, and Lawyer Yang didn’t relax their suspicion of Bai Meiqi.

Even Ren Xingzhou himself, despite verbally stating it was all Zhang Wei’s strategy, still looked at Bai Meiqi with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

After all, he had only just taken office, and it was normal for some employees in the new department not to accept his leadership.

Moreover, the litigation department had previously been Shen Zhengyi’s responsibility, and it was possible that there were still several of Shen Zhengyi’s loyalists in the department.

If given enough time, Ren Xingzhou was confident he could win them over, given that Shen Zhengyi was already a discarded chess piece with no value.

But now, there might exist those who still harbored loyalty to the past, like Bai Meiqi...

Was Bai Meiqi on Shen Zhengyi’s side, not accepting his new leadership, and even colluding with both Shen Zhengyi and Zhang Wei?

Incidentally, before the criminal department was established, wasn’t Zhang Wei also part of the litigation department? It was said that he had even helped Bai Meiqi’s cousin, Bai Ruoyun.

By that account, didn’t Bai Meiqi owe a favor to Zhang Wei?

Ren Xingzhou’s gaze became uncertain.

"What are these four thinking, they’re not suspecting I’m a traitor, are they?"

At this moment, Bai Meiqi was also feeling frustrated.

If she knew what the four were thinking, she certainly would’ve thought: I’m so darn speechless!

Zhang Wei just made an offhand remark and gave an ambiguous glance, and you all start having wild suspicions like this?

Please!

I, Bai Meiqi, am also a top-notch lawyer. Wouldn’t I know the firm’s rules, uphold the professional ethics of lawyers?

Why are you looking at me as if "I, Bai Meiqi, might be a traitor, might tip off Zhang Wei, and might even lend Zhang Wei a hand during the trial"?

Bai Meiqi complains inwardly and cries out about the injustice.

"Can you all not think like that, please? If there’s a problem, let’s bring it to the table and talk."

Unfortunately, neither Ren Xingzhou nor the trio of Shen, Han, and Yang had any intention of having a heart-to-heart with Bai Meiqi.

The four of them tacitly said little, instead gathering by the client’s side.

"Lawyer Ren, from now on, we’ll have to trouble you with this case. Don’t let my son be put under too much pressure."

"Mr. Momoji, rest assured, we understand our responsibilities!"

"Lawyer Ren, we also entrust Renjie to you. You know what I mean; Renjie is a victim too. Please do your utmost!"

"Mr. Wu, please have peace of mind. President Lin has instructed us, and we will spare no effort!"

Wu Yuanzong and Momoji exchanged glances and shared a knowing smile.

With Ren Xingzhou as their safety net and four elite powerhouse lawyers, this case should be as good as settled!

However, Bai Meiqi felt somewhat uneasy in the midst of the team.

Because she could sense the suspicion from her peers, and that was not a good sign.

Similarly, she also developed a wariness towards Zhang Wei.

With just those casual remarks, the entire team had been divided.

This was indeed alarming!

Similarly, outside the courtroom, Zhang Wei left with Zhang Xinwu, preparing to head back to Lin Mansion for news.

"Zhang Wei, why did you have to say those things at the end? Your relationship with the former leadership at Jincheng Law Firm seems to be pretty bad!"

"Yes, my relationship with Shen Zhengyi is particularly bad, and almost everyone in the litigation department knows this, but so what?"

Zhang Wei spread his hands and then sneered, "I was certain those five weren’t of one mind. They thought that by combining their forces, they could battle with me, not realizing the truth of ’1+1

The thought of Ren Xingzhou and the other four made Zhang Wei laugh.

I casually said a word, and you started suspecting your teammates. Can you even call that a ’team’?

After all, within Ren Xingzhou’s camp, the one he feared the most was Bai Meiqi, since she, like him, was an ace lawyer.

Although Zhang Wei was unafraid, he was happy to suppress his rival’s ace with a little sleight of hand.

Unexpectedly, this tactic proved quite effective, causing a shakeup in his opponent’s ace.

Well then, the upcoming trial just got interesting...

...

pm.

Civil courtroom, on-site at the court.

To prepare for the upcoming litigation, the municipal court had allocated a large courtroom to the civil division.

After all, the case had garnered significant attention, involving as it did a diplomat from Ancient Elephant Country and sparking widespread media interest.

So, when 2 pm arrived and Zhang Wei came to the court with the plaintiff Zhang Xinwu and Xia Qianyue, Zhao Xiaoxiao, Jessica, and Mo Yuzhu, as well as other friends, they were greeted by a horde of reporters at the door.

"Lawyer Zhang, it’s said that you’ve been ousted from Jincheng Law Firm. The defendant in this lawsuit is represented by Jincheng Law Firm. Is this your first step in seeking revenge against your former employer?"

"Lawyer Zhang, after Jincheng Law Firm fired you and snatched away your clients, do you harbor resentment towards your old firm, and thus are using Miss Zhang here to take revenge with this case?"

"Lawyer Zhang Wei, many believe you are the instigator behind this case, and that you filed the lawsuit against the two defendants for your own purposes. What’s your perspective on this?"

"The infamous Homicide Lawyer finally stands up for the ordinary people—one would say that’s the weasel wishing the chicken a Happy New Year, clearly up to no good..."

Zhang Wei paused in his steps, then locked his gaze onto the mocking reporter in the crowd.

The crowd instinctively parted, and the reporter looked around in panic, realizing that everyone was avoiding him and becoming even more flustered.

Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing? Help!

Although Zhang Wei was no longer at Jincheng Law Firm, his influence lingered; his title as the Homicide Lawyer still echoed around Dongfang Capital’s legal circles.

At this moment, a reporter dared to confront him openly. It must be said, this kid had guts!

"Looking at your press badge, Dongfang Capital Media, right? Guess what tomorrow’s headline will be for your paper?"

"Well, tomorrow hasn’t come yet. How would I guess..."

"No worries, I’ve got it all figured out for you. ’Shocking: Unscrupulous media exploits and oppresses, leading an employee to leap to their death!’ How is that for a headline?"

Zhang Wei smiled as he delivered the proposed headline, all the while intently watching the other party’s face drain of color.

Although he spoke in jest, every reporter in the vicinity took his words as a clear threat.

"Zhang... Lawyer Zhang, I, I, I..."

"No worries, you don’t have to explain. I wouldn’t listen anyway. I’m just reminding you to be careful when you go back today. Remember to ’sleep with your eyes open’ tonight, otherwise... humph!"

Zhang Wei laughed coldly in the end and even went over to pat the other person’s shoulder.

The reporter was scared stiff on the spot, feeling a chill in his groin followed by a warm stream rushing downward.

He pissed himself!

Click, click!

Countless flashes gathered on the two of them, especially on the reporter’s crotch for some close-ups.

They all inwardly cursed, "Holy shit, you Zhang Wei really are terrifying like this!"

Using a smiley and nonchalant tone, to utter such a horrifying threat, in the entire Dongfang Capital, there’s probably only you!

"Let’s go, we need to enter the courtroom now!"

Zhang Wei couldn’t be bothered to waste time with a bunch of reporters at the door anymore, leading Zhang Xinwu and the others directly into the courtroom.

Inside the civil courtroom.

Ren Xingzhou’s side had already been ready for a while.

Wu Yuanzong and Momoji had already taken their seats at the front of the audience.

In the defendant’s seat, Wu Renjie and Momoji were all set, with Ren Xingzhou sitting beside them, while Bai Meiqi and the trio were sitting in the row behind Ren Xingzhou and his two companions.

On Zhang Wei’s side, he placed Zhao Xiaoxiao and the other three in their usual spots, on the plaintiff’s witness bench.

And he, with Zhang Xinwu, took their seats on the plaintiff’s bench.

There were two of them on their side, against seven on the opposing side, which seemed to have numerical superiority.

However, Zhang Wei knew that among those seven, Momoji and Wu Renjie didn’t pose a threat. Out of the remaining five on the defense team, Bai Meiqi was the most threatening to him.

But now...

Zhang Wei exchanged smiles with Ren Xingzhou, who responded with a cold sneer.

Zhang Wei acted as if he hadn’t seen it and nodded at Bai Meiqi with a smile, then mouthed words a few times, as if he were communicating with Bai Meiqi across the air.

Bai Meiqi: ConfusedFace.JPG (Old man, subway, smartphone)

After "communicating" with Bai Meiqi, Zhang Wei quickly lowered his head and started to converse with Zhang Xinwu.

The quartet on Ren Xingzhou’s side all saw Zhang Wei’s silent mouthing to Bai Meiqi.

"Lawyer Bai, you wouldn’t mind if I took a look at your phone’s chat history, or your messages and call logs, would you?"

"Boss Shen, I do mind!"

Facing Ren Xingzhou’s sudden and "excessive" request, Bai Meiqi naturally refused.

Come on, think about it, how could Zhang Wei and I possibly be in secret contact!

This is just that guy’s counterintelligence, how could you...

Just then, Lawyer Yang from the trio frowned and said, "Lawyer Bai, not that I’m overthinking, but I’ve learned a bit of lip-reading. Just now, Zhang Wei seemed to be saying to you, ’I entrust this case to you. Let’s work together with one heart this time. Looking forward to our pleasant cooperation.’ Do you have any explanation for that?"

An explanation, to hell with explanations!

You believe whatever Zhang Wei says, is that it?

Bai Meiqi rolled her eyes, too lazy to waste words with these four anymore.

In your eyes, I’m already colluding with Zhang Wei, right?

"Working together with one heart, looking forward to our pleasant cooperation, what does that mean?" Ren Xingzhou then fell into thought after hearing Lawyer Yang.

But quickly, a clear thought flashed through his mind.

Bai Meiqi was dissatisfied with becoming the head of the litigation department, she herself wanted to get close to the executive level!

Because after Shen Zhengyi left, she could very likely become the head of the litigation department, but I took that position first.

So, for this case, Bai Meiqi was prepared to seize the opportunity to retaliate against me!

After all, the case I, Ren Xingzhou, am leading is directly ordered by the big boss. If it fails, won’t my dignity in the litigation department be swept away, and wouldn’t I even make a mark in the records of the big boss!

After all, I, Ren Xingzhou, am the responsible person, so if the case fails, wouldn’t I be the one carrying the big pot?

Thinking this, Ren Xingzhou instantly understood!

Damn you, Bai Meiqi, daring to play both sides like this, that’s really something!

If Bai Meiqi knew that in just such a brief moment, Ren Xingzhou had conjectured so much, she would surely be angry enough to spit blood!