Chapter 391: 391: Court Appearance (1) Vigorous Defense, Take the Initiative!

Chapter 391: 391: Court Appearance (1) Vigorous Defense, Take the Initiative!

Translator: 549690339

In the courtroom.

Ji Baijian and Song Zhizhi were looking at each other.

Song Zhizhi looked a bit pale, and she seemed to have lost some weight. Even though she was not mistreated in jail during this time, she was always under the protection of Jun Mingyu. Moreover, Jun Minghan didn’t seem to have considered tormenting her in jail. She was very clear that true torture would occur after being sentenced to prison. Otherwise, if anyone found out, the backlash would not be worth it.

But after all.

The environment inside the detention center was too harsh, gloomy and damp, surrounded by walls on all sides. The food inside was not good. Coupled with the nearly month-long confinement with hardly any sunlight, it was no surprise her complexion had deteriorated.



At this moment, a faint smile formed at the corner of her mouth.

She smiled slightly at Ji Baijian.

A flicker of emotion stirred in Ji Baijian’s heart.

His suppressed feelings were surging the moment he saw Song Zhizhi.

He nodded slightly at her.

Song Zhizhi also nodded in response.

There was a tacit exchange of information between them. Even separated by such a distance, one could still sense the strong affection between them.

Ye Wenhan was watching their interaction.

Because he was just sitting diagonally across from Ji Baijian and directly facing Song Zhizhi in the courtroom, he clearly saw everything.

His face was extremely displeased!

Very displeased indeed.

The bitterness in his heart made him somewhat twisted, yet he had to suppress it in such a situation.



His face cold, he watched their every move without any warmth.

Anyway.

Anyway, after today, these two would no longer be possible. He wondered how much affection Ji Baijian could still have for Song Zhizhi once she was truly sentenced to prison?!

He really wanted to see the scene of Song Zhizhi regretting to the point of despair right now.

He silently adjusted his emotions.

Watching as the clerk of the court had already run through the legal procedures and the judgment chief took his place.

Everyone rose to their feet, the sentiment solemn.

“Sit down.”

Everyone then sat back down.

The judgment officer stood up.

All eyes were on the platform in the courtroom, the atmosphere was very solemn.

The judgment officer began, “In order to stimulate the economic development of Yanshang Country, the Commercial Management Organization has cooperated with the globally renowned James Group for international trade cooperation. Song Zhizhi was responsible for the reasonable dismantling of the Airport District. Using her personal power to oppress and threaten the residents Liu Wen during the forced eviction, which caused Liu Wen to commit suicide, caused a public uproar. Also causing the James Group to feel extremely dissatisfied with the Commercial Management’s approach. The final outcome resulted in Yanshang Country losing 5 billion in direct economic losses, not to mention the immeasurable huge losses and the negative international influence it has.”



“The plaintiff offers the following evidence of suspected criminal Song Zhizhi’s misconduct: 1. Verification of the victim Liu Wen’s injuries, Liu Wen’s statement, and the testimonies from Liu Wen’s family members; 2. The testimony and provided evidences of bribery from Liang Ping, the person directly responsible for carrying out the oppression; 3. An assessment booklet which outlines the economic losses brought upon Yanshang Country due to this incident. The prosecutors accuse the suspected criminal of intentional assault and causing national economic loss. The suspected criminal is asked to present her legal defense!”

Lawyer Wen Tian stood up.

After first handling Song Zhizhi’s case, he didn’t take on many more cases but now he was quite different from the man who had trembled slightly in court back then. Maybe the pressures of that case had spurred his rapid development; today he seemed calm and collected.

He declared, “I will make a plea of not guilty on behalf of my client.”

As soon as the words came out.

There were some gasps in the courtroom.

This case was already quite complicated, so the ones allowed to observe were people with significant standing.

In addition to the people around Ji Baijian, such as Ye Wenhan, Qian Guanshu, and others, all chiefs from the Commercial Management were present, except for Song Shan.

Qin Wenguo appeared in the spectator’s seat with his two children.

Chu Zhaotian also appeared there with his daughter.

At this moment, when Wen Tian’s words came out.

Without regard for his own status, one man suddenly yelled out, “Song Zhizhi, have you no shame!”



For a moment.

All eyes in the courtroom were on Song Zhizhi, filled with utter contempt.

Unable to correct his wrongs even at this time.

“Silence!” The Judgment Chief said sternly.

One of them added, “Judgment Chief, people like Song Zhizhi should be severely punished!”

“Silence!” The Judgment Chief raised his voice. “The courtroom is not a place for you to express your opinions. If you can’t maintain silence in the public gallery, we will forcefully expel you from the court!”

The whole court was silent.

This stalemate lasted for several seconds.

Lawyer Wen Tian began to speak with composure, “First of all, we doubt the evidence provided by the prosecution about the victim Liu Wen. Therefore, we hope the judge could allow us to ask Liu Wen a few questions to clarify our doubts.”

“Granted.” The Judgment Chief agreed.

So, Liu Wen was brought in.

Liu Wen looked at Wen Tian, seeming very confident.



Wen Tian started, “How old are you this year, Mr. Liu?”

“42.”

“Your whole family, including your parents, live together at 12-5, Building 3, Airport Residential Area. You have 5 people in your household, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Could you please tell us how my client retaliated against you? Please describe the incident as it happened.”

“I left work late that day and was walking on the street when I was suddenly attacked and brutally beaten by a person in a dark alley. He knocked me to the ground and threatened me. He told me to behave myself or he would kill me and my entire family!” Liu Wen said vehemently.

“Was the man who beat you the man across from you?” Wen Tian pointed to another criminal, Liang Ping.

Liu Wen confirmed with certainty, “Yes!”

“Yes?” Wen Tian frowned. “From what I heard from Mr. Liu, you left work quite late that day and the alley was very dark. Could you clearly see that the man who beat you was him?!”

“I, I, I didn’t see it clearly, but I could somehow make out the overall outline and figure.”

“So, by your implication, you felt it rather than saw it clearly.” Wen Tian summarized.

“I’m not lying, I know it was him!” Liu Wen seemed rather agitated.



“I’m not doubting you, I’m only presenting the facts to the court.” Wen Tian spoke calmly. He asked Liu Wen again, “Mr. Liu, when he was beating you, did he specifically say it was Song Zhizhi who ordered him to do so?”

“How could he possibly tell me directly!”

“Then how are you sure that everything he did was on the orders of Song Zhizhi?”

“I don’t know it was Song Zhizhi. All I know is that he threatened me to move out of my house to not interfere with the demotion progress! And that wasn’t all, the next day I received a notice from my daughter’s school telling me to take her home because I was impeding the progress of our country’s economy and trade. To make matters worse, in the following days, our family suffered retaliation. Our doors were violently knocked on in the middle of the night and paint was sprayed on our door. It was unbearable. The only viable choice was to expose everything through my suicide!”

“So in other words, you don’t know if it was Song Zhizhi, all you knew was that the threat against you greatly affected your life due to the demotion!”

“Yes, during that time our home was in a state of constant fear. My mother was scared into a hospital admission, my daughter was kicked out of school, it was stifling at home!”

“Then may I ask Mr. Liu, did you sign the displacement agreement?” Wen Tian abruptly shifted the topic.

“Yes, I did.”

“If you’ve signed, why would Commercial Management retaliate against you?!”

“I demanded more than others.” Liu Wen admitted, “I admit that at that time I did want to gain additional advantages from the demolitions, so I added some extra conditions during negotiations with the displacement team. I asked them to assure my daughter admission into a private school, at no cost to us.”

“Did they agree?”

“They did.” Liu Wen answered, “But the next day they went back on their word, insisting that I sign a new agreement and remove my additional conditions. I obviously wouldn’t agree. Since they agreed and we signed the contract, why would they suddenly backpedal? Consequently, I didn’t sign and I threatened the staff at the time. I said if they didn’t meet my conditions, I wouldn’t move, and their project couldn’t proceed!”

“Alright, I have finished my questions.” Wen Tian, exceedingly respectful, turned to the Judgment Chief, “Judgment Chief, I wish to ask the specific worker in charge of the displacement for this project a few questions.”

“Granted.”

Lin Wen, Song Zhizhi’s subordinate and the person in charge of this project, appeared in the court.

Wen Tian spoke word by word, “Miss Lin, how long have you been working for Commercial Management?”

“5 years.”

“And how long have you been working under my client, Song Zhizhi?”

“A year.”

“Please give an objective evaluation of Song Zhizhi.”

“She’s hard-working, talented and capable, but...” Lin Wen glanced at Song Zhizhi.

Song Zhizhi seemed calm.

Lin Wen didn’t dare to look Song Zhizhi in the eyes, and bluntly characterized her, “But she is too ambitious.”

“As for being too ambitious, could you give some examples?”

“For instance, she always demands a lot from us, constantly comparing us to Manager Chu’s department, always targeting his side. We often have to work overtime because of her performance objectives.”

“That only shows that she’s serious and responsible at work.”

“But it also shows her ambition.” Lin Wen said confidently.

“I don’t doubt you.” Wen Tian was always confirming the witness, he said, “According to victim Liu Wen, you grabbed the second contract agreement and forced him to sign it, tearing down the additional terms he’d before. Why did you suddenly break an agreed upon deal?”

“It was arranged by Manager Song. She supposedly disagreed with Liu Wen’s additional terms when she reported to the upper-level management. She didn’t want to appear inadequate to her superiors, so she decided to renegotiate the demolition contract with Liu Wen. But, Liu Wen refused to agree. I was unable to handle the situation, so I passed it to Manager Song. What she did after that, I really don’t know.”

“Ok. Thank you.” Wen Tian finished his questioning, then turned to the Judgment Chief and asked, “Can I ask a few questions to Liang Ping?”

“Granted.”

“Did Song Zhizhi find you and asked you to threaten and intimidate Liu Wen’s family?”

“Yes.”

“When did she contact you?”

“Around 3PM on September 29th. I was at the store playing poker with colleagues. She came straight to me and asked for a favor, offering me 500,000 yuan! I work in this industry, so I agreed immediately.”

“Did she find you at your workplace?”

“Yes.”

“Did she give you the 500,000 yuan straightaway?”

“Yes, she paid me cash. First, she gave me a deposit of 300,000 yuan and after I threatened them, she gave me another 100,000 yuan. The remaining 100,000 yuan would be paid after getting the agreement signed.”

“So, my client gave you 400,000 yuan.”

“Yes.”

“So, where is that 400,000 yuan now?”

“I didn’t have a chance to spend or shift it due to the rush, so the law enforcement seized it.”

“So you didn’t spend a penny of that 400,000 yuan?”

“Correct.” Liang Ping nodded, seeming somewhat excited he spoke to the Judgment Chief, “Your honor, I was simply following others’ instructions. I admit I was blinded by money, but I didn’t expect the consequences would be so severe. Had I known, I wouldn’t have done it. Please, your honor, take this into consideration; don’t send me back to prison...”Fôll0w current novÊls o/n n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(c/o/m)

“Silence!” The Judgment Chief severely remarked, “The suspect will remain quiet. We will pass judgment on your criminal actions according to the laws of Yanshang Country.”

Liang Ping shut his mouth.

Ji Baijian continued to watch him.

Yin Qin at the side couldn’t help but tease, “He’s already far away, and you’re still watching as if you can’t take your eyes off him!”

Ji Baijian glanced back.

He got up and left.

After only a few steps.

He met Ye Wenhan head-on.

Ye Wenhan’s face was incredibly clouded at this moment.

He coldly said, “You really are something else!”

Who would have expected Ji Baijian to investigate to this degree.

Who would have thought Ji Baijian could provide all the details of Liang Ping’s activities during this period. They simply did not expect Ji Baijian to go this far!

Ji Baijian gave a cold smile, “Thank you for the compliment.”

Ye Wenhan let out a cold snort and turned away disdainfully.

“Mr. Ye,” Ji Baijian suddenly spoke up from behind him.

Ye Wenhan stopped in his tracks.

Ji Baijian articulated each word, “Sooner or later those who walk the treacherous path will encounter ghosts. Be careful you don’t bump into too many these days!”

Ye Wenhan’s face was hideous with anger, he brushed past him and stormed off.

Yin Qin always enjoyed watching Ji Baijian deliver a crushing blow.

The sight pleased him immensely!

Whenever he thought of Ye Wenhan’s complacency these days, he longed to see the spectacle of him falling flat on his face!

Therefore, it’s always better not to act arrogantly!

Such persons die a quick death!

Only after Ye Wenhan had left did Ji Baijian leave with the others.

There were many reporters outside the court.

Most of them wanted to know the results of this trial.

Ji Baijian said, “Baili, you take Xin Zaozao and leave first. I’ll handle the reporters.”

“Alright.” Ji Baili agreed readily.

Xin Zaozao hesitated for a moment before acquiescing.

She understood very clearly the intention behind Ji Baijian’s actions, no matter how nobly he tried to phrase it.

She left separately with Ji Baili, leaving Ji Baijian, Wen Tian and Yin Qin conducting business.

Naturally, the reporters rushed towards Ji Baijian.

Which is why the rest of them passed without any interference.

Xin Zaozao was driving, with Ji Baili in the front passenger seat.

The inside of the car was very quiet.

So quiet that it seemed a bit awkward.

Ji Baili broke the oppressive silence, voluntarily said, “My big brother is really impressive.”

“Yeah.” Xin Zaozao nodded, “Such a difficult lawsuit, and he was able to find so many effective pieces of evidence. Zhizhi’s acquittal is a certainty.”

“What my big brother wants is not just an acquittal.”

“I know.” Xin Zaozao knew that Ji Baijian would never be so merciful.

Merciful enough not to respond in kind.

“Anyway, thanks for your hard work this time.”

“Actually, I didn’t do much.” Xin Zaozao humbly said, “Just asked about some matters, a mere effort. Besides, Zhizhi and I are friends, if you keep thanking me like this, I’ll feel like I’m really an outsider!”

Ji Baili cracked a smile.

Xin Zaozao now was different from before.

She used to be shy, but now she suddenly seems to have become a lot more outgoing.

He asked, suddenly breaking the silence, “Have you visited Mu Cidian?”

Xin Zaozao’s hand gripping the steering wheel seemed to tense a bit.

Ji Baili noticed.

The next second, Xin Zaozao turned very indifferent.

She said, “I didn’t go to see him. And I won’t go see him. He got what he deserved.”

“I actually just wanted to ask...” Ji Baili started saying.

Before he could finish.

Xin Zaozao directly answered, “Baili, it’s impossible for us now.”

Ji Baili’s heart ached.

Xin Zaozao said, “I’m sorry, but I really can’t be with you.”

“Why?”

“Maybe because I don’t want to wrong you.” She said it very tactfully.

But Ji Baili understood.

She didn’t want to wrong him.

She just didn’t like him.

The inside of the car became awkward again.

Xin Zaozao pressed her lips together, unsure of what to say at that moment.

Ji Baili asked, nearly whispering, “Do you still like Mu Cidian?”

“No.” Xin Zaozao denied outright.

Ji Baili gave a bitter smile.

He always felt that she was lying.

Xin Zaozao clarified, “I don’t like anyone. It’s hard for me to like anyone right now. I don’t like Mu Cidian either, no matter if he has been punished by me now or not, I can’t like him anymore. My being with anyone or anyone doesn’t have anything to do with him. From now on, I have nothing to do with him.”

“Someday, he will be released from prison.”

“That’s his business, none of my concern.”

“Zaozao, sometimes it’s okay to not be so stubborn.”

“Baili, I know you care about me. I know what you’re thinking, I regret that I just don’t have feelings for you right now, it’s a pity that I didn’t fall for you.” Xin Zaozao said straightforwardly, “You’re a good man, so you shouldn’t feel obliged to be with me.”

Yes, Xin Zaozao didn’t want to wrong him because she didn’t like him.

He said, “Mmm, I know.”

His confession failed.

His heart ached of course, but he didn’t want to make Xin Zaozao feel uncomfortable either.

Xin Zaozao, on the other hand, felt a bit guilty. She said, “I’m sorry, Baili.”

“What are you saying! You can’t force things like this.”

Xin Zaozao nodded, unsure of what else to say.

Ji Baili might also feel that things were a bit awkward between them.

He said, “I suddenly remembered that I have other things to do. You can just drop me off here.”

Xin Zaozao didn’t refuse.

She stopped the car.

Ji Baili opened the car door.

The moment he opened the car door, he said, “Sometimes you really shouldn’t suppress your feelings too much, as long as it’s not something outrageous, liking someone is just liking them.”

Xin Zaozao looked at him.

Ji Baili didn’t say anything else, he got out of the car and left.

He didn’t want to push Xin Zaozao to Mu Cidian, he just suddenly felt that the love between Xin Zaozao and Mu Cidian might be very deep already.

Not just one-sided, but mutual.

And they probably think that there’s no possibility for them anymore!

Suddenly, he felt a stinging pain in his chest.

Ji Baili clutched his chest.

The thought of Xin Zaozao possibly being with Mu Cidian made him very uncomfortable, and yet he was still comforting Xin Zaozao now.

He suddenly felt how noble he was!

Meanwhile, Xin Zaozao drove away with a streak of emotions on her face.

She knew what Ji Baili was implying.

He thought that she was suppressing her own feelings because of what Mu Cidian had done in the past.

There was really no suppression.

Not liking someone anymore means not liking anymore.

To hate is to hate.

Mu Cidian has even disappeared from her world, if Wan Quan could also vanish, she would completely forget them!

At the gates of the courthouse,

After dealing with the reporters, Ji Baijian sat in the car with Yin Qin and Wen Tian.

In the car, Yin Qin was a bit excited, “Ji Baijian, how are you so incredible? Not only did you smoothly handle the journalists, but you also managed to handle such an impossible lawsuit so well. I really admire you.”

“You’d be better off thinking about your family’s situation with that time.”

Yin Qin was speechless.

He had hit a sore point.

“If I were you, I would have long been thinking about how to work and how to get the Milky Way back, instead of gossiping about other people’s affairs at this moment.”

Ji Baijian, you’re cruel!

Ji Baijian no longer wasted words with Yin Qin.

He looked out of the car window; all he could think of was Song Zhizhi.

He was thinking about her...

His lips curled slightly.

He forced himself to be rational, returning to the case itself.

He predicted that Ye Wenhan and Qian Guanshu would definitely find a scapegoat!

And he needed to pre-empt them before they acted!