Chapter One Hundred Sixteen: The End

“Greetings, senior brother.” Zhang Ze nodded somewhat awkwardly at Chen Yuanding.

Beside him, Xu Fei could sense that the usually unflappable Lawyer Zhang, who never blinked even if the sky fell, seemed unusually tense.

He was nervous?!

“Zhang Ze, do you even deserve to call me senior brother?” Chen Yuanding’s lips curled into a sneer.

“Look at you—you’re only fit to be a low-level clerk at the Judicial Bureau. Do you think all defense lawyers are like you? Let me tell you, you’ll never achieve anything in legal aid, understand?”

He slowly leaned down in front of Zhang Ze.

The aura he exuded was like a lion eyeing its prey. If Chen Yuanding wanted, he could devour Zhang Ze at any moment.

Xu Fei glanced at Zhang Ze, whose hands clenched tightly on his knees.

His pale fingers revealed his fear.

“Lawyer Zhang, are you... alright?” Xu Fei asked hesitantly.

Chen Yuanding glanced sideways at Xu Fei and said, “Are you the defendant today? I can only say you chose the wrong lawyer to defend you. By the way, my client insists you go to jail. Sorry…”

He then stepped closer to Xu Fei, lowering his voice.

“Actually, you wouldn’t have to go to jail, but unfortunately, you hired the most incompetent lawyer, and at the same time, you ran into the one lawyer you absolutely shouldn’t have.”

“Ha ha ha...” Chen Yuanding laughed loudly and stood up.

“Alright, Zhang Ze, see you in court.”

With that, he turned and walked back to the plaintiff’s side.

“Are you alright?” Xu Fei looked at Zhang Ze again.

“I’m fine,” Zhang Ze lowered his head, trembling as he took out a small bottle of pills from his pocket. He opened it and poured out two yellow tablets.

He intended to take them but his hands shook so badly that one pill fell to the ground.

Xu Fei quickly picked it up and handed it back to him.

“Was I useless just now?” Zhang Ze’s eyes flashed with sadness.

Xu Fei smiled.

“No, not at all.”

“Don’t worry. I have confidence—we will win this case.”

Though Xu Fei noticed that the steely resolve and confidence were gone from Zhang Ze’s eyes.

“Just do your best, Lawyer Zhang.”

He watched Zhang Ze swallow the pills.

At that moment, the door to Courtroom No. 2 was pushed open.

Du Man unexpectedly entered.

Xu Fei waved to her.

“Why are you here? Didn’t you say not to come?”

“Xu Qing and the others were worried about you, so they asked me to check on you.”

“Mm,” Xu Fei nodded.

Then the side door near the judge’s bench opened.

A young clerk in a blue uniform walked out.

Xu Fei felt a spark of hope.

The clerk approached the judge’s bench.

“Everyone please rise.”

From the side door appeared Judge Zhao, clad in his robe.

He walked slowly to his seat.

“Please be seated.”

Everyone sat down.

“Court is now in session,” the clerk announced, sitting beside Judge Zhao.

Judge Zhao reached for the case file, flipping it open.

He glanced at the clerk.

“Now, identity verification…”

Following the trial procedure, the clerk verified everyone’s identities and read the court rules aloud.

Judge Zhao then declared, “We will now proceed with the in-court investigation.”

He turned to Chen Yuanding.

“Plaintiff’s side, please present your statement.”

Chen Yuanding nodded and stood.

As East Sea’s top lawyer, Chen Da’s presence was commanding; his grasp of the case was clear and precise.

After recounting the facts and evidence, Chen Yuanding looked toward Judge Zhao.

“Your Honor, I have finished my statement.”

Judge Zhao nodded.

“Defendant, your statement, please.”

Zhang Ze rose but swayed involuntarily.

“Are you alright?” Xu Fei asked anxiously.

“I’m fine,” Zhang Ze steadied himself and began his statement.

Though clear, it was obvious to everyone present that Zhang Ze had omitted many details.

Sweat dripped down his forehead, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

After he sat down, Xu Fei saw Zhang Ze gasping for breath.

“Lawyer Zhang, should we request a recess?”

“No. If I ask for a recess now, our case will be over.”

“Really?”

Xu Fei looked at him.

“You don’t know Chen Yuanding. He’s too formidable. I’m afraid…”

Zhang Ze’s gaze locked on Chen Yuanding, who was smirking coldly at them.

“Does the defendant have a counterclaim?” Judge Zhao asked.

Zhang Ze nodded.

“I hope the court will consider that my client acted in self-defense, which led to injuring the plaintiff. I ask the judge to take this into account during sentencing.”

Judge Zhao nodded.

“And the plaintiff?”

Chen Yuanding, looking confident, shook his head.

“I have nothing to add.”

“Very well, I now declare a fifteen-minute recess.”

Judge Zhao stood and, accompanied by the clerk, walked toward the side door.

Zhang Ze relaxed against his chair, watching the judge leave.

“In fifteen minutes, the verdict will be announced.”

Xu Fei nodded.

“Zhang Ze, if you’re not well, don’t defend others anymore. It’s not worth it.”

Chen Yuanding leaned back in his chair, looking down on Zhang Ze.

“Everything is still uncertain.”

“Hmph, do you really think you can win this time?”

Chen Yuanding pointed at him.

“Just wait.”

Fifteen minutes passed quickly.

Judge Zhao and the clerk returned.

Standing at the judge’s seat, he looked around and announced, “Now I pronounce judgment…”

Everyone rose.

“Based on the trial proceedings, I declare that Xu Fei acted in self-defense…”

“What!?” Chen Yuanding stared at Judge Zhao in shock.

Without looking at him, Judge Zhao continued, “However, Xu Fei is suspected of excessive defense, so the defendant Xu Fei shall compensate the plaintiff Zhang Dajun for medical expenses totaling one hundred and twenty yuan.”

He set down the verdict.

Clerk Xiao Zhang addressed the court, “This session is now adjourned.”

Chen Yuanding stood up.

“Judge Zhao, this... this verdict—is it...?”

“Is what?” Judge Zhao glanced at him.

“Old Chen, if you disagree, you can appeal to a higher court.”

He gathered the documents and was about to leave when he looked at Xu Fei, smiling and nodding.

Zhang Ze watched this, astonished, and glanced at Xu Fei beside him.

“You… you know Judge Zhao?”

Chen Yuanding was no fool.

He had noticed too.

He hurried after Judge Zhao to the side door.

“Old Zhao, what’s going on? Didn’t we agree on this?”

Judge Zhao’s face darkened.

“Old Chen, you’re not new at this. What, can’t accept losing?”

“I…”

Chen Yuanding knew he had lost—but not to Zhang Ze.

He watched as Judge Zhao and Xu Fei left, slamming the door behind them.

He turned sharply to look at Xu Fei sitting in the defendant’s seat.