Chapter 302 - 199: Jiang Sifan Thanks Lu Fan to His Face, Father and Son Reconcile?

Chapter 302: Chapter 199: Jiang Sifan Thanks Lu Fan to His Face, Father and Son Reconcile?

Wen Wan sat beside him, while Jiang Silu sat in the front.

The car was quiet for a moment.

Lu Fan glanced in the rearview mirror but didn’t say much. He just told Chen He, "Let’s go. To the courthouse."

The car slowly merged into the flow of traffic.

On the way, Jiang Sifan stared out the window, not speaking a word.

Wen Wan sat quietly beside him, occasionally sneaking a peek at him.

Jiang Silu wanted to start a conversation but couldn’t think of anything to say, so she too remained silent.

Lu Fan, on the other hand, was perfectly at ease, leaning back in his seat with his eyes closed, resting.

The car soon arrived at the courthouse entrance.

Chen He parked the car, and the group got out.

Lu Fan walked in front, leading them into the courthouse.

As they went through security, a bailiff stepped forward to check their identification. Only after confirming everything was in order did he let them pass.

They walked into the courthouse lobby, which was already filled with people.

There were uniformed police officers, lawyers carrying briefcases, and others who looked like victims’ family members.

Lu Fan pointed to the waiting area nearby and said, "Let’s wait here for a bit. The hearing starts at nine."

The group sat down in the waiting area.

Jiang Sifan’s expression remained tense, and his fingers unconsciously fiddled with the hem of his shirt.

Wen Wan could see he was nervous. She gently touched his hand and comforted him, "Don’t be nervous. We’re just here to observe."

Jiang Sifan glanced at her and nodded.

Just then, a middle-aged man in judicial robes walked past.

Wen Wan, who had a sharp eye, whispered in surprise, "Isn’t that... Xu Junjie’s father?"

Jiang Sifan followed her gaze and saw that it was indeed Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu saw them too. His gaze rested on Jiang Sifan for a second, then shifted to Lu Fan.

His expression was somewhat complicated, but he didn’t say anything. He gave a slight nod and then quickly walked away.

Lu Fan nodded back in response.

"Who’s he?" Jiang Silu asked curiously.

Wen Wan quickly filled her in on what had happened between Jiang Sifan and Xu Junjie.

Once the man was a good distance away, Sifan asked, somewhat puzzled, "What’s he doing here?"

Lu Fan replied calmly, "He’s the court recorder. He’s likely assigned to this case."

Jiang Sifan’s brow furrowed slightly at this, but he said nothing.

...

At nine o’clock sharp, the trial began.

Lu Fan’s group entered the courtroom and took their seats in the gallery.

The courtroom was silent, the atmosphere solemn and grave.

Directly ahead was the bench, where the presiding judge, other judges, and lay assessors were seated in order.

To the side was the recorder’s station, where Mr. Xu was sitting with his head bowed, taking notes.

To the left was the prosecutor’s table, where two prosecutors sat ramrod straight.

To the right was the defense table, where several lawyers were reviewing their documents.

In the very center, at the defendant’s dock, Lin Qiang was led in by bailiffs.

He was wearing a gray prison uniform and handcuffs. His face was pale, and his gaze was shifty.

His body visibly stiffened when he saw Jiang Sifan in the gallery, and he quickly lowered his head.

Jiang Sifan stared at him, his fists clenched tightly.

’That’s the animal who hired people to beat me up, and he almost hurt Wen Wan, too.’

Wen Wan gently squeezed his hand from the side and whispered, "Calm down."

Jiang Sifan took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

The presiding judge banged the gavel and declared the session open.

First, the defendant’s identity was confirmed. Then, the prosecutor read the indictment.

The prosecutor stood up and announced in a loud, clear voice, "The defendant, Lin Qiang, male, twenty-one years of age, a resident of Jinling City... is charged with intentional injury, provoking trouble, and indecent assault..."

Hearing "indecent assault," Jiang Sifan was stunned for a moment and looked at Lu Fan.

Lu Fan whispered, "They also found out about what he did to Huang Hui."

Jiang Sifan felt a surge of satisfaction.

It wasn’t that he was fighting for justice on Huang Hui’s behalf, but simply that this would hopefully lead to a heavier sentence for Lin Qiang.

’As for Huang Hui... Heh...’

The prosecutor continued reading the indictment, which detailed how Lin Qiang had hired thugs to assault Jiang Sifan, and also laid out the facts of the crime where he threatened and coerced Huang Hui at a KTV.

Each charge was supported by evidence: witness testimony, surveillance footage, chat records—it was all there.

Listening to all this, Jiang Sifan grew increasingly astounded.

He knew Lu Fan had provided some of this evidence.

But he had never imagined Lu Fan could gather such complete and detailed proof.

He stole a glance at Lu Fan.

Lu Fan sat ramrod straight, his face devoid of expression, his attention fixed solely on the proceedings.

The trial then moved to the fact-finding stage.

The prosecutor presented evidence, and the defense counsel challenged its validity.

Lin Qiang’s lawyer tried to defend him, saying things like "young and impulsive," "a temporary lapse in judgment," and "willingness to provide compensation."

But the prosecutor immediately countered, "Not only did the defendant, Lin Qiang, show no remorse after the incident, he threatened the victim in an attempt to cover up his crimes. Furthermore, he has a history of violent acts. The circumstances of his crimes are egregious and he poses a significant threat to society. We recommend he be punished severely, in accordance with the law."

The presiding judge asked Lin Qiang if he had anything to say.

Lin Qiang kept his head down, his voice barely a whisper. "I... I was wrong..."

’Wrong? He realizes he was wrong *now*?’

Jiang Sifan sneered.

A little over an hour later, the presiding judge declared a recess, announcing that the verdict would be delivered at a later date.

Jiang Sifan took a deep breath as he walked out of the courtroom.

Jiang Silu sidled up to him, saying excitedly, "Brother, did you hear all that? Intentional injury, provoking trouble, indecent assault—so many charges! Lin Qiang is totally finished!"

Jiang Sifan didn’t say a word, but he felt a profound sense of vindication.

...

At noon, Lu Fan took them to a restaurant near the courthouse for a simple meal.

Jiang Sifan remained silent, lost in his own thoughts.

Jiang Silu and Wen Wan chattered away nonstop, discussing the trial.