Chapter 17 - 12: He Can’t Break the Law, Right?

Chen Wei, however, just waved a dismissive hand.

"No, no, no. This is just a negotiation."

"Besides..."

As he spoke, he looked up at Xu De.

In Chen Wei’s estimation, Xu De was almost certain to agree.

After all, this was a chance to win an acquittal in a murder case—an opportunity that could change a lawyer’s entire career. For a lawyer, the temptation was simply irresistible.

’And me?’

’I get a win, satisfy my client’s demands, and still get paid.’

’If Xu De can get Wang Mei and Xu Hong to pay Li Youcai a hefty sum, even better. It’d be a total win-win!’

’So we should be in perfect sync right now, working together!’

’As for the victims, Wang Mei and Xu Hong... who gives a damn about them.’

’A bunch of ignorant lowlifes. The fact that they can be of use to an elite like me is a blessing for them.’

"So, what do you say?" Chen Wei asked.

Xu De looked at him, then suddenly asked, "Lawyer Chen, do you need to use the restroom?"

Chen Wei froze, instinctively asking, "What’s that supposed to mean?"

Xu De replied, "If you don’t have a mirror, you can always piss, can’t you? Go take a good long look at yourself."

The words hung in the air, and the room went still for a moment. Even Lin Yue was stunned, and she shot him a strange look.

Chen Wei’s face flushed red, then white. Finally, he took a deep breath, clenching his fists to suppress his rage, and said in a low voice,

"You’d better think this through. This is a murder case. A loss would be a major blow to your entire career!"

"Without a settlement letter and a retracted testimony... the verdict is a complete unknown."

"Besides, you should be informing Ms. Wang. It’s her decision to make."

But Xu De shut him down immediately.

"You said it yourself—it’s an unknown. So don’t you worry your head about my client."

"I have some tea here. It’s a diuretic. Want to take some with you to... help you go?"

"You!"

Staring at the completely unyielding Xu De, Chen Wei’s expression darkened. It was the first time he’d ever met someone so ridiculously ungrateful.

’A win-win. We both make money and increase our odds. What’s not to like?’

"Hmph. Then I’ll see you in court."

Chen Wei glared at him for a long moment, then spat out the threat, took a deep breath, and turned to leave.

As she watched him go,

Lin Yue let out a sigh of relief, then looked at Xu De and chuckled.

"You certainly have an interesting way with words."

She paused for a moment, then sighed and lowered her voice.

"But... as obnoxious as he is, he’s right. Without a settlement letter... our chances of winning are much lower."

The response came the instant she finished speaking.

"Who says I’m out of options?" Xu De said offhandedly.

Lin Yue started to say,

"Honestly, I’d be more inclined to negotiate for more time on the custody arrangement..."

But she stopped mid-sentence. As if something had just dawned on her, her head snapped up to stare at Xu De, a look of astonishment on her face.

"You have a plan?"

"Of course I do."

Xu De nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"The plan is, we..."

...

「Outside the main hall.」

Chen Wei stalked out the door, his face a thundercloud. Before he left, he shot one last, deep look back at Xu De, who was still sitting on the bench.

’At first, I was hoping for a win-win scenario, but that guy is just so damn ungrateful...’

’In that case, I don’t mind putting some extra pressure on the defendant. I’ll make sure the judge gives Wang Qiang an even harsher sentence!’

’Hah! What an ungrateful fool!’

Chen Wei fumed, his anger mixed with humiliation.

’It’s the first time I’ve ever been humiliated like this by some young punk. Fine. I’ll just have to teach him a lesson about the real world!’

"Just you wait."

With that thought,

Chen Wei stalked to his car, yanked the door open, and sped off.

「Not far away.」

"Is that Chen Wei from Yangteng Law Firm?"

In the parking lot, the doors of an official vehicle opened and several men got out. One of them watched the car speed away and spoke thoughtfully.

"Looks like it. The court notified us. He’s the plaintiff’s representative in the Wang Qiang case."

Someone beside him nodded.

"Considering the timing, it’s reasonable for him to be at the police station."

At this, the man who had first spoken nodded in agreement.

There were three of them in total: two middle-aged men around thirty-five, and one young man in his early twenties, all dressed in formal black uniforms.

The uniforms resembled suits, with white dress shirts and red cravats at the collar, but they were distinguished by the red national emblem pinned to the chest. The men carried an indefinable air of authority.

Without a doubt.

These three were prosecutors from the Lusen City Procuratorate.

"I remember that Chen Wei guy is a notorious shyster, isn’t he? How did he end up as the plaintiff’s counsel?"

The young prosecutor, Zhang Qing, said through gritted teeth, his brow furrowed.

They were the very prosecutors responsible for bringing the public prosecution against Wang Qiang. Their purpose at the police station today was to collect evidence.

"Shut up."

The middle-aged prosecutor, Hu Guang, frowned. His face was stern and resolute as he reprimanded his junior.

"We are prosecutors."

"We cannot be biased. And we certainly cannot let personal feelings get involved!"

Hearing this, Zhang Qing retorted indignantly,

"Master, I’ve read Wang Qiang’s case file. It’s clear that he..."

Zhang Qing hadn’t finished speaking.

Hu Guang immediately interrupted him.

"Whether he lives or dies depends on the objective evidence and the court’s ruling! It’s not up to you, and it’s certainly not up to me!"

"If you still don’t understand what public prosecution means, then get the hell out and join another team!"

The harsh rebuke left the air thick with tension.

Seeing this,

the other prosecutor, the peacemaker Wang Wei, hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

"Old Hu, you’re being too harsh. Zhang is still young, and we were all like him once. That was a bit much, don’t you think?"

Hearing this,

Hu Guang glanced at Zhang Qing, then left without another word, heading silently towards the police station.

At this, Wang Wei turned back to Zhang Qing with a cheerful smile.

"Zhang, he has a point. As prosecutors, we can’t let our personal feelings get involved."

"If Chen Wei heard what you just said... it could cause trouble."

Zhang Qing opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, ultimately falling silent.

After a long moment, he finally asked,

"Mr. Wang, what do you think will happen in this case... with Wang Qiang?"

Wang Wei fell silent for a moment, then shook his head with a sigh.

"It’s hard to say. The evidence from the police, the testimony from Li Family Village... it’s all very unfavorable for him."

Hearing this, Zhang Qing asked quietly,

"Isn’t there anything else that can be done?"

Wang Wei shook his head.

"Alright, kid, don’t worry about all that. Our projections say the first trial will be in early November. For now, just go investigate the case with your master."

"As for what happens to Wang Qiang... that depends on how the defense lawyer performs."

"As for what can be done under these conditions..."

With that, he began leading Zhang Qing in the direction Hu Guang had gone, adding offhandedly,

"That, I don’t know."

"After all, it’s not like the defense lawyer can break the law, right? That’s highly unlikely."

...

"Let’s go steal the child!"

"Hm... Huh?"

"What did you say!?"

「Back in the police station lobby.」

Looking at the astonished Lin Yue, who had shot to her feet in shock, Xu De calmly repeated word for word,

"I said, my plan is..."

"We go and steal the child!"

Lin Yue just stared, bewildered.

After hearing his plan, Lin Yue stared at him blankly.

"Wait a minute, what do you mean your plan is... to go steal the child? That’s illegal, you know..."

"Oh, come on..."

Xu De looked displeased, but then his voice became soft and placating as he slowly explained,

"Calm down and listen to me. I promise you, our plan is perfectly legal and by the book."

"You could read the entire Criminal Code cover to cover and you wouldn’t find a single statute we’re breaking!"

Lin Yue was at a total loss.

’Stealing a child? Legal? How can you, a lawyer, even put those two words together in a sentence?’

’Do you have any idea what you’re saying...?’

’And besides...’

The corner of Lin Yue’s eye twitched.

"Why the hell would you steal a child!?"