Are You Crazy? He's only an Intern Lawyer?-Chapter 65 - 64 Video evidence, do you know Wang Yuqing

“She wanted to contribute to the world, to offer her own strength to make it a better place, is that so?”

“Yes!”

“Then, did she also tell you that she didn’t want to see anyone hurt, nor did she want anyone’s life taken, and that all her research was aimed at saving others, to make the world a better place?”

“Yes!”

Faced with Huang Fang’s questions, Luo Feixiang naturally responded with consecutive affirmative answers.

Meanwhile, at the defense’s bench, Zhang Wei seemed to sense the severity of the issue.

The line of questioning, though yielding affirmative responses, carried hidden barbs, as if laying a deadly trap!

“Is it coming?” Zhang Wei narrowed his eyes, as if anticipating something.

“This is going to be interesting!”

Suddenly, Huang Fang’s tone changed, and she began to smile: “Because I happen to have a video file on hand, a speech given by the defendant Wang Yuqing during an academic symposium, and its content completely contradicts the Wang Yuqing you’ve described!”

“Ah, so here you were lying in wait for me!”

Zhang Wei immediately understood the prosecution’s intent.

They had Luo Feixiang testify in order to paint a good picture of Wang Yuqing.

And all of this was for the sake of this hidden video evidence!

And this evidence had conspicuously not appeared on the exhibit list, aiming to catch Zhang Wei off guard!

“Objection!” Zhang Wei knew he had to stand up now.

“Your Honor, this so-called video evidence was not included in the exhibit disclosure list; the behavior of the prosecution has seriously breached the principle of disclosure during trial proceedings!”

Huang Fang had anticipated Zhang Wei would object and immediately stood up: “Your Honor, a ‘concerned citizen’ only made this video file public yesterday.

We have not yet had the opportunity to report it to the court, which is why it was not included in the updated exhibit list.

I hope you can understand!”

Hearing this far-fetched explanation, Zhang Wei couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

A concerned citizen my foot, obviously, it’s your ace in the hole, a trick I’ve played out long ago.

However, Huang Fang continued to explain: “Your Honor, this video file is of great importance.

It can tell us not only about the character of the defendant Wang Yuqing but also serves as rebuttal evidence to the testimony provided by witness Luo Feixiang.

Please approve our exhibit application!”

After hearing the explanations from both sides, Calm Bro sighed: “Both of you, come here!”

Huang Fang and Zhang Wei hurried forward.

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“Your Honor, since the prosecution claims the video file was provided by a concerned citizen, the defense requests that the prosecution provide the call record of this citizen as well as forward us the email with the exhibit submission to prove there are no issues with the origin of this video evidence!”

“Your Honor, the prosecution opposes the defense’s unreasonable demand.

The video provider has requested anonymity; if we reveal the citizen’s information to the defense, it could lead to undesired consequences.

If every defense were to make this demand, concerned citizens would be afraid of retribution and would no longer be able to provide evidence to our prosecutor’s office!”

Zhang Wei’s request was naturally met with strong opposition from Huang Fang, for the simple reason that this concerned citizen did not exist at all, yet the excuse she found was indeed seamless, leaving Zhang Wei with no good counterargument.

“Lawyer Zhang, your request is somewhat overstepping, the court is also concerned about the exposure of citizens’ information, which may lead to retaliation by the defendants in the future.”

Calm Bro spoke, glancing at Huang Fang: “Prosecutor, the video was indeed provided by a concerned citizen, right?”

“Certainly, Your Honor!”

“You’re certain this video serves as a piece of rebuttal evidence?”

“Yes, I’m sure!”

“Alright then, the court allows the video to be played.”

Since Calm Bro had spoken, Zhang Wei had no choice but to return to the defense bench.

Huang Fang nodded at Zhao Jing, who then began to operate her laptop.

Huang Fang explained to the jury, “This video file is from a microbiology seminar, and the speaker is the defendant Wang Yuqing.

Everyone, please look at the big screen!”

As she explained, everyone’s attention began to focus on the big screen.

The screen showed two individuals, one of them the host, and the other was Wang Yuqing.

“…Once again, thank you, Doctor Wang, for accepting our invitation to this interview.

Here, I would like to pose a hypothetical question, if I may?”

“Of course!”

“This question comes from an audience member here with us.

He would like to ask Doctor Wang, if there were an isolated group of people, faced with an unknown virus or bacterial infection, what, in your professional opinion, would be the best solution?”

As the host posed the question, Wang Yuqing fell into a brief silence, but quickly responded.

“If the pathogen is only spreading within a specific group of people, then my best recommendation would be to gather these individuals, then isolate and observe them until the characteristics of the pathogen are discovered, after which targeted treatment can be applied…”

“But according to what you’ve said, the pathogen could pose a lethal threat to some of those infected, and we could only stand by and watch?”

“I know it sounds cruel, but unfortunately, these are the sacrifices that have had to be made for medical advancements throughout history.

Sometimes, to save 50,000 people, you must sacrifice 5 specific individuals…”

The screen froze at the last moment, with Wang Yuqing having spoken these words.

The room erupted in a commotion.

In the jury box, all 12 jurors turned their gaze toward the defendant Wang Yuqing, their eyes filled with ever-increasing doubt.

At the witness stand, Zhao Chunming wore a cold smirk, confident of victory, while Xiao Baihe and Tan Yingying became visibly unsettled.

However, their emotions were mixed.

Tan Yingying was somewhat excited, as this meant the Procuratorate Headquarters might win.

But Xiao Baihe was somewhat disgruntled.

She felt that it should have been her defeating Zhang Wei, not that self-righteous Huang Fang in the courtroom!

In the defense bench, Zhang Wei turned his head, staring intently at Wang Yuqing.

“This shouldn’t be the speech you gave this year, right?”

“Of course not, I remember this was from a seminar about eight or nine years ago.

I was different then than I am now!”

Wang Yuqing explained, and Zhang Wei had no choice but to believe her.

Meanwhile, in the courtroom, Huang Fang was relentless in her questioning of Luo Feixiang.

“Professor Luo, I want to hear the truth, are you certain it wasn’t Wang Yuqing who sent the mushroom emails?”

“She has said many beautiful things to you, talked about work, talked about life, but this video tells us that sometimes, to save thousands of lives, she believes it’s necessary to sacrifice the lives of 2, or 6 people…”

“Wasn’t Councilor Yang killed because of her ambition, her dissatisfaction with the city council?

Besides Councilor Yang, there were four others who would have become innocent victims if not for the timely intervention of the Martial Association, right?”

“Professor Luo, please answer the question, please really answer my question!”

Facing Huang Fang’s barrage of questions, Professor Luo’s expression became unsightly, even somewhat self-doubting.

“Objection!”

Watching Huang Fang question Luo Feixiang in the courtroom, Zhang Wei had to stand up.

“Your Honor, the prosecution has presented unfounded, false allegations.

These are her subjective conjectures; she is harassing the witness, posing questions with strong subjective bias, making inflammatory statements.

Do I need to continue listing my objections…”

Thud, thud, thud!

Calm Bro was completely rattled, hammering the gavel repeatedly.

“Prosecutor, please conclude your questioning.

You are on the verge of overstepping my boundaries!”

The judge intervened, and only then did Huang Fang back down, but she had achieved her goal.

She looked at the jury, at the suspicion in the eyes of the 12 onlookers, knowing she had won!

What Zhang Wei might ask in cross-examination no longer mattered to her.

The balance of the trial had already tipped one way.

Huang Fang finished her questioning, and it was Zhang Wei’s turn for cross-examination.

However, upon reaching the stand, he did not speak immediately.

“Professor Luo, do you need more time to compose yourself?”

He just looked at Luo Feixiang, waiting for the latter to regain his composure.

“No need, I am a professor at the law school.

If I can’t handle this little turbulence, how am I supposed to teach my students!”

Luo Feixiang recovered quickly and even smiled at Zhang Wei.

But Zhang Wei didn’t smile, because no matter how quickly Luo Feixiang recovered, it was useless.

The expression of self-doubt he had just fallen into had already been captured by the jury.

Even Luo Feixiang had a trace of doubt about Wang Yuqing.

It was hard to assure what the 12 jurors, each with distinct personalities, might conjecture.

“Professor Luo, I only have one question.

The story you’ve told is quite beautiful, and your narration has let us know that this story really happened, and that you are one of the parties involved.”

“As for the video evidence presented by the prosecution, could you tell us, what is different about the Wang Yuqing in the footage and the one standing at the defendant’s stand?”

Luo Feixiang glanced at the defense bench, then made a comparison, “The Yuqing in the footage seems younger.

It must be her speech from 8 years ago.”

“Oh, why do you think it’s from 8 years ago?”

“Because…”

Luo Feixiang paused for a moment, then smiled, “The beige wool sweater she wore during her speech was a gift from me, and in the video, that sweater still looks very new…”

“I see, thank you for your answer!”

Zhang Wei nodded, then said, “I believe people do change.

Dr.

Wang’s speech from 8 years ago can’t possibly represent her current thoughts.

Professor Luo, what kind of person do you think Dr.

Wang is now?”

Luo Feixiang, looking at Wang Yuqing, smiled and said, “In my eyes, she is still the same, willing to sacrifice everything else for her work—to make the world a better place and to help more people, she could even spend her entire life in the lab!”

“Thank you for your answer, I have no further questions.”

Zhang Wei returned to the prosecution bench, ending his cross-examination.

In the courtroom, Calm Bro checked the time.

“The time is late today.

Court is adjourned for now.

Also, since the prosecution’s video evidence was not added to the exhibit list, the court grants the defense an extra day to prepare.

We will reconvene on Wednesday!”

Calm Bro announced the adjournment, and the courtroom was dismissed.

After the adjournment, Huang Fang approached Zhang Wei and sneered, “Defense attorney, it’s not too late to plead guilty now.

I might consider a lighter sentence.”

“The outcome isn’t decided yet.

Is the prosecution celebrating too soon?”

“Still talking about an uncertain outcome.

It seems that Lawyer Zhang is a bit slow to understand the situation!”

After mocking him, Huang Fang added, “If you’re going to plead guilty, do it sooner rather than later.

I’ll wait for you until midnight on Tuesday.

Don’t miss the chance!”

With that, she tossed a business card to Zhang Wei and left without looking back.

Zhang Wei picked up the business card, rubbed it in his hands for a while, then threw it away like a piece of waste paper.

“Celebrating at halftime with champagne, classic right?”

He watched as Huang Fang and the Procuratorate Headquarters staff left, his eyes narrowing slightly.

This Huang Fang made a grave blunder!

“Lawyer Zhang, what shall we do next?”

Wang Yuqing came up beside Zhang Wei, her face full of worry.

“What else can we do?

You go back first.

We still have two days.

I will think of a strategy.

If I don’t find anything else, I’ll apply for you to testify in your own defense.

But I’ll try not to choose that path, as it would make you a target for the prosecution!”

“Then I’ll be going back.

The Martial Association probably wants to take me away now!”

Wang Yuqing said goodbye to Zhang Wei and not far off, Luo Feixiang, and then left under the escort of the Martial Association.

“Zhang Wei, what are we going to do next?

We have less than two days left, how are we supposed to turn this around?”

“Professor Luo, I need your help with something!”

“You say…”

“The usual trick, you draw attention at the front entrance of the courthouse, and I’ll leave through the back door.

I need to complete an investigation in the coming time, and I do not want to be swarmed by the media.

I can only sacrifice you!”

“Well…

alright…”

Though reluctant, Luo Feixiang agreed to Zhang Wei’s request.

He resolutely walked out of the courtroom and headed straight for the main entrance of the city courthouse, knowing that countless media reporters were waiting for them there.

Meanwhile, Zhang Wei looked up at the ceiling, then headed directly for the back door of the city courthouse.

…

That night, at Lin Mansion.

“Knock, knock, knock!”

At the entrance to the room on the second floor, Zhang Wei knocked on the door.

“What is it?

What?” Inside the room, the impatient voice of Zhao Xiaoxiao could be heard.

“Darling, Daddy needs your help!”

“Who’s your darling?

Don’t you dare take advantage of me!”

The door cracked open, revealing Zhao Xiaoxiao’s irritated profile.

The room was very dim, and because of the hair obstructing the view, Zhang Wei couldn’t clearly see if the girl in front of him was truly angry.

“Alright, great roommate, your big bro Zhang needs a little help.

May I come into your room?”

“You must have been at a disadvantage in court.

I knew you’d have your moments of defeat!”

Zhao Xiaoxiao snorted coldly but still opened the door.

This was Zhang Wei’s first time entering the second-floor room, which was the only room on the entire second floor.

As he walked in, he saw the room was exceptionally spacious, featuring just a few load-bearing columns, a screen, a simple bed, and more than a dozen computer screens.

Zhang Wei took a step and his foot crushed something.

“My goodness, how many snacks have you had!” he exclaimed, as he looked down to find a potato chip box and some snack wrappers.

Only then did he realize that the entire room’s floor was covered in snack bags.

Messy!

Extremely messy!

“None of your business!” Zhao Xiaoxiao said with an impatient expression, sitting in front of the dozen or so computer screens, which comprised her “workstation.”

With nowhere to sit, Zhang Wei could only lean against a load-bearing column and watch Zhao Xiaoxiao’s hands dance on the keyboard, typing a series of codes.

“I want to ask, did you hack the laboratory’s security system?”

“Yep, I hacked it.

What do you want to know?”

“I knew you were awesome, darling!”

“Who’s your darling?

Stop talking nonsense or I’ll throw you out,” Zhao Xiaoxiao warned coldly while maintaining her posture of typing on the keyboard.

Zhang Wei quickly moved closer and asked, “Did you find any suspicious logs or abnormal records when you checked the system?”

“Does it count if someone deleted part of the suspicious logs?”

“Of course, it counts!

Why wouldn’t it?”

Zhang Wei was startled, as Zhao Xiaoxiao seemed to have actually discovered something.

“What time did it approximately happen?”

“Let me check…” Zhao Xiaoxiao began pounding the keyboard as a stream of characters appeared on the screen.

“Well, from the 13th of last month onwards, the logs from 11 PM to 5 AM have been deleted every day.

But ordinarily, nobody would be able to tell why,” she reported.

“Why would these logs be deleted?”

“Simple.

Without log files, there are no records.

If the log capture function is turned off, the system won’t record the entry and exit of access cards.

According to the system display, the records at 11 PM on the 13th were manually deleted, and after that, a rule was set to delete the logs from 11 PM to 5 AM the next morning.

However, during that time frame, no one would use their card to enter or leave the lab, so there’s no trace of it on the backend!”

“Who could delete these logs and modify the rules?”

“Only someone with administrative privileges could do that.

According to the system logs, there’s only one administrator like that—probably the head of the lab?”

“Then it must be Tan Xiuwen.

He went out drinking on the evening of the 13th…” Zhang Wei mumbled, reflecting on the timeline, and then suddenly realized.

“Professor Tan claimed that he went straight to rest after drinking and didn’t go to the lab; could he be lying?”

“But the logs have been deleted, and if there’s no record here, how can you prove he lied?”

Zhang Wei’s brow furrowed, then suddenly relaxed.

“Darling, the Medical University Affiliated Laboratory’s system was done by Blacksmith Technology, but what about Medical University’s own security system?”

“Stop calling me darling.

I’m warning you again!” Zhao Xiaoxiao snapped coldly but continued to work on the system.

“Hmm, Medical University’s security is rubbish.

Give me 15 minutes, and I’ll find anything you need.

But let’s make it clear—if I stumble upon a video of a couple getting intimate in the bushes, you can’t watch it!”

“What kind of person do you think I am?

Would I, Zhang Wei, be that sort of person?”

Zhang Wei got angry, visibly annoyed.

Soon though, he pondered over an issue.

“It’s strange.

I thought Professor Tan wanted to speak up for Wang Yuqing in court, but something about him didn’t seem right,” he mused.

“Especially that last time, he spoke out of turn without being questioned and even betrayed Wang Yuqing.

If he really is involved, does that mean…”

Zhang Wei’s brows gradually turned solemn.