With the verdict delivered, Du Ze was already limp, as if his soul had left him, turning into a pile of soft flesh.

Duan Feipeng's mental fortitude was even more fragile.

His legs were trembling, a foul-smelling liquid dripped from his pant legs, making him seem dumbfounded.

Several bailiffs tried to carry him away, but merely managed to pull Duan Feipeng upright...

"Bang!"

His legs went weak, like noodles, and he collapsed directly to the ground, gasping heavily, trying to get up but without any strength.

At the moment of the verdict.

The feeling of death descended upon him, and he felt what true fear and dread were.

Powerless... utterly powerless!

Just like those death row prisoners awaiting execution, kneeling with hoods on, not running or screaming, only powerless and limp bodies.

"He will definitely appeal."

"Under normal circumstances, the appellate court can reject it without new evidence, but given the complexity, the court will agree to retry it in the provincial capital!"

Xu Liang saw through the follow-up at a glance and continued organizing his files.

Provincial High Court?

The only High Court among the 15 cities, with all participants at a professional level?

He's not incapable of winning the case!

"Really?"

Yang Ruoxi was stirred, her eyes sparkling.

She cautiously asked:

"Can you take me there?"

She then looked at him full of hope.

That's the High People's Court.

Handling criminal cases!

No lawyer would want to miss it, if they do, it means they'll never achieve greatness!

"Let's see how you perform." Xu Liang chuckled, deliberately not agreeing right away.

Yang Ruoxi heard, hesitated for a long time, then tentatively said:

"Then... then if I sprain my ankle, would you apply medicine for me..."

Xu Liang: ?

Xu Liang was stunned and instinctively turned his head to look at her.

Yang Ruoxi blinked, guiltily avoiding his gaze.

She had always suspected Xu Liang had some peculiar hobby, especially when she hurt her foot last time, but now seeing his attitude...

Could it be she was wrong?

In the next moment.

"Firstly, I am not a pervert."

Xu Liang seriously rejected her, poking her head lightly.

He was her boss, how could an employee think of their boss like this!?

After all, he wasn't a foot fetishist.

But, speaking again... 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"If there's a second trial..."

"Given your attitude, reluctantly I'll take you along." Xu Liang said.

An annoyed Yang Ruoxi paused, then suddenly her eyes lit up.

"Really!?"

"Hmm." Xu Liang replied perfunctorily.

The case was now settled, unless the defendant managed to overturn everything for a retrial, there was no chance of losing!

Even if a pig went to the trial, a second trial couldn't be lost.

Unless...

Xu Liang paused.

His gaze suddenly penetrated the crowd, landing on the defendant's seat, on Zhang Hao.

At this moment, he was watching Duan Feipeng being taken away, shaking his head and sighing, then quietly organizing his things, preparing to leave.

Xu Liang did not underestimate him.

The only variable was this new defense attorney.

If his conduct was like Director Zhou, and he suddenly produced something unexpected in the second trial...

Thinking of this.

A vicious glint flashed in Xu Liang's eyes, he took a deep breath, instinctively clenched his fist.

If he really does that.

Then Zhang Hao...

His skills better surpass Director Zhou, or he won't even be able to make it interesting for him!

"Let's go."

Xu Liang withdrew his gaze, leading Yang Ruoxi out.

Yang Ruoxi was very happy, even taking the initiative to help Xu Liang carry his bag, looking extremely pleased.

The reporters on the scene looked at the departing backs with both fear and excitement.

This time, the best actor award goes to...

It's unquestionably given!

...

The case temporarily concluded with a victory in the first trial.

It's safe to say it was a double delight!

Where did the first delight come from?

Naturally, it was the New Year!

That's right, the case's first trial ended on February 9.

Five days later, on the 14th, it's Chinese New Year.

It's safe to say that Xu Liang's appearance made this year's festival in Hanhai particularly vibrant!

Therefore, the reporters leaving the courtroom hastily joined the New Year's celebration after wrapping up their work.

Xu Liang and Yang Ruoxi did the same.

The two began to get busy, first summarizing their experiences from 2004.

Half a year later, the harvest can be said to be quite abundant!

They handled four big cases in total.

Two defenses and one plaintiff, all achieved unprecedented victories!

And the revenue reached over five hundred thousand.

In 2004, it can be said to be quite rich.

Before long.

They received another piece of good news.

The Wu Yong case came to an end.

Su Yu, under Xu Liang's guidance, had someone make a mental health report for Wu Yong.

According to the detailed report, Wu Yong suffered from a very severe mental illness!

This illness had developed before the victim was killed, and Duan Feipeng and the other person killed the victim, causing Wu Yong's mental illness to trigger and ultimately commit murder.

The first trial court sentenced him to 20 years in prison.

However, if Wu Yong behaves well, he might not even need ten years to get out!

This was an outcome that everyone was satisfied with.

However, the other party asked Su Yu to deliver a message to Xu Liang, which left Su Yu somewhat puzzled.

As for what the message was...

...

February 14th.

On the day of the Chinese New Year.

When the sky was still clear and the roads were still filled with the fog from firecrackers.

"Bang bang bang bang!!!"

"Crackling!"

"Whoosh~ Bang!!!"

Early in the morning, the sound of explosions echoed.

In the bedroom, Xu Liang was woken up.

He yawned and, under his second aunt Zhao Ying's arrangement, began to wash up, get dressed, and have breakfast.

Then the whole family went out to pay New Year visits.

During the visits, the restless Xu Ze saw the little dog in the family they were visiting and was very envious.

"Mom, I want to keep a dog too!"

On their way to pay visits, Xu Ze clung to Zhao Ying's leg, wailing.

Zhao Ying's eyes widened, and she raised her hand as if to hit him.

"Wow!"

Xu Ze immediately let go and ran, wailing loudly.

"I want to keep a dog, I want to keep a dog!"

"Keep your mother!" Zhao Ying cursed in a low voice, pinching his ear and pulling him to her side, threateningly pointing at his nose:

"Don't force me to hit you on such a festive day!"

Xu Ze felt very wronged, especially when he saw his father still mocking him, which made him even angrier, and he finally looked pleadingly at Xu Liang.

"Brother Xian, I want to keep a dog...."

Xu Liang was about to say something.

But Zhao Ying interrupted him, her eyes widened, and her raised arm was full of anticipation.

"Try saying that again!?"

Xu Ze instantly shut up, recovered his calm demeanor, as if he hadn't been the one crying earlier.

"Your brother still has to pay visits, where does he have time to take care of you!?"

Zhao Ying scolded, then looked at Xu Liang.

"Xian, do you have friends to visit?"

They didn't have many relatives.

The visits were mainly to neighbors and friends, and they could probably go back home after making a round.

Xu Liang thought for a moment and said:

"A bit."

"Second Aunt, you go home first, I'll be back soon."

After saying this.

Zhao Ying and Xu Fuqiang nodded and then pulled Xu Ze by the ear back home.

Xu Liang, on the other hand, started walking away.

He put his hands in his pockets and kept walking along the edge of the road.

He didn't have a car, and there were no buses or taxis during the New Year, so he had to rely on his legs.

He thought he would have to walk for an hour.

But...

In a daze, walking on Hongfu Street, Xu Liang stopped, raised his head, and looked across the road, stunned.

"Why are you here?"

Xu Liang showed a teasing smile, looking at the person wrapped tightly in a white knitted hat.

The person was none other than Yang Ruoxi.

At this moment, she was panting, taking small quick steps towards him.

"I'm here to pay a New Year visit to you!"

Yang Ruoxi said with a smile.

"Where are your parents?" Xu Liang looked behind her, surprised.

"My dad went to work overtime, my mom went with him," Yang Ruoxi said.

"Is the Supreme Court so busy? How can they not even have a holiday during the New Year!?" Xu Liang was even more surprised.

"At first, it wasn't busy."

"Then what happened?" Xu Liang was puzzled.

Yang Ruoxi didn't speak, just looked at him quietly.

"Forget it, let's not talk about this."

Yang Ruoxi shook her head and then asked:

"Has the notification of the second trial come down yet?"