It was exactly as Xu Liang had predicted.

After the first-instance trial ended, Duan Feipeng and Zhang Hao filed an appeal, wanting a second-instance trial.

The speed was very fast.

The intermediate court over there had already notified Xu Liang.

He didn't rush to tell the other side, but looked around and found that they weren't far from the firm.

So he first took her to the law firm, took out his key, and opened the front door.

"Clatter~!"

The door of the firm swung open, and the two of them hurried inside.

In an instant, the cold was shut out.

Yang Ruoxi turned her head to look at Xu Liang beside her. He took a deep breath and, after the temperature became bearable, finally spoke slowly:

"We're going to have to fight a second-instance trial."

Xu Liang said.

"On March 1st, we'll have to go to the provincial capital for a hearing!"

The second-instance trial... had been docketed!

The court believed a second-instance trial needed to be opened!

Hearing this, Yang Ruoxi was instantly stunned. She sat down on the sofa, scooted a bit closer to Xu Liang, and asked curiously:

"How did it get approved?"

Xu Liang shook his head.

He didn't know how it got approved.

At least, the court hadn't said anything yet, but he guessed...

"The defense lawyer probably handed over something and reanalyzed the case from another angle."

"That's why the docketing went through so quickly."

Normally, with a second-instance trial, the quicker it's accepted, the worse it actually is.

Because there are only two chances for trial, and to protect the defendant's rights, courts usually only open a second-instance trial when the other side has new evidence.

Otherwise you might find the evidence and then realize you've already used up your one chance to overturn the case...

So even if Duan Feipeng appealed, he should've had to wait a while.

Unless defense lawyer Zhang Hao had given them new grounds!

"Do you have confidence?"

Yang Ruoxi tilted her head and asked.

Xu Liang didn't answer. He just took two train tickets out of a drawer in the firm.

The departure date on the tickets was exactly February 28th.

"The tickets are already bought, what do you think?" Xu Liang said with a laugh.

Yang Ruoxi's eyes lit up. She stepped forward to snatch the train tickets, but just as she lifted her hand, she grabbed a handful of air.

"The tickets will be kept in统一 custody, so they don't go missing."

Xu Liang said casually.

Yang Ruoxi didn't argue, only nodded obediently.

Today she was wearing a black wool overcoat, a scarf draped from her slender neck down over her chest, with a fitted white cashmere sweater underneath and a thin long necklace hanging at her chest.

The two rounded curves were outlined, looking quite stunning.

Xu Liang composed himself.

He suddenly remembered that she still owed him one treatment for his injuries.

It was the middle of the New Year holiday...

Wang Yao wasn't back in his hometown, only little Yang was here alone, which could be called a perfect opportunity!

Except...

Just as Xu Liang was about to check her injuries.

Suddenly...

"Knock knock knock!"

A knocking sound abruptly rang out, breaking that subtle atmosphere.

Xu Liang's expression froze, then he clicked his tongue and looked toward the firm's front door.

He walked over as he spoke:

"Who is it!?"

It's the middle of the New Year holiday...

Who would be coming to a law firm!?

"Lawyer Xu, it's me."

A vaguely familiar-sounding voice came from outside.

This person...

Was Zhang Hao!

Standing at the door, Xu Liang paused, frowned, and looked him up and down.

Outside the door stood Zhang Hao.

On his chest hung something like a body camera, and he was standing awkwardly at the door.

Zhang Hao?

What was Zhang Hao doing looking for him?

"Come in."

Xu Liang opened the door and tossed out the words.

Zhang Hao slipped in through the crack, then immediately said:

"I originally wanted to come wish Lawyer Xu a happy New Year, but when I came over and saw your firm had its lights on, I thought I'd drop by."

Xu Liang nodded.

But...

"Really just a New Year's visit?" Xu Liang glanced at the camera on his chest.

Of course Zhang Hao wasn't just here to wish him a happy New Year.

He was here because of the case.

"Lawyer Xu, the second-instance case has been docketed. I came to ask if you knew."

Zhang Hao looked at Xu Liang cautiously.

"I know." Xu Liang nodded.

Hearing this, the other man spoke again:

"Besides that, I also wanted to say..."

As he spoke, Zhang Hao paused.

He was a bit conflicted inside, but in the end he still spoke solemnly, cutting ties:

"The court docketed it through normal procedures!"

"Lawyer Xu, you know I'm from Dream Building Law Firm, I have nothing to do with Duan Group!"

Xu Liang was a little surprised.

He exchanged a look with Yang Ruoxi behind him; both of them were a bit at a loss.

"What do you mean?" Xu Liang asked, puzzled.

"I mean, I'm not the same kind of person as Director Zhou!"

Zhang Hao said seriously.

Now Xu Liang understood.

So he's here to probe for intel!

And that was indeed the case.

Zhang Hao had come to test the waters and see what stance Xu Liang was taking.

In the first-instance trial, God knew where Director Zhou had planted landmines for him, leaving Zhang Hao so frightened he didn't dare do anything.

God knew whether Xu Liang still had some bomb in his hand he hadn't thrown yet, just waiting for him to stick his head out!

He needed to make it so Xu Liang could only use moves within the bounds of the case. If he used the same tricks he used on Director Zhou... Zhang Hao felt he really couldn't withstand it!

So... he'd come here to draw a clear line between himself and Director Zhou.

Except...

"What's with this?"

Looking at the camera on his chest, Xu Liang was baffled.

"I... I, this is..."

Zhang Hao was at a loss for words, then gave an embarrassed smile:

"This is my show of sincerity."

"Lawyer Xu, don't worry, it's recording, nothing will be edited. I just want you to rest assured that I won't use this meeting to cause you any negative consequences."

What did the camera mean?

You must be joking.

Without the camera, Zhang Hao wouldn't even have dared come!

God knew what Xu Liang might say in court later about his coming here to make a statement!

"This is your sincerity?"

Xu Liang felt like the guy was smearing him and questioning his character, and he was immediately very displeased.

Since he'd come to say he would play it straight and only fight the case on the merits.