146 Battle of Words (1/2)

Inside the magnificent courtroom that was filled with a dignified air, all the people present were very solemn. The presiding judge and two other judges were sitting up high, followed by the clerk and assistant to the judge, and finally the cold and serious bailiff.

The plaintiff and the defendant were set up at both sides of the room, their positioning making it clear to everyone in the room that they were in opposition. This hearing would play a pivotal role in determining which way the scales of justice would tip.

Zhang Dashan, Li Zimeng and another female assistant sat at the plaintiff's table...

It was the first time he was in a courtroom, and now he was taking up the role of a legal counsel, so there was no way he would not be nervous. However, he could hear Xiao Luo's voice in his ear which helped to steady his emotions, and he was taking deep breaths, making an effort to calm himself.

Fu Heyu was a lawyer with clear fair skin, and he wore a thin, straight suit over his tall and slender figure. The spacing between his eyes was wider than that of the average person, which gave him a dishonest and slippery look. He sat self-assuredly at the defendant's table, his eyes looking straight ahead, and radiating a natural confidence.

Chen Jianbai sat next to him, not looking at all like someone who was being sued. He had a flippant attitude and was still casually humming a tune. When Zhang Dashan looked over at him, he dragged a finger across his throat in a provocative gesture.

”Damn it...”

The number one thing Zhang Dashan could not tolerate was taunts like these, and if not for Xiao Luo telling him to stop, he would have stood up to fight back against Chen Jianbai.

Though, the silver lining was that Chen Jianbai's provocations had erased all the nervousness he felt.

...

Inside the café, Gu Qianlin was sizing up Xiao Luo in surprise as she asked, ”What are you up to?”

She realised that Xiao Luo seemed to be talking to someone in the courtroom through a long distance call.

Xiao Luo took down his headset, raising his head to look at her, and rebutting, ”Officer Gu, am I breaking the law now?”

”No.”

”Since I'm not, please stop bothering me, okay? Thank you!” Xiao Luo replied impassively.

”You...”

As an elite member of the police force, Gu Qianlin had some measure of pride, and she felt extremely indignant at Xiao Luo's aloof attitude towards her. However, she managed to suppress her emotions in the end and waved him off, indicating that he did not need to pay attention to her, but she also had no intention of leaving.

Ordering a cup of coffee, she took out her handphone and connected to the café's WiFi, then entered the page with the live broadcast of the public trial. She wanted to see what Xiao Luo was doing after all.

...

”This court will now begin to hear the case of Luo's Workshop suing Chen Jianbai for publishing false news to tarnish the reputation of the company. If the plaintiff and the defendant have any additional statements to make, you can do so now.” The presiding judge's ceremonious voice boomed out in the spacious courtroom, as the curtains rose on the court trial.

Fu Heyu was the first to stand up and speak. ”Presiding judge, judges, at the first trial, our stance is that the plaintiff has threatened my client, and made a fake recording in an attempt to deceive the general public and gain back the company's reputation. This is a frame-up, it is defamation, and it shows a flagrant disregard for the laws of our Hua Nation.”

He said it as though he was standing firm for a just cause.

Zhang Dashan received the signal from Xiao Luo, and rebutted loudly, ”You cannot distort the truth with your unfounded accusations. If you claim that we got the recording through intimidating the defendant, then let me ask you this. What evidence do you have that we threatened him, or is it all based on your own assumptions?”

Huh?!

Xu Guansong, Lin Chongdong, Zhang Yong and the others unwittingly let out a cry of surprise. They thought to themselves that this Zhang Dashan was fairly capable, to kick off this fierce tug-of-war with such a direct battle of words.