Too Bad I Take Things Seriously-Chapter 466 - 199 Meng Lei: I Want to Borrow Some More Money_3

Whether they could get the money back was no longer important. The more than forty thousand yuan was considered by them, for old times’ sake as classmates, a crowdfunded gift to Meng Lei. As long as they could get Meng Lei locked up... they would wake up laughing from their dreams! And if they accepted the money, Meng Lei’s crimes would be significantly mitigated. That was why, even if Meng Lei offered to repay them now, they would resolutely refuse!

Meanwhile, in the live broadcast of the trial, the half-hour segment for free debate had also come to an end. It was less of a free debate and more a unilateral accusation. Shi Liangping was incredibly fired up, performing exceptionally well. He meticulously listed all of Meng Lei’s "crimes" once more.

"The court will now recess for half an hour."

The gavel then sounded. The Judgment Chief, along with the members of the collegiate panel, left the courtroom to deliberate on the verdict for the case.

In the classmates’ group chat, no one felt like working; everyone was glued to their phones, awaiting the verdict with immense anticipation.

「Yangcheng Court」

In the First Criminal Trial Court, during the recess, Ma Ming sat in the plaintiff’s section. He watched Shi Liangping’s incredibly energized performance and couldn’t help but swallow hard. He didn’t understand what Meng Lei had done to provoke Shi Liangping to such an extent. Shi Liangping’s demeanor... was clearly far more agitated than during the previous lawsuit over the eighteen yuan debt.

What surprised him even more... was the performance of Meng Lei and his lawyer. Even he, a layman, could tell that Meng Lei’s lawyer was clearly incompetent. Meng Lei, meanwhile, kept his head bowed, his expression shifting indeterminately.

A few minutes later, Meng Lei stood up and left the defendant’s dock. He actually walked towards Ma Ming.

Ma Ming frowned slightly but watched Meng Lei calmly. Although they had already fallen out and were now adversaries in court, he wasn’t worried about Meng Lei causing a scene. The court marshals weren’t just for show.

However, when Meng Lei reached him, his first words were surprisingly not curses, but a plea: "Ma Ming, I know I was a scumbag for not repaying the money, but... please, for the sake of our past as classmates, help me out."

Meng Lei’s expression was full of entreaty, utterly sincere.

Ma Ming looked at him and slowly said, "Apart from dropping the lawsuit, I can consider anything else."

No sooner had he spoken than a flicker of light sparked in Meng Lei’s dull eyes. He quickly said, "I want to ask you to lend me some money."

Upon hearing this, Ma Ming’s expression immediately turned cold, and he spat out a word through clenched teeth, "Scram!"

He had assumed Meng Lei realized his mistake and wanted to apologize, repay the money, or something of that sort. He never imagined... that even now, Meng Lei would still be trying to borrow money.

"It’s not like that, I... I-I really have an urgent need to borrow money this time," Meng Lei said anxiously, trying to explain.

But Ma Ming remained unmoved, scoffing, "You said the same thing every time you borrowed money from all our classmates."

Meng Lei’s face fell. "I really need the money this time; it’s for something important. I’m penniless now, can’t you see? I can’t even afford a lawyer, so I want to borrow some money from you to hire one..."

But Ma Ming still didn’t believe him. He scoffed, "Penniless? Who are you kidding? Isn’t all your money with your wife?"

Upon mentioning this, Meng Lei’s expression suddenly collapsed, and he said, full of frustration, "She... she’s taken control of all my assets and is completely ignoring me! She won’t even help pay my legal fees for this lawsuit..."

Over the past few days, he had pleaded with Tian Shulan many times, but Tian Shulan had completely ignored him. She didn’t reply to his messages, wouldn’t see him, and her phone was always off. She didn’t even come to observe the trial. It was clear she had given up on him.

"You’re... actually that miserable?" Upon hearing this, Ma Ming couldn’t help but wear a peculiar expression.

For some reason, hearing about Meng Lei’s predicament put him in a remarkably good mood. Mr. Lu Xun was right after all; people’s joys and sorrows are not truly shared.

"So, I want to ask you to lend me some money. I want to find a lawyer..." Meng Lei continued.

But Ma Ming’s mouth twitched as he retorted sarcastically, "Do you take me for a fool? Lend you money so you can hire a lawyer to get yourself acquitted?"

"I... I’m not borrowing for this lawsuit. I want to get my assets back..." Meng Lei said with a bitter smile, revealing his thoughts.

The way things had developed, whether or not he went to prison was no longer his primary concern. But the money, house, and car he had worked his fingers to the bone for half his life—he absolutely couldn’t let Tian Shulan get them so easily. Therefore, he wanted to hire a lawyer and file a lawsuit quickly to prevent Tian Shulan from pulling another trick and transferring the assets. He knew his wife. He was well aware that Tian Shulan was no pushover.

The longer this dragged on... the harder it would be to get his money back!

"Suing... your wife?" Ma Ming was momentarily stunned by this.

"Once I get my money back, even if I go to prison, I won’t blame you. Then, I’ll repay what I owe you tenfold—no, a hundredfold!" Meng Lei said through clenched teeth, word by word, his expression earnest and filled with desperation.

However... Ma Ming remained unmoved. He refused, "Sorry, find someone else. I’m not interested in a mere one thousand eight hundred yuan."

A hundredfold repayment, my ass! He had only lent Meng Lei eighteen yuan. Even a hundredfold... was still just one thousand eight hundred.

Besides, he had personally witnessed what kind of character Meng Lei possessed. When borrowing money, his attitude was earnest, acting completely subservient. But when it was time to repay, he was dismissive and arrogant, acting like he was owed something.

He would absolutely not fall into the same pit twice!