Too Bad I Take Things Seriously-Chapter 478 - 202 Shi Liangping: Are You The Lawyer, Or Am I?_3

Chapter 478: Chapter 202 Shi Liangping: Are You The Lawyer, Or Am I?_3

"I just heard them mention the name Meng Lei. Are they preparing to see some celebrity?" a middle-aged man suddenly pointed at the courtyard and couldn’t help but ask.

Ever since he walked into the retirement home, he had occasionally heard the name "Meng Lei."

The elderly people in the courtyard discussed "Meng Lei" the most. These elderly people... they were just like avid fans.

If they were truly star-chasing, he would have to seriously reconsider sending his father to this retirement home.

The staff at the retirement home gave a wry smile and said truthfully, "They are watching a trial live broadcast."

"A trial live broadcast?"

The middle-aged man was taken aback.

"Yes, you might not know. Aside from a full range of entertainment activities, our retirement home also offers a unique activity not found in any other retirement home in Jin City."

The staff member thought for a moment, then continued, "That is, attending trials in person or watching trial live broadcasts."

"What they are currently watching... is a series of disputes triggered by eighteen yuan."

Hearing this, the few middle-aged men exchanged glances, a look of curiosity appearing on their faces. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

A sensational case triggered by a mere eighteen yuan—that sounded quite intriguing.

Just then, the curtain was set up, and the screen projection was complete. It was also just ten o’clock.

"I’ll go get you some stools. However, there aren’t any good spots left, so you’ll have to sit at the back," the staff member quickly said to these middle-aged potential clients.

"It’s fine; we can just stand. We’ll just take a quick look and then leave," these middle-aged men waved their hands, indicating it was no trouble.

They just wanted to see what was going on. Why... had a live trial broadcast caused such a sensation throughout the entire retirement home?

Meanwhile, on the trial screen, the courtroom scene quickly appeared.

In the solemn First Criminal Trial Court, the prosecutor, plaintiff, defendants, lawyers from both sides, court clerk, Judgment Chief, and judges were all in place.

"Today, the Yangcheng First Criminal Trial Court continues the public hearing of Meng Lei’s suspected fraud case..."

After a brief declaration, the prosecutor and others began reading the indictment and stating the particulars of the case.

The prosecutor stood up and presented the criminal facts involving Meng Lei and Tian Shulan, requesting a sentence of fourteen years for Meng Lei and twelve years for Tian Shulan.

In the retirement home, the few middle-aged men watching the projection screen were taken aback.

The prosecutor’s sentencing request... honestly startled them.

They couldn’t help but turn to the staff member and ask, "Didn’t you say it was a dispute over an eighteen-yuan loan? How did it escalate to sentences of twelve and fourteen years right off the bat?"

The staff member gave a wry smile and explained, "You might not believe it, but it did indeed begin with a lawsuit over eighteen yuan, but..."

Subsequently, he briefly described the first civil lawsuit Ma Ming had initiated and how the other party refused to pay even after losing the case.

Then Ma Ming sought help from Qin Mu, which in turn led to a series of subsequent criminal cases.

The loan relationship escalated into fraud. Meng Lei’s borrowing... also became fraud.

These middle-aged men, who had only planned to "take a quick look," listened in bewilderment. There was too much information; they couldn’t digest it all at once.

"Are you saying... this lawsuit started over eighteen yuan and escalated step by step to this extent?" one middle-aged man widened his eyes, somewhat in disbelief.

The staff member nodded. He had watched the previous few lawsuits in the courtyard.

It was just that... this lawsuit was too sensational. It had continuously escalated from a mere eighteen yuan to its current state.

"Did you just say... Qin Mu?" another middle-aged man, who had keenly caught the name, looked somewhat unnatural.

The name Qin Mu... In Jin City, if not a household name, he was well-known in many industries. For instance, in the car sales industry he himself worked in, there had been a time when people turned pale at the mere mention of Qin Mu.

"You know Qin Mu too?"

The staff member was taken aback and said, "Qin Mu is a caregiver here at our retirement home. He has an excellent relationship with our elderly residents and has been our ’Employee of the Month’ for six consecutive months."

The middle-aged man sucked in a sharp breath. He couldn’t help but scan around the courtyard, trying to spot Qin Mu.

But... there were too many people in the courtyard. He searched for a long time but couldn’t find him.

「Meanwhile.」

At the Yangcheng Court, in the First Criminal Trial Court, Meng Lei and Tian Shulan were seated a meter apart in the defendants’ dock. Both of their expressions were extremely somber, as if they shared a blood feud.

This was especially true for Tian Shulan. Hearing the prosecutor request a twelve-year sentence for her, she was filled with immense regret.

After the last trial, her defense lawyer had delivered some devastating news: the principle that instigators are as culpable as those they instigate!

It meant... the accusations she had made regarding the cash transactions not only added to Meng Lei’s sentence but also to her own.

Sure enough, at the third hearing, the prosecutor’s sentencing request included twelve years of imprisonment for her!

The Judgment Chief announced gravely from the bench, "This is the third hearing for this case. It will focus on whether an act of instigation occurred and on the facts of the defendants’ joint crime. Next, we will proceed to the evidence presentation and cross-examination phase."

The prosecutor and Ma Ming stepped forward successively, presenting the organized evidence piece by piece.

This included Meng Lei’s and Tian Shulan’s daily chat records and text messages, all of which pointed to acts of instigation.

The Judgment Chief then asked, "According to this evidence, 270,000 yuan was fraudulently obtained before the marriage, and 550,000 yuan after. Do the two defendants have any objections?"