July 25th.
Eight o'clock in the morning.
In the Hanhai Hongfu District, within the Hongfu Street law firm, stand three figures: Xu Liang, Yang Ruoxi, and Chen Hua.
Xu Liang stands in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie.
Looking at himself in a suit, standing straight, he takes a deep breath.
Today... is the opening of the second trial!
He raises his watch slightly.
The second trial is set for one in the afternoon, just five hours away.
Thinking about this.
Xu Liang gathers many documents from the office, organizes them, and stuffs them into his briefcase.
After recounting them to ensure there are no mistakes, he finally feels a bit relieved.
A month of effort, whether it succeeds or not...
It all depends on four hours later!
"Mr. Chen, let's go."
Xu Liang furrows his brow, straightens up, and steps outside.
Chen Hua's face looks a bit dazed, and his hands tremble slightly.
Whether Chen Dong can survive depends on the performance in five hours at the trial. Despite Xu Liang's assurance, he still can't help feeling scared...
But fear doesn't help.
Chen Hua grits his teeth, trying to stop his trembling hand, limping as he follows.
Yang Ruoxi watches Xu Liang's upright back, a hint of envy in her eyes.
Once they are in the car.
She finally can't help but ask.
"Let me be your assistant; I won't be any trouble..."
Xu Liang glances at her, immediately rejecting the idea.
This girl just wants to have fun...
"No way, during the trial phase, from opening to closing, everything must follow my plan. Others interfering will cause problems."
Yang Ruoxi: ?
In the end, Yang Ruoxi glances at his rigid posture and turns her head away.
"I just wanted to help you since you're busy, and there's no pay. I wouldn't bother..."
Yang Ruoxi insists stubbornly.
She then carefully looks again.
Only to find that Xu Liang has already closed his eyes, contemplating, with a slight frown, ignoring her completely.
Yang Ruoxi grips the steering wheel with both hands.
Clearing her mind.
She then steps on the gas, driving both towards the Intermediate People's Court.
...
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Intermediate People's Court.
Due to the Chen Dong case, this trial is public.
The court's entrance is already surrounded by a group of reporters, waiting for it to start.
"Brothers, what do you think will happen in the second trial?"
"I don't know; I guess they might reduce the first trial's sentence... If I were the defense lawyer, a life sentence or a reduced sentence plea would be the easiest."
"Ha, what does it have to do with us? We're just broadcasting..."
"True, let's eat first."
"..."
A group of reporters gathers at the courthouse entrance, chatting while eating their boxed lunches.
The case has high attention, involving demolition, and the horrific manner of Chen Wei's death has attracted many news outlets. Even though it's not an exclusive broadcast and they're not major media, they still consider it a hot topic...
The big-time reporters aren't interested in this, but smaller reporters like Zhang Tao refuse to miss out.
They enjoy their lunch until...
Inadvertently, a car stops outside the court.
"Bang!"
The door opens, and three people get out of the car.
The reporters, initially eating their lunch, catch a glimpse and pause, quickly turning their heads to look.
They immediately stop eating, put their things on the ground, and grab their microphones, rushing towards the three.
Just as Chen Hua steps out of the car, a microphone is shoved to his mouth.
"Mr. Chen, hello. What do you think about this second trial? Have you found any evidence to reduce Chen Dong's sentence over the past month?"
Looking at the bright-eyed young reporter in front of him, Chen Hua suddenly feels awkward.
Before Chen Hua can reply, a voice sounds beside him.
"Chen Hua? Is Chen Hua here!?"
"Where is he?"
"Found him!"
Instantly, a crowd rushes forward with microphones in hand.
Xu Liang furrows his brow, shielding Chen Hua behind him, frowning deeply.
"I am the defense lawyer for the second trial. My client is currently unstable, please direct any questions to me."
Second trial lawyer!?
This is the one who dared to take the death penalty case in the first trial!?
Reporter Zhang Tao's eyes light up, realizing this is a hot topic, quickly speaking.
"Lawyer Xu, may I ask, what is your defense request this time?"
Seeing Zhang Tao getting ahead, those around angrily glare, silently cursing they weren't quicker. They were about to speak when Xu Liang opened his mouth.
"To prove my client's innocence."
The moment these words are spoken.
All the reporters are stunned.
Prove Chen Dong's innocence?
What does this mean? Was he wronged?
But that doesn't make sense; the police have a complete evidence chain, from footprints at the scene to DNA matching of the murder weapon, even the angle and motive are all complete.
What innocence is there? Or could it be, the case...
Has hidden truths!?
Zhang Tao suddenly feels heated.
This... this smells like a headline!
He even thinks of how to write the title now.
"Death Row Inmate's Murder Has Hidden Truths, Second Trial Lawyer Sighs: Is This a Twist of Humanity or a Loss of Morality..."
Zhang Tao wants to continue asking.
But unexpectedly, Xu Liang leads them onto the steps towards the courtroom, and they can't chase after them in time.
"Such a pity, such a pity..."
Zhang Tao curses himself for not asking clearly.
But then...
"The prosecution is here too!"
Prosecution?
Zhang Tao is startled, turns around to see another car arriving, and Zhu Hong and Zhang Cheng get out, he shows a look of delight.
If he remembers correctly, the prosecutor's family stirred considerable news material before the first trial began!
In a flash.
All reporters, like mice smelling sesame oil, swiftly surround Zhu Hong.
"Let me do it!"
Zhang Tao shoves other reporters aside, holding the microphone to Zhu Hong.
"Ms. Zhu, just now the defense said they want to prove Chen Dong's innocence. Do you..."
Upon hearing this.
The top-notch lawyer from Chengen Law Firm, Zhang Cheng's face changes, hastily shielding Zhu Hong, troubled.
He knows exactly what kind of temperament his employer has—speaking without restraint and offending a lot of public opinion before the first trial started, and now at the critical moment of the second trial...
But he is still too late.
"Innocent!?"
"What innocence does he have? My child is already dead!"
"Even if that little bastard was bullied, he can't retaliate by killing. If he didn't fight back, how would this have happened..."
Listening to his partner's words, Zhang Cheng is annoyed, but he suppresses his anger.
"Make way, make way!"
"The trial is about to start, you're undermining the court's dignity!"
Zhang Cheng forcefully leads Zhu Hong towards the courtroom.
Walking inside to the prosecution's waiting room, away from the noisy reporters, he finally calms down a bit.
He looks at Zhu Hong, face full of anger and grim expression.
Wanting to say something but hesitating for a moment, finally, Zhang Cheng squeezes out a smile.
"Ms. Zhu, please calm down."
Well, even if the client is dumb... as long as she doesn't speak later, it won't affect the debate.
This case, with time, place, and people on his side.
He truly can't see how he'll lose!
"No need to get angry, the second trial..."
Will they win the second trial?
Zhang Cheng smiles and says:
"We will win!"
The moment these words fall.
The clock on the wall shows time exactly at 10:50.
The bailiff's voice sounds in their ears.
"Prosecution, please enter the court for the trial!"
The second trial... begins!