The Divorce Lawyer Is Very Hard To Flirt With - Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Room for Maneuver

Mr. Guan’s wife was named Ms. Chen.

When Ying Zhi’an took her seat at the defendant’s table, she nodded to Ms. Chen and her lawyer, Jiang Chao, as a greeting.

Sometimes this city felt so small. Ying Zhi’an’s law firm was in the east of the city, and Jiang Chao’s was in the city center, yet they represented the plaintiff and defendant in the same case.

Since Ying Zhi’an’s warning to Jiang Chao last time, Jiang Chao hadn’t exhibited any overly inappropriate behavior. At least from Ying Zhi’an’s perspective, he was handling his client reasonably.

Ying Zhi’an didn’t know whether her warning had put a leash on the wild horse or if it was genuinely because Zhang Zhang was about to give birth. Perhaps kinship truly could change a man.

Of course, this thought was merely a fleeting one in Ying Zhi’an’s mind. Ying Zhi’an didn’t trust the restive nature of humanity, nor did she dare to imagine what Zhang Zhang would do if that day ever came.

So, upon seeing Jiang Chao again, Ying Zhi’an didn’t spare him a second glance, instead focusing on Ms. Chen, the original wife, who was undeniably the most pitiful party in this case.

Ms. Chen had the classic features of a Jiangnan woman: large eyes that seemed to hold a pool of spring water, fair skin, and a soft, gentle way of speaking.

Yet, this gentle woman, during the courtroom debate, after her lawyer Jiang Chao had finished his statement, couldn’t help but add: “My petition for divorce is compliant with the Civil Code. The defendant maintained a long-term cohabitation relationship with Gou Xiaoxiao during our marriage. I stayed at home taking care of his parents, working tirelessly, wholeheartedly believing in him! I always thought I was very happy, but it turns out it was all fake happiness, and I was so stupid. It was actually Gou Xiaoxiao, the mistress, who couldn’t tolerate the appearance of ‘mistress number four,’ who called me to seek revenge together. Hmph… How ridiculous. Only then did I find out that this man, who constantly spoke of loving me and working hard for our child, was actually… so… disgusting! He even forged a divorce certificate to trick mistress number four into thinking he was single! Disgusting! Trash! Scum!”

Ms. Chen’s cheeks flushed red with anger, but even while uttering profanities, her voice trembled, as if she would burst into tears any second.

Jiang Chao, as her lawyer, quickly stopped her from getting up to vent. “Calm down, calm down.”

Ying Zhi’an, however, slowly frowned. She wrote five characters on her notebook—forged divorce certificate. She pursed her lips, then quickly shifted her gaze to the judge, silently praying that the judge hadn’t caught that piece of information.

Unfortunately, the judge was equally sharp. His pen also wrote that line on the transcript paper, followed by a big “?” to remind himself.

The judge asked, “Plaintiff, are you finished with your statement?”

Ms. Chen took a deep breath. Her slender hands still trembled, but she nodded, saying firmly, “I sincerely ask the court to grant the divorce. I am finished.”

The judge looked at Ying Zhi’an. “Defendant and his legal representative, please present your defense.”

“Your Honor, the plaintiff and defendant underwent a long period of dating before marriage and built a family after gaining a deep understanding of each other. They have a profound foundation of marital affection. Whether it was the grand engagement and wedding ceremonies or the daughter born two years into the marriage, it can be concluded that the plaintiff and defendant have relatively good feelings for each other and have not reached a degree of marital breakdown. Secondly, since marrying the plaintiff, the defendant, although often away on business, returns home to reunite with his family weekly on average. The plaintiff has presented no evidence to prove that the defendant is subject to any of the circumstances for contested divorce stipulated in Article 1079 of the Civil Code.”

Ying Zhi’an paused to take a breath. Although, outside of her role as a lawyer, she fully accepted all the facts deduced by the opposing party, as Mr. Guan’s representative, she professionally articulated words she didn’t genuinely believe.

“Legally speaking, as for the third party, Gou Xiaoxiao, who the defendant repeatedly referred to as the defendant’s mistress, no direct evidence has been provided to prove the defendant’s infidelity during the marriage. Furthermore, even if the divorce is granted, the marital daughter should be raised by the defendant, who is clearly in a superior financial position, to provide a better learning and growth environment for the daughter. Moreover, the plaintiff’s proposed division of marital community property is unreasonable. The plaintiff applied for a discovery order in this case, but the defendant’s objective in responding to the lawsuit is very clear: he does not wish to divorce, so he has not investigated the plaintiff’s bank records. As for matters related to the third party, the defendant will speak personally.”

Having conceded one point and then ten thousand, Ying Zhi’an looked at Mr. Guan and gently instructed, “Honesty.”

As his lawyer, Ying Zhi’an could only defend him based on law and evidence, but she also hoped that Mr. Guan would candidly disclose the truth about himself and Gou Xiaoxiao during this closed-door hearing.

She had witnessed too many broken marriages and knew that when certain lies could no longer be covered up, only honesty could restore the initial emotional foundation of the relationship.

The plaintiff and defendant did have an emotional foundation. Ms. Chen’s gentle nature might allow for some room for maneuver for forgiveness, and whether this was feasible required Mr. Guan’s effort.

However, Mr. Guan, already accustomed to performing, remained stubborn. “I explained it to her before. Gou Xiaoxiao and I only have a business relationship. When I’m away on business, I inevitably have social engagements. I need to bring a few good bottles of wine to wine parties. Gou Xiaoxiao sells wine, and the money I gave her was for buying wine. I truly did not cheat. Business has been tough recently, and as a man, I must shoulder the family responsibility, so I have indeed been away on business for a long time. But I was doing this to create better material conditions for my wife and child. Besides, I return home regularly. Honey, I even bought you a necklace for the last holiday.”

As soon as Mr. Guan finished speaking, Ms. Chen scoffed. “On May 20th, you transferred a 520 yuan red packet to Gou Xiaoxiao. You!…”

Jiang Chao pressed down on Ms. Chen, whispering, “Do not speak without the judge’s permission.”

Ms. Chen immediately closed her mouth, but large tears rolled out of her eyes, tracing down her face, which was crimson with fury.

Jiang Chao intervened in time, and the judge redirected his attention to Mr. Guan. “Are you finished?”

Ying Zhi’an stared at Mr. Guan with cold indifference. She held no hope for this client.

As expected, Mr. Guan continued, “I hope the plaintiff can be understanding and live our lives well for the sake of our daughter. I have already clarified things with Gou Xiaoxiao, and I will no longer have contact with her.”

The moment Mr. Guan finished, Ying Zhi’an and Ms. Chen simultaneously rolled their eyes, though Ying Zhi’an deliberately lowered her head so her eye-roll wouldn’t be seen.

The judge’s expression remained unchanged, but he asked, “What is the third party’s job?”

Mr. Guan replied, “She usually promotes things like wine, tea leaves, shoes, and so on.”

The judge continued, “Was the three million yuan you transferred to the third party, Gou Xiaoxiao, over two years all used to buy wine?”

“Yes, and maybe some tea leaves for gifts. Business is difficult for us, and there’s a lot of networking involved.”

The judge set down his pen, his gaze like a sharp blade. “Defendant, when your legal representative applied for a closed-door hearing, the court believed you intended to speak a few genuine words to your wife, to sincerely try to salvage this marriage. Unfortunately, the court has not seen any sincerity from you in this regard. Your wife is sitting right opposite you. Look at her. The court will ask you one last time: what is your relationship with the third party, Gou Xiaoxiao?”

Mr. Guan’s eyes shifted, looking to Ying Zhi’an like an unrepentant “rat.” Many people were trying to clear a correct path for him, but this “rat” was clearly blinded by the “lamp oil.”

“I just bought wine from her.”

Ying Zhi’an let out an almost imperceptible sigh, and indeed saw the weak and gentle Ms. Chen’s face contort into something almost frantic with fury. Any remaining tears would be evaporated by her rage. “Liar! Not only did you transfer money to her on May 20th, but also on Chinese Valentine’s Day! You transferred 13,140 yuan to her—was that also for buying wine? How can you be so shameless?! You talk about doing it for our daughter! Did you think about our daughter when you were sleeping with other women? Did you think about the vows we made at our wedding!”

This time, before Jiang Chao could react, the judge timely regained control of the proceedings. “Plaintiff, please maintain order in the courtroom and observe courtroom rules. Do not question the opposing party without the court’s permission.”

“Calm down! Calm down!” Jiang Chao whispered repeatedly.

Ms. Chen laughed through her rage. Even if Ms. Chen had retained a shred of affection for this man before the hearing, it was now likely completely gone.

The judge’s stance was also clear. “Defendant, this is a court of law. You are responsible for every word you say. Providing false statements in court is also a violation of the law. This is the court’s advice and its warning to you.” The judge paused. “Based on the circumstances of this case, the court will no longer organize mediation…”

The case was not decided with an immediate verdict.

As soon as the hearing concluded, Mr. Guan impatiently left, as if ashamed to remain there. Ying Zhi’an, however, felt that Mr. Guan was afraid of facing the judge.

Ying Zhi’an didn’t leave. She walked over to greet Jiang Chao, mainly to gauge his feelings. “The court usually doesn’t grant a divorce on the first attempt.”

Jiang Chao was handing a tissue to the quietly sobbing Ms. Chen. Hearing this, he replied, “Zhi’an, both you and I know it’s just a matter of six months. If the divorce isn’t granted this time, my client will absolutely file suit a second time. You should also tell Mr. Guan that even though the court won’t organize mediation anymore, if we can reach an agreement, why bother the judge with writing a verdict.”

Ying Zhi’an nodded to Jiang Chao but inwardly sighed at her college classmate’s competence, wondering if he genuinely hadn’t noticed or was just too nonchalant about this type of case.

It was highly likely that the judge would ask them to record statements again, which could make the situation even more severe. Ying Zhi’an was someone who always planned three steps ahead, and some negative associations were already burning like a flame in her mind.

So, after Ms. Chen finally stopped crying and walked out of the courthouse in a daze, being carefully seen into a taxi by Jiang Chao, Ying Zhi’an said, “Keep in touch. I will go and advise my client.”

Jiang Chao, however, said, “Find some time this weekend and come over for dinner.”

“Why?”

A smile suddenly spread across Jiang Chao’s face, the kind of smile that made Ying Zhi’an very uncomfortable. “Zhang Zhang quit her job. We’re celebrating.”

“Quit her job?!” Ying Zhi’an was stunned. “But…”