The Prosecutor Is Accustomed To Waiting For A Rabbit To Hit A Stump - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

However, the opposing lawyers’ overly gentle attitude meant that all of Gu Ye’s preparations were for naught.

Before the trial, she had prepared a lot of materials and anticipated all the angles from which the defense counsel might present their arguments.

Under her left hand lay a stack of handwritten notes, neatly written stroke by stroke, all meant to counter the 20 lawyers during the court debate, but now they were completely useless.

The 20 lawyers spoke in soft whispers, full of emotion, as if they had arrived at a poetry recital segment.

Wang Yi’s two defense lawyers didn’t even mention opinions on conviction; they simply continued to lament pitifully.

In Gu Ye’s expectation, these two famous lawyers might have argued that: the case lacked the behavior of organizing or leading an organized crime group; or that the two incidents of assembling a crowd for brawls were not carried out to seize territory for the organization, attack competitors, or establish a strong position; or they might have raised detailed questions regarding specific criminal facts, arguing for insufficient evidence, the non-existence of violence, or that intentional injury was an isolated incident.

But they didn’t mention a single word of any of this. In their opposition to the prosecutor, their most opinionated and aggressive statement was—”The defense counsel believes that the sentencing recommendation proposed by the prosecutor’s office under the plea-bargaining agreement is too severe.”

A simple, boilerplate phrase.

The court debate, which she had anticipated would be a tough fight, turned out to be harmonious, proceeding quickly and gently.

The judge struck the gavel, announcing a temporary recess.

During this recess, the chief judge, the judge, and the people’s assessors would confer on sentencing.

Such speed also surprised Lin Fan. She muttered softly, “Captain Zhang, this is too fast. I was prepared to stand here all day.”

Captain Zhang also felt something was unusual, but facing Lin Fan’s rabbit-like eyes full of curiosity, he reluctantly found an explanation. “Perhaps it’s because two pre-trial meetings were held earlier. Think about how much time is saved when you skip checking the parties’ names, ages, ethnicities, and so on.”

Lin Fan was half-convinced.

During the recess, Gu Ye remained seated, looking down quietly at the materials in her hand. Then, that chilly gaze returned, clinging to her like a shadow.

This time, Gu Ye raised her head, her cold gaze directed straight at Zou Ze. Though a female prosecutor, her eyes were like a tiger’s or a leopard’s—highly aggressive and merciless.

Zou Ze parted his lips, his voice not loud. “Prosecutor Gu, you are truly formidable!” His faint voice didn’t carry to Gu Ye, who was seated far away. Gu Ye only saw the man raise his hand and lightly clap a few times.

Gu Ye’s eyes grew colder.

Something is wrong. Very wrong.

Before she could delve deeper into the source of this wrongness, the collegial panel had finished their discussion and returned to the bench.

Everyone in the courtroom stood up. The judge began to announce the verdict.

“Defendant Wang Yi, for the crime of organizing and leading an organized crime organization, is sentenced to eight years of fixed-term imprisonment, deprived of political rights for three years, and subjected to confiscation of all personal property; … for the crime of refusing to comply with a judgment or ruling, is sentenced to one year and six months of fixed-term imprisonment; combining the previous crimes of operating a casino, assembling a crowd for brawls, and intentional property damage, the sentence is four years and two months of fixed-term imprisonment, along with a fine of RMB 200,000. It is decided that the total sentence to be served is eighteen years of fixed-term imprisonment, deprived of political rights for three years, and subjected to confiscation of all personal property, along with a fine of RMB 400,000…”

The gavel gently struck, echoing in the quiet First Courtroom. Before being led away, Wang Yi, sentenced to eighteen years, looked at Zou Ze one last time. The look was complicated, but trust was the dominant emotion.

Zou Ze in the gallery remained in his wheelchair. As if in response to Wang Yi, he nodded slowly and firmly.

After Wang Yi’s back disappeared down the corridor next to the courtroom, Zou Ze did not look at Gu Ye again. He put on his sunglasses, had his subordinate push his wheelchair out of the court, and the big men in the gallery followed suit, a massive group departing with swagger.

As soon as Zou Ze left the court, a Mercedes-Benz stopped in front of him.

Before getting into the car, he looked back at the court emblem of the Ding’an District Court. The emblem hung high on the courthouse building, red and dazzling.

He sneered and instructed his confidant: “Take five million from the account and send it to Brother’s wife. Also, tell everyone below to keep their tails tucked in for a while.”

“What about the business?”

“The app has already been developed, hasn’t it? Move everything online.”

“Understood!”

The trial ended earlier than planned.

Captain Zhang, while arranging the clean-up, instructed, “Xiao Lin, there’s nothing more now. You can go back.”

After waiting a moment without a reply from Lin Fan, Captain Zhang finished giving instructions on escorting the defendants back to the detention center, then turned around to see Lin Fan staring blankly at the prosecutor.

The prosecutor was talking to the judge, her back to Lin Fan. With her slender waist and long legs, the uniform made her figure look exceptionally good.

Captain Zhang couldn’t help but chuckle. “Little girl, what are you looking at?”

Lin Fan suddenly snapped back, forcing an embarrassed smile. “I noticed Judge Fang looks very well, even though it’s been a while since I last saw him.” Fang Ming was the judge for the case and also the head of the Criminal Division of the Ding’an District Court.

Captain Zhang burst into laughter.

Embarrassed by Captain Zhang’s teasing, she didn’t dare to look into the First Courtroom again.

However, Captain Zhang continued with the gossip: “Don’t underestimate that prosecutor just because she’s young. She’s the chief prosecutor’s top officer, highly capable and beautiful. There are enough people in our system chasing her to line up from our court to their procuratorate. Unfortunately, she has an extremely cold personality, earning her the nickname ‘First Flower on the Lofty Mountain of Anjian.’ I hear she’s about to be promoted, possibly to the Provincial Procuratorate. For a person like that, don’t just stare; if I were ten years younger and hadn’t met your sister-in-law, I’d ask for her WeChat too, no harm in trying.”

“No, no, no, no! Captain Zhang, you really misunderstand!” How could Lin Fan admit that she was distracted by beauty? She just felt that the prosecutor was so cool and beautiful, and she longed to be a woman like that.

She naturally couldn’t voice these true thoughts, shaking her head like a rattle drum. “I was looking at her because I think it’s amazing that she can independently handle such a big case at her young age. Look, the number of defendants is quite high, and the case is complex. Our court had the division head presiding, and how old is this prosecutor? She doesn’t look much older than me.”

“Don’t be so modest. You’re amazing too. Who in our unit is a match for your skills?”

“Oh! Don’t say that!” Lin Fan sighed. “What kind of amazing is that? Just a brute. Look at her; she uses this.”

Lin Fan pointed to her head, not forgetting to mock herself. “Mine, this one, has been like a decoration since I was little.”

Captain Zhang was amused by the young woman and laughed until he was breathless. “Don’t… don’t talk about yourself like that, haha. It’s fine, it’s fine. Just find a scholar boyfriend, and the problem is solved.”

“I’m not talking to you anymore! I’m going back to the Enforcement Bureau!” Lin Fan was flustered by Captain Zhang’s teasing. She quickly put on her cap and strode outside.

Watching Lin Fan’s hurried departure, she looked like a little white rabbit hopping away from the back. Captain Zhang couldn’t help but burst into laughter again.

The laughter directly caught the attention of those inside the courtroom.

“Old Zhang, what are you laughing at?” Judge Fang complained, but then ignored Captain Zhang and continued talking to Gu Ye.

Gu Ye checked her watch. “Judge Fang, I have something to attend to soon. I’ve noted everything you said. I’ll be going now.”

Judge Fang nodded. “Alright. It’s the first time I’ve seen you in such a hurry. A date tonight?”

Judge Fang had dealt with Gu Ye several times and held this junior in high regard. After settling the case matters, he couldn’t resist a playful tease.

Hearing the jest, Gu Ye simply curved her lips. She was no longer as cold and sharp as she was during the trial, but her cool, righteous gaze still gave people a sense of being too high and unreachable. Her eyes lowered slightly, her raven-black eyelashes like tiny brushes. What kind of date could she be going on? She was going home to be tortured!

She had reached a certain age, and her parents were pressuring her to get married, leading to a complete fallout between them. She hadn’t told anyone about these family matters. Her expression remained calm and light as she exchanged a few pleasantries with Judge Fang, maintaining her good manners.

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