Chapter 638 - 412: Xu Liang: They’re Pinning the Blame on Me! [Double Update, Seeking Monthly Votes!]

Chapter 638: Chapter 412: Xu Liang: They’re Pinning the Blame on Me! [Double Update, Seeking Monthly Votes!]

He was also afraid.

Afraid that Xu Liang would turn his back on them afterward, casting them aside after they were no longer useful!

"He..."

Sun Hu hesitated, uncertain himself, his cuffed hands clasped together.

"He should, right?"

"What do you mean ’should’!?" Sun Biao’s eye twitched.

"How would I know!"

Sun Hu retorted.

Immediately, the two fell into silence.

Judging from the other’s track record, there was a ninety percent chance Xu Liang would burn bridges after crossing; the remaining ten percent was if the police intervened unprompted.

In other words... Xu Liang’s betrayal was almost a certainty!

But then again.

Who doesn’t have a ’just in case’?

What if Xu Liang, feeling pity, said something favorable in court?

He prayed inwardly, hoping Xu Liang would stick to the deal without any tricks.

"Where’s Brother Feng?"

Sun Biao suddenly remembered something and glanced around with a frown.

To be honest, if Xu Liang chose to betray them, he could only deny everything, then inform Feng Xiang, and go for broke if necessary!

If he couldn’t have it easy, neither could the police!

As long as he alerted Feng Xiang, and Feng Xiang notified Feng Jiancun, and then if the people from Feng Village escaped...

Even if they were just a few hundred pigs, trying to round them up would take the police three days and nights!

But...

Why hasn’t he shown up?

"In the waiting room, probably. After all, we saw Brother Feng yesterday," Sun Hu said casually.

Suddenly.

Before Sun Biao could process his thoughts, his expression changed, and he fell silent.

"Someone’s coming!"

Not just him.

The entire courtroom suddenly fell silent, all heads turning toward the heavy door of the trial scene.

"Creak~"

The sound of the door hinges creaked in everyone’s ears.

Everyone turned their heads and saw a young figure appear before them.

This was... Xu Liang.

Yes, it was Xu Liang!

The wheelchair he once used was gone; instead, he was wearing an elegant custom suit, expressionlessly stepping into the courtroom.

He merely glanced around briefly before sitting down at the plaintiff’s bench.

He was alone this time, with Su Yu recuperating and Yang Ruoxi staying away to avoid suspicion.

Everyone raised their eyebrows but said nothing.

Soon, a voice suddenly echoed by their ears.

"All rise, please, as the judge enters."

The clerk’s voice resonated through the courtroom as three figures stood by the main door.

The crowd, coming back to their senses, stood up instinctively.

In the next second, the three figures began to move toward the judge’s stand.

These three were...

The head of the Supreme Court’s First Criminal Division, the case’s presiding judge, Wang Yao!

High Court judge Zhao Yi!

Upper City High Court judge Qian Bohu!

"Oh, old acquaintances?"

Xu Liang suddenly raised an eyebrow, slightly pleased, watching Zhao Yi walk with interest.

He didn’t expect Zhao Yi to show up at the Upper City High Court.

He had arrived in early October.

Back in early October, Zhao Yi had been visibly pleased to hear Xu Liang come to Upper City; initially, Xu Liang thought Zhao Yi was tired of him, desiring never to meet again.

But now...

’Was Old Zhao transferred to Upper City?’

Xu Liang was touched.

Indeed.

Zhao Yi must have learned about Xu Liang’s transfer to Upper City early on and perhaps realized he too was coming, hence his cheerful tears!

It seemed that although Zhao Yi always seemed discontent, their bond had reached the level of confidants!

Old Zhao... a good person.

At this time.

"Something’s not right!"

The three men barely took their seats when Zhao Yi’s brow furrowed, and his eyes focused intently, his heart pounding.

Even without any overt hint, his gaze... immediately fell on the plaintiff’s bench!

It was empty.

"Wait, how much time before the court session starts?"

Zhao Yi looked surprised, instinctively looking toward Wang Yao beside him.

Wang Yao followed his gaze, and then he was stunned too.

At the defendant Sun Hu’s defense lawyer’s bench... no one!

The scene felt... so familiar, as if it had happened during the first trial!?

Judge Wang Yao suddenly sensed something amiss in his heart, then frowned and leaned closer to the microphone, speaking in a deep voice:

"In this case, there are less than three minutes left before the trial begins."

"If the trial is delayed, it will be postponed for thirteen minutes... Plaintiffs and defendants, please take your seats quickly."

The sound transmitted through the microphone and speaker reached everyone’s ears.

Unfortunately...

The waiting room was empty, and nobody received the information!

Instead, everyone at the trial scene, upon seeing the ’second absence’ of Feng Xiang, fell into confusion.

"Where’s Feng Xiang?"

"Why is Feng Xiang absent again!? Isn’t he addicted to being absent? He can’t miss this second trial!"

"Something’s off... A single absence at the Middle Court might be due to an emergency, but twice... Are they really not afraid of the Judiciary Office revoking his license!?"

"Why does it feel like something’s wrong...."

"..."

The reporters in the gallery looked bewildered.

They couldn’t quite understand the current way of handling lawsuits.

Indeed.

Xu Liang didn’t appear in court during the first trial and skillfully used reverse investigation, catching Dong Feiyu by surprise.

So if Feng Xiang wants to emulate that, it isn’t entirely unreasonable.

But he can’t avoid the second trial!!!

In Eastern Country, second trials are basically equivalent to final trials; the chance of reopening the case is extremely slim!

If he still doesn’t come, there really won’t be any chance of overturning the verdict.

Could it be...

’Something’s going wrong with this case too!?’

In a daze.

The reporters in the gallery turned their gaze towards Xu Liang, with a glint in their eyes and a hint of anticipation in their hearts.

Two trials missed without reason, although very illogical... But if the opponent is Xu Liang, it could be understood!

Defendant’s side.

’Brother Feng is missing again...’

Sun Hu and Sun Biao swallowed hard.

Judging by the situation, Feng Xiang must have encountered some unexpected event, but how exactly it came about...

The two instinctively looked at Xu Liang, their hearts tightening.

’No way... He has to fulfill his promise at least once, he can’t be more ruthless than us...’ Sun Hu’s breathing intensified, silently praying in his heart.

As for the judge’s side...

Zhao Yi didn’t hesitate, after waiting for three minutes, discovered Feng Xiang had still not arrived at the trial scene.

Using his own experience to judge... the next moment, his sharp gaze focused on the plaintiff’s lawyer.

That is, Xu Liang!

"Plaintiff, do you know why the defendant’s lawyer is absent!?" Zhao Yi suddenly asked sternly.

His voice was amplified by the microphone, reaching everyone’s ears.

At this moment, everyone on site jointly raised their eyes to look at Xu Liang.

In the plaintiff’s seat.

Xu Liang had just sat down when he was stunned to see everyone’s gaze fixed on him....

Xu Liang: ?

What... why are they looking at me!? Does Feng Xiang’s absence have anything to do with me? Why do their eyes... all seem to suspect me!?

"Honorable judge, we do not know."

Xu Liang’s mouth twitched, speaking honestly.

Today he only received a call from Director Zhang, and it was about Feng Village, truly clueless about Feng Xiang’s whereabouts.

"Really?"

On the judge’s seat, Judge Wang Yao hesitated and asked once more, his eyes filled with evident doubt.

Xu Liang: ?

’What!? The trial begins, the opposing lawyer doesn’t show up, and the judge keeps questioning another lawyer!?’

Xu Liang continued to complain internally but spoke sincerely:

"I really don’t know."

Then quickly added:

"Maybe Lawyer Feng overslept and hasn’t woken up yet, you could send a clerk to urge him."

Send someone?

This is unprecedented...

Wang Yao and Zhao Yi exchanged glances, filled with distrust towards the words of this lawyer before them.

Xu Liang felt shaken.

This society is too orthodox, unable to accommodate an unconventional lawyer, pinning Feng Xiang’s absence on him!

Of course, as for why he thought this...

Don’t ask.

The two exchanged glances, searching for inconsistencies, yet found no loopholes in Xu Liang.

"This acting is quite good..."

Zhao Yi muttered internally.

And at this moment... the final ten minutes before the trial began silently passed.

Wang Yao checked his watch, then restrained his expression, deciding not to grant further opportunities, and slowly spoke:

"This case."

"It’s Upper City’s ’Stamp Case’, defendants ’Sun Hu’ and ’Sun Biao’, the two stole a postal vehicle resulting in..."