Blank Charge

Inside the spacious and brightly lit cafeteria of the courthouse, the law enforcement officers quietly enjoyed their lunch, relishing the leisurely break.

Occasionally, people engaged in conversations, making sure to keep their voices low so as not to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.

“Judge Yang, coming down early today, aren’t you?” the judge sitting across from Yang Shiyu casually asked, striking up a conversation.

Normally, Yang Shiyu would wait until there were fewer people in the cafeteria before  going there, and it was rare for him to blend in with the crowd.

“Just hungry today,” Yang Shiyu replied casually, quickly changing the subject. “Did the morning case go smoothly?”

“It went fine. The plaintiff’s lawyer was quite skilled and managed to turn false advertising into fraud,” the other judge replied. Then, as if remembering something, he continued, “I remember there was another sharp-witted lawyer before who managed to turn ‘endangering public safety’ into ‘obstructing official duties’.”

“That’s him,” Yang Shiyu said, lowering his gaze.

“You mean it’s the same person?” another judge chimed in. “He is the son of our former head judge in the criminal court.”

“Really? That explains it. He’s articulate, and defense lawyers can’t argue with him.”

Unbeknownst to the two conversing individuals, they failed to realize why Yang Shiyu knew the lawyer in the false advertising case.

Yang Shiyu raised his gaze and continued to ask the person opposite him, “How did they manage to turn false advertising into fraud?”

“They didn’t actually get a fraud conviction,” the judge across from him explained. “Both parties agreed to a settlement, but the settlement amount was based on the standard of fraud, refunding three times the original amount. In total, it was forty-eight thousand yuan. Quite impressive, isn’t it?”

Yang Shiyu lowered his gaze once again and subtly curled the corner of his mouth. “He truly is a little rogue.”

“I’ll choose to settle,” Luo Xueqing said, after hesitating.

In the end, Luo Xueqing accepted the settlement amount of forty-eight thousand yuan and signed a confidentiality agreement, preventing her from revealing the details of the case.

Ideals are often lofty, but reality can be harsh.

Leaving the courtroom, Jin Zhou and Luo Xueqing headed towards the elevator. Luo Xueqing’s expression remained tense throughout, and she asked Jin Zhou, “Jin Lawyer, do you think I lack principles?”

“Hmm?” Jin Zhou was somewhat surprised by the question. “Why do you say that?”

“I originally wanted to warn other consumers,” Luo Xueqing said anxiously. “But in the end, I accepted their hush money.”

So that’s what it’s about. Jin Zhou smiled and said nonchalantly, “It’s normal. Who doesn’t love money?”

Human nature is inherently selfish; it’s just a matter of the extent of that selfishness.

Some people only care about themselves, so their selfishness is limited to their own interests.

Some people sacrifice for love, so their selfishness extends to their loved ones.

Selfishness and selflessness are relative concepts. Jin Zhou believed that compared to unknown consumers, Luo Xueqing would be more willing to use that money to provide a better life for her son.

“But,” Luo Xueqing still seemed uneasy, “I’m a journalist, after all…”

“Relax,” Jin Zhou reassured her. “Even journalists need to live.”

The two soon arrived at the courthouse entrance when suddenly a familiar voice came from behind, “Lawyer Jin.”

Jin Zhou stopped in his tracks, turned around, and saw He Yunsheng approaching him in a furious manner.

“So, you had this strategy planned from the beginning, didn’t you?” He Yunsheng angrily exclaimed. “Your methods are so dirty!”

Jin Zhou couldn’t help but laugh. “You could have chosen not to settle, you know?”

“You, you, what’s the difference between this and extortion?” He Yunsheng was clearly infuriated, stumbling over his words.

Jin Zhou probably understood why He Yunsheng was so angry. After all, as an assistant lawyer, he may have been scolded by Lawyer Li when he didn’t investigate Luo Xueqing’s identity beforehand.

“He Yunsheng, oh He Yunsheng,” Jin Zhou straightened He Yunsheng’s collar and said with a heartfelt tone, “Victory and defeat are common in the art of war. Don’t be a sore loser.”

Taking a few deep breaths, He Yunsheng seemed to realize that he couldn’t win the argument against Jin Zhou. He left in a huff, feeling resentful.

However, just as Jin Zhou was about to continue walking forward, Luo Xueqing, who was by his side, suddenly asked, “Lawyer Jin, did you plan this settlement strategy from the beginning?”

“Well, sort of,” Jin Zhou replied. “I thought you might need it more.”

It was probably during their third meeting that Jin Zhou and Luo Xueqing had.

They were going through the facts of the case, but they were repeatedly interrupted because Luo Xueqing had to answer three phone calls: one from her superior, one from a colleague, and one from her son’s homeroom teacher.

When she returned from the third call, she rested her forehead in her hands for a while before looking up at Jin Zhou and saying, “Let’s continue,” but she couldn’t hide the exhaustion on her face.

At that moment, Jin Zhou thought that being a working mother was really not easy.

An idea gradually formed in his mind. He wanted to fight for more on behalf of Luo Xueqing.

But he didn’t reveal his strategy in advance because he wasn’t sure if they would win or if the other party would agree to a settlement.

If the other party preferred to spend money on public relations rather than settling, it would perhaps give Luo Xueqing false hope.

“I know ,” Jin Zhou said. “Your life is not easy.”

“Yes…” Luo Xueqing said, feeling embarrassed. “Thank you, Lawyer Jin.”

In reality, Jin Zhou also had some selfish motives. Luo Xueqing owed him this favor, so if he ever needed help from Luo Xueqing in the future, he wouldn’t hesitate to ask.

“Are you free tonight?” Luo Xueqing suddenly asked, “I want to treat you to dinner, and you can bring Lawyer  Su Yi and Xiao Wu as well.”

“Sure.” Jin Zhou smiled, “we’ll be there”

It was currently noon, and Luo Xueqing had to go back to work. They agreed to meet at a high-end restaurant at 6 p.m. and then parted ways at the courthouse.

Jin Zhou loosened his uncomfortable tie, one hand holding legal documents, and the other in his pocket, leisurely walking towards the direction of the auto repair shop.

He could tell that Luo Xueqing’s attitude had clearly changed.

First, she was nervous, concerned about Jin Zhou’s opinion of her, and then she became happy, wanting to invite Jin Zhou and others to dinner.

So, in the end, her inner uneasiness didn’t come from her social responsibility but simply the fear that Jin Zhou would consider her materialistic.

When Jin Zhou, the only one who knew about this, said it was not a problem, she naturally let go of the burden in her heart.

This is also good, Jin Zhou thought, being human everyone had worries and difficulties.

Being able to help people around him meant alot.

Jin Zhou kept his word and didn’t bother with formalities with Luo Xueqing. When they had dinner in the evening, they even invited Xiao Wu’s girlfriend and Yu He from the neighboring second hand store.

Since it was a celebration, it was only natural to have more people and make it lively.

Luo Xueqing brought her son, Luo Zihao. It was also the first time Jin Zhou met that cool little kid, and he wondered who had upset him as he had a constant frown on his face and didn’t even greet people.

“Quickly say hi to Uncle Jin,” Luo Xueqing held Luo Zihao’s hand and urged with a furrowed brow.

But Luo Zihao remained silent, staring straight ahead, his face filled with displeasure.

“I’m sorry about that,” Luo Xueqing explained with a headache, “He wanted to go play at a classmate’s house and got upset with me.”

“It’s fine,” Jin Zhou bent down slightly, looking at Luo Zihao, “Aren’t you happy to eat delicious food?”

Luo Zihao turned his head away, ignoring Jin Zhou, and continued pulling Luo Xueqing towards the restaurant.

“Why are you so unreasonable?” Luo Xueqing took a few steps forward, lowering her voice, “You haven’t even finished your homework yet, and you’re already thinking about playing.”

After Luo Xueqing walked a little further, Sun Yi shook his head and sighed, “Why do kids these days act like old men?”

“That’s why I don’t want to have children in the future,” Xiao Wu’s girlfriend chimed in, “I don’t want to deal with it.”

“Fine,” Xiao Wu put his arm around his girlfriend, “We’ll do as you want.”

“Just eat the meal,” Yu He couldn’t help but interject, “Stop with all the romance, okay?”

“After all this time, you’re still not used to it?” Jin Zhou chuckled.

The group chatted as they followed behind Luo Xueqing and arrived at a luxurious private room.

Jin Zhou was just about to enter the private room,when  he suddenly caught a glimpse of a familiar figure from the corner of his eye.

He initially thought he was seeing things, but upon closer look, it really was Yang Shiyu.

Dressed in a suit, Yang Shiyu and another middle-aged man in a suit entered the private room at the end of the corridor.

If Jin Zhou wasn’t mistaken, that middle-aged man had appeared on the wall of honor at Jia You Law Firm, he was a senior partner at the firm.

“Jin Zhou?” Xiao Wu, sitting at the table, called out, “What are you looking at? Why aren’t you coming in?”

“I’m coming.” Yang Shiyu’s figure disappeared behind the door, and Jin Zhou also withdrew his gaze.

The chefs in high-end restaurants were indeed skilled, and the dishes on the table were mouthwatering.

However, Jin Zhou’s mind had already drifted to the other private room; nothing tasted good to him.

You see, judges were not allowed to accept lawyers’ invitations. If reported, they could face disciplinary action.

For Yang Shiyu to come to such a high-end place and dine with the firm’s senior partner, no matter how you looked at it, it was like violating the rules.

Jin Zhou believed that the former Yang Shiyu would never be swayed by personal gain, but after all those years, he couldn’t say for sure whether Yang Shiyu had changed.

There are always various weaknesses within human nature, just like Luo Xueqing who in the face of personal interests, she also found it difficult to stay true to herself.

“Lawyer Jin, don’t be so polite. Come on, let’s eat,” Luo Xueqing interrupted Jin Zhou’s thoughts, “I really have to thank you for the case.”

Jin Zhou wasn’t being polite; he simply had his mind elsewhere.

The food in his mouth became tasteless as he ate. During the latter half of the meal, when everyone started drinking, Jin Zhou picked up his wine glass, bid the others, and then went to the door of the private room where Yang Shiyu was.

It was normal to approach an acquaintance’s table in a restaurant and offer a toast.

Jin Zhou had already prepared his lines, but when he pushed the door open, he was a bit at a loss due to the scene in front of him.

On the large round table, at least ten to twenty people were seated, including lawyers he had seen before, prosecutors, and presidents of certain associations. Everyone was drinking and laughing, completely different from the shady dealings he had imagined.

At first, only a few people noticed Jin Zhou and looked at him in confusion. But within a few seconds, almost everyone turned their gaze, including Yang Shiyu.

Uh, it was indeed embarrassing.

Jin Zhou took a deep breath, held his wine glass, and walked towards Yang Shiyu. “It’s really Judge Yang. I didn’t recognize you when I saw you earlier.”

Yang Shiyu frowned slightly, and his gaze conveyed a message to Jin Zhou: What trouble are you causing again?

“Among all the judges in the district court, the one I admire the most is Judge Yang. Since we finally meet today, I must pay my respects,” Jin Zhou said as he approached Yang Shiyu. Perhaps his performance seemed natural, as others actually thought he came to offer a toast. Someone even cheered, “That’s right, let’s raise our glasses to Judge Yang, who upholds justice!”

Others also raised their glasses, and Yang Shiyu, with a dark expression, clinked his glass with the one in Jin Zhou’s hand.

After downing a glass of beer, Jin Zhou poured himself another one and casually asked the people around, “What’s the occasion today?”

“It’s an alumni gathering,” someone replied, “Everyone here is from the Political and Law University.”

“What a coincidence!” Jin Zhou saw some spare chairs by the wall and enthusiastically brought them over to squeeze next to Yang Shiyu. “I’m also a graduate of the Political and Law University.”

“Really? What a small world!” someone called the waiter standing by the door, “Bring another set of glasses.”

“No need, no need. I have to go back to the other side later,” Jin Zhou interjected, standing up with the wine glass in his hand. “Here, I raise my glass to all the senior brothers and sisters, the souls of politics and law, we’re all one family!”

After saying that, Jin Zhou raised his glass and finished the beer.

“Well said, we’re all one family!”

“That’s right, one family!”

The atmosphere in the private room was inexplicably brought to a new climax by Jin Zhou. Taking advantage of the moment when Jin Zhou sat back down and poured himself another drink, Yang Shiyu grabbed his waist and lowered his voice, saying, “You need to stop this.”

“Hiss.” Jin Zhou frowned, raised his glass towards Yang Shiyu, and said in a non-serious tone, “Darling, how about a toast?”