CHAPTER 156: CHAPTER 123: A JUDGMENT WITHOUT PRECEDENT OR SUCCESSOR_2

A retrial would proceed.

During this second trial, the primary focus would be on scrutinizing the case for any loopholes, deficiencies in law enforcement conduct, or instances of improper handling by the lower court.

Based on his many years of experience, even if Jia Zuoying and Wang Fenlan appealed, their particular "style" of litigation would undoubtedly throw the higher court into complete disarray. The sentence handed down would certainly be no lighter than that of the first trial! In fact, it was highly probable that several new charges would be added during the second trial.

You had to understand, their current cumulative sentences were just shy of thirty-five years! Just one more charge would do it. For ordinary people, committing a crime might be rather difficult. But Jia Zuoying and Wang Fenlan had little concept of the law. Perhaps for them, the only two criminal acts were murder and arson.

Afterward, under the forcible custody of the bailiffs, Jia Zuoying and Wang Fenlan were taken from the courtroom. This judgment also marked the definitive end of the trial.

「Outside the courthouse.」

"Uncle Qin, this time... really, thank you so much."

Zhang Tao gripped Qin Mu’s hand tightly, deeply grateful. This address of ’Uncle’ was sincerely meant.

The torment of three years had finally left him. He no longer had to worry about those two getting out and seeking revenge. A twenty-year sentence... By then, it would be ages away.

Moreover, considering his understanding of Jia Zuoying and Wang Fenlan, rehabilitation and sentence reduction in prison were practically a sham. They likely wouldn’t have the opportunity to have their sentences reduced.

"It’s good that things are resolved. Sometimes... you really shouldn’t just suffer in silence," Qin Mu said with a light chuckle, offering a serious piece of advice.

The trouble with the Old Zhang Family... Of course, the main culprits were Jia Zuoying and Wang Fenlan. But on the other hand, Zhang Tao’s approach hadn’t been assertive enough. Jia Zuoying and Wang Fenlan clearly preyed on the good-natured, resorting to bullying, making scenes, and being shamelessly stubborn. They specialized in targeting such people. Those who always suffered in silence and yielded in their daily lives had absolutely no way to deal with them when they encountered such a pair.

If it were some tough guy, he’d have crippled their legs in minutes, paid some medical expenses, and they wouldn’t have dared to continue their disruptive behavior. This wasn’t to say that suffering in silence was inherently wrong. But in today’s society, being good-natured and yielding would sooner or later lead to being bullied. If you were always amiable, others would just take a mile if you gave an inch.

Normally, in dealing with matters, one needed some sharp edges, a willingness to stand their ground. A firmer attitude let others know you weren’t to be trifled with, rather than them thinking they could take advantage of you at every turn.

"You’re right, Uncle Qin. I’ll definitely remember this lesson. In the future, if I encounter people like that, I’ll come straight to you!" Zhang Tao acknowledged his shortcomings and readily agreed.

Qin Mu was speechless. ??? It seemed his words had fallen on deaf ears. Damn it, why would he come straight to him? His point was obviously for Zhang Tao to be a bit more assertive at the right times, to show some mettle. For example, when someone asked to borrow money or something, he should refuse if necessary and not worry about losing face.

After listening, Zhang Tao nodded in firm agreement. "I’ve got it! Next time someone asks to borrow money from me, I’ll sue them!"

Qin Mu paused, momentarily speechless. He had a feeling that after this incident, Zhang Tao’s perspective had skewed a bit.

"Alright, let’s leave it at that. We’re heading back to the nursing home now."

After a brief conversation, Qin Mu returned to the nursing home with the other elderly residents. As for Zhang Qingyuan, it was a rare father-son reunion, so they planned to go home and stay for a few days.

「Jin City. A certain residential area.」

Zhang Tao and Zhang Qingyuan arrived home. After the trial ended and he got his house back, Zhang Tao felt completely relaxed, as if he were years younger.

"So? Xiao Qin is pretty good, right? You’re just too honest. You always want to reason things out when you encounter problems. I’m telling you, in society, you can’t reason your way through many issues..." Zhang Qingyuan sat on the sofa, habitually lecturing his son.

Zhang Tao gave a wry smile and couldn’t help but retort, "Aren’t you... the same? I learned it all from you."

Their personalities, father and son, were quite similar.

Zhang Qingyuan was suddenly displeased and glared at him. "Am I as timid as you? I’ve been spending my days at the nursing home, attending trials whenever I had nothing to do. Now I understand the law much better than you! Don’t believe me? Just let someone try to bully me!" he declared, striking a pose as if he knew the law and feared no one.

Zhang Tao didn’t dare to argue anymore and could only agree repeatedly. "Dad, can you tell me about Uncle Qin?" he asked, changing the subject. He was very curious about Qin Mu. His father trusted Qin Mu greatly; the two had become close friends despite their age difference. His dad had even asked him to call Qin Mu ’Uncle’ right when they first met. This was unprecedented.

"Xiao Qin, huh..." Zhang Qingyuan tilted his head, thought for a moment, and finally summed it up with a simple declaration: "His chess skills are incredibly strong!"

Zhang Tao: "..."

「At the nursing home.」

After the "senior recreational activity" concluded, Li Weiguo and the others followed Qin Mu back to the nursing home. Upon returning, everyone was still buzzing with excitement, continuously discussing the case.

Qin Mu, meanwhile, continued his work, playing chess and other games with some of the elders who were bored stiff. His main job was to enrich the spiritual lives of the elderly residents. However, after witnessing the judgment, Qin Mu felt that Li Weiguo and the others’ spiritual lives were already quite enriched. For the time being, they showed little interest in other recreational activities. Instead, they were all gathered together, discussing the unprecedented twenty-year sentence.