Chapter 168

In the First Civil Trial Chamber of the Intermediate People's Court of Nanzhou, the national emblem hung high, the atmosphere solemn and dignified, and Presiding Judge Fang Xiaoqian was equally solemn.

"The court is now in session."

With a strike of the gavel, the judicial battle between prosecution and defense officially began.

The trial procedure was rigid, the litigants ever-changing; following routine, Presiding Judge Fang Xiaoqian informed the parties of their litigation rights and obligations, asking whether they wished to apply for recusal.

No one filed an application, and Qiu Ruonan eagerly awaited moving straight to the point, hoping for a swift resolution.

By comparison, Zhou Jianmin was far more nervous, though not as nervous as during the first trial. Recalling the first trial when the indictment was read, his hand had trembled constantly, his speech stumbled, and he misread several words.

Today he need not stand to read the indictment, as his counsel Shen Bi assisted him.

Putting aside the presiding judge's authority after the opening, today's courtroom essentially became a contest of strength between Shen Bi and Qiu Ruonan.

Both were elites of the legal profession.

Shen Bi emphasized three litigation requests:

1. Request to annul the No. ___ Road Traffic Accident Liability Determination issued by the defendant, and to rule that the plaintiff bears no liability.

2. Request administrative compensation, elimination of social impact, and restoration of reputation.

3. Request that the defendant bear the litigation costs of this case.

Qiu Ruonan merely smiled faintly upon hearing these.

In her defense statement she raised only two defense requests:

1. Request to dismiss all of the plaintiff's claims.

2. Request that the litigation costs be borne by the plaintiff.

Today, Qiu Ruonan clearly regarded herself as an elegant goddess of the courtroom, wearing not only a haute couture lawyer's professional attire but also an expensive Patek Philippe watch on her wrist, thereby proving that time is money.

She emphasized confidently: "I wish to reiterate one point: the evidence in the first trial was solid and the liability determination correct. The other traffic participant, Mr. Gao Shuo, was traveling at only sixty kilometers per hour at the time, fully complying with the speed limit. This traffic accident was entirely due to the plaintiff Zhou Jianmin's illegal lane change...."

"Bang—!"

The sudden sound of the gavel striking interrupted Qiu Ruonan's voice.

Presiding Judge Fang Xiaoqian issued an indisputable warning: "We have not yet reached the debate stage; defense counsel, do not interject!"

The courtroom fell instantly silent, and Qiu Ruonan resentfully took her seat.

Presiding Judge Fang Xiaoqian lowered her head to review the case files, then proceeded orderly: "Please, plaintiff, present your evidence."

Shen Bi rose slowly, eyes blazing: "Your Honor, we request to project electronic evidence."

"Granted."

"Thank you, Your Honor."

Shen Bi called up the data from his laptop, and on the large screen a clear, professional chart quickly appeared.

Shen Bi explained:

"This is the appraisal report issued by the Traffic Management Department of the Nanzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau."

"Based on the asphalt friction coefficient of Donggang Avenue, the Lamborghini's own weight, the skid marks at the scene, and the displacement data of the Wuling Hongguang after being struck."

"The final calculation shows that the Lamborghini's actual speed at impact was 187 kilometers per hour."

As soon as he finished speaking, an uproar broke out in the courtroom.

Qiu Ruonan's face twitched slightly, but she quickly regained composure: "This is merely a theoretical calculation and cannot serve as direct evidence...."

"Bang—!"

Presiding Judge Fang Xiaoqian struck the gavel twice more.

She sternly warned Qiu Ruonan: "Defense counsel, this is not the time for you to cross-examine; do not interrupt! Prosecutor, please continue."

Qiu Ruonan sullenly closed her mouth.

Suddenly, she felt that Presiding Judge Fang Xiaoqian's attitude seemed somewhat different from that in the first trial.

"Please look at this."

Shen Bi then released a segment of video evidence.

He simultaneously explained: "On the day of the incident, two large trucks passed through the accident site; this is the dashcam footage from one of them. The footage shows that the Lamborghini not only had a speeding problem, but also changed lanes three times in a row within six seconds, ultimately rear‑ending the Wuling Hongguang, resulting in two deaths and two injuries."

"The yellow Lamborghini, nicknamed the Bumblebee!"

However, in this video that Lamborghini truly resembled a bumblebee skimming the ground, weaving through traffic, its perilousness breathtaking.

Those in the gallery had previously only been able to see such footage on television.

At this moment, Presiding Judge Fang Xiaoqian turned her gaze to the grim‑faced Qiu Ruonan: "Defense counsel, would you like to cross‑examine the evidence presented by the plaintiff's counsel?"

The previously confident Qiu Ruonan was now so nervous that chills ran down her spine.

Before Qiu Ruonan could organize her cross‑examination logic,

Gao Shuo suddenly rose to his feet: "Your Honor, I have something to say; I wish to turn myself in."

"Turn himself in?"

The entire courtroom was shocked, all eyes involuntarily turning to this eccentric youth.

Qiu Ruonan whirled around: "Gao Shuo, what are you doing? Sit down!"

Gao Shuo acted as if he hadn't heard.

He bluntly confessed to the judge: "Your Honor, I wish to turn myself in. That day I was indeed speeding, my speed approaching 190 kilometers per hour. Because I was injured and hospitalized, I had previously left this matter to Qiu Ruonan to handle. But I never imagined she would bribe the traffic police and the auto‑repair shop owner, fabricating evidence...."

Upon hearing this, the courtroom erupted in an uproar, and Qiu Ruonan's face turned deathly pale.

Qiu Ruonan cried out urgently: "Your Honor, Gao Shuo is not a witness in this case; I object to his speaking!"

"Objection overruled!"

Presiding Judge Fang Xiaoqian coldly announced: "Gao Shuo, please continue."

"I have said all I needed to say." Gao Shuo said: "I also learned only after the first trial ended that Qiu Ruonan colluded with the traffic police, pushing all blame onto the minivan driver. I came here today to make things clear and turn myself in. Beautiful judge sister, go ahead and arrest me; imprisonment doesn't matter—I want to learn to sew."

The landlord's foolish son, when he acts, is different.

The originally solemn courtroom was made by him full of a cheerful atmosphere, with many people unable to hold back laughter, leaving only Qiu Ruonan and others in the defendant's bench with grim faces.

"Silence."

Fang Xiaoqian struck the gavel twice.

Striving to maintain a solemn demeanor: "Gao Shuo, please sit down first. Prosecutor, do you have any more evidence to add?"

"Yes."

Shen Bi rose, gazing at Duan Yong seated in the defendant's bench—the section chief of the Accident Division of the Donggang Traffic Police Brigade.

Shen Bi asked: "Officer Duan, regarding the No.? Road Traffic Accident Responsibility Determination Form, is it you who issued it?"

"'Yes... yes.' Duan Yong broke out in a cold sweat from nervousness."

Shen Bi pressed: "At the time of the incident, the Lamborghini's actual speed was 187 kilometers per hour; why does the determination state 60 kilometers per hour? Please explain."

Duan Yong stammered: "This... possibly a miscalculation..."

"'For a traffic accident responsibility determination, such a serious matter, you use the word "possibly"?' Shen Bi gave a cold smile: 'Then please take a look at this.'"

Saying this, Shen Bi produced a bank statement.

Shen Bi, filled with righteous indignation, pressed: "This is the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China account of your wife, Ma Chunmei. The day after the accident, she received a transfer of 500,000 yuan. The sender was the Wuzhou Elite Law Firm, namely the law firm where Qiu Ruonan works. How do you explain this?"

The courtroom erupted again, and Duan Yong slumped in his seat, speechless.

Qiu Ruonan, like a dying venomous snake struggling, exclaimed: "Presiding Judge, I object! The Wuzhou Elite Law Firm's transfer of 500,000 yuan to Ma Chunmei is unrelated to this case; the prosecutor is leading the witness!"

"Objection overruled!"

Fang Xiaoqian struck the gavel again, announcing: "Recess for thirty minutes; bailiff, first restrain Qiu Ruonan!"

"'You have no authority to restrict my freedom!' Qiu Ruonan roared in court: 'Even if the 500,000 yuan transferred by the Wuzhou Elite Law Firm to Ma Chunmei involves suspicion of bribery, it has nothing to do with me! The legal representative of the Wuzhou Elite Law Firm is not me!'"

Fang Xiaoqian solemnly replied: "Whether you have bribed, falsified evidence, or obstructed justice, you know it yourself! If you don't, the public security organs will help you find out!"

Before the second trial concluded, Qiu Ruonan was transferred to the Faction.

Also taken away were Gao Shuo and Duan Yong, section chief of the Accident Division of the Donggang Traffic Police Brigade. However, Duan Yong was not taken by the Faction but by the Discipline Inspection Commission. Additionally, the garage owner who gave false testimony was also detained the same day.

Lin Dongfan saw Qiu Da Biao Jie again in the women's detention center.

Visiting her in prison, one ought to give her a taste of life's surprises, directly strike her sensitive spot, making her rise and fall, flowers bloom and fade, straight to the nadir of life.