The case involving Wang Zizhong's son, Wang Li, had remained contentious. Even after losses at both the first and second trials, the court's formal ruling had yet to come down.
Wang Li was still being held in the detention center.
On the way to the detention center.
As they passed a convenience store, Su Bai told Li Xuezhen to wait outside and went in himself. Less than two minutes later, he came out with two packs of Chunghwa cigarettes.
Li Xuezhen watched curiously as Su Bai slipped both packs into his inside pocket.
"Lawyer Su, do you smoke?"
Su Bai shook his head. "No, but you still need to carry some. Ever heard of people skills? You'll understand in a minute."
Li Xuezhen nodded thoughtfully.
Outside the detention center, Su Bai straightened his suit but did not go straight in. He waited until a burly man in a law enforcement uniform came out and walked into a corner, fumbling for something in his pocket.
Su Bai approached and offered him a lighter. "Buddy, care to join me for a smoke?"
As he spoke, he took out a pack of Chunghwa cigarettes, tore off the wrapper, and deftly shook a cigarette out.
The burly man paused. "You've really got that cigarette-offering move down, buddy! Don't mind if I do?"
"Go ahead, go ahead."
Su Bai gave the pack another shake.
The man accepted with an easy smile. After lighting the cigarette, he took a deep drag. "Good stuff. You here about a case, buddy?"
"Right. I'm a lawyer, here to look into a case and apply to meet the suspect. It's a little urgent, but the procedures here take a while, so there's a wait. Figured I'd step out for some air and a smoke in the meantime."
The man slapped his thigh. "The procedures are slow, sure, but you could've just told me! Since you've shared a smoke with me, I'll make sure it gets done today."
"Got all your documents?"
"All here."
Su Bai waved Li Xuezhen over with the documents. The burly man gave them a quick look, then smiled and nodded. "Looks like you've got pretty much everything. Head to the service hall and wait there, buddy."
"Thanks, buddy."
Su Bai waved.
"Don't mention it. We're all friends here!"
After the man left, Li Xuezhen looked stunned by what she had just witnessed.
That actually worked?
"Lawyer Su, does this count as knowingly breaking the law?"
Su Bai was speechless.
This girl really doesn't get it!
Looks like she needs a proper lesson!
"What do you mean, knowingly breaking the law? Your interpretation of the legal issues is off! Did we exchange any benefits? Did we bypass the normal procedures? Every step complies with the rules and regulations. All we did was speed things up a little. Where's the illegal conduct?"
"Can you see that clearly?"
Li Xuezhen nodded earnestly. "I understand, Lawyer Su. Is this what you meant by people skills?"
Su Bai gave her an approving look. Good. She can be taught!
It was perfectly normal for a university student just starting an internship not to understand these things. She could learn as she went.
Litigation required more than interpreting the law in court. Getting a case through the system was a complicated process, and naturally, other skills were needed too-like the people skills he had used today!
Su Bai and Li Xuezhen had waited in the detention center's waiting hall for roughly half an hour when a guard approached him. It was not the officer from earlier.
"Are you Su Bai, the lawyer from White Jun Law Firm?"
"Yes, that's me."
Su Bai stood as he answered.
"All right. Your application has been approved. Get yourself ready. We'll bring the suspect in shortly."
"All right, thank you."
Su Bai thanked him politely. Soon, Wang Li was brought in, and Su Bai took Li Xuezhen into the interview room.
Once the officers had left, Su Bai spoke with a smile.
"Hello. I'm Su Bai, the lawyer retained to handle your case."
Wang Zizhong and his wife had had their son late in life, at thirty-eight. Wang Li was their only child, and he was now just over thirty.
Wang Li looked utterly worn down.
After the first and second trials, a fellow detainee with a shaky grasp of the law had taught him a little legal knowledge. Wang Li no longer held any hope of getting his sentence reduced.
He looked up at Su Bai, his eyes lifeless. "Hello, sir. Do you think I still have a chance?"
The corners of Su Bai's mouth lifted slightly. "You certainly do. I've promised your parents that if I don't win the case or get your sentence reduced, I won't charge any legal fees."
Wang Li jerked his head up. "Really? You're not just stringing me along? No legal fees if you lose? Are you confident you can win?"
Su Bai took out the signed representation agreement. "This is the part of the agreement concerning the legal fees
and how they'll be settled. You can take a look."
Wang Li read through the agreement. It really did say there would be no fees without a victory and a reduced sentence. But then he remembered what the fellow detainee had told him, and his spirits sank again.
"Lawyer Su, I believe you're not some unscrupulous lawyer, but I'm afraid you'll have a hard time earning that fee."
"If I chose to take this case, I must have some confidence. Winning shouldn't be a problem. I'm only asking whether you want a reduced sentence and to get out of prison. As long as you cooperate, getting your sentence reduced shouldn't be much of an issue. How much it's reduced will mainly depend on your own attitude."
The corners of Su Bai's mouth lifted slightly. He had complete confidence in this case.
"I'll cooperate. I will."
Seeing how confident Su Bai was, Wang Li nodded firmly. A spark of hope flared in his heart again.
Su Bai signaled for Li Xuezhen to take notes, then began asking about the details of the incident and Wang Li's answers during the first and second trials.
Half an hour later, Su Bai walked out of the detention center, satisfied. He had confirmed everything he had wanted to confirm.
Time to take this to court!
Back at the law firm.
Su Bai did some basic work on the trial documents, then called Li Xuezhen into his office.
The so-called office was merely a small, separate space partitioned off with a few pieces of fabric inside the firm. It was not even soundproof.
"Let Wang Zizhong and his wife know we're getting ready to apply for a final trial. Prepare the submission documents, too."
"Apply for a final trial? We'll need new evidence for that. Lawyer Su, what relief are we seeking?"
"I've already prepared the evidence and the claims. You just need to make the trip."
Su Bai handed the documents he had organized to Li Xuezhen.
Li Xuezhen opened them and took a look, then rubbed her eyes in disbelief.
"Mr. Su, wouldn't submitting it like this be a little too aggressive?"
"This case calls for a hard-hitting approach. Anything less won't do. Go take care of it."
Li Xuezhen walked out of the office questioning everything. Uncertain, she looked again at the application documents Su Bai had given her and drew a sharp breath. One thing became clear to her.
She had absolutely chosen the right law firm!
If they really won... then following Su Bai would mean she had taken her own first step toward establishing herself in the legal profession!
~~Hu Qiang
(End of chapter)
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