Just after being thrown into the lake, seven beautiful women blocked the door calling him "husb

Click.

The cold handcuffs bound Zhang Ruifeng's wicked hands.

It also locked away his arrogance and conceit.

The crisp sound was amplified by the courthouse's loudspeaker.

It penetrated into the ears of everyone in the courtroom, terrifyingly clear.

Zhang Ruifeng's body jolted violently.

He lowered his head, staring blankly at the gleaming handcuffs on his wrists, his mind going blank for a moment.

It’s over.

It's really over.

He was like a wild dog whose spine had been suddenly pulled out; his whole body went limp.

If it weren't for the two bailiffs supporting him, he would have slipped and fallen to the ground on the spot.

"No...no!!"

The deathly silence was ripped apart by a hysterical roar.

Zhang Ruifeng suddenly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Chen Ye.

Inside, there is a venomous madness that can devour a person alive.

"Chen Ye! You'll die a horrible death! You ruined me! I'll haunt you even as a ghost!!"

He struggled frantically, roaring as his face twisted beyond recognition.

The bailiffs increased their force and dragged him out of the courtroom.

"Let me go! Do you know who I am?"

I pay half of the taxes in the new town! You dare touch me?!

His shouts echoed in the empty courtroom.

Yet it seemed so powerless, so ridiculous.

Zhao Li slumped in the defendant's chair, his whole body drenched in cold sweat.

He watched as his once arrogant employer was dragged away like a dead dog.

Then look at that nonchalant young man across from me.

"Invincible body"?

Industry legend?

Today, he has become a laughing stock in the entire legal profession.

On the bench, the presiding judge's face was frighteningly cold.

He waited until Zhang Ruifeng's roar completely disappeared outside the door.

He picked up the gavel and struck it down heavily once more!

"Thump!"

"quiet!"

The entire courtroom finally regained its proper solemnity.

All eyes were once again focused on the presiding judge.

Awaiting the final verdict.

The villagers clenched their fists and held their breath.

Reporters held up their cameras, ready to snap photos.

Wang Hao, Li Zhe, and An Ran stood ramrod straight, their hearts pounding so hard they felt like they were about to burst out of their chests.

Qin Kexin stood beside Chen Ye, her uninjured hand tightly gripping a corner of the file.

The presiding judge scanned the entire room, his voice devoid of any personal emotion, yet each word carried immense weight.

"Regarding the case of the plaintiff, the villagers of Qinghu Village, suing the defendant, New Century Chemical Plant, for environmental pollution infringement."

"After deliberation by the collegial panel, this court finds that all the evidence provided by the plaintiff is valid."

The chain of evidence is complete, the facts are clear, and the evidence is legal and valid.

"The defendant, New Century Chemical Plant, has been illegally discharging highly toxic industrial wastewater on a long-term, malicious, and large-scale basis."

It has caused irreversible and enormous damage to the ecological environment of Qinghu Village.

This directly led to a severe outbreak of disease among the villagers; the facts are undeniable, and the crime is unforgivable!

Every word was like a heavy hammer, striking everyone's heart.

In the audience, the villagers began to sob quietly.

That was pent-up resentment, pain, and despair that had been suppressed for too long.

"In accordance with the relevant provisions of the Environmental Protection Law and the Civil Code."

"This court hereby renders its first-instance judgment!"

The presiding judge stood up, and the national emblem behind him shone with a sacred light under the lamplight.

He raised the gavel high.

"First! Defendant New Century Chemical Plant, immediately cease all environmental infringements!"

The cost of ecological restoration is 120 million yuan!

The polluted land and water sources in Qinghu Village must be remediated within three years!

"Whoosh—!"

An uncontrollable gasp erupted from the crowd.

One hundred million!

This money might really bring that dead land back to life!

"Second! The defendant, New Century Chemical Plant, has filed a lawsuit against the 146 plaintiff villagers in this case."

The total compensation awarded is 89 million yuan, including medical expenses, lost wages, and damages for emotional distress.

The presiding judge raised his voice.

"Depending on the severity of the damage, each villager will receive a minimum of 300,000 yuan and a maximum of 2.8 million yuan in compensation!"

"what!"

Grandpa Li could no longer hold on; his legs gave way, and he collapsed into the arms of a villager beside him, tears streaming down his face.

"My son...did you see...we won..."

"We won..."

The entire audience was in tears.

It was the ecstasy at the end of despair, the belated declaration of justice.

Anran's tears could no longer be controlled and fell like beads from a broken string.

She covered her mouth tightly to stop herself from crying out, but her shoulders were trembling violently.

Wang Hao and Li Zhe, two grown men, also had red eyes.

He excitedly punched the other person's shoulder hard.

As Chen Ye watched this scene, a chord in his heart was gently plucked.

Damn, this is making me want to cry.

Qin Kexin turned her head and looked at Chen Ye's profile.

Looking at the scar on his forehead that hadn't completely faded.

Looking at his face, which had a slightly roguish air about it.

This man is truly different now.

The judge's voice continued.

"Third! Regarding the criminal aspects arising from this case."

"The defendant, Zhang Ruifeng, was convicted of the crime of polluting the environment, and the circumstances were particularly serious."

He was sentenced to eight years in prison and fined 50 million yuan!

He is suspected of bribery, intentional injury, and organizing and leading a mafia-style organization, among other crimes.

This case will be investigated separately by the relevant judicial authorities and tried in accordance with the law!

"Thump!!"

The gavel fell.

A hammer!

This war, which lasted for several years, was waged on the blood, tears, and lives of countless people.

At this moment, the game is over.

Victory!

As Chen Ye and his team walked out of the courthouse.

They were instantly overwhelmed by the reporters who had been waiting outside.

"Attorney Chen! Are you satisfied with this verdict?"

"Attorney Chen! Did Juncheng Law Firm face immense pressure this time, taking on a major taxpayer in Xincheng?"

"Attorney Chen! There are rumors that you were violently attacked during the investigation. Is that true?"

Countless microphones were shoved up to Chen Ye's mouth.

The flashes were so intense that it was almost impossible to open one's eyes.

Chen Ye stopped in his tracks.

He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses to block out the glare.

He glanced around at the excited reporters and suddenly smiled.

"Everyone."

His voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the noisy scene.

"I won this case not because I'm particularly good."

"Because the law, in the end, stands on the side of justice."

Of course, the main reason is because I'm awesome.

Chen Ye silently added a sentence in his mind.

He paused, then continued:

"As for pressure? Of course there is."

"But compared to those who lose their lives due to pollution, this pressure is nothing."

"Justice may be delayed, but it will never come if you don't fight to pull it out of the mud."

After saying that, he ignored the reporters and led his team, pushing through the crowd and walking forward.

Just then.

"Attorney Chen!"

An old, hoarse shout made Chen Ye stop in his tracks.

He turned around.

Grandpa Li, surrounded by dozens of villagers, was running towards him.

These elderly people, who were walking with difficulty, used all their strength to run towards their benefactor.

Grandpa Li was holding the thin little girl in his arms.

The red spots on the little girl's face and neck were still glaringly obvious in the sunlight.

She stared at Chen Ye with her large, clear, yet bewildered eyes, full of curiosity.

"thump!"

When Grandpa Li walked up to Chen Ye, his knees buckled and he knelt down on the spot!

"useless!"

Chen Ye's pupils contracted, and he took a step forward, firmly supporting the old man's arm.

His hand, which was in a cast, felt a sharp pain from the sudden exertion.

"Attorney Chen...you are like a second parent to our entire village!"

Grandpa Li cried uncontrollably, his whole body trembling.

"Thump! Thump!"

Behind him, the dozens of villagers all knelt down in unison!

It was a dark, dense mass.

He was facing Chen Ye, and behind him were Qin Kexin, Wang Hao, Li Zhe, and An Ran.

He kowtowed deeply to the young people who had sought justice for them.

"Everyone, get up! Get up!"

Wang Hao and Li Zhe panicked completely and rushed over to help.

But how could they possibly help them up?

These simple villagers expressed their sincerest gratitude in the most unassuming way.

Chen Ye's heart was struck hard by this heavy worship.

In his past life, he knelt before others.

For a few hundred dollars in tips, and to avoid being complained about by customers.

He knew better than anyone how humiliating and lowly that kneeling was.

But these people kneel willingly, kneeling with a weight as heavy as Mount Tai.

Damn... this is getting tough.

For the first time, his heart, that of a street thug, felt a touch of indescribable panic.

He took a deep breath and used all his strength to help Grandpa Li steady.

"Sir, we've been paid to handle this lawsuit; it's our job."

"You don't need to do this."

"It's different... Attorney Chen, it's different..."

Grandpa Li shook his head desperately, tears streaming down his deeply lined face.

"We've consulted so many lawyers, but none of them dared to take the case... only you..."

Amidst this chaos and tears of gratitude.

The little girl in Grandpa Li's arms timidly stretched out her little hand.

He gently touched the cast on Chen Ye's arm.

She raised her head, her pure and untainted eyes quietly gazing at Chen Ye.

He asked a question in a low voice that silenced the entire world.

"Uncle, will the spots on my body... disappear eventually?"