Me! A disgraced celebrity! Starting by seeking justice for impoverished students.

A week later, the day for the labor arbitration hearing arrived.

A large crowd had gathered early in the morning at the entrance of the district's Labor and Personnel Dispute Arbitration Court.

A dozen or so worker representatives stood on one side of the steps.

They were all dark-skinned, with cement dust still clinging to their trousers and shoes; they were honest men who had spent most of their lives working on construction sites.

Lin Xiaoyu stood at the front, supporting her mother. Both of them were clutching crumpled cloth bags in their hands, their eyes filled with tension.

A crowd of nearby residents, along with many young people holding up their phones, gathered around to watch the spectacle.

These are all fans from Jiang Chen's live stream who came here specifically to support him.

"Do you think we can win today? The Pei Group is such a big company, what if they pull some tricks again?"

"What's there to be afraid of? We have Attorney Jiang here! He won that difficult criminal case last time, so this wage arrears case will be a piece of cake."

"Exactly, the Pei family is too unethical. They don't pay for the work and don't compensate for work-related injuries. They should be taught a lesson."

"..."

There was a murmur of discussion in the crowd, though the voices were not loud, they all revealed sympathy for the workers and trust in Jiang Chen.

Just then, a black luxury van slowly drove up and stopped in the designated parking space in front of the arbitration court.

The secretary quickly got out of the car and respectfully opened the back door.

Pei Zhenbang, his belly protruding, climbed out of the car, dressed in a custom-made suit, his leather shoes gleaming, his face gloomy.

Following behind him was Zheng Kun, the legal director, carrying a bulging briefcase.

As soon as the car stopped, the chatter at the entrance grew louder.

"Is that him? The boss of the Pei Group? He doesn't look like a good person."

"I heard his son is still in prison, and his own company is doing such a despicable thing."

"He owes people their hard-earned money and still has the nerve to swagger around like that."

The sounds of their discussion clearly reached Pei Zhenbang's ears.

He paused, his face instantly darkening, and turned to look in the direction of the sound.

Zheng Kun quickly stepped aside and whispered a reminder: "President Pei, don't get angry with strangers."

"Winning or losing is decided in court, not verbally. Arguing with them only lowers your standing!"

"Once we win the case, all the gossip will be over."

Pei Zhenbang snorted heavily, straightened his tie, and suppressed his anger.

"Yeah, there's no point in talking to these people!"

After saying that, he stopped looking around and strode into the arbitration court, with Zheng Kun and his secretary following closely behind.

He had only been inside for two minutes when another white sedan pulled up in front of the door.

Jiang Chen was the first to push open the car door and get out, dressed in a crisp lawyer's robe, with an upright posture and a composed expression.

"Attorney Jiang!"

Someone in the workers shouted, and more than a dozen people immediately surrounded them.

Old Zhou, who was leading the group, rubbed his rough hands together, his face full of earnestness: "Attorney Jiang, we've all been waiting for you!"

"I'm leaving this entirely in your hands!"

"Please don't stand on ceremony, everyone." Jiang Chen nodded slightly.

"Don't worry, you won't lose a single penny of what's rightfully yours."

The fans nearby also raised their phones and shouted.

"Keep it up, Attorney Jiang!"

"Support Attorney Jiang, help migrant workers get justice!"

"..."

The onlookers nodded in agreement: "With Attorney Jiang here, things look much more stable."

Chen Qiaowei parked the car and smiled as she moved closer to Jiang Chen.

"Wow, Attorney Jiang, you're getting fans cheering you on at the event now, almost like when you debuted."

"So, do you miss the days when you were a star?"

Jiang Chen chuckled softly upon hearing this and stepped inside.

"Heh...that's all in the past."

"Right now, I'm just a lawyer. Doing my job well is the most important thing."

Chen Qiaowei stuck out her tongue and quickly followed.

Lin Xiaoyu and her mother followed closely behind, and the group entered the arbitration tribunal one by one.

The arbitration tribunal was small, but solemn and dignified.

Jiang Chen, Chen Qiaowei, and Lin Xiaoyu, representing the workers, were seated at the applicants' table.

Zheng Kun and two young legal counsel sat in the respondent's seat, while Pei Zhenbang sat in the row next to the respondent, looking arrogant.

The gallery was filled with workers, citizens who had come to attend, and reporters from several local media outlets.

Soon, the recorder stood up and read out the court rules aloud.

"Please remain silent, abide by the rules of the arbitration tribunal, and refrain from moving around, making noise, or applauding..."

After the instructions were read aloud, the recorder addressed the judges and announced loudly, "Please bring the Chief Arbitrator and the arbitrators into the courtroom."

The entire audience stood up.

Three uniformed arbitrators entered the courtroom one by one and sat down on the bench.

The chief arbitrator, a man in his fifties, had a serious expression and a steady gaze.

After everyone was seated, the chief arbitrator picked up the gavel and struck it heavily.

Boom!

"The Xucheng District Labor and Personnel Dispute Arbitration Committee today held a public hearing in accordance with the law on a case concerning a dispute over wages and work injury insurance benefits between twelve workers, including Lin Jianguo, and Pei's Construction Engineering Co., Ltd."

"Court is now in session!"

"First, verify the identities of both parties."

The chief arbitrator's gaze first fell on the applicant's seat.

"Are the identity information of the twelve workers, including the applicant Lin Jianguo, and their litigation agents Jiang Chen and Chen Qiaowei consistent with the submitted materials?"

Jiang Chen slowly stood up, his voice clear and bright: "In agreement."

The chief arbitrator then turned to the respondent's seat.

"Is the identity information of the respondent, Pei's Construction Engineering Co., Ltd., whose legal representative is Pei Zhenbang, and whose authorized litigation agents are Zheng Kun and Zhang Lei, consistent with the submitted materials?"

Zheng Kun also stood up, his tone calm: "We agree."

"Identity verified!"

The chief arbitrator continued, "This case is presided over by arbitrator Wang Jianguo, who, together with arbitrators Li Mei and Zhao Tao, forms the collegial panel. Clerk Liu Chang is responsible for recording the proceedings."

According to the "Law of the People's Republic of China on Mediation and Arbitration of Labor Disputes", the parties have the right to request the recusal of the members of the arbitration tribunal and the court clerk.

"Have either party requested recusal?"

Jiang Chen: "The applicant does not request recusal."

Zheng Kun: "The respondent did not apply for recusal."

"The parties are now informed of their arbitration rights and obligations."

The chief arbitrator spoke at a steady pace, reading out each clause: "The parties have the following rights during the arbitration process."

"I. The right to state the facts and explain the reasons."

"II. The right to present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and debate."

"Third, the right to request mediation and to reach a settlement independently."

"IV. The right to access court hearing materials and make copies of court hearing documents."

"Fifth, if you disagree with the ruling, you have the right to file a lawsuit with the People's Court within the statutory time limit!"

"At the same time, the parties concerned shall fulfill the following obligations."

"First, state the facts truthfully and provide evidence for your claims; second, abide by the rules of the arbitration tribunal and follow its instructions; third, respect the opposing party and other participants in the arbitration!"

"Have both parties understood the above rights and obligations?"

"I heard you clearly!"

"I heard you clearly!"

The two sides responded in turn, their voices varying in volume, and the atmosphere in the courtroom gradually became tense.

The real battle has only just begun.