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

The half-hour recess passed quickly.

When the gavel struck again, everyone sat down again.

The air in the courtroom became unusually heavy.

The number of viewers in the official live stream has exceeded five million!

Many netizens are paying attention to the situation here.

[Finally back! A half-hour recess felt like half a year!]

[Can Jiang Chen win? Can he send those bastards to jail?]

[It's definitely possible. Trust Jiang Chen, trust the law!]

Did you guys see the dogfight in the defendant's lounge just now? It was hilarious!

Stop laughing, the final verdict is the important part!

Let's wait and see! I believe in Jiang Chen!

Presiding Judge Zhou Zhengping returned to the bench, his gaze sweeping across the entire room.

He picked up the verdict and slowly unfolded it.

"The verdict will now be announced in court!"

"The Donglin Intermediate People's Court, in the second instance trial of the case of Zhang Xiaolu's intentional injury, has rendered its final judgment after deliberation by the collegial panel!"

"I. Regarding the criminal aspect."

"The defendant, Zhao Peng, is guilty of intentional injury, causing the victim to suffer serious injury of the second degree. Moreover, the victim is a minor. The circumstances are egregious and the social impact is severe."

"The first-instance judgment of six months' imprisonment is too lenient, and this court hereby corrects it."

"The sentence has been changed to...fifteen years imprisonment!"

In the audience, someone gasped.

Zhao Guoqiang suddenly raised his head, his eyes wide open.

His lips trembled violently, but he couldn't utter a single word.

The presiding judge continued reading.

"Defendants Wang and Li, guilty of intentional injury, participated in surrounding and assaulting the victim; as accomplices, their sentences are hereby revised to six years imprisonment!"

"The sentences of the three defendants shall be calculated from the date the judgment takes effect."

"The time spent in previous detention will be credited against your sentence!"

After he finished speaking, the courtroom fell silent for a few seconds.

A low murmur arose from the audience.

Zhang Xiaoyu's eyes reddened, and she bit her lip, as if to confirm that this was not a dream.

Looking at Jiang Chen next to her, the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned.

Zhang Xiaolu's mother sat in the audience, covering her face with her hands, her shoulders trembling violently.

She was crying, and she was laughing!

Zhou Zhengping continued reciting without pausing.

"II. Regarding the civil compensation portion."

"Defendants Zhao Peng, Wang Moumou, and Li Moumou shall jointly and severally compensate plaintiff Zhang Xiaolu for basic compensation items including medical expenses, nursing expenses, follow-up treatment expenses, and disability compensation, totaling RMB 700,000!"

"Of the 200,000 yuan in initial medical expenses already paid by the defendant, this amount will be deducted."

"The remaining 500,000 yuan shall be paid in a lump sum within thirty days from the date the judgment takes effect!"

"The court respects the plaintiff's request for exemption from additional damages made during the second instance."

"Apart from the aforementioned basic compensation, no other compensation items will be pursued!"

III. Regarding litigation costs.

"The litigation costs of this case shall be borne jointly by the three defendants!"

After Zhou Zhengping finished reading these words, he raised his head and scanned the entire room with his gaze.

"The above judgment is final!"

"If you disagree with this judgment, you may file an appeal with the Jianghuai Provincial Higher People's Court within ten days from the day after receiving the judgment!"

The voice just fell.

Thunderous applause erupted from the audience.

Zhang Xiaolu's mother stood up, covered her face, and mumbled something indistinctly.

"Thank you... thank you..."

The viewers in the live stream have completely exploded!

[One was sentenced to fifteen years! Two to six years! They're both in jail!]

The worst offender was the ringleader, who served fifteen years. He'll be over thirty when he gets out! His life is ruined!

[700,000 yuan in compensation plus 15 years in prison—it's worth it!]

This is what happens when you defy the law! You'll waste your entire youth on it!

[Haha, over there in the dock, the defendant's dad looks like he's crying!]

What's the use of crying? Why don't you cry when you're hitting someone?

Jiang Chen is awesome! That was a brilliant victory!

Although the law ultimately prevailed, we all know that none of this would have happened without Jiang Chen!

In the dock, Zhao Guoqiang finally spoke.

His voice was hoarse, trembling with sobs.

"Fifteen years... fifteen years... my son is only seventeen!"

He turned his head sharply and looked at Huang Wen.

In that one look, there was anger, resentment, and disappointment.

Huang Wen remained silent.

He sat in the lawyer's seat, head down, his face ashen like an old newspaper!

He lost the lawsuit.

A complete and utter defeat!

The applause in the courtroom gradually subsided.

People thought the verdict was over.

But... Zhou Zhengping did not close the verdict.

His gaze shifted to the defendant's lawyer's seat and landed on Huang Wen.

"In addition, this court needs to make a supplementary decision."

The courtroom fell silent once again.

Zhou Zhengping's tone became even more serious.

"This court notes that during the second instance trial, the defendant's attorney, Huang Wen, made several remarks that went beyond the scope of the case defense. These remarks included inappropriate questioning of the national judicial system, distortion of basic legal principles, spreading of false information in court, and inciting confrontational sentiments."

"These remarks have exceeded the reasonable boundaries of normal defense, constituting a disruption of court order and an undue challenge to judicial authority!"

"In accordance with the relevant provisions of the 'Rules of the People's Court of Huaxia' and the 'Lawyers Law,' this court has decided to: report the inappropriate remarks and conduct of the defendant's lawyer during the trial to the Bar Association, and recommend that the Bar Association, in accordance with relevant industry norms, conduct a disciplinary review and take appropriate action against him!"

"At the same time, this court will issue Huang Wen a written warning!"

"The aforementioned decision will be included as an official attachment to the court hearing transcript and filed together with the case!"

Upon hearing this, Huang Wen abruptly raised his head, his face turning deathly pale.

His expression was one of utter disbelief!

He has been a lawyer for over twenty years and has indeed lost cases.

But the judge has never publicly notified the bar association in court!

Even Zhao Guoqiang was taken aback by this decision.

He originally thought that losing the case was the end of it all.

Unexpectedly... even Huang Wen himself got caught up in it!

In the audience, some people were whispering among themselves.

The live stream chat instantly erupted again:

Holy crap! The opposing lawyer got punished too?!

This is even worse than I imagined! Not only will I lose the case, but I'll also be investigated by the bar association!

His "victim-blaming" rhetoric was clearly not unfounded; even the judge couldn't stand it anymore!

While it won't cost him his job completely, he won't be able to take on cases normally for the foreseeable future!

Serves him right! I've disliked him for a long time!

He's lost both the lawsuit and his reputation – a double loss!

Jiang Chen sat in the plaintiff's seat and paused slightly upon hearing the judge's words.

He certainly didn't mean anything by targeting the defendant's lawyer.

He just wanted to win the lawsuit for Zhang Xiaolu.

As for the arguments in court, they are all just to refute the other side.

He had never even considered what kind of punishment Huang Wen would receive!

Unexpectedly... the presiding judge made this decision himself!

He turned his head and glanced at the presiding judge.

Zhou Zhengping's expression remained unchanged, as if he had done something perfectly natural.

Jiang Chen withdrew his gaze, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Unexpectedly, there was an unexpected bonus..."

He said it in a low voice, with a hint of a smile in his tone.

"This reminds me that in the future, when I go to court, I can target not only the opposing party..."

"If I work a little harder, I might even get the opposing lawyer imprisoned!"