As it stands, there is no way to convict Chen Jian for Zhang Cui's death, not even Xu Liang can do it!
The key evidence has long faded with time. Using their own resources, it's impossible to prove a direct link between Zhang Cui's death and Chen Jian. But...
Before considering this, you need to ask one question.
And that is: [Why find evidence of Zhang Cui's death!?]
Because that's the only way to convict!
In other words, it's the only way to bring Chen Jian to justice.
However, the goal is to get Chen Jian onto the table of justice!
So in that case...
While maintaining the same goal, you can entirely find a new breakthrough, and the new breakthrough is...
"What is going on with his entrance exam?"
Xu Liang squinted his eyes and asked Chen Hua.
Yang Ruoxi, who was standing beside them, froze slightly when she heard this. After a few seconds of sorting out her thoughts, her pretty face was full of surprise.
"You want to intervene from this angle!?"
"This... this isn't something a lawyer should meddle in!"
Yang Ruoxi was taken aback.
Some matters are entirely different in terms of scale.
Chen Wei's incident, while not huge, is something many people do these days, but you can't speak of it, let alone expose it!
Once it's exposed...
Then naturally, someone will help Xu Liang and Chen Hua bring Chen Jian in!
Yes, once it's exposed, Xu Liang won't even need to go to court. Someone will come and take Chen Jian away on the same day!
This is information hidden in plain sight, enough to deliver a deadly blow, yet unnoticed by anyone.
Chen Hua didn't know what this meant.
But seeing Yang Ruoxi's expression, he knew it was significant and immediately replied:
"I don't know, but there's definitely something fishy!"
"The whole neighborhood knows about it. There was a child named Liu Mingbo who caused a stir for a while. The kid was an excellent student before the exam, eligible for admission to various schools, and performed normally during the exams."
"But afterwards, he couldn't even get into the most ordinary school, let alone a key high school."
"At first, it was thought to be a result of his underperformance, but..."
Saying this, Chen Hua paused and continued:
"On the last day of graduation, when the child went to school one last time, he suddenly discovered that his classmate Chen Wei's admission notice... had the exact same exam registration number as his!"
Exam registration number?
This is one of the most common methods of identity theft.
To put it simply, it's about binding your file with someone else's, sharing your identifiable information with the other party openly.
While secretly linking your file to the imposter's file.
This makes the covert swapping of files feasible!
If you're still puzzled.
"This isn't something a village chief can pull off..."
Xu Liang's mind raced, and suddenly he realized where the issue lay.
At this point, Yang Ruoxi's eyebrows furrowed, and she said softly:
"The official iron fist is heavy; they can't stop them, but it's easy to stop you."
As a lawyer, she naturally understood what was needed to win a case.
The lawyer's own capacity is undoubtedly crucial, but those factors outside the case are the ones that are unpredictable and difficult to defend against!
"Indeed."
Xu Liang did not deny it. He looked at Yang Ruoxi, his eyes showing calmness.
"But... do you think this case requires my investigation?"
Does it need investigating?
No!
If Liu Mingbo stands up for himself, naturally, someone will fully investigate the case to the end!
And do you think these people would fear methods outside of the case?
"You..."
Yang Ruoxi paused, suddenly understanding.
Seeing this, Xu Liang didn't plan on further explanation.
He turned and walked toward the door, saying as he went:
"Time waits for no one."
"Let's first apply for a second trial."
Upon hearing this, Chen Hua regained his senses, became excited all over, and quickly followed.
During this period, Chen Jian was still stuck at the police station, unable to come out; who knows what trouble he might stir up if he did.
Xu Liang had to seize the time to apply for a second trial and finish the case quickly before the police released him.
But...
Yang Ruoxi watched his back, suddenly feeling a burst of excitement in her heart, her bright eyes shining with a hunter's eager anticipation.
"Wang Chao, it's not convenient for you to be involved. You should head home first."
Yang Ruoxi turned to Wang Chao, instructed him, and then stood up.
Wang Chao was taken aback, and instinctively asked, "Sister, what are you doing?"
"I'm going to check out the case."
Yang Ruoxi grabbed her purse and quickly followed, her tiny steps quite hurried.
Listening to the footsteps behind him, Xu Liang looked back and was surprised to see Yang Ruoxi catching up.
"Why are you following me?"
"I... I..." Yang Ruoxi stammered a bit.
Finally, she spoke seriously.
"I came to help!"
Xu Liang glanced at the eager desire in her eyes and then at the law firm he inherited, which she had run into bankruptcy.
He understood.
This is... someone who's bad at something but loves playing it?
Xu Liang was somewhat speechless.
This case was definitely a high-stakes one, how could this incompetent lawyer who tanked her law firm think she could meddle...
"You..."
Xu Liang was about to refuse but suddenly changed his mind:
"Do you have a car?"
Yang Ruoxi nodded her head, took out a key, and pressed it. In the darkness, a car's lights flashed twice.
"Get in!" she said.
Xu Liang didn't say anything further. He got in the car with Chen Hua.
When they arrived at the courthouse.
It was already half-past eleven, and aside from a few staff members on duty, there wasn't anyone else to be seen.
After Chen Hua got out of the car, he hurriedly went to find the previous bailiff.
"Mr. Chen?"
The bailiff yawned and was stunned to see Chen Hua return.
"You..."
Before he could say anything, Chen Hua said:
"I want to appeal!"
The bailiff was taken aback, "Wha... What?"
"I said."
Chen Hua took a deep breath, hands tightly clenched.
"I want to appeal!"
The bailiff froze.
After Chen Hua submitted all the documents and turned to leave, the bailiff finally came to his senses.
Watching the other's departing figure, the bailiff sighed, his gaze filled with emotion.
Reversing a case on appeal... isn't that easy.
In most appeal cases, the original verdict is upheld, at most the sentence is reduced by a few years, or it might even be harsher than the original sentence!
But even knowing the outcome, they would choose to appeal for a second trial.
Because at least it held some hope, right?
Especially for Chen Hua, the bailiff didn't want to wound him further.
He withdrew his gaze and sighed.
"Perhaps... possibly a reduced sentence."
...
Outside the Hanhai Basic People's Court.
Chen Hua limped down the stairs and finally stopped beside a parked car by the roadside.
"Bang!"
The car door opened, and Xu Liang's face appeared. He looked at Chen Hua and asked:
"How did it go?"
Chen Hua replied: "It's submitted, it should be ready by the morning..."
Upon hearing this, Xu Liang nodded.
In the driver's seat, Yang Ruoxi blinked and looked back at him.
"What are we doing now?"
Xu Liang didn't hesitate.
"As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"In the morning, we'll go..."
"Find Liu Mingbo!"