Chapter 450 - 195: You Celebrated Too Early_3

After a full hour, the testimony phase, with statements from the public gallery, had gradually concluded.

"Now, we enter the free debate stage, where both sides can freely engage in argument to prove your claims."

In the courtroom, the Judgment Chief continued to preside over the trial, announcing this in a deep voice.

As soon as the announcement was made, Ma Ming stood up. "In the evidence presentation phase just now, our side listed numerous pieces of evidence, as well as testimonials from classmates, including transfer records, sufficient to prove that Meng Lei is a habitual offender."

"He’s the type who likes to take small advantages, harms others for his own benefit, and is extremely selfish."

"This is something all the classmates who have dealt with him can testify to."

"The eighteen yuan he owes me has not been paid back for a whole year..."

Ma Ming, holding a script, accused Meng Lei in court. His lawyer had prepared it to help him deliver his testimony and point out the other party’s wrongdoing, making it more impactful.

Meanwhile, at the defendant’s bench, Meng Lei, who had just been bombarded by his classmates from the public gallery, heard Ma Ming’s accusations again. He was so angry that he trembled all over, somewhat furious with embarrassment.

This trial... I should never have come.

The lawsuit was already going badly, but being publicly denounced and berated by a group of people was absolute social suicide.

"I’m selfish? You have the nerve to call me selfish?" He glared fiercely at Ma Ming and burst out angrily, "How many times have I borrowed money from you? You’ve only ever lent me eighteen yuan in total!"

"Who is more selfish, really?"

"Other classmates lent me hundreds, even thousands! I’ve never met anyone as stingy and selfish as you in my entire life!"

"Trying to borrow even a small amount of money from you is harder than climbing to the heavens!"

"It’s just eighteen yuan, isn’t it? You just had to make it a public spectacle before you’d let it go, didn’t you?"

"I must have been truly blind to have befriended someone like you—someone who cashes in on friendships for personal gain, so utterly selfish and self-serving!"

His voice grew louder as he spoke, interrupting Ma Ming’s speech and reverberating through the courtroom, startling everyone present.

"Order!" The Judgment Chief frowned and shouted sternly, "During the free debate stage, please do not interrupt others’ speeches."

During the free debate stage, though free speech is allowed, one must not interrupt while another is speaking. Otherwise, it would inevitably devolve into a shouting match.

"Judgment Chief, I think... there’s no need for the debate anymore." Beside Ma Ming, his lawyer, recovering from his surprise, quickly said, "The defendant has admitted to the loan, which confirms the lending relationship. There is no longer any dispute in this case."

A look of joy spread across his face.

Hearing this, the Judgment Chief exchanged glances with the other judges. He struck the gavel, announcing gravely, "The court is now in recess. The verdict will be announced in half an hour."

With that, he led the collegiate panel out of the courtroom, leaving everyone in the courtroom looking at each other, bewildered.

At the plaintiff’s bench, Ma Ming looked at his lawyer, his expression a mixture of shock and utter confusion. Meng Lei’s tirade had just sent his blood pressure soaring. He was about to retort when he was suddenly told there was no need for further debate.

And the spectators in the public gallery were just as stunned.

"What’s going on? Why did the debate suddenly end? Is it over just because he admitted it?"

"He admitted it in the chat screenshots before too, didn’t he? Why wasn’t that enough?"

"Seriously though, Ma Ming is quite something. He managed to fend off Meng Lei’s attempts to borrow money for so long, only lending him eighteen yuan in the end."

"In half an hour, will the results be out?"

"..."

During the recess, the crowd gathered, discussing loudly. Their voices echoed through the courtroom. This made Meng Lei’s face flush red then pale with anger.

「Jin City.」

Inside the nursing home, Zhang Qingyuan and the others reacted just like Ma Ming’s group. All eyes... were fixated on Qin Mu. Even Wan Zhongyuan was no exception.

"I’ve seen so many lawsuits, but this is the first time I’ve encountered a debate being ended prematurely. Was there something wrong with Meng Lei’s statement just now?"

"He admitted to borrowing the money; is that useful?"

"If that’s the case, why weren’t his previous chat records considered useful?"

"Xiao Qin, what exactly is going on here?"

"..."

Everyone stared at Qin Mu. No one could understand this sudden turn of events.

"Here’s the thing," Qin Mu said with a smile, explaining to the group. "According to the Civil Procedure Law, once a party admits in court to a fact that is detrimental to their case, the other party no longer needs to present evidence to prove it. The court will then accept that fact."

Therefore, once Meng Lei admitted to borrowing the money, Ma Ming no longer needed to exert himself. And the crux of this case... was whether a lending relationship existed. Since the lending relationship was confirmed, there was naturally no need to continue the debate. As a result, the debate could be ended early. This admission in court was distinctly different from his earlier statements in chat records.

"So... Meng Lei can’t take his words back?" Li Weiguo thought for a moment and then asked.

"Once a party admits to a fact that is detrimental to their case, any later retraction is invalid. The court only recognizes the initial admission," Qin Mu continued. "Furthermore, making inconsistent statements in court would cause him to lose the court’s trust, making his case even harder to win."

In civil litigation, the main focus is on presenting arguments and evidence to gain the collegiate panel’s acceptance. If the collegiate panel didn’t believe Meng Lei’s words... then victory was virtually assured.

"There’s such a rule? This Meng Lei is really too careless; he didn’t even hire a lawyer. Now he’s really dug himself into a hole."