Chapter 465 - 199: Meng Lei: I Want to Borrow Some More Money_2

The cross-examination was drawing to a close.

Meng Lei’s side had not raised any effective objections to this evidence.

Many bills, which came from third-party financial institutions or banks, had been officially appraised and therefore possessed legal validity.

"Does the defense have any further objections to the evidence presented?"

In the courtroom, the Judgment Chief looked toward the defendant’s bench and asked again.

Everything that could be questioned had already been questioned. However, Meng Lei’s objections were unprofessional and lacked evidence substantial enough to overturn the existing proof. They had little effect.

"’Some of this evidence is fake! You can’t just accept whatever they say and rule based on that...’"

Upon hearing this, Meng Lei spoke up again, trying to deny the accusations.

"If there are objections to the evidence above, you may present corresponding rebuttal evidence."

The Judgment Chief paused before speaking earnestly.

Meng Lei was suddenly at a loss for words. If he had any evidence, he would have presented it already.

The key point was... he had borrowed far too much money. He genuinely couldn’t recall how much he’d borrowed from his university classmates. Besides, he never intended to repay it. He hadn’t kept any records of these loans. Asking him to produce evidence was simply impossible for him.

"If that is the case, then let’s move on to the next phase, the open debate."

The Judgment Chief looked deeply at him and struck the gavel. The trial proceeded.

Upon seeing this, Meng Lei’s face turned somewhat pale.

Although he didn’t understand these courtroom procedures, he could tell that he was at a distinct disadvantage. The rebuttal points he had just raised... seemed to have been dismissed by the collegial panel.

"’You... at least say something.’"

At this, he stared desperately at the legal aid lawyer beside him and said, his voice choked with unshed tears, "’Even though it’s free, you still have a responsibility to your client!’"

If he had money, he definitely would have hired a more formidable lawyer. But the problem was... all his money was now in Tian Shulan’s hands. He was penniless, and Tian Shulan refused to help him hire a lawyer. As for his colleagues and friends... he had borrowed from them all before. Now that they heard he was trying to borrow money again, they all started feigning deafness. Many even blacklisted him outright. It seemed he had squandered all his goodwill. Now... he had inadvertently reached a point of utter desperation.

「The university classmate group chat.」

While Ma Ming and Meng Lei were confronting each other in court, this group was also abuzz. Although work commitments prevented them from attending the hearing in Yangcheng, they were all keenly following the case’s progress.

Just like Ma Ming, everyone in the group chat fervently wished to see Meng Lei imprisoned.

"’I wonder how the trial is going now. I heard it started at ten, and it’s been two hours already.’"

"’I hope Ma Ming plays hardball and gets Meng Lei a longer sentence.’"

"’He should manage. After all, he received advice from that legendary ’up’.’"

"’Honestly, I thought Ma Ming was already incredibly persistent, going all the way to Yangcheng to sue over eighteen yuan. But it turns out there are even scarier people out there.’"

In the group chat, the conversation soon turned to the ’up’ account Ma Ming had shared a few days earlier.

At first, they clicked on the videos out of curiosity. But the more they watched, the more frightened they became.

This was no ordinary content; each video came with tips on how to get someone jailed. It also provided a crash course on how to legally deal with moral coercion or borderline illegal acts. Every method this ’up’ used to punish these actions was almost unbelievably effective. Someone spitting in takeout food was convicted of poisoning. A parcel thief was not only scared into the hospital but also received a ten-year sentence. The couple who illegally occupied someone else’s home... received a twenty-year prison sentence. Each video shattered their previous understanding, making them acutely aware that it was time to learn some legal principles. If for no other reason than to avoid unwittingly breaking the law and ending up imprisoned themselves. The parrot case was a classic example. Without Qin Mu’s defense, the sentence would have been terrifying.

"’With guidance from the ’up’, what great feat can’t our group accomplish?’"

"’I just checked online, and there seems to be a live broadcast of the trial. I’ll send the link directly to the group.’"

"’Really? There’s a live stream?’"

"’Wow, I see Meng Lei! Why does he look so awful? What has he been through these past few days?’"

Someone shared the live broadcast link of the trial to the group chat. They all clicked on it and saw the proceedings of the First Criminal Trial Court of Yangcheng.

At this point, the case had entered the open debate stage.

Ma Ming stood at the plaintiff’s bench. His representative lawyer, Shi Liangping, was passionately arguing the case, continuously denouncing the defendant. Meanwhile, Meng Lei, on the opposing side, appeared extremely haggard and utterly defenseless. Even the lawyer beside him stammered, struggling to articulate more than a few words.

The situation was completely one-sided. Ma Ming’s side was brimming with confidence, while Meng Lei’s side was utterly dejected.

"’Are we winning? How long is the sentence for fraud?’"

"’I heard Ma Ming say that in the litigation request, they’re asking for a six-year fixed-term imprisonment for the defendant.’"

"’I wonder if they will pronounce the judgment. If they really do sentence him to six years... I honestly wouldn’t even care about the money anymore.’"

"’Me neither. Didn’t that ’up’ say? Accepting the money reduces the defendant’s punishment.’"

In the group chat, everyone’s spirits were incredibly high; they were ecstatic.

The light of victory... seemed to be just ahead. The frustrations of recent times, the pent-up anger in their hearts, could finally be released!

Things had reached this stage.