Chapter 186: 102. Hold your hand, walk together (2 updates 2)
When Xiang Yuan arrived, both Jia Tianzi and Guan Liang were taken aback, and Tang Yan Yi was also somewhat surprised.
She stepped forward intending to say something, but Guan Liang timely stopped her, dragging her by the elbow into the meeting room.
Tang Yan Yi frowned and shook off his hand: "What are you doing?"
Guan Liang put a finger to his lips: "Miss Tang, I know you want to tell Xiang Yuan that he can’t be Mark’s lawyer because the person Mark wants to harm is his wife Shi Nian. As someone with a conflict of interest, he should withdraw."
"It’s exactly that." Tang Yan Yi rubbed her wrist.
"But now the person Mark wants to harm is not Shi Nian, but ’the international exchange student Nana from China’... Don’t forget that."
Tang Yan Yi let out a snort: "Ah, I remember, that identity you fabricated. Well, now it’s time for you to reap what you sow. I really want to see how you’ll explain when Xiang Yuan and Shi Nian meet then."
.
In the interrogation room, Xiang Yuan went in, meeting Mark’s gaze.
Seeing Xiang Yuan enter, Mark smiled. Those dark blue eyes seemed to shed all darkness, leaving only a nearly luminescent blue.
He smiled, showing his neatly aligned teeth: "Hi, you’re here."
Xiang Yuan walked to the table, placed his briefcase on the table, and stared down into Mark’s eyes: "What did you say to the police?"
Mark laughed arrogantly: "How could I say anything? I haven’t said a single word."
"Good," Xiang Yuan then relaxed as well: "You did well. Remember, maintaining silence is your right, at least until you go to court. If the police can’t get your statement as evidence, it’s their failure, not yours."
"I’ll expedite your bail process; you’ll be out of here soon. You don’t need to worry about the bail money."
Mark nodded, his smile turning even more arrogant.
"But is it really okay for me to say nothing at all? Isn’t it said that good citizens should fully cooperate with the police?"
Xiang Yuan snorted: "Fine, you go be the good citizen; let us lawyers who worry for nothing antagonize the police."
Hearing the sarcasm in Xiang Yuan’s tone, Mark laughed again; "Alright, Lawyer Xiang, I won’t make things difficult for you. After all, it’s our interests that should be aligned."
Xiang Yuan nodded and left: "I’ll handle the bail procedures now."
The bail procedures were processed quickly, and Guan Liang somewhat uneasily asked Jia Tianzi: "Is this really okay?"
"Don’t forget the presumption of innocence. Until the judge and jury convict him, we can only let him leave temporarily. See you in court."
After Xiang Yuan signed, he looked up and smiled at Jia Tianzi: "Mr. Jia, Mr. Guan, we really have fate. I just can’t help but wonder, since both of you are here, who’s protecting my wife?" He glanced around: "Could it be Yanqing?"
Jia Tianzi smiled and said: "In any case, we in the police can definitely protect Mr. Shi, rest assured."
Xiang Yuan left with Mark, but Mark turned back to give Jia Tianzi a provocative look: "Mr. Jia, the coffee you brew is really good. It’s just a pity, I won’t have the chance to taste it again."
"We can’t say for sure." Jia Tianzi raised his eyebrows with a smile: "Next time we catch you again, I promise I’ll brew a pot for you personally."
Xiang Yuan reached out to grab Mark’s elbow and pulled him outward: "Let’s go."
.
Watching Xiang Yuan and Mark walk away into the distance, Jia Tianzi quickly called Tang Yanqing.
Tang Yanqing was slightly stunned upon hearing that Xiang Yuan was actually Mark’s lawyer.
Shi Nian took the CT report, politely said "thank you," then tilted her head to look at him: "Is this about me? What happened?"
Tang Yanqing took a deep breath, "The reason Xiang Yuan wasn’t here just now is, he went to the police station. What he had to handle was—Mark’s bail."
.
Shi Nian was taken aback, her hand clenching the CT report trembled slightly, but she then smiled indifferently, totally at ease.
"Oh, then he must not know my identity in this case. If he knew it was me, it’s impossible for him to appear as Mark’s lawyer. He’d have to recuse himself."
"You really do your best to understand him from his perspective." He couldn’t help feeling a bit upset.
Shi Nian tilted her head to look at him: "If I still cared for him as much as before, as soon as I heard he actually went to bail out the person who nearly killed me, I wouldn’t care whether he knew the facts or not, I would immediately rush to confront him."
Tang Yanqing squinted, watching the slow blush spread across her cheeks.
She then turned her head away: "...Professor, can’t you see, now my rationality has overcome my emotions regarding him."
"I say he is my husband, which is more of a legal term now, rather than a—an emotional definition."
"Heh..." He seemed a bit surprised, unable to suppress a light laugh.
She looked up at him: "So, we’ve evened out: I won’t blame you for not being able to protect me this time, because I know you had work to do; and you should stop being upset with me for wanting to see him earlier, okay?"
"Heh!" He couldn’t help but laugh again, stepping forward to gently pull her into his arms.
It’s just a friendly hug... she comforted herself, yet closed her eyes and leaned into him.
This world has evil, and no one can fully rely on others for 24-hour protection. It’s unrealistic and places too much of a moral burden on the other person.
In fact, what is more important than any so-called 24-hour protection is that, in times of danger, he appears in her mind, giving her courage and wisdom, allowing her the opportunity to become strong herself and have the ability to protect herself.
.
As an important witness who could help the police testify against Mark, Huangfu Huazhang ultimately did not personally appear at the police station.
He only delegated his lawyer to deliver a signed verbal statement.
However, the statement did not include the details the police eagerly awaited; Huangfu Huazhang only mentioned that while passing the area, he noticed two young people arguing on the roadside. Because he recognized the girl as a student from Kangchuan University, he paid extra attention. It was then he noticed the boy moving to strangle the girl, and she cried for help, so he stopped to check the situation.
When he got closer, realizing that the girl was at risk of suffocation, he used his cane to knock the boy unconscious, stopping the assault.
As for the reason for their argument and what the boy said or did previously, he claimed ignorance.
Jia Tianzi finished reading and tossed the testimony aside in disappointment. Guan Liang, however, paid special attention to the lawyer’s business card: "Are you Lawyer Liu Qingtian from ’Tang Chengliu Law Firm’?"
A middle-aged man dressed in a custom-made high-end suit, yet the style and cut were discreet. Upon hearing Guan Liang’s question, he nodded with a smile: "That’s me." There was no surprise in his tone, just a hint of a smile: "The reason Mr. Guan is so curious about my identity is because of Yanqing, right? Yes, I am indeed a partner at his father’s law firm, considered his uncle in terms of relationship."
Guan Liang and Jia Tianzi exchanged a glance, then solemnly shook hands with Liu Qingtian once more. Not merely because of Tang Yanqing, but also because this calm middle-aged man, like Tang Mingyi, was a legendary figure in the state’s and even the country’s legal circles, having argued many cases that became classic judicial cases.
The fact that Huangfu Huazhang would hire Liu Qingtian as his lawyer indicates his status and wealth.
Guan Liang, relying on being a newcomer, whispered: "Lawyer Liu, don’t you need to recuse yourself?"
Liu Qingtian laughed heartily: "My client is not a suspect to the police; he’s merely a witness. The police should even commend him for his act of bravery—though he’s always low-key and would not accept it."
Jia Tianzi respectfully said: "I’m just not sure if we’ll have the chance to ask Mr. Huangfu some questions in person again."
Liu Qingtian bluntly shook his head: "Sorry, my client has already provided everything he can to the police in this signed document."
Jia Tianzi’s heart sank further with worry: "Does this mean that if the court requires him to testify as a prosecution witness, he’d refuse?"
Liu Qingtian thought for a moment: "Since it hasn’t come to that point, I can’t conclude for my client. But if it’s just a private conversation, based on my understanding of his personality—I believe so. My client is an extremely low-profile person."
Liu Qingtian finished speaking and then took his leave.
"That’s really not good news." Guan Liang frowned at Jia Tianzi.
Jia Tianzi bowed his head: "...Perhaps the only solution is to see if Yanqing can secure a chance to meet Mr. Huangfu through Lawyer Liu’s private channels."
.
Shi Nian walked out of the hospital with Tang Yanqing.
It seems every hospital must have a long corridor. The corridor was quiet; the setting sun slanted through the windows, casting grids of light on the floor.
Shi Nian lowered her head, walking silently.
Suddenly, her hand was grabbed. Before she could resist, her hand was tightly held in his palm. His long fingers closed together, gripping firmly.
Shi Nian was momentarily startled, but she didn’t struggle anymore, allowing him to hold her hand.
She only lowered her head, smiling faintly, and continued to walk her own path.
He seemed reluctant for the corridor to end too quickly, so he deliberately slowed his pace, saying softly, "From tonight on, you won’t return to Kangchuan University. Use today’s incident as an excuse, saying you were frightened, and temporarily move away to recuperate."
"Why?" She stopped, pulling his hand, and looked up into his eyes.
Qiao Ran took a breath quietly: "Are you afraid that I’ll be hurt again?"
"Oh." He lowered his head: "Today was already enough. I was almost scared to death."
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Thank you xhqgwj for the monthly ticket, and a client friend for the red envelope~