Chapter 79: Should they confront the situation themselves or go back and ask Qian Heng for help?

This was originally supposed to be a blushing, heart-racing night. Yet perhaps because the stimulation Cheng Yao had received today was still not enough, halfway through the heavy metal live performance the person in charge of this underground bar suddenly came downstairs and began evacuating the crowd.

“There’s a fire! Everyone hurry to the emergency exits!”

For a moment the heavy metal music turned into noisy, panicked human voices. Many people’s faces showed expressions of terror and fear. Yet Cheng Yao, for some reason, did not feel particularly afraid. It seemed that as long as she was by Qian Heng’s side, there was nothing to worry about. She almost didn’t need to think—she only needed to hold Qian Heng’s hand and follow him.

The only thing she hadn’t anticipated was that, because they ran in a hurry, Cheng Yao’s ten-centimeter thin high heels very uncooperatively broke.

Qian Heng didn’t say anything. He only slightly squatted down.

Cheng Yao was a bit puzzled. ?

“Get on.” Qian Heng’s expression was calm and natural, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “I’ll carry you on my back.”

“No need. The parking lot isn’t far. Just support me a little.”

While refusing, Cheng Yao limped forward. Yet she hadn’t walked a few steps before Qian Heng directly scooped her up horizontally by the waist.

“Fine. You’ve gotten what you wanted.”

“Eh?”

Qian Heng snorted. “You just didn’t want me to carry you on my back and hoped I would princess-carry you, right? You think I don’t know what little scheme you’re up to? Isn’t it just because a princess carry lets you look at my face?”

“No… no!” As she spoke Cheng Yao wanted to struggle down.

“Don’t move around.” Qian Heng glared at Cheng Yao warningly. “If you keep twisting around while I’m holding you like this, my waist won’t be able to take it.”

Cheng Yao’s body quieted down, but her mouth did not. She meaningfully glanced at Qian Heng’s waist. “This… a man shouldn’t say his own waist can’t take it…”

Qian Heng was silent for a moment before saying, “Cheng Yao, if you don’t shut up, then why don’t you sleep with me tonight and personally verify whether my waist is good or not.”

“…”

Cheng Yao completely quieted down.

After the chaotic, stimulating, and sweet night came the next day’s work.

Cheng Yao had originally felt a bit shy about seeing Qian Heng again and didn’t know whether she could control the look in her eyes when looking at him so that colleagues wouldn’t see the clues. Fortunately this problem was perfectly avoided. Early the next morning, because of a family trust dispute case, Qian Heng temporarily went on a business trip and flew to City B. Bao Rui, who went with him, could return the same day after the court session, but Qian Heng still needed to stay two or three more days to finish handling the client’s remaining matters before returning.

And Cheng Yao also didn’t have much time to think about Qian Heng anymore. The filing materials for the child support dispute case she was representing for Lin Fengjuan had already been submitted to the court. The presiding judge called Cheng Yao to communicate. Because the evidence was relatively complicated, and considering saving trial time, the judge requested a pre-trial exchange of evidence. Cheng Yao of course couldn’t ask for more.

A pre-trial exchange of evidence could, before the formal trial, first clarify the evidence on which each party’s claims were based, so that the parties could cross-examine during the trial, and also allow the judge to have a better grasp of the evidence involved in the case. It could further prevent one party from suddenly supplementing evidence during the trial in a kind of ambush, causing the trial to not go smoothly and having to hold another session and cross-examination because of the supplemental evidence, thereby delaying case-handling efficiency.

Only, although the pre-trial exchange of evidence was ultimately decided by the judge, it generally required the parties to apply first. Cheng Yao was a bit curious. “Was the pre-trial exchange of evidence applied for by Lu Jian?”

“His lawyer applied for it.” Judge Meng, who was responsible for this case, smiled on the phone. “I happen to be free at two o’clock this afternoon. The other side has no problem either. If it’s also fine with you, let’s exchange the evidence quickly and set it for two o’clock this afternoon in the No. 4 pre-trial conference room.”

Cheng Yao was a bit surprised while repeatedly agreeing.

She chatted a few more sentences with Judge Meng and casually asked, “Which law firm’s lawyer did Lu Jian’s side engage?”

“Oh, Lawyer Deng Ming from Dewei Law Firm. Do you know him? He’s quite famous.”

Judge Meng hung up, yet Cheng Yao remained unable to calm down for a long time.

Deng Ming.

This case had actually run into Deng Ming.

This had once been Cheng Yao’s goal in becoming a family lawyer—one day to finally be able to stand openly and uprightly in court, have a confrontation with Deng Ming, then openly and honorably defeat him, tear off those disguises of kindness and justice of his, as well as those false professional abilities of his.

Only Cheng Yao hadn’t expected that she would actually encounter Deng Ming so quickly, on the first case she completely independently handled.

Although Deng Ming projected an image of a conscientious lawyer to the outside, when actually taking cases his heart was entirely oriented toward money. Cheng Yao had previously learned from Lin Fengjuan to some extent that Lu Jian’s family circumstances were not bad, but looking at it now, it was not merely not bad—it should be very good. Probably either rich or noble, to be able to engage Deng Ming. A jackal like Deng Ming would only appear when he could smell the freshest blood and meat.

If Qian Heng were present, then this case, even with ten Deng Mings, would not be lost.

Yet she had long since cut off her own retreat and very bone-chillingly refused Qian Heng’s intervention.

Was she prepared?

Or go back and ask Qian Heng for help?

As long as she opened her mouth, he would absolutely not refuse.

Yet the hand Cheng Yao had pressed next to Qian Heng’s name in her contacts ultimately still paused.

Qian Heng could stand behind her, but she couldn’t rely on Qian Heng forever.

In Bai Xingmeng’s case she had been slapped in the face by Deng Ming. This time she wanted to try facing the battle herself.

Since her dream was to defeat Deng Ming in court, then go for it!

Because she learned that Lu Jian’s lawyer was Deng Ming, Cheng Yao was even more one million percent attentive. She had previously gone to the hotel where Lin Fengjuan and Lu Jian had checked in, had Lin Fengjuan inquire about her previous check-in registration, and confirmed the check-in time. At the same time Cheng Yao also took evidence from several classmates who had participated in the classmate reunion together with Lin Fengjuan and Lu Jian, which could prove that the check-in time was on the same day as the classmate reunion, and that after the classmate reunion it was indeed Lu Jian and Lin Fengjuan who were alone together. With these pieces of evidence, combined with the previous recording, it could corroborate that Lu Jian had indeed checked into a hotel with Lin Fengjuan after the classmate reunion and had relations. And Lin Fengjuan’s child Hanhan was born full-term, so calculating backward according to his birth year and month, if Hanhan was Lu Jian’s child, then the time of this instance of relations between Lu Jian and Lin Fengjuan could also completely match without contradiction. Additionally, Cheng Yao also took testimony from many high school classmates of Lin Fengjuan and Lu Jian, proving that the two had dated for two years in high school, were each other’s first loves, and once had an emotional foundation.

Before going to the court for the pre-trial exchange of evidence, Cheng Yao repeatedly rehearsed the possible situations that might occur and her response measures, ensuring that the moment this evidence list of hers was flung out, it could slap Deng Ming’s face slap-slap-slap.

Cheng Yao told Lin Fengjuan the news of the pre-trial exchange of evidence, and the two of them each hurried to the court.

By coincidence, they and Lu Jian and Deng Ming almost arrived at the pre-trial conference room at the same time.

Deng Ming wore a slim-fitting, narrow-waisted suit. His hair was fixed back with hair gel, the classic large back-combed style meticulously done. His body carefully sprayed with men’s perfume. Cheng Yao only casually swept a glance and saw the eye-catching brand logos on his briefcase and belt.

In Cheng Yao’s heart she detested him. The more she looked the more she felt the other party didn’t look like a lawyer and instead more like a multilevel marketing scammer wearing high-quality counterfeit brand-name goods. Yet no matter how much she hated him in her heart, Cheng Yao knew to control her own emotions. She firmly remembered every word of Qian Heng’s and would absolutely not repeat the same mistake of letting her private emotions affect the party’s case. To want to win this lawsuit, one should first abandon one’s own position and stand from the party’s perspective.

Cheng Yao’s side was very calm and professional, yet Deng Ming’s reaction was much stronger. He was clearly very surprised to meet Cheng Yao here and paused. Only very quickly Deng Ming also returned to work mode.

Seeing that both parties and their lawyers were in place, Judge Meng began the pre-trial exchange of evidence according to procedure. “In the case of Lin Fengjuan suing Lu Jian for confirmation of parent-child relationship and child support dispute, the pre-trial exchange of evidence is presided over by Trial Judge Meng Dongmei, with Clerk Shen Su serving as recorder. Do both parties apply for recusal…”

Neither Lin Fengjuan nor Lu Jian applied for recusal.

Judge Meng clarified some basic facts in this case. At the same time she also elaborated and analyzed the evidence materials submitted by Cheng Yao toward Deng Ming’s side. “Lin Fengjuan and her lawyer have organized a very detailed evidence chain. On the basis of this evidence chain, Lin Fengjuan’s side possesses an evidence chain sufficient to infer that Lu Jian and Hanhan may have a parent-child relationship. If Lu Jian you and your lawyer have no contrary evidence yet still resolutely disagree to do a paternity test, then once the case is filed and goes through the litigation process, the court can handle it according to legal provisions, presume that Lin Fengjuan’s side’s claim requesting confirmation of the parent-child relationship is established, and your side that does not cooperate with the court in conducting the paternity test will need to bear the legal consequences of losing the case.”

Deng Ming’s expression was calm, with not the slightest panic visible. He swept a glance at Cheng Yao, smiled with certainty of victory, then pulled a document out of his briefcase. “Judge Meng, this is the evidence we are submitting. We also hope that through this exchange of evidence, the opposing party will know our attitude.” Deng Ming paused, then said sonorously and forcefully, “My client Lu Jian was long ago diagnosed by the hospital as a patient with azoospermia, and it is incurable anorchia.” Deng Ming glanced at Cheng Yao. “Mr. Lu is very unfortunate. He was born with congenital anorchia. These are the complete set of medical records from birth to the present as well as the results of physical examinations over the years.”

Cheng Yao knew that since Deng Ming had actively applied for the pre-trial exchange of evidence, he naturally held evidence that could be used for defense. Only she had fundamentally not expected it would be this kind of subversive evidence!

From Judge Meng’s hands she took the evidence submitted by Deng Ming. Looking at the signing times, these pieces of evidence indeed spanned a long period, and the paper of those medical certificate documents also showed yellowing, looking as if they indeed had some years. The physical examination records over the years were also carefully filed by category. For the convenience of viewing, Deng Ming had highlighted the relevant medical record proof places with a marker, clear at a glance.

Lu Jian actually had no testicles? Then there absolutely did not exist viable sperm! Then no matter what, the child naturally could not be his! Once this evidence of Deng Ming’s came out, even if Lu Jian refused the paternity test, the parent-child relationship could be excluded!

Lin Fengjuan naturally also saw this evidence. She immediately cried out in disbelief on the spot. “Impossible!” She muttered to herself and looked at Cheng Yao as if seeking rescue. “This is impossible! That night I clearly saw—he clearly had them! He was very healthy! How could it become some congenital anorchia?!”

Deng Ming paid not the slightest attention to Lin Fengjuan’s shouting. He glanced at Cheng Yao. “You can naturally question the authenticity, but what we submitted are all the most authentic pieces of evidence, unafraid of any appraisal.” He said confidently and flamboyantly, “On the contrary it is Miss Lin who should carefully think about what other methods she still has now to slander and blackmail my client.” Deng Ming pushed his glasses. “It’s not that your acting is good or that you shout loudly that makes it the truth.”

And at this moment, before Cheng Yao could even stop her, she saw Lin Fengjuan suddenly stand up and hysterically tear up the medical and physical examination records of Lu Jian in her hands.

Her face was flushed and angry. “This is fake! This evidence must be fake! Lu Jian, you really have no shame. You’re a healthy man—have you forgotten what happened that night? You even said you liked it most when I touched you there, that the moment I touched it you would feel something. And now you’re telling me some congenital lack of testicles? What joke are you playing?! Or did you directly castrate yourself in order not to acknowledge Hanhan?” Lin Fengjuan’s eyes were bloodshot. “You are truly shameless! How did I listen to your honeyed words back then!”

Lin Fengjuan’s emotions completely lost control. She paid no attention at all to the fact that this was in court. She stood up on the spot, took out photos of Hanhan from her phone, and tremblingly wanted to hand them to Lu Jian to look at. “This is the child’s full-month photo. Just look once! Look yourself—doesn’t this child have three parts of resemblance to you? Look again at the expression on his face—isn’t it carved from the exact same mold as you? Any clear-eyed person can see at a glance that this is your child! And you still quibble, saying you can’t have children! Not acknowledging your own son—are you even human?!” When Lin Fengjuan mentioned the child, tears couldn’t help circling in her eyes. “Hanhan is so pretty and cute, yet because of congenital heart disease he’s still lying in the intensive care unit, his life hanging by a thread. And you as the biological father not only don’t acknowledge the child or give child support—you haven’t even gone to look once! If the child is gone, aren’t you afraid he’ll turn into a fierce ghost and come to haunt you?!”

Yet before the photos could be handed in front of Lu Jian, they were intercepted by Deng Ming. He casually glanced once, then coldly tossed the phone back onto the table. Compared to Lin Fengjuan’s intense emotions, Deng Ming was rational and icy. “Miss Lin, please calm down a bit. You tore up the original evidence provided by our party. According to the Civil Procedure Law , this belongs to the act of destroying important evidence and obstructing the court from hearing the case. I believe Judge Meng will give a punishment. And as related evidence for determining the facts in the case of confirming the parent-child relationship, if these medical certificates and physical examination records are torn up and cannot be identified, then when the court judges, it is the side that tore up the evidence that will bear the unfavorable legal consequences.”

Regarding this development, Cheng Yao was also completely unprepared. Deng Ming’s words were not wrong in the least. In this situation, considering that Lin Fengjuan was still in the breastfeeding period, she would probably face a fine as punishment. And even more awkwardly, because of her impulse she would very likely face the risk of losing the case.

This person Deng Ming, although on ordinary days he put on a false image of benevolence, morality, kind brows and kind eyes, when it truly involved the interests of his own party his entire aura became very aggressive. Lin Fengjuan was suppressed by his aura and also began to grow uneasy. She calmed down and began looking at Cheng Yao as if seeking rescue.

Judge Meng was clearly also very troubled by this farce-like pre-trial exchange of evidence. She instructed the clerk a few sentences. Because she had to rush to the court session of another case, she had the clerk truthfully record everything that happened today before ending this pre-trial exchange of evidence.

Before leaving, it was Deng Ming who called her. “By the way, Judge Meng, last time I heard your daughter wants to correct her teeth. A few days ago my child went to a private dental clinic in Singapore. I felt the service attitude was very good and the correction was also done very professionally. Later I’ll send you the information.”

Judge Meng paused, nodded somewhat in surprise, expressed thanks, and then hurriedly left.

Cheng Yao did not pay attention to this interlude, yet she did not know that every one of Deng Ming’s behaviors was not without meaning. In Lin Fengjuan’s eyes this was another kind of interpretation.

“That Lawyer Deng is quite familiar with Judge Meng, right.” After everyone had left, Lin Fengjuan was silent for a moment before finally opening her mouth with a pale face. “Discussing children’s situations with each other—the friendship must be very deep. In our case this judge will definitely favor them, right.” Lin Fengjuan said with despair and indignation, “As expected this society is just like this. People with money and power can engage good lawyers and have connections. In modern society, where doesn’t one talk about connections?! The court is also black the same way! It’s all about having people in court making things easy!”

“That’s not the case. You should believe in the court and the judge.” Facing such a sudden change in the case facts, although Cheng Yao was a bit startled, she also quickly recovered her calm. She glanced at Lin Fengjuan. “Knowing each other privately is one matter, but I believe in the judge’s professional ethics. If we can ultimately find evidence to turn defeat into victory, the judge will not, because of private relationships, rule that the other side wins.”

Speaking of this, Lin Fengjuan became even more indignant and helpless. “Lawyer Cheng, I swear to you that Lu Jian is absolutely not a patient with azoospermia, and even less could he be congenital anorchia.” At this point Lin Fengjuan no longer cared about being reserved or shy. “I saw very clearly. He is a very, very normal man. His medical records must be forged!”

If it were another lawyer, Cheng Yao might not suspect, yet when the other party was Deng Ming, instructing the party to forge evidence was also not impossible.

Only the current predicament was first that most of the original evidence of Lu Jian had already been torn up by Lin Fengjuan. Although some could be barely restored by piecing together, such restored things would probably not necessarily meet the original document requirements for authenticating authenticity. Second, Deng Ming could not have calculated that Lin Fengjuan would flare up on the spot and tear up the evidence. That he dared take out this original meant he had probably already arranged everything at the source of the forgery. Even if truly sent for appraisal, nothing would be found. And this case also could not do a kinship appraisal like the Dong Shan case, because Lu Jian’s parents would under no circumstances agree to do an appraisal. They did not want this congenitally diseased child to delay the family alliance marriage. At this point the case had fallen into a deadlock.

“I’ve noticed that these medical diagnoses and physical examinations all come from the same private hospital. It’s very likely this hospital participated in the forgery. I will keep an eye on this clue.” Cheng Yao comforted Lin Fengjuan a few sentences. “Don’t be anxious. Fake things cannot become true. There will always be a flaw exposed.”

Lin Fengjuan wiped her tears and nodded. “I hope Lawyer Cheng will definitely seek justice for me and the child!”