Chapter 101 Escort

Nan Xuqiu put away his umbrella, tapped the person in front of him on the shoulder, and with a cold look in his eyes, signaled them to move aside.

Those people quickly made way for Chi Jinjin and the others.

"Go ahead, Lawyer Chi. The entire Criminal Police Corps is here to escort you."

Nan Xuqiu said to her.

Chi Jinjin took Zhang Akang up the stairs and walked up step by step towards the main entrance.

The moment she entered the door, Chi Jinjin turned around and looked at Nan Xuqiu.

Nan Xuqiu smiled gently and moved his lips as if he was saying something.

Chi Jinjin understood.

He’s saying, “Come on.”

Chi Jinjin nodded and walked in fearlessly and firmly.

"Captain Nan, why don't you go in and take a look?" A man walked over and said to Nan Xuqiu.

Nan Xuqiu said, "No need, my Jinjin can handle it herself."

He smiled.

Chi Jinjin brought Zhang Akang into the courtroom.

Then the plaintiffs Fang Zhengwen and Du Rumeng also entered the courtroom.

Then the clerk and the presiding judge took their seats one after another.

The presiding judge verifies the parties, announces the cause of action, announces the list of judges and clerks, informs the parties of their litigation rights and obligations, and inquires whether they wish to apply for recusation.

Then the court officially opened.

The plaintiff's lawyer Fang Zhengwen came up and accused the defendant Zhang Akang of child abuse. He brought witnesses, recordings and other evidence to prove that Zhang Akang would tie one of An An's feet with a rope to restrict her freedom of movement.

An An has been with him for all these years and can only eat white rice every day. Her weight does not even meet the requirement of a normal child, and she has suffered severe nutritional loss.

The witness even provided testimony, saying that even though his child had a high fever, he still took her around and did not take her to the hospital.

Chi Jinjin listened quietly to the other party's accusations.

Finally, it was Chi Jinjin's turn to respond to the evidence and testimony of the opposing lawyer.

Chi Jinjin just sat there blankly.

"Defendant's lawyer, please make your defense."

The presiding judge shouted to Chi Jinjin.

But Chi Jinjin remained indifferent.

"Defendant's lawyer." The presiding judge's voice became heavier.

Chi Jinjin finally responded and asked, "You, you called me?"

"Make your defense," said the presiding judge.

"Ah? Oh... okay..." Chi Jinjin slowly stood up.

But then he turned around and asked, "You, what did you want me to do just now?"

"I'll make a defense," the presiding judge said patiently.

Chi Jinjin nodded and asked again, "Answer, answer what? What did you just say?"

"I said defend! Defend! Did you hear me?" the presiding judge said sternly, getting furious.

"Oh oh oh." Chi Jinjin began to organize the information in a panic.

The presiding judge couldn't help but say, "Why is it so difficult to talk to you?"

The audience and the plaintiff's seat couldn't help but laugh.

Chi Jinjin, who was searching for something, paused and a smile appeared on his face.

"Your Honor, you just said that it's difficult to talk to me?" Chi Jinjin suddenly asked him.

The presiding judge was puzzled and said, "Isn't it true? I have made my words very clear, but you still don't understand them once or twice. Isn't it a waste of time?"

"Your Honor, this is my defense." Chi Jinjin said.

The presiding judge was confused, and the others looked at Chi Jinjin in confusion.

Chi Jinjin became serious and explained, "Just now, the presiding judge only spent three minutes talking to me, and you felt it was very strenuous. Then, have you ever thought about my defendant?"

She said, "The presiding judge can speak, but he still finds communication between people difficult. How much more so for us, the defendant? We have been unable to speak since birth. Even language cannot allow one person to fully understand another person's meaning, let alone these unregulated gestures."

Chi Jinjin took out Zhang Akang's painting and showed it to everyone, saying, "Zhang Akang lived in a poor and backward village. He never went to the hospital when he was sick, nor did he know how to get there. When his child fell ill, he had no choice but to carry the child out to ask for directions. However, because he couldn't speak, many people didn't understand what he meant. So people only saw him not taking the child to the hospital, but didn't realize he was actually looking for the way to the hospital."

Chi Jinjin then showed another set of data, which was the total amount of money an average family would need to spend to raise a child from infancy to the age of eight.

"It costs so much money for an ordinary family to raise a child, let alone a disabled person who can't speak. Moreover, An An has suffered from congenital heart disease since childhood and often suffers from it." Chi Jinjin put out a few more pieces of food, some cornmeal and potatoes, and said, "The food above is what our defendant eats regularly. For someone who eats these things all year round, white rice is the best thing for him. Maybe this is why An An's weight is not comparable to that of normal children, but this means that our defendant has given An An all his best things."

"What should we say about him abusing An An?" Fang Zhengwen questioned.

Chi Jinjin brought a witness, who told them that when An An was five years old, she was very naughty and liked to run around, but Zhang Akang couldn't always watch her in order to earn tuition for An An, which led to An An sneaking out one time and almost drowning.

"Our defendant has no relatives, and he can't look after An An and go to work at the same time. He can only use this method to protect An An. In fact, it's not just Zhang Akang. Many people who work outside will lock their children in the house. Although it's inappropriate, they have no ill intentions. They are just forced to do so because of life." Chi Jinjin said.

The opposing lawyer, Fang Zhengwen, said, "Even if that's the case, he paid for the child, which is a crime. This is a fact you can't change."

Chi Jinjin projected Zhang Akang's paintings one by one onto the big screen and narrated what happened that year for him.

It turned out that An An was ill and the traffickers could not sell her. The child kept crying because of discomfort. The traffickers were so angry that they slapped the child over and over again to vent their anger.

Zhang Akang happened to see this and felt sorry for the child crying so hard, so he offered to buy him.

The trafficker was eager to get rid of the bag, so he sold it to Zhang Akang for 500 yuan.

These words were later proven to be true by the human traffickers who were summoned, without any fabrication.

"Our defendant was born in a remote and underdeveloped rural area and is illiterate. He understands no law and doesn't know that buying and selling children is a crime. He simply felt pity for the child and wanted to save her." Chi Jinjin released some new photos, saying, "The plaintiff is accusing our defendant of child abuse. Please take a look at these photos. The first is of Zhang Akang's home, and the second is of An'an's room."

In the photo, the first one is shabby and messy, but in this house that looks so shabby from the outside, An An's room is clean and warm, filled with various small wild flowers, wooden toys and bamboo gadgets.

Du Rumeng was very surprised to see this.

Later, Chi Jinjin released another video in which An An appeared and said with tears in her eyes, "I like my dad. He is very good to me. He never bullies me. Please don't lock up my dad."

It turned out that before this, Chi Jinjin specifically asked Ji Yang to find An An.

"Buying and selling is a crime. Not understanding the law doesn't mean you don't have to take responsibility," said Fang Zhengwen.

Chi Jinjin looked toward the stage and said, "Respected presiding judge, I am not advocating for the defendant's innocence, but I hope that you and everyone here can empathize with the love this mute father has put into raising this child. He bought the money to save this child. In other words, if it weren't for Zhang Akang, the child might not have lived to this age. The law may seem ruthless, but as those holding the scales, we are human beings, flesh and blood. The purpose of the law is to protect every citizen of our country. It was born with love. I implore the presiding judge to handle this matter with discretion."

"My client didn't abuse the child. He truly loves the child. It's just that he can't speak, so he's often misunderstood. It's hard for a person who can speak normally to be misunderstood, let alone someone who can't speak..."

Chi Jinjin begged.

Zhang Akang, who was standing by, lowered his head and tears fell on the back of his hand.

He clenched his palms, his whole body was shaking, his mouth kept moving, but no sound came out.

People only saw blood slowly flowing out of his mouth.

"What's wrong with you?" Chi Jinjin turned around and looked at him.

He slowly stood up, tears streaming down his face, looking at Du Rumeng and the others, and said slowly, "I love An An very much. I didn't abuse her!"

His voice was not loud, and each word he spoke was not standard and clear.

Even his expression was distorted in order to say these words.

But every word was full of tears and were like huge rocks smashing into people's hearts.

After saying this, he seemed to have lost all his strength and fell back on the chair. He leaned against the backrest, tilted his head back, and cried loudly.

All the grievances he had suffered over the years burst out at this moment like a flood breaking through a dam.

No one knows how much effort this mute man has put in over the years and how much abuse and contempt he has endured in order to raise a child with heart disease.

Zhang Akang's cries echoed throughout the courtroom, and every cry was deeply saddening.

He is not a fool, he understands everything. He can also feel angry and sad. He can understand other people's insults and see other people's disgusted expressions and eyes. He just can't speak.

The presiding judge left the room temporarily and returned after about ten minutes.

Zhang Akang's emotions also stabilized, and both sides waited quietly for the presiding judge's decision.

The presiding judge stood up and said, "I will now announce the verdict. Defendant, please come forward."

Zhang Akang walked slowly to the front with his head lowered.

Chi Jinjin also became nervous. She was not sure whether what she had just said had any effect.

The presiding judge read out the verdict, "The defendant, Zhang Akang, was charged with child trafficking and child abuse. The plaintiff sought a 20-year prison sentence. Based on the facts and evidence, the court finds that the defendant did commit child trafficking. However, considering that the defendant's original intention was to save lives and that he did not commit child abuse, the court sentences the defendant to three months in prison."

Zhang Akang immediately raised his head, and Chi Jinjin was also happy.

"Does the plaintiff have any objection to this judgment? Does he need to appeal?" the presiding judge asked Du Rumeng and others.

Chi Jinjin looked at them nervously again.

Du Rumeng was silent for a moment, and the other party Zheng Wen shook his head.

Fang Zhengwen slowly stood up and announced, "We will not appeal."

Chi Jinjin finally smiled.

Zhang Akang also cried with joy.

After the court session, they walked out.

Du Rumeng's agent and An An were waiting outside.

When An An saw Zhang Akang, she wanted to go forward, but her agent grabbed her hand.

Du Rumeng signaled her agent to let go.

The agent was puzzled and let go hesitantly.

"Dad!" An An threw herself into Zhang Akang's arms.

Zhang Akang squatted down and hugged her, and they both started crying.

Finally, An An came to Du Rumeng again and cried, "Dad, he didn't bully me, he treated me very well, can you please not blame him and forgive him?"

Du Rumeng nodded.

He picked up An An and said to Zhang Akang, "Thank you for saving An An for me. When you get out, if you're willing, come to my house and help me take care of An An."

Zhang Akang nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of gratitude.

Seeing this ending, Chi Jinjin finally felt relieved. The result was better than she expected.

Zhang Akang and Chi Jinjin are practicing together.

After spending many days together, she knew he was saying "thank you."

"You're welcome. I'm a lawyer and this is what I should do." Chi Jinjin said.

He held Chi Jinjin's hand tightly, tears welling up in his eyes. He smiled while crying. Although he didn't say a word, it seemed as if he had said a lot to her.

Thousands of words of gratitude cannot compare to the tearful gaze of the person in front of me at this moment.

Later, they walked out of the court.

Nan Xuqiu stood beside the police car, looking at her with a smile in his eyes.

He wasn't wearing a police uniform today.

When he puts on his police uniform, he protects everyone; when he takes off his police uniform, he only protects her.

Chi Jinjin ran down the stairs quickly, ignoring the strange looks from some people around her, and threw herself directly into Nan Xuqiu's arms, hugging him tightly.

Nan Xuqiu also buried his head in her shoulder and hugged her tightly.

"Sorry, I'm back late." Nan Xuqiu whispered.

If he had come back earlier, he might not have to endure so much slander and insults.

They all took advantage of his absence to bully his girl.

Chi Jinjin's eyes were red in his arms, and she choked up and said, "It's not too late, not at all."

This is a stormy era where everyone lives in the gossip and eyes of others. Some people are exhausted, some are hysterical, some have lost all hope, some are decadent and self-destructive, and some even give up their lives. But there are also some people who do not indulge in the frenzy and try to break through the worldly troubles with their own strength.

Someone wants to make everything the same as him, not allowing any cleanliness to exist.

But some people choose to bring light and illuminate the corruption and ugliness of those people.