The male supporting character was actually myself.

A week later, Zhang Chengbo's attempted murder case went to trial.

He absolutely refused to agree to a divorce with Hua Zaihong, insisting on an equal division of marital property, vowing to take away the money the slut had earned by seducing other men, and demanding that she pay exorbitant compensation for emotional distress.

After multiple unsuccessful attempts to communicate with the lawyer, they agreed to wait until he was convicted of attempted murder and imprisoned before filing for divorce.

If Zhang Chengbo, as the party at fault, cannot provide evidence of Hua Zaihong's infidelity, he can retain most of her marital assets.

"Does the defendant have anything to add?" the judge asked the defendant's lawyer.

Zhang Chengbo was assigned as the defense lawyer for the opposing party. It was really difficult to communicate with him, and it was absolutely impossible for him to be acquitted. All we could do was try our best to get him a lighter sentence.

"I did not commit a crime!" Zhang Chengbo said angrily when he saw that his lawyer was silent. "Judge, you have to consider the cause and effect. If Wei Jiangchen hadn't been having an affair with my wife and making it public knowledge, would I have provoked him for no reason?"

Yes, they got a bunch of surveillance videos showing that I did indeed have a knife. But is having a knife illegal?

Jiang Chen couldn't help but laugh when she heard his words;

Attorney Zhang coldly reminded him: "According to Article 31 of the Public Security Administration Law: Anyone who illegally carries firearms, ammunition, or crossbows, daggers, or other controlled knives as stipulated by the state shall be detained for up to five days and fined up to 500 yuan."

The large folding knife you are carrying is a controlled weapon, and carrying it is indeed illegal.

Moreover, there is evidence that you carried the knife on a long-distance bus from Qingyi to Fuyu. Carrying an illegally controlled knife on public transportation is also a violation of the law.

In short, you did break the law by carrying a knife.

"This...this is unreasonable!" Zhang Chengbo, who was ignorant of the law, never expected that carrying the folding knife he used as a self-defense tool would be illegal. He was so angry that his face turned red and his neck bulged. "Since the country allows individuals to sell and buy, why am I not allowed to carry it on my person?"

Besides, Wei Jiangchen was sitting there perfectly fine. I stabbed him several times and didn't even hurt a hair on his head. How could it be considered attempted murder? It was clearly not even attempted assault!

Unless those stabs actually killed him and he survived in the hospital, then it can be considered attempted assault!

If it weren't for the handcuffs and bailiffs holding him down, he would have roared and almost jumped out, wanting to spit on Wei Jiangchen's face. The crowd attending the public trial burst into laughter upon hearing this. Some whispered among themselves, some muttered in confusion, and some laughed at his stupid words.

The judge slammed his gavel and said in a deep voice, "Silence!"

The chaotic courtroom gradually quieted down.

"It turns out the defendant is also suspected of illegally buying and selling controlled knives. If the illegal activity is confirmed, we will file a separate lawsuit. The defendant himself admitted to using an illegal controlled knife to try to stab my client several times, which constitutes intentional homicide."

However, my client escaped unharmed thanks to his quick reaction and agility, and the entire process is supported by submitted video footage.

In this case, the defendant's attempted murder was an objective impossibility.

When the defendant attempted to kill my client with an illegally controlled knife, due to objective reasons, the intended death was not achieved. Regardless of whether my client was injured or not, this does not negate the fact that the defendant intended to kill him. Therefore, attempted murder does not affect the conviction.

Faced with Wei Jiangchen's lawyer's reasoned and well-founded rebuttal, who also seized on the loopholes in Zhang Chengbo's words to turn the tables, the lawyer defending Zhang Chengbo sighed and couldn't help but cover his face with his hands.

People who are stupid are beyond saving!

The mere fact that he attempted murder was enough to give him a hard time, but Zhang Chengbo simply wouldn't listen to anything I said.

Several conversations before the trial urged him to be careful with his words and not to speak carelessly in court, as he didn't understand the law and always felt that he was being swindled out of money and didn't believe the explanations of the law.

That's great... Illegal sale of controlled knives, defamation and insults—as long as Wei Jiangchen has evidence, he'll win every time he sues!

If it weren't for the government-sponsored assignment, I wouldn't bother being his defense lawyer.

Garbage that lowers the overall quality of men!

The entire trial did not last very long.

With conclusive evidence of the crime, the defendant's lawyer essentially gave up and gave up. Not long after, the judge pronounced the verdict in court: Zhang Chengbo was found guilty of intentional homicide, and sentenced to five years in prison for attempted homicide.

Wei Jiangchen sued Zhang Chengbo for defamation and insult, and the trial will be held at a later date.

The gavel fell, and the result was almost exactly as predicted. Next up was Hua Zaihong's divorce case and the additional charge against Zhang Chengbo for illegally purchasing controlled knives.

"Sister Hong, the Qiuli Town Public Security Bureau has arrested Zhang Chengyue and his parents." As soon as Ye Ruoyi received the definite news, she excitedly ran into Hua Zaihong's office to report the good news. "President Wei's idea was brilliant! During the time you endured humiliation and hardship, the lawyer gathered all the evidence that his family had spread rumors and slandered you."

However, I heard that their arrest wasn't handled by our lawyers; apparently, they were sued because the goods they sold during their live stream were counterfeit.

The sun was shining brightly outside the window. Hua Zaihong, sitting behind his office chair, looked up and saw a beautiful young woman bathed in sunlight, her hair sparkling. Her big, beautiful eyes were bright and sparkling, and she was full of youthful vigor and charm.

"Come and sit down," she said with a smile, pulling over a stool for Ye Ruoyi.

“Two days ago, Mr. Wei told me that the lawyer who sued them for selling counterfeit goods on live stream was also our company’s pro bono lawyer.” Hua Zaihong tucked her hair behind her ears, her eyes filled with a smile. “That family is greedy and greedy. They used the excuse of cursing me to gain traffic and attention by starting live streams. At first, they sold agricultural products, which were a little expensive, but the quality was fine.”

After becoming popular online influencers, they contact beverage manufacturers to help promote their products.

They take a sweet soup that's only worth three to five yuan and sell it as a top-grade health supplement. They get it from the manufacturer at a wholesale price of three yuan and fifty cents, but sell it for ninety-nine yuan a bottle in their live streams. To sell it, they exaggerate and make outrageous claims, practically calling the sweet soup a miracle cure.

Not only did they engage in false advertising, but they also used the tactic of scolding their daughter-in-law to provoke resentful elderly people. As a result, young people didn't fall for their tricks, and they only managed to deceive elderly people who were obsessed with health products into buying them at high prices.

A retired worker living alone poured all his pension money into the product, thinking it was a cure-all. But upon closer inspection of the ingredients, he discovered it was just sugar water with various fruit flavors.

The old man was so angry he almost choked, but luckily a neighbor noticed and helped contact our company for free legal aid. General Manager Wei said, "This time, we'll settle all their old and new scores!"

Ye Ruoyi had heard many stories online about unscrupulous livestreamers selling counterfeit goods in their livestreams, and even about health products and souvenirs that tricked the elderly. But hearing it with her own ears still made her very angry. "Zhang Chengyue's family is really despicable. They rely on cursing you to gain traffic and sell products, and they even sell counterfeit goods to cheat people!"

"Fortunately, we discovered it in time. They had just switched to selling sweet soup." Hua Zaihong frowned and said softly, "President Wei sent people over immediately to collect evidence and file a lawsuit. If we had let them run around for a couple more days, who knows how many people they would have cheated."

"President Wei is so amazing!" Ye Ruoyi rested her cheek on her right hand, lost in thought, and then recalled the first time their eyes met when she knocked on his office door to ask for help.

A sudden sense of familiarity made her heart race, as if the two of them had known each other for a long time...

Seeing the faint smile on her face as she seemed lost in thought, Hua Zaihong couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle, "Do you like him?"

"No, no!" Ye Ruoyi blushed and hurriedly denied it, "No way! Sister Hong, don't talk nonsense."

"Yiyi, have you ever been in a relationship?"

She blushed so much that the tips of her ears turned pink. She lowered her head, fiddled with the pen on the table, shook her head, and said softly, "No, after all, given my situation... Sister Hong, you should be able to understand. I didn't dare to date until I had settled down in the city."

Especially those college relationships that are hard to maintain in the real world and end after graduation—I'd rather use that time to read more books and enrich myself so I can make a good living in the city.

Hua Zaihong laughed even more happily, "I'm two years older than you, so I've been through this. Look at the way President Wei's eyes betrayed you. You've fallen for him! But President Wei is indeed outstanding in every way, so you two are quite a good match."

I've been watching closely, and I can tell he's also a bit interested in you.

He's just too busy usually. The company has taken on a lot of commissions lately, and he has to ensure the smooth operation of the entire charity company's funds. He definitely has to find ways to make money elsewhere, which is quite difficult.

You two, I think you've got potential!

We've been working together for a long time, and I'm looking forward to our wedding.

"Oh, Sister Hong, stop teasing me!" Her secret exposed, Ye Ruoyi pouted, feigning anger as she turned away. "People come to tell you good news, and you... you drag me into it after only a few words. I... I've even been the subject of those disgusting rumors. President Wei... he's so rich and has such great personal qualities, how could he possibly..."

Hua Zaihong's expression turned serious. "We sisters are both victims of slander. Look at how I was described back then! We can't let others' slander against us make us feel inferior! President Wei has also experienced cyberbullying; he won't care about rumors as much as you think."

Besides, the rumors about you online have decreased significantly in the past two days, and once the mastermind behind them is found, your innocence will be cleared.

"Yes, Mr. Wei also told me. We haven't done anything wrong and shouldn't suffer from slander and harm." Ye Ruoyi hesitated for a few seconds, looked at the other person, and asked softly, "Sister Hong, after going through all this... will you still believe in love?"

Hua Zaihong pondered for a moment and nodded solemnly, "Although I've met the wrong person, I still believe in love and look forward to it. However, I'm not so sure about marriage. I can only say that in this era, one should think carefully before entering into marriage."

Love is a matter between two people; as long as it's sweet and there aren't any major conflicts, that's fine.

Marriage involves two families of origin and a newly formed family; if not handled properly, it can lead to numerous frictions and conflicts. Dating is about feelings, but marriage requires considering reality.

This is experience I've gained from my own journey. It may not be applicable to you, but some of it can still be helpful.

"Meow meow meow?" The fluffy little ball of fur, who was lying on Ye Ruoyi's shoulder and was drunk and confused, heard the words intermittently. It sat up and muttered with a frown, "Oh no, what if you say that she doesn't want to marry my host? I still want to eat the wedding cake!"

No, I have to tell on her and tattle on her!

Chapter Twenty: My Host is indeed the Best!

"Host!" The fluffy little dumpling, slightly drunk and unsteady, hopped in and buried its head in his arms.

Looking up, it saw its host frowning slightly, seemingly troubled. It immediately forgot that it had come to tattle, stood on tiptoe, hugged its host's face with its paws, and rubbed against it, saying in a coquettish tone, "What happened? Why are you unhappy? Tell me, and let me see if I can help my host relieve his worries."

Jiang Chen leaned back in his chair with his eyes slightly closed, slowly rubbing his temples with his left hand.

Hearing its question, I tapped on the paper documents on the table and said in a slightly tired voice, "I just took on a legal case, and it's giving me a headache."

"Meow? There's actually something that can stump my host?" The little white cat curiously pawed at the object, then shook its head dizzily. "No, no, there are just golden stars flying everywhere, I can't see clearly. What kind of case is it?"

The couple seeking free legal advice were honest, simple farmers with strong local accents; one had to slow down their speech to understand them.

They were sued and had nowhere else to turn. When their neighbor told them that there was a non-profit organization in Fuyu City that provided free legal aid, they decided to give it a try.

Li Aiguo and his wife have two daughters. The reason they got into the lawsuit was because of their eldest daughter, Li Zhenzhen, who had just turned nineteen.

Li Zhenzhen repeated two grades in middle school before finally getting into high school, so she was a little older than her classmates. She was eighteen when she started high school. Originally, the couple had high hopes for their eldest daughter, who was a diligent student, and hoped that she could get into a good university and leave the countryside.

However, while the boarding school life in high school and the vibrant city life gave Li Zhenzhen complete freedom without any supervision, she also became blinded by her surroundings. At a classmate's birthday party, she met a man named Wang Qilong who was actually thirty years old but lied and said he was only twenty-two.

The other party was dressed in a sunny and handsome manner, and was also very generous.

After getting to know each other, Wang Qilong quickly tricked Li Zhenzhen into going out to a hotel with small gifts and sweet talk. Her originally good grades plummeted and she often stayed out all night.

Whenever the teacher checked the dormitories, Li Zhenzhen's classmates would lie for her.

It wasn't until two or three months later that the truth came out. The homeroom teacher called the parents in and told them the truth. Only then did Li Zhenzhen's parents realize that their daughter had fallen into a life of skipping classes, lying, and hanging out with men in internet cafes.

They tried to reason with their daughter, who had long lost interest in her studies, and she agreed on the surface, but as soon as her family left, she ran off with Wang Qilong. The Li Aiguo couple searched everywhere, but Wang Qilong used a combination of coaxing and deception to lead her between hotels, internet cafes, and nightclubs, deliberately cutting off all contact between them.

Li Zhenzhen's parents reported her missing to the police, but they were unable to find any trace of their daughter.

Until two months ago, Li Aiguo received a call from the city hospital informing him that their daughter had given birth to a full-term, healthy baby boy, but she had accumulated a lot of unpaid hospital bills.

Only then did Li Aiguo and his wife finally see their daughter, whom they hadn't seen for almost a year.

At this moment, she was lying in the maternity hospital, her once youthful face now appearing weak and haggard. The child she gave birth to was that of her boyfriend, Wang Qilong.

Despite being trembling with anger, the deed was done, and the two had even had a child. The honest and simple Li Aiguo and his wife had no choice but to compromise.

After the parents of both families met and reached an agreement, Wang Qilong's family paid a bride price of 80,000 yuan, and planned to wait until Li Zhenzhen reached the legal age before obtaining a marriage certificate and holding a wedding.

After the wedding ceremony, Wang Qilong's family made excuses, saying that it was shameful to have a child before marriage and they were unwilling to take care of her during her postpartum period. Although they were angry, Li Aiguo and his wife felt sorry for their daughter and had no choice but to take Li Zhenzhen and her grandson home to take care of them.

Unexpectedly, just after Li Zhenzhen finished her postpartum confinement at her parents' home, Wang Qilong came to her door saying that he had been diagnosed with cancer by the hospital.

In order not to disturb her during her postpartum recovery, I endured the pain without telling her. However, the treatment has already exhausted the family's money, so I asked her to take out 80,000 yuan to pay for my treatment.

By this time, even the most oblivious family members realized that their daughter had been tricked.

How could someone have late-stage cancer and need chemotherapy right after giving birth? That must mean he had been sick for a long time and had been hiding it. Isn't that marriage fraud and having a child through deception?

Now that the baby has been born and the postpartum period is over, they're turning around and demanding the bride price back, trying to get something for nothing?

The accumulated conflicts between the two sides finally erupted, and the two families argued fiercely.

Before the matter could be resolved, Li Aiguo received a court summons. Wang Qilong had sued them, demanding that Li Zhenzhen return the 80,000 yuan dowry.

The other party filed the lawsuit on the grounds that he had cancer and urgently needed money for treatment, and he might not live to see the wedding. The bride price was given to the woman with the intention of getting married, and since he could not guarantee that the marriage would go smoothly, it should be returned.