MWC – Chapter 52 Evidence

I AM DROPPING THIS NOVEL. IF ANYONE WANTS TO CONTINUE THEY CAN. IF POSSIBLE PLEASE SHARE THE LINK SO I CAN BINGE READ TOO.

Yuelai Teahouse was a two-story wooden building with an ancient charm. At this moment, in a private room on the second floor, Lu Ming was having a conversation with someone.

Opposite him at the wooden table sat Li Guan. On the other side was a middle-aged man in a cheap suit, Cheng Lingyu, the senior prosecuting officer of the Donghai New Development District Prosecutor’s Office. He had a square face, thick eyebrows, and big eyes, indicating a serious and earnest personality.

Lu Ming hadn’t expected Li Guan to invite someone else, and after a few words with Cheng Lingyu, the conversation grew awkward and stilted.

Cheng Lingyu had a strong prejudice against defense lawyers, especially those involved in criminal cases. He even referred to them with the derogatory term “litigation dogs,” a relic from the old days, even in Lu Ming’s presence.

Li Guan smiled benignly, as if oblivious to the tension between the two. She said to Lu Ming, “Don’t you have some new ideas about the Kato Masahichi case? Now’s the time to share them. If you miss this opportunity, you might not get another chance. Due to insufficient evidence, it looks like Kato Masahichi might be allowed to return to his country.”

Lu Ming frowned slightly. He wasn’t privy to the specifics the police had, but it seemed there was no decisive evidence, similar to what had been reported in the media. The bodies of several boys allegedly murdered were never found, and the only surviving boy was too traumatized to testify.

All the evidence against Kato Masahichi seemed to come from Jin Zhengyi’s revelations.

Jin Zhengyi’s exposé claimed he was originally tracking Kato Masahichi for gossip about his pursuit of a movie star. He infiltrated Kato Masahichi’s life by ingratiating himself and soon discovered a secret underground chamber in Kato’s home, witnessing horrifying acts of cruelty.

With Jin Zhengyi’s help, the surviving boy escaped, was taken to a hospital, and the police were notified.

Jin Zhengyi quickly sent evidence of the heinous crimes to all major newspapers. He believed that by making the world aware, his potential death would be suspicious, possibly indicating a cover-up.

Nevertheless, he was killed in a mysterious car accident. The murderer might escape prosecution due to insufficient evidence and was likely to return home soon…

“Did the police find any secret chamber in Kato Masahichi’s house?” Lu Ming asked, frowning.

Cheng Lingyu seemed to ignore Lu Ming, slowly sipping his tea until Li Guan cleared his throat. Cheng Lingyu then grunted, “There was a secret chamber, but it was filled with miscellaneous items. There were no instruments of torture, no traces of deaths, and no bloodstains were found.”

“What about the driver who hit Jin Zhengyi?” Lu Ming asked again.

“He had lung cancer. After the hit-and-run, he jumped into a river. His family emigrated to Japan half a month ago,” Cheng Lingyu replied through gritted teeth.

Kato Masahichi was arrogant, openly admitting to the police, “I killed him.” Yet, legally, there was nothing they could do to him.

Perhaps during a trial, the jury might convict based on emotion, linking the car accident to Kato Masahichi.

But currently, there was no key evidence to justify the court charging Kato Masahichi as a suspect.

Lu Ming fell silent.

Cheng Lingyu looked at Li Guan, “Auntie Li, I don’t think Lawyer Lu has any bright ideas. We have a few hours left before the deadline. I’ll go and see if I can find any clues.”

He almost said that their time was being wasted.

Clearly, he had little regard for Lu Ming, seeing him as a novice. As for being the youngest second-level lawyer in Beiguan’s history, he thought it was all due to Li Guan using her influence, paving the way for this nineteen-year-old.

The usually respected Li Guan had resorted to such means for her relatives, making Cheng Lingyu even more annoyed.

“Li Guan, Prosecutor Cheng, I think I can help. Please wait a moment while I get something,” Lu Ming said.

Li Guan’s eyes lit up, “Go, quickly!”

Cheng Lingyu looked helplessly at Li Guan, wondering how much she had been bewitched. The entire prosecutor’s office had worked tirelessly to find evidence to justify a court case, yet hope seemed dim. This kid claims he can help, and she believes him?

Was this the same Auntie Li who used to throw a gavel at cunning lawyers?

“Do we really have to wait for him?” Cheng Lingyu asked helplessly.

Li Guan glared at him, “What, you can’t stand spending more time with an old lady like me? Still holding a grudge over those kicks I gave you back then?”

Cheng Lingyu, feeling helpless, dared not say another word.

Before long, Lu Ming returned and handed a file folder to Cheng Lingyu.

“Li Guan, if you’re sure you won’t preside over this case, you can take a look too,” Lu Ming said, nodding to the impatient old lady.

Li Guan quickly snatched the file, deftly untied the string, and pulled out a dozen photos.

Her initial excitement turned to anger as she glanced at them, throwing the photos to Cheng Lingyu.

Cheng Lingyu looked at the photos and then at Lu Ming in shock, “Where did you get these photos?”

“They were in a locker at the Wu Youmei supermarket, which I found by accident,” Lu Ming replied.

He didn’t mention having been to Jin Zhengyi’s house, not because of illegal evidence gathering, but to avoid antagonizing the police by revealing something they had missed.

Cheng Lingyu knew Lu Ming wasn’t being completely honest, but the origin of the photos wasn’t important now.

Looking at the photos, he frowned, “They don’t seem forged. The location is Kato Masahichi’s underground chamber. We didn’t find any blood or bodies there. This boy might be one of the boys Jin Zhengyi mentioned, but we have no idea who he is.”

“At least this should get us through the court hearing. The court now has a reason to take up the case,” Lu Ming said with a smile.

“Yes!” Cheng Lingyu nodded, standing up hastily, “I’ll go submit the application right away!” He stopped at the door, turned back, and said, “Auntie Li, I’m off!” Then he glanced at Lu Ming, quietly saying, “Thank you.”

With that, he quickly left, his footsteps echoing on the stairs as he rushed away.

“Good job, kid!” Li Guan said, her eyes fixed on Lu Ming, “What are you waiting for? Go prepare. If you lose this case, you’ll regret ever knowing this old lady!”

“Prosecutor Cheng…” Lu Ming began, but Li Guan interrupted, “Does he have any reason to refuse now? Just go!”

When the old lady got anxious, she really meant it.

Lu Ming had no choice but to leave.

Li Guan listened to the measured footsteps outside, wanting to rush out and push the kid down the stairs to make him move faster.

But then she smiled, shook her head, and looked out the window as Lu Ming got into a rickshaw. She sighed softly, lost in thought.