Mid-July.
The trial regarding Chu Yang's case officially began.
In the public gallery, aside from Chu Yue, there sat a group of villagers from Chengqiao Village.
After the prosecution finished their statement, it was time for the defense's rebuttal.
Zhao Tianyi was dressed exceptionally formally today—a crisp black suit and a meticulously knotted tie.
He walked to the defendant's bench and gave Chu Yang a reassuring gesture.
Chu Yang had already received his sister's letter and learned the identity of the person who helped him—the girl he had met that night.
Through his sister's letter, he also understood just how perilous the situation had been.
Had it not been for that girl stepping in, he couldn’t even imagine what might have happened.
Later, when Zhao Tianyi approached him for another conversation, Chu Yang cooperated fully and even pledged his loyalty.
From that moment on, his life belonged to that girl.
Then, Zhao Tianyi strode to the witness stand, his sharp gaze fixed on Big Head Brother, the leader of the demolition crew involved in the incident, and fired off a question.
"You claim that when Chu Yang returned home, he saw several of you inside the house. What exactly were you doing at that time?"
Big Head Brother had his answer ready: "We were part of the demolition team, carrying out the demolition. Before tearing anything down, we naturally had to make sure no one was inside."
Zhao Tianyi pressed further: "And then?"
Big Head Brother replied, "Then we noticed a young girl still inside and tried to get her out to avoid any accidents. After all, we’re a legitimate demolition company."
Zhao Tianyi countered, "Next, did my client, Chu Yang, happen to return home, enter the house, see you manhandling his sister, and then—in a fit of rage—attack you with his fists, even injuring some of you?"
The rapid-fire questioning caught Big Head Brother off guard, and he instinctively nodded. "Yeah, the moment he stepped inside, he started swinging at us. One of my guys is still in a coma in the ICU because of it."
Zhao Tianyi seized the opportunity: "So, are you saying he never used any weapon?"
Big Head Brother scoffed, "His fists weren’t weapon enough? He nearly beat a man to death!"
Zhao Tianyi narrowed his eyes. "Are you certain everything you’ve said is true? No lies? Let me remind you—this is a courtroom. Perjury carries legal consequences."
Big Head Brother insisted, "I’m sure! Look at these injuries on me—they still haven’t healed!"
The moment the words left his mouth, Zhao Tianyi’s tone turned icy. "However, according to statements from two of your subordinates, Chu Yang allegedly used a folding knife. Yet you claim he only used his fists. Why the discrepancy?"
"I have reason to believe you conspired to fabricate testimony to frame my client!"
Big Head Brother paled and stammered, "That’s impossible! He was the one who attacked us! The four of us almost died at his hands—and yes, he only used his fists!"
Zhao Tianyi smirked. "Four grown men, allegedly overpowered by a single unarmed person—while a dozen more of your demolition crew waited outside. Doesn’t that sound a little far-fetched?"
Without giving Big Head Brother a chance to respond, he turned to the judge. "Your Honor, I request to call Witnesses No. 2 and No. 3 to the stand to recount the incident."
The judge nodded, instructing the bailiff to summon Kai and Jie.
As the two took the stand, their accounts largely matched Big Head Brother’s—except for one critical detail.
Zhao Tianyi cut in, "Wait a minute. Witness No. 1 claimed no weapon was involved, yet you two now mention a knife. Who’s telling the truth?"
Kai and Jie hastily replied, "We—we’re telling the truth! He did use a knife!"
Zhao Tianyi countered, "Then why was there no mention of a weapon in your initial statements to the prosecution?"
Jie stuttered, "We… we just forgot at the time."
"Is that so?"
Zhao Tianyi retrieved a document from the table and addressed the judge.
"Your Honor, this is a new forensic report submitted by the defense. According to the examination, the knife wounds on these two witnesses show depth, angle, and direction consistent with self-infliction—and were not sustained during the alleged altercation.
In other words, these injuries were self-inflicted, not caused by my client, Chu Yang.
Furthermore, the timing of these wounds does not align with the incident, indicating an intentional attempt to frame him.
I have reason to believe their prior testimonies were coordinated to falsely accuse Chu Yang!"
The courtroom erupted in murmurs, and the villagers in the gallery exchanged hushed remarks.
Kai and Jie broke into a cold sweat, their faces draining of color.
They hadn’t thought much of it when someone took them for the injury assessment—assuming it was standard procedure.
Little did they know, it was a trap.
Zhao Tianyi pressed on, producing another piece of evidence. "Moreover, while Witness No. 1 insisted their demolition was lawful, this demolition authorization lacks official seals. Additionally, the compensation agreement bears a forged signature from my client."
"This means their actions were entirely illegal. Forcibly entering a residence under such circumstances constitutes a criminal act. Even if my client had wielded a knife, it would have been in self-defense."
"..."
"Your Honor, it’s clear these witnesses have committed perjury. They fabricated facts to frame my client, while their leader, Big Head Brother, deliberately omitted key details. This collusion has severely compromised the fairness of this trial!"
Zhao Tianyi’s razor-sharp legal prowess left the witnesses squirming.
But he wasn’t done yet.
He pulled out one final document. "Additionally, I submit a petition signed collectively by the residents of Chengqiao Village, attesting to Chu Yang’s integrity, lawfulness, and kindness. He would never intentionally harm others."
"..."
After handing the petition to the judge, Zhao Tianyi delivered his closing statement.
"Your Honor, the evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that this case is a calculated frame-up. My client, Chu Yang, never used any weapon nor intentionally injured anyone. On the contrary, he acted in defense of his sister against unlawful aggressors. His actions were unequivocally self-defense."
"As for the motive? Simple—to carry out a zero-cost demolition. To this day, my client hasn’t received a single cent in compensation."
Before long, the judge delivered a just verdict.
"Given the substantial evidence provided by the defense and the evident contradictions in the witness testimonies, this court finds that Chu Yang's actions constitute legitimate self-defense and do not amount to intentional assault. Therefore, the court hereby declares Chu Yang not guilty and orders his immediate release."
As the gavel struck, the courtroom erupted in cheers.
Chu Yue sprang to her feet, her eyes brimming with tears, her hands pressed tightly over her mouth.
Chu Yang exhaled deeply, his gaze filled with gratitude as he looked toward Zhao Tianyi.
Zhao Tianyi approached Chu Yang and murmured, "Remember, your life now belongs to the young mistress. Don’t disappoint her expectations."
Chu Yang nodded solemnly. "I owe her a debt I can never repay, even in death."
Zhao Tianyi gave a slight nod, then picked up his briefcase and strode out of the courtroom.
Step by step, Chu Yang walked toward his sister, Chu Yue. The siblings embraced, weeping tears of joy.
