110: Chapter 110 No Death Penalty

Li Dong froze in place as if struck by lightning, his lips trembling uncontrollably.

"Based on this evidence," Prosecutor Zhao surveyed the courtroom, "Li Dong's so-called claim that 'Chen Zhihao snitched' is entirely baseless.

In fact, not only did Chen Zhihao not snitch, but he also frequently helped his classmates, including Li Dong."

"No... that can't be..."

Li Dong's voice was fragmented. He suddenly turned toward Wang Sufen, "Auntie... did Chen Zhihao really... really not..."

Wang Sufen finally broke down, sobbing uncontrollably, "My son has been kind since he was small... He couldn't even bear to step on an ant... Why did you have to treat him like this..."

Li Dong's legs went weak, and he slid from the defendant's bench, kneeling on the floor, his forehead slamming heavily against the ground:

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I didn't know... I really didn't know..."

His wails were gut-wrenching, "I was just... just afraid of Zhang Xiaobei... and jealous that Chen Zhihao had good grades... I was wrong... I was really wrong..."

The courtroom erupted in an uproar. Xiao Bei saw Su Yun quietly wipe away tears from the corner of her eyes, and his own throat felt as if it were obstructed by something.

This case was more cruel than he had imagined—a kind and outstanding teenager, because of a trivial matter, because of his classmates' jealousy and cowardice, was forced into a dead end.

"Order!"

The judge struck the gavel, "Help the defendant Li Dong back to his seat."

Two bailiffs stepped forward and hauled up the limp Li Dong. Just then, the side door of the courtroom was pushed open violently, and Zhang Xiaobei re-entered the courtroom under the escort of bailiffs.

A sneer of disdain was on his face as his gaze swept over the sobbing Li Dong and Wang Sufen in the public gallery.

"What are you crying about?"

Zhang Xiaobei scoffed, "Putting on an act!"

"Defendant Zhang Xiaobei!"

The judge reprimanded sternly, "This court warns you for the last time!"

Zhang Xiaobei shrugged indifferently and was pressed back into the defendant's bench by the bailiffs. His father, Zhang Jinbao, was anxiously gesturing in the public gallery, seemingly signaling his son to restrain himself.

Prosecutor Zhao took a deep breath and continued his statement, "Your Honor, given that the three defendants are not yet mature, but the circumstances of this case are particularly egregious and the social impact is extremely bad, we recommend that The Court impose a heavier sentence in accordance with the law."

He turned to the three defendants, "Zhang Xiaobei, as the principal culprit, has long organized and implemented school violence, directly provoked and forced Chen Zhihao to jump off the building at the time of the incident, and has shown no remorse afterward, even threatening his co-defendants; Zhu Qi actively participated in the bullying and assisted Zhang Xiaobei, but his attitude during the investigation was relatively cooperative; Li Dong, although he participated in the bullying, the circumstances were relatively minor, he attempted to dissuade them at the time of the incident, and has shown repentance."

The judge nodded, "Do the defendants and their representatives have any final statements?"

Zhang Xiaobei's lawyer stood up and wiped the sweat from his forehead, "Your Honor, my client was just acting on impulse..."

"Impulse?"

The judge interrupted him, "You call months of bullying 'acting on impulse'? In what state of desperation must Chen Zhihao have been to write 'Was I really wrong?' and clutch it in his hand!"

The lawyer was speechless and sat down awkwardly.

Li Dong's lawyer briefly emphasized Li Dong's attitude of repentance and the fact that it was his first offense.

"All rise," the clerk announced loudly.

The judge solemnly read the verdict, "... This court finds that the case of defendants Zhang Xiaobei, Li Dong, and Zhu Qi regarding school bullying resulting in death is based on clear facts and sufficient evidence... Although the three are not yet mature, the circumstances of the crime are particularly egregious, and the social impact is extremely bad... In order to uphold national law, punish crime, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of minors... the judgment is as follows,"

The courtroom was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"Defendant Zhang Xiaobei is guilty of intentional injury and is sentenced to nine years in prison; defendant Zhu Qi is guilty of intentional injury and is sentenced to five years in prison; defendant Li Dong is guilty of intentional injury and is sentenced to three years in prison."

As soon as the sentencing was read, Wang Sufen jumped up, "I want to appeal! I want the death penalty! Why should my son be dead! They only get ten years in prison! Why!"

She looked around and found Xiao Bei,

"County Magistrate Xiao! You promised me when I went to identify the body! That the evildoers would receive the punishment they deserve! Why! Why is it only my son who is dead! Why isn't it the death penalty! I'll kill you all!"

After saying this, Wang Sufen rushed toward the three boys. The bailiffs saw this and hurriedly blocked her, quickly escorting the three defendants away.

After the trial ended, Xiao Bei and Su Yun stood on the steps outside the courthouse. The May sunshine should have been warm, but at this moment, it seemed exceptionally blinding.

"Don't take it to heart. It was always going to be difficult to get a death sentence for this case, and everything has to be based on laws and evidence. You couldn't have influenced the outcome anyway..."

Su Yun comforted him softly.

Xiao Bei narrowed his eyes and looked into the distance, "It's not over yet."

He turned to Su Yun, "Did you notice Principal Liu Jianjun's reaction? When the financial dealings between Rainbow Group and the school were mentioned, he was so nervous he almost stood up."

Su Yun nodded, "The price of the school uniforms was three times the market price, and there were 3.8 million in 'donations' over three years... There must be a problem here."

"And,"

Xiao Bei lowered his voice, "Chen Zhihao's mother works at Rainbow Garment Factory, and Li Dong's father is the factory manager... These are all too coincidental."

Just as they were speaking, Bureau Chief Lin Liqiang walked over hurriedly, "Team Leader Xiao, I just received news that after Principal Liu Jianjun left the courthouse, he went straight to the Rainbow Group headquarters."

Xiao Bei and Su Yun exchanged a glance.

"Let's go,"

Xiao Bei said decisively, "We're going to have a talk with this Principal Liu."

The three walked quickly toward the parking lot. Xiao Bei looked back at the solemn and dignified gate of the courthouse, thinking to himself: Behind this school bullying case, there is likely something even darker involved; I don't know if it's a coincidence or intentional.

And Chen Zhihao might just be the most insignificant sacrifice in this chain.

The sunlight outside the courthouse was so blinding that one couldn't open their eyes. Xiao Bei stood on the steps, watching Wang Sufen being helped into a police car by two female officers; her gut-wrenching cries still echoed in his ears.

"Team Leader Xiao, Principal Liu Jianjun's car headed toward the east side of the city." Bureau Chief Lin Liqiang hung up the phone and walked over quickly to inform Xiao Bei.

Su Yun handed a bottle of ice water to Xiao Bei,

"Drink some water first, you don't look too well."

Xiao Bei took the water bottle, and the ice-cold touch helped him calm down a little.

"Bureau Chief Lin, we're going to Rainbow Group."

He unscrewed the cap and downed half the bottle in one go, "I want to see exactly what kind of relationship this Principal Liu has with Rainbow Group."

The police car drove away from the courthouse, passing through the busy streets of the city center. Xiao Bei looked at the city scenes flashing by outside the window, but his thoughts remained on Li Dong's tearful breakdown in the courtroom and those simple words in Chen Zhihao's diary.

An outstanding child, both in character and academics, was forced into a dead end because of his classmates' jealousy and cowardice. And behind it, there might be even deeper darkness hidden.

"We're here." Bureau Chief Lin Liqiang's voice pulled him back to reality.