CHAPTER 135: CHAPTER 118: I’LL AT LEAST GIVE HIM A CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE_3

That was certain.

Their side consisted of exactly three hundred and fifty-nine homeowners. In court, in terms of numbers, they were the dominant party. Although they were the victims, if every person cursed Ouyang Qian, and Ouyang Qian then played the victim and cried pitifully, the collegiate panel would most likely reduce Ouyang Qian’s compensation and punishment. Although the law is cold, those enforcing it are capable of warmth.

And once she uttered those words, the tone in the advocacy group chat changed once again.

"I’ll listen to the group owner—at that time, let them curse all they want. If I curse back even once, I’ll be their grandson!"

"Same here. Before entering the courtroom, I’ll have surgery to remove my temper. She can curse all she wants—I’ll be her daddy!"

"It’s just enduring some curses; it’s not like we’ve never been cursed before. Also, just to ask, if we endure more cursing, can we get more compensation?"

"Right, doesn’t the collegiate panel sympathize with the weaker party? If we burst into tears in court, can the compensation be doubled?"

"Burst into tears? You want me, a tough guy from the Northeast, to cry in front of so many people? Then I’d better prepare some onions and eyedrops..."

In the advocacy group, Qing Lan looked at her teammates’ discussion. Dark lines appeared on her forehead.

Just the thought of hundreds of grown men bursting into tears in court... The mental image was priceless. Those unaware would think Ouyang Qian had done something terrible to this group of tough guys.

Time slowly passed.

「Three days later.」

The day for the court session finally arrived.

At nine in the morning, Qing Lan led all homeowners to the courthouse. The arrival of three hundred and fifty-nine people immediately drew significant attention from the courthouse, which arranged comprehensive "protective measures" for them. The number of bailiffs alone was double the usual amount. They stood by their side throughout. All homeowners felt somewhat uncomfortable with the court’s "enthusiastic measures," but didn’t have the heart to refuse.

At ten in the morning, the trial began on time. The public prosecutor and the three defendants entered the court, and the criminal case was tried first. Qing Lan and the others, meanwhile, were waiting in the waiting room for their summons. The criminal case didn’t really concern them much. Originally, they were allowed to sit in on the trial without waiting in the waiting room. But there were simply too many of them. If they all appeared in court, it would inevitably affect the trial’s progress.

The criminal trial lasted a full three hours.

At one o’clock in the afternoon, a bailiff entered the waiting room and said, eyeing Qing Lan and her group, on high alert, "The civil litigation will now commence. It’s your turn to appear in court."

Clearly, the court hadn’t adjourned mid-session. They intended to strike while the iron was hot and resolve the remaining civil dispute.

BANG—

The solemn gavel struck.

The judge spoke in a solemn voice, "This court will now hear the civil lawsuit pertaining to this case. All homeowners of Yuefu Jiangnan District Building 7 accuse Ouyang Qian and the construction company of operational negligence, rendering their homes uninhabitable and the building condemned."

"Due to the large number of plaintiffs in this case, the response phase will be temporarily omitted."

The judge’s mouth twitched. Looking at the plaintiffs, who filled the entire courtroom, he continued, "All plaintiffs, please submit your written statements."

The response phase was originally indispensable. But the situation was special now, with three hundred and fifty-nine civil disputes. If each person presented their statement orally, this case would never be tried.

Following that, after all written statements were submitted, the judge struck the gavel again.

BANG—

"The court will now adjourn for half an hour. The collegiate panel will discuss and decide on this civil dispute."

After speaking, the judge was the first to stand. He, along with the other adjudicators and members of the collegiate panel, then left the courtroom. They left behind a bewildered Qing Lan and the others.

Qing Lan stood at the forefront of the plaintiff’s bench, feeling quite discomposed.

How is this so different from what I imagined...?

The plaintiffs had only just appeared when the judge declared an adjournment. There hadn’t even been a chance to present their cases or state their claims.

Meanwhile, during the adjournment, the homeowners behind her were also whispering to one another.

"First time in court, it’s actually kind of exciting."

"Did you guys notice? Ouyang Qian on the defendant’s bench seems a bit off."

"She saw us and didn’t even curse at us..."

"So the question is, if she doesn’t curse at us, how are we going to cry later?"

Although each homeowner kept their voice very low, the combined murmur of over three hundred people was still quite loud. Fortunately, it was now an adjournment, and they could discuss freely.

Qing Lan also noticed Ouyang Qian on the defendant’s bench, who seemed somewhat dejected after the criminal trial. Even when she saw her former neighbors, she had little reaction.

Instead, it was the property manager, Zhang Jiayi, who took the initiative to approach Qing Lan. He was visibly agitated, his face a mask of indignation.

"What grudges do I have against you? Why did you have to drag me into this?"

"Hasn’t our property management been good to you? We give you small gifts on holidays, send various greetings, and even distributed mugwort to every household for the Dragon Boat Festival..."

"The building became a condemned property—do you think I wanted that? I’m also trying my best to rectify the situation, finding people to help solve the problem."

"But look at you all! Instead of trying to find solutions yourselves, you just formed a group to ’defend your rights’ and call the police at the slightest disagreement..."

Facing over three hundred people, Zhang Jiayi grew increasingly agitated, spittle flying as he spoke.