Too Bad I Take Things Seriously-Chapter 468 - 200: Turns out Meng Lei resigned to go to jail?

After this court session, he would be transferred to the public security organs to cooperate with the investigation, awaiting the next court session.

In the nursing home, Wan Zhongyuan listened to Qin Mu’s explanation, a look of sudden realization on his face. After thinking for a moment, he looked at Qin Mu and said, "This case... for the next hearing, remember to notify me in advance."

On his face, besides a desire for knowledge, there was even more curiosity; he wanted to know what would happen next in the case.

Qin Mu: "..."

「At the same time.」

In Ma Ming’s university classmates’ group chat:

"Is it over? Did they reach a verdict or not? It sounds like the court determined Meng Lei committed fraud, but there are questions about our evidence?"

After watching the live broadcast, everyone was somewhat surprised and puzzled. The Judgment Chief had said their evidence had numerous questionable points, making it impossible to determine a sentence. That was why the verdict had been postponed.

"’I swear, all the evidence I submitted is genuine, not a penny over!’

’Mine too! I even submitted the bank transfer records from four years ago. Meng Lei was the passenger listed on the train ticket purchased back then.’

’Do you think... after the investigation, the court might not accept the evidence we submitted?’

’When he borrowed money from me, it was a verbal promise, similar to the 18 yuan he borrowed from Ma Ming.’

’...’ "

In the classmates’ group chat, everyone was somewhat anxious. Although the court had determined Meng Lei’s actions constituted fraud, an official investigation into the evidence they submitted was still required to confirm its authenticity. It was inevitable that some loans would lack sufficient evidence, making it impossible to prove Meng Lei’s related ’borrowing activities.’ Therefore, the final investigation results could very well show Meng Lei’s borrowed amount falling below 30,000 yuan!

According to the criminal law they had learned from Little Station during this time, 30,000 yuan was a watershed. Amounts below 30,000 yuan were considered ’relatively large.’ Amounts above 30,000 yuan were considered ’huge.’ Amounts above 500,000 yuan were considered ’especially huge.’ The cumulative sum for the thirty-four of them was over 40,000 yuan, which fell into the ’huge’ category. The sentencing range for this was more than three years but less than ten years of fixed-term imprisonment. If the amount substantiated by valid evidence dropped below 30,000 yuan, the sentencing would decrease by a tier. This outcome... they all found it unacceptable.

"’@Ma Ming, the lawsuit should be over, right? What’s happening with the case now?’

’Will Meng Lei’s sentence be reduced?’

’I don’t know why, but I suddenly feel a bit empty. If I’d known, I would have lent him more money back then.’

’Do you guys think it’s too late if I transfer money to Meng Lei now?’

’...’ "

In the group chat, amidst their disappointment, everyone started tagging Ma Ming, eager to know the case’s future developments. This case... they had filed it collectively. Ma Ming was merely representing their litigation rights, helping them by attending the trial in person. Strictly speaking, every one of them was a plaintiff, and the case was closely relevant to each of them.

Before long, Ma Ming, who had just finished the court session, replied in the group: "Everyone, don’t panic. I asked the content creator, and he said the public security organs’ investigation considers all-around evidence. This investigation isn’t just targeting us thirty-four classmates; it’s also looking into Meng Lei’s borrowing history over the years. So, Meng Lei’s fraudulent amount will likely increase, not decrease."

After the message was sent, the entire classmates’ group chat buzzed with excitement once again.

"’Since the content creator said it, it must be true! So the amount will definitely go up?’

’For now, only we have stepped forward to sue Meng Lei. But he definitely didn’t turn over a new leaf after graduating college; other people must have lent him money too!’

’Do you think the money Meng Lei borrowed over the years might exceed 100,000 yuan?’

’Should we start a betting pool? I’ll wager a dime that Meng Lei’s total borrowed amount is over 100,000 yuan!’

’One hundred thousand yuan? Who are you looking down on? Is that all Brother Meng’s reputation is worth? I bet 200,000 yuan!’

’...’ "

For a while, everyone in the group chat was guessing how much money Meng Lei had borrowed in total over the years. Some guessed 100,000 yuan, others 200,000 yuan, and some even 300,000 yuan. Although everyone despised Meng Lei’s character, they had immense faith in his ’professional abilities’ in this particular area. When it came to borrowing money, Meng Lei was truly second to none. And according to the criminal law knowledge they had gathered, the larger the amount, the heavier the sentence. Clearly, Meng Lei’s sentence... was heading straight for ten years.

「The next day.」 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

In Yangcheng, at a certain office building—the company where Meng Lei had worked before resigning. Meng Lei’s former colleagues were working as usual. It was a small startup company with just over twenty employees.

However, since Meng Lei’s resignation, there had been far less laughter in the company. Everyone’s mood was somewhat gloomy and dispirited. Meng Lei’s name was also mentioned frequently within the company—not because he was popular, but because he had resigned without paying back the money he owed!

"’Just thinking about Meng Lei makes me furious! It’s the first time in my life I’ve encountered someone who borrows money and doesn’t pay it back.’

’I thought he’d only borrowed from me. I never expected he’d borrowed from everyone in the company.’

’We were colleagues, seeing each other every day. When he asked to borrow 3,000 yuan from me, I felt too embarrassed to refuse.’

’Our HR department is really something else. They approved his resignation without even investigating properly beforehand!’

’Don’t even get me started! I heard HR lent him 30,000 yuan and has now cried themselves unconscious in the bathroom!’

’...’ "

During office hours, people gathered together, unable to resist gossiping again.