"It seems to make sense. The stolen pumpkins weren’t worth much, so it’s unlikely they’ll reach the maximum sentence."

"That middle-aged couple who previously occupied Old Zhang’s son’s house accumulated over thirty years for multiple crimes. No wonder the maximum was capped at twenty years; their minimum sentence seemed to be over ten years."

"They’re receiving far too much leniency because they’re elderly. If it were younger people, the sentence would likely be five or six years longer."

Regarding this outcome... they were not very satisfied.

The maximum sentence was twenty years, yet they received such light sentences in the end!

The sentences for the others were acceptable.

Even Zhao Dezhu, a repeat offender with multiple prior convictions, also received only five years!

"There’s nothing we can do about it. The criminal law stipulates that elderly people over seventy-five can have their sentences reduced for each crime," Qin Mu said, shrugging, somewhat helpless. "With four crimes reduced, naturally, the years are few."

Although the criminal law stipulates that sentences *can* be reduced, this implies discretion—they may or may not be.

But, considering the elderly’s act of stealing melons hadn’t led to serious consequences, like deaths or injuries, the appropriate reductions still had to be applied.

However, getting these elderly individuals, who ordinarily might not have faced prison time, to actually serve sentences was already a significant breakthrough.

「Zizhou.」

In a district court, the First Criminal Trial Court was in session.

After the prosecutor dropped the "repeat offender" bombshell, Zhang Wei was powerless to turn the tide. He found himself at a disadvantage during the evidence presentation and cross-examination phases.

BANG!

The Judgment Chief struck the gavel and continued to preside. "We will now begin the open debate. Both sides may speak freely and focus the discussion on the points of contention."

Zhang Wei and Wang Dachui exchanged glances.

Wang Dachui stepped forward first, looking towards Hu Wenning in the witness stand.

"Firstly, our client’s actions have caused significant financial and emotional harm to Miss Hu Wenning, and we sincerely apologize."

Having said that, he nodded slightly towards Hu Wenning.

But the defendants at his side, including Zhao Dezhu, looked indifferent, some even thinking he was making a mountain out of a molehill.

"Secondly, I want to state here that our clients are all elderly individuals left behind in their rural homes. The youngest is seventy-two, and the oldest is eighty-four."

"I hope the Judgment Chief and the assembled judges will take our clients’ age into consideration and adjudicate with leniency."

Wang Dachui paused, then continued, "Our clients also deeply regret this matter and have shown a willingness to reform and express remorse..."

He continued speaking at the front.

Yet, the expressions on the faces of Zhao Dezhu and the others in the defendants’ dock stood in stark contrast, full of disdain and scorn, showing none of the sincerity they should have.

"Showing remorse?"

In the courtroom, after hearing this, the Judgment Chief furrowed his brows slightly.

He stared directly at Zhao Dezhu, asking, "Defendant Zhao Dezhu, what do you have to say about this matter?"

Seeing this, Zhang Wei hurriedly tried to signal Zhao Dezhu with his eyes.

The first half of the trial had already been a rout; now everything depended on whether this second half could turn things around.

But...

"’It was just a few melons. What’s there to say?’ Zhao Dezhu retorted, his expression defiant and disdainful."

His attitude clearly conveyed contempt for the court.

"Your lawyer stated that you deeply regret your actions of theft. Don’t you have anything to say to the victim?" the Judgment Chief frowned and spoke again.

However...

"I did steal a few melons, but so what? It was just a few melons!" Zhao Dezhu scoffed. "They weren’t worth much to her. She’s the one nitpicking, making things difficult for us at every turn, and dragging it to this point."

"If you ask me, she..."

Growing angrier as he spoke, he was just about to curse Hu Wenning. Suddenly, noticing Zhang Wei’s increasingly livid complexion, he shut his mouth, his arrogance momentarily curbed.

It’s over.

Witnessing this, Zhang Wei’s heart sank.

He felt his efforts... might be wasted all over again.

To be honest, after taking on this case, he had studied it meticulously. He had thought it would be an easy win. He believed that by focusing on the special status of the elderly, the large number of defendants, their tendency towards herd mentality, and arguing for extenuating circumstances, he could secure the maximum possible sentence reduction.

But... Zhao Dezhu was so incredibly frustrating!

From start to finish, he had never taken the court seriously.

This was unlike the middle-aged couple he had encountered before, who had disrespected the court and yelled at the Judgment Chief. That couple had been purely ignorant and fearless, oblivious to the law’s authority.

Zhao Dezhu, on the other hand... his disdain for the court seemed to be bone-deep, as if he believed being sentenced was no big deal.

This contempt had been present from beginning to end.

Therefore, he dared to use his status as an elderly person to continuously bully Hu Wenning.

"I do not accept their apology!"

Meanwhile, Hu Wenning, the victim, stood up from the witness stand. She declared firmly, "They stole melons repeatedly; their actions were despicable! They’ve caused me immense distress and significant losses. I demand the court sentence them severely!"

"You..."

Hearing this, Zhao Dezhu immediately turned his head to glare at her, but Hu Wenning’s gaze startled him.

At that moment, Hu Wenning’s gaze was distinctly different from what he remembered.

The Hu Wenning he remembered was somewhat timid, always backing down when confronted.

But now, her gaze was sharp and fierce. It was almost as if the words "Send Him to Jail" were written across her face, filled with resolve.

He found he barely dared to meet her gaze.

「Meanwhile.」