"You...how did you know I am the defendant?"

Han Tianming looked at the lawyer before him, his face etched with shock, and voiced the question on his mind. He had just entered, carrying his luggage. This lawyer had accurately located him and was incessantly marketing their law firm.

"Judging by your complexion, sir—a touch of sorrow, a lack of spirit—it's clear you've faced some setbacks. Dragging a suitcase, you're certainly not here for tourism," the lawyer explained with a slight, confident smile. "Furthermore, Jin City has been rather peculiar recently. Those checking into hotels with luggage are either on a business trip or are defendants. But this hotel is near the courthouse, and there's no CBD business district around. Someone on a business trip wouldn't choose to stay here. So, the most likely explanation... is that you're a defendant."

After this explanation, Han Tianming was stunned. I suppose I've underestimated the lawyers of Jin City, he thought. This person is less like a lawyer and more like a fortune teller; I'd believe it if someone said so. To recognize me so accurately based on such faint clues... That's truly not a skill an ordinary person possesses.

"Sir, I am from the Lingcheng Law Firm. Here's some promotional material from our firm for you to look over first."

While Han Tianming was still in a daze, the lawyer opposite him produced a stack of materials and handed them over. He subconsciously took them and flipped through them casually, only to discover that the brochure showcased the major case involving three thousand defendants in Jin City as a classic example. It also stated that their law firm had handled the representation for over three hundred of those cases and had successfully defended them, helping most secure suspended sentences and ensuring their satisfactory departure from Jin City.

After reviewing the case, his gaze keenly fixed on a keyword: "most people."

"What about... the minority then?" Han Tianming swallowed, pointing at the descriptive line as he asked.

The lawyer smiled and said, "That minority couldn't secure suspended sentences because their offenses were too severe, or they were repeat offenders. They are now serving time in a prison somewhere in Jin City."

Upon hearing this, Han Tianming felt his scalp tingle with dread. They remained here! This lawyer's reply had shattered his last sliver of hope.

So, that means... none of the previous three thousand defendants escaped punishment. The so-called principle of 'the law does not punish the masses' simply didn't apply. The best outcome was merely a suspended sentence. And a suspended sentence... still meant a criminal record, which would affect one's direct descendants.

"Sir, you can have complete confidence in our law firm's professionalism. So... what are your thoughts?" the lawyer opposite him asked again patiently.

Han Tianming looked up, a wry smile on his face. "I'm sorry, I... I've already found a lawyer."

Before coming, he had asked Cheng Chuxiao for a favor: to find the most reputable local firm, Legal Pioneer Law Firm. They were renowned for securing reduced sentences and had handled many significant cases involving defendants. However, after listening to this lawyer's account, his heart grew exceptionally heavy.

Even Legal Pioneer Law Firm... in the previous major case with three thousand defendants, had only managed to get reduced sentences for some. No one had escaped judgment in that case. Anyone who had posted slander online was sentenced accordingly. Those who received suspended sentences were sent back to their places of origin, handed over to the local correctional community for reform. And those sentenced to actual prison time... they all remained in Jin City.

I hope... I can secure a suspended sentence, he thought with a sigh. After all, a suspended sentence still offered a degree of freedom, which was far better than actual imprisonment.

「...」

Jin City.

Near the courthouse.

A barbecue stall.

He Ping, wearing an apron, was constantly busy in front of the grill.

"Boss, hurry up! I've been waiting for half an hour. Are my skewers ready yet?"

"Come on, hurry up! Can you even grill? If not, I'm going elsewhere."

"Boss, two more kidneys for me!"

"Boss, two beers over here!"

"..."

Behind him, customers sat at over a dozen tables, forming a densely packed crowd. They were constantly shouting, voicing their various dissatisfactions. He Ping could only offer apologetic smiles, constantly apologizing to everyone while speeding up his grilling.

In the last few days, the foot traffic near Jin City's courthouse had increased substantially, especially late at night. These people would trickle out to his stall for late-night snacks, ordering barbecue.

On normal days, his culinary skills attracted quite a few regulars, but business had never been this explosively good. For the past two days, his nightly turnover had exceeded the usual by more than tenfold! He had to work until three or four in the morning every day before he could close up shop.

Looks like... I'll have to ask my wife to come help tomorrow, He Ping thought, sighing as he looked at the throngs of customers behind him. A bittersweet smile, a mix of pain and pleasure, crossed his face. Earning ten days' worth of money in a single day also meant his workload had increased tenfold. He alone... simply couldn't manage anymore.

Moreover, these people all seemed to be outsiders, hailing from every corner of the country, representing all sorts of provinces. Their moods were also somewhat irritable and sullen. After a few drinks, they'd become even more prone to cursing and recklessness. Every night, someone would get drunk and unruly, smashing tables at the slightest provocation and shouting things like, "On what grounds are they suing me?!"

Fortunately, once they sobered up, these people were reasonable enough to compensate him voluntarily. Truth be told, he'd had to replace his tables several times over the past few nights. He had indeed made a hefty sum from it.

So many defendants, He Ping mused. It makes you wonder what kind of bad karma they've all accumulated.