In front of everyone in the courtroom.

Amidst the focus of dozens of cameras, Xu Liang revealed something that no one had predicted, something that hadn't even crossed anyone's mind.

That is...

"Due to the special nature of the evidence we have provided."

"I apply for this case to be changed from public trial to private trial, starting now!"

Non...

Non-public trial!?

Those few words rang loud and clear, echoing throughout the courtroom, instantly reaching everyone's ears.

After just a momentary pause, the crowd erupted in chaos.

"Not public!? Why not public? This case concerns everyone's health, why shouldn't it be public? You should know the entire Sunzhou is focused on the progress of this case..."

"The case doesn't involve any sensitive factors, the participants are just residents, the submitted clues are merely related to pollution, what's so special about it?"

"No, what is this lawyer trying to do? I don't quite understand..."

"Reject it! The application must be rejected!"

"It was stated from the start that it would be a public trial, you can't make it private halfway through; it would have been better to keep it private from the beginning!"

"..."

The people in the hearing gallery were all shocked.

Obviously, Xu Liang's words left them bewildered, while a sense of anxiety surged within them.

Those who came to listen to this case were merely three types of people.

Those ready to pull the net, journalists, ordinary residents.

The former weren't surprised at all, didn't feel unexpected.

But the latter two were quite different.

The groundwater system concerns everyone in Sunzhou, from eighty years old to children, there isn't anyone who doesn't drink water!

Unknowingly, they have been drinking polluted water for decades, toxins accumulate in their bodies, and could erupt at any time...

Originally, they were simmering with anger with no outlet, enduring until now because the case was about to be tried in a few days.

They hoped to see Luo Jun and others' attitudes as well as compensation and remedial measures....

Who would have thought, halfway through the trial, the plaintiff suddenly applied for it to be private!

How could they possibly accept this!?

The most crucial thing is... why change to private!?

Instantly, an indescribable sense of panic swept through everyone's hearts, making them feel uneasy.

"Silence!"

"Bang bang!!!"

Judge Qian Jianye frowned and knocked the gavel to maintain order on the scene.

He then turned his head towards Xu Liang, his eyes full of seriousness.

The decision for a public trial was made to calm the residents, so being private...

Thinking of this, his heart sank, waiting for the court to gradually quiet down.

Then he spoke to confirm:

"Plaintiff, are you sure you want to apply to change the case to a private trial?"

"Confirmed!" Xu Liang nodded.

Upon hearing.

Everyone turned their gaze towards Qian Jianye, staring at him intently, awaiting an answer.

Qian Jianye felt it was tricky, sinking into thought.

Typically, a case is determined as public or private before the trial.

Once determined, it generally won't change, especially civil cases!

Only certain financial cases, involving secret cores, may suddenly become private during the trial.

But this now is not financial.

It's an environmental pollution case!

All the evidence revealed should logically be public, to calm the public's minds!

Qian Jianye wanted to reject the application, but considering Xu Liang's case history, he fell into thought again.

Seeing the judge like this.

Everyone didn't know what to do.

The defendant's side.

"What's going on..." a chemical factory director frowned, sensing something bad might happen in his heart.

Luo Jun and Liu Kun felt the same, their eyes fixed on Xu Liang, their breathing gradually heavy.

Until...

Qian Jianye suddenly paused, awakening from his thoughts, his eyes narrowing, clearly making up his mind.

Everyone hurriedly looked over, and the next moment, his voice echoed beside them.

"Accepted the plaintiff's application."

"This case, starting now... temporarily changed to private trial!"

Ac...accepted!? Truly changed to a private trial!?

Everyone's eyes shrank, about to question out loud, but Qian Jianye's next sentence blocked their words.

"The duration is one hour!"

"After one hour, this case will resume public trial."

Qian Jianye supplementary stated.

One hour... private trial will only last one hour?

Hearing this, although everyone felt somewhat dissatisfied, their anger levels had dropped considerably.

"Courtroom audience members unrelated to the plaintiff and defendant, please temporarily leave the court; the public trial will resume in one hour, and upon receiving notice, you can re-enter the court."

Qian Jianye said into the microphone.

Only then did those present grudgingly get up and, under the arrangement of bailiffs, head outside.

The residents were easy to talk to; they just wanted a result, as long as there is a result, they left decisively.

The journalists reluctantly looked back.

The less Xu Liang made it public, the bigger the news; they themselves came with the intention of digging news, naturally reluctant to miss it.

But unfortunately, in the courtroom, no one can defy the judge's opinion!

"Tap tap tap..."

A dense sound of footsteps echoed.

Soon, the courtroom was emptied.

The journalists looked back at the heavy, slowly closing door, their eyes full of confusion and curiosity, as if some secret was hidden behind the door.

Inside the door, in the courtroom.

"Plaintiff, you only have one hour!"

Qian Jianye looked towards the plaintiff's seat, speaking darkly.

This was the best method he could think of, both reasonably agreeing with the plaintiff and not causing public uproar.

"One hour later, the trial will resume as a public trial!"

One hour...

"Judge, it's enough."