Dear Lawyer | Jikook ff

42 - Manson case (iv)

From the booth, Chen Zhang felt that his breathing had sunk in the flood of dead silence. After that, no matter what happened, what the judge said, how the witness examinations of both sides went, the closing statements—he zoned out through it all.

He only knew that, somehow, he seemed to have been blessed with a serendipitous turn of fate, bumping into an intern lawyer who surpassed all expectations.

Before, he had been continually trying to brainwash himself, convincing himself not to bank his hopes on the intern, not to put too much pressure on the young man, not to make things difficult for him when he had already caused so much trouble, not to further trouble the other.

He had long been prepared for the worst. But never did he expect that there would actually be a moment when his hopes turned into reality.

With an austere look, the judge knocked his gavel, startling Chen Zhang. When he raised his head, the jury, which had left the room at some point, had already filed back in and returned to their seats, bringing with them the result of their solemn deliberation.

"All rise."

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, to the prosecution's charge of premeditated murder against Mr. Chen Zhang, do you have a verdict? Guilty, or not guilty?"

"Not guilty."

And at this point, Chen Zhang finally closed his eyes, letting out a long breath. He only noticed now that even his breathing was shaky.

The intern lawyer at the defence table looked over. From afar, through the clear glass, he smiled at him and gave him a nod, gentle and natural like a young gentleman. Even the stoic judge nodded at him before leaving the bench.

Of course, that was in actuality only a reminder to the two bailiffs behind that he could be uncuffed.

But he felt that, most probably, this scene was one that he would never forget in this lifetime.

After the trial, the assistant judge came running over with the pages of the trial transcripts, going through the familiar process for the lawyers on both counsels to sign. Bard's expression was as nasty as if he had swallowed unfiltered cat shit. Even when signing, his other hand covered his face. It was hard to say if his head or his face hurt more.

He didn't even deign to look at Jimin. After signing and shoving the electronic pen into the assistant judge's hand, he turned heel and walked off, practically stalking out of the courtroom.

"Do I really look that ugly?" Jimin watched him vanish outside the door, turning over to ask Jungkook.

Jungkook, "..."

Now that the court session was over, the assistant judge instantly became animated and was especially complaisant. "How can that be? The bestlooking people I've seen in all my years of court experience are standing before me right now."

Jimin smiled. "Thank you."

Then, glancing at Jungkook's utterly unmoved and chilly face, he joked to the assistant judge, "I thank you for him, too."

The assistant judge was tickled, arranging the order of the papers that need to be signed in front of him, passing over the electronic pen.

Jimin took the pen, a broad stroke coming as soon as he raised his hand.

Next to him, Jungkook coughed.

"..."

Jimin pulled the emergency brakes in time, making a sharp turn on that stroke and forcibly twisting it into a 'Ruan'.

Those unaware would think that he had always signed like this.

Gathering the papers together, the assistant judge nodded at them with a smile, put all the court materials in order, and followed the judge's footsteps out of the courtroom.