The starter is gone.

"Mr. Chen, according to the evidence we have, if nothing unexpected happens, Zhao Dehua, Liu Jinping, and Lawyer Wang can all be sent in tomorrow."

"Hahaha, thank you, Zhang Lawyer," Chen Xiao said with a hearty laugh.

"You're welcome. It's a small case. After it's over tomorrow, I'll return to the Magic City. If you need anything later, feel free to call anytime."

"Mm, alright."

The reason Zhang San was so polite and willing to take on such a small case was that Chen Xiao was incredibly generous.

In addition to the normal litigation fees, there was always an extra generous bonus.

......

The next day, as the court session began, Zhao Dehua was surprised to find that Lawyer Wang was missing.

Zhang San walked in with Wang Li and Chen Jianguo, while Chen Xiao followed silently behind them.

"Mr. Zhao Dehua, right? The court is about to open. Let's go in," Zhang San said.

Zhao Dehua looked out the main door. "I'm waiting for my lawyer."

Zhang San smiled. "Lawyer Wang has already gone in ahead of time."

"Really? Why didn't I see him? Did he come so early?" Zhao Dehua wondered.

"Let's go. You should go in too," Zhang San said.

Zhao Dehua didn't understand the hidden meaning in his words at all.

"Alright, then let's go."

Once in the courtroom, Zhao Dehua looked around. "Where's my lawyer? Didn't you say he came in first?"

Zhang San said, "Oh? Plaintiff, please be precise with your words. I said he 'went in,' not 'came in.'"

Zhao Dehua: "!???"

"Went where?"

"He went to the police station. He's suspected of intimidation and has already been detained. I will be suing him next. Today, I'll deal with your case first."

Zhao Dehua: "......"

Damn it, the lawsuit hasn't even started, and the lawyer has already been sent in by the other party. What the hell is there to do now!

He got up to leave.

Zhang San muttered to himself, "It doesn't matter whether you leave or not. With conclusive evidence, even if you don't appear, a verdict can be directly pronounced."

Zhao Dehua: "......"

Just as he was thinking, the judge arrived.

At this point, he wanted to leave, but couldn't.

After a series of procedures, the judge asked, "Plaintiff, please state your complaint."

Zhao Dehua had no choice but to read from the complaint he had prepared. The general gist was that he was suing Chen Jianguo for causing significant losses to the company due to personal operational errors in the car accident, demanding compensation, and so on.

The judge then said, "Defendant, please state your case."

Zhang San opened his laptop. "These are several traffic cameras near the accident scene, proving from multiple angles that Mr. Chen Jianguo did not operate the vehicle illegally."

"This was just an ordinary traffic accident. Since Mr. Chen Jianguo was transporting goods for the factory, it falls under work-related injury. According to the Labor Rights Protection Law..."

......

"You are required to compensate the defendant, Mr. Chen Jianguo, 120,000 yuan for medical expenses and nursing fees, 4,000 yuan for lost wages, 4,500 yuan for nutrition fees, 15,000 yuan for mental distress, and 82.5 yuan for wheelchair rental."

"......" Zhao Dehua.

What the hell is eighty-two yuan and fifty cents?

The judge finished reviewing the evidence and asked the plaintiff, "Does the plaintiff have anything else to say?"

Zhao Dehua sighed. What could he say? He didn't understand legal provisions. How could he argue with a lawyer?

"Forget it, I accept it. It's just money, isn't it?"

Zhang San smiled.

Zhao Dehua instinctively felt something was wrong.

As expected, he continued, "The above is just your labor dispute with Mr. Chen Jianguo. What I'm about to say next is the main point."

"......" Zhao Dehua.

"You, what are you going to say?"

"I am now formally suing you in court before the judge. You are suspected of organizing a criminal syndicate, illegal business operations, forced buying and selling, intimidation, and fraud."

"All detailed evidence for the above charges is on this disc. Please review it, Judge."

Zhao Dehua turned pale. Something was wrong. I came here to deal with Chen Jianguo, but how did I get myself involved?

"You, you're slandering me!"

Zhang San was always too lazy to refute such impotent rage, simply waiting for the judge's ruling.

"Your Honor, this case will be fully monitored by Kuangtu Law Firm," he reminded.

The judge raised his eyes. Everyone in this industry knew Kuangtu's reputation.

He just hadn't expected their business to extend to the small Lan County.

"According to preliminary evidence, Zhao Dehua's criminal evidence is conclusive. This case will be handed over to the relevant departments for verification before a verdict is pronounced."

Zhang San smiled. This was the normal process: verifying the authenticity of his evidence, and if there were no problems, then pronouncing the verdict.

At this point, Zhao Dehua's fate was sealed. He would definitely be imprisoned for more than 10 years, and the factory he operated would likely be ruined.

After the judge made the announcement, bailiffs took control of Zhao Dehua and transferred him to the relevant department for detention.

Walking out of the court, Chen Xiao said, "Zhang Lawyer, thank you for upholding justice."

Zhang San smiled. "Actually, it's nothing. Zhao Dehua was a menace to the area and was bound to go in sooner or later. I just expedited the process."

"Lan County has simple conditions. When we return to Jinning, I'll treat you to a meal. I hope Zhang Lawyer will grace us with his presence."

Zhang San nodded. "Alright, it's a deal. I'll leave someone to follow up on the case, and I'll head back this afternoon."

Chen Xiao knew he was busy, so he said, "Okay, I'll arrange it."

Zhang San was also not modest. "Thank you."

......

The matter, at this point, could be considered concluded.

The last trace of gloom on Chen Jianguo and his wife's faces finally dispersed.

Now, not only had the problem been resolved, but their Financial situation had also improved, giving them the ability to withstand risks.

Wang Li's face showed a heartfelt smile.

"Chen Xiao, I want to bring your grandpa back. Our family can afford your schooling now, and we have a house, so we don't need to trouble others to take care of the elderly anymore."

"That's great! Let Grandpa enjoy his golden years, but... I don't want our family's money to fall into the hands of those unfilial people," Chen Xiao said.

Wang Li nodded. "Don't worry, your mom isn't senile yet. They won't get a single penny."

"Then... the day after tomorrow. Let's go back to our hometown to pick him up the day after tomorrow."

Chen Xiao also had something to do when he returned: go up the mountain and bring out the brother who had gone to jail for him in his previous life.

"The day after tomorrow? Why not tomorrow?"

Chen Xiao thought for a moment and said, "Tomorrow... I'm going to find you a daughter-in-law."

"......" Wang Li.

"Find what daughter-in-law?"

"Hahaha, just wait at home."

"You little rascal, don't get carried away just because you have some money!"

Chen Xiao laughed and left the house.

Not carried away? What's the money for then?

Chen Xiao, lighting a cigarette, suddenly froze after saying that.

What is money for?

That's a good question.

Delicacies always get tiresome eventually, and stunning beauties always...

Well, that one never gets tiresome.

Before, he had always focused on making money, never planning for real industry.

Thinking of this, Chen Xiao suddenly had an idea.

That was lithography machines.

In his previous life, this devilish thing had caused so much trouble for all Chinese people.

They had good phones, but couldn't produce them due to a lack of chips.

This led to a severe blow to the national pride of Chinese phones.

Chen Xiao, smoking a cigarette, thought, should I find an opportunity to lay out a plan in the chip field?

However, this couldn't be done domestically; he would have to wait until he went abroad to have a chance.

Anyway, his Financial career would eventually go global to harvest international capital giants.

Just then, his phone rang.

Chen Xiao looked at it, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

"Hello? Su Tang, how's the battle today?"

Su Tang said, "It's going well. Today, two teams bought 450 million yuan worth of Dayang Group shares."

"Mm, very good. Continue tomorrow."

"Okay."

Buying 450 million on the first day was already very good.

Although Dayang Group had many circulating shares, the crisis had just begun, and many people were still hesitant.

It was expected that the trading volume would be more active in a couple of days.

This would give Teng Xiao Capital even greater opportunities.

On the streets of Lan County, the summer twilight gradually faded.

A tall, thin man was strolling leisurely.

He held his phone, speaking and smiling from time to time.

Behind him, two bodyguards followed at a distance.

"Alright, Yu Die, I'm going to eat. Talk later."

"Okay, then remember to miss me."

"Mm, got it."

"Mwah~~"

......

After hanging up, Chen Xiao called Li Wenli.

Over the past two days, several girls had sent many messages, and Chen Xiao hadn't had time to reply. He decided to take advantage of the free time now to call them one by one.

"Chen Xiao, I miss you so much."

Li Wenli said plaintively as soon as she picked up.

"I miss you too. Are you doing well at home?"

"Mm, everything's fine, except that you're not here."

Chen Xiao smiled. "I don't have time to go to Xijiang for now. We might have to see each other when school starts."

On the other end of the phone, Li Wenli pouted her distinctly lined lips. "Alright then. Let me know in advance when you return to Jinning, okay? I'll come too."

"Okay."

The two chatted for a while longer. Although Li Wenli was a bit reluctant, she still hung up the phone.

Yu Mengqi was learning to dance at home, and Zhang Ting participated in a local beauty pageant and even won the championship.

Chen Xiao chatted with Sun Ying the longest. The two were like an ordinary couple, talking about daily trivialities.

Sun Ying was also from North Province, but not in the same city as Chen Xiao.

They chatted for half an hour, with Sun Ying doing most of the talking.

Next semester, she would be a senior, and she also needed to make some plans for her future.

However, she hadn't truly entered society yet, but she was already tired of the workplace.

In her words, Sun Ying's desire to live in Tibet and Lijiang was very strong.

Chen Xiao secretly noted it down, then comforted her, "Alright, don't think too much. Maybe I'll work in Jinning in the future. Won't you stay and accompany me?"

Sun Ying smiled. "Staying or not doesn't mean much. As long as there's a place for me by your side, I'll wait for you from afar."

Chen Xiao was stunned for a long time, then finally laughed. "Of course. For you, I've decided not to get married in this life."

"Really?"

"Really."

Sun Ying was silent for a moment, then said, "Not getting married... is actually pretty good. The regrets of missing out, I, your older sister, will make up for them all."

Chen Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Oh? How does Senior Sister plan to make up for them?"

"Hehe, we'll talk about it then. I'm going to eat. Goodbye."

Chen Xiao put away his phone and laughed to himself.

"Senior Sister, are you going to give me a child? Or a home?"

After speaking, Chen Xiao walked into the mala tang shop he had missed for many years.

"Boss, one bowl for six yuan, extra numbing and spicy."

—— —— —— —— ——

This chapter's word count is equivalent to 1.5 regular chapters, so consider it half an extra chapter.