Medical Examiner Zhu smiled cheerfully, “No, no. I’m actually a medical examiner and many of my colleagues have grown depressed after working in this field for a long time, but not me. That’s because I’m so grateful to alive everytime I see the bodies that to be dissected, and I also enjoy life and stay cheerful.”
Gu Nianzhi wanted to cry inside and bow down to Medical Examiner Zhu. –She was completely uninterested in listening about the details of dissecting bodies… She could only secretly decide to absolutely not to sit Medical Examiner Zhu at lunch later. This guy looks like the type to suddenly ask her unappetizing questions as she was happily enjoying her braised pork ribs, “What caused the wound on the third rib on the left side of the chest?”
Huo Shaoheng gave a stern look to Medical Examiner Zhu, and he immediately clammed up and stopped his grand speech to Gu Nianzhi about, “secrets of youth.” Gu Nianzhi saw Huo Shaoheng grow stern, so she didn’t get side tracked anymore and looked to the middle aged man next to Medical Examiner Zhu. He appeared slightly plump, and had the kind of pallid skin from not seeing the sun all year round. Huo Shaoheng introduced this man to Gu Nianzhi, “This is Director Wang, he’s been in the Special Ops’ Forensics Department for a long time, and also holds the rank of Senior Colonel.”
Gu Nianzhi quickly nodded politely to him, “Please advise me, Director Wang.” The man smiled at her but didn’t say anything.
Sitting beside Director Wang was another elegant looking man of indiscernible age. Contrary to Director Wang and Dr. Zhu in military uniform, this man wore a slim fit navy three-piece suit. Gu Nianzhi had never seen an Asian person wear a suit so well and couldn’t help sneaking a few more glances. He looked up in her direction and introduced himself, “My surname is Dan, Dan Bohan. I am a licensed psychiatrist and a former colleague of Mr. Huo, but have since retired from the military.”
“Boyan’s psychotherapy was once our unit’s secret weapon.” Huo Shaoheng chuckled, “But he’s now renowned in the world–he went to study in Europe after retiring and has since opened a psychotherapy clinic in the United States. He charges his patients $5000 USD a minute.” Huo Shaoheng smiled.
Gu Nianzhi immediately understood Huo Shaoheng’s intentions. Hiring the most reputed medical examiner was to perform an autopsy on Luo Xinxue’s body that had been frozen for over ten years. Director Wang was skilled with forensics, so there must be important evidence for him to handle. Lastly, a world respected psychiatrist was crucial to the lawsuit between Bai Jinyi and Song Jinning. These were the best preparations Huo Shaoheng could make within his abilities. Gu Nianzhi nodded respectfully to Dan Boyan as well, “That’s amazing, Mr. Dan.”
After introducing everyone in the room, Huo Shaoheng introduced Gu Nianzhi, “This is Gu Nianzhi, she’s one of the defense lawyers in this case. She will represent my mother.”
“Let me guess, Miss Gu is not 20 yet?” Dan Bohan’s professional habit kicked into gear, so he was able to assess Gu Nianzhi’s psychological state and professionalism, “Someone under the age of 20 can only be in university at most, and cannot be licensed even if she’s passed her bar exam. She still requires the endorsement of a licensed lawyer in good professional standing. –May I ask if Miss Gu is in such a situation?”
Gu Nianzhi smiled, “You can say that.”
“But you haven’t graduated university yet, can you guarantee that you’ll win the case even if you have professional endorsement? Excuse me boldness, but isn’t this too rash of Mr. Huo?”
Huo Shaoheng kept silent as he gently touched his chin and looked to Gu Nianzhi. She stopped herself from rolling her eyes, “Well I’ll make sure to wear black rimmed glasses and dress like an old person so no one will question my age.”
“This is not about questioning your age, but the experience and knowledge consummate with age. Miss Gu, I hope that you’ll come up the ability in line with Mr. Huo’s expectations and helps us win the case.” Dan Boyan tapped the desk, “As far as I know, the Bai’s spent good money hiring the a team of the best 15 lawyers from the largest law firm in the Empire, JD Law Office to represent Bai Jinyi.”
“Really?!” Gu Nianzhi got excited, this was her first case and she was actually going up against the 15 most famous lawyers in the Empire. Was this good luck or what?!
“That’s what we heard so far.” Huo Shaoheng also nodded, then sent a copy of the lawyers’ information to Gu Nianzhi, “These 15 lawyers will mainly be dealing with the military prosecutor. My mother’s case is an additional one, so they won’t pay much attention to you.”
Gu Nianzhi tapped on the cursor to open the attachments he had sent. She went through each file and said, “That’s perfect, it’ll be a chance of me to see what the best lawyers in the Empire are like.”
“Even though it’s a 15 lawyer team, there’s actually only going to be one person defending in court. So you don’t need to stress out too much.” Medical Examiner Zhu had a good impression of Gu Nianzhi and hastily comforted her because he was worried she was scared.
Gu Nianzhi shook her head with a smile, “I don’t feel stressed. Although I just finished my undergrad, I’m especially bold–the more powerful the opponent, the more interesting things will be.”
“You’ve already finished your undergrad?!” Dan Bohan was shocked, “You’re 22? You don’t look it!”
Gu Nianzhi cocked her head with a smile, “I’m 18. Mr. Dan, seems like you’re always making incorrect judgements.”
“18? Then it means you started university when you were 14? –That’s impressive! No wonder Mr. Huo gave you such a big responsibility!” Dan Bohan also began praising Gu Nianzhi.
“You are both too kind. I came late today, can someone tell me what you were discussing earlier?” Gu Nianzhi quickly got into work mode and wanted to know what evidence they had to help win the case.
Huo Shaoheng shook his head, “We don’t have the time, today’s meeting minutes have been prepared already, and I called you over because of this. You can familiarize yourself with the three experts and save their contact information so you can ask them directly if you don’t understand anything.”
Gu Nianzhi nodded quickly, “Even better, then it won’t take up the valuable time of our experts.”
Medical Examiner Zhu, Director Wang and Dan Boyan all sighed in relief, they were certainly busy people, so staying back another half an hour would interrupt their work flow. The three men left their emails and phone numbers with Gu Nianzhi before saying goodbye to Huo Shaoheng. After they departed, Gu Nianzhi looked at the large amount of information in her email and pouted at Huo Shaoheng, “…Huo Shao, I’m only in charge of Mrs. Song’s case. You don’t have to give me all this stuff too?” She casually flipped through and found that information on even Luo Xuexin’s murder case had been sent to her. Wasn’t that supposed to be taken over by the military’s legal department?
Unexpectedly, Huo Shaoheng gave a slight cough and said, “There’s been a change in the situation. We discussed this for a long time and feel that it’s more appropriate that you take over the entire case.”
Gu Nianzhi froze, “I’m defending the whole entire thing?! –But this is my first time in court? You have this much confidence in me?!”
“Of course Little Ze and I have confidence in you.” Yin Shixiong put his arm on Zhao Liangze’s shoulder, winking at Gu Nianzhi, “Huo Shao also approved of you after our persuasion.”
Gu Nianzhi was both happy and nervous. She looked at Huo Shaoheng excitedly and widened her eyes at him, “Really? Huo Shao? You really think that… I can handle this important task?!” Earlier Huo Shaoheng said that the Bai’s had hired the top 15 lawyers in the Empire, but she felt reassured because they wouldn’t be going up against her. But then his words changed as soon as the three experts left. There was no trust here, so Gu Nianzhi felt very tired indeed…
Huo Shaoheng smiled, “Deceit is crucial in battles. Nianzhi, you’re our secret weapon, and not only are Big Xiong and Little Ze confident in you, I am too. I believe that having you represent in court will yield unexpected results.”
Gu Nianzhi had never heard Huo Shaoheng compliment her like this in front of other people. She felt herself getting lightheaded, but tried to maintain composure, “Since Huo Shao is saying this, I will give it my best.” As soon as she said this, she raced to the bathroom and laughed in front of the mirror, “….Hahahaha… he’s really confident in me.. I’m so happy!”