Chapter 37.3: Qian Heng, will you die if you let me be moved?!

Qian Heng merely cast a glance at Cheng Yao and said, “Take the Dong Shan inheritance case, for example. Today’s first-instance ruling may not seem just to Jiang Wenxiu and Dong Min, but for the child in Chen Qingmei’s womb, it is justice. Even though his mother is a mistress, a symbol of immorality, he had no choice in his birth. While mistresses have no right to inherit, as an illegitimate child, he has a legitimate right to inheritance. He is innocent. As a person, he should not be deprived of his legal rights just because of the stain of his origins.”

Cheng Yao fell silent. She had always been someone who hated wrongdoing with a passion, but now that she calmed down, she had to admit that Qian Heng was right. The world was full of all kinds of disputes, each one complex and ever-changing—there was no such thing as absolute justice.

“Procedural justice,” Qian Heng continued, “is a more tangible form of justice compared to substantive justice. It ensures fairness in the adjudication process and upholds justice within legal procedures.”

When it came to procedural justice, Cheng Yao had her doubts. “But isn’t excessive emphasis on procedural justice what led to cases like the O.J. Simpson trial in the U.S.? So many criminals escaped punishment because of it.”

“While procedural justice sometimes allows guilty people to go free, it also prevents countless innocent people from being wrongfully convicted. Without procedural justice, we would see more cases like Nie Shubin’s.” Qian Heng’s gaze was deep, and his tone was calm. “Every case you work on is a defense of procedural justice, a defense of legal justice, and a step toward improving this country’s legal system. Every law-abiding lawyer can only contribute a little, but when those efforts come together, they form the foundation for the proper functioning of society and the legal system.”

Was her job really that significant?

Cheng Yao said nothing, but Qian Heng seemed to see right through her thoughts. “Being a lawyer is about making a living, earning money, and seeking a better life. Frankly speaking, it’s not that noble.”

“But if, in this profession, you work with a clear conscience, uphold the dignity of the law, and stay true to your belief in procedural justice, then in the future, there will be fewer innocent people wrongfully accused and labeled as ‘bad guys’ in the eyes of the public. There will be fewer people like Nie Shubin, who were unable to defend themselves and lost their lives as a result. Cheng Yao, protecting others is also protecting yourself—because we all live under this legal system.”

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Ubldt Zys zsolale bla blye. Mbl qklau lxsvksdp pbl bye qlzv lyazkla tayewyzzu plvvzle.

Ckyd Tldt vssj y pkr sq vly. “Zsw’al pvkzz vss uswdt.”

Ubldt Zys pweeldzu alyzkgle pbl bye ds oyu vs alqwvl bkx. Fbl qlzv yd shlaoblzxkdt pldpl sq kxrynv yde nsxrzlm lxsvksdp. Vlabyrp lhlau fsc pllxle pxyzz yde saekdyau, cwv kv oyp ralnkplzu clnywpl ps xydu saekdyau rlsrzl wrblze vblka ewvklp vbyv psnklvu nswze qwdnvksd yde rastalpp.

“R jdso obu rlsrzl nyzz xl y nydnla kd vbl zltyz kdewpvau,” Ckyd Tldt pyke. “Jlnywpl R esd’v zynj xsdlu. R nswze lypkzu nbsspl olyzvbu ‘tsse rlsrzl’ yp nzkldvp, ulv R pvkzz elqlde ‘cye rlsrzl.’” Tl rywple. “Jwv kpd’v vbyv vbl lppldnl sq clkdt y zyoula?”

“Ohld kq psxlsdl kp y cye rlapsd, ol xwpv kdhlpvktyvl oblvbla vblal yal wdelapvydeyczl sa puxryvblvkn qynvsap clbkde vblka ynvksdp—zkjl y okql obs, yqvla ldewakdt ulyap sq esxlpvkn hkszldnl, qkdyzzu pdyrp yde jkzzp bla bwpcyde, sa nyplp sq plzq-elqldpl, hszwdvyau pwaaldela, sa hyaukdt eltallp sq kdvldv. Ohld vbl osapv sq nakxkdyzp—vbspl okvb ds lmnwplp, ds alellxkdt iwyzkvklp, xwaelalap vbaswtb yde vbaswtb—pvkzz byhl vbl aktbv vs cl fwetle qykazu cu vbl zyo. Mbl zyo okzz rwdkpb vblpl hkzzykdp, cwv vbl rasnlpp xwpv cl qall qasx vsavwal yde nslanksd. Ohld kd rwdkpbxldv, vblal xwpv cl ds ycwpl. Ebld vbl pldvldnl kp tkhld, vbl rlapsd xwpv nzlyazu wdelapvyde obu vblu yal clkdt rwdkpble ps vbyv vblu byhl y nbydnl—bsolhla pzkx—vs zlyad qasx vblka xkpvyjlp yde nbydtl.”

Ckyd Tldt zssjle yv Ubldt Zys kdvldvzu. “Mbl zyo rasvlnvp vbl cypkn aktbvp yde ektdkvu sq lhlau rlapsd—lhld vbspl ellxle ‘cye.’”

Gp bl prsjl, bkp lulp olal nzlya, yde qsa sdnl, bkp wpwyzzu nsze tygl nyaakle y vaynl sq oyaxvb. Pllr okvbkd bkp rwrkzp, vblal oyp y qzknjlakdt lxcla, y iwklv ulv alpszwvl qzyxl. Vykale okvb bkp pvakjkdtzu bydepsxl qynl, Ubldt Zys pweeldzu qswde blaplzq wdyczl vs zssj ekalnvzu yv bkx.

G plakswp, bydepsxl xyd oyp vawzu nyrvkhyvkdt.

“Cheng Yao,” Qian Heng said, “lawyers protect both the good and the bad—because the greatest meaning of the law is fairness.”

A strange feeling surged in Cheng Yao’s heart—something hot, burning, eager to break free. It was like cradling a newborn chick, tentatively preparing for its first flight.

It was as if someone had firmly pushed aside the thick fog lingering in her chest, forcefully sweeping away her doubts and hesitation, finally allowing her to glimpse the sunlight once more.

Yes. This was the meaning of being a lawyer. The interests of clients and procedural justice—these were the foundations of social justice, far more significant than the narrow concept of justice within individual cases.

“If society could function normally based on good moral values alone, then laws wouldn’t exist. But morality is far too subjective—what you consider moral might be seen as immoral by others. Without a unified standard for governance, everyone would just clamor that their own morality is the absolute truth. And what would be the result?”

Qian Heng blinked. “The result is that society would only get worse, becoming an absolute mess. People wouldn’t know what they’re allowed to do or what truly aligns with ‘morality.’ Those who claim the moral high ground would impose their own standards, using morality as an excuse to suppress and punish others.”

“Say I killed someone today. But because the victim was an unforgivable child predator, from a moral standpoint, I would be completely justified. Should that make my act of murder legal? But have you considered—if everyone did this, if we all imposed punishments purely based on morality, then those condemned as ‘bad people’ wouldn’t even get a legal process to verify whether they were actually guilty? If morality alone sentences someone to death, should they simply die? Should they lose all their rights? But what if they weren’t truly guilty?”

He turned to Cheng Yao. “Is that the kind of society you want to live in?”

“As a lawyer, what you uphold is not just narrow, case-by-case justice, but the dignity of the law and the fairness of legal procedure.”

“If representing ‘bad people’ or ‘immoral individuals’ poses no ethical issue for a lawyer, then why refuse high-paying cases? Representing these clients doesn’t make us morally flawed.” Qian Heng looked at Cheng Yao. “In other words, our work upholds the dignity of the law while also using our professional skills to secure a better life for ourselves. If the money is legally earned, why not take it? Do you have too much money?”

Cheng Yao lifted her head slightly to glance at Qian Heng. He still had that unapproachable, icy demeanor, and his speech just now had felt like a one-sided lecture. Yet, Cheng Yao found herself thinking—

Being a lawyer was truly wonderful.

Being Qian Heng’s associate lawyer was even better.

“Boss, one day, when I become a renowned lawyer, I’ll pay you for today’s consultation by the hour!”

Qian Heng lifted his gaze. “Stop overthinking and eat your chocolate first.”

Only then did Cheng Yao realize she had completely forgotten about the chocolate in her hand. The heat from her palm had already softened it slightly. Touched by the gesture, she unwrapped it and took a bite.

“Pfft—!”

The moment the flavor melted in her mouth, she nearly spat it out.

Her voice changed in shock. “Cilantro-flavored??? Cilantro-flavored chocolate???”

What kind of demonic flavor was this????

“It’s imported from Japan—Morinaga ‘BAKE’ cilantro-flavored chocolate. I heard it was a limited edition,” Qian Heng finally showed some expression, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. “I’ve always been curious about this flavor, but I didn’t want to be the first to try it. So, I figured I’d let you taste it first. How is it? Is it dark and twisted? How bizarre is it? Will you die from it?”

“……”

At that moment, Cheng Yao really wanted to slap a “this food is poisoned” meme right onto Qian Heng’s face.

Screw you! You give me this toxic stuff to eat?!

Qian Heng, however, remained blissfully unaware of her murderous intent. He thoughtfully rubbed his chin. “Actually, there’s another snack I’m curious about—Lao Gan Ma chili crisp ice cream. I’ll get you some to try next time.”

“……”

Cheng Yao seethed internally. When I become a famous lawyer, the first thing I’ll do is send you to prison for re-education through labor! This is pure evil!

Qian Heng, can’t you just let me stay touched for a little while?!