Chapter Thirty-Three: The Letter from the Lawyer
The next day.
“Cheng Yunting!” Leng Zheng stared at the man lying beside her, holding her close. A sudden urge to punch him flickered in her mind, but the pain throughout her body made her quietly abandon the idea.
“Sweetheart, let’s sleep a little longer,” Cheng Yunting murmured, resting his chin against her collarbone.
“Cheng Yunting! Damn you!” Leng Zheng could do nothing but curse.
…
Her curses faded as exhaustion took over, and she obediently curled up in his arms.
At that moment, the doorbell rang.
“Go see who it is,” Leng Zheng, wracked with pain, ordered the man next to her, who seemed energetic enough for another round.
“Alright,” Cheng Yunting nodded lazily and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Rest well.”
Leng Zheng nodded meekly, watching him leave.
Once Cheng Yunting was gone, Leng Zheng endured the pain and made her way to the bathroom. Seeing the marks on her body, she felt furious and desperately wanted to beat him up. But the pain prevailed, and she could only put on her pajamas and return to bed, resigned.
…
Downstairs.
“Fourth Brother.” Cheng Yunting nodded to Qin Yuxuan. “And this is?”
“This is my girlfriend, here to see Xiao Zheng.” Qin Yuxuan nodded and led Mu Zhi Tao inside. “Where’s Xiao Zheng?”
“She’s upstairs, resting.” Cheng Yunting couldn’t help remembering the enchanting melody from last night…
“I’ll go upstairs to play with Sister Xiao Zheng. You two can chat,” Mu Zhi Tao said, quickly heading upstairs.
“Really, keep an eye on your wife,” Cheng Yunting said to Qin Yuxuan, face darkening as he watched Mu Zhi Tao disappear.
“You too—keep yours in check. Don’t let mine come looking for yours all the time,” Qin Yuxuan retorted.
The two men exchanged a glance, then turned away in silent accord.
…
Leng Zheng’s bedroom.
“Sister Xiao Zheng? Are you there?” Mu Zhi Tao poked her head in, peering inside.
“I’m here.” Leng Zheng hadn’t expected Mu Zhi Tao’s visit and wanted to get out of bed, but the pain was overwhelming. “Just come in.”
“Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t greet you properly,” Leng Zheng apologized, sitting up with some difficulty.
Mu Zhi Tao noticed the marks on Leng Zheng’s neck and immediately understood. “It’s alright, I might be disturbing you, Sister Leng Zheng.”
Leng Zheng caught Mu Zhi Tao’s gaze, glanced down, and saw the strawberry patch Cheng Yunting had left on her. In her heart, she’d already cursed him ten thousand times.
“Come here.” Leng Zheng invited Mu Zhi Tao to take off her shoes and sit beside her. “What’s wrong?”
Hearing Leng Zheng’s gentle voice, Mu Zhi Tao was reminded of her mother. Her nose tingled, and she buried her head in Leng Zheng’s shoulder, gradually sobbing.
“What’s the matter? Why are you crying?” Leng Zheng panicked, looking at Mu Zhi Tao. She hadn’t bullied her—why was she crying?
Mu Zhi Tao lifted her head, shook it, and wiped her tears. “It’s nothing… Just hearing your voice reminded me of my mom and dad.”
“What happened? Tell me—now I’m your lawyer, I have the right to know your troubles.” Leng Zheng stroked Mu Zhi Tao’s head, handed her a tissue, and gently wiped her tears.
“It’s… Today, netizens dug up my information, and also discovered my parents’ identities. They’ve been slandering them nonstop.” Mu Zhi Tao wiped her tears. “My parents were anti-narcotics police officers before they died. People are saying my parents disgraced the title…”
As she spoke, Mu Zhi Tao broke down. “My parents lived honest, upright lives—they devoted their lives to the country… Why can they… Why do they get to ruin their reputation like this…”
“There, don’t cry.” Leng Zheng drew Mu Zhi Tao into her arms, comforting her. “There, I’m sure your parents wouldn’t want you to be so sad. I’ll write a lawyer’s letter now, and we’ll pursue this legally, okay?”
“Okay…” Mu Zhi Tao nodded.
“Alright.” Leng Zheng nodded, pulled out her laptop, and began to work.
@Capital City X.Z Law Firm
Lawyer’s Statement
Capital City X.Z Law Firm (hereafter “the Firm”) has accepted the commission of Ms. Mu Zhi Tao (hereafter “the Client”), and appointed Attorney Xi (hereafter “the Lawyer”) to issue the following solemn statement regarding certain internet users suspected of infringing upon the reputation rights and other lawful interests of Ms. Mu Zhi Tao and her family:
According to the Client’s account, recently, several Sina Weibo users—including “Dou Wo Xiao” (UID: 202503), “Dreams in April” (UID: 275379), “Wu Yao Ke Yi” (UID: 1663792), “Believe in Jun Junzi” (UID: 626629), and “Shrimp Ball” (UID: 6097382)—have maliciously fabricated and distorted facts, defaming and attacking Ms. Mu Zhi Tao and her family. Their slander has been widely disseminated on Sina Weibo and other platforms, sparking heated debate and severely damaging Ms. Mu Zhi Tao’s public image, causing serious negative impacts on her reputation, and undermining the order of cyberspace.
Based on the facts and evidence provided by the Client, the Lawyer believes that the above-mentioned users’ actions constitute suspected infringement upon Ms. Mu Zhi Tao’s reputation rights and other lawful interests. According to the Civil Code and other relevant laws, civil subjects enjoy reputation rights, and no organization or individual may infringe upon another’s reputation through insult or defamation.
The Lawyer hereby solemnly warns all suspected infringing users:
1. Immediately cease all insults and any actions suspected of infringing upon Ms. Mu Zhi Tao’s reputation rights and lawful interests.
2. The Firm has, at the Client’s request, preserved evidence regarding the suspected infringement. The Firm will closely monitor the situation, and if the infringing behavior continues, further evidence will be collected.
3. Anyone who fabricates or distorts facts to slander others must bear corresponding civil liability for infringement; if the circumstances are serious, this may constitute a criminal offense. At the Client’s request, the Firm will take further legal action against those with serious violations, pursuing their legal responsibility.
Moreover, numerous netizens have dug up information concerning Ms. Mu Zhi Tao’s parents, subjecting them to humiliation and causing severe negative impact on their reputation, as well as serious damage to the order of cyberspace.
Based on the facts and evidence provided by the Client, the Lawyer believes that the above actions constitute suspected infringement upon the reputation rights and other lawful interests of Ms. Mu Zhi Tao’s parents.
Furthermore, Ms. Mu Zhi Tao’s parents are martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country’s anti-narcotics cause. According to Article 185 of the General Principles of Civil Law, infringement upon the name, portrait, reputation, or honor of heroes and martyrs, thereby harming social and public interests, shall bear civil liability.
Additionally, according to the newly added Article 299-1 of the Criminal Law: those who insult, slander, or otherwise infringe upon the reputation or honor of heroes and martyrs, causing harm to social and public interests, may face up to three years imprisonment, detention, control, or deprivation of political rights if the circumstances are severe.
Therefore, those netizens who insulted Ms. Mu Zhi Tao’s parents shall bear corresponding consequences.
The Lawyer hereby solemnly warns all suspected infringing users: delete all relevant information and materials, apologize to Ms. Mu Zhi Tao and her parents, and accept corresponding criminal responsibility.
This statement is hereby issued.
Upon seeing this post, Mu Zhi Tao immediately shared it.
@PeachHeartXi_QAQ
Repost/: May it be as the great Mu Suli wrote in “First-Class Lawyer”: Under reason, justice endures. I can allow myself to be insulted, but my parents gave their time and lives for the motherland—they are martyrs. My grandparents were warriors of the War of Resistance, their names engraved on the monument to heroes! They should not be insulted!
Thank you to my idol for taking this case, and for accepting me as an intern—I’m officially on the job now—thank you!
…
Mu Zhi Tao posted a photo of her intern badge on Weibo, and the comments section quieted down considerably.
After posting, Mu Zhi Tao returned to her workstation and continued her work.
…
“Xiao Zheng, I’ve been invited to a banquet. Would you like to go?” Cheng Yunting suddenly embraced Leng Zheng from behind and asked.
“What kind of banquet?” Leng Zheng nestled into his arms.
“It’s just a ball, nothing special.” Cheng Yunting handed her the invitation.
“Let’s go. It’s been a long time since I attended anything like that,” Leng Zheng agreed after a glance.
“Alright.” Cheng Yunting nodded, carried her to the bed, and said, “Get some rest. Last night was exhausting. The ball’s next month—no rush.”
Leng Zheng nodded, nestled in his arms, and drifted off to sleep.
“Xiao Zheng, sweet dreams.” Cheng Yunting stroked her hair, smiled indulgently, and held her close as they fell asleep together…
PS: There will be another chapter focusing on a side plot later.