SDT 75

Chapter 75 The Trial

Soon the day of the trial came. The guard friend at the detention center prepared a set of new clothes for Yu Xiaowen and told him to wear them under his inmate uniform. He said, “If you get declared innocent in court, you can’t walk out wearing this uniform, right?”

The guard friend shook the clothes.

Yu Xiaowen’s nose felt sore with emotion. He said, “Thanks. When the time comes, I’ll pull this off, tsk, and turn into Superman!”

The guard friend nodded. “Haha, right!”

Yu Xiaowen touched the clothes. “How much did this cost? The material looks good.”

“Very cheap, bought at the wholesale market. Don’t be so polite.” The guard friend pushed him lightly. “Go shower first before you put it on.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll be quick.” Yu Xiaowen picked up the basin from the floor and turned to walk into the simple shower room.

The guard friend leaned by the door and typed in the group chat “Captain Yu’s Detention Life Observation Group”: All set. [ok]

Xu Jie: [hehe]

Still Alive Today: [clap] [clap] [clap]

Old Wang: Thanks for the effort.

Chen Zihan: [fist salute]

Light of the Major Crimes Unit: [rose]

Bureau Chief: Post a picture.

…

That afternoon, People’s Court of District S, Manjing City, first trial of Yu Xiaowen.

Yu Xiaowen sat in the defendant’s seat. He saw all his colleagues from the city bureau and even waved to them. Lu Kongyun was there too, sitting with Lieutenant Colonel Jia from the Intelligence Department and several others, looking at him.

Even Dai Lanshan came, because his brother-wife Dai Jingxi would appear in court as a witness.

After both sides gave statements, the prosecutor questioned the defendant first.

The prosecutor said, “Your testimony states that you left S Country while you knew there were still unresolved doubts in the transnational drug smuggling case.”

Yu Xiaowen said, “Yes.”

The prosecutor said, “Did you know that your colleagues believed you were dead and spent time, manpower, and resources searching for you?”

Yu Xiaowen stayed silent for a moment and then answered, “Yes.”

Whispering spread across the courtroom.

The prosecutor said, “After surviving, you lived abroad under a different name for two years. Defendant, why did you change your name and identity?”

Yu Xiaowen said, “Because with my sensitive status as a law enforcement officer of S Country, it was absolutely impossible to receive experimental medical treatment in M Country.”

The prosecutor said, “So you also knew that what you did, under your identity as an S Country law enforcer, wasn’t permitted, that it was an act of betrayal to your country and your position. Correct?”

Yu Xiaowen said, “…I only wanted to stay alive.”

The prosecutor said, “You wanted to stay alive above your duty and responsibility as a police officer of S Country?”

Yu Xiaowen said, “Of course not! But at that time, I had no choice…”

The prosecutor cut him off. “The desire to survive is a natural human instinct. I understand that. But it doesn’t mean you had no choice. You said yourself that the person who took you out of S Country gave you options. You just made a decision about what mattered more when your duty and your life conflicted.”

Yu Xiaowen said nothing.

The prosecutor said, “When you took your oath at entry, there was a line that said, ‘The safety of the people’s lives and property stands above oneself, and the duty of a criminal investigator stands above all.’ Do you remember it?”

Yu Xiaowen said, “I remember.”

The prosecutor said, “Yet as an officer of the law, you disregarded the facts that could affect the case and the national manpower and resources involved, and you left your post and your country on your own. You put your personal interest above your duty.”

“…” Yu Xiaowen took a deep breath and said, “That’s not true.”

Lawyer Xia said, “Objection. The prosecutor is speculating on my client’s thoughts and assuming guilt.”

The prosecutor immediately said, “Apologies, I withdraw that statement.”

The prosecutor then said, “Then let me ask differently. When you made certain decisions during the mission, did you recall that oath, or your duty? Could all your actions be guided by the responsibility the state gave you? Look at the national emblem and answer honestly.”

Yu Xiaowen looked at the emblem in the middle of the courtroom. He pressed his lips together for a moment and said, “No.”

The courtroom broke into murmurs.

Yu Xiaowen said, “During the mission, all I thought about was finishing my goal no matter what, identifying the enemy, and finding my target. If I were to die, what I could achieve before dying. Maybe like a hunter in a chase, or a trapped beast with nowhere to retreat. I didn’t think about noble things. Only winning or losing.”

The voices grew louder.

The prosecutor smiled. “Former officer, is that how you’ve always carried out missions?”

Yu Xiaowen looked at Lawyer Xia. Her face looked stern. So he didn’t answer.

The prosecutor didn’t press further but stepped back. “So you left based on instinct, not belief. That fits my earlier assessment of your behavior, doesn’t it?”

Yu Xiaowen said, “I did everything I could. Staying would have changed nothing. If… if the case had required me to stay, even if it cost me my life, I would never have left.”

The prosecutor said, “If? But you left. That’s the reality.”

Yu Xiaowen went silent again.

The prosecutor said, “No more questions.”

The defense began questioning.

Lawyer Xia said, “If you had stayed in your country instead of receiving treatment, what impact would that have had on the case?”

Yu Xiaowen said, “There should’ve been… no impact. Except on me.”

Lawyer Xia saw his hesitation and gave him a firm look, then asked again, “Explain.”

Yu Xiaowen lowered his eyes. “…Because the person who saved me made it clear he would never provide evidence to let me identify Ding Qi. I couldn’t explain why Ding Qi appeared there and died, so I’d be investigated. Before I could prove innocence, I’d die in prison from illness, and that would be the end.”

The prosecutor said, “Objection. The defense is guiding the defendant to make speculative statements beneficial to himself.”

The judge said, “Objection sustained.”

Some people started whispering again.

Lawyer Xia said, “Then why did the person who saved you later change his mind and hand you the evidence?”

Yu Xiaowen said, “He secretly helped me conceal my identity for experimental treatment, which violated his organization’s rules. After my identity got exposed, his master ordered his elimination. When things reached that point, he thought there was no reason to keep hiding, so he gave me the evidence.”

Lawyer Xia said, “So before your colleagues from the city bureau told you about this crucial evidence recently, during those two years, you had no idea it existed?”

Yu Xiaowen said, “Yes. I had no idea.”

The court went into recess.

Lawyer Xia and Yu Xiaowen met in the lounge. Yu Xiaowen looked frustrated. “Sorry, Lawyer Xia. I didn’t perform well. I felt like I couldn’t refute the prosecutor.”

“Because deep down, you think you failed your duty.” Lawyer Xia said, “You have to change that mindset. If you carry guilt yourself, how can others believe you? Yu Xiaowen, you’re an excellent police officer. No one has the right to smear you. You should never have been put in that seat. You’re fighting for the justice and fairness you deserve. Do you understand?”

Yu Xiaowen rubbed his hands and sighed. “I’m sorry… I understand.”

“Don’t worry. We still have plenty of factual evidence and strong witnesses.” Lawyer Xia said, “If it goes to appeal, I’ll go over it with you again. For now, relax. Stop sitting there with that ‘I’m guilty’ look.”

Yu Xiaowen said, “…Alright.”

Lawyer Xia saw his dejected posture and leaned closer. “Do you know why I took this case?”

Yu Xiaowen shook his head, but Lawyer Xia knew what he thought, money, reputation, connection with the Lu family.

“It’s because of Ms. Chen from the Military Affairs Department. You know her, right?” Lawyer Xia said.

Yu Xiaowen looked surprised and leaned forward. “Yes.”

“I like her. But her family keeps arranging blind dates for her with sons of high-ranking officials. She usually just goes through the motions, but she really fell for the second young master Lu.” Lawyer Xia said, “I took this case to get close to Lu and gather information so she wouldn’t have a chance.”

Yu Xiaowen said, “…”

Lawyer Xia said, “When I found out you were alive, I was thrilled. For our shared happiness, you can’t go to prison, you can’t be convicted. You have to come out and be with Lu. Got it?”

That meant she hadn’t succeeded for at least two years. Thinking about that, Yu Xiaowen couldn’t help feeling a bit worried for her.

“Ms. Chen’s a really good person.” Yu Xiaowen said. “You have good taste. I hope you get what you want.”

“Thanks.” Lawyer Xia smiled. “As long as you walk out of there and go public with Lu, I still have hope. My happiness depends on you.”

Yu Xiaowen didn’t want to let her hopes collapse. Even though it wasn’t the right time, he looked around and said quietly, “Lawyer Xia, I need to tell you first. I might not be able to fulfill your wish and go public with Lu Kongyun.”

Lawyer Xia said, “What do you mean, might not? You don’t like him?”

Yu Xiaowen said, “No, of course I like him, but…”

Lawyer Xia looked puzzled, waiting for his answer.

Yu Xiaowen lowered his head and pulled the hem of his prison uniform through the metal ring of his handcuffs, rubbing it between his fingers.

He stayed silent for a long time. He seemed to have something hard to explain and finally said, “Ah. I’m just that kind of person… it’s a long story. Anyway, I’m sorry, Lawyer Xia.”

Lawyer Xia looked at Yu Xiaowen for a while and said, “I don’t know what exactly happened between you two. But I can say with certainty that, from what I know, his feelings for you go far beyond what you imagine. Maybe even if you don’t want it, he won’t let you go.”

“He won’t. He isn’t that kind of person.” Confusion appeared on Yu Xiaowen’s face, and Lawyer Xia said, “It’s about time. Let’s go.”

The trial resumed. Yu Xiaowen’s earlier performance had not been good, so his colleagues from the city bureau sitting in the audience looked nervous. Yu Xiaowen smiled and waved to them.

Lawyer Xia whispered, “Be serious!”

Yu Xiaowen straightened up in his seat.

The defense called the first witness. It was the doctor who had treated Yu Xiaowen’s illness two years ago.

Lawyer Xia said, “Two years ago, what illness did the defendant have?”

The doctor said, “A rare lung cell tumor.”

Lawyer Xia said, “The records show you’ve practiced medicine for over twenty years and specialized in lung tumors. From your professional judgment, could my client’s condition at that time have been cured?”

The doctor shook his head. “With the medical technology of S Country at that time, absolutely impossible. The current targeted drugs can treat very few types of lung tumors. This rare type is even difficult to control.”

Lawyer Xia said, “What is the usual survival period for such patients?”

The doctor said, “In the cases I know, if discovered early, survival ranges from three to eight years. But for someone like Officer Yu… Yu Xiaowen, discovered late, usually less than a year.”

Lawyer Xia said, “So can I conclude that if he hadn’t gone to M Country for experimental treatment, but stayed in S Country, he would definitely have died of illness two years ago?”

The doctor said, “Yes.”

A video played in court. In the video, Yu Xiaowen rushed into the workshop, braced himself on the table, and clutched his chest in pain. But he quickly dropped his arm and began assembling a phone on the table, then ran out with it.

After a while, he was dragged back covered in blood. The criminals poured out everything from a bottle on the table in front of him and crushed it underfoot.

The courtroom filled with noise.

The video paused, then rewound, and stopped at the moment Yu Xiaowen was assembling the phone. The shot zoomed in.

Next to the phone sat a pill bottle. It was the same one later poured out and crushed.

Lawyer Xia said, “Doctor, do you recognize this medicine?”

The doctor said, “Yes. Morphine tablets. A common drug to relieve cancer pain.”

Lawyer Xia said, “Did you prescribe it to my client?”

The doctor said, “Not certain. But such medication requires a prescription from a licensed hospital. I was his attending physician, so most likely, yes.”

Lawyer Xia said, “Had his condition advanced to the point where he had to take painkillers on schedule?”

The doctor said, “Yes. Otherwise it would be unbearable.”

Lawyer Xia said, “When the pain hit, instead of taking his painkillers, this cancer patient assembled a phone to send a message to his colleagues. From your experience, how would you describe that behavior?”

The doctor thought and said, “He was someone with extraordinary conviction and willpower… or someone prepared to sacrifice himself.”

The courtroom filled with noise again.

The second witness was Dai Jingxi, president of Dai Pharmaceuticals.

Lawyer Xia said, “You said your business partner was a merchant from M Country named Ruan Dazhi, and your company had open business relations with him. Did you know he possessed a special medicine for treating cancer?”

Dai Jingxi said, “Absolutely not. If I had known, I would never have let him go.”

Laughter spread across the courtroom.

Lawyer Xia said, “When you saw your business partner bring the defendant Yu Xiaowen into your private medical room, what condition was he in?”

Dai Jingxi said, “He looked almost dead. But I still examined him. I found he had external injuries and a terminal illness. I thought he wouldn’t survive the night, so I only treated his wounds out of basic humanity. But he didn’t die. Even the signs of his terminal illness began to improve. Knowing that M Country is advanced in medicine, I suspected my partner secretly used some special means, so I let them stay with me to observe. Unfortunately, I didn’t learn anything. My partner kept everything to himself. Once Yu Xiaowen got better, he left with him. After that, I knew nothing.”

Lawyer Xia said, “You’re also a medical expert. Can you confirm that you personally witnessed a severely wounded, terminally ill patient improve because of some special medical method unknown to you, something extremely rare?”

Dai Jingxi said, “Not just rare. From what I know of medical science worldwide, it was a miracle. I’m sure that’s why my partner kept silent and decided to take him back to M Country.”

Lawyer Xia said, “Did you know the identity of the defendant Yu Xiaowen?”

Dai Jingxi said, “I don’t remember everything clearly from then, but I do remember his first words when he woke up. That’s what made me remember him.”

Lawyer Xia said, “What were they?”

Dai Jingxi said, “The first thing he said was that his colleagues must arrest Ding Qi, because that man was connected to the criminals in their case.”

The courtroom erupted.

“Order,” said the judge, knocking the gavel.

Lawyer Xia said, “It can be said the defendant was deeply dedicated to the case, right?”

Dai Jingxi said, “Yes. I believe if Ding Qi hadn’t died, Yu Xiaowen would’ve returned to the city bureau to report. But Ding Qi was dead with no witness left, so of course staying alive was better. I’ve worked in medicine for many years and seen patients try hopeless methods just to survive, but I’ve never seen someone choose death when survival was in reach. To make that choice was against human instinct.”

“Objection,” the prosecutor said. “The witness is making a subjective judgment.”

“Sustained,” said the judge. “The witness doesn’t need to define or interpret the defendant’s behavior.”

The third witness was Chief Li Ming from the city bureau.

At this part, Lawyer Xia asked Chief Li to recount how Yu Xiaowen had volunteered to replace Old Wang, who was about to get married, for a dangerous mission, and how, in Chief Li’s office, Yu Xiaowen had made what sounded like final instructions before leaving.

The courtroom went quiet.

Lawyer Xia said, “Chief Li, what was Yu Xiaowen’s mission?”

Chief Li said, “To identify the true identity of the key leader Ex and work with the Major Crimes Unit and the Narcotics Team to capture all remaining members of the transnational criminal group attempting to leave our country.”

Lawyer Xia said, “Did he accomplish that?”

Director Li said, “Without question, he did.”

Then Lawyer Xia presented evidence showing Ding Qi’s link to the criminal organization and played the video where Ding Qi shot Ex and tortured Yu Xiaowen.

The courtroom stayed noisy. When it reached parts too brutal for anyone to watch, the elder from the Ding family stood and left.

After that, the prosecutor simply presented normal factual statements and questions. As more evidence appeared, the prosecution’s side grew quieter.

It seemed the Ding family had realized there was no need to cling to the dead man. Sacrificing a pawn to protect the main house was the wise move.

At the end of the trial, Lawyer Xia gave her closing statement.

“My client, Yu Xiaowen, was terminally ill two years ago. Despite the pain in his body, he took on a near-death mission for his colleague. He fought against criminals and gave up his chance to live in order to send out a message. He fulfilled his duty to the fullest. He identified Ex’s true identity and helped his colleagues capture all remaining criminals trying to flee. His actions met every responsibility of a criminal investigator in this case. So must he prove loyalty only by unnecessary sacrifice of his life?”

Lawyer Xia said, “Look at him.”

Everyone looked toward the defendant’s seat.

Yu Xiaowen shyly picked at his fingers.

Lawyer Xia said, “He’s alive, living in good health. Perhaps from now on, he’ll have more chances to serve the people with his intelligence, courage, and dedication, instead of lying forever in a cemetery while still young. ‘The safety of the people’s lives and property stands above oneself, and the duty of a criminal investigator stands above all.’ I believe my client is true to his oath, and our country and law should grant such an officer fairness in justice and respect in humanity.”

After the recess, the jury reached a verdict. Twelve voted not guilty. None voted guilty.

The judge announced the decision in court.

“The defendant, Yu Xiaowen, former member of the Manjing City Bureau Major Crimes Unit, is found not guilty of dereliction of duty in the transnational drug smuggling case investigated by the city bureau. Facts are clear and evidence is solid. The charge of dereliction is dismissed. The court orders his immediate release. The criminal group led by Ding Qi, in collusion with an international criminal organization, involved in smuggling and murder, will be transferred to the military court for prosecution and trial at a later date.”

The audience broke into loud applause and cheers. Xu Jie and Old Wang hugged each other and jumped up.

When Yu Xiaowen heard the verdict, he instinctively looked toward the audience at Lu Kongyun. Lu Kongyun smiled at him with genuine joy.

That smile among the cheers made Yu Xiaowen remember the tennis court from years ago. Back then, when he saw Lu Kongyun smile in his direction for a moment, he dreamed about it for a long time. In those dreams, the one Lu Kongyun smiled at was always him. Only him.

He suppressed the feelings that rose in his chest and mouthed simple words toward him: thank you.

Lu Kongyun seemed to understand. His smile disappeared right away.

…He had said he didn’t want to hear that again.

So Yu Xiaowen changed it. He overlapped his palms, bent his thumbs backward as eyes, and used his other fingers as crab legs, wiggling them as he moved his hands sideways in front of him.

He mouthed again: seafood.

Lu Kongyun looked at him with confusion.

He had no choice but to mouth another hint: treat me to crabs. Seafood.

He moved his two hands up and down like ocean waves.

This time, though Lu Kongyun didn’t smile, the corners of his mouth turned up. He probably understood.