NOVPUB
Chapter 115: Chapter 114: Look How Anxious You Are Again
"CGG?"
Zhang Jingsong, upon hearing Wen Shulin’s introduction, smiled out of professional integrity,
"Miss Wen, I have a contract with Linkedin Fund. During the term of my contract, I cannot engage with the same industry..."
Wen Shulin immediately said, "Professor Zhang, my consultation isn’t about economic issues."
Zhang Jingsong’s gaze faltered.
He thought about it; CGG also has its own legal department, so they naturally wouldn’t come to him for economic disputes.
And Chen Cheng was introduced by Ding Chaohui; if it were just a civil dispute, it would really be overkill.
The only remaining possibility was just one.
"Miss Wen, since it’s not an economic issue, I’m even more curious. What could it be that made you seek Xiao Chen and now to come to see me personally?" Zhang Jingsong feigned ignorance.
Wen Shulin glanced at Chen Cheng beside her, adjusted her sunglasses,
"Professor Zhang, I’m seeking advice on a case where a student in Canada caused someone’s death due to intentional harm..."
Zhang Jingsong frowned, listening to Wen Shulin’s account.
"But at the time, due to false evidence and insufficient evidence, the local police classified it as an accidental drowning, and the case was closed."
"Can he be held accountable after he has returned to the country?" Wen Shulin narrated the incident, without revealing Su Liya’s involvement.
Zhang Jingsong picked up his teacup and took a sip.
His scrutinizing gaze roamed over Wen Shulin.
"Did your child get into trouble abroad?" he asked.
Wen Shulin hastily shook her head, "No! It’s..."
Seeing Wen Shulin hesitate, Chen Cheng stepped in and recounted the entire incident from start to finish.
In the end, Wen Shulin also showed Zhang Jingsong the video for inspection.
After understanding the full story, Zhang Jingsong rubbed his temples,
"This depends on the specific circumstances."
Wen Shulin: "Specific circumstances?"
Zhang Jingsong nodded, "Is the victim a Huaxia national?"
"She’s an overseas Chinese with Canadian nationality."
Zhang Jingsong: "Generally, for crimes committed abroad, unless they are particularly serious and endanger national interests and national security, the jurisdiction usually lies with the country where the incident occurred."
"But if the criminal act also violates Chinese law, the domestic authorities have the right to exercise territorial jurisdiction over the case," he added.
Wen Shulin seemed to see hope, her eyes lighting up.
"Even if the Canadian police did not initiate prosecution due to insufficient evidence at the time, if the domestic police hold conclusive evidence of Li Hao’s intentional murder, they can still hold him criminally responsible."
Zhang Jingsong continued,
"If Li Hao has already been tried, convicted, and imprisoned in Canada for this case, then according to the ’double jeopardy’ principle, the domestic courts generally will not retry or punish him again."
"However, if Canada has not made a substantive judgment on the case, the domestic courts can initiate legal proceedings."
Zhang Jingsong looked at Wen Shulin calmly,
"As long as the evidence is sufficient, and the case has not received substantive trial and judgment in Canada, it’s entirely possible for domestic police to exercise jurisdiction over Li Hao and arrest and prosecute him to maintain the uniform enforcement of domestic laws."
Wen Shulin took a deep breath, silently nodding.
"But..." Zhang Jingsong’s tone shifted.
"What?" Wen Shulin asked nervously.
"First, you are not a family member of the victim, which means your legal right to act will be greatly restricted. You don’t have the statutory standing to assert the rights on behalf of the victim."
"Second, as you mentioned, the case has already been closed. Now, to restart the investigation process, especially for a cross-border case, both the investigation and litigation period are going to be very lengthy."
Wen Shulin’s eyes flickered with anxiety, "So what should I do? Is there really no way?"
Zhang Jingsong: "Miss Wen, I want to know what your demands are."
"Is it to seek justice for your daughter, or simply to put Li Hao away?" he bluntly asked.
Wen Shulin did not hesitate, "Both."
"Then we may change our approach, see if he did anything abroad that is prohibited by domestic laws."
Wen Shulin bowed her head in silence, she had already learned of another fact on her way here that could get Li Hao behind bars.
But this matter involved Su Liya.
If Li Hao were captured, given his cunning nature, her daughter would mostly likely become implicated.
Wen Shulin looked up again and asked, "Professor Zhang, if, I mean if..."
"Speak."
"If my daughter unknowingly smoked ’leaves’ and Li Hao himself also has a habit of consumption, then..."
Zhang Jingsong stood up and paced the office.
"According to our law, whether it’s active consumption, passive inhalation, or occurring domestically or abroad, as long as the act of consumption is constituted, it will be subject to legal sanctions."
"So even if your daughter unknowingly consumed ’leaves’ in Canada, once back in China, if she is found out or reported, she could theoretically be punished."
He spoke slowly,
"If it’s just a one-time passive inhalation, and the person can provide relevant proof, the punishment might be relatively lighter, such as a simple admonishment or fine, for example."
Wen Shulin shook her head; as a mother, she naturally did not want to see Su Liya in such a state again.
Zhang Jingsong asked again: "Is there anything else? Think carefully."
Wen Shulin felt like an ant on a hot pan, seemingly trapped with no way out.
Chen Cheng, who was sitting beside, was thinking quickly and cleared his throat before saying:
"Uncle Zhang, I have an idea, see if it will work."
Zhang Jingsong raised his hand, "Speak."
"Since our intentional injury leading to death is not a viable approach," Chen Cheng paused, "we might as well settle for second best and take the route involving the leaves."
Wen Shulin looked incredulously at Chen Cheng, "No way! Wouldn’t that mean Li Ya will be imprisoned too?"
"Look how anxious you get!"
Wen Shulin quieted down.
Chen Cheng continued: "We make a hypothetical argument, assuming Su Liya due to academic stress, has developed anorexia, insomnia, and mild depression."
Zhang Jingsong raised an eyebrow, and Chen Cheng added, "Upon the recommendation of a local psychotherapist, she consumed the leaves for treatment."
"After all, in foreign countries, this stuff is deemed as medicine first, and only then as..."
He chuckled, "From this perspective, would such a reason hold up?"
"Your perspective is quite novel."
Zhang Jingsong sat back down, "I think this defense argument could work."
"Really?" Wen Shulin was somewhat incredulous, but her admiration for Chen Cheng grew stronger.
"I personally think it’s feasible."
Zhang Jingsong firmly replied, "However, it will require ample evidence and a reasonable explanation to support this claim."
"After all, our country has very strict control over such substances. From both a legal and logical standpoint, the hypothesis that Xiao Chen just proposed is indeed plausible."
Chen Cheng went on, "Next, Miss Wen, you need to have someone give Li Ya a psychological evaluation."
"Two evaluations would be ideal," Zhang Jingsong reminded,
"The first one should be dated back during her study abroad."
"The second one should reflect her current state, establishing her depression diagnosis."
Wen Shulin nodded vigorously, "That can be easily arranged, I can get in touch with an agency immediately."
Zhang Jingsong continued, "The most critical point is, if Li Hao gets caught and he implicates your daughter."
Wen Shulin listened attentively.
"You must instruct her, at all costs, to deny any drug use whilst in China."
"Don’t worry, Professor Zhang," Wen Shulin assured, "Li Ya doesn’t have such behaviors or habits. She’s really been framed by someone."
Zhang Jingsong nodded, laying out the potential future scenarios for Wen Shulin as a precaution.
"Following the incident, your daughter will be subjected to a urine test, then she may be required to cooperate with further investigation."
"Throughout this process, make sure she remains calm and rational, explains the situation truthfully, but responds cautiously to any leading questions that could disadvantage her."
Wen Shulin, biting her lip, looked tense yet resolute, "I understand, Professor Zhang, I will give Li Ya proper instructions."
"Furthermore, an administrative penalty will be issued. It’s an inevitable step," continued Zhang Jingsong, "Later on, we can file for administrative reconsideration and seek to have the penalty revoked."
Wen Shulin’s eyebrows knit together, "What? She will still be penalized?"
"Going by our projected scenario, at most she will be under community surveillance. Rest assured, she won’t be sent to a detention center or a reeducation facility."
Wen Shulin’s nerves relaxed slightly, and she nodded silently.
Chen Cheng chimed in from the side, "Miss Wen, another important point is to avoid any contact between Su Liya and Li Hao during this period to prevent unnecessary trouble."
Wen Shulin: "I’ll be careful about that."
She looked up at Zhang Jingsong, "Professor Zhang, now we’ve figured out a way out for Li Ya."
"But about Li Hao..." Wen Shulin said hesitantly, "What if his lawyer defends him the same way?"
"Uncle Zhang, the sentencing standards for drug use and for illegal possession are different, right?" Chen Cheng asked.
Zhang Jingsong replied, "Of course."
"Based on my observation of Li Hao, he continued drug use after returning to China," Chen Cheng remembered Chen Jin mentioning a smell on Li Hao,
"And those substances are not easily found here, so he must still have a stash where he lives."
He turned towards Wen Shulin at his side, "Once you have completed all your arrangements on this end, the enthusiastic Chaoyang residents will take action."
Wen Shulin looked at him again and seemed to think that when Chen Cheng got serious, he wasn’t just less annoying, but also quite reliable.
Zhang Jingsong said with a smile: "Xiao Chen, you should’ve majored in my subject during university! Such a quick-witted brain is rare!"
Chen Cheng humbly smiled: "Uncle Zhang, it’s just a little bit of cleverness, not worthy of attention!"
"Besides, in the college entrance exam, I was still a good fifty or sixty points short of the law school’s admission score!"
Wen Shulin: "Then you should have taken one more subject, that would do it."
"Wow, Uncle Zhang, look at this. As soon as we find a solution, Miss Wen starts teasing again."
"Ha ha ha..."
Wen Shulin’s eyes held a smile, and behind her sunglasses, swollen from crying, were eyes now shimmering with tears.
But this time, it wasn’t out of sorrow and despair, but because she saw a glimmer of hope for Li Ya’s new beginning.
Moreover, much of it had to do with her shifting perception of Chen Cheng.
