Criminal law has always been the last resort. When encountering such cases, various judicial organs will generally act as mediators if they can, striving to turn big issues into small ones and small issues into none. Hence, a process exists to facilitate mutual understanding between parties, leading to the withdrawal of lawsuits.
However, the conduct of these three families was so atrocious that he couldn't possibly choose forgiveness. Therefore, to avoid trouble, he had Wang Dachui add four specific words directly to the indictment.
"Alright, now we just wait for the court session," Qin Mu said after recording the second video and stretching languidly. All the necessary evidence was ready. Now it was just a matter of waiting patiently.
「In the afternoon.」
Qin Mu resumed his daily work. Looking after the elderly, he joined Li Weiguo, Zhang Qingyuan, and others in various recreational activities. After some guidance from Zhang Qingyuan and others, Li Weiguo gradually started to cheer up and actively participated in various activities for the elderly.
"Hahaha, Old Zhang, you lousy chess player, you lost again!" Li Weiguo picked up a knight. "Checkmate!" He burst into satisfied laughter.
Zhang Qingyuan, however, wore a grim expression, visibly upset. He had been losing all afternoon. Li Weiguo, who was normally his equal in chess, played as if divinely assisted that afternoon, maintaining a winning streak. Zhang Qingyuan, on the other hand, boasted an impressive record of eight consecutive losses.
"No more, I'm not playing anymore."
Finally, Zhang Qingyuan waved his hands and wisely decided to give up. Given his opponent's current form, continuing to play would only bring him humiliation, and he was very likely to achieve ten consecutive losses.
The other residents of the retirement home, seeing Li Weiguo's gradual recovery, also relaxed. Laughter once again filled the retirement home.
However, later that afternoon, three middle-aged women barged into the retirement home with a stormy presence. Even the security guard couldn't stop them. They rushed straight into the retirement home, seeking Li Weiguo by name.
Eventually, they found Li Weiguo resting in his room. They launched into a tirade against him, spitting invective. Spittle flew everywhere.
"How dare you sue us in court?"
"We always thought of you as a good person, even instructing our children to repay you when they grew up. But it turns out you're such a hypocrite, saying one thing to our faces and another behind our backs!"
"So what if our children didn't study? We won't need your charity in the future. Just withdraw the lawsuit!"
"Right! That's right! Withdraw the case, or we won't leave today!"
"We'll just stay here and freeload, eating your food and using your things!"
The three women who had charged in stood with hands on their hips, each fixing Li Weiguo with an intense stare, as if they bore a deep-seated grudge against him.
The bewildered Li Weiguo, rudely awakened, found his sleepiness vanishing instantly. His entire body trembled with rage, and his face flushed red.
"You... you... you all..." He extended a trembling finger towards the three women in front of him, but he was so upset and agitated that he couldn't find the words to speak.
"What? You think you can hit us now?"
Seeing his reaction, the three women showed no respect for the elderly and became even more aggressive.
"Let me tell you, this is a society governed by law!"
"We only came here to ask you to withdraw the case. As long as you do, we guarantee we will never ask you for money again!"
The three of them exchanged glances, returning to the matter at hand, but their tone remained defiant and impolite, without a hint of regret.
Actually, they had received the court summons that morning. After understanding the reason, they had immediately taken the bus to the retirement home. Over the years, Li Weiguo had helped them many times. In a token of gratitude, they had presented Li Weiguo with banners twice, so they knew where he lived.
"Mr. Li, just withdraw the lawsuit, and we'll leave immediately!" they urged.
The three women cornered Li Weiguo in the lounge, speaking in an aggressive tone.
"Withdraw the case?"
At that moment, Qin Mu received news and hurried over. Seeing Li Weiguo cornered by the three women, his expression turned cold. "Let me tell you, we will not withdraw the case! You'd better go back and wait for the trial."
Although the case was initiated by the prosecutor's office, it was complicated. Strictly speaking, it fell somewhere between a crime prosecutable only upon complaint and fraud. When Qin Mu submitted the materials, the prosecutor's office had also reminded him that he could withdraw the case at any time.
Hearing the voice behind them, the three women quickly turned around and snapped, "And who are you? We're talking to Mr. Li. What's it to you?" There was no respect in their words.
Qin Mu said indifferently, "Who I am doesn't matter. What's important is that if I were you, I'd be busy finding a lawyer and preparing for court instead of causing trouble here."
As soon as these words were spoken, the three women's expressions changed slightly. Qin Mu's words had indeed struck a chord with them.
As ordinary people, they had never received a court summons in their lives. After receiving this one, they were in a panic. After much thought, the best course of action seemed to be to get Li Weiguo to withdraw the case. This was the purpose of their visit.
"We don't care! If you don't withdraw today, we'll just stay in your retirement home!"
"Right! Hurry up and withdraw!"
"We're usually honest and simple people; we've never offended anybody. Why should you sue us?"
"You're just bullying honest people!"
The three shrill voices rose again in the lounge. Upon realizing that Qin Mu was unyielding, they started to create a scene and play the victim once more.
Li Weiguo, watching the three resort to their old tricks, clenched his teeth. As if he had made a significant decision, he stood up. Word by word, he stated with unwavering determination, "Leave. This time... whatever Xiao Qin's stance is, it's mine as well. I am not going to withdraw the lawsuit."
At this moment, he was no longer the docile and easily bullied person of before; he had become very firm.
"What? What did you say?" The three women's expressions turned incredibly sour as they stared hard at Li Weiguo.