The judge looked toward the defense table.
"Does the defense wish to cross-examine?"
Wang Zhenguo's lawyer stood slowly.
"Mr. Lin." He adjusted his glasses. "You mentioned you were returning from an outing with friends. Had you been drinking that night?"
"I had one beer earlier in the evening."
"So you admit your judgment may have been impaired."
"One beer over the course of several hours does not impair judgment."
The lawyer pressed on.
"Isn't it possible that what you saw was simply a colleague helping another colleague who had overindulged?"
Lin Feng met his gaze steadily.
"If that were the case, he wouldn't have tried so hard to leave when I offered to call for help."
The lawyer opened his mouth to respond but seemed to think better of it.
"No further questions."
…
The prosecutor called two more witnesses - female students who had come forward during the university's investigation.
The first, a junior named Chen Yue, described how Wang Zhenguo had cornered her in his office and made inappropriate comments about her body.
The second, a sophomore named Zhao Min, testified that he had repeatedly asked her to dinner despite her refusals, and once grabbed her wrist when she tried to leave.
Neither incident had been reported at the time.
"Why didn't you come forward before?" the prosecutor asked Zhao Min.
The girl's voice was barely above a whisper.
"He was powerful. I thought no one would believe me."
…
The prosecution rested.
The judge turned to the defense.
"Does the defense wish to present any witnesses or evidence?"
Wang Zhenguo's lawyer glanced at his client, then stood.
"Your Honor, the defense requests a brief recess to confer with the defendant."
The judge considered this.
"Five minutes."
…
Lin Feng watched as the lawyer leaned close to Wang Zhenguo, speaking in urgent, hushed tones.
Wang Zhenguo's face went through several expressions - denial, anger, then something that looked almost like desperation.
The lawyer gestured toward the evidence folder on the prosecutor's table. Then toward the witnesses.
Wang Zhenguo's shoulders sagged.
…
When the court reconvened, the atmosphere had shifted.
Wang Zhenguo's lawyer stood, his expression resigned.
"Your Honor, after conferring with my client, he wishes to make a statement."
The judge nodded. "The defendant may speak."
Wang Zhenguo rose slowly. He gripped the edge of the table as if to steady himself.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he spoke, his voice hollow.
"I..." He swallowed. "I admit to the charges."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the courtroom.
The judge silenced them with a look.
"Let the record show that the defendant has confessed to the charge of forcible indecency under Article 237." She regarded Wang Zhenguo coldly. "Do you understand that this confession will be considered in your sentencing?"
"Yes, Your Honor."
"Do you have anything else to say?"
Wang Zhenguo's gaze flickered toward Liu Mei.
She didn't look at him.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
…
The judge closed her folder.
"Given the defendant's confession and the substantial evidence presented by the prosecution, this court will proceed to sentencing."
She paused, reviewing her notes.
"The defendant, Wang Zhenguo, is found guilty of forcible indecency under Article 237 of the Criminal Law. Taking into account the premeditated nature of the crime, the abuse of a position of authority, and the pattern of harassment established by witness testimony..."
She looked directly at Wang Zhenguo.
"This court sentences the defendant to three years of fixed-term imprisonment."
Wang Zhenguo's head dropped.
"Additionally," the judge continued, "the defendant is ordered to pay compensation to the victim for medical expenses and emotional distress, the amount to be determined in separate civil proceedings."
She struck the gavel once.
"This court is adjourned."
…
Lin Feng watched as the bailiffs led Wang Zhenguo away, his head bowed and his wrists in restraints.
The observers began filing out, their whispers filling the room.
Liu Mei remained seated for a moment, her hands folded in her lap.
Lin Feng approached her.
"Teacher."
She looked up at him.
He smiled.
"Let's go."
…
Later that day.
Students gathered before the administrative building.
A small stage had been erected at the base of the steps. Red banners flanked either side, their golden characters reflecting the light every time they moved.
"Zhejiang Business University Honors Outstanding Citizen"
"Promoting Justice, Protecting the Innocent"
Lin Feng stood off to the side, watching the setup with a neutral expression.
Workers adjusted microphones. Photographers tested their equipment. A local news crew set up their camera near the front.
They really went all out.
He had received the notice just after the trial concluded. It seemed they wanted to get ahead of any information that may spread.
Students continued to fill the plaza.
Lin Feng spotted his roommates near the middle of the crowd. Chen Ming waved enthusiastically when their eyes met. Li Jun offered a subtle nod. Zhang Wei simply watched with his usual calm demeanor.
Su Yue stood nearby, her hands clasped in front of her. When she noticed him looking, she smiled and mouthed something he couldn't quite make out.
He just nodded in acknowledgment.
…
"Lin Feng."
He turned.
Sun Xiao approached, a clipboard in her hands. As class monitor, she had been roped into helping coordinate the event.
"They want you backstage," she said. "The ceremony starts in ten minutes."
"Understood."
He followed her around the side of the stage, where a small tent had been set up for participants.
Inside, several faculty members were already present, along with a few administrators he recognized from the conference room incident.
None of them met his eyes.
Not that he cared.
At the center of the tent stood the chairman, reviewing a sheet of paper. He looked up as Lin Feng entered.
"Ah, there you are." He smiled warmly. "Are you ready?"
"I guess."
The chairman chuckled.
"You couldn't sound any less interested if you tried." He then sighed, it seemed Lin Feng looked down on them for not standing with his teacher at first.
"Just smile, accept the award, say a few words if you'd like."