Zhao's mother hired A City's best legal team to coach him on how to defend himself. Zhao Nanzhuo agreed to everything.
Before the trial, Zhao's mother threatened to commit suicide if he dared to do anything foolish.
"Zhuo'er, your mother won't live without you. You must listen to your lawyer in everything. Remember, the more you speak, the more mistakes you make."
"Mom, I know. I won't mess up. I still want to live a carefree life."
"Good boy, after this is over, whatever you want, your mother will give it to you."
"Okay, thank you, Mom. Mom, I love you. I'm sorry for embarrassing you."
Zhao's mother wiped away her tears. "Silly child, what are you talking about? How can your mother feel ashamed? You are flesh and blood from me. No matter what, I will always be on your side."
However, once in court, he confessed to all his crimes without reservation. Zhao's mother was unable to stop him.
"According to Article 236, Paragraph 3 of our Criminal Law, if rape leads to the victim's suicide, it can be considered an aggravating circumstance, and the defendant Zhao Nanzhuo shall be sentenced to life imprisonment."
"Does the plaintiff have any objections?"
"No."
"Does the defendant have any objections?"
"I plead guilty."
Zhao Nanzhuo was then escorted away by two police officers. His mother broke down emotionally, weeping uncontrollably, and no one behind her could hold her back.
"My son, why are you so foolish? Take good care of yourself in there. Mommy will find a way to save you."
After the court session, Father He walked out of the courthouse with He Xuan's ashes. He glanced back at the symbol of justice and showed the most genuine smile he had managed in days.
At that moment, Shen Yangqing walked towards him and bowed deeply.
"Uncle, I'm sorry. My ill-timed affection harmed student He Xuan."
Father He knew that his daughter's fate could not be entirely blamed on the young man before him, but he still harbored resentment. If not for him, his daughter would still be alive, enjoying life's beauty, instead of being unable to even feel the sunlight.
"I don't want to see you, and Xuanxuan wouldn't want to see you either. Don't appear before me again." With that, Father He left, with Jun Jiuli following closely behind him.
It was now July, and the college entrance examination was over. Shen Yangqing chose not to remain in the country but to pursue further studies abroad. His heart could not forgive itself; his affection had led to the death of an innocent girl. Even though he hadn't intended it, the ultimate cause was him.
Back home, Father He burned a large pile of Joss paper, incense, and candles in front of Jun Jiuli, fearing that his daughter might need money in the afterlife and was too shy to ask.
The next day, as Father He was about to go out to buy groceries, he was stopped by a group of bodyguards in black and forced to return home.
"Mr. He, here is 5 million yuan. Sign this letter of understanding, and it's yours."
"I won't sign. You can leave. I want that scumbag to get the punishment he deserves," Father He roared.
"Mr. He, please don't get agitated. With this money, you can remarry a young and beautiful wife and have another pair of children. How pleasant and happy that would be. Why dwell on past pain, not letting go of others, nor yourself?"
Father He's chest heaved with anger. He tore the agreement on the table and pointed to the door. "Get out, take your things and your people and get out of my house."
Zhao's mother calmly took out another agreement from her bag. "Mr. He, please consider carefully. This opportunity won't come again. You wouldn't earn 5 million yuan in your entire working life."
"I don't care about your stinking money. I only want that little bastard to pay the price."
Zhao's mother was displeased. "Who are you calling a little bastard? Zhuo'er is young and couldn't resist temptation for a moment. He is a good child, still so young. Please give him another chance."
"Can you bear to let a child who just became an adult spend his life in prison? Don't you think you're selfish? Your daughter is gone, why must you harm my son?"
"As the saying goes, it's easier to create enmity than to resolve it. When my son gets out, he will be filial to you and remember your kindness."
Father He was so enraged he nearly fainted, but thankfully Jun Jiuli supported him. She had been livestreaming the entire ordeal, and with Shui Wa's covert assistance, the viewer numbers were through the roof.
"What makes you think I would bear it? I wish he would die. Are your children children, and is my child just grass? Stop being disgusting. Who cares about his filial piety? Get out now, or I'll call the police."
"Fine, you refuse a toast and insist on a showdown." With a wave of her hand, the bodyguards stepped forward, attempting to force Father He to sign.
Just then, several police officers burst through the door, catching them red-handed. The internet erupted in an uproar.
"Who gave her the nerve to kill someone's daughter and then claim her son was young and naive? Is being young an excuse for anything and everything?"
"The victim was younger than her son. At her age, saying such things is shameless."
"Don't you find this terrifying? If that father in the video hadn't been prepared, she would have succeeded, and her son would have gotten a lighter sentence."
"My God, I never thought dark forces were so close to me."
"This is our Deputy County Magistrate from Xicheng. What arrogance! Even the ancient emperor was subject to the same law as commoners, yet her son breaks the law and tries to get away with it."
"People like this are unfit to be officials; they are simply a waste of national resources."
"Yes, they are supposed to be legitimate officials, but they act like gangsters."
"Oh my goodness, I thought these things only happened in movies. It's truly chilling when you think about it."
Soon, netizens dug up Zhao's mother's entire official career, including bribery, receiving gifts, and the various messes she had cleaned up for her son. Victims who had previously dared not speak out came forward one by one to testify. Zhao's mother was sentenced to 8 years in prison.
Zhao's father was also removed from his post and investigated. Although no substantial issues were found, he resigned anyway, feeling he had failed in his position.
Father He had already found an auspicious burial site for his daughter, waiting for those scoundrels to receive their due punishment before finally laying her to rest. Once everything settled, he too planned to leave this place of sorrow.