Chapter 28 Video

"By the way, Lawyer Lin, I have a question I want to consult you about."

Taking advantage of the moment several police officers walked to a side and whispered in low voices, seemingly analyzing the case, Meng Lang suddenly asked in a hushed tone.

"What question?"

"Based on the criminal's current behavior, how many years will he be sentenced to?"

"How many years?" Lin Haitang was momentarily stunned, obviously not expecting Meng Lang to ask this all of a sudden.

The case is still under investigation, and you're already thinking about how many years the other side will be sentenced?

Although puzzled by Meng Lang's sudden interest in this matter, after some thought, Lin Haitang still responded truthfully.

"The criminal acts that can be confirmed against the perpetrator include attempted unlawful entry into a residence, illegal possession, private concealment of firearms and ammunition, attempted murder, endangerment to public safety, etc.

With concurrent sentences, the punishment could range from about five to fifteen years, but this would depend on the severity of the facts as determined by the court's verdict.

This includes the integrity of the evidence chain, the harmfulness of the criminal act, the motive, and so on."

"Only five to fifteen years?" Meng Lang frowned.

"That's because the punishment for an attempted crime is less severe than for a completed one. If it had been successful, the situation would be much different."

So it's the curse of the attempted crime!

Mentally, Meng Lang naturally hoped for the heaviest sentence possible.

Others might not know, but how could he be unaware of Yuan Li's real intentions?

For such a vicious and brutal thug, Meng Lang felt even a death sentence would be too lenient.

Not to mention that this guy is already a vengeful lunatic, who knows if he'll continue to commit crimes after getting out?

Previously, just because Lin Haitang acted as the opposing lawyer and sent him to jail in court, he attracted such retaliation.

This time, Meng himself was the leader who sent him to prison. Could he really expect the other to suddenly see the light in jail and then let go of his hatred and convert to Buddhism on the spot?

This was like a ticking time bomb, likely to reappear in his own "autobiography" after being released.

Counting "My Struggle", "Late Justice", "Living"...

This guy had already stalked him three times. A few more, and he'd practically achieve a run of relentless assaults. Was he becoming a professional at giving away his head?

Even a weakling has dignity, you know!

However, under the modern legal framework, there's a limit to the sentencing that can be given to someone for an attempted crime.

This really sucks...

"What's the matter? Do you have a grudge against this person?"

Seeing Meng Lang's furrowed brow, Lin Haitang couldn't help but ask.

A ten-year sentence is a painful life lesson that could ruin an ordinary person's entire life, but Meng Lang still looks like he thinks the sentence was too light?

Meng Lang glanced at her and felt it was necessary to convey the gravity of the situation, so he said.

"It's not that I have a grudge against him, it's that you have a grudge against him!"

"What? Me?" Lin Haitang was astonished.

"Yuan Li, have you ever heard this name?"

"Yuan Li? Yuan Li... Yuan Li?!"

Lin Haitang recalled for a moment and then suddenly her eyes widened, an old case surfacing in her mind.

She looked shocked. "Where did you hear this name from? Wait! Are you saying the armed criminal is Yuan Li?"

Meng Lang certainly couldn't tell the truth.

"Yes! Captain Wang just let it slip. He seems to be familiar with the suspect.

Carrying a gun, he's clearly no good guy, and his deeds are far from petty theft. I'm just speculating.

What? It looks like you do know him?"

Lin Haitang nodded with a frightened face.

"Yes! Three years ago, I sent a man named Yuan Li to prison. He was charged with abusive law enforcement, using illegal methods to extract confessions from my client, and it was later found that he took bribes and colluded with criminal forces, among other things.

But I remember he was sentenced to five years back then, and it has only been three years. How did he get out of prison so early?"

"What else could it be? Someone's got his back and he was paroled, of course!"

"Someone's got his back, you mean Xu..."

"Shh!" Meng Lang looked around, uncertain whether there were any of the other side's people present, and quickly silenced Lin Haitang.

"So that's it! Yuan Li was originally part of the police system; no wonder the people here recognize him.

Wait! You told me before that the person who was following seemed to have received professional training. It turns out you weren't making it up?"

"So you've thought all along that I was making it up?"

"Er... haha!" Lin Haitang laughed awkwardly.

"Isn't it a bit too bizarre? You're a... salesperson who suddenly got involved in an investigation. Anyone would find it hard to believe, right?"

Then she said with self-reproach, "If I had believed you sooner, I never would have allowed Xiao Yu to stay home alone."

"Sister, I'm fine. You're just trying to make money to support the family." Suddenly, a small hand reached over, tapped Lin Haitang's shoulder, and offered words of comfort.

Meng Lang turned his head and saw that, unbeknownst to him, two heads, one large and one small, were quietly leaning over, eavesdropping.

"Hey! Listening to you guys talk, you actually know this criminal, Haitang? Is there a story there? Tell me about it!"

Yan Weiwei had just understood more than half of it, but the other small half was elusive with these two speaking vaguely, which piqued her curiosity.

The two exchanged a glance and immediately understood each other's intentions.

"Trade secret, don't be nosy!"

"Hey! I'm asking Haitang, what's it got to do with you?"

Lin Haitang replied with a wry smile, "Sister Yan, it's not that I don't want to tell you, it's just that this matter has already involved you taking risks, and we don't want to drag you into it any further."

"Us? He is us, and I am you guys, huh?" Yan Weiwei said, dissatisfied.

"I'm still Xiao Yu's sworn sister, and you're telling me I rank below a man? That's too much!"

Lin Haitang was stunned for a moment, her cheeks turning slightly red as she glanced at Meng Lang.

"What I mean is, this matter is a bit dangerous... I don't want either of you to get involved."

"Dangerous? Then I've got to know more! If you won't tell, then you, what do you have to say?"

"Why should I?" Meng Lang rolled his eyes.

"Because I'm your creditor. If you're willing to speak, I'll let last month's rent slide!" Yan Weiwei boasted of her financial leverage.

"Pfft!" Do I look like someone who's short on cash?

Meng Lang immediately took out his phone and made a transfer.

"Ding!" Yan Weiwei's phone chimed, payment received.

"There you have it! We're even now!"

"You..." Yan Weiwei glared viciously at Meng Lang, then her eyes rolled as she upped the ante.

"If you're willing to spill the beans, from now on, your rent gets cut in half, and utilities are free. How about that?"

"This..."

"Ahem!" Lin Haitang coughed from the side. Someone's stance wavered too easily, didn't it?

"Cough! I mean, it's not like I'm trying to save that bit of rent and utilities, it's mainly because the landlady has an impressive 'force value.' With her around, I do feel a lot safer."

"Exactly, not to mention but with her, not even three or four petty thieves could get close to me!"

"Ahem, ahem!" As they were conversing, a cough came from nearby.

Wang Zhao Ping interrupted their conversation, then pointed at the items on the table.

Lined up on the table were Meng Lang's weighted vest, stab-resistant vest, electric shock baton, and anti-wolf spray.

"Mr. Meng, we have a question. Did you know in advance about the illegal actions Yuan Li was about to take?"

Wang Zhao Ping asked with a serious expression.

In the whole case, everyone's behavior seemed normal, except for Meng Lang!

It was he who found the suspect early, he who warned Yan Weiwei ahead of time, he who called the police first, and ultimately, he who subdued the criminal.

This feeling of 'you being everywhere' was certainly not a coincidence!

Before Yuan Li even began his move, it was like his every action was anticipated.

Meng Lang had set a trap without Yuan Li being aware, just waiting for him to walk into it and be caught in one fell swoop!

And he had succeeded!

This puzzled Wang Zhao Ping, who knew Yuan Li's capabilities well.

Meng Lang knew that what he was about to say would affect the classification of the case, as well as Yuan Li's final sentence.

He took a deep breath and nodded.

"Correct! I did take some precautions in advance, and it was entirely because... Yuan Li had once stealthily entered my room!"

"What?" Everyone was shocked.

Even Lin Haitang had no idea such a thing had happened.

Wang Zhao Ping asked in confusion, "He entered your room? How did you discover it then?"

"Can you turn on the projector? I have something on my phone to hand over to the police," Meng Lang replied.

Wang Zhao Ping looked at Qin Xiaoru and nodded to her.

Soon, Meng Lang's phone was connected to the projector, and he opened a video.

In the video was an interior view of a room, and Lin Haitang, who had been in Meng Lang's room before, recognized the place at a glance.

Then she saw the door in the video... being opened!

As the video played, the expressions of everyone present grew more and more engrossed.

"You installed surveillance in your home?" Wang Zhao Ping first doubted the idea then shook his head.

"Impossible! With Yuan Li's skills, there's no way he wouldn't notice such an obvious flaw. He would have destroyed the camera or deleted the video immediately."

"Hehe! He probably wouldn't discover this, because I installed a pinhole camera..."

Everyone looked at Meng Lang with a weird expression, especially the women.

Who in their right mind installs such a thing in their own home?