The lights were dark, and the entire corridor was almost invisible, so dark that even the thief couldn't touch it. Han Ding went upstairs step by step, groping on the wall and knocking on the door. The sound of breaking iron on the security door revealed a breath of human vitality in the underworld-like darkness.

It was Cheng Yao who opened the door.

Although Cheng Yao's face was shaded by the light behind him, Han Ding could clearly see the complaining expression on it. She hurriedly glanced back at the living room with the lights on, and whispered to Han Ding, "Why did you come back, did you eat?" What happened to the two of you? ”

Han Ding was sullen in his heart, he didn't say what happened to them, he couldn't tell what happened to them. He muttered in his throat, "Eat." Have you eaten? ”

"No, I'm waiting for you. Jingjing cried as soon as she came back and didn't eat. ”

Han Ding lowered his head and changed his shoes, but did not say a word. He didn't know if Luo Jingjing was crying for his temper in the afternoon, or for Long Xiaoyu. He whispered to Cheng Yao: "You guys eat, I've eaten outside." ”

He said, heading to his bedroom. At this moment, the door of the living room opened wide, and the light from inside lit up the dark hallway. Luo Jingjing stood at the door, her eyes were still red, and her voice was hoarse, she stopped Han Ding with a hoarse voice.

"Han Ding, don't be angry with me, I was wrong. I'll never make you angry again, so forgive me. ”

In the last sentence, Luo Jingjing's voice choked, but she tried her best to control herself, and even had some flattering smiles on her face. That kind of smile made Han Ding really uncomfortable, and he felt sad and distressed. He couldn't see Luo Jingjing begging him in a low voice.

He stood down and faced Luo Jingjing, he said, "It's okay, it's me who is not good, I shouldn't lose my temper at you, and I won't lose my temper with you in the future." ”

Luo Jingjing sobbed, tears fell down like beads, she sobbed and said, "After you leave...... I, I'm chasing you...... I didn't catch up, I ...... I was especially scared...... I'm afraid you're really angry, and you really don't care about Xiao Yu. Actually, I know that you have spent a lot of effort for Xiao Yu, and have thought of a lot of ways, I know that you will definitely be able to rescue him, I am playing with you in the afternoon, if you want to be angry, you can scold me......"

Luo Jingjing was like a child who was beaten in front of adults and then bowed her head to admit her mistakes, crying and saying. Han Ding knew that she was expecting his comfort, waiting for his statement, waiting for him to give her a reassurance, waiting for him to tell her that Long Xiaoyu was innocent, and innocent people would eventually see the light of day again. She waited for Handin to confidently announce that he was ready, that he would walk into the courtroom tomorrow with a smile and a big victory.

Perhaps, an hour ago, Han Ding could have announced this, and he could comfort this frightened heart like this. An hour ago, Han Ding had at least a minimum program, that is, even if the court did not sentence him to death, he would at least not sentence him to death. As long as the evidence can be judged to be insufficient, it will be returned to the public security organ for supplementary investigation, which can be regarded as leaving Long Xiaoyu's life and precious time. Time is as important to Long Xiaoyu as his life. If Long Xiaoyu had won this time, Han Ding would have been able to find the unknown witnesses and find the evidence and reasons for their perjury, and within the time prescribed by law, if the public security organs could not provide strong evidence to determine Long Xiaoyu's murder, the court would have to acquit him.

But not anymore, it's an hour away.

Now, as Han Ding was about to reach the end of his victory, he suddenly found that he had stopped a mountain that was flat and impassable. That mountain peak was that thin piece of paper, and that piece of paper had already pronounced Long Xiaoyu's death sentence.

But he had been telling Luo Jingjing that he could do it before, but now that he suddenly couldn't, what should he say? How should he explain, how should he make Luo Jingjing not misunderstand him, he didn't think it was because of the quarrel in the afternoon, he didn't think it was because of the terrible jealousy of human beings! Maybe he should really explain everything to Luo Jingjing, should take out the second bloodstain identification report, and should explain the life-and-death words to her...... But he didn't have the guts. He looked at Luo Jingjing's tearful eyes full of remorse and expectation, and he didn't have the courage to tell the truth. He could only walk to Luo Jingjing's side and comfort her with his own embrace. Luo Jingjing cried and trembled in horror like an abandoned kitten in his arms. Han Ding hugged her, this was the first time he had held Luo Jingjing in front of Cheng Yao. He saw Cheng Yao walk into her room with a relieved smile on her face. Han Ding hugged Luo Jingjing tightly for a while, waiting for her to slowly calm down. He said: "Don't worry, tomorrow I will appear in court on time, and I will do my best." ”

After he finished speaking, he let go of Luo Jingjing, turned around and walked into his bedroom, and then closed the door.

He had planned to get a good night's sleep before the court session and recharge his energy for the long-awaited decisive battle. But how did he sleep that night? He had a hunch that this night would be remembered by him forever, and that it would be a turning point in his life. On this lonely sleepless night, he lay on someone else's bed and realized for the first time that he and Luo Jingjing, the girl he had sworn to love for the rest of his life, were finished. This beautiful girl no longer treats him as a ** person. The lover in her mind is the death row prisoner who is already difficult to redeem, and he, he is just a friend of hers, a life dependent, and a person who can help her.

Although, realizing this, his heart was like a knife, and his eyes were moist, he didn't want to continue to numb himself. Life is so real, the long process, the complicated details, it only takes a moment to see clearly!

When he came out of the bedroom in the early morning, his face was pale and his eye sockets were deep, and Luo Jingjing and Cheng Yao also got up and were preparing breakfast for him. When he was having breakfast, he heard Luo Jingjing and Cheng Yao discussing the route to the court, how to go, and so on. He interrupted them in a muffled voice and said, "I'll go alone, don't go." Luo Jingjing was stunned, Cheng Yao looked at Han Ding's face and said, "Didn't you say that Jingjing would go with you?" Han Ding didn't raise his head and said, "If you believe me, don't go, I'll be nervous if she goes." ”

Luo Jingjing cautiously spoke: "Don't be nervous, I'll just sit in the auditorium and keep silent, I won't affect you." ”

Han Ding looked up at Luo Jingjing, and he asked expressionlessly, "What are you going to do?" Do you want to see your Long Xiaoyu, or do you want to see how I defend him? ”

Luo Jingjing was speechless, she was stunned in embarrassment.

Cheng Yao played a round: "Jingjing, if you can't go, don't go, you go and be stimulated." You believe that Han Ding will go all out to defend him, you can rest assured. ”

Luo Jingjing didn't say anything more, and walked to the kitchen with the plate without a sound. Of course, Han Ding could see that she wanted to go, and she wanted to see Long Xiaoyu. But Han Ding didn't want her to go. He explained to Cheng Yao: "There may be various situations in the court, and I don't want Jingjing to hear the judge pronounce that person's death sentence on the spot." After a pause, Han Ding calmed down and added: "That person is her lover." ”

Cheng Yao was stunned for a moment, she almost didn't think about it, she said bluntly like a big sister: "Don't say that, Xiao Yu is Jingjing's friend in the past, and her current lover is you." However, Jingjing's child is very benevolent, Long Xiaoyu used to be good to Jingjing, and it is understandable that she can't forget him for a while. But she loves you now, don't break her heart, she needs your understanding and care the most now. ”

Han Ding shook his head and said, "I've thought about it, I thought about it all night yesterday." If Long Xiaoyu really comes out innocent, Jingjing will go back to find him, and I have no right not to let her go back. If Long Xiaoyu is convicted and sentenced to death, Jingjing and I will be finished, and Jingjing will resent me. She just followed me, and Long Xiaoyu would pretend to be in her heart for the rest of her life, following her like a shadow. If that's the case, why do you think I? ”

Cheng Yao stopped talking, in fact, Han Ding was looking forward to her saying something more, he was expecting her to refute him and scolding him. But she didn't, she sighed deeply, and then fell silent. Cheng Yao's silence made Han Ding's despair, which was still drifting, take root with a thud.

This breakfast tasted like chewing wax, and when Cheng Yao took the food off the table, Han Ding couldn't remember what he had just eaten. It was still early, but Han Ding didn't want to stay at home, so he brought a leather bag full of materials early and came to the street that was still deserted. When he walked out of the door, he knew that Cheng Yao and Luo Jingjing were both looking at him in front of the window, and as he watched him walk away, his spine could feel their expectant gazes. He walked out of the workers' village step by step, he stopped a taxi on the side of the road and went in the direction of the courthouse, and when he got out of the courthouse, he found that the court had not yet opened. He stood in the street with his bag in his hand, confused where to go.

Standing on the street, looking at the gradually lively city, the increasingly crowded roads were soon filled with vehicles of all shapes. Not far away, people pushing bicycles crossed the intersection with the red light not turned off, and Han Ding numbly thought: Is the morning in Pingling so chaotic......

His heart is also in turmoil, and he is in chaos.

He was completely messed up and had no claims.

The defense plan he had prepared in advance, the carefully choreographed questions, the evidence he knew so well, and the list of witnesses that he memorized all seemed to be nullified under a premise that there was no doubt about it. The other party's original weakness, the entrance he used to launch the attack, the fatal blow that he and Lao Lin had painstakingly planned after several sleepless nights, all became pale and powerless, irrelevant to life and death, and insignificant in front of Lao Wang's categorical conclusions last night. The secret weapon in Han Ding's sleeve was to disclose in court that Long Xiaoyu and Zhu Siping had maintained a year-long love relationship, as well as Zhu Siping's later lifelong entanglement with Long Xiaoyu. He originally wanted to make the theory of rape a tree without roots, and then the theory of extinction would also become water without a source, and then shake the logical relationship of the entire prosecution system. Until yesterday afternoon, he had been optimistic and confident of winning the case, and he did not expect the sudden change in the situation to happen in a moment that he was not taken lightly. Coming out of Lao Wang's house last night, Han Ding walked out one foot at a time on the path without street lights in the dormitory area of the Public Security Academy, and his mind bombarded over and over again with those two terrifying words: Splash! Splash! Splash! Splash! He knew from Lao Wang's demeanor that he was finished, this case was over, and everything was already doomed. Whether the sexual contact between Long Xiaoyu and Zhu Siping that day was rape or adultery no longer hinders the overall situation, and the motive for committing the crime has become meaningless. The only meaningful thing is the result, that is, Long Xiaoyu did kill Zhu Siping. Because Lao Wang said very clearly, only on the body of the murderer will there be blood splatters.

Splash! Splash! Splash! Splash......

Han Ding walked blindly down the street, his gait slanting, staggering, and directionless among the hurried office workers around him. He circled back to the courthouse, and then climbed the high steps. He didn't expect that his legs were so tired early in the morning, and he had to climb each step with great difficulty, and when he took the last step, he was weak and short of breath, and his chest seemed to be blocked by some pressure, and it was difficult to breathe. He didn't have to think about it to understand that this pressure was Luo Jingjing.

The reason why he didn't explain the changes last night to Luo Jingjing was to avoid her pressure. He was afraid to see Luo Jingjing's suspicious gaze, afraid to see her desperate tears, afraid to argue with her...... She doesn't know the law, she only trusts her instincts, her own instincts that are poisoned by memories and love. Han Ding thought, since this is the case, it is better to let the court's verdict tell her directly: because of the new bloodstain identification, Long Xiaoyu will not escape death!

Han Ding has participated in court trials several times, but this is the first time he has appeared alone as a defender, and the tension in his heart is indescribable. This is a case of the murder of a young girl, which caused a sensation in the market a year ago, and when Long Xiaoyu was arrested a year later, it was reported on local television and newspapers, so the crowd who came to observe the trial hall almost filled the auditorium. Han Ding looked at the dark and oppressive audience in the auditorium, looked at the three prosecutors with the best faces opposite him, and looked at the presiding judge and judges who rushed in, he was a little dizzy, he felt that he was weak, and he even doubted his physical strength whether he could survive until the entire procedure of the trial was completed one by one.

The presiding judge announced the opening of the trial and ordered that the defendant be brought to court. I don't know why, Han Ding, like those curious listeners who are waiting for it, really wants to take a good look at this Long Xiaoyu at this moment. Since he came back from the Shaoxing investigation, he no longer regarded Long Xiaoyu as a murderer, so he didn't believe that he was a murderer. His feelings for him have changed a lot, and the Long Xiaoyu in his mind has become a kind, simple, and righteous good boy, very good to women, and a lover. And now, when the ignored blood spot on the cuff revealed the truth, he saw Long Xiaoyu again, and when he saw his face, how did Han Ding feel? The facial features on that face are still upright and handsome, the skin is still dark and smooth, and the figure is still straight when he walks...... But perhaps because of the psychological effect, Han Ding seemed to see a bit of gloom and a little pretended to be calm from Long Xiaoyu's still unchanged face. The bright lights of the courtroom also made the face look much haggard compared to what it looked in the dimly lit conversation room of the detention center. Long Xiaoyu was also looking at him, and Han Ding couldn't tell whether the gaze was as clear as water, or if it had a teasing smile. In Long Xiaoyu's eyes today, there seemed to be too many things that could not be understood.

The trial officially began, and everything proceeded in order. In Han Ding's feeling, the procedure was a little tired of being fast, but when the trial was temporarily concluded at 12 o'clock in the morning, it was only a step for the two sides to cross-examine the evidence. In the morning trial, Han Ding still followed the original plan and proposed that a group of witnesses, including Zhu Siping's parents, deliberately concealed the fact that the defendant had a romantic relationship with the victim, which constituted perjury, and asked the court to deprive the above-mentioned witnesses of their qualifications to testify. At the same time, it was proposed that the whereabouts of the main murder weapon that killed Zhu Siping were unknown, and other evidence could not rule out that Long Xiaoyu had been to the scene of the crime normally and produced the same traces, so he requested the court not to accept it. In making the above request, Han Ding mentioned almost all the prosecution's evidence in court, but did not mention the bloodstain testimony.

Regarding the bloodstain appraisal, Han Ding pointed out: Since there have been two bloodstain appraisals in this case, and the conclusions of the contents are very different, and the second bloodstain appraisal has a great bearing on determining the defendant's guilt or innocence, it is recommended that the court act cautiously. He asked the court to re-evaluate the bloodstains on Long Xiaoyu's coat, and that the re-appraisal agency should exclude the two units that had already done the appraisal, and should choose another authoritative department to conduct it.

In the prosecutor's seat, the main speaker was a middle-aged and mature prosecutor, who spoke at a pace and in a hurry, and although he did not have the usual impassioned attitude of the prosecutor, the way of working steadily and step by step obviously played a better role in winning the favor of the judge and the audience. Han Ding fought with him physically and mentally exhausted, and he had already lost in experience, eloquence, confidence, and mental state. However, he noticed that his evidence that the original defendant had been in a romantic relationship and that the defendant had been pursuing the plaintiff before his death still surprised the other party, and he saw them rushing through the materials and whispering to negotiate a response. He saw them negotiating for a long time, and there was no countermeasure. They had nothing to say about the evidence presented by Han Ding and the various rebuttals put forward by Han Ding. In terms of evidence, the only thing they put Han Ding at a disadvantage was the appraisal report.

This appraisal was too powerful, and it dragged Han Ding into defeat at once. Han Ding could see that when the experts from the Technical Investigation Department of the Public Security Bureau appeared in court to explain the appraisal conclusions, the muscles on Long Xiaoyu's face suddenly became dull, and his eyes were blank, which was almost a kind of despair that was gone.

The first court session ended after the court investigation, the prosecution and defense did not argue in court, the defendant did not make a final statement, and the judge did not announce the verdict, Long Xiaoyu's life and death will be left to be broken down next time. Although the presiding judge adopted Han Ding's suggestion and decided to re-appraise the appraisal that Han Ding questioned, Han Ding also knew in his heart that he must not have too many illusions about the results of the re-appraisal. Re-identification is a bit of a time delay, and that's all it takes.

When Long Xiaoyu was escorted out of court, he turned his head and glanced at Han Ding, there was no blame in his eyes, only asking for help, at least that's how Han Ding felt. That gaze shocked Han Ding's heart, and then he had mixed feelings, and he couldn't tell whether this kid was pitiful or deserved.

On the way home from the courtroom, Han Ding's mood turned from mixed feelings to panic, and he didn't know how to face Luo Jingjing's long-awaited anticipation when he went back this time. He repeatedly thought about what angle to use to describe the process of today's trial to Luo Jingjing, and what kind of way to guide her to mentally prepare for the future results. When he returned to the workers' new village and walked to Cheng Yao's house, the situation he saw was almost exactly the same as what he imagined on the road, Luo Jingjing's expression, Cheng Yao's expression, were the same as he imagined. They did not immediately inquire about the situation of the court today, but first welcomed Han Ding into the house like a hero who greeted triumph and a soldier who had worked hard and made great achievements. Cheng Yao rushed to the front, helped him pick up the leather bag, helped him take off his coat, handed him a hot towel, and accompanied by a series of corresponding greetings in his mouth, the warm greetings overwhelmed Han Ding. But he still turned his attention to Luo Jingjing, who ran into the kitchen as soon as he saw him enter the house, and served food to the dining table in the living room one by one. Oh my God, how many dishes they cooked today! There are steamed fish, stewed chicken, stir-fried vegetables, casserole, etc., which fill the living room table in an instant. Luo Jingjing carefully arranged those plates, cups and chopsticks, and then looked at Han Ding's face with anxiety. Han Ding was most afraid of seeing Luo Jingjing's cautious look at him, that kind of flattering look made Han Ding feel distressed to death-she was still a child, he didn't want this flower-like girl to be so aggrieved and tremble in front of him.

Cheng Yao said: "You're hungry, eat quickly, let's eat together." ”

She helped Han Ding pull the chair and help Han Ding set the wine glass, and Han Ding sat down mechanically and willingly, but did not move the chopsticks. Cheng Yao beckoned Luo Jingjing to sit with him again, and motioned to Luo Jingjing to quickly pour beer for Han Ding. Han Ding said don't drink anymore, Luo Jingjing was stunned with the wine bottle, at a loss. Cheng Yao insisted on letting Luo Jingjing pour it for him: "You have to drink!" You've worked hard today, so I've got to thank you! She asked Luo Jingjing to pour it for her and herself, and they didn't drink alcohol, but they all poured the bottom of the cup. Seeing that there was wine in the three cups, Cheng Yao raised his glass and said:

"Well, let's take a sip first, and talk while eating after drinking. You have to let Jingjing go, this morning can make her anxious, I hope you can come back soon. ”

Luo Jingjing also raised her glass and looked at Han Ding expectantly. Han Ding's expression was low, but that didn't change the anticipation on her face. Han Ding knew that what she was expecting to hear was the process and the details, and the results seemed to be self-evident for a long time.

Han Ding didn't raise his glass, he didn't dare to face Luo Jingjing, so he had to fix his gaze in the direction of Cheng Yao, and he said, "Sister Cheng, if you say that, I really don't dare to say something." ”

The cup that Cheng Yao was holding stopped in mid-air awkwardly, and her voice was a little embarrassed, but she pretended to be calm: "Oh, what don't you dare to say, what's wrong, is it not going well today?" ”

"yes, it's not going well."

Cheng Yao put down the cup, and even she didn't dare to look sideways at Luo Jingjing's reaction, she only dared to look at Han Ding: "Yo, why didn't it go well?" ”

Han Ding's gaze finally slowly moved to Luo Jingjing, and he said slowly: "What the procuratorate submitted to the court today is the second bloodstain identification report, and the conclusions of this report are different from the first report. ”

Luo Jingjing didn't move, her eyes widened, and Han Ding could barely tell whether she was engrossed or dumbfounded.

He couldn't tell whether Cheng Yao's reaction was sluggish or afraid, and she asked a little inarticulately: "Why is it different, what is the conclusion?" ”

Han Ding said: "The conclusion of the first appraisal is uncertain, and the conclusion of the second appraisal is certain, thinking that Long Xiaoyu ...... Think he's still a problem. ”

Cheng Yao continued to ask stupidly: "What's the problem?" ”

"If the court accepts the report, the case will be in trouble," Han said. ”

Han Ding had always tried to avoid using such straightforward words to express his meaning, and he was most afraid that Cheng Yao would be stupid and ask again: "What's the trouble?" Fortunately, Cheng Yao finally didn't ask that. What's the trouble? Does this need to be asked? But Cheng Yao's questioning still persistently pointed to the final ending, maybe she thought that Luo Jingjing just wanted to know the final ending at this time.

"Didn't you say that the evidence of the Public Security Bureau can't fully identify this matter, so what about this report, can the court determine it based on this report alone?"

Han Ding was lucky for a while, and then he struggled to say the word he was about to say:

"Yes!"

Cheng Yao was dumbfounded, she blinked, as if chewing on the meaning of the word. Luo Jingjing seemed to wake up, and opened her mouth: "What did the court say?" ”

"The court acceded to my request to find another authority to review the conclusions and arguments of the second report."

Luo Jingjing may not be able to figure out what kind of review it is, she seems to be eager for Han Ding to give her a final conclusion.

"Then review...... What happens when reviewed? ”

"This can only wait, can only be resigned to fate."

"Where do they let me check, can we go to the trustees?"

Han Ding wanted to say: This is a matter of human life, how can you trust people? But when the words came to his mouth, he swallowed them back. "Let me inquire and see where the court is going to send this report," he said. ”

Luo Jingjing stopped talking, her eyes were red, and she stood up from the table. Walked quickly into his bedroom. Cheng Yao also followed up. Han Ding sat alone at the table, he couldn't hear Luo Jingjing's cry, but he could hear Cheng Yao's whispered comfort......

Luo Jingjing didn't walk out of the bedroom all afternoon. No one ate that sumptuous lunch. Cheng Yao walked back and forth between Han Ding and Luo Jingjing in the bedroom for a while, comforting Luo Jingjing, and discussing with Han Ding what to do next. What's next? Han Ding has already said: I can only wait, I can only resign myself to fate.

It would be ten days before the court reconvened, so Han Ding made a suggestion after Luo Jingjing finally walked out of the bedroom in the evening: "Go back to Beijing first, and come back when the court starts." "Beijing is far away from Pingling, and Luo Jingjing's mood may be better. But Luo Jingjing didn't want to leave, she said to Han Ding: "You go back, you want to go home first, you go back first, I want to stay here." Han Ding no longer persuaded her, yes, this place is close to Long Xiaoyu, the workers' new village is in the east of Pingling City, and the detention center of the Municipal Public Security Bureau is in the north of Pingling City, only half a city apart, maybe in a dream at night, you can breathe and smell each other.

These ten days have been quite difficult for Han Ding. The communication between him and Luo Jingjing is getting harder and harder, and it is getting less and less. Sometimes even dialogues with each other have to be conveyed through Cheng Yao. Cheng Yao went out to work during the day, and there were only two of them left at home, and most of the time they stayed in their own rooms. At noon, Luo Jingjing would come out to cook, and when she was done, she ate with Han Ding, but she ate very silently, and only had two or three bites. Han Ding asked her to eat more, so she ate more chopsticks, as if coping, Han Ding didn't say anything more.

Han Ding sometimes went out during the day, and every time he went out, he told Luo Jingjing that he was going to the court to investigate the situation. In fact, the matter has come to this point, so what is the situation to explore? He said this just to deceive Luo Jingjing. Regarding the bloodstain report, about the word splashing the head, he called Beijing to talk to Lao Lin, and Lao Lin was also dumbfounded. Lao Lin's professional experience has always been something that Han Ding can look up to, and his reaction made Han Ding even more convinced that the general trend has passed, and that Long Xiaoyu's death is not far off.

Ten days later, the court reconvened.

This time, Han Ding still did not agree with Luo Jingjing to go to the audit, unlike last time, this time even Cheng Yao also resolutely agreed. She specially asked for leave to stay at home to accompany Luo Jingjing, she kept asking Luo Jingjing to help her clean up the kitchen, her kitchen was hiding dirt and dirt and dirt and said that she would clean it up a long time ago, and it has been delayed until now, and now it has become a reason to relieve her mood.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Han Ding returned. The kitchen is really new at this time, everything that should be thrown away has been thrown away, everything that should be washed has been washed, everything seems to be in order, and the muddy water that has been cleaned has long been washed away. Cheng Yao opened the door for Han Ding, helped him hang up his clothes, changed his slippers, and then walked into Luo Jingjing's bedroom with him. Luo Jingjing sat on the bed, didn't look at them, and bowed her head like a prisoner waiting for the sentence to be announced. It was Cheng Yao who asked Han Ding with difficulty:

"Is it sentenced today?"

Han Ding didn't speak, but nodded.

Cheng Yao asked again: "What is the verdict?" ”

Han Ding said: "Death penalty. ”

The air was condensed, and Luo Jingjing didn't move, didn't speak, and didn't cry.