Case Dismissed (1)

That night, Qian Meigui returned to Song mansion with Ren. On the way, they were both quiet until Song Ren commented, "You've been hanging out with Sheng for an awfully long time."

Looking out the window, Qian Meigui answered, "Mhm, yes."

Song Ren chuckled, "I'm sorry then. I know you would rather do something else than spend time with him."

Qian Meigui smiled grimly and shook her head, "not at all."

That night Qian Meigui went back to her bedroom, and everything was in the same place as she left it. The only thing that felt different was that the room was cold, and Song Sheng was not across the hall. No sounds of him coming home late in the evening, no immersed conversations, or him waiting for her to wake up, informing her of a long day ahead.

She sighed deeply as she fell on the bed, wondering what she could do. After a moment, Qian Meigui rose and turned on her desk lamp. She began to work hard until she felt sleepy; that was what kept her mind occupied.

The following morning, Qian Meigui went to work with Song Ren. Headed straight to the Public Relations Department, she noticed girls gathering around one of the cubicles gossiping loudly.

Puzzled, Qian Meigui approached them as they should have been working on their jobs. The girls were smiling at each other, and one of them noticed her, "Ah, Song Mei, look at this."

Her colleague handed her a magazine where Song Sheng was on the front cover. The girls laughed together and turned to her, "Song Mei, your brother is way too handsome. May we ask if he's single?" Qian Meigui felt stumped. On the front cover, they could only see his face from his shoulders up. He wore business attire; his hair combed to one side, his freckles appeared brightly, and his golden eyes shone. His jawline was tight and sharp. He looked at the camera with a reserved expression, but in a way that was charming, compelling, and entrancing for anyone to behold.

Qian Meigui gulped and smiled at them with a gentle expression. She wasn't one to lie, so she said, "Mhm, he's single."

The women grinned lustrously, and one of them said with a wink, "Put in a good word for us, Xiao Mei."

Qian Meigui nodded, "Mhm," before walking away with the catalogue in hand. As she went to her office, she flipped through the pages as Song Sheng modelled for various clothing. One of the pages was also advertising his film, and the actress held on to him, leaning over his shoulder, holding his hand as he sat on a chair. He held his head against her affectionately. She squeezed the edges of the catalogue before placing it in one of her desk drawers. She sat on her office desk, feeling dejected.

In the early afternoon, after lunch, Qian Meigui went to the courthouse. Soon after, Song Sheng, Song Ren, Wen Zhaohui, Yang Minzhe and more representatives of the company came in and shortly after them was the Zhong Liu, the Jian's and their family.

They all sat on separate ends of the courthouse, awaiting the judges and jury.

The judge sat in the middle of the courthouse, and Qian Meigui felt nervous. Suddenly, she felt a reassuring touch from Song Sheng who placed a hand on her back, but she ignored it.

She straightened her back, her chin up high, her eyes focused. Mrs. Jian kept glancing at them, disdainfully with their sickly son. Qian Meigui frowned, the boy looked frightfully unwell, and he had to be present at the courthouse.

At last, the Judge said, "We are here today because of the Plaintiff, Mrs. Jian, accusing the defendant Song Corporation of providing misleading, harmful, medicine that resulted in bodily harm. The plaintiff wants to sue Song Corporation for 200 million Yuan to settle as a plea," she paused as she turned a page of documents the judge held, "Now, Mr. Zhong Liu, can you now present the case on behalf of the Jian's?" she asked.

Zhong Liu nodded, "Certainly." He headed towards the stand and asked, "I will present the case, forthrightly."

Song Ren's face was hard, but tactful, and prepared. She eyed her old friend, Zhong Liu. She knew what would come next.

Zhong Liu's friendly face from earlier disappeared, abandoning the old friend, replaced with a professional.

He began, "The plaintiff claims that Song Corporation provided a drug that caused their son to obtain the effects of a severe allergic reaction, without any warning labels of the said ingredient. Now, the family suffered a hefty medical fee and sought compensation to cover the costs of any future medical expenses as well as harming the boy." Zhong Liu approached the judge with evidence of the labels, medicine, and pictures of the boy in the hospital. Qian Meigui's jaw clenched, and she shifted in her seat unsteadily, suddenly not feeling confident in herself.

Zhong Liu returned to his seat with the plaintiff's family as the judge observed the evidence. Afterward, the judge asked Wen Zhaohui to present Song Corporation's case. Wen Zhaohui presented documents that stated the labels during the manufacturing process.

Because it did not look like they had much evidence to support Song Corporation, Mrs. Jian appeared to be smug about the whole thing. Qian Meigui heaved a breath and rose from her seat, dismissing Wen Zhaohui. He gave her a grim nod before she stood in front of the court. All eyes were on her.