Volume 1, Chapter 24: Confrontation in Court

In the courtroom, Xie Yong stated his tragic experience in a slow and measured tone.

"I have always worked diligently, dedicating my heart and soul to my company and my family. Yet my wife, Tang Yumei, has been leading a dissolute life, taking up with a gigolo. Not only did she brazenly move in with a guy named Zhou Yang, but she also..."

He wiped away tears, feigning heartbreak, and indicated he could not continue.

His lawyer stood up and said, "Your Honor, I apologize. My client is too emotionally distressed to continue his statement. May I proceed on his behalf?"

"You may."

The lawyer began: "The defendant, Tang Yumei, disregarding all sense of shame, committed adultery while married, thereby damaging our family and the sanctity of our marriage. Such behavior is unacceptable both morally and legally!"

As he spoke, he picked up a stack of documents and a USB drive. "Your Honor, the evidence of the defendant Tang Yumei’s extramarital affair is here!"

After handing the items to the judge, the lawyer continued, "The defendant, Tang Yumei, failed to properly fulfill her duties in this marriage, leading to the breakdown of our relationship. She should bear full responsibility for this incident. My client, Mr. Xie Yong, requests an unconditional dissolution of the marriage, and that Tang Yumei leave with nothing as compensation for my client’s emotional distress."

"Your Honor, I have concluded my statement."

"Does the defense have any objections?" the judge asked.

In marital cases, the legal system prefers both parties to reach a consensus. If Tang Yumei agreed, the case would be closed.

Tang Yumei stood up and said, "I do not agree!"

"Tang Yumei, have you no shame left?" Xie Yong pointed at her furiously. "Things have reached this point, and you still refuse to divorce?"

"Did I ever say I wouldn't divorce?" Tang Yumei countered. "This marriage must end, but it is you who will be leaving with nothing, not me!"

"You are truly shameless!" Xie Yong snapped.

"Order, order!" The judge maintained control. "The defendant must provide a basis for her claims!"

Tang Yumei asked, "I would like to ask the plaintiff, Xie Yong, how you obtained this so-called evidence of my infidelity? And how reliable is it?"

Xie Yong replied vaguely, "The authenticity is, of course, one hundred percent."

Tang Yumei said, "Your Honor, I formally request that the evidence provided by the plaintiff be displayed in court. If I truly committed adultery, I will leave with nothing. But if there is a problem with this evidence, I will sue him for defamation!"

"Tang Yumei, you..."

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The judge struck the gavel.

"Silence!" the judge ordered. "The request of the defendant, Tang Yumei, is granted. Display the evidence in court."

At this moment, the entire jury grew tense. Would Tang Yumei really dare to let the other side reveal the evidence? Was she not afraid of the humiliation?

The relevant staff turned on the large screen, projecting the documents submitted by the plaintiff's lawyer.

The courtroom erupted in an instant.

The materials were photographs—snapshots of Tang Yumei and Zhou Yang together. They included images of them walking by the river, shopping for groceries, dining at restaurants, and recovering from hangovers after a night out... all occurring within the past week.

An ordinary man and woman would not have such frequent dates and activities. These photos were enough to suggest something was amiss between Tang Yumei and Zhou Yang.

Immediately, members of the plaintiff’s side of the gallery began pointing fingers, while those on the defendant’s side shook their heads in disappointment.

"Everyone look! Does Tang Yumei have any shame?" Xie Yong shouted, inciting the crowd.

"Zhou Yang is my tenant and also my personal physician. He helps treat my illness. Is there something wrong with us being close?" Tang Yumei argued.

"Still making excuses at a time like this? You are truly shameless!" Xie Yong yelled.

"Order! Order!"

The judge stopped the argument, and the staff inserted the USB drive to play the footage.

The moment the video appeared, nearly everyone felt the case was settled. The footage was captured by a pinhole camera hidden inside the villa.

The time shown in the video was 9:00 PM. Tang Yumei, having finished a bath and wearing light, casual clothing, returned to her room. Before entering, she had a pleasant conversation with Zhou Yang. Then, Zhou Yang also took a bath and subsequently went into Tang Yumei’s room. The door closed, and the video fast-forwarded. Three hours later, Zhou Yang walked out of Tang Yumei’s room, looking exhausted, and returned to his own room to sleep.

"Tang Yumei, what else do you have to say?" Xie Yong’s eyes glinted with malice as he roared, "You slept with him! You bitch, why are you still acting as if you’re a paragon of virtue?"

"Bitch? You’re calling me a bitch?" Tang Yumei had never been so insulted. Overwhelmed with emotion, she pointed furiously at Xie Yong. "If it weren't for my family, what would you be? You’ve eaten my food and used my money, rising to where you are today thanks to my family’s connections, and now you’re biting the hand that fed you! You are utterly devoid of conscience, Xie Yong!"

"I..."

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The judge’s gavel struck again. Because both sides were highly agitated, the judge was forced to suspend the proceedings, ordering both parties to cool down.

During the recess, Zhou Yang and Tang Yumei were targets of universal condemnation. Almost everyone in the room, whether loudly or in hushed tones, hurled insults at them.

"A bitch and a gigolo, still arguing even after being exposed. How thick-skinned!"

"They’re adults; they should face the consequences of their actions."

"The price of cheating—they deserve it!"

...

And that was not the worst of it. Even worse, Tang Yumei’s parents, cousins, and other relatives had been invited to the scene.

"Why are you all here?" Tang Yumei hurried over.

"Hmph!" Her father gave a cold snort and said nothing.

Her mother said, "Yumei, how could you do such a thing? The child is already so old, and you and Xiao Xie have always been getting along quite well, haven't you?"

"Sister, have you really taken a young man? Oh, dear!" her cousin shook her head helplessly.

Her male cousin added angrily, "Our Tang family comes from a background of prominent entrepreneurs. What will people think if they hear about this? If you wanted to have an affair, you should have kept it quiet. Look at the mess you’ve caused now, sigh!"

At that moment, Xie Feng ran over and said coyly, "Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, you’ve finally arrived! I was worried you wouldn't come today!"

"How could we not come for something like this?" her cousin said.

It turned out that these people had been summoned by Xie Feng at the request of Xie Yong, specifically to humiliate Tang Yumei and to show the Tang family that he, the son-in-law, had done everything he could.

"Xiao Feng, why did you notify them? Don't you know Grandpa and Grandma are old?" Tang Yumei scolded. "How can they handle such stress?"

Xie Feng pouted, "What, you did something wrong, and now you're afraid of people knowing?"

"You..."

"Yumei, why are you taking your anger out on the child?" her cousin interjected.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The gavel sounded, and the judge announced the resumption of the trial. Tang Yumei had no time to explain further and returned to the defendant's seat.

"The defendant will now present her statement," the judge said. "I must remind the defendant that this is your final opportunity. If you cannot provide compelling evidence to refute the plaintiff's case, this will be your last statement in this court. Do you understand?"

The pressure was entirely on Tang Yumei. Her parents looked on with cold expressions, and her cousins sighed in resignation.

Tang Yumei’s eyes burned with resolve as she stood up and said, "Your Honor, I understand."

The judge replied, "Very well. Please begin your statement."