Zhang Liang had just applied for a dorm room at the school and was busy cleaning when a knock came at his door. The security guard handed him a court summons.
He stared at it in disbelief, his hands trembling. For a moment, he couldn’t process it. He tried calling Zhao Panpan—but, as expected, the call wouldn’t go through.
Frustrated, he immediately called Duan Zhibin. They had barely exchanged a few words when another call came in—this time from Zhang Jun.
“Brother Zhibin, hold on—I’ll call you back in a minute,” Zhang Liang said, ending the call.
Then he picked up Zhang Jun’s line.
“Xiao Liang,” Zhang Jun shouted the moment the call connected, “has Zhao Panpan lost her mind? Why is she suing me? What exactly does she want? She’s like a mad dog, biting whoever she sees!”
Zhang Liang frowned. “I just got a court summons too. I don’t know anything yet.”
“You didn’t team up with her to mess with me, did you?” Zhang Jun demanded, disbelief and anger mingling in his voice. “People from the court came to my house today and took that IOU as evidence!”
Zhang Liang’s head ached. His brother was too emotional to reason with. In the end, he simply hung up and ignored the subsequent calls.
When the second court hearing began, the Zhang family’s united front had completely fallen apart.
Duan Zhibin once again faced Gu Chen in court, but this time his confidence had evaporated. After the first trial, he had celebrated a big victory, receiving praise and even a bonus from his law firm. For a fleeting moment, he’d thought his career had reached its peak.
Then came the summons: he was being sued.
Gu Chen’s voice was calm, steady, and sharp.
“According to a judicial appraisal, the IOU is forged. The defendants—Zhang Liang, Zhang Jun, and Duan Zhibin—deliberately fabricated a marital debt to seize my client’s property. They attempted to claim Zhao Panpan’s assets through deceit. Their actions are malicious and demonstrate clear contempt for the law.”
The evidence was undeniable.
Gu Chen had saved it for the second trial, ensuring the full scope of their wrongdoing would be obvious. Alongside document analyses proving the IOU’s forgery were Zhang Jun’s bank records, showing he had never earned—or transferred—anything close to one million yuan. The supposed debt simply did not exist.
Gu Chen continued, “During the marriage, the defendant Zhang Liang failed in his responsibilities as a husband. He also physically assaulted his wife and attempted to seize property that legally belonged to Zhao Panpan. As a result, Zhao Panpan suffered depression, causing significant physical and emotional harm. We therefore request 100,000 yuan in emotional distress compensation and another 100,000 yuan in marital compensation. We ask the court to deliver a fair judgment.”
He paused, then added, “Additionally, during the marriage, the defendant Zhang Jun borrowed money from my client. While there were no written IOUs, verified transfer records show a total of 160,000 yuan. Zhang Jun must repay this amount to Zhao Panpan.”
Because the IOU was fake, the so-called marital debt did not exist. Any money Zhao Panpan had transferred to Zhang Jun was a loan, not repayment of a fabricated debt.
One piece of evidence after another was presented, and it quickly became clear: the defendants had no way to win. Their statements were full of contradictions, and anyone watching could see who was in the wrong.
Zhang Liang was humiliated.
Still, he refused to accept Zhao Panpan’s suffering. “You’re pretending!” he shouted. “All these years you’ve been cheerful and smiling. How could you possibly have depression? You faked evidence to get compensation!”
Zhao Panpan laughed lightly, her voice calm. “When your family treated me with coldness every day, not a single day was happy. Just because I didn’t scream doesn’t mean your life with me was perfect.”
Zhang Liang’s voice wavered, hurt and incredulous. “We spent ten years together, Zhao Panpan. Ten years! Is that worth less than money? For a little cash, you’re willing to drag me into court?”
Zhao Panpan shook her head. “Those ten years do matter—but I cannot sacrifice the rest of my life for them. I am only reclaiming what is rightfully mine. Not a single extra cent.”
Zhang Jun lost his temper. “Did you bribe some official or something? Otherwise, why is the court helping you take my money? A woman can’t honestly earn this much—must be selling herself!”
Zhao Panpan shot to her feet, ready to respond, but Gu Chen’s calm look stopped her.
“Order in the court,” the judge snapped. Court staff moved swiftly to restrain Zhang Jun.
Gu Chen’s voice hardened. “The defendant Zhang Jun has publicly insulted my client and spread false rumors online, seriously damaging her reputation and personal life. My client requests a public apology and compensation of 10,000 yuan for emotional and reputational harm.”
Gu Chen continued, “Since Zhang Liang transferred his salary to his mother, Zhou Xiangping, during the marriage, we request that compensation be deducted directly from her account.”
When the judge finished reading the verdict, Zhao Panpan felt a weight lift from her shoulders.
It was truly over.
She would recover the 640,000 yuan from the house that rightfully belonged to her. She would reclaim the 160,000 yuan Zhang Jun had borrowed. On top of that came 210,000 yuan in compensation for the marriage, emotional distress, and defamation—far more than she had expected.
Since Zhang Liang had already transferred 220,000 yuan, Zhang Jun and Zhang Liang still owed her 790,000 yuan.
The 160,000 yuan of marital property Zhao Liang had tried to take via the house was now returned—legally and fully.
Duan Zhibin faced serious consequences. Forging evidence and interfering with justice could lead to losing his law license and even jail time. His polished, elite image crumbled instantly.
“Zhang Jun! Zhang Liang! I only guided you—you made the decisions! Why am I being dragged down?” Duan Zhibin shouted, desperation and fear in his voice.
Gu Chen remained calm, passing his documents to an assistant. “Guiding someone to commit fraud, even through advice, is still a crime. Under my guidance, Duan Zhibin will not escape justice.”
In the courtroom, it was clear: justice had been served.
Zhao Panpan’s long struggle, her patience, and her careful planning had finally paid off. She had reclaimed what was hers—and ensured those who had wronged her faced the consequences.