When Gu Chen opened the door, Shu Ya came running barefoot across the floor, her feet making soft taps as she reached him. “How did the mediation go today?” she asked.
Gu Chen frowned at the smooth wooden floor, wondering if he should cover the entire house with rugs.
“How did it go?” Shu Ya asked again, noticing his distracted look. She guided him to the sofa, playfully hitting his legs and pinching his arms.
Gu Chen couldn’t help but smile. She was always fiercely loyal to her friends.
He told her everything that had happened with Zhang Liang’s family that day. “They changed the property to Zhou Xiangping’s name without Zhao Panpan knowing. I checked the transfer documents—they’re all real.”
Shu Ya was stunned. “No matter who you are, if you give your heart to the wrong person, it feels like someone’s peeling your skin off alive.”
Gu Chen could tell she was thinking of her own failed marriage. He pulled her close, burying his face in the curve of her neck. “It’s okay. In her, I see the same resilience you had back then. Don’t worry—I’ll do everything I can.”
Shu Ya nodded and hugged him back. She truly wished that every girl facing this kind of battle could have a lawyer like Gu Chen. But more than that, she hoped every girl could meet someone who truly valued her heart, so marriage wouldn’t leave her completely broken.
Before the court hearing, Zhao Panpan called Zhao Yongwei. “The trial is tomorrow… I’m definitely going through with the divorce… Yes, like Mom, I can’t take the suffering… Don’t worry, I won’t ever go back there!”
Every child longs for their parents.
Even though Zhao Panpan had been firm in defending her rights over the past few years, facing such a turning point, she still hoped for some care and support from her family.
But Zhao Yongwei only mocked her, saying she was just like her mother, weak and irresponsible.
Since when did enduring domestic violence become a measure of strength?
Her own father, seeing her escape that abuse through divorce, couldn’t even respond with concern—he just warned her not to drag them into it. Ridiculous!
Zhao Panpan lifted her head toward the sunlit courthouse, fists clenched.
Her family, Zhang’s family, even strangers online—all of them insulted and attacked her, saying she shouldn’t divorce, that she was selfish, that she was completely wrong.
But she knew she wasn’t wrong.
She was defending her rights. She was saying no to injustice.
Even if the road was hard, she would walk it.
“Panpan, you can do this!”
“Panpan, we’re with you!”
Shu Ya and Zhang Yanyan each held one of Zhao Panpan’s hands, walking with her up the steps and into the courthouse.
Duan Zhibin relied on the loan agreement to insist that Zhao Panpan share half of the supposed marital debt.
Even though Zhang Liang’s monthly allowance over the years had been tiny, and most of it spent on himself, there was no way to prove the money hadn’t gone to the household. Even buying a single vegetable or a roll of toilet paper could be argued as household expenses.
Worse, Zhang Yanyan had many bank transfer records to Zhang Jun over the years.
“If there was no money, why were there large transfers every two months?”
“Isn’t that repayment?”
Zhao Panpan could hardly believe how Duan Zhibin twisted the truth. Panicked, she looked at Gu Chen for help. He requested a recess.
In the waiting room, Zhao Panpan hurriedly explained, “Those transfers were because Zhang Jun lent us money, that’s why we transferred it.”
Gu Chen asked, “Do you have records? Chats, phone calls?”
Zhao Panpan frowned. “No, it was all Zhang Jun calling Zhang Liang, who then told me to transfer the money.”
Gu Chen spread his hands. “Then this argument can’t really be challenged.”
“But letting Duan Zhibin twist things like this… it makes it seem true!”
Gu Chen’s assistant, Lu Yanqing, handed Zhao Panpan a glass of water. “Trust Gu Lawyer, stay calm.”
Gu Chen studied all the evidence, deep in thought, while Zhao Panpan sat quietly beside him.
After the recess, Gu Chen went on the offensive.
The house and the loan were two separate issues.
Duan Zhibin had prepared thoroughly; the loan couldn’t be dismissed immediately. But there was a lot of room to maneuver regarding the house.
“Under marriage law, any property bought for marriage purposes, such as a dowry, should be returned to the husband if the marriage ends. Similarly, the house Ms. Zhao bought for marriage purposes should be returned when the marriage ends.
Any increase in value or joint income during the marriage should be divided according to each spouse’s contribution.”
Gu Chen looked at Duan Zhibin. “As for the loan, your claim is that my client’s transfers to Mr. Zhang Jun were part of repaying that 160,000, leaving 840,000, half of which Ms. Zhao would owe, correct?”
Duan Zhibin nodded. “Yes, 160,000 repaid, 840,000 remaining—Ms. Zhao should bear 420,000.”
Gu Chen nodded. “Your Honor, if this is true, my client is willing to take responsibility for the 420,000 debt.”
The courtroom gasped.
Zhang Yanyan nearly jumped up in panic. How could she take responsibility? It was all fabricated!
Shu Ya held her back. “Trust him.”
The house cost 800,000, 80% of that was 640,000. Zhao Panpan would then have to give 420,000 back to Zhang Jun.
She had 300,000 in savings before marriage!
After years of hard work and suffering in the marriage, she couldn’t even get back her premarital savings?
Marriage had left her with nothing but scars. Love turned out to be false, leaving her questioning humanity and even herself.
Zhao Panpan looked at Gu Chen in despair. This shouldn’t be happening.
The first trial ended, and the verdict was delivered immediately.
If the house was sold, Zhao Panpan could only get 220,000 after debts.
If not sold, the Zhang family had to pay her 220,000 to buy her share.
The marriage was declared broken, divorce granted.
Outside the court, Zhang Liang looked at Zhao Panpan. “If you hadn’t insisted on divorce, none of this would’ve happened.”
Before she could reply, Zhou Xiangping came over, yelling at her, “Serves you right! Look at you, still acting proud!”
Then she shouted at Duan Zhibin, “Tell him, letting her take over 200,000 is too much! Why leave her so much?”
Duan Zhibin was about to respond, but seeing Gu Chen approach, he quickly signaled Zhou Xiangping to stop.
They had married without a dowry, diverted Zhang Liang’s salary, and in this marriage and divorce, had gained nearly 600,000, all while Zhao Panpan had worked tirelessly for them, buying gifts and supplements. They had already profited enough.
But this wasn’t something to talk about openly. Especially not in front of Gu Chen.
Duan Zhibin hadn’t expected that this legendary undefeated lawyer could so easily defeat him. He realized the rumors about Gu Chen’s prowess were true. This victory would elevate his own reputation in the legal world.
He avoided any further confrontation at the courthouse and walked away with Zhang Liang and Zhou Xiangping.
Gu Chen looked at the exhausted Zhao Panpan. “Rest up. In ten days, we go to appeal.”
Zhao Panpan thought she misheard. “What?”
The sunlight fell across them, and Gu Chen’s calm, determined gaze ignited her fighting spirit once again.
Of course—that loan was fake. Why should she ever give up?