usatvline Chapter 858: Would you choose to spend two more years in jail or receive 40,000 yuan?
Chapter 858: Would you choose to spend two more years in jail or receive 40,000 yuan?
After learning what had happened, Zhou Chen and Zhu Zhe both felt that Zhu Minjie was incredibly foolish. He stabbed someone because of an ex-girlfriend who had abandoned him, and he might end up in jail for it. It was really not worth it for him to spend time in prison.
Faced with the pleading looks in Zhu Zhe's parents' eyes, Zhou Chen did not readily take on the task. This was not his territory, and Zhou Chen had no say here, so he did not want to get too involved.
In Zhou Chen's view, everything should be done in accordance with the law. He should state how many years Zhu Minjie should be sentenced to and how much compensation he should pay, and he would make up the difference in terms of money. That was all he could do.
Hehe, to put it bluntly, Zhou Chen actually hoped that Zhu Minjie would be sentenced more severely. That way, Zhu Zhe would have less trouble. Without this younger brother sucking her blood, Zhu Zhe's life would be much happier.
That night, Zhou Chen slept at Zhu Zhe's house. The elderly couple specially arranged a room for Zhou Chen, clearly treating him as a VIP.
Before going to bed, the elderly couple were still discussing Zhou Chen. They so hoped that this wealthy Zhou Chen would become their son-in-law, so that they would have found a backer and their lives would be easier in the future.
"Hey old man, don't you think the name Zhou Chen sounds familiar?"
I remember our son mentioned when he came back that there was a rich second-generation guy in Shanghai who liked his older sister, right?
The other person seems to also be named Zhou Chen. I heard his family is very wealthy. By the way, wasn't it Zhou Chen who introduced Xiao Jie to his job?
Do you think the Zhou Chen that our son mentioned is the one in front of us? What is his relationship with our daughter?
If there's no connection, why did Zhou Chen come back with them? If there is a connection, why don't the two of them admit it?
Zhu Zhe's mother couldn't understand who Zhou Chen was at all. Could he really help with Xiao Jie's situation?
Faced with his daughter-in-law's question, Zhu Zhe's father couldn't give an answer either. He only replied, "Let's take it one step at a time."
Right now, they should be thinking about how to rescue their son, not discussing what the relationship between Zhu Zhe and Zhou Chen really is.
Anyway, they don't have any wealthy relatives who can help them, so they are more than grateful to Zhou Chen, this rich second-generation, for being willing to lend a hand.
Haha, they're being too grateful too soon. Little do they know that Zhou Chen came with a purpose; he's after your house.
The next day, Zhou Chen and Zhu Zhe went to the police station to inquire about Zhu Minjie. They met Zhu Minjie in the detention room, where he appeared somewhat listless, clearly indicating that he was not doing well.
Upon seeing Zhou Chen and Zhu Zhe arrive, Zhu Minjie burst into tears, shouting for his sister and brother-in-law to rescue him. He now regretted his impulsive actions.
Haha, now that he needs Zhou Chen's help, he's calling him brother-in-law again. Unfortunately, Zhou Chen didn't respond. It was Zhu Zhe who kept asking questions, and then he scolded him for being stupid.
It's one thing to cause trouble at home, but now you've actually landed yourself in jail. What's the use of regretting it now?
The police officer in charge of the investigation quickly explained the situation, but the result was still unacceptable to Zhu Zhe.
"Zhu Minjie's situation is very simple. It was a verbal argument that led to a conflict, and afterwards he retaliated by stabbing someone."
The injured person is still receiving treatment in the hospital, and their condition is quite serious. If you can reach an understanding with the injured person's family, it will be beneficial for the subsequent handling of the case.
"If you want a settlement, we can help mediate between the injured party's family, but you'll probably have to pay a large sum of money."
Zhu Zhe naturally chose to reconcile; otherwise, what would be the point of her coming back?
Soon, the people who caused trouble at Zhu Zhe's house yesterday also arrived, and the negotiation process between the two sides began.
Perhaps because Zhou Chen made them lose face yesterday, the injured party's family insisted on 400,000 yuan. They refused to mediate without it and even threatened to make Zhu Minjie spend the rest of his life in jail.
Haha, they themselves felt that 400,000 was indeed a bit too much, as Zhu Zhe's family simply couldn't afford it, and they were even prepared to give the other party a chance to bargain.
However, Zhou Chen's arrival yesterday changed the injured party's mind. Since the other party could drive a luxury car worth millions, they figured 400,000 wouldn't be a big deal to them, so they insisted on 400,000 and refused to settle without it.
Zhou Chen had no idea that his arrival had changed the attitude of the injured person's family; clearly, they were also greedy people.
When the injured person's family quoted 400,000 yuan, Zhu Zhe and her brother Zhu Minjie looked very upset, clearly unable to accept the outcome.
Just then, Zhou Chen spoke up, looking at the police officer and asking, "Officer, I wonder how much difference there is between reconciliation and non-reconciliation in Zhu Minjie's case? Does not reconciliation result in a heavier sentence?"
When Zhou Chen asked the question, the police officer nodded and began to explain.
"According to past practice, Zhu Minjie has a good attitude in admitting his mistakes, and under normal circumstances he can be sentenced to three to five years.
If the injured party's family chooses not to forgive, the sentencing basis will be between three and ten years. The final decision rests with the judge, who will consider all relevant factors.
Zhu Zhe frowned at the police officer's words. 3-5 years or 3-10 years? Even the police officer couldn't say for sure how many years he would be sentenced to. How was Zhu Zhe supposed to choose?
To put it bluntly, since the younger brother is going to jail anyway, does it make a difference whether he serves three years or five?
If the injured party's family really wants 400,000 yuan, I'm afraid even with the younger brother's abilities, he couldn't earn 400,000 yuan in ten years. Is it really worth spending 400,000 yuan to buy the younger brother's freedom for two years?
Zhu Zhe, who started working at a young age, is a very realistic person. Of course, she knows how hard it is to earn money. With her current salary, she might not be able to earn 400,000 yuan in two years, let alone her younger brother who is all talk and no action. To be honest, she is a little reluctant to spend 400,000 yuan.
There were some things Zhu Zhe couldn't say, so Zhou Chen had to step in and start playing the villain.
"Zhu Minjie, you heard what the police said. Whether or not you want to pay the 400,000 yuan is up to you."
Let me make something clear beforehand: I'm not here to help you, but because you owe far too much money. You still haven't settled a million-yuan debt in Shanghai.
Now your sister wants to borrow 400,000 yuan from me to help you settle things. Why should I lend it to her?
Zhu Zhe proposed that from now on, I would only keep living expenses each month, and all the rest of my salary would be transferred to me to pay off my debts. He even wanted to use my house in my hometown as collateral.
In other words, if you agree to pay 400,000 yuan to settle, and I lend her that 400,000 yuan, then your house in your hometown will become mine, and your parents and you will be homeless.
Of course, you might not accept this, so let me put it another way: would you rather spend two more years in jail or spend 400,000 yuan to settle this matter? With your abilities, could you earn 400,000 yuan in two years?
Zhu Minjie never expected Zhou Chen to say that. He was trying to take advantage of his house. Should he choose freedom or money? How should he choose?
Zhu Minjie hesitated. He couldn't make a decision at all. He wanted to get out as soon as possible, but he was reluctant to spend the money because he knew he couldn't earn 400,000 yuan.
"Alright, take your time to think about it. We need to go back and discuss it with your parents later."
After all, the house belongs to them, and it can't be mortgaged without their consent. Otherwise, you could call your parents and explain the situation; that way, we can talk to them when you go back."
Zhou Chen handed over his phone, and Zhu Minjie held it in his hand, pondering for a long time before ultimately not making the call.
If the house is mortgaged and the parents really have nowhere to live in the future, wouldn't he be too unfilial?
Zhu Minjie was clearly frightened by Zhou Chen's words. He still had some conscience, and perhaps also because the house belonged to him and he was reluctant to part with it.