216 - I Don’t Want to Be Turned Into the Female Protagonist by the System

**Chapter 216: Yang Daming, Terrified Beyond Measure** (Special thanks to Yiye Guzhou T7 Nuwa for the generous reward!) Su Qi silently watched Yang Daming, even though they stood on opposite sides. But the scene was so tragic that she couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for Yang Daming. If she put herself in his shoes, Su Qi shivered at the thought. "Quick, record this scene, and make sure to get a shot of him kneeling," An Ning and Wang Zijin directed Gu Panpan as she filmed the scene. This spectacle drew envious glances from the many reporters present. However, they were all kept outside the courtroom. In courtroom proceedings, unless explicitly permitted, recording and photography of any kind are prohibited. However, if applications are made in advance, the court may consider and grant permissions. Given the significance of today's high-profile case, countless journalists desired the chance to capture it on film. Yet, to prevent any disruption to the proceedings, only one spot was available. Wang Zijin leveraged her personal connections, arranging on behalf of Su Qi, who was, in reality, her university peer, to secure this single opportunity. She even borrowed a video camera specifically for this purpose, which led to this moment. "The defense may continue with your testimony," the judge declared solemnly, unfazed by the video. The Gold-rimmed Glasses Lawyer quickly regained his composure after hearing this. As a seasoned lawyer, he was no stranger to situations where clients failed to disclose information or when there were gaps in intelligence. Although the missing information in Wang Dahua's case was critical, it wasn't an insurmountable issue. "The plaintiff's video does indeed serve as robust evidence. Yet, this video fails to prove conclusively that the 'plaintiff' has violated the law concerning the dissemination of indecent material." In truth, this line of argument was something of a gamble. If Su Qi were charged with the dissemination of indecent material, even though Yang Daming was the one who conducted the heinous act, her initial wrongdoing might lead to a reduction in his sentence. Adjusting his glasses, the lawyer continued, "Although the company 'Stmmm' is entirely an overseas entity, and the plaintiff’s game is sold abroad, making it not subject to our laws, the plaintiff’s fans have, through online means, indirectly promoted it, resulting in profit. This indeed constitutes a legal violation." Upon stating this, the lawyer presented pre-existing online images to the judge. Lin Zi, Su Qi's lawyer, had anticipated the opposing counsel's line of attack, and the duel of wits resumed between them. This legal battle extended over ten minutes, each side holding firm to their stance, presenting non-redundant arguments. It overturned Su Qi's perspective; in those ten minutes, neither lawyer repeated themselves, yet consistently emphasized their points. However, amidst her amazement, Su Qi slowly grasped the crux of the matter. It revolved around whether she had profited from the publicity her friends provided her. Upon reflecting on this, Su Qi perked up; she was currently penniless, with just a four-digit sum in her bank account—all donations sanctioned by the system. Wait, donated to disaster relief—didn't that prove she hadn't profited? Recalling this crucial detail, Su Qi retrieved her phone and, under the guidance of the system, found all her donation records and tugged at Lin Zi's sleeve. Lin Zi was pondering her next argument when Su Qi’s gentle tug interrupted her train of thought. Yet, seeing the innocent sparkle in Su Qi’s eyes, any irritation she might have felt dissipated. She then shifted her attention to the phone Su Qi handed her. Upon reviewing the detailed donation records, ranging from over ten thousand to a thousand at the least, Lin Zi was taken aback. The revenue from platforms like Bilibili and game sales hadn't even entered Su Qi's account before being donated by the system. It was significant. Normally, tracing a bank account requires following the transaction records, which Lin Zi hadn’t been able to do. Lin Zi also noted the timing—it wasn't recent but coincided with when heavy rains hit the Henan province, on the same day the company made a donation. Examining these details, Lin Zi realized that Su Qi's wealth, which she had roughly estimated, had entirely been donated. After seeing the records, Lin Zi felt an unexpected pang of self-reflection. She was a renowned lawyer in Su City, known for her high win rate, frequently sought for cases. Last year alone, she had earned 6 million, and over 3 million this year so far. She had far more money than this young girl, yet in the face of the disaster, she had only donated 100,000. Though no one criticized her contribution, comparing it to this pure-hearted young girl who had donated nearly everything, she couldn’t help but feel moved. In today’s slightly restless, money-centric society, someone as 'naïvely genuine' as Su Qi was extremely rare. If Su Qi knew Lin Zi’s thoughts, she would undoubtedly be at a loss whether to laugh or cry. After the Gold-rimmed Glasses Lawyer finished speaking once more, Lin Zi raised her hand and said, "Your Honor, I have records here of the allocation of game revenue." Hearing this, the Gold-rimmed Glasses Lawyer felt a sinking feeling, a growing unease settling in his heart. Typically, one might expect efforts to cover up such finances. Yet here Lin Zi was, voluntarily presenting incriminating evidence to the judge. He was well aware of Lin Zi's legal prowess. For someone of her caliber to willingly reveal the plaintiff’s secrets, something was amiss—something far too unusual. Could it be the opposing lawyer was planning to betray her cause? Upon receiving the phone, several judges reviewed the seemingly immense donation records, unable to hide their astonishment and disbelief. The phone was eventually handed to the presiding judge. Studying the phone, then glancing at the plaintiff, the judge pondered briefly before announcing, "A ten-minute recess." During the recess, the Gold-rimmed Glasses Lawyer observed in surprise as a staff member eagerly took hold of the phone and began working busily on a computer, also making calls. Had the funds been redirected? It wasn't just him who was puzzled; many in the audience noticed the issue seemed to stem from the phone. Thankfully, the ten minutes soon elapsed. With the bang of the judge’s gavel, the court session resumed. However, this time, Su Qi felt an illusion as though the judicial panel looked at her with newfound kindness. A judge quietly placed the meticulous donation ledger that had been on Su Qi's phone onto a projector. Upon seeing a donation of four million early in the Henan flood, everyone was stunned. As Su Qi noticed their astonished gazes, she felt they had misconstrued the situation—she was forced to donate! Faced with the evidence of bank transactions and corroborating video, the Gold-rimmed Glasses Lawyer had no grounds left for a rebuttal. Despite his acuity, even he was unable to find a plausible counter. Perhaps influenced by the donation records, the presiding judge and the panel of judges unanimously agreed to convict Yang Daming of intentional affront, sentencing him to six years in prison due to the severity of his actions. Overwhelmed socially, Yang Daming, who had regained his composure just as he stood up, fainted upon hearing the verdict, his world crumbling beneath him. Yang Daming watched as his son was carried away, feeling a chill wash over him, trembling all over. Seeing the nonsensical efforts of the well-regarded lawyer his wife had hired, the crime ended up with a six-year sentence. Such a defense without having experienced a decade-long mental breakdown was simply unimaginable. Considering his own upcoming trial next, and glancing at the Gold-rimmed Glasses Lawyer who seemed confidently poised, Yang Daming felt utterly terrified. **Gentle Reminder:** If you can't find the book by title, try searching by the author's name—it might just have been renamed!