It was the final statement segment, an important opportunity for the defendant to express their attitude toward pleading guilty or to assert their innocence. But Cheng Chuxiao seemed to have completely abandoned hope for a reduced sentence and simply spoke her mind. This meant she still believed her actions were not wrong and felt it was right to disseminate fabricated stories online. This was undoubtedly a provocation against the solemnity and fairness of the law in the courtroom, and contempt for Judgment Chief Zhou Quanmin and all members of the collegial panel. Such behavior was a major taboo in any court.

Having studied law with Qin Mu for so long, Qing Lan had some idea of the consequences. It was very likely this would secure Cheng Chuxiao a sentence beyond the recommended range, earning her a heavier penalty. Qing Lan sighed, feeling helpless at Cheng Chuxiao’s ignorance. Knowing that a reduced sentence was impossible, giving up and acting recklessly was indeed human nature, just as a death-row inmate, upon realizing their inevitable fate, would roar in court. If there were even a sliver of hope for survival, presumably the condemned would desperately strive for it. It was just that Qin Mu hadn’t left her any hope this time. This led Cheng Chuxiao to lash out in desperation, revealing her true nature.

"There’s still half an hour before the verdict is announced..." Qing Lan muttered to herself, looking down. Feeling bored, she took out her phone, planning to see what was happening in her fan group. But she discovered that, unbeknownst to her, the fan group was up in arms. Somehow, someone had accidentally come across the live broadcast of this trial and posted the link in the group.

"Holy shit! 15,000 defendants! Up has unknowingly stirred up another big incident!"

"The news hasn’t broken yet; I originally wanted to follow up on the dog-beating civil dispute, but ended up finding a massive litigation case involving the entire internet!"

"Looks like Up is planning to give us a surprise!" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Surprise? This is clearly a shock, okay? I saw the news about the dog’s tragic death online before, and wondered why it looked so familiar—it happened at the nursing home where Up lives!"

"These people really dare to do anything. How could they cyberbully Up?"

"Forget about Up, even that old man on the plaintiff’s bench felt the case was so boring he almost fell asleep in court."

"..."

The fans, all from Little Station, discussed fervently. These fans were almost all Qin Mu’s followers and had watched his videos. In the last video, Qin Mu had recounted an incident of dog beating within the nursing home. In the end, the opposing lawyer resorted to bribery, which was exposed in court, landing himself in trouble and interrupting the trial. Eager to see the follow-up, many had gone to the trial live broadcast website to check the case schedule. But instead of finding the next trial date, they stumbled upon this massive case involving litigation against the entire internet—no less than 15,000 defendants! This completely overturned their understanding.

"Only Up could pull off something like this. After watching Up’s videos, I now seldom comment online."

"Indeed, the internet waters are too deep; ordinary folks can’t really navigate them."

"Mainly because you can’t tell what’s true or false; you could unintentionally become a tool in the hands of some malicious individuals."

"Now I only trust official announcements; don’t believe in rumors, don’t spread them."

"By the way, have any of Up’s fans become defendants this time? After all, with 15,000 people, that’s quite a large base."

"..."

In the group chat, the fans continued to share their wisdom on how to keep out of trouble. Qin Mu didn’t know them. Even if he did, he’d very likely sever ties with them for the sake of justice, disowning even kin. If any of them were indeed involved in this case, Qin Mu would certainly not show mercy.

Qing Lan read this far and blinked; she was quite curious about it. This time, Qin Mu was suing 15,000 people, covering a wide range of predominantly active online figures. And her fans... besides watching live streams, they consumed all kinds of content, with no shortage of "social media heavyweights" among them. If one of them turned out to be a defendant... that would be quite the spectacle.

"Eh? Has the trial started again?" Qing Lan muttered as she lurked and watched the fans chatting. The action on her screen resumed. Half an hour had passed, and Judgment Chief Zhou Quanmin, along with the other judges, returned to the courtroom.

"All rise!" the clerk was the first to stand, speaking in a solemn voice.

Everyone at the plaintiff’s, defendant’s, and lawyers’ benches also stood up.

Under the court’s solemn gaze, Judgment Chief Zhou Quanmin banged the gavel and said in a deep voice, "After a two-hour open trial concerning Cheng Chuxiao and seventeen others, suspected of defamation and extortion...

"Our court believes that the facts of this case are clear and the evidence sufficient.

"The group led by Cheng Chuxiao, consisting of seventeen individuals, failed to keep their pet dog leashed in a public place, which led to the dog being beaten to death. Dissatisfied with the police’s decision, they harbored resentment and sought revenge. They concocted and concealed false information, disseminating it widely online.

"These seventeen individuals fanned the flames, deliberately stirring public opinion. Their actions caused great damage to the reputations of Zhang Qingyuan, Qin Mu, and the nursing home, and inflicted significant economic losses upon the nursing home.

"Although Cheng Chuxiao and the others did cease their actions at one point, the crime had already been committed. It constituted a completed offense and is therefore not eligible for a reduced sentence under the relevant statutes.

"Furthermore, after the criminal facts were ascertained, Cheng Chuxiao refused to plead guilty. She proclaimed erroneous values in court and showed no remorse. In accordance with criminal law, she shall receive a heavier sentence to demonstrate the law’s function of punishing evil and promoting good."