The crime of concealing and disguising criminal proceeds and their earnings doesn't have specific sentencing guidelines; sentencing usually follows the principal offense. The more severe the sentence for the principal offense, the more severe this sentence becomes. The maximum term is seven years.

This time, it's looking like more than ten years, no doubt.

Qin Mu's mouth twitched. He couldn't help but glance at Zhang Wei.

At that moment, Zhang Wei, trembling all over, also hadn't anticipated Niu Huan making such a move.

Fifteen minutes later, Niu Huan finally recounted the remaining criminal acts from memory. Then he asked, "Judgment Chief, could my crimes be sentenced to twenty years?"

Presiding from the bench, Zhou Quanmin's expression darkened; he didn't answer Niu Huan's question. Instead, he looked towards the prosecutor and said gravely, "In this trial, new criminal evidence has emerged. The prosecution and the police need to revise the charges."

"Today's hearing is concluded. Once the evidence is organized and a new trial date is scheduled, this case will be retried."

"Court is adjourned!"

The gavel struck, and the court hearing... was suddenly interrupted.

"That's it? Why stop now? We had just reached the most exciting part."

"When is the next hearing? Give us a definite answer!"

"The trial stopped halfway! It's so frustrating; I probably won't be able to sleep tonight."

"Guess we'll just have to come back next time."

…

In the gallery, Zhang Qingyuan and the others couldn't help but grow restless. They had thought they would see some resolution today, but unexpectedly it was postponed again.

Meanwhile, at the defendants' dock, several bailiffs approached and escorted Niu Huan, Chang Yingcai, and Xiang Wanbin from the courtroom separately.

Zhang Wei was left standing alone... seemingly in disarray.

"Alright, let's go back to the nursing home."

Qin Mu also stood up from the witness stand, leading the seniors back to the nursing home.

「That afternoon.」

In the court detention room.

After the court session ended, Zhang Wei met Niu Huan once again.

However... his expression this time was very complex.

"Lawyer Zhang, I'm sorry, I... I just wanted that bastard to get a few more years. One and a half years was just too lenient for him."

After calming down, Niu Huan apologized to Zhang Wei.

Zhang Wei gave a bitter smile. He didn't blame Niu Huan too much.

If it weren't for him mentioning Xiang Wanbin's wife... Niu Huan wouldn't have given up on himself.

He had even specifically urged Niu Huan to investigate thoroughly.

But unexpectedly... Niu Huan pulled such a stunt in court.

"Lawyer Zhang, I know it might just be Xiang Wanbin's wife's side of the story, but you saw how I questioned Xiang Wanbin in court, and he didn't even refute it…"

Niu Huan clenched his teeth and scoffed, "Clearly, he has a guilty conscience."

"And... they had been involved with each other long before. It's my fault for trusting them too much and not realizing it."

As he spoke, he sighed again.

Seeing this, Zhang Wei swallowed hard.

He was silent for several minutes.

Then he asked, "Next, the public security authorities will investigate these actions you've confessed to. Since the monetary amount involved in the theft exceeds 300,000, your sentencing range... will be ten years or more."

This is the maximum penalty for theft: ten years or more, up to life imprisonment.

Niu Huan nodded calmly. He seemed to have accepted his fate regarding the sentence. He then asked, "How many years will that bastard get?"

Zhang Wei thought for a moment and answered truthfully, "For the crime of concealing and disguising criminal proceeds and their earnings, the sentence is determined by the principal offense, resulting in a fixed-term imprisonment of three to seven years."

Even with the mitigating factor of his confession... it would still be at least six years.

"That's good."

Niu Huan showed a satisfied smile.

The conversation between the two fell into silence once again.

After a long while, Niu Huan suddenly looked up.

He seemed to have remembered something. "Lawyer Zhang, there's another matter I'd like to ask for your help with. Xiao Chang has been with me for two years… during the subsequent defense, could you put the main responsibility on me?"

As he mentioned this, his face showed a trace of guilt.

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