Too Bad I Take Things Seriously-Chapter 588 - 230: It’s Not Too Late for You to Kneel Down to Your Mom Now

Upon hearing this, Jiang Siping trembled.

After his three older brothers were berated in court, it was finally his turn.

"From the descriptions given by Jiang Daping and the others, it’s clear that Old Mrs. Feng Cuihua favored you since childhood, always indulged you in everything. Is this how you treat your mother?"

"Search your conscience: is there even a trace of gratitude in the support plan you proposed?"

In the courtroom, Zhou Quanmin, seemingly addicted to scolding, continued his tirade, "You’re also a teacher! Have you no professional ethics left?!

"To teach is to impart knowledge; to educate is to nurture character. You are responsible for teaching these young minds—the future of our nation—how to be decent human beings!

"You fail to set an example, abandoning your own parents and forsaking family ties. A person like you has no business being a teacher; you’re a disgrace to the profession and a detriment to your students!"

Among the four brothers, Jiang Siping’s status was the most unique: he was a teacher. He was even a head teacher, meaning he interacted with students the most on a daily basis. He was supposed to teach by word and example, yet his conduct was like this... The impact of such ’role modeling’ was easy to imagine. It was inevitable that some of these young minds, the future of our nation, would be led astray by him!

"You claimed you have no time to care for the elderly Feng Cuihua because your mother-in-law is also bedridden and in even worse condition."

After a pause, Zhou Quanmin looked deeply at Jiang Siping’s bowed head and said coldly, "Caring for the elderly is one’s duty, but that cannot be an excuse to abandon your own mother!

"Frankly, if you treat your own mother this way, I find it hard to believe you’d be very dedicated in caring for your mother-in-law!"

His tone was filled with nothing but doubt. He neglects his own mother, yet uses another elderly person needing care as an excuse. Few would believe such a story.

Five minutes later, after Zhou Quanmin had finished berating everyone, the courtroom was deathly silent. The other members of the judicial panel all nodded involuntarily. Clearly, Zhou Quanmin’s words echoed what they also wanted to say.

And in the gallery, Zhang Qingyuan and the others were unusually silent, not speaking among themselves. They all stared blankly at Zhou Quanmin. At that moment, Zhou Quanmin’s image seemed to grow exceptionally tall in their perception. In previous cases, during the trial phase, Zhou Quanmin had always been objective and fair, never revealing any personal bias. But in this case, he seemed thoroughly incensed, actually berating the four of them in open court. Every word he spoke resonated deeply with them, and it was extremely satisfying to hear.

At the defendants’ table, Jiang Daping and his three brothers all hung their heads, their faces flushed crimson. Their reactions were identical. Having their actions publicly exposed and criticized by the Judgment Chief, they all felt deeply ashamed. After all, they still possessed a sense of shame.

BANG!

Zhou Quanmin banged the gavel again. Looking at the speechless Jiang Daping and the others, he said in a deep voice, "Now, defendants, please discuss freely among yourselves and come up with a reasonable support plan.

"The plan must consider the elderly person’s daily care, financial support, and emotional well-being."

This segment was not part of the trial itself but a discussion phase. And regarding Feng Cuihua’s care, the court would primarily consider the opinions of Jiang Daping and his brothers. If the plan they proposed was reasonable, the court would support it.

「In Jin City.」

At Legal Pioneer Law Firm, Zhang Wei stared intently at the screen, watching the reactions of Jiang Daping and his brothers. This phase no longer involved direct confrontation between the two sides. The lawyer he favored, Wang Dachui, had no further role to play and was simply sitting at the counsel’s table, watching the proceedings. As the case progressed to this point, Jiang Daping and the others needed to explain their respective family situations and discuss a reasonable support plan. But the support plan they had previously proposed was simply infuriating. Even the Judgment Chief couldn’t tolerate it and had directly intervened to berate the four of them.

The best approach would be for the four of them to take on more financial responsibility and also take turns caring for their mother, Zhang Wei furrowed his brows, analyzing the situation. Considering their individual family situations, a reasonable financial aid plan could be established. If they’re unwilling to take her into their homes, then they’ll need to contribute more money for nursing home expenses. Generally, a thousand per person per month should be about right. After all, sending her to a nursing home would spare them a great deal of trouble. They wouldn’t need to assign someone specifically to look after her daily needs, meals, and so on. Moreover, sending her to a nursing home doesn’t mean they’re absolved of all responsibility. Their support obligations include financial aid as well as emotional companionship. When necessary, they still need to take turns spending time with her, making small talk, and things like that. This is the most reasonable solution.

However, at the defendants’ table, Jiang Daping and the others began discussing again, but it quickly devolved into an argument.

"Eldest Brother, your financial situation is good; you can definitely contribute more. Let’s pool our money and cover the monthly nursing home fees."

"I checked Mom’s current nursing home. It’s quite expensive, over three thousand a month. Let’s find a cheaper one, say, two thousand five hundred."

"My son’s university entrance exams are coming up; I need to save more. I can contribute 500 a month at most."

"Hmph! If you’re only giving 500, then I’m not giving more than 500 either!"

"And what about her care? Should we take turns, a month each?"

"Impossible! I don’t have the time!"

"..."

At first, the four of them were discussing things amicably. But as they continued, tempers flared, and they started arguing heatedly.