Chen Haoyang was a lawyer, and he knew exactly how this case should be adjudicated.
If he could get the plaintiff's forgiveness and reach a civil compensation agreeable to both parties, with the plaintiff not pursuing the matter further, and then get a reliable lawyer on his side, the sentence could be minimized according to the lowest standards.
But if Mu Wanqing didn't forgive him, and if Wen Zhan slightly utilized his connections, then he would surely face the maximum penalty.
This could result in a difference of several years.
Nobody wants to stay in prison for even a day, let alone for several years!