Chapter 12

In October 1993, six years after Li Junsheng's imprisonment, Qiao Kexin received a letter from the prison authorities stating that Li Junsheng had been granted a reduced sentence due to his good behavior and a joint statement submitted to the judicial bureau by hundreds of employees of Huaxing Machinery Factory. These hundreds of workers, writing their names with pens, ballpoint pens, and even pencils, represented hundreds of sincere hearts! The statement detailed Li Junsheng's outstanding contributions to the factory during his tenure as workshop director and original parts designer. He was released a month later after serving his full sentence.

What no one could have imagined was that the initiator of this joint statement was none other than Xu Zhenguo, who had already been promoted to deputy director of Huaxing Machinery Factory. Perhaps, in these six years, Xu Zhenguo had achieved everything he had ever dreamed of: career success, power, status… but the debt he owed to Li Junsheng had become a huge weight on his heart. He wanted to make amends in this way, or perhaps he wanted to improve his reputation within the factory and wash away the stigma of being a despicable person…

Qiao Kexin held the letter in her hands, reading it over and over again until dusk crept through the window. Thirteen-year-old Li Muxue was already in the second semester of sixth grade and would soon be entering junior high. So she didn't need to be picked up or dropped off; she came home from school on her own and saw her mother sitting on the edge of the bed crying. Startled, she dropped her schoolbag. "Mom, what's wrong? Who bullied you?!"

Qiao Kexin hugged her tightly, tears dripping onto her daughter's ear: "Daddy's coming back soon, soon..."

This sudden surprise left Li Muxue speechless for a full ten seconds, before tears streamed down her face...

One morning in early November, the sky was overcast, and the city, just entering winter, was shrouded in a chilly atmosphere. Li Junsheng, wearing the dark gray Zhongshan suit that Qiao Kexin had sent him in advance, walked slowly out of the heavy black iron gate. He was greeted not only by a brand new life, but also by the warm embrace of his wife and daughter.

Li Muxue is now as tall as her father's shoulder. Li Junsheng tried several times to lift his daughter up with both hands, just like he did six years ago, but he failed. He could only laugh awkwardly and say, "My daughter has grown up, and Dad has gotten old. I can't lift her anymore! Over the years, you and your mother have suffered a lot. I'm so sorry..."

At this moment, Li Muxue could only hold tightly to her father's neck, as if her father would disappear again if she let go. She was crying so hard that she couldn't say a word...

Qiao Kexin gently patted her daughter's back: "Xiaoxue, don't cry, it's all over now..."

Surprisingly, the people who came to pick up Li Junsheng from prison were not only his wife and daughter, but also Lao Wu, the factory driver, who drove an almost new Jinbei minivan with a pure white body.

Seeing Li Junsheng come out, Old Wu stepped forward with a smile: "Junsheng, the old Party Secretary asked me to drive here to pick you up and apologize to you on his behalf. He said he had no choice back then and was just doing his job. The old Party Secretary is getting old and doesn't come in person anymore. Also, let me tell you about Xu Zhenguo's matter."

When Li Junsheng heard the name "Xu Zhenguo," he paused for a moment and said, "Old Wu, why are you bringing him up? I don't want to have anything to do with him anymore!"

"Junsheng, don't rush, let's get in the car first and talk. I'll take you home and explain everything on the way..."

The van was driving slowly down the wide city streets. Old Wu was deliberately slowing down, just to prolong the time so that he could convey Xu Zhenguo's message to Li Junsheng more clearly.

"Junsheng, after your accident, Accountant Wang got lung cancer and passed away in less than a year. Then, Xu Zhenguo quickly married Secretary Luo. People in the factory all said that Xu Zhenguo was worse than an animal. It's just a pity for Xiaochen, who lost his mother at such a young age. I won't even mention Secretary Luo. Sigh..."

Li Junsheng didn't show much surprise at Wang Lili's death, only saying "Oh".

Old Wu's voice continued, "Junsheng, Xu Zhenguo actually knew you were coming out today, so before I came, he told me to tell you that if you want to go back to work at the factory, it's not impossible, but you'll have to start from the lowest position. All your previous titles and everything will be gone. He said he meant well by taking you in, afraid you wouldn't be able to find a job right after you leave..."

Li Junsheng sternly stopped him, saying, "Alright, Lao Wu, stop talking. Do you think I can go back to the factory? Unless I'm crazy!"

Old Wu stopped talking and secretly stepped on the gas. The van's speed noticeably increased.

Sitting in the car, Li Junsheng seemed lost in thought, his hands on his knees constantly rubbing his trousers. "Old Wu, don't go home yet. I want to go to Huishan Cemetery to see my dad. He passed away two years ago, and I couldn't be there for his final journey. It's quite a regret. My older sister and brother-in-law have been taking care of him these past few years..."

“Junsheng, don’t be sad. We all know you did your best. If it weren’t for the loan, my Uncle Li might not have survived his first stroke. So try to think positively…”

Although Lao Wu meant to comfort Li Junsheng, his words were like rubbing salt into Li Junsheng's wounds, leaving him speechless.

Li Muxue, who had been sitting quietly in the back row, softly continued, "I was by my grandfather's side when he passed away, and my mother was there too. He passed away peacefully, almost as if he had fallen asleep..."

It was obvious that she was trying to ease the awkward atmosphere.

The van turned left at a T-junction and headed towards Huishan...

(To be continued)