Chapter 85 Husband, Feelings, Equally Pitiful: Couple Suffers Unexpected Tragedy...
After briefly clinking his cup with Mu Wangzhuo's, Yuan Jianxing drank the water in one gulp, then turned and walked towards the highest prison located beneath the Trial Bureau.
As you walk down the winding corridor, the scenery around Yuan Jianxing gradually becomes eerie.
The greenery that was once ubiquitous in the Adjudication Bureau and the holographic projections used to create atmosphere or convey information gradually thinned out and eventually disappeared.
Instead, there are blindfolded surveillance cameras that appear every ten meters.
Each of these cameras has several high-sensitivity infrared tracking guns suspended below it.
Their guns silently pointed forward, their breathing lights on the fuselage flashing rhythmically, as if they were about to awaken at any moment and kill the villains who had escaped from their prisons on the spot.
Finally, all that remained in Yuan Jianxing's field of vision were large swathes of cold, solid silver-white metal walls stretching forward.
The seams between these metal parts are so seamless that they are almost imperceptible, making the entire space seem like a solidified, endless whole, with only a single branch branching off diagonally at the location marked with the room number.
No wonder this highest prison has another name: "Pure White Hell".
Generally speaking, this place is used to detain the most vicious criminals.
If Wan Chuanqiu hadn't succeeded in breaking into the prison and hadn't presumptuously fired the gun, Snake Eyes would theoretically have been imprisoned here, interrogated, and then handed over to the adjudicator for a final comprehensive judgment.
Regardless of what the other party confesses or how helpful it is to the matter of the "key," given this person's past misdeeds, they will inevitably face the death penalty.
After this brief association, Hara Kensei arrived at the corresponding cell.
After verifying his identity, he went inside and sat down behind the large interrogation table.
A short while later, a emotionless, electronic AI female voice asked, "The prisoner is in position. Shall we begin the interrogation?"
After Yuan Jianxing gave an affirmative reply, the electrochromic reinforced glass that stretched about two meters in front of the table faded from top to bottom, making the cell behind it completely visible.
Sitting in the cell is a man, the husband in the "poisoning his sick wife" case that is currently causing a huge uproar online.
Unlike the stereotypical image of a husband who would commit such heinous and unforgivable acts as "poisoning his sick wife," the man in front of me seemed quite simple and honest.
He wore glasses that were chipped and worn, and his calloused hands were covered with a little bit of machine oil that seemed impossible to wash off.
Despite his large and broad frame, his subconscious bending over made him appear very hunched and reserved.
However, upon seeing that the person who came was Harami Hoshi, the man sat up straight, and even his previously lifeless eyes began to shine.
"Yumi Hoshi?!"
Yuan Jianxing wasn't surprised that the man could call her by name, after all, the file showed that the man had been an executive officer, but had chosen to leave the job a few years ago due to family reasons.
"You're the one who's judging me!" The man took off his glasses with one hand, wiped his eyes twice with the back of his other hand, and then put the glasses back on. "Great, really great."
Yuan Jianxing did not tell the other party that there were two reasons why this case had come to his hands.
Firstly, no adjudicator was willing to take on this hot potato that could have a devastating impact on their career if they made a bad judgment, so they had to expand the pool of candidates to include executive officers with relevant qualifications.
He meets the requirements.
Secondly, this was the result of my own initiative.
After the man calmed down a bit, Yuan Jianxing began the interrogation methodically: "Please tell me the whole story, starting from how you met the deceased."
Upon hearing the word "deceased," the man's body involuntarily trembled, but then he relaxed.
As if finally reaching a conclusion, he spoke with great ease: "My wife and I were high school classmates..."
-
The man and his wife, who was his high school classmate, went from wearing school uniforms to getting married.
They have been married for over ten years, have no children, and live a peaceful and happy life.
A few years ago, his wife was diagnosed with a chronic illness, so the man quit his dangerous and unpredictable job as an executive officer and opened a repair shop using his skills.
It allows him to conveniently take care of his wife and also earn some money.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned, and his wife's chronic illness developed into cancer.
The doctor made it clear: I need medication and chemotherapy. It's expensive, and the chances of success are slim.
The man heard clearly, but he persisted and encouraged his wife to persevere with him.
Just like the two of them once fought against the headmaster who was cracking down on early dating.
The wife looked at the man and nodded, just as she had done years ago.
Their previously comfortable life became strained because of this decision.
To support the ever-increasing medical expenses, the man took on more and more work and came home later and later.
When his wife's illness progressed to stage three, painkillers were no longer enough to suppress the pain that gnawed at her bones day and night.
But she didn't say it.
She even secretly saved some prescription painkillers and, while the man was out at work, secretly went to the underground black market that he had casually mentioned when he was still an executive officer, and exchanged them for a bottle of poison.
His wife had kept that bottle of poison hidden for a long time.
Finally, one day, she made up her mind and decided to end it all.
However, to his wife's surprise, the man came home early on the very day she took the poison.
It wasn't until she saw the small cake the man was carrying that the wife remembered it was her birthday.
As a former executive, the man immediately realized what had happened when he saw the empty medicine bottle next to his wife. He then picked her up and rushed to the bathroom to induce vomiting.
He had spent a large sum of money in advance to purchase a trauma team platinum package for his wife, so that if she could hold on a little longer, the trauma team could arrive at their home and take her to the hospital for emergency treatment.
But at that moment, his usually strong wife burst into tears.
"Please, let me die," she said.
At the same time, his wife also produced a will that she had written long ago.
The will clearly stated in black and white that "her suicide by poisoning was her personal choice and had nothing to do with her husband."
The man stopped moving.
To be fair, this kind of life is indeed very tiring, but as a husband, he is willing to share his wife's burden as well.
But to his utter surprise, it was his wife who couldn't take it anymore.
In a daze, he followed his wife's movements and helped her sit down, letting her lean against him. The two of them chatted quietly, making small talk.
Just like what the two of them would do every day after they got home.
Then, at a certain moment, his wife stopped responding.
The man didn't test his wife's pulse, or perhaps he didn't want to.
Just then, the trauma team finally arrived at the scene.
The team members were well-informed and, after seeing the scene and the suicide note, they were able to reconstruct the facts to a great extent.
However, they still reported the case to the adjudication board according to procedure.
From beginning to end, no one paid any attention to the cake that the man had carefully carried back and then dropped at the entrance.
-
After listening to the man's account, Yuan Jianxing tapped the table with the four fingers of his right hand in a regular and silent manner.
The man's account was identical to what was recorded in the case file.
Throughout the numerous rounds of interrogation, there were no contradictions between the man's own statements, the evidence at the scene, and the neighbors' testimonies, which was sufficient to prove that what he said was true, without any fabrication or concealment.
But it is precisely because this is the truth that it makes the adjudication board so difficult to handle.
The couple's house was located in a densely populated old residential area, and the arrival of the trauma group, which was extremely expensive and rare, immediately attracted the attention of the neighbors.
With each retelling, the story became increasingly outrageous, eventually attracting the attention of the news media.
After the Southern District Court officially released the details of the incident, online public opinion was in an uproar.
Some people say, "Since this was the wife's wish, the husband should not be sentenced."
Some people objected: "If you don't sentence her this time, aren't you afraid that other wives might 'voluntarily' write wills and then 'voluntarily' take poison?"
Legalists argue that "under current law, the husband's actions constitute intentional homicide by omission."
Immediately, a voice retorted: "The husband bought a trauma care kit for his wife beforehand and even had her stomach pumped on site. You call that inaction?"
There were also criticisms of those who took advantage of the situation: "If a few painkillers can be exchanged for a bottle of illegal drugs on the black market, then all the executive officers should be fired."
Another voice sarcastically commented: "The biggest joke is that a terminal cancer patient has to rely on the black market to achieve a dignified release."
These opinions contradicted each other, and no one could convince anyone else. In the end, countless eyes were fixed on the Adjudication Bureau, which took over the case, awaiting the most official verdict.
In other words, the ruling of the General Administration, that is, the decision made by Hara Mihoshi, will serve as the first case to affect the rulings of all subsequent similar bills.
"How did you feel when the deceased said she wanted to leave?" Hara Mihoshi asked, looking at the man behind the glass.
His tone was very calm, as if he were simply discussing the weather that day with the other person.
The man paused for a moment.
Despite undergoing numerous interrogations, no one ever asked him this question.
Because this question is so pointed and hurtful, most ordinary people can't bring themselves to ask it.
No wonder Hara Mihoshi became CEO at such a young age; he does what ordinary people dare not do.
"My feelings," the man's eyes were somewhat unfocused, "maybe... it's unreal. I simply can't believe that she would choose to die willingly."
“My wife is a bit delicate. She complains of foot pain if she walks even a few extra steps, and she needs me to open a can. How could someone like her possibly drink that kind of heart-burning, lung-scorching, excruciating poison on her own?”
Yuan Jianxing's fingers tightened their grip on the pen.
At that time, he couldn't believe that Fu Ze, a person who was so quick-witted and intelligent that it was almost frustrating, a person who would never put himself at a disadvantage, would actually lose in his best sniper duel.
"Then, when she said to me, 'Please, let me die,' I was completely dumbfounded, as if I couldn't understand what she was saying."
The reason why Yuan Jianxing didn't react with the same blank stare as the man this time was thanks to Fu Ze's preemptive warning with another question.
But judging from the results... there was no difference, and it was even worse.
"Seeing that I didn't react, she took the suicide note out of her pocket." The man smiled bitterly. "It's written in black and white; there's no way I wouldn't recognize it."
Similarly, Yuan Jianxing could not ignore the fact that Fu Ze killed Wan Chuanqiu.
But aren't the loyalty and sincerity offered by the other party during the validity period also real?
Yuan Jianxing pointed out, "As an executive officer, you couldn't possibly be unaware that because you voluntarily interrupted the vomiting rescue, once the case is handed over to the adjudication board for evaluation, you will undoubtedly be guilty of causing death through inaction."
As an executive officer, or even a CEO, it's impossible for him to shield any criminal who has made a mistake in the face of objective facts.
Including the man in front of me, including... Fu Ze.
“I know, of course I know, so when I saw the suicide note I was absolutely furious, I even wanted to yell at her if she was crazy, why did she give me such a difficult choice.” The man forced a smile. “But I also know that she must have thought this through carefully, during those sleepless nights she spent tossing and turning.”
Suddenly, Yuan Jianxing felt his pupils tremble slightly.
So... when did Fu Ze think of that question?
How long have you been pondering that question?
How much courage did it take to finally ask that question?
"In other words, that was also the time when she needed my support and help the most." The man's voice suddenly rose, even activating the alarm in the highest prison cell. "If I don't agree with her, don't support her, or even oppose her, then isn't she... too pitiful?"
Yuan Jianxing was finding it difficult to continue thinking.
What about Fu Ze?
He was first adopted by Lu Er and infiltrated the Executive Officer Special Selection Group as required. Then, in order to carry out orders, he killed Wan Chuanqiu and could no longer return to the normal society he defined.
Furthermore, because he was forced to learn about the "key" from Wan Chuanqiu, the Kangming Group could no longer keep him.
Although it wasn't explicitly stated or even revealed, was Fu Ze as pitiful as his wife, who was tormented by illness?
“People say that when a couple suffers an accident, the one who survives is the one who suffers more.” On the other side, the man’s voice became soft again. “Knowing her as I do, she definitely can’t bear this kind of suffering. I’ll take the blame.”
"Because I am her husband, I love her."
As he uttered those words, the man's hunched figure seemed to grow taller in Yuan Jianxing's eyes.
Yuan Jianxing felt as if she were seeing a mountain, and on the ridge lay the profound wisdom of life and marriage that she had never experienced because she was too young.
"What I regret most now is that the last thing she said to me was..." At some point, the man was already in tears, and even his words became strained, "I'm sorry."
sorry……
Yuan Jianxing lowered her eyes slightly.
These were also the last words Fu Ze said to himself.
"Why didn't I realize what she was thinking sooner? Maybe she wouldn't have had to struggle with this for so long."
Yes, why can't I face my true feelings sooner, give up my arrogant and stubborn ways, and find a suitable and win-win solution sooner?
At least make it clear to the other party that you don't need to bear the burden alone.
Perhaps, Fu Ze wouldn't have resolutely chosen to face Badger Tooth alone.
Separated by a wall, the two men were immersed in a long and endless grief, like a drizzling rain.
"Interrogation over."
Yuan Jianxing held a pen and quickly wrote down his thoughts and judgment on one of the pages of the document.
After a while, he gathered the documents in front of him together, first smoothing out the left and right edges, then stomping on the table, and finally neatly putting them back into the file bag.
Please wait patiently for your results.
Upon hearing Yuan Jianxing's words, the man slowly raised his head, his words filled with gratitude, and said, "Of course."
Others might find it hard to understand why this man would be so grateful to someone who could theoretically sentence him to death.
But for this man, he had been mired in self-struggle and inner conflict for too long, and he desperately needed a reliable, trustworthy, and authoritative person to tell him whether his previous choices were right or wrong.
If he is right, then he can be freed from the guilt of "killing" his wife and embrace a new life.
If he is wrong, then he can accept all the punishment he deserves with complete equanimity, and after reuniting with his wife in another world, solemnly tell her—
sorry.
In short, these are all good things to be happy about.
After leaving the interrogation room, Yuan Jianxing did not rush to leave the prison. Instead, he leaned against the almost pure white metal wall and spent some time alone in silence.
He thought that a person who killed someone due to various unavoidable hardships and reasons might deserve a chance for a new life after making amends to the best of their ability.
He thought that if he could turn back time to that day, he would first give Fu Ze a negative answer, then stand beside him and tell him not to worry, that he would think of a solution.
He was thinking that he needed to find an opportunity to go to L City.
He was thinking that he needed to apologize to Fu Ze in person.
For the first time, Harami Hoshi resonated with the crowds praying to statues or stone carvings in temples and churches.
If a miracle occurs...
At this moment, he genuinely hoped for a miracle, that Fu Ze would return to his side and personally hear this belated apology.
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Author's Note: To CHAr39d·D·NET
You've very astutely grasped the key point of conflict I've hidden between the two of us!
So when designing the plot about "Yuan Jianxing's personal cognition", I actually struggled with whether to have Fu Ze and Yuan Jianxing go through something together, and then have Yuan Jianxing come to the conclusion that "although she will not forgive Fu Ze, she will try to face it with him and help him 'atone'".
After much deliberation, I still chose the current approach, which is that Yuan Jianxing [self-discovered] this principle through a certain event (namely, the wife-murder case; ps, this case is a reference).
Would you say we're on the same wavelength? [Dog head with rose in hand]
(P.S.: I struggled so much when I was writing this case myself. I personally think that neither the husband nor the wife is at fault; it's the world's fault.)
Of course, many people will say, "Oh, you're already the chief, and you don't even have this much adaptability? And that's someone you like! What's wrong with showing some consideration and having some personal feelings?"
However, the reason why Yuan Jianxing was able to become the chief was because of his absolutely unwavering belief in "upholding justice." Otherwise, if he could be lenient on this or that, and let things slide as they were understandable, he wouldn't have been able to overcome all obstacles to become the chief. (At least that's how I set it up and understand it.)
Moreover, what Fu Ze liked was precisely this aspect of Yuan Jianxing.
He didn't regret what happened with Fu Ze.
Because this was his choice, and a necessary step in his search for the "key".
Later, he stopped looking for the key because of Yuan Jianxing, but that's another matter and doesn't affect his previous behavior.
Rather than regret, I personally understand Fu Ze's emotions at that time to be more:
1. Regret—In order to take away all the dangers and changes that my existence has brought you, I can only go this far with you.
2. A hint of resentment towards Yuan Jianxing—You didn't waver at all, so you were definitely faking it before. Only a fake wouldn't be completely flawless in this miracle. (A big score for Xingxing's ability to control his expressions) If you had even a little bit of interest, you wouldn't have acted like this, and I could have left more willingly and even happily.
As for the conditions proposed by Que Ling, Fu Ze only briefly drifted into a daze, like licking a candy wrapper, quickly imagining the wonderful possibilities that might exist in a parallel world, before returning to reality and accepting it.
That's why he was so moved when he saw the resume with his name on it.
The above is my response to your commentary on Chapter 84. I hope you are satisfied.
(This chapter was originally only 4200 words, but after seeing your comments, I sat down at home after get off work and added 700 words about Xingxing's inner thoughts.)
(Well, considering the analysis in the author's notes, can we pretend this is an extra chapter for the nutrient solution? [covers face and peeks])
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