This was the first time in my life I had been detained in a police station. Looking at that cold-colored light, my heart was filled with anxiety and helpless panic. I wanted to smoke a cigarette to relieve the pain, but even that freedom was taken away.
I can only passively wait for the hospital to issue a medical report. If it's a minor injury, it might only involve medical expenses. But if it's a more serious injury or a minor injury, then the matter becomes complicated. The worst outcome would be several years in prison, or even longer.
My life had already been difficult enough, and I really couldn't bear this consequence. The immense psychological pressure caused my brain to explode with pain.
I don't know how much time passed before the door opened again. It was the same police officer who had interrogated me earlier. He threw a medical report in front of me and said, "The medical report is in. It's a minor injury. Your friend is currently communicating with the victim. It's still in the police investigation stage; it hasn't been submitted to the procuratorate yet. If you can reach a settlement and pay the full amount owed, the matter will be over. If it's transferred to the procuratorate, things will get complicated. Even if the victim forgives you, you'll still be sentenced, but you can get a suspended sentence… Think about it, even with a suspended sentence, your character has changed… Therefore, I suggest you try to reach a settlement with the victim during the police investigation stage."
I wiped my face hard with my hand. I had a million things I wanted to say, but when the words actually reached my lips, they seemed so pale, so I simply chose to remain silent.
...
The next morning, I met Bai Lu. She looked just as exhausted as I did. She sat down opposite me and said, "Michael, we've fallen into a trap. The other side's attitude is very clear: they want us to transfer the inn to them first before they'll accept mediation. I've asked my lawyer friend, and if they don't accept mediation, you could be sentenced to one to three years in prison if you're transferred to the prosecutor's office. If they still don't accept mediation by then, you might not even get a suspended sentence."
"Hmm, who is this person?"
"They're not doing any legitimate business, and it's hard to say whether they have any connection with Cao Jinbo."
I nodded without saying a word. After a moment, Bai Lu sighed and said to me, "The incident with that unlicensed taxi driver last time should have served as a warning to us. Why are you still so impulsive?"
Looking at Bai Lu, I felt terrible. I replied, "I admit I acted impulsively, but I don't understand. The one who did the wrong thing was that kid who got beaten up, so why is everyone blaming me? Is a strong sense of justice so unpopular in today's society? People think those who actually do bad things are just cunning?... Heh, if this world is so morally ambiguous, I'd accept it even if it meant spending my whole life in jail."
Bai Lu fell silent for a moment, but I felt an even stronger urge to smoke. At the same time, I began to question myself more. Was my personality really not suited for the ways of the world? I had no intention of harming anyone; I just wanted to run the inn well with a fighting spirit. But why was it so difficult? Was it because of my poor background that everyone could take advantage of me?
Bai Lu finally spoke, replying, "I didn't mean to blame you... I just wanted to remind you that we all have a long road ahead of us in life. While we don't expect to be constantly on edge, we should at least maintain a basic level of vigilance. Because while there are many good people in this world, there are also many bad ones. I don't want you to suffer... and those people certainly deserve condemnation. However, in this matter, we were indeed outmaneuvered. The other party is adept at using the law to plunder the vulnerable, and we are now in a very passive position."
"How much are they offering for the inn for sale?"
Bai Lu replied in a low voice, "500,000, one price."
"Holy shit... this is outright extortion!"
“There’s no other way. If we don’t agree, you’ll definitely face jail time… I’ve discussed it with everyone, and we all agree that this is just a lesson learned. There will be many more opportunities in the future, after all, we’re all still young.”
"I can't agree to that. I can afford to serve a year or two in jail."
Bai Lu shook her head. Someone outside was already urging her. She probably had to pull some strings to be able to meet me during the summons phase, so she couldn't stay any longer. She picked up her handbag and said to me before leaving, "I'll take care of this as soon as possible, so you won't suffer too much inside... Now that things have come to this, try to calm yourself down."
"I'm not afraid of going to jail, because I have a clear conscience... You must save the inn!"
Bai Lu glanced at me, said nothing more, and then left the room...
Perhaps because she was too tired, her departing figure left me feeling extremely dazed. I seemed to see myself again, shirtless, decorating the small bar with Coach Ma. During that time, we were extremely tired, but we felt it was all worthwhile because we were all full of expectations for this inn.
I can't forget Coach Ma's weathered smile, nor can I forget the day the inn reopened, when he finished smoking and called his two sisters. If the inn is really sold off cheaply because of this, then I've let him down, because I've destroyed his hope of starting anew. I've also let down others; I'm a sinner!
I kept hitting my head, but the guilt in my heart didn't lessen in the slightest.
...
I couldn't tell if it was day or night anymore. I could only hear the faint sound of rain outside, pattering like it was calling out to something. I could also see my own feelings: a little cold and a little desperate... Then I felt like a stone, unable to control what was happening outside or save myself from being trapped inside.
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