It contains a detailed record of Li Hongmei's emotional journey.
From initial trepidation to later acceptance.
From initially seeking only to save his life, greed gradually took hold.
"The surgery was successful, and her mother is recovering well."
Officer Li continued.
"Logically, she should have stopped, but the money came too easily, and she couldn't control herself."
Su Jianguo closed the notebook, unsure of what to say for a moment.
"Has the amount involved in the case been verified?"
Su Jianguo asked.
"The initial estimate is around 1,500 yuan."
Officer Li stubbed out his cigarette.
"As you know, according to regulations, this is enough to warrant a sentence of more than ten years."
The office fell silent, with only the ticking of the wall clock.
It's 1986 now, and stealing 1,500 yuan is already considered a big case.
Ten years or more is also normal.
"Her mother wants to see you."
Officer Li suddenly spoke, interrupting Su Jianguo's thoughts.
"The old lady is in the hospital now, but she insists on coming. What do you think..."
Su Jianguo pondered for a moment and then nodded.
"Let her come."
About half an hour later, the police station door was pushed open, and an elderly woman with gray hair and a hunched back walked in, supported by a policewoman.
Her face was sallow, and her legs trembled as she walked.
"This is Boss Su."
Officer Li explained.
The old lady burst into tears as soon as she saw Su Jianguo.
She broke free from the policewoman's hand and knelt down on the ground with a thud.
"Boss Su, please, spare my Hongmei!"
The old woman's voice was hoarse, filled with immense pain.
"It's all my fault, this old codger, that's dragged her down!"
Su Jianguo rushed forward to help her up, but the old lady refused to get up no matter what, and just kept kowtowing, her forehead hitting the floor with a dull "thump".
"Please stand up and speak first."
Su Jianguo helped her up with all his might and found that the old woman's arms were so thin that they were just skin and bones.
The old woman trembled as she pulled a cloth bag from her bosom.
She opened it with trembling hands.
Inside was a stack of crumpled banknotes, including ten-yuan notes, five-yuan notes, and even a few one-mao notes.
"This is 600 yuan, which I got from selling my house and borrowing money myself."
The old woman said, crying.
"I know this isn't enough, but I can write an IOU, I can still work, and I'll pay it back every month..."
Su Jianguo looked at the money he had scraped together and felt a pang of bitterness.
"old lady!"
Su Jianguo said softly.
"Please sit down and speak slowly."
The old lady was helped to sit down, her hands still tightly clutching the bag of money.
"Hongmei is a good child, sensible since she was little. Her father passed away early, and my daughter and I depended on each other for survival..."
Her voice choked with emotion.
"When I was diagnosed, the doctor said it would be too late if I didn't have surgery soon..."
Su Jianguo listened quietly.
"Later, the family was still a few hundred yuan short of the surgery and subsequent expenses, and Hongmei was so anxious that she couldn't sleep for nights on end."
The old lady wiped away her tears.
"One day she came home and suddenly pulled out a wad of cash, saying it was an advance on her salary. I was suspicious immediately, but she absolutely refused to tell the truth..."
Officer Li interjected.
That was the money she earned from selling vegetables for the first time.
The old woman closed her eyes in pain.
"It's all my fault. If I hadn't gotten sick, Hongmei wouldn't have... Boss Su, if you want to punish someone, punish me! Let me go to jail for her!"
Su Jianguo took a deep breath and looked at Officer Li.
Where is she now?
"In the detention cell."
Officer Li answered.
"According to regulations, he/she will be transferred to the detention center today."
"Can I see her?"
Su Jianguo asked.
Officer Li hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Yes, but it can't take too long."
When Su Jianguo saw Li Hongmei in the meeting room, he almost didn't recognize her.
Overnight, this once energetic and capable young girl looked ten years older, her eyes were red and swollen like peaches, and there were red marks left by handcuffs on her wrists.
Upon seeing Su Jianguo, Li Hongmei burst into tears.
"Boss, I'm so sorry! I really know I was wrong!"
Su Jianguo sat down opposite her without speaking immediately.
The slogan on the wall, "Confess and you will be treated leniently; resist and you will be punished severely," was particularly glaring.
"Your mother has arrived."
Su Jianguo finally spoke.
"It's right outside."
Li Hongmei's body trembled violently, and her tears flowed even more fiercely.
"Is she...is she alright?"
"Not good."
Su Jianguo spoke the truth.
"She sold your house and borrowed a lot of money to compensate me."
Li Hongmei covered her face, her shoulders shaking violently.
"No...please don't take her money...the house is gone, and we owe so much money, how is my mother going to live..."
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