0016 Professional Ethics
Zhai quickly made a decision not to prosecute.
Qu Zhong didn't expect the case to go so smoothly. When she received the decision not to prosecute, her first reaction was to breathe a sigh of relief, and her second reaction was to thank him.
But on second thought, thanking her was hardly a wise move. It seemed to belittle the prosecutor's professionalism and would make their night in bed look like she was offering sexual favors for the case.
So she didn't say anything, but instead scanned and sent the decision not to prosecute to Yu Wen, and asked her whether the original should be delivered by express or given to her in person.
Yu Wen replied quickly: "Come to my school."
D University.
This wasn't Qu Zhong's first time here. Her childhood friend was studying for a master's degree in finance at D University, and D University's cafeteria was famous for its delicious food. So, back in her school days, whenever she didn't have classes, she would go to D University to eat with her friend.
Yu Wen sat on a two-seater wooden chair waiting for her, surrounded by lush, evergreen trees that remained unchanged despite the approaching autumn.
Although it was a sunny day, Yu Wen wore a pink turtleneck sweater today because the weather had turned cooler. She looked fluffy and was noticeably different from how she was at the coffee shop.
Qu Zhong sat down next to her, and she handed her a cup of coffee, while holding one in her own hand as well.
Qu Zhong didn't accept the offer, half-jokingly saying, "I have principles. Once I've accepted the lawyer's fee, I won't accept meals or drinks from clients."
Yu Wen was taken aback, her brows furrowing as if she were seriously trying to find a reason for her to accept the coffee, and she quickly came up with one: "It's the author's treat for the readers."
She simplified their relationship to that of the author of "Please Enter the Urn" and the reader of "Please Enter the Urn".
Qu Zhong was persuaded and smiled, saying "Okay," before taking a sip from her hand. The moment it entered her mouth, her tongue was assaulted by a strong, bitter taste. She frowned at her and said, "So you like Americano."
No wonder she only took one sip of the caramel latte I ordered for her last time and didn't touch it again.
Yu Wen said casually, "I'm used to it."
The campus of D University was quiet in the afternoon, like a kind old man taking a rest. The sunlight was not dazzling, and the wind was gentle; together, they had a magical healing effect. So Yu Wen, who seemed to be burdened with worries, told Qu Zhong everything that she hadn't been able to say in the coffee shop that day.
As far back as she can remember, her father was a chronic alcoholic who, under the influence of alcohol, would abuse her mother, Yu Yacen. Then one spring night, this man abandoned his wife and daughter, disappearing from their world. She changed her surname to her mother's.
From then on, Yu Yacen became depressed and never smiled again. Young Yu Wen, on the other hand, had no idea how to interact with her. Fearful and anxious, she could only try to please her by becoming exceptionally excellent. She was terrified of doing anything wrong, angering her, or incurring her displeasure.
So she had no entertainment, no social life, and her days consisted of going back and forth between home and school, from the classroom to her bedroom, burying herself in her studies.
Who knew that in her second year of high school, she would inadvertently learn from her aunt that her father had liver cancer and would not live much longer. Perhaps it wasn't an accident, but rather that people who are about to die are particularly attached to family ties, so she deliberately asked someone to pass on the message to Yu Wen.
Yu Wen felt that this scumbag deserved what he got, and that his life or death was no longer her concern. But when she actually went to the hospital and saw him, he was already on the verge of death and unable to speak.
Yu Wen no longer knew how to hate him; her hatred had become meaningless with his death.
Kinship law, which governs the parent-child relationship, is more like a natural law. Based on blood ties, it is inherently different from other legal provisions. Shareholder deadlock can dissolve a company, obstacles to performance can terminate a contract, and unpaid debts can be enforced. But dislike for one's parents can never sever the parent-child relationship. Just as the death of a defendant eliminates criminal liability, it doesn't change the fact that he remains his mother's unfilial son and his children's irresponsible father.
Qu Zhong listened quietly as she finished speaking, as if she were listening to a very long story. When the story ended, she asked, "Did you study medicine because of him?"
Yu Wen reverted to her silent self. Her eyelids drooped slightly, and she looked disheartened and conflicted.
Recalling her earlier statement, "I don't like studying medicine at all," Qu Zhong felt her question was a bit abrupt. She was about to change her mind and say it was okay not to answer, but then she saw Yu Wen raise her face and confess, "Yes..."
She paused after speaking, biting her lower lip hard: "But whenever I think about what he did to me and my mother, I feel so regretful. Is studying medicine just to save people like him?"
Nineteen-year-old Yu Wen, who had just survived a criminal trial, raised a serious topic that could not be dealt with by jokes or scolding.
Qu Zhong turned his head and stared at her intently, asserting, "But if, and I mean if, he really does end up on your operating table, you will still take the knife seriously and do your best to save him."
Because doctors are dedicated to saving lives, regardless of good or bad. Even those who have committed heinous crimes have the right to receive treatment.
Like defense lawyers, they speak for criminals who commit murder and arson, and will never betray their cause until the final verdict is handed down.
This is a similar professional ethic between doctors and lawyers, which can sometimes be quite harsh because you can't even get past your own conscience first.
"So, you have to become very strong."
Like Qu Zhong, like every ordinary person struggling in Shanghai, choose a one-way street, don't look back, and keep moving forward.
Yu Wen nodded in agreement, still looking a little dazed. It was the first time Qu Zhong had seen such a well-behaved expression on her face, like that of a little puppy.
Qu Zhong felt their conversation was too heavy, which was a disservice to such a beautiful day and also a betrayal of Zhai Shi's decision not to prosecute. So she decided to talk about something more interesting.
"Lingering warmth, you've never done this before, have you?"
Yu Wen didn't understand: "What did you do?"
Qu Zhong: "Love".
"..."
Yu Wen probably didn't expect her to be so direct. He unconsciously put his hands behind his back, gently scratched the back of the chair a few times, and remained silent, tacitly agreeing.
Qu Zhong looked up at the sky with a "I knew it" expression and said, "Sure enough, only those who have never done it can write about sex in such a dramatic and moving way."
Yu Wen asked softly, "What does it actually feel like?"
Qu Zhong thought for a moment, smiled, and admitted, "Not bad at all."
When was the last time you did this?
"This morning."
Yu Wen looked up in surprise: "So early in the morning? Won't you be late for work?"
Hmm... I am indeed late, but it's not because of any ulterior motive.
She raised her voice and asked her in return, "Who's as fierce as the male protagonist in your novels?" Just thinking about it makes me think she's really something. "What are you writing about? Peeing? Your sexual fetishes are quite unique."
I didn't feel ashamed when I wrote it, but it felt different when I heard it from someone else, especially when it was those two overly explicit words.
Yu Wen lowered her eyes and pursed her lips. Because of her light skin tone, any redness on her cheeks was easily noticeable.
Qu Zhong found her reactions rather endearing. She had initially thought Yu Wen was a colorless, gray shadow, but unexpectedly, it could become vivid under the sunlight. She let out an "Oh dear," suppressing a laugh: "What, even a fish that writes so many fancy things can be shy?"
Unable to resist the lingering warmth, she blushed and told her to stop talking.
Qu Zhong stopped teasing her and asked on behalf of himself and countless readers: "When will the author update again?"
It's been more than two months; even the heaviest rain should have stopped by now.
Yu Wen shook his head: "Maybe... I won't write anymore."
From being reported and interrogated to finally receiving the decision not to prosecute, she felt that the time had been incredibly long, longer than the more than ten years she had grown up. Once everything had settled, she could no longer find the feeling she had when she first started writing this piece.
"That's fine too. Leaving it blank is also a kind of ending."
The readers of "Please Enter the Urn" lost a happy ending as mentioned in the synopsis, but the author of "Please Enter the Urn," Yizhiyu, may be able to have a happy ending of her own.
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