If it’s not handled well and she leaves, it means she still doesn’t want to back down.
Song Qing thought for a bit, tugged her sleeve, and tried to say everything more completely, to avoid her not knowing something and suffering a loss later.
“Our family’s big vehicle got hit and went into the river, salvaging it cost quite a bit, when it was pulled up it was in a half-scrapped condition, only sold for thirty or fifty thousand, a portion went to holding the funeral, the cemetery plot and my tuition took another portion, there probably isn’t much left.
His first semester tuition was paid with this money, but his aunt said, since she had run around and handled things for their family, she wanted hard work compensation, so this money was considered a debt.
Actually, during the funeral, every household had to give fenzi qian [份子钱: a traditional gift of money for events like weddings or funerals], and the fenzi qian basically covered the funeral costs and even had extra. Otherwise, her aunt’s family wouldn’t be holding banquets every few days.
Her son left a braid on his head—they held one banquet. Got his appendix removed and discharged—they held one. Daughter entered high school—also held one. People were already scolding her, saying she had no shame, just trying every possible way to fish for money.
Which shows there were quite a few benefits inside.
Take away his tuition, the money from the big vehicle wasn’t even fully spent.
His food and lodging and future tuition were also in the agreement, didn’t touch that sum at all.
That agreement money he had been repaying since he started school. At the beginning his schoolwork was heavy, plus just taking over housework and raising the child, still a bit unfamiliar, had very little time to spare for tutoring or handicrafts—could only recite books while hands worked underneath, making ten or twenty yuan a day.
After eating and drinking expenses, he handed over more than a hundred yuan a week, could barely repay a thousand or two a semester, plus five to six thousand over summer break.
During university, he repaid more every week and month. The big amount from the original agreement, only a bit over ten thousand was left.
Which means, once he finishes paying that ten thousand plus, he doesn’t owe them anymore.
If calculated just like this, they definitely won’t be happy—must let them earn a bit—so the big vehicle’s money isn’t counted, and now the only disputes left between him and them are the compensation from his parents.
And the house his parents left behind.
Their house was by the river, and that river was too small. The village wanted to expand it, so there was land acquisition compensation of seventy to eighty thousand. Compensation was given per person; only he was left in their household, plus the house was old and not big, so that’s why the compensation was that little.
They said the money was taken by Grandpa, but actually it was all in their hands. Grandpa’s small pension was also in their hands—if he didn’t hand it over, they wouldn’t give food, wouldn’t let him in the door.
These two sums of money he told to Nan Zhi, and Nan Zhi nodded, with a look like everything was under control.
He still felt a bit uneasy, and said, “It’s okay if we don’t want the money, as long as we can cut ties with them.”
He knew what kind of person his aunt was—bullying the soft and fearing the tough. If they couldn’t negotiate, the police would be fine, but if they made a fuss she would be directly detained and taken away.
If she got involved—just a little girl—his aunt pouring poop and urine at her door every day was a normal thing.
Doing handicrafts near home, small factory work, often no tasks, flexible time, could come every day to harass her, block her on the way to and from work, say she’s bullying people—that would be considered light. Might even spread rumors saying she’s a mistress and whatnot.
To reach her goals, that woman could do anything.
Song Qing actually didn’t really want her to get involved, but she said she wouldn’t show her face at first—she’d only come out after the negotiation was done.
Anyway, if it really didn’t work out, they’d just retreat and go back home.
According to her plan, at the beginning he also couldn’t show his face, and even more couldn’t run into them. She talked all mysteriously, which made his heart a little uneasy, but the police uncle said she was quite smart, and had a high chance of success.
Song Qing could only wait patiently, and according to her plan, decided not to show up or go out for now. If he did go out, he’d be fully dressed with a hat to cover his face.
That night, the two of them sat at the dinner table and discussed all night. After finishing, it was already very late, and they both went to sleep.
Early the next morning, just as Nan Zhi went to work, a message came—it said there was movement over there.
So fast—it was something he hadn’t expected.
—
Li Xiufang was the one who made the call a little past seven in the morning to the police officer who often came looking for her, wanting to first ask about that damned brat’s situation, to avoid getting to the hospital, not seeing the person, and still being held back by the hospital, not allowed to leave without paying.
She wanted to ask in advance how much was currently owed. If it was a very large amount, she still felt it wasn’t worth it. If it wasn’t much, then she’d consider—if she got caught, she’d first pay that damned brat’s fees, and let him slowly pay her back later.
As soon as she asked, the other side said to talk in person. She didn’t want to meet, but the other party said the situation was a bit complicated, couldn’t explain clearly over the phone.
She had no choice and still gave the location.
On the other end of the line, Zhou Dahai had already planned to bring his young apprentice to visit in person, to prevent any changes if the matter dragged on too long. He didn’t get the chance—she called first. The two of them, afraid she’d back out, immediately drove over.
The car stopped right outside the house. This time, without looking for village officials or the elders of the family, the other side directly opened the door and let them in.
Looked like just as he had guessed—this family couldn’t do without Song Qing, had already long been unable to wait.
Zhou Dahai brought his young apprentice, stepped in with long strides. This time the family not only didn’t drive them away, they even welcomed them into the living room and poured them tea.
Before even drinking a sip, they were already impatiently asking about Song Qing’s condition.
He hesitated for a moment before replying, “Song Qing ah, the situation’s not too good. No money to pay, water and meds have been cut off for many days already, almost got a second infection. Luckily he pulled through, but from now on he won’t be able to do heavy labor anymore—even carrying something will be hard.”
Li Xiufang immediately got anxious and irritated. If he couldn’t do heavy work, then what was the point of him coming?
She stood up right away wanting to chase the two out, but they calmed her down and said, “Don’t rush, we haven’t finished speaking yet.”
Zhou Dahai set down his teacup and spoke seriously, “Somehow, his case got noticed by a lawyer who was handing out business cards at the hospital. Now that person wants to take on his case, saying that your family, as guardians, didn’t fulfill your duty, and there’s suspicion of abandonment. They can file a lawsuit at the People’s Court and sue you for the crime of abandonment.”
“Abandonment can result in up to five years of fixed-term imprisonment.”
“And also, back then when his parents got into the car accident, the compensation from the perpetrator’s family was a total of 52,000.”
“Earlier than that, the house sale money—80,000 yuan—was also in your hands. Now they want it all back.”
Li Xiufang jumped up at once. “The house money was with his grandfather! We didn’t take a single cent. That compensation money was also used for his grandpa’s medical treatment!”
Zhou Dahai told her to calm down a bit. “Telling me is no use—you’ll have to tell the lawyer. And your story doesn’t hold up. His grandpa’s been dead for years. Just look at your bank records—all recent—counting from after his grandpa died, you also have to pay back more than 40,000.”
“That’s what he owes!” Li Xiufang protested.
“He’s just a minor with limited civil capacity. Anything he said or decided before could’ve been coerced by you guys. The court won’t recognize it.”
“And also, that 80,000 yuan was transferred into the old man’s account, but the account was ultimately controlled by you guys. That’s all recorded. You can’t run from it.”
“That child of theirs didn’t make little money for you and your husband over the years. Since he came to your house, the agreement you made—he still remembers that money. As for how much that big truck could’ve sold for when fished up—maybe you could fool the kid, but you can’t fool a lawyer. The income records can be checked—wasn’t it over 60,000?”
“The child isn’t even arguing with you over that anymore. He’s willing to forget about his parents’ compensation and the house, and even deduct the 16,000 from that agreement.”
That agreement, in fact, was also unfair—far exceeded his tuition and living expenses—but he said he didn’t want to be like what others said: that other people’s kids can’t be raised, once they turn 18 they disappear without a trace, refusing to acknowledge any agreement money. So he insisted on subtracting that amount.
He wanted to prove to others that other people’s children can be raised well. That good people would also receive good returns. That he was someone who paid the money and left cleanly, without running.
The reason he left was because others treated him badly, not because he had poor character. He finished repaying the money, fulfilled his promise—his character is fine.
“Just earn a little bit is enough, don’t push other people’s child too hard. Let me tell you, just last week our station took a case—a little girl, always beaten by her dad, one night while everyone was asleep, she took a hammer and smashed her dad to death. Seventeen hits in total. When we arrived, brain matter was already out, flesh and blood all over—even adults were scared stiff, yet the child’s face had no expression.”
“That little girl was only eight or nine years old, skinny and weak, and she could still do something like that.”
“No matter what, he’s already this old. Don’t underestimate people just because he’s now a cripple. If you really push him too far, and he poisons you or turns on the gas—that’s a very simple thing.”
“Of course, I also know, your family’s not doing well right now either. Your daughter’s about to take the college entrance exam, your son is also moving up to the next level, and your old lady is sick, right? Everything is negotiable—we’ll help fight for you as well.”
“He’s a patient, it won’t cost much. Just pay his medical bills and let him see a bit of hope, that’s enough. As for guardianship—that’s easy to solve. You can just find a fool to take over. If you can’t find one, we’ll help you find one.”
“When I was younger, my family was poor too. Back then your father-in-law sold wontons. I didn’t have money to eat, so I’d go help him work. Your father-in-law knew my situation—no matter how many customers there were, he’d always leave me a bowl of wontons. With that kind of friendship, I really don’t want to make things hard for you.”
“But orders from above have come down, there’s nothing we can do. It’s hard for us too. Everyone sit down and resolve this matter properly—that’s the best way.”
Zhou Dahai was in his forties this year. Married early, his kids were around the same age as Song Qing. He couldn’t bear to see children suffer, so he could only try to handle things smoothly, get the matter done well, and not leave behind any resentment or hidden danger for either side.