In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Yang Guangming took the thick stack of banknotes, his fingertips clearly feeling the rough texture of the paper and its heavy weight. He lowered his head and counted them slowly and carefully, one by one.

The room was quiet, with only the sound of him counting money, Qin Dewang's slightly heavy breathing, and Qin Shengli's barely suppressed gasps.

The middle-aged policeman watched quietly, while the young policeman took notes.

"...Two hundred and ninety-five, two hundred and ninety-six, two hundred and ninety-seven, two hundred and ninety-eight, two hundred and ninety-nine, three hundred." After counting the last bill, Yang Guangming looked up, rearranged the banknotes, and held them in his hand.

“The amount is correct, it’s three hundred yuan,” he said, his voice steady.

Qin Dewang visibly relaxed, his shoulders slumping slightly, but the worry on his face didn't lessen. He looked at Yang Guangming again, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something, but hesitated to speak because of the presence of the police.

The middle-aged policeman said, "Comrade Yang Guangming, the money has been returned. This is the confirmation of the return of the stolen money. Take a look, and if there are no problems, sign here."

The young policeman handed him a piece of paper and a pen.

Yang Guangming quickly glanced at the message; it simply confirmed receipt of the 300 yuan fraudulently obtained money from Qin Shengli (represented by his family). He took the pen and signed his name.

"Comrade Qin Dewang, you also need to sign to confirm that you returned the money on behalf of your son." The police officer turned to Qin Dewang.

Qin Dewang quickly stepped forward, took the pen, his hand trembling slightly, and wrote his name crookedly, but he finally signed it.

"Alright, that concludes the formalities for now."

The middle-aged policeman put away the confirmation form and looked at Qin Shengli with a serious expression. "Qin Shengli, the facts of the fraud are clear, the amount involved is huge, and most of the stolen money has already been squandered by you."

Although your father returned the stolen goods on your behalf, this can only be considered as a mitigating circumstance when determining your sentence, and does not mean that you can be exempted from legal responsibility.

Next, we will transfer the case for further processing in accordance with the law. Do you have anything else to say?

Qin Shengli's body trembled violently. He raised his head, his face drained of color, and his eyes filled with fear.

He looked at his father, then at Yang Guangming, his lips trembling: "I...I was wrong...I really know I was wrong...Yang...Yang Guangming, for the sake of being classmates, could you...could you..."

"Qin Shengli!" Qin Dewang roared, interrupting his son. His face showed disappointment and frustration, mixed with a hint of embarrassment. "If you break the law, you should accept the punishment! Now you know to beg for mercy, where were you before!"

He turned to the policeman, bending slightly at the waist, "Comrade, handle it however you see fit, we...we accept it. We only ask...we only ask for a little leniency, to give him a chance to reform."

Yang Guangming watched this scene quietly, his heart unmoved. Qin Shengli's fear was real, as was Qin Dewang's heartache and helplessness. But these were all seeds they had sown themselves.

He had no intention of saying anything at this moment. He had gotten the money back; his main objective had been achieved. As for what would happen to Qin Shengli afterward, that was a matter for the law.

"Comrade Yang Guangming," the middle-aged policeman said, looking at him, "Thank you for your cooperation. If we need your assistance or presence in any subsequent cases, we will contact you again. Are you satisfied with this outcome?"

Yang Guangming nodded, his tone sincere: "Thank you, comrade. You are very efficient, and I am very satisfied. I am already very grateful to have been able to get this money back and solve my family's major difficulties. As for the handling of Qin Shengli, I believe the law will give a fair judgment."

His attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, expressing both gratitude and demonstrating trust and respect for the judicial process, leaving no room for criticism.

A hint of admiration flashed in the middle-aged policeman's eyes. This young man from the countryside was indeed quite different from the typical victims who would either wail and cry or cower in fear when faced with such a situation.

"Alright, that's all for today. You can go home now. Keep in touch," the police officer said.

Yang Guangming thanked him again and nodded slightly to Qin Dewang as a greeting. As for Qin Shengli, he didn't even glance at him again before turning around and walking out of the interrogation room decisively.

The door closed behind him, and he could still faintly hear Qin Dewang's low-pitched reprimands and Qin Shengli's suppressed sobs inside.

Yang Guangming followed the path he had come from, leaving the police station building and crossing the somewhat empty courtyard. The morning sun was a bit warmer than before, but the wind still carried a chill.

Stepping out of the police station and onto the somewhat deserted street, Yang Guangming let out a long sigh. The three hundred yuan in his arms felt real; a heavy weight that had been pressing on his heart for months had finally been lifted.

For him personally, this matter is basically over.

What kind of punishment Qin Shengli will receive—whether it's administrative detention, re-education through labor, or imprisonment, and for how long—is something the Public Security Bureau and the court need to handle gradually according to law and procedure. He doesn't need to, and is unlikely to, closely monitor the aftermath. As long as there is a fair outcome in the end, that's enough.

In his last glance at Qin Shengli, all he saw was fear and despair.

The once boastful and charismatic scoundrel is now completely wilted, like a frostbitten eggplant.

Such punishment was heavy enough for Qin Shengli himself. The years he lost his freedom, in an era that valued family background and records, were enough to leave an indelible stain on his life record, affecting him for decades to come.

Yang Guangming showed no pity. Everyone must be responsible for their own choices. When Qin Shengli was swindling money, did he ever consider that he would drive his classmate Yang Guangming and his family into despair?

He took a step and slowly walked back along the street, his steps not hurried.

The matter was over, and he was perfectly content with that. He got his money back, and the swindler would be severely punished by law. This met his initial expectations when he reported the case, and was even better than he had anticipated a private struggle and wrangling.

But he was waiting too.

Waiting for a possible change.

Qin Dewang impressed him as a shrewd old worker who knew how to weigh the pros and cons.

Such a person would never easily give up when his son faces the possibility of going to jail. For his son's sake, as well as for the family's reputation and his own standing at the factory, he might make one last effort.

And the direction of this effort is very likely to be itself, the "victim".

If Qin Dewang had this idea, he would definitely take the initiative to approach him. Privately, he would bring his own conditions, pleading with Qin Dewang to "show leniency" and let Qin Shengli off the hook.

Yang Guangming walked along, lost in thought.

From a purely personal emotional and self-interested perspective, he would prefer to let the matter rest and let Qin Shengli go where he belongs and receive the punishment he deserves.

The compensation Qin Dewang might offer, whether it's extra money or other benefits, isn't that appealing to someone who has the space of a refrigerator and has witnessed four generations of prosperity.

He won't lack money in the future. He's also confident he can earn a job through his own abilities.

However, he lives in the present era, in a small county town. He needs to consider the opinions of those around him, and he needs to consider "human relationships and social customs."

If Qin Dewang had truly come with enough sincerity and offered a compensation that would be considered substantial in this era, but Qin Shengli resolutely refused to accept it and was determined to send Qin Shengli to jail, what would outsiders think of him?
Even if there is a huge grudge between classmates, and the other party's parents are so humble and willing to go bankrupt to apologize and compensate, if you still insist on killing them, wouldn't you seem too cruel and too unreasonable?

What will He Jianjun think? What will other classmates and acquaintances who know about this think?
"Yang Guangming is too hard-hearted."

"One should be lenient when one can. The Qin family is already in such a state, why bother?"

"Are you trying to extort even more money?"

Such public opinion is not a good thing for Yang Guangming, who plans to remain in this small county, or at least in this area, for some time to come.

He may not be afraid, but there's no need to needlessly provoke others. Being unconventional often means more trouble.

Moreover, in 1961, the legal system was still under construction and restoration, and there were indeed some imperfections in the procedures. The scope for interference from personal relationships was relatively larger than in later periods.

Qin Dewang had worked at the timber factory for many years and was a level four worker. He was considered a skilled and respected master craftsman, and he had some connections.

If he is determined to get his son out of trouble, and Yang Guangming, the "victim," refuses to budge, he may ultimately find it difficult to escape punishment completely, but the process will inevitably bring Yang Guangming a lot of entanglement and trouble.

Sunshine Ming hates unnecessary trouble.

What is his core demand? It's to get his money back and to bring the scammers to justice.

Now, the money has been returned. Punishment has been initiated by the public security authorities; Qin Shengli has at least suffered a great shock and initial punishment, being detained and interrogated.

If Qin Dewang is willing to offer a sufficiently "sincere" compensation on this basis, the compensation itself would be a heavy and devastating additional punishment for the Qin family.

In Yang Guangming's view, the "total punishment" Qin Shengli had received was about enough.

He didn't necessarily need to see Qin Shengli spend a specific number of years in prison to feel satisfied. Making the Qin family pay a price far exceeding the proceeds of their fraud was also a profound lesson, enough for Qin Shengli to remember for the rest of his life, and enough for Qin Dewang to reflect on his failure to properly raise his son.

The key question is whether Qin Dewang's "sincerity" is sufficient.

If the other party were to try to fob them off with a few dozen or a hundred yuan, it would be meaningless. Yang Guangming would refuse without hesitation and insist on pursuing the matter to the end. What he wanted was a price that would make the Qin family feel the pain, a price that would truly serve as a deterrent.

Therefore, he slowed down. He gave Qin Dewang a chance to catch up, and also left himself a window for observation and negotiation before making further decisions.

He was right about Qin Dewang.

Just as he was less than a hundred meters from the police station gate, he heard hurried and slightly disordered footsteps behind him, accompanied by panting.

"Yang...Yang Ming! Wait...wait a minute!"

Yang Guangming stopped and slowly turned around.

Qin Dewang jogged up to catch up. His work clothes were covered in dust, and the wrinkles on his face seemed deeper. Exhaustion and anxiety were almost overflowing from his eyes.

The stern father figure he had been maintaining in front of his son now appeared exceptionally old and powerless.

"Uncle Qin, is there anything else?" Yang Guangming asked calmly, his tone revealing no emotion.

Qin Dewang took a few breaths, walked closer to the sunlight, and first subconsciously glanced back in the direction of the Public Security Bureau before lowering his voice and forcing a very strained, even pleading, smile:

"Guangming... no, Yangguangming, could... could I possibly take a moment of your time? Just a few words, please."

Yang Guangming looked around. There were few pedestrians on the roadside, and no one was paying attention. It was a good place to talk. He nodded: "Uncle Qin, please go ahead."

Qin Dewang rubbed his large, calloused hands together, composed himself, and then spoke in a dry voice:
"Guangming, I'm so sorry for today... I'm so sorry. My good-for-nothing son... he deserves to die! He did such a heartless thing, I, as his father, have no face to see you!"

He lowered his head, his tone filled with regret and self-reproach, and it wasn't entirely feigned. How could he, as a father, not bear responsibility for his son's actions?

"Qin Shengli... he wasn't like this before. He was quite obedient when he was young, but... it's just that after graduation, he had trouble finding a job and made some shady friends, which is how he gradually went astray. It's all my fault; I was too busy with work at the factory and didn't discipline him properly..."

He began to recount the hardships his family faced: how tough the work at the lumber mill was, how heavy the burden was because Qin Shengli wasn't the only child in the family, and how his wife's health was poor.

These words were half true and half false, their purpose being nothing more than to gain sympathy and create the image of a "difficult but honest" family, paving the way for subsequent requests.

Yang Guangming listened quietly, his face expressionless, neither interrupting nor agreeing. He understood the underlying meaning of this complaint.

Sure enough, after laying the groundwork, Qin Dewang changed the subject, lowering his voice even further, with a clear pleading tone:
“Guangming, I know Shengli broke the law and deserves to be punished. The police have said they will transfer him to the prosecutor's office for legal proceedings. But... but he's still young. If he goes to jail for a few years, his life... will be ruined!”

He looked up at Yang Guangming, his eyes reddening slightly: "He's my only son. If he... his mother would be so worried she'd get sick. Our family... would be finished."

“Uncle Qin,” Yang Guangming finally spoke, his voice still steady, “When Qin Shengli cheated me out of money, he never thought about whether my family would be ruined. Three hundred yuan was like the sky falling for my family. My parents are now in the village, unable to hold their heads up. This debt almost crushed my family.”

His words were direct, exposing Qin Dewang's attempt to portray himself as someone who "has it tough too," and clearly pointing out that the situations of victims and perpetrators are fundamentally different.

Qin Dewang's face turned pale, and he hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, I know, I know! That's why I swallowed my pride, took out my life savings, and borrowed money to pay it back as soon as possible."

We admit our mistake and we will compensate you!
I only beg... I only beg you to consider... consider that he was just confused for a moment, and for the sake of my old face, could you... could you give Shengli a chance?

He took a step closer and said, almost in a whisper, "Guangming, you're still young, you might not understand. But these days... when it comes to handling cases, sometimes it's about the actual situation and the right attitude."

As long as you, the aggrieved party... are willing to forgive and not pursue the matter further, then... there is room for things to turn around.

He observed Yang Guangming's expression and continued cautiously, "As long as you go and tell the police that you're classmates, there was a misunderstanding before, the money has been returned, and you're willing to forgive him and not sue..."

Or, you could change your statement and say... say that Shengli genuinely wanted to help you find a job, but it didn't work out and took a while, so he's now refunding the money... That would change the nature of the story.

Qin Dewang's voice grew softer and softer, but his meaning was very clear.

He was implying that if Yang Guangming loosened his grip, withdrew the report, or changed his key testimony, he could leverage his connections in the county to "get Qin Shengli out," or at least downplay the incident.

Seeing that Yang Guangming remained silent, he thought there was a chance and quickly added, "Of course, we can't let your family suffer losses and grievances for nothing. In addition to returning the three hundred yuan, we... our family is willing to offer some more compensation, as an apology to you and to make up for your family's emotional distress."

"Look... how about two hundred yuan?"

Two hundred yuan.

In 1961, this was an enormous sum of money for an ordinary working-class family.

Qin Dewang is a level four carpenter, earning only a little over fifty yuan a month. After deducting expenses for his family, he can save very little. The fact that he offered this amount suggests he is sincere.

For most people, getting their 300 yuan back and then the other parent being so humble as to offer an extra 200 yuan in compensation would bring the total to 500 yuan. Not only would they recover their entire loss, but they'd also make a net profit of 200 yuan. Many people might just go along with it and agree.

But Yang Guangming is no ordinary person.

After hearing Qin Dewang's words, he felt calmer. The other party was indeed unwilling to give up, and was indeed willing to pay an extra price. This confirmed his judgment.

Two hundred yuan, how much? In this day and age, it's a lot.

But is it "sincere" enough? In Yang Guangming's opinion, it isn't.

This is not enough to cripple the Qin family, nor enough to make Qin Shengli and his father remember the painful lesson. Qin Dewang may feel the pinch for a while, but it's far from being a deeply ingrained memory.

What Yang Guangming wanted was not just simple financial compensation. He wanted a substantial explanation.

At the same time, he was also considering his own needs. A formal job was what he urgently needed. This would not only solve his personal livelihood problem, but also greatly improve his family's status in the village, allowing his parents to finally hold their heads high.

So he shook his head, a faint smile appearing on his face, a smile that seemed both helpless and mocking.

“Uncle Qin,” he said slowly, his tone even colder than before, “Do you think that my family was almost driven to desperation by these three hundred yuan, that my parents couldn’t hold their heads up in front of others, and that I became the laughingstock of the whole village… can all of this be ‘compensated’ with just two hundred yuan?”

Qin Dewang's heart sank.

Yang Guangming continued, "I came here today to report the case and send Qin Shengli to jail, not simply to vent my anger, but also to seek justice, to tell my parents, and to tell those people in the village who were laughing at me, that I, Yang Guangming, am not stupid. Even if I was deceived, I know where to seek justice and how to get back what is rightfully mine!"

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear and carried a strong sense of pressure.

"Now that the money has been returned, I am very grateful to the police officers. As for what punishment Qin Shengli will receive, that is a matter for the law, and I respect the law."

You asked me to change my statement, to say something about a 'misunderstanding' or 'sincerely helping'..."

Yang Guangming looked into Qin Dewang's eyes and said, "I'm sorry, Uncle Qin, I can't do it. The truth is that it's a fraud. If I say that, it would be disrespectful to the law, and it would also be a desecration of myself and the suffering of my family."

Qin Dewang's face turned completely ashen, and the glimmer of hope that had just ignited in his eyes seemed about to be extinguished.

But Yang Guangming changed the subject: "However..."

This "however" made Qin Dewang's heart leap into his throat again.

“I understand your feelings as a father.” Yang Guangming’s tone softened slightly, but still carried a sense of distance. “Qin Shengli is hateful, but I have seen how hard you have worked for him. I don’t want to push things to the extreme and leave no room for compromise. After all, as you said, we were classmates, and if we really fight to the death, outsiders might think I’m too heartless.”

Qin Dewang's heart pounded, he held his breath, and stared intently at Yang Guangming, afraid of missing a single word.

“I can consider not pursuing this further, but it’s impossible for me to change my statement. If you have connections, you can find someone to change the wording of your statement, or simply drop the case.”

Yang Guangming said slowly, "However, Uncle Qin, if you want me to drop the matter, you need a sufficient reason, sufficient... sincerity."

"Tell me! Tell me! What sincerity do you mean? As long as I can do it, I will definitely..." Qin Dewang eagerly promised.

"My terms are simple."

Yang Guangming interrupted him and stated his demands directly: "Qin Shengli's matter has had a very bad impact on my personal future."

I need a stable, formal job in the city to change my current situation and put my parents at ease.

"If you can help me secure a permanent position, I might consider ending this." "A permanent position?" Upon hearing this, Qin Dewang's face immediately showed a bitter smile that was more like a grimace. The hope that had just risen was instantly overwhelmed by a huge sense of powerlessness.

"Guangming, you...you're going to kill me! If I had that ability, I would definitely get my son a permanent job first."

If I could do that, why would Shengli have had to work as a temporary worker, be laid off, idle all day, and ultimately go astray?

Qin Dewang's tone was full of sincere helplessness and regret: "If I had connections, I would have arranged it for him first!"
He has a decent job that keeps him busy every day; how could he have the time to hang out with those shady friends or get involved in gambling? Ultimately, it's my fault for being useless; I didn't pave the way for him, which is why he's become like this!

Qin Dewang's words were not entirely an excuse.

Based on his memory and the current historical context, Yang Guangming judged that although a fourth-level worker in a county timber factory was considered a skilled and respected master craftsman, in an era when recruitment quotas were extremely tight and almost entirely controlled by the labor department and various units, it was indeed as difficult as climbing to the sky to obtain a "formal worker" position out of thin air.

It is even more difficult, especially for someone with a rural household registration.

If Qin Dewang truly possessed such power, Qin Shengli wouldn't have ended up in such a sorry state.

It seems unrealistic to use job openings as a bargaining chip. Yang Guangming hadn't held out much hope for this anyway; it was merely the starting point for his negotiations, an anchor to raise the other party's expectations.

"Then," Yang Guangming's expression turned cold, and the pressure that had been building beneath his calm surface resurfaced, "Uncle Qin, if you can't provide a job and are only offering money as compensation..."

He paused, his gaze sharp as he looked at Qin Dewang: "Do you think any amount of money could be equivalent to a permanent position? Could it compensate for the damage this has caused to my family and the negative impact on my future? Could it truly make me feel better?"

Qin Dewang was speechless when asked the question.

Using money to measure a job opportunity, especially a secure job, is inherently ineffective. But he knew this was a crucial moment for negotiation.

He braced himself and tentatively asked again, "Then... three hundred? Adding the previous three hundred, it's six hundred in total?" This was almost the limit of what he could imagine, and even he felt his heart skip a beat when he said it.

Yang Guangming shook his head, his tone calm but firm: "Uncle Qin, let's be frank."

Before I came to the county town, I had already decided that I could only be at peace with myself if Qin Shengli was brought to justice.

"Either your family provides sufficient compensation so that I feel this lesson has been profound enough for you, profound enough to quell my anger and allow me to give a satisfactory explanation to my parents and the villagers."

"Two hundred, three hundred, that's too little."

He directly rejected Qin Dewang's offer, saying, "This amount of money won't break your spirit. You'll get through a few days of financial hardship."

You feel sorry for Qin Shengli, knowing he'll be locked up for several years. But have you considered that if I insist on not giving in, his imprisonment is inevitable? Then, your losses will be far more than just money.

"Then...how many do you want?" Qin Dewang's voice was a little dry, and his palms were sweaty.

Yang Guangming stretched out a hand, fingers spread: "Five hundred. An extra five hundred yuan in compensation."

If you can come up with this money, I can drop the matter. Whether you find someone to change your testimony or drop the case, I have no objection.

This matter can be resolved through mediation, without going to court.

I can't get it out..."

He withdrew his hand, his tone turning cold, with an undeniable resolve: "I will keep an eye on this case until Qin Shengli receives the judgment he deserves."

Moreover, I can tell you clearly that if I find that your family is trying to use connections, favors, or other improper means to interfere with the handling of the case, I will take action.

I will write a complaint letter to the local public security bureau, and even to the relevant departments at the provincial level. This is a new society, under the Party's rule; I believe there will always be a place where the people can seek justice.

These words were well-reasoned and supported by evidence, combining both soft and hard approaches. They included a clear price to pay, a bottom line to uphold, and a warning against any potential "crooked or unethical" practices.

Like a cold knife held to Qin Dewang's neck, it made him clearly feel the young man's tenacity and determination.

Qin Dewang's breathing quickened. He stared intently at Yang Guangming, trying to find a trace of bluff or hesitation in the other's young face.

But all he saw was a deep, still pool and an unwavering determination deep within his eyes.

People are different.

Qin Dewang had worked in factories for half his life and had seen all sorts of people. The young man in front of him, though poorly dressed and young, exuded a calm demeanor, meticulous thinking, and sharp, direct words that brought him immense pressure.

This is by no means an ordinary rural youth who can be easily fooled or dismissed with a little money.

He even had a ridiculous thought: could his stupid son really fool such a person? Could it be... that he had fallen into a trap set by someone else?

But the thought only flashed through my mind.

Whether it's a setup or not, the son has now been truly arrested, and there's real evidence against him.

Although the conditions proposed by the other party were harsh, they did provide a path to "settle" the matter.

Five hundred dollars!
Adding the 300 I've already paid back, that's 800 yuan!

This will almost drain all his savings from all these years, and he will also be burdened with heavy debt.

The price he paid was profound, enough to take him years, or even decades, to recover from.

Is this lesson enough? Absolutely enough!
But what if we don't agree? My son will definitely go in.

Having a criminal record can ruin your life.

Moreover, as Yang Guangming said, if the other party is determined to pursue the matter, or even escalate it to higher authorities, can his not-so-strong connections withstand it? Even if he can withstand it, how much energy and favors will this process consume, and will it cause other troubles?

Weighing the two evils...

Qin Dewang was struggling internally, and the muscles on his face twitched slightly.

Time seemed to stand still, with only the faint sound of the wind coming from outside the alley.

Yang Guangming didn't urge him, but waited quietly. He had plenty of patience. He also believed that Qin Dewang would figure out the score.

After a long while, Qin Dewang seemed to have used up all his strength, his shoulders slumped down, and he let out a long, heavy sigh.

That tone was filled with exhaustion, resentment, heartache, and a sense of resigned compromise.

"Five hundred yuan!" he murmured, repeating the number, his voice hoarse. "I...I agree."

Yang Guangming felt certain, but there was no joy on his face. He simply nodded slightly and said, "Uncle Qin is a wise man."

Qin Dewang looked up, his eyes bloodshot. "Guangming, this amount of money... is too large. Yesterday, in order to raise the three hundred yuan, I used all the money I could at home and even borrowed some from my coworkers. This extra five hundred... I really can't come up with the full amount right now."

He explained urgently, "At most, I can scrape together a little over a hundred, maybe two hundred, that's the limit. I'll have to borrow the rest. You...you have to give me some time."

Yang Guangming thought for a moment and asked, "How long will it take you?"

"Tomorrow! I'll definitely find a way to gather the money by tomorrow night!" Qin Dewang promised, his eyes pleading. "Today... I'll give you a portion today, okay? It's my way of showing my sincerity."

"Sure," Yang Guangming readily agreed.

He wasn't worried that Qin Dewang would renege on his debts; Qin Dewang wouldn't dare to do so while the case was still pending.

“Then let’s agree on a time and place,” Yang Guangming said. “Tomorrow evening, around six o’clock, I’ll wait for you at the front desk of the county guesthouse. When I come to the county town, I usually stay there if I’m staying overnight.”

"Okay, okay! The guesthouse it is. I'll definitely be there by 6 p.m. tomorrow!" Qin Dewang nodded repeatedly.

"How much can you give me today?" Yang Guangming asked.

Qin Dewang said, "I can take out two hundred yuan today, and I'll give you the remaining three hundred tomorrow."

That showed some sincerity, and Yang Guangming felt the pace was acceptable. "Okay. When can you give me the two hundred for today?"

Qin Dewang glanced at the sky and said, "Okay, Guangming, wait for me a moment. I'll go get the money right away."

"About...about an hour, no, half an hour! Give me half an hour, wait for me around here, don't go far, I'll get the money and come right back!"

His tone was urgent, as if he was afraid that Yang Guangming would change his mind.

“Okay.” Yang Guangming nodded. “I’ll wait for you next to the post office at the street corner ahead.”

After the two made their agreement, Qin Dewang gave Yang Guangming another deep look, his eyes filled with complex emotions. Then he turned around and almost ran away from the alley, his back view hurried and heavy.

Yang Guangming followed instructions and walked to the alley entrance, where the county post office was not far away. He found a sheltered and inconspicuous corner and waited quietly.

Less than half an hour later, a slightly piercing engine sound came from afar.

Yang Guangming looked up and saw an old, military-green jeep with peeling paint, bumping along from the other end of the street, finally screeching to a stop on the side of the road not far in front of him.

The car door opened, and Qin Dewang jumped out of the passenger seat, his steps a little unsteady.

Immediately afterwards, the driver's cab door opened, and a slightly overweight man in his thirties got out.

The man's expression was somewhat serious. His gaze swept around the surroundings and finally landed on Yang Guangming, with a scrutinizing look.

Qin Dewang jogged up to Yang Guangming, panting, and pointed to the slightly overweight man who had followed him, introducing him: "Guangming, this...this is Liu Zhiguo, he drives for the county committee's motorcade. He's my cousin, he heard about the trouble at my family and came...came to check on things."

Liu Zhiguo stepped forward, nodded to Yang Guangming as a greeting, but didn't extend his hand or say anything more. However, the subtle sense of superiority and scrutiny in his eyes, typical of a leader's driver, made the atmosphere somewhat awkward.

His presence here was clearly not just for a simple "look." He could serve as a witness, or perhaps as a form of insidious deterrence—the Qin family does have some connections in the county.

Yang Guangming remained calm and nodded to Liu Zhiguo, saying, "Master Liu."

Liu Zhiguo grunted in agreement, took out a small bag wrapped in a handkerchief from his black faux leather briefcase, handed it to Qin Dewang, and whispered, "Cousin, hurry up, I have to go back to the county committee in a bit, I can't stay any longer."

Qin Dewang quickly took it, then turned and handed it to Yang Guangming with both hands, his voice hoarse: "Guangming, here's two hundred yuan, please count it."

Yang Guangming took the handkerchief bag and opened it. Inside were twenty brand-new large black bills, neatly bundled. He took them out and carefully counted them in front of the two of them.

"The amount is correct, two hundred yuan." He put the money away and placed it in his inner pocket.

Seeing that he accepted the gift, Qin Dewang seemed relieved, yet also felt even more burdened. He looked at Liu Zhiguo, who gave him a wink.

Qin Dewang understood and said to Yang Guangming again, "Guangming, then... it's settled then. Tomorrow at 3 PM, let's change it to 3 PM at the guesthouse. I'll give you the remaining 300 yuan."

Then...then you'll have to come with me to the police station so we can drop this case. You don't need to say much, but you have to be there.

Otherwise, I can't dismiss the case by myself.

Yang Guangming was silent for a moment before saying, "Alright, I'll go with you. As long as the money is in place, I personally won't pursue the matter and can drop the case."

But I can't completely guarantee the final outcome; it depends on the opinion of the public security authorities.

"That's right, that's right. We would be extremely grateful if you could understand and withdraw the case!" Qin Dewang quickly said.

Liu Zhiguo, who had been listening nearby, finally interjected, his tone calm but carrying a hint of reminder: "Young man, be forgiving when you can. The Qin family has been financially ruined this time. In the future, leave some room for maneuver in your dealings."

Yang Guangming looked at Liu Zhiguo and replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Master Liu, my principle is very simple: I will not offend others unless they offend me. If someone bullies me, I will definitely seek justice."

Now that Uncle Qin is willing to show sincerity in resolving the issue, out of consideration for our years of friendship, I haven't gone too far. Does this count as showing leniency when possible? Does it count as leaving someone a way out?

His response was subtle yet pointed, both stating his position and clarifying that this was a "transaction" rather than a "charity," thus rendering Liu Zhiguo's somewhat condescending "advice" ineffective.

Liu Zhiguo's eyes flickered, and he looked Yang Guangming over again. He didn't say anything more, but said to Qin Dewang, "Cousin, get in the car, I'll give you a ride."

Qin Dewang then told Yang Guangming, "You must be there tomorrow," before getting into the passenger seat of the jeep with a complicated expression.

Liu Zhiguo got into the car and started the engine. The dilapidated jeep roared, turned around, kicked up a cloud of dust, and drove away.

Yang Guangming stood there until the jeep disappeared around the street corner. He touched the thick wad of cash in his inner pocket—five hundred yuan in total, heavy with cash.

With this 500 yuan, the family's debts can be paid off immediately, leaving a surplus of over 200 yuan. This is enough to help my parents catch their breath and even slightly improve their lives.

Most importantly, it will allow the whole family to hold their heads high in the village again and stop being a laughing stock.

All of this stems from the choice he made today—reporting the incident to the police, and the calm yet resolute negotiation that just took place.

He chose to accept the compensation, didn't go to extremes, and didn't insist on sending Qin Shengli to prison.

There are many reasons: to avoid a bad reputation, to reduce subsequent troubles, to replace some of the physical punishment with a huge financial penalty, and to obtain tangible benefits as soon as possible to resolve the family's predicament...

But perhaps most importantly, it is his innermost understanding of "persistence" after several lifetimes.

The pleasure derived from pure revenge is fleeting. A more mature and effective approach is to transform revenge into tangible resources that benefit one's own and one's family's future development.

Making the Qin family pay 500 yuan in compensation is enough to severely damage the family's finances in this day and age, making it difficult for them to recover for years to come.

This lesson was profound enough for both Qin Shengli and Qin Dewang.

He received compensation, which resolved his family's biggest crisis and allowed his entire family to regain their dignity in the village.

Meanwhile, to outsiders, his decision to forgive after receiving a huge sum of compensation was seen as a sign of being "good at handling things," "understanding human relationships," and "getting the benefits while saving face."

The thought gradually became clear.

Yang Guangming stood up and dusted off his pants. Holding five hundred yuan in his pocket, he didn't feel particularly excited, only a sense of reassurance that his plan was progressing smoothly.

He determined the direction and headed towards the county guesthouse.

There were slightly more pedestrians on the street than in the morning.

Lunchtime was approaching, and some people in work clothes hurried past on bicycles. A long queue had formed in front of the supply and marketing cooperative, and revolutionary songs with static emanated from the loudspeaker.

Yang Guangming walked among them, his steps steady. His cotton-padded coat was still worn, and his face still showed signs of malnutrition, but his eyes were clear, his back was straight, and he had a unique air about him.

When they returned to the guesthouse, He Jianjun was behind the front desk, talking to a middle-aged woman who was in charge of registration.

Seeing Yang Guangming come in, He Jianjun's eyes lit up, but he was also a little uneasy. Only after the middle-aged woman turned and went to the backyard did he quickly come over and ask in a low voice:
"Guangming! How's it going? Any progress on the case? They haven't given you any trouble, have they?"

Yang Guangming smiled and said in a low voice, "It's okay, it's good news. Qin Shengli admitted it, and his father returned the money to me."

"Really?" He Jianjun was both surprised and delighted. His voice rose slightly, but he quickly covered his mouth and smiled broadly. "That's great! That's great! The money's back! Three hundred yuan, all back?"

"Yes, I've brought them all back." Yang Guangming nodded and patted the inner pocket of his chest.

He Jianjun breathed a long sigh of relief, as if a huge weight had been lifted from his heart. He was genuinely happy for his friend: "You were right to call the police! That bastard Qin Shengli is a coward who bullies the weak and fears the strong! He must have chickened out when he saw the police! He deserved it!"

After his initial excitement, he asked with concern, "Then... what about Qin Shengli? What did the police say? Will they arrest him?"

"The case is still being processed, so it's hard to say for sure right now," Yang Guangming said simply, without mentioning any details about possible mediation or compensation. This wasn't something He Jianjun needed to know right now. "Let's wait and see; there will be a result eventually."

He Jianjun nodded, and said angrily, "He should be arrested! Lock him up for a few years! Let's see if he dares to lie to people again!"

He glanced at Guangming's calm expression and suddenly felt something was off. He'd retrieved three hundred dollars, yet Guangming didn't seem particularly excited. It was as if he'd just accomplished something very ordinary.

But then he thought again, perhaps it was because the money originally belonged to the Guangming family, and it was only right to take it back. Besides, the family was still in debt, so while he was happy, the pressure was still there. (End of Chapter)