Chapter 3 — Six Sticks Change a Life

“Not leaving her a penny as compensation.” Lawyer Chu's pen stopped. She looked up at me, moving her lips. "Miss Co... are you sure? If you do that, the judge will punish you more severely when determining the crime, because you have no intention of compensating—" "I know." "It could be 4 years, even 5 years." "I know." Silence for a few seconds. Lawyer Chu put down his pen, took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Have you thought about it carefully?” “From the moment I picked up the cane, I've thought it through.” I leaned back in my chair, my tone very calm. “She will never be able to stand up again in her life. That's for sure.” “But if she gets the dismissal papers, gets the compensation money... Lawyer Chu also understands, money can buy a lot of things. A good rehabilitation center, a good nurse, even going abroad for surgery.” “I don't want that outcome.” “I don't want that outcome.” “I don't want that outcome.” She woke up every day, looked down at her two useless legs, remembered who beat her and why she was beaten. Then she sat in the wheelchair until she died." Lawyer Chu was silent for a long time. Finally, she nodded. "Understood. I'll go handle it." Before leaving, she turned around and asked a question: "Whose name is the property transferred to?" I thought for a bit. My parents passed away 3 years ago. I don't have any brothers or sisters. Suddenly a face flashed in my head. The face of someone who has always run behind me since childhood. Delicate eyes, slightly shy when smiling, very quiet. Ta Chau. The son that my mother loved the most when he was born. Living next door, from kindergarten until high school graduation, we went home from school together every day. Later, I went to college far away from home, and he stayed in the city to study pedagogy. Then after I got married, he came to drink to celebrate, sat quietly in a corner, finished his meal and then left. I thought about it, then said: "Ta Chau. I will give you his contact information, you can call him to come see me." * Three days after lawyer Chu left, Ta Chau arrived. Separated by a glass layer of the detention house, he sat across from me. He looked a little taller than I remembered, with broader shoulders, wearing a dark gray sweatshirt. When he saw me, his eye sockets immediately turned red. But he didn't cry. Just keep looking at me. "Why did you make yourself look like this?" His voice was a bit hoarse. I smiled. “You've changed so much.” “Don't make excuses.” He sniffled. "Lawyer Chu found me and told me everything." "You... have really thought about it, haven't you?" "Um." "Co Tri Y, more than 4 million yuan." "The money I earned." "I worked hard for 5, 6 years." "I can still earn it back." He stared at me, his eyes filled with tears. I raised my hand from the glass. "Ta Chau, do me a favor." "Say it." "This money will be transferred to my name, I'll keep it for you. After you go out, I'll start again. If you feel awkward, just consider me lending it to you—" "Co Tri Y." His voice calling my name suddenly became extremely determined. "You don't need to explain. I'll keep it for you." "Just rest assured inside. I'll worry about what's outside." I looked at him. The nose is a bit spicy. Obviously we haven't had a deep conversation in many years. Yet as soon as he opened his mouth, he said, "I'll help you." He didn't even ask for a condition. "Lawyer Chu will contact me to complete the procedure." He nodded. Before leaving, he leaned a little closer to the glass door. Lowering your voice, you asked: "Does it hurt?" "What?" "Your hand. That day you hit six strokes." I suddenly looked down at my right hand. Tiger's mouth has a bruise, now yellow. "It doesn't hurt." He looked at me for two more seconds. Then he stood up, before walking away he turned around and said one sentence. The voice was very light, but I heard it clearly. "Co Tri Y, remember. No matter how long it takes, there will still be someone waiting for you outside." The moment the door closed, I sat quietly on the chair.