Chapter Fifty-Three: Leaving School

Xinghai Police Station.

“What’s going on, Xu Fei? This is a real mess,” Fu Hai said, glancing at Xu Fei with a troubled expression.

Next door—

“I want to see a doctor! I—I want to sue Xu Fei! He crippled me!” Zhang Dajun, who was no stranger to life on the streets, knew exactly what kind of trouble he was in. His nose had been broken; if it was classified as a minor injury, Xu Fei would be in serious trouble.

At this moment, Xu Fei understood the gravity of the situation. If the injury was deemed serious, he could be facing criminal charges—up to three years in prison. If he went to jail, what would become of Xu Qing? She was just about to take her college entrance exams. If he was locked up, the household would lose its income; who would pay for her education?

And then there was Xu Yun, about to take his middle school entrance exam. At such a critical juncture, if Xu Yun couldn’t continue his studies, his future would be ruined.

No—he couldn’t accept this. Xu Fei thought it over and realized he couldn’t take the fall for this—not out of fear, but because he simply couldn’t.

“Hai, I swear I didn’t do it on purpose. If he hadn’t come looking for trouble, if he hadn’t hit Xu Yun, I never would have fought him.”

Fu Hai nodded. At least there were other witnesses to what happened.

Still—

“Xu Fei, you’re probably going to need a lawyer for this.”

“A lawsuit?”

“Yes. Zhang Dajun isn’t going to let this go with just a mediation.”

Xu Fei knew that too. But hiring a lawyer cost money, and he certainly didn’t have that kind of cash right now.

“Hai, Zhang Dajun is really being unreasonable,” said Officer Xiao Wang, entering from outside. He looked furious, tossing his notepad onto the table. “What’s wrong?” Fu Hai picked up the notepad.

“That guy is determined to sue Xu Fei for intentional injury—he actually knows the law pretty well.” Xiao Wang shot Xu Fei a glance. “Xu Fei, if they classify this as an injury, you’re in real trouble.”

“But I didn’t mean to hurt him.”

“That’s not for us to decide. Only the judge can say whether it was intentional or not.”

Fu Hai put down the notepad. “Looks like you really will need a lawyer.”

Just then, Zhang Dajun came in from the next room.

“Xu Fei, just you wait—this isn’t over! I’ll sue you until you’re done for!” He glanced at Fu Hai. “Hai, I’ve finished my statement. Can I go?”

“Go on, go on.”

As Zhang Dajun walked out of the station, Fu Hai came over to Xu Fei. “Alright, you can go too. Now you just have to wait for the prosecutor’s decision. If they proceed, you’ll need a lawyer.”

“I…”

“No money, right?” Fu Hai could see Xu Fei’s predicament.

“Yeah,” Xu Fei nodded.

“I figured as much. What were you thinking, getting into a fight?”

Xu Fei could only shake his head at Fu Hai’s rebuke.

“Alright. Honestly, if someone had hit my son, I would have done the same thing to that bastard,” Fu Hai said, making Xu Fei look up at him.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’ll give you some advice. There’s a lawyer in Donghai City who takes on cases for free—something called legal aid. His surname is Zhang, and I hear he’s a good man. Go look for him. See if he’ll take your case pro bono.”

Legal aid? Xu Fei was taken aback—he knew a bit about the law and had heard that real legal aid wouldn’t be implemented until 1994. How could someone have such progressive ideas already?

Still, this was the only option. If Zhang Dajun really pressed charges and Xu Fei didn’t have a lawyer, he might well be convicted of intentional injury—with unthinkable consequences.

…

38 City Government Avenue.

It was a two-story building housing the Justice Bureau and several other small departments. Xu Fei entered the mailroom.

“Looking for someone?” asked a man lying on a cot, reading a newspaper.

“Excuse me, is Lawyer Zhang Ze here?”

“What do you want with him?”

“I want to ask him to take my case.”

“He’s busy!” the man snapped from behind his newspaper.

Xu Fei found this odd. How would this man know if Lawyer Zhang was busy?

“I just want to see Lawyer Zhang. Sir, which office is his?”

The man lowered his newspaper, revealing a sharply defined face with a stubborn air, as though he was at odds with the whole world.

“Are you hard of hearing? I said he’s busy. Get going.”

Xu Fei smiled. “You’re an interesting guy. I haven’t even seen Lawyer Zhang yet, and you’re not him. How do you know he’s busy?”

The man snorted and sat up.

“You really want to see him?”

“Yes.”

He pointed to himself. “I’m Zhang Ze. Satisfied? Now leave.”

“What?!”

Xu Fei was dumbfounded.

“Was I not clear? I’m Zhang Ze. I’m the one you’re looking for. And I’m telling you, I’m busy. Go.”

With that, Zhang Ze flopped back on the cot, picked up his newspaper—Xu Fei now noticed it was upside down.

“Your newspaper’s upside down.”

Zhang Ze lowered the paper, glared at Xu Fei. “Why are you still here?”

He raised the paper again, holding it upside down in front of his face.

But Xu Fei didn’t leave. He went over and sat on the sofa facing the bed.

At that moment, a man in his fifties walked in—clearly a mailroom or security staffer. He glanced at Xu Fei. “Looking for him?”

Xu Fei nodded.

The man shook his head, set a bowl of noodles in front of Zhang Ze. “Here you go, Counselor Zhang, eat your noodles.”

Zhang Ze tossed the paper aside and eyed the noodles. “Noodles again from the cafeteria?”

“Come on, Counselor Zhang, it’s not so bad. You know the times. Even Chef Zhao in the director’s kitchen won’t make anything extra for just anyone—only for you.”

“I helped his brother-in-law with a case. He’s lucky all he has to do is make me some noodles,” Zhang Ze said, scooping up the noodles and devouring them in a few bites.

“Not bad. Old Zhao’s egg sauce is as good as ever.”

When he finished, Xu Fei stepped forward, took the bowl from his hands with a smile. “Lawyer Zhang, I’ll wash this for you.”

“Who are you?” Zhang Ze shot him a look, then gestured to the staffer. “Aren’t you supposed to keep people like this out?”

The man just shrugged. “He’s here for you. What can I do?”

“You—”

Zhang Ze was left speechless.

Xu Fei had already gone out to wash the bowl. Soon he returned, placed the spotless bowl on the table.

“Doing this won’t help you. You’re on your own.”

“Lawyer Zhang, I really don’t have any money. If you won’t help me, my brother and sister will have no choice but to drop out of school!”