Chapter 4 The Word That Clicked
I drifted aimlessly into sixth grade.
Still mediocre and skinny, but my grades had improved a lot—of course my parents didn't care.
Two years had passed since Changsheng's death. Every winter I would think of him.
I never expected Mu Weiyi still remembered too.
On Christmas Day I received a greeting card for the first time in my life. In childish handwriting it said: "I'm sorry."
No signature, but I knew who wrote it.
I found Mu Weiyi and asked why.
She pursed her lips, eyes fixed on the ground.
"Today in class the teacher said we have to be honest, so I felt I should... should apologize to you.
"That day... that day I said I didn't want Changsheng anymore, but I was just throwing a tantrum. I didn't think Mom and Dad would..."
She suddenly sobbed hard, tears covering her face.
"Then why didn't you say anything at the time?"
I tried to stay calm, but my heart pounded so violently it felt like it would burst out of my chest.
Mu Weiyi shook her head between sobs: "No... no way... Dad would get angry..."
I was stunned, then understood.
So she wasn't completely indifferent to Changsheng. She just understood adults' moods better than I did.
After that conversation, Changsheng took root in my heart again. Only then did I realize I had never let it go.
Just in time, our teacher talked about "fairness" in class.
He said fairness means everyone exists equally. I raised my hand and asked if fairness could apply between dogs and people.
Everyone laughed, but the teacher said:
"Mu Nanfang raised a very good question. Humans and animals have different biological traits and different social attributes—or status. Wantonly violating the interests of small animals comes with a price. This is called 'justice.' It can also be called 'morality.'"
I stared at the words on the blackboard. Changsheng's fluffy puppy face merged with the faces of my parents and Mu Weiyi.
Reap What One Sows.
My parents had killed Changsheng. Now they would pay a price too.
That was the ultimate fairness.
But I didn't know how to act, and I couldn't bring myself to do it.
At best I was just a primary school student barely taller than the lectern.
Until one day I overheard my father chatting and caught those four words—
"Reap What One Sows."
It hit me like lightning. All my confusion vanished in an instant.
Changsheng was slaughtered because he bit someone—Reap What One Sows.
Then them paying a price for killing Changsheng was also Reap What One Sows.
Karmic retribution—that was the ultimate fairness!