Epilogue
Getting out of prison happened a very long time later.
Mu Weiyi sold off all the inheritance that belonged to her, left the country, and didn’t leave behind a single word.
She walked away from the place of pain. I, however, remained here forever.
For a very long time, I didn’t dare go outside. I had nothing to do. There were even moments when I wanted to follow my parents and die.
Until the day I saw Tu Xuan on television.
She was middle-aged now, with lines on her face, yet she still looked radiant, her eyes bright like morning stars.
It was an interview about juvenile offenders. She spoke calmly to the camera:
“Our laws still have a lot of room for improvement in this area, especially regarding the age of criminal responsibility—there has always been controversy. For example, in this case…”
I sat on the sofa, staring at her in a daze.
“At the same time, we must recognize the impact that deficiencies in family and social education have on young people. Behind many ‘juvenile offenders’ there is often a severely dysfunctional family of origin—parental favoritism, violence, long-term absence, and so on—all of which affect the physical and mental health of adolescents.”
My hand holding the remote trembled slightly.
Tu Xuan’s gaze stayed steady on the camera as she continued:
“…Finally, I also want to say to those young people who have made mistakes and feel that life is hopeless: there is still a chance in life. Don’t trap yourself in a dead end too early. Be brave enough to take responsibility, reform actively, and return to normal social life as soon as possible.”
Slowly, sunlight came through the window and fell across my body. I no longer wanted to die.
I took out the bank card my mother left me and opened a small convenience store at the street corner.
The cola was always placed in the most eye-catching spot.
Perhaps one day I would wait for the person I wanted to see. Perhaps I would always be atoning.
But I no longer despaired.
I believed everything Auntie Tu said was right.
(End of the full story)