Chapter 3 Twenty-Four Thousand Yuan
In the police station mediation room.
Cheng Yanqiu's eyes were red as she held my hand. "He Qingwei, Zhang Muzhe was too impulsive. I'll apologize for him."
"We've been Best Friends for years. Do you have to make it this ugly? Can't you be a little more generous?"
"Just for my sake, okay?"
"No."
I answered without hesitation and pushed the list I had prepared in front of the officer.
"Officer, this is my loss list."
"The destroyed stall, Braised Duck Snacks, and phone total eleven thousand yuan."
"Plus the month I ran the Mala Tang stall for Cheng Yanqiu. At the lowest daily wage for stall help, labor fee three thousand yuan."
"Also, the ten thousand yuan gift money I gave must be returned in full."
"Total twenty-four thousand yuan."
"He Qingwei, you're crazy!"
Zhang Muzhe shot up and pointed at my nose. "Money-crazy, trying to blackmail me? Believe it or not I'll—"
Cheng Yanqiu burst into loud sobs.
"Friends helping watch a stall and you want money? Who ever asks for gift money back?"
"Friends?"
I cut her off coldly.
"From the moment you let Zhang Muzhe overturn my stall, smash my phone, and stood by when he tried to hit me, our friendship was over."
"Since we're not friends anymore, then pay what should be paid and return what should be returned."
"Even real brothers settle clear accounts, let alone strangers like us."
The word "strangers" made Cheng Yanqiu's face go white at once.
Under the police mediation, Zhang Muzhe transferred the money to me with a iron-blue face.
When the arrival notification sounded, I stood up and looked at Cheng Yanqiu one last time.
"For the sake of the past, I'll remind you one last time: leave this kind of man early."
"Take care of yourself."