Chapter 20 Cafe Farewell
Two months later.
The procuratorate hosted mediation.
Because Zhou Xiao Yan and Zhao Yong Qiang kept emphasizing they had no subjective malice in destroying or discarding high-value property, and were willing to make full compensation, the judicial authorities determined their subjective malice was low and decided not to prosecute.
As for Chen Lu Lu, she had been unwilling to compensate the whole time, and I refused to settle, so it would proceed as a criminal case.
In the end, Chen Lu Lu was sentenced to six months, with a one-year probation.
After the case ended, Zhou Xu Cheng insisted on meeting me at a cafe.
When I arrived, he was already sitting by the window. His back was hunched into the sofa, with none of his former high spirits left.
"Xu Qing Xia, I can't keep up with the mortgage on my Hangzhou place anymore. I've already sold it and I'm preparing to go back to my hometown."
"I'm sorry! Before, I really didn't know you'd helped me so much! Without your connections, I never would have made it to department head."
Zhou Xu Cheng gave a bitter laugh.
"And I still treated you like that! So not being able to find work now is my retribution!"
I did not speak. I just quietly watched him.
"I also want to apologize to you on behalf of my sister!
Ever since I became this department head with a million-a-year salary, my sister's mindset changed.
She started feeling superior everywhere!
After graduation she didn't even look for work—every day she just spent off my salary card!
This whole thing was a lesson for her too!
"Now she's working at a milk tea shop, slowly paying me back.
"Thank you for still being willing to see me one last time.
"Goodbye, Xu Qing Xia."
I nodded.
"Bye."