Chapter 132 - 108: Young Wade
Chapter 132: Chapter 108: Young Wade
"The door’s unlocked. Come in."
Ning He pushed the door open. A man was sitting by the window across the room, seemingly reading a book. Though his frame was gaunt, she could still see the sturdy build underneath. The man looked up at her, a surprised expression on his face.
"It’s you? What can I do for you?"
"I came to see you, and also to learn a bit more about your son."
Ning He walked straight over and stood before him. There was a chair there.
"May I sit?"
"Of course."
Guer gestured for her to sit, then covered his mouth as another coughing fit seized him.
"Sorry, it’s an old ailment." After finally getting the cough under control, Guer gave her an apologetic smile.
"It’s fine." Ning He paused, then said, "To be honest with you, I decided to make this trip because someone went out of their way to tell me many good things about you and your son."
Guer was taken aback for a moment, then a trace of resignation appeared on his face.
"...They’re always like that. They’re going to spoil Wade."
Ning He didn’t explain. Her gaze fell on his face—gaunt and hollowed, yet still dignified. "And what about you?" she asked. "Do you want me to drop the case? I already know your son isn’t a bad person by nature. There must be another reason for his actions. If you want me to drop the case, I can go do it immediately."
Guer put down the book in his hands, his expression turning slightly serious.
"I hope you’ll consider this carefully," Ning He said before he could speak. "You being here suggests that in the near future, the boy, Wade, might be left all alone. If he has a mark on his record, his life will become much more difficult. I think that as a father, you should be thinking more about his future."
Guer suddenly chuckled, a hint of melancholy in his smile.
"Actually, I regretted it as soon as I left the restaurant yesterday. You’re right. As a father, I really should be planning for his future. As for everything else... it’s time to set that aside."
"Thank you."
Ning He nodded. "It’s no problem. But if you don’t mind, I’d like to understand the whole story. I just can’t wrap my head around it. What’s so special about a pot of leftovers that’s worth stealing?"
Guer sighed. "It’s all my fault. Anle House provides free food, but it’s just the most basic nutritional powder, plus some painkillers. I don’t mind, but Wade is always worried about my health. He got into a fight with someone outside that day, and in a fit of anger, he did something foolish. As for why he chose your place... he overheard some of the other patients here idly chatting about how the city’s hottest new restaurant was in our North Third District. He must have remembered your restaurant’s name."
At this, Guer smiled at Ning He. "I never would have guessed you were so young. It seems our North Third District has produced a truly remarkable talent."
Ning He felt a little embarrassed by the praise.
"I’m not that amazing... ahem... I’ll go drop the case in a little while."
Guer nodded. He pushed himself up from the table with great effort and extended a hand to Ning He, his expression solemn.
"Thank you. I’ll keep a tight rein on Wade."
As Ning He left Guer’s room, she happened to run into the community auntie, who was hurrying in her direction.
"Xiao Ning? What are you doing here?" The auntie looked astonished.
"I came to see Uncle Gull. Oh, and I’ve decided to drop the case," Ning He said.
The auntie’s face immediately lit up with delight. She grabbed Ning He’s hand, exclaiming excitedly, "Thank heavens, Xiao Ning! Thank you so much! I’ve been so worried these past two days I couldn’t sleep. This is wonderful. Now I can finally give everyone an answer."
"An answer about what?" Ning He asked, curious.
The auntie glanced toward the room, pulled Ning He a couple of steps to the side, and lowered her voice. She sighed. "Ai, my office has been practically trampled flat these past few days by people asking about Guer. Everyone was already upset when Guer moved in here a while back. If they found out Wade was in trouble too, they’d probably start a protest."
’No way,’ Ning He thought, ’is this old uncle really that popular?’
"I heard Uncle Gull used to be a security team captain. He must have been a pretty incredible person, right? What illness does he have? How could he not have the money for treatment and have to come here?"
At these words, the auntie’s expression grew even sadder.
"It was this illness that ruined him. Otherwise, our North Third District might have even produced a Chief of Security." The auntie sighed. "It all happened twelve years ago. Back then, a severe radiation storm suddenly hit the city, and Guer was leading the security team in charge of evacuations. Everyone had been rushed into the shelters, but one child got separated from the group. Guer went back to find the child. He eventually found the child, but he gave his own mask to them. He ended up inhaling too many radioactive particles, which permanently damaged his lungs. His condition worsened over the years, and for some other reasons, he left the security team and found a job at a warehouse. They were getting by, but starting last year, he got much sicker and couldn’t work at all. The cost of treatment was too high, so he stopped taking his medicine. When we found out, we were going to raise money for him, but he refused. He said the residents of our district already had it hard enough and he didn’t want to be another burden, so he asked me to keep it a secret."
"But he moved into Anle House. How could something like that stay a secret? Now everyone knows, and they’re all talking about donating. They sent me to try and persuade Guer again."
Ning He processed this for a few seconds. "Wouldn’t this count as a work-related injury?" she asked. "Doesn’t the government provide any kind of support?"
The auntie gave a bitter smile. "They do. Five hundred original coins a month. His illness can’t be cured, only managed with medication. A month’s worth of medicine costs about one thousand five hundred."
Ning He’s lips moved, but she didn’t know what to say.
’A man this noble and selfless is only worth five hundred a month.’
’What a fucked-up world.’
"Ai, Guer is a good man in every way, but he’s just too stubborn. I’m afraid he’ll refuse again," the auntie said.
"What about his son? I mean Wade. He must want his father to live, right?" Ning He asked.
"Of course he does. Ever since he was little, Wade has seen Guer as a great hero. He’s always dreamed of becoming an amazing security team captain just like his dad. It’s a pity..." The auntie couldn’t bring herself to continue.
A glint appeared in Ning He’s eyes. She patted the auntie’s hand.
"I have an idea. Wait here for a moment."
With that, Ning He went back to the room and pushed the door open, walking inside.
"Sorry, I’ve changed my mind again." Ning He walked straight up to Guer. "I feel that someone who has done wrong should still be punished. According to regulations, your son should compensate me 2,000 original coins. I know you don’t have the money, and I also heard he hasn’t been in school lately. So how about you let him work for me instead? He can stop when the debt is paid off."
Guer’s expression shifted from surprise to shock, then to seriousness. Finally, he smiled. "Wade may not be a bad kid, but he has all the obstinacy and stubbornness of a teenager. If you don’t mind the trouble, I’d be more than happy to entrust him to you. He really should pay the price for his recklessness."
"Alright, it’s a deal then. Have him wait for me at this address tomorrow at two in the morning."
Ning He picked up a pen from the table and wrote down an address.
"Okay, I’ll tell him. Thank you."
"Don’t thank me. Please take care of yourself."
Ning He walked out of the room. Behind her, the ragged coughing started again, this time as if it had been suppressed for too long and was now bursting forth all at once—violent and hoarse, a sound that tore at the listener’s heart.
The auntie didn’t have time for another word with Ning He and quickly pushed the door open to check on him.
Ning He thought for a moment but didn’t follow her in.
’This Uncle Gull doesn’t like showing weakness, nor does he like accepting pity from others.’
’The auntie is probably going to be disappointed again.’
’But there might be a way to handle this through the son.’
’But the thought of that blond-haired teenager, who was clearly as stubborn as a mule, made Ning He’s head ache.’
’A rebellious teenager is more annoying than a toad in a cesspool!’