With Huang and Xu Min pulling strings, the case was closed before long.
Zhang Li was sentenced to two years in prison, while Zhou Qian got the death penalty.
In March, Zhou Qian was executed, and his body was taken to the funeral parlor and cremated into ashes.
That very day, Huang said to me,
"Fengzi, tomorrow you take Zhou Qian's family to the funeral parlor to collect the urn. And when you come back, get rid of them."
「...」
I looked at Huang and shook my head.
This was the only time I ever refused him.
Huang frowned and tried to persuade me,
"Fengzi, I know you're reluctant. After all, you and Zhou Qian were on good terms. But this has to be done. Zhou Qian and his wife were deeply in love; it's not a relationship that can be bought off with money. Money can't seal her lips."
Hearing that, I took a deep breath.
Back then, I had too many worries—about myself, about my family. In the end, I still agreed.
...
March 3, 2015.
I took a few underlings and, together with Xu Min, drove Zhou Qian's wife and child to the funeral parlor to collect the ashes.
They were crying their hearts out, while Xu Min and I followed behind.
As they were about to come out, I took out gloves from my pocket and put them on.
Seeing this, Xu Min hurriedly asked, "Brother Feng, didn't Huang promise to ensure the safety and prosperity of their mother and child?"
I replied, "He did promise, but now he's going back on his word."
"But..."
"Don't persuade me. When they come out later, my men will knock them out. You drive back to the law firm and don't worry about the rest."
"Brother Feng, accumulate some virtue."
I looked at him, unconvinced, and asked,
"You came up with the idea of the uncompleted building. Did you think about accumulating virtue back then?"
Xu Min hung his head.
"I...I never thought this would have so many consequences."
I stared intently at Zhou Qian's wife and child.
"Now it's useless to say anything. I've contacted a brick kiln. The firepower is strong enough; the bone fragments will be disposed of together with the broken bricks. No one will ever find out."
「...」
"What's wrong?"
"The child is still young and knows nothing. At least spare the child's life."
"You have to cut down the grass and remove the roots."
"You also have a son."
「...」
My son is now studying abroad with Huang's son. Does that count as my Achilles' heel?
Talking about children, I remembered Wang Changping's daughter. I still remember that look in her eyes to this day.
Maybe because of that look, I agreed to Xu Min, and he seemed very happy.
"Okay, kill the mother and spare the child."
"Then that's settled."
"Have you thought about what to do with the child you're sparing?"
"I'll send him abroad and find a family to adopt him."
I nodded.
...