The next day, my mother-in-law rushed back as soon as she got the news.
When we saw her at the hospital, her nose was bleeding, and her knees were scraped raw—like she'd fallen hard on the way over. But that didn't stop her from blurting out the second she laid eyes on us, "Where's my daughter? Where's Li Fang?"
My father-in-law, who'd finally managed to calm down a little, crumpled at her question. He wept silently, gasping for breath before choking out, "It's all my fault… The doctor said it was lingering damage from that abortion… such a good person, gone just like that!"
"Agh!"
My mother-in-law's breath hitched. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted. Her blood pressure plummeted afterward, teetering on life-threatening, so they admitted her to a ward.
While my father-in-law tended to her, there was a knock at the ward door. A man in a suit stood there. We turned, didn't recognize him, and paid him no mind. But he called out my name:
"May I speak to Mr. Huang Xincheng?"
I froze, confused. My father-in-law stared at me, pointing at the man outside, unable to form words. I glanced back at the stranger—well-dressed in a suit, looking amiable enough. I was certain I'd never met him.
"Dad, maybe he's here for me. I'll go see."
My father-in-law grabbed my arm. "Do you remember what I told you that New Year's Eve?"
I nodded. "I do. I have a family now. I'll be careful."
In the small park outside the hospital, the man in the suit introduced himself:
"I'm Liu Ben. They call me Brother Liu on the streets. Those four guys you beat up—they're my men."
I hung my head. "Heard about you in prison. You run big establishments, all sorts of businesses. That red-light district by the train station? That's yours. You here to settle the score for them?"
"Brother, it's a misunderstanding," he said. "Just say the word, and I'll break their other hands for you."
"No need," I said. "Leave their right hands. They'll need them to earn a living."
"I know the whole story," he said. "I failed to discipline my men. What happened to your wife… I owe you. Here's ten thousand yuan. I know it's not enough, but take it—just a small token."
I was stunned. This gang boss, whose empire stretched into gambling, prostitution, and drugs, was bowing to me, offering money? I hesitated to take it—it felt like accepting would twist the meaning of what had happened.
But Brother Liu pressed the money into my hand. "I asked around about you. Everyone says you've got grit, a good man. Took on four guys, won, but only broke their left hands—spared their lives. That's principled. Guys in this line these days? They're sorely lacking in honor like yours. I know you've got a family now, and a kid's no cheap thing to raise. I'm serious—come work for me. I'll treat you right."
I stared at the ten thousand yuan, then shook my head. "Thanks, Brother Liu."
"Shame on me," he said. "I don't deserve to be called 'brother' in front of you."
"I… I can't work for you," I said. "Being a cook's good enough for me. And Li Fang—she's in heaven. She wouldn't want me going back to that life."
Brother Liu nodded. "Fair enough. No hard feelings, brother. I still owe you. If you ever need something, come find me at this address. Just say your name—you'll get in. Whatever I can fix, I will."
He handed me a business card. I took it, mumbled thanks.
After he left, I stared at the card, thinking I'd never have cause to use it. Then I tucked the money away and headed back to the ward.