Chapter 105: Hatred Comes Most Easily

"Between your family and mine, the hatred runs deep—an irreconcilable feud. My younger brother was killed by your father, and your father, in turn, had his life torn apart by us. But must this hatred truly continue into your generation? Child, you are a perceptive person. The events of the past were sparked by me, and you have every reason to hate me, but my brother paid with his life. Let it end here!"

Zhang Weishan finished speaking, his eyes locked onto Xiaocheng.

Although he was only a fifteen-year-old boy, the fact that he had just hijacked a doctor and walked away unscathed made him a figure not to be underestimated. Now that Zhang Weishan had achieved success and laundered his reputation, he naturally had no desire to cultivate such a formidable enemy. Perhaps, once a person reaches a certain level in life, they truly can see past their grievances.

Drawing a line under the hatred was, indeed, the wisest choice.

"End it here? Are you referring to the way I’ve been bullying Zhang Peiyue?"

Zhang Weishan shook his head. "Since you represent the Wen family and I represent the Zhang family, we are speaking of the conflict and grievances between our two households. As for you and Peiyue, if we clear the air regarding the hatred of the previous generation, the squabbles between you children are beneath my notice."

"Furthermore..." Zhang Weishan smiled to himself, "My Peiyue has indeed been spoiled by his mother. Experiencing a few setbacks isn't a bad thing. He told me about your suggestion that he help impoverished students, and I think that’s a fine idea. I won't interfere in children's fights, but you must keep things within reasonable limits."

The limit was clear: children fighting was one thing, but seeking vengeance and retribution was another.

"By the way, after the break, I plan to enroll Peiyue in a Sanda class. If you can still bully him after that, I’ll have nothing to say! But rest assured, even if you can’t beat him, I won’t let him bully you again."

Xiaocheng smirked inwardly. Was a single holiday Sanda class enough? That seemed a bit too confident.

However, Zhang Weishan’s sincerity was evident. Or perhaps he truly did not want to continue this entanglement. It was easy to understand; antagonizing a half-grown boy with nothing to lose was dangerous. Who knew what a child consumed by hatred might do?

Xiaocheng weighed his options and said, "My father stabbed a man and is currently in prison. He paid the price for his actions, which serves as an account for your deceased brother. But when your family stormed my home and tore my life apart, what account did the Zhang family ever give me?"

Zhang Weishan was stunned, not expecting such a retort. He hesitated for a moment, then pulled paper and pen from his briefcase, scribbled a few lines, and handed it to Xiaocheng. "Would this suffice?"

It was a receipt, acknowledging the receipt of 210,000 yuan in civil compensation for the homicide case caused by Wen Xinwu, signed by Zhang Weishan.

"I heard that because your father failed to fulfill his civil restitution obligations, his sentence reduction is hindered every time. This covers my family's portion. As for the civil damages owed to Ding the Lame and Qiu Zeyan, I will pay those for you as well. Your family’s relocation compensation funds were all lost in this; I will return that to you too. Does this count as an accounting to your family?"

To Zhang Weishan, money was not an issue.

Xiaocheng shook his head. "I don't want your money. I want a single sentence from you!"

Zhang Weishan frowned. Did the boy want an apology?

"When the incident occurred, we were both at the scene. Before your brother, Zhang Weihai, was killed, he said something. I heard it, and I think you must have heard it too. He said: 'He’s using a knife! Grab him! Everyone, attack! He’s using a knife—killing him isn’t a crime! Beat him to death!' Isn't that right? That is the sentence I want from you!"

Even with Zhang Weishan’s composure, he showed a look of incredulous shock. He wanted that? The boy was trying to reopen the case!

This child was monstrously clever! He had made every gesture to resolve this hatred—something clearly beneficial to both sides—yet the boy not only responded appropriately but, in such a short time, had pivoted to this demand. One sentence, striking straight at the heart of the matter!

Xiaocheng did not budge an inch, his eyes fixed on Zhang Weishan.

If you want to dissolve the hatred, I want that testimony!

"The dead are gone, and your brother cannot be brought back to life, but my father can be acquitted! He did stab your brother, but there was a cause. If you hadn't broken through our wall, the tragedy that followed would never have happened. In the murder case, your brother was the victim, but looking at the whole picture, my father is the primary victim! From beginning to end, he committed no wrong—he merely refused to sell the home that belonged to him, and he merely rose to defend himself when his elderly mother and young child were threatened! You say you want to dissolve the hatred—fine. But Uncle Zhang, do not think of this as you being magnanimous enough to forgive us. The truth is quite the opposite: we are the victims, and I, the ten-year-old Wen Xiaocheng, am the most innocent of all!"

"Because of your demolition order, my home was gone in an instant! The house was leveled, my father was taken away, and my mother disappeared soon after! My father! My mother! My home—all gone! What did I, a ten-year-old child, do to deserve this? You talk to me about dissolving hatred—can money alone do that?"

Zhang Weishan’s mouth hung open, but he could not utter a word.

Nearby, Professor Dai, Ding Sina, and others heard the shouting and began to cast glances their way.

"Dissolving the hatred is possible, not because I am generous, but because I know that hatred is meaningless. Killing your entire family would change nothing. Therefore, for me, the best choice is to make amends as much as possible and eliminate the impact of that event on our lives. You may feel that the incident is in the past, but I don't! My father is still locked in prison! I visit him every month, and my grandmother is still counting the days, wondering if she will live to see the day her son is released!"

"If you want to turn this page and win my forgiveness, fine. I don't want much. I only want that one sentence—a truthful one. Your brother said: 'He’s using a knife—killing him isn’t a crime! Beat him to death!' Did you hear that or not?"

For a full minute, Zhang Weishan said nothing.

He understood that if he said those words, his brother’s death would have been in vain.

He claimed he was no longer hateful because Wen Xinwu was still in prison and the Wen family was miserable. But if the tables were turned, and the family of the man who killed his brother was now reunited and happy, could he still claim not to hate them?

Hatred was the simplest path; forgiveness, by contrast, was incredibly difficult.

"I... heard it!" After making the decision, Zhang Weishan let out a long breath, as if a weight had been lifted from his chest. "Not just me; many people present heard it. If you wish to apply for a retrial, I can provide you with a testimony."

Xiaocheng felt the ice in his heart begin to melt.

Dissolving hatred required magnanimity and tolerance. Zhang Weishan had achieved it.

Xiaocheng stood up and bowed formally to Zhang Weishan. To be able to make this decision, Zhang Weishan was worthy of respect.

"Thank you."

As he left Zhang Weishan, he happened to run into Zhang Peiyue coming out of the intensive care unit. Xiaocheng patted his shoulder and said, "Earlier, I told Lu Qi, 'How can you two be brothers—one a rich kid, the other the son of a man who swings a sledgehammer?' Perhaps I was wrong."