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墨書 Inktalez
"The defendant, Wu Degui, is convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to imprisonment..."
As the judge read the verdict, I noticed a flicker of panic finally cross Wu Degui's face.
In the spectator's gallery behind him, several once-arrogant officials lowered their heads and quietly left the courtroom.
"Xiao Ming, we have won," my father said, holding my hand with tears in his eyes.
His condition had stabilized, and he looked much more spirited.
The prosecutor approached with a stack of documents. "Mr. Zhang, we are already processing the recovery of the embezzled funds. Not only for your father, but all victims' compensation payments will be returned in full."
The sunlight was particularly bright as we exited the courthouse.
In the square, a few elderly people were being interviewed by reporters.
Over these days, witnessing their transformation from initial timidity to standing tall filled me with deep emotion.
"They took our compensation payments for two whole years; finally, we have gotten justice," elder Liu said to the camera, his voice filled with relief.
That evening, we prepared a simple dinner at home.
My wife had specially steamed my father's favorite crabs and opened a bottle of red wine.
"Xiao Ming, you've suffered during this time," my father raised his glass. "The proudest thing in my life is having you as my son."
I was just about to speak when my phone suddenly rang.
It was a family member of a victim: "Zhang Ming, thank you so much. We just received the court's notice; the compensation payment will be credited next week."
After hanging up, I gazed out at the night sky.
This battle was hard-won. But more than winning the case, what brought me comfort was seeing so many people regain their faith in justice.
"By the way," my wife suddenly said, "about the company..."
I smiled and replied, "Don't worry, the project is already completed. And the boss said he wants to promote me to oversee a bigger project."
"That's good to hear." My father sighed in relief. "Son, no matter how difficult it gets for our family, we must remain honest people. You did the right thing."
I looked at my father's aged yet resolute face and recalled the tough times we had endured.
The threats, intimidation, and hush money had not defeated us. Because we believed that as long as we persisted, justice would eventually prevail.
At the dining table, the aroma of crabs filled the air.
My father picked up a piece of crab meat and carefully placed it in my bowl. "Eat it while it's hot; don't let the crab get cold."
Winter rain drizzled throughout the night, and in the early morning, I stood in front of our old house, looking at the mottled marks on the wall.
This place holds too many memories, and today, we have finally awaited this moment.
"The compensation payment has been received," my father said, holding the bank receipt, his voice slightly choked.
The thin piece of paper bore the numbers we had fought for over the past year.
I held my father's hand, feeling his slight tremor.
I recalled the bits and pieces of this past year: the hospital ward, the standoff at the street office, the threats lurking in the shadows, the investigations by the prosecutor's office... all the hardships transformed into this warm clasp of hands at this moment.
"Father, it's over," I whispered.
He shook his head. "It's not just about the money. This past year, we've come further than we did in the last ten years."
My wife arrived with a thermos, filled with steaming century egg and lean pork congee.
This was my father's favorite breakfast. She had been doing this often lately, coming early in the morning to bring him breakfast.
"Father, drink it while it's hot," my wife said as she ladled a bowl for him.
Watching my father drink his congee, I remembered my wife's previous worries and confusion.
Back then, she had asked me, "Is it worth it? To risk everything for such a small amount of money."
Now she understood; it was never about the money.
This is a promise from a son to his father, a commitment from an ordinary person to uphold fairness and justice.
"I was so foolish back then," the wife would occasionally lament. "Now that I think about it, if we had chosen to compromise, how could we confidently tell our children to have integrity?"
After the case was solved, the Street Office under Section Chief Wen t a major restructuring.
The downfall of Wu Degui revealed more issues, and some long-standing wrongful cases were given the opportunity for retrial.
This morning, several residents came to express their gratitude.
They were not the primary victims in the past, but during the restructuring, they received the compensation they deserved.
Looking at their sincere smiles, I suddenly understood what it meant that "the truth will always triumph over lies."
"Xiao Ming, do you know?" After finishing his porridge, my father pointed to the backyard of our old house. "That apricot tree was planted in the year you were born. Over the years, it has grown taller than you."
I looked at that apricot tree, its branches twisted yet still standing tall.
Spring is just around the corner, and it will bloom with pure white flowers once again.
【The End】
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