Chapter 38: Justice Delayed

On the screen, we were confronted with salacious footage of Jiang Ruyu with a man, followed by video of her visiting me at the Suiyiju residence. We all stood there, frozen in collective shock.

My mother slapped Jiang Ruyu across the face, shouting, "You unchaste wretch! Get out! Get out of our house!"

I leaned in and whispered to An Mingshan, "Where did you get all this? I had no idea about any of it."

An Mingshan replied, "There is more."

I whispered, "Alright, enough is enough. Can you please call it a day, my dear lady?" But she was having none of it. To my astonishment, she slammed down Jiang Ruyu’s hospital delivery records, the disability assessment from our previous car accident, and the records of the blood transfusion I had given her. My father, mother, brother, and Song Linlin all picked them up to inspect them.

"Where did you find these records?" I asked.

"Through official channels," An Mingshan said. "Unlike some petty, backstabbing people! Shucheng, you tell me: why are people who deserve to be punished by the law allowed to remain at large and live so comfortably?"

I stroked my chin as if feeling for a beard that wasn't there and said, "As the saying goes, 'The net of heaven has large meshes, but it lets nothing through.' She may have managed to dodge the law, but she cannot escape the judgment of heaven. You see? Her retribution has arrived."

After finishing the documents, Song Linlin said, "I never imagined you were the one behind all this! I just called the police; they will be here any minute."

My mother cried, "What are you saying? The police? How could you call the police? No matter how many wrongs Ruyu has committed, she is still the daughter-in-law of the Li family. We must not wash our dirty linen in public."

An Mingshan remarked, "Mother-in-law, you change your tune quickly. A moment ago you were chasing her out; now you call her 'daughter-in-law' so affectionately."

Song Linlin added, "I heard about that case. Because there wasn't enough evidence to prove intent, she was acquitted."

I chimed in, "She was the one who sued me first back then, and she was the one who hit An'an. To think she turned the tables and bit back at me. I wondered why that lawyer knew my situation so well—it turns out he was working for both sides. Damn it, this time I am going to see justice served!"

An Mingshan said, "After that incident, I realized you were the one who saved me. Even if she escaped legal punishment, your mother’s attitude toward her is more effective than any verdict. Is this what you call retribution?"

"It seems you've finally caught on," I said. "At least I didn't save you for nothing."

My mother turned on Jiang Ruyu. "I never imagined you were capable of such things! And you lied to me to get me to save you! Tell me! Who is the father of that child? Let me tell you, our family has no room for a daughter-in-law like you! You owe Miss An an apology!"

An Mingshan laughed, "How quickly things change! A moment ago she was a Li family daughter-in-law, now she isn't. But an apology is unnecessary; I'm already used to it."

"Alright, that’s enough," I said. "Stop repeating yourself, it’s annoying. Regardless, I will make sure you get justice."

My father added, "Please don't mind this brat, Miss An."

An Mingshan replied, "It's fine. Mother-in-law, don't bother asking. Even if you asked until the end of time, she wouldn't tell you. I have already found out who that person is—it is..." I noticed my mother, my brother, and Jiang Ruyu all staring at An Mingshan with warning in their eyes.

Song Linlin grew impatient. "Who is it? Tell us!"

An Mingshan looked at me and said, "It is..."

My mother asked, "Are you certain you've verified this?"

An Mingshan kept her eyes on me. "Yes, it is verified, and the evidence is conclusive."

My mother pressed, "Are you sure you aren't wronging someone?"

My father interjected, "Look at you, you're scaring the poor girl."

"It's alright," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Go ahead and tell them."

An Mingshan continued, "This person is very close to you and your brother, though not as financially well-off. The three of you, along with Jiang Ruyu, grew up together. You were inseparable friends."

Jiang Ruyu snapped, "If you haven't found the truth, just say so! Don't use these games to bluff everyone. I am close to them, but it has always been just the three of us. There is no fourth person."

I thought for a moment and said, "I know who it is."

"Who?" my mother asked.

I feigned mystery. "Heaven's secrets must not be revealed." Just as we were speaking, three police officers arrived at the door.

Officer A said, "Ms. Jiang, you are suspected of involvement in a case of intentional injury. Please come with us to assist in our investigation!"

Jiang Ruyu retorted, "Do you take me for a fool? Let me tell you, without a warrant, you cannot just arrest people!"

Officer B produced an arrest warrant. "This is the warrant. Please, come with us." With that, Jiang Ruyu was led away.

I said, "An'an, you see? I told you: the net of heaven lets nothing through. Those who break the law will surely face the judgment of justice."

"But there hasn't been a verdict yet," An Mingshan noted.

"As they say, 'Justice may be late, but it will never be absent,'" I said. "Don't worry, this time I won't let her get away with it again!"

My father said, "Good. Shuhua, you two should focus on preparing for your wedding. Your mother and I are waiting for grandchildren."

My mother asked, "But what about the Jiang family?"

My brother asked, "Does Uncle Jiang not know?"

"He doesn't," my mother replied. "We didn't tell him. It's not the kind of thing one brings up easily."

"Just tell the truth," I said. "What are you afraid of?"

My mother snapped, "Are you insane? Is it worth giving up the Jiang family inheritance for this 'wild woman' of unknown origin?" She gestured toward An Mingshan.

"It is worth it," I said. "If it weren't for her, I would be the one lying in a hospital bed." An Mingshan, however, did not wait for more. She lowered her head and walked away silently. I saw her wiping away tears as she left.

I continued, "Mother, are you even listening to yourself? She cooks and cleans for your son, and she risked her life to protect me. Where else will you find someone so good? And now you've driven her away—is that how a human being should act?"

My mother cried, "For her, you would abandon your own parents?"

"You will see her true worth soon enough," I said. "I'm going out."

My mother's anger subsided slightly. "Where are you going?"

"Where else? To bring her back. When I return with her, you had better treat her well and apologize. After all, our family was in the wrong first." With that, I patted the pistol at my waist and set off.

***

**Reader Q&A**

**Q:** Mr. Author, in your opinion, how does one become a person of true strength?

**A:** To become strong, one does not rely on iron fists or martial arts. On the path to strength, only by carrying a heart full of peace, justice, courage, compassion, and kindness can one reach the end and become truly strong.