South to North: A Prison Guard at the Beginning

When they were drinking for a while, Ma Kui and Wang Yongge ran to Wang Yongge's house for some reason and sat together with their arms around each other's shoulders.

Lao Ma didn’t know whether he said it on purpose or just brought it up casually because he was drunk.

"Old Wang, I don't really care about what happened back then, but I still want to know an answer. Just tell me why you didn't testify for me back then. No matter what happened, I won't care. How about that?"

Hearing this, Wang Yongge smiled and looked at Lao Ma.

"Old Ma, it's been years since we've had a drink together like this. I'm really happy."

"Hey, Old Wang, don't change the subject. I just want to know the result today." Old Ma waved his hand.

Wang Yongge nodded, then got up and went to his room, took out a piece of paper from under a box, and then went back to the living room and sat next to Lao Ma.

"Lao Ma, I know you're not drunk. Actually, I'm not drunk either. You're testing me, but I don't want to hide it anymore. I'm going to tell you everything today."

Lao Ma didn't say anything, and his face, which was originally drunk, gradually returned to solemnity.

“In fact, I was on the dining car back then.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Lao Ma's heart began to beat wildly and he stared at Wang Yongge with a frown.

"Since you were in the car, why, why didn't you testify for me!!"

"I was getting food on the dining car that day, and then I heard you fighting with a thief outside. I wanted to help you, but then a thief broke into the dining car and we looked at each other. The thief pointed a knife at me and threatened me, so I didn't dare to move."

"Then the thief opened the window and tried to jump out of the car. I didn't know what happened at the time, so I picked up an iron basin next to me and smashed it down. The thief fell under the car. I thought he was unconscious. At that time, I was thinking, I'm telling you about this."

"But later, the thief was confirmed dead. I was scared at that time. I was afraid of taking responsibility and going to jail. Wang Xin was only eight years old at that time. I didn't know what Wang Xin would do if I went to jail. Old Ma, I'm sorry. It was my cowardice that caused you to suffer wrongly for eight years!" Wang Yongge slowly told the story of the past.

At this time, Lao Ma looked at Wang Yongge with hatred in his eyes, gritted his teeth, and squeezed out his words from between his teeth.

"Wang Xin is eight years old? But my daughter Ma Yan is only seven years old! Why haven't you thought about this?! Do you know how I have been living these eight years? I live in pain every day! It's all because of your selfishness and cowardice!!"

"Old Ma. Things can't be reversed at this point. Now that Wang Xin has been admitted to university, his future is bright. I have done my best for Wang Xin's mother, so I plan to repay the debt I owe you." Wang Yongge took a deep breath, then opened the paper with trembling hands.

Old Ma frowned and looked at the piece of paper. On the top were written a few big words: "Agreement to Sever Father-Son Relationship"!

"Old Ma, I plan to sever the father-son relationship with Wang Xin. After severing ties with him, my affairs will not affect him, nor his future. Then I will turn myself in. I have already written the surrender materials." As he spoke, Wang Yongge took out a few pieces of paper from his pocket.

Lao Ma took the papers and started reading them. After a while, he put down the letters and looked at Wang Yongge.

"Don't think I can forgive you just like this!!"

Wang Yongge chuckled and then shook his head.

"Old Ma, I never thought you would forgive me. You have had a hard time these years, and so have I. I suffer from the reproach of my conscience every day. I often suffer from insomnia for whole nights. I often dream of you pinching my neck and asking me why I don't testify for you."

"I often dream that Wang Xin knows about this and questions me. You see, I seem to be living a good life every day, but in fact, I feel very uncomfortable in my heart."

"I'm taking this opportunity today to tell you everything. Wang Xin is different from me. He is a responsible kid. You are his master. I hope that our affairs won't affect him. Yan Zi likes Wang Xin, and Wang Xin also likes Yan Zi. Can't our affairs affect the child?"

"Old Ma, before I go in, I have only one request. I don't ask for your forgiveness. I only ask you not to blame Wang Xin and not to impose our grievances on the child. I beg you!" Wang Yongge was extremely humble at this time, but this was what he should do.

After listening to Wang Yongge's words, Lao Ma's hatred actually lessened a little, but it was impossible to completely eliminate it. After all, he really did spend eight years in prison, which was irreparable.

"I'm not as dirty as you think. I wouldn't blame a child so harshly! As for what happened between Ma Yan and Wang Xin, don't even think about it!" After saying that, Old Ma stormed out of the door angrily.

Wang Yongge sat down on the sofa dejectedly, staring blankly at the papers on the table.

After a long time, Wang Xin came back from drinking with a few people, with a smile on his face. As soon as he entered the room, he saw Wang Yongge like this, so he walked over.

"Dad! What's wrong with you? What's all this?" Wang Xin said, and picked up the letter on the table and started reading it. Wang Yongge did not stop him. This matter could not be hidden, and he would know it sooner or later.

Originally, Wang Xin had a smile on his face, but when he saw the confession written on the letter paper, he lost his composure and continued to read below. The more he read, the more shocked he was. Finally, he looked at his father in disbelief, as if he had met him for the first time.

"Dad, is...what's written on it true?" Wang Xin said in a trembling voice.

"It's true. It was because I didn't testify for your master that he was imprisoned for eight years." Wang Yongge picked up a cigarette on the table, lit it, and nodded.

"Why! Why do you want to impose on others what you did?" At this moment, Wang Xin's impression of Wang Yongge collapsed.

Since childhood, Wang Xin has always thought that his father was the best father. In order to prevent himself from being wronged, he has not remarried for more than ten years. But now this matter is in front of him, he can't believe it, and he dare not believe it.

"You were too young back then, and I was afraid that if I went in, you wouldn't be able to live on your own."

"Then this is not a reason for you to wrongly accuse others, this..." Wang Xin was no longer able to describe his feelings at this moment in words. He had mixed feelings, anger, sadness, sorrow, shame, self-blame, heartache, etc. superimposed on each other.

"It's too late to say anything now. Just sign this and come with me tomorrow morning to finalize this matter." Wang Yongge didn't say anything, but handed the agreement to sever the father-son relationship to Wang Xin.

Wang Xin opened it and took a look, then looked at Wang Yongge with even more disbelief.

"Dad! What do you mean?!"