Rebirth of a Farmer's Dad

The next day, Luo Feng bought some fruit and prepared to visit Dunzi at the police station. Luo Feng had already inquired about the situation; since he had only seriously injured someone, not killed them, and given the circumstances—the other person was a member of a fraud gang—Dunzi was only sentenced to administrative detention, awaiting the court's verdict.

The police station was in the town, not too far away, and Luo Feng arrived in no time. He explained his purpose at the station, and under the guidance of the police officers, Luo Feng completed the registration process and finally saw Dunzi, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

The two hadn't seen each other for over half a year. Compared to before, Atsuko appeared even more robust. However, his mental state wasn't very good. It's understandable; anyone in this situation would feel terrible.

"Atsuko, are you getting used to things inside?" The two remained silent for a long time after meeting, until Luo Feng finally broke the silence.

"Feng, Brother Feng, what brings you here?" Atsuko seemed quite surprised by Luo Feng's arrival and stammered as she spoke.

"Why did you act so impulsively?" Luo Feng's tone was a mix of disappointment and exasperation, but mostly helplessness.

"I couldn't help myself at the time, and I did it on impulse," Atsuko replied softly, her head down.

"Why don't you think about your family before you do things?" Luo Feng pointed at Dunzi and asked sternly.

"Back then, who had time to think about that?" Atsuko said, her face full of pain.

"Is there anything I can tell my family?" Seeing that Atsuko was already in a lot of pain, Luo Feng didn't want to upset him any further, so he asked calmly.

"Then please go home and tell my dad to keep the business running. He's already quit his job there, and it's the family's only source of income. My younger siblings still need to live, so we can't just give up on this business," Atsuko said to Luo Feng after thinking for a moment.

"No problem, I promise you. Don't worry about things at home, I'll help take care of them." Luo Feng nodded, agreeing.

"Thank you, Feng-ge," Atsuko said softly, her head bowed.

"Let's not talk about this between brothers. After all, you were with me for a few days, and this is what I should do." Luo Feng waved his hand, unwilling to listen to Dunzi say these things.

"You stay here, I'm leaving now." Luo Feng felt there was nothing else to talk about, so to avoid an awkward silence, he decided to leave first.

"Brother Feng, do you think I'll die?" Just as Luo Feng was about to get up and leave, Dunzi suddenly asked again.

"Don't worry, that person didn't die. You'll only serve a few years in prison at most; you won't be sentenced to death." Luo Feng could only comfort Dunzi, hoping he would think things through and not do anything foolish.

"How many years will I be sentenced to?" Atsuko asked again, a glimmer of hope appearing in her eyes.

"It depends on the situation. If you can help the police find those members of the fraud gang, then you might get a reduced sentence." Luo Feng could only tell Dunzi some of the legal knowledge he knew.

"Think carefully about that fraud gang, think about what valuable information you know, and tell the police everything you know. Maybe that will give you a chance to get a reduced sentence." After Luo Feng finished speaking, he saw Dunzi nod and then left.

It seems I'll have to investigate that fraud ring myself. The stall owner probably doesn't know much, and besides, with something like this happening, those people have likely already run away.

In truth, Luo Feng could have ignored this matter. Strictly speaking, Dunzi was no longer with him, and this had nothing to do with him. But Luo Feng was a sentimental person, especially towards his brothers; he could be truly open and loyal to them.

Investigating the fraud ring can wait; the most important thing now is to get Atsuko's message back. Luo Feng wondered how his father would react to this, but he figured the old man's reaction wouldn't be good.

With a mix of trepidation and anticipation, Luo Feng arrived at Atsuko's house. Upon entering, he was immediately struck by the oppressive atmosphere that enveloped the room, making it difficult to breathe.

Atsuko's house hadn't been cleaned for days; dust was everywhere. At that moment, Atsuko's father sat alone on the earthen bed inside, smoking his pipe. The old man's eyes were already dull and lifeless; even when he heard footsteps coming from the doorway, he ignored them.

"Uncle," Luo Feng called softly.

At this moment, Dunzi's father finally came to his senses. He slowly raised his head, saw that the person who came was Luo Feng, and immediately scrambled up from the kang (a heated brick bed).

"Fengzi, you have to think of a way to save Dunzi! This really can't be blamed on him."

"Uncle, I've gone to see Atsuko. I brought back his message." Luo Feng helped Atsuko's father sit down and spoke calmly to the old man.

"What did he say?" Hearing Luo Feng's words, knowing that his son had something to say, Dunzi's father calmed down for a moment.

"Dunzi told you to take care of yourself and not to worry about him. He also told you to keep the business in the factory going. He said he has several younger siblings who need to make a living, and the family's income cannot be cut off." Luo Feng repeated Dunzi's words to the old man.

"Tell me anything else," the child's father said to Luo Feng, taking a puff of his pipe.

"He told you to take good care of yourself, since the family still needs you. He didn't say anything else," Luo Feng replied.

"How is Atsuko doing inside?" his father asked.

"I just went to see him this morning. He's alright, just not in very good spirits," Luo Feng told the truth.

"What kind of punishment will Atsuko get this time? Will he have to pay with his life? If he has to die, then take my old man's life. I've had enough of living anyway." Atsuko's father became agitated again as he spoke.

"You can rest assured about that. Atsuko didn't kill anyone this time. The other party was only seriously injured and will at most be sentenced to a few years in prison," Luo Feng quickly reassured him, afraid that the old man might do something bad in a moment of excitement.

"Are you telling the truth?" Atsuko's father grabbed Luo Feng by the collar, hope returning to his eyes.

"It's true, don't worry." Luo Feng nodded and said seriously.

"That's good, that's good. Atsuko is a good kid. It's all my fault. No matter how long he's in jail, I'll be here waiting for him." The old man seemed to be speaking to Luo Feng, but it was also as if he was talking to himself.

That's how fathers are, even if they're just ordinary farmers, illiterate peasants who know nothing. Fatherly love is silent, yet as heavy as a mountain. No matter how big a mistake their child makes, no matter what high the price to pay, a father will always shoulder it. Although there aren't many verbal exchanges, a father expresses his love for his son through his actions.

Previously, no matter how many times people mentioned such words to Luo Feng, he only regarded them as empty platitudes and never took them seriously. But at this moment, Luo Feng truly understood the meaning of those words. This must be what people mean when they say that only things experienced firsthand are truly worth cherishing.

He had arrived in a hurry and hadn't prepared any gifts. Besides, given the family's misfortune, giving a gift seemed inappropriate. Not wanting to disturb a lonely old man, Luo Feng quietly left. Before leaving, he told Dunzi's younger siblings that they could come to him if they encountered any difficulties. He assured them he would do his best to help. This was the last thing Luo Feng could do for them.