Chapter Fifty-Four: Nothing to Do With Me

"Younger siblings?" Zhang Ze was momentarily taken aback. He glanced at Xu Fei and asked, "Are you the eldest?"

Xu Fei nodded.

"So, what is it you need?" Zhang Ze inquired, his tone neutral.

Xu Fei's eyes brightened. "I... I hit someone..."

"Hit someone? You don't look the type."

Xu Fei gave a bitter smile and recounted the incident from beginning to end.

"Understandable," Zhang Ze nodded. "So, the other party plans to press charges?"

Xu Fei nodded again.

"Have you given your statement?"

"Yes."

"What do you want to do about this?" Zhang Ze looked Xu Fei up and down.

"I... I can't go to jail."

"Hmph. You didn't think of that when you raised your hand, did you?" Zhang Ze's tone was scornful.

"I..."

"What? Explanations are just excuses. I've seen too many cases like yours—people who hit others without a penny to their name. What exactly are you trying to pull?"

Xu Fei was left speechless by the rebuke.

"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" Zhang Ze glared at him coldly.

"I was wrong, Lawyer Zhang. Please, can you help me?"

Seeing Xu Fei's genuine sincerity, Zhang Ze nodded.

"All right. It seems you're not some local thug after all. Come with me."

With that, he turned and walked out.

Xu Fei was utterly bewildered.

"Go on, follow him," the security guard grinned, waving him along.

"Oh, right." Xu Fei quickly smiled and caught up.

Second floor.

Inside Zhang Ze's office.

"Sit," Zhang Ze gestured at the empty chair in front of him.

It was probably the only place in the entire room where anyone could sit. Xu Fei took a seat, glancing around at the piles of case files scattered everywhere. Judging by the dust, they had been there a long time.

"You want to go to court without any money?" Zhang Ze asked.

"I really don't have any, but I can write you an IOU."

"An IOU? Fine, you can owe me for now."

Xu Fei nodded.

"You broke his nose, that's considered minor injury. If you're convicted, you'll be looking at three years. But, as you said, if he started the fight, that's grounds for leniency. We can try for a settlement—compensate him for damages."

Zhang Ze paused and looked at Xu Fei. "Medical bills, in other words."

"Well..."

"What? You think you can skip out on that too? Not a chance."

Xu Fei shook his head.

"Just wait at home. I'll go to the police station and look over your statement."

"You—you really agreed to help?" Xu Fei still found it hard to believe.

"Why so many questions? If I hadn't agreed, what would be the point of bringing you here?"

Xu Fei thanked him profusely before leaving.

...

Donghai Sugar Factory.

"Did you hear? Zhang Dajun got beaten up by Xu Fei."

"So that's why he showed up this morning with his nose bandaged."

"I never thought Xu Fei was this tough. First, he fought with Peng Yu, now Zhang Dajun."

"Quiet, here he comes."

Xu Fei walked into the workshop.

He glanced over at the group of coworkers whispering among themselves. As soon as they saw him, they smiled awkwardly and quickly headed to the office.

"Boss Wang, Xu Fei's here," someone called.

Wang Guoqing stood up, walked to the window, and glanced down at Xu Fei approaching. He felt uneasy, his hands and feet awkward.

Now, even Wang Guoqing was nervous around Xu Fei. Was this kid really so fierce? If he ever found out about the wages Wang had docked, would he come after him too? Instinctively, he touched his own nose.

Quickly, Wang Guoqing returned to his desk.

Bang!

Xu Fei pushed the door open forcefully.

Everyone inside froze.

Now, they all saw Xu Fei as someone who would throw a punch at the slightest provocation. No one dared make a sound.

"Back to work," he said.

"Yes, yes."

"Nice weather, isn't it?"

"Yeah, sure is."

The room emptied in moments.

Wang Guoqing clutched his teacup, head lowered, eyes on the newspaper. But his hands were trembling so much that the lid rattled against the cup.

"Director Wang."

"Uh?" Wang Guoqing looked up at Xu Fei and forced a smile. "Oh, Xu Fei. Something you need?"

Xu Fei walked up to the desk, his face dark. "What am I supposed to do today?"

"Work? Go ask Zhang Dajun about that."

"Him? I just beat him up. Isn't it a bit inappropriate to ask him now?"

Wang Guoqing set his teacup down and cleared his throat. "Well, there's nothing inappropriate. Work is work, personal matters are separate. It's only fair."

Xu Fei nodded. "Fine."

He turned and walked to the cabinet. As he opened it, he suddenly asked, "Director Wang, are there still piecework jobs in our workshop that pay fifteen cents?"

"What?" Wang Guoqing was startled.

"And my five-cent piecework, it's actually supposed to be eight cents, isn't it?"

"Xu Fei, who told you that? You're new here. Those rates are for senior workers; you're not there yet."

Xu Fei glared at him.

"Director Wang, don't lie to me."

"Why would I lie? What kind of talk is that?"

Xu Fei gave a cold laugh. "Yesterday, Zhang Dajun and I fought because of this."

"Let’s not talk about that. Just do your job, Xu Fei. I, Wang Guoqing, won't shortchange you."

Leaving the workshop, Xu Fei ran into Zhang Dajun, who was just returning from the infirmary after getting his bandage changed.

"You've got the nerve to show up for work, Xu Fei?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"You just wait—you'll be in jail soon!"

Xu Fei nodded. "I'll wait."

"Hmph!" Zhang Dajun stormed off to the office.

"Hey!"

"Hmm?" Zhang Dajun turned to look at Xu Fei.

Xu Fei strode over and fixed him with a stare.

"What do you want?" Startled, Zhang Dajun shrank back.

"You haven't assigned my work today."

Zhang Dajun's eyes narrowed. "What are you hoping for? Still expecting me to give you work? You see that pile of materials over there? Do whatever you want. It's none of my business, got it?"

With that, he turned and hurried into the office.

Xu Fei just smiled.

This suited him fine. He could do some odd jobs and neither Wang Guoqing nor Zhang Dajun would interfere. He’d just be missing out on the piecework pay.

Watching Xu Fei head for the materials, Wang Guoqing went over to Zhang Dajun.

"Are you really going to press charges this time?"

"I'm going to make sure he pays for this!"

"Are you confident?"

"Damn it, Fuhai is siding with him. I'll have to talk to someone at the court."

"Best if they lock him up. Then he can forget about ever working at the sugar factory again."

After a moment’s thought, Wang Guoqing said, "By the way, I have a cousin at the court. Want me to introduce you?"

"Really? That would be great."

"But, you know, you should show a little appreciation." Wang Guoqing rubbed his fingers together in a money-counting gesture.

Zhang Dajun frowned, considered, then said, "Fine. If it gets that kid sent away, it's worth spending a bit."