Chapter 185 Past Events
Shu Hui’s gaze traversed layers of time, becoming dim. "Your dad was one of the first from his village to go out and work, at that time in Xu Pingzhang’s building materials factory. He did well there and was eager to learn, gradually becoming a minor leader. His income was quite good, so he brought other villagers out, including your dad’s younger brother, your uncle. At that time, the city was changing rapidly, with a huge demand for building materials. Xu Pingzhang’s company was making a lot of money, and the living standards for everyone kept improving. That’s when I met your dad. He was passionate, loyal, and ambitious. Although he wasn’t highly educated, he was a fast learner and treated me well. A year later, I married him, and then..."
A glimmer of hidden pain flashed in Shu Hui’s eyes. "Then you came along, and when you were four, a big incident happened. Your uncle was the first to be diagnosed with dust disease. After that, those who had followed your dad from the village were diagnosed one after another..."
Dust disease...
How could it be dust disease again...
The experiences in Dust Lung Village reappeared for Tu Hengsha, and those gray and despairing faces flickered through her mind like slides.
"All those people followed your dad out. He was always loyal and stood up as the village representative to demand Xu Pingzhang take responsibility. But Xu Pingzhang and Shang Qingmei were no pushovers, they tried by all means to evade responsibility. Your dad, although ambitious, was from the countryside and didn’t understand business tricks. He was honest and straightforward, and Xu Pingzhang, appreciating him, considered him a close friend, overlooking many details. Later, they found problems with labor contracts, delaying arbitration. But the illness couldn’t wait. Though life had improved over the years, everyone had spent their money building homes back in the village. To treat the illness, those savings were just a drop in the bucket. Your dad felt guilty that he brought them out and dealt with the company, thinking those folks were deceived by him. He felt remorseful, using his own money for treatment. It started with your uncle, then for everyone else, while continuing to entangle with Xu Pingzhang’s company. Xu Pingzhang and Shang Qingmei either shirked responsibility or delayed, secretly finding ways to escape the situation. How could your dad’s money be enough for so many people’s treatment? It ran out quickly. Your dad wanted to sell the house. I disagreed, and we argued, but eventually, the house was sold, and the money sent back. But what was the use? The one in the worst condition soon died, with others critically ill, nearing death’s door. When the bad news came, your dad was furious. I learned later that he went to confront that couple with a knife. He originally meant to threaten them, but words escalated into a quarrel. Shang Qingmei was always sharp-tongued, and your dad, who had a fiery temper, was enraged, drawing the knife, and in the scuffle with Xu Pingzhang, accidentally stabbed him fatally..."
The story ended, and the air felt stagnant as Tu Hengsha took a long time to digest those words. Xu Pingzhang, Shang Qingmei, father, those three terms rotated in her mind. She sat in a daze, as if trapped in an endless cycle from childhood, with her mind blocked, repeatedly asking, "Mom, do you say, are they good people or bad guys? Are they... good people or bad guys?"
"Little Sha..." Shu Hui held her daughter in her arms. "Whether they are good or bad, Mom knows there’s a balance in your heart. Over the years, the Xu Family hated your dad. I too certainly hated the people of the Xu Family, but haven’t I also hated your dad? Such impulsiveness, solving problems in such a foolish way. In the end, not only was the problem unresolved, but he also got himself involved, making us suffer so much hardship, especially you, living such days at such a young age..."
Hate?