Chapter 2

 

Chapter 2: Sentencing

 

The second visitor to Meng Fu in the detention center was an imposing figure—a tall, handsome man whose expression radiated a murderous intensity. The moment he spotted Meng Fu stepping out of the cell, his eyes were locked onto him, brimming with rage and hatred. Meng Fu could feel the man's fury; if it weren't for the law, he had no doubt that this man would have killed him on the spot.

 

"I'm Gu Ze, He Manyu's husband," the man stated coldly.

 

Meng Fu confronted the grieving husband, his demeanor a blend of defiance and guilt, handcuffs binding his hands and jingling faintly with each movement. "I'm sorry," he said, the words coming out strained. It was an apology that seemed empty, inadequate for the magnitude of loss, yet it was all he could provide.

 

Gu Ze's eyes flared with anger. "What good is your sorry? Manyu is dead, my child is dead, and yet you, the murderer, are alive and unscathed. You deserve to die too. Mark my words, I'll hire the best lawyer I can find. Even if I can't get you sentenced to death, I will ensure you spend as much time in prison as possible."

 

"I'm sorry," Meng Fu repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. He was at a loss for anything more meaningful to say.

 

Gu Ze observed Meng Fu closely, seeing how he had bowed his head until his chin was almost resting on his collar. This image reinforced Gu Ze's conviction that evil-doers often hide behind a misleading facade. Meng Fu, with his striking looks, stood before him, yet he was someone who could cause unspeakable damage.

With a swift motion, Gu Ze pulled a piece of paper from his leather bag and slid it across the table toward Meng Fu. "This is your admission letter, Big A."

 

Meng Fu felt a sense of dread. "How did you obtain this?" He had planned to get rid of it; the fact that Gu Ze had it was incomprehensible.

"I have my ways. It came straight from your school," Gu Ze said, locking eyes with Meng Fu, noting the glimmer of hope in his eyes. As Meng Fu extended his hand to take the notice, Gu Ze pulled it away, his face breaking into a malicious grin. "However, you won't be needing it any longer."

With deliberate malice, he tore the notice into shreds right before Meng Fu's eyes. That flimsy piece of paper represented over a decade of hard work and dreams. Meng Fu had already resigned himself to the idea that college was now out of reach, but witnessing the destruction of his aspirations cut deeper than he had anticipated.

"It's sad, isn't it?" Gu Ze remarked, his voice dripping with disdain. "But this sadness of yours pales in comparison to mine."

 

"I'll accept the consequences of the law," Meng Fu replied quietly.

 

Gu Ze let out a derisive laugh as he watched Meng Fu, the torn notice still fluttering to the floor. "I won't let you have an easy time of it."

 

Once back in his cell, Meng Fu's thoughts lingered on the pile of shredded paper. It was devastating to realize that his dreams had been obliterated before they even had a chance to take flight.

 

He was consumed by a sense of unease as he contemplated Meng Yi's welfare and the length of his looming sentence. A conviction for hit-and-run might carry a minimum sentence of seven years. Having just turned 18, the gravity of his decisions bore down on his conscience. How was he to abandon Meng Yi?

 

As the trial approached, the prosecutor asked Meng Fu if he wanted legal representation. He shook his head, refusing the offer. Even when the court suggested appointing a lawyer for him, he declined. Standing alone before the judge, he listened to the prosecutor enumerate the charges against him. Behind him sat his aunt, Xie Zhenzhen, who he hadn't seen in years, along with Gu Ze at the plaintiff's table.

 

"According to Article 133 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China, the defendant Meng Fu is sentenced to seven years in prison."

The verdict was delivered in mere hours.

Seven years—it felt like an eternity. Meng Fu mentally counted the days, knowing that he would have to endure countless hardships during his imprisonment.

As he left the courtroom in handcuffs, his aunt leaned closer and reassured him, "Meng Fu, Xiao Yi is with me. You don't need to worry."

"Thank you, Auntie," he replied, grateful yet burdened by guilt.

Before he could step out, he heard Gu Ze's furious voice directed at his lawyer. "What were you doing? He killed two people; how is he only sentenced to seven years?"

The lawyer responded in a low voice, "He showed a good attitude in admitting his mistakes, and there was no intent to commit murder. Plus, he just turned 18; perhaps that fact weighed on the judge's decision. The law typically doesn't impose more than 15 years for cases like this. I did my best, Mr. Gu."

 

"Silence in the courtroom!" the judge barked, rapping his gavel sharply.

 

Gu Ze clenched his jaw, his muscles tensing as he fought to regain his composure. As he strode out of the courtroom, he turned to Meng Fu, who was being led away by the bailiff. With a chilling declaration, he said, "Your ordeal has only just begun."

 

Outside the courthouse, Gu Ze unleashed his fury on the lawyer. "What kind of worthless lawyer are you? Didn't you say there was a possibility of a 15-year sentence? Why didn’t you push for that? And what about that gift I told you to give the judge? Did you even follow through?"

 

"Mr. Gu, I did send it, but the judge returned it and refused the offer," the lawyer replied cautiously.

 

"You need to file a complaint in another court or find a new lawyer. I paid you a fortune; all I asked was for you to advocate for me!" Gu Ze seethed.

 

Meng Fu’s fate weighed heavily on the lawyer's mind, who, noting Gu Ze's rising anger, simply said, "Don't worry, Mr. Gu. Prison is a harsh place, especially for someone like Meng Fu. I'm afraid he won't last even a few months."

 

As Meng Fu was led away, he caught sight of Xie Zhenzhen lingering behind. She had watched him throughout the trial, and even now, she seemed reluctant to leave.

 

"Officer, may I speak with him?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

 

Perhaps moved by her tears, the bailiffs exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

 

"It's only seven years; it's a short time," she said, attempting to muster a smile despite the tears streaming down her face. "I’ll wait for you."

 

"Don't wait for me; we’re breaking up," Meng Fu replied, a lump forming in his throat. He wanted to comfort her, to wipe away her tears, but the handcuffs reminded him of the distance that now lay between them.

 

Her voice trembled as she insisted, "That’s a breakup you agreed to; I haven’t agreed yet. There are still so many things we need to do together—dates, movies, travel. How can we just end it like this?"

 

"Really," he interrupted, raising his voice, "let’s go."

 

It was futile to hold onto hope. Xie Zhenzhen belonged to a world far removed from his own—one filled with promise and opportunity, while he faced a future shrouded in darkness. Two lives destined to run parallel, never to intersect again.

 

END OF THE CHAPTER