YV | Chapter 21

Strength is not only reflected in the aura of having the final say, but also in bottom lines and principles. Zhang Xu is gentle and friendly, he looks easy to talk to, but in fact his personality is airtight, as solid as a fortress.

Sheng Xiaoyang signed the accident liability determination form, but did not leave right away. The traffic police told him that the driver who caused the accident had also come, and they could talk first, go to the mediation room.

Sheng Xiaoyang subconsciously wanted to look for Zhang Xu, but held himself back, and followed the traffic police.

Zhang Xu entered the mediation room shortly after, and sat beside Sheng Xiaoyang.

The mediator looked at Zhang Xu, then at Sheng Xiaoyang, probably guessing their relationship, and said nothing, the mediation began.

The driver who caused the accident did not take Sheng Xiaoyang and the person he brought seriously, his attitude was bad, he opened his mouth and cursed, and was held down by the mediator. Sheng Xiaoyang was not a good-tempered person either, it was a pity he could not speak, his hand gestures came one after another, leaving afterimages, who knew how filthy the curses were. With Zhang Xu by his side, he restrained himself a little.

Zhang Xu looked up the meaning of one of the gestures, and almost laughed out loud.

The driver who caused the accident could not understand Sheng Xiaoyang’s gesturing, and slapped the table, pointing at Zhang Xu, “You speak!”

Zhang Xu unscrewed the cap of a bottle of mineral water and handed it to Sheng Xiaoyang, “Drink some water, rest for a while.”

Sheng Xiaoyang felt a little embarrassed, but his momentum did not weaken.

Zhang Xu did not curse, he first solved the problem, his reasoning was clear, starting from the perspective of the surveillance, he accurately observed the driver’s conduct of accelerating in advance when approaching the zebra crossing, and asked, “Did you deliberately crash into him?”

The driver who caused the accident said, bullshit.

Zhang Xu ignored him and continued, “Since that’s the case, the compensation issue will need to be separately assessed and negotiated.”

The driver who caused the accident was unbearably arrogant, and let out a “tch.”

Zhang Xu swept him with the corner of his eye, and changed the subject, “Is the lady in the passenger seat your wife? You two look bad, did you quarrel?”

The driver’s face immediately turned green, “You...”

Zhang Xu smiled, “The cameras at intersections are all very high-definition now.”

Hitting the snake at its seven-inch spot, the filthy matters of a middle-aged man were not easy to say plainly, and the mediator also knew it well. They lowered their heads and covered their mouths, pretending not to hear, anyway, they had not fought.

Sheng Xiaoyang had little social experience, and did not expect it could be done like this. He looked at Zhang Xu, stunned, and learned something too.

“Medical expenses, nursing expenses, nutrition expenses, mental damage compensation, lost wages, all the miscellaneous things added together are not a small amount.”

The driver who caused the accident blurted out, “Bullshit fucking lost wages! That little beggar!?”

Zhang Xu was as steady as Mount Tai, raised an eyebrow and said, “Fine, I’ll have a lawyer talk to you, and we’ll apply for a judicial appraisal later.”

The driver who caused the accident gritted his back teeth and asked, what do you want?

“The party at fault will advance 20,000 yuan for medical expenses first.”

“15,000!”

“25,000.” Zhang Xu lifted his eyelids, said nothing, and just stared straight at him, his cold pressure overwhelming.

The driver’s scalp went cold, and he caved.

The mediation room was like a vegetable market, haggling was the norm. The mediator came out at the right time to smooth things over, “Each side take a step back, just 20,000, as long as no one’s hurt.”

“What do you mean, no one’s hurt?” Zhang Xu did not give an inch, “He is hurt.” He curved a finger and tapped the table, thud, thud, twice, and said, “25,000.”

The mediator was at a loss for words, and turned to look at the driver, the implication was obvious, bro, just admit it, who told you your handle was in someone else’s hands. This one can pin you down morally, and he understands the law too! That’s an absolute kill.

The driver who caused the accident was gnashing his teeth, but there was nothing he could do, and could only obediently take out the money.

When Sheng Xiaoyang walked out of the traffic police station, the moon dazzled his eyes. Time had passed so fast, he was still in a daze, so he kept savoring Zhang Xu’s appearance just now, the tone of voice holding warmth and severity at once, making it impossible not to be moved.

Sheng Xiaoyang felt that the emotion he had right now would let Zhang Xu see something, so he walked toward the moon’s shadowed side, standing where the light could not reach, and solemnly thanked Zhang Xu.

- Thank you.

Zhang Xu accepted the thanks, said mm, you’re welcome, then asked, “Are you going back to the hospital?”

Sheng Xiaoyang half-lowered his eyes and nodded, yes, going back.

“Tomorrow morning I’ll go over too.”

Sheng Xiaoyang did not have a bank account or electronic payment, so the money was with Zhang Xu. The mediator tactfully reminded Sheng Xiaoyang, if your relationship with him is only ordinary, it would still be more reassuring to keep the money yourself.

Sheng Xiaoyang could give everything to Zhang Xu, as long as he wanted to. So these words offended Zhang Xu, Sheng Xiaoyang was unhappy, and directly said, you’re petty.

“What, what?” The mediator did not understand.

Zhang Xu translated it, also very tactfully, “Narrow-minded.”

The mediator: “...”

Sheng Xiaoyang’s head was buzzing at the time, he thought in surprise: He can understand?

His thoughts drifted far away, Zhang Xu could not wake Sheng Xiaoyang up, so as usual, his finger reached over and poked his shoulder.

Sheng Xiaoyang’s black, bright eyes sparkled under the moonlight, round and very innocent.

Zhang Xu did not change expression, and lifted the corners of his lips, “What do you want for breakfast? I’ll bring it.”

- No need.

Zhang Xu said, don’t be polite.

Sheng Xiaoyang was really being polite, very restrained, and said, anything is fine.

Zhang Xu nodded, said he knew, then asked, should I send you?

Sheng Xiaoyang also said no need.

Zhang Xu smiled, “Then be careful on the way.”

Sheng Xiaoyang left in a panic, thinking, okay, goodbye.

The next morning, Zhang Xu came together with Su Miaomiao.

Su Miaomiao stood at the entrance of the ward, glanced around inside, and there were all kinds of old, weak, sick, and disabled people. She asked Zhang Xu rigorously, “Bro, which one is my indicator?”

Zhang Xu gave her a sidelong glance, did not answer, and walked in, carrying a lot of things in his hands, still steaming.

Sheng Xiaoyang was eating buns. At first it was fine, but Su Miaomiao kept staring at him, he was very embarrassed, and tried hard to be proper.

Zhang Xu turned slightly sideways, blocking Su Miaomiao’s line of sight.

Su Miaomiao pouted and rolled her eyes at Zhang Xu.

Sheng Xiaoyang took the chance to stuff half a bun into his mouth all at once, choking badly. Zhang Xu handed him soybean milk.

“I paid another 10,000 yuan for the hospitalization fees, it should be enough until discharge. There’s another 10,000 given to the caregiver, you keep the rest.”

Five thousand in cash, Zhang Xu gave Sheng Xiaoyang. Sheng Xiaoyang just passed it through his hands and immediately handed it to Da Yan.

Da Yan had never seen so much money in her life, she could not tell whether to take it or not. Seeing that the people who came were all strangers, she was a little dazed, and asked softly, “This is for delivering warmth to me? What’s going on?”

Sheng Xiaoyang could not explain, and sought help from Zhang Xu, his eyes watery: You tell her.

Zhang Xu was distracted, he somehow thought of the expression in some cat’s coquettish sticker.

“Oh, let me.” Su Miaomiao was in a hurry to go to work, glanced at the bed tag, and read Da Yan’s name, “Zhou Sike, hello.”

Da Yan was not used to it, and sat up straight, “Ah... ah?”

Su Miaomiao took a red envelope out of her bag, there was quite a lot of money inside too, she cleared her throat and started her speech: “On behalf of the city’s charity federation, I would like to express care and encouragement to you. Life is fragile, but every life deserves to be protected, and every hope should be lit up. Donations are only the first step, more importantly, you need to regain your persistence toward life! Society will not abandon you, society is your home!”

Da Yan: ...

Sheng Xiaoyang: ...

Zhang Xu had a headache.

Da Yan wanted to cry, and wanted to hiccup, she forcibly held it back, and looked at Sheng Xiaoyang fearfully.

Of course, Sheng Xiaoyang was also confused, he looked at Zhang Xu.

Zhang Xu met Sheng Xiaoyang’s gaze, and gave a very restrained smile.

A subtle space formed in front of the hospital bed.

Da Yan realized that she should say something, so she asked in a choked voice, “Then does the home have air conditioning?”

Su Miaomiao’s eyes lit up, “You agree?!”

Da Yan was confused again, “...ah?”

Sheng Xiaoyang watched for a moment, could not hold back, tugged at Zhang Xu’s clothes, and handed over the written note.

- Who is she?

Zhang Xu sighed, said, my younger sister.

Su Miaomiao put on makeup today, very pretty, she was extroverted, and briskly introduced herself, “My name is Su Miaomiao, I currently work in the Social Relief Section of the Civil Affairs Bureau.”

Da Yan thought the color of Su Miaomiao’s lips looked very nice, and was dazed.

Sheng Xiaoyang woke her up.

Da Yan jolted, and hurriedly shook hands with Su Miaomiao, “Oh, oh, you... hello.”

“That’s how it is, don’t be nervous.” Su Miaomiao said, “You meet our relief criteria. After you’re discharged, you can move into the social welfare home to live there. The environment there is very good, single rooms, air conditioning, guaranteed three meals a day, nutritionally balanced, suitable for recovering from your injuries.”

Sheng Xiaoyang and Da Yan had both heard of this place before, receiving relief, getting low-income assistance, it sounded pretty good. But one thing was another, once you really went in, there would be a layer of shadow over your psyche, as if the whole world knew that you had been abandoned by your family, that no one wanted you. You were a homeless person.

Da Yan lowered her head, her voice sinking, “If I don’t go, I won’t starve to death either.”

Sheng Xiaoyang’s breathing also lightened, his brows faintly furrowing.

“That’s not what I meant,” Su Miaomiao knew she could not rush it, and explained kindly, “There are many people in the welfare home, and activities are organized every week. You can go and take a look first, you don’t necessarily have to stay there long-term, just heal your leg first. Your friend has been running around for you, he’s very worried about you.”

Friend?

Da Yan jolted hard, thought of something, and suddenly looked at Sheng Xiaoyang.

He and Zhang Xu were standing there, their bodies slightly offset.

Sheng Xiaoyang did not quite understand, and looked back at Da Yan in confusion.

So Da Yan blurted out, “What about Xiaoyang? Is he coming with me?”

“As for him...”

Su Miaomiao had just begun speaking, when Zhang Xu interrupted her.

“He won’t for now.”

【📢Author’s Note】
Zhang Xu: I have other arrangements for Xiaoyang