Crimson Instinct

A few days later.

Ying Yue was on her way to bring breakfast for Rodey. As she reached near his ward, she heard noises coming inside.

Rodey is talking to somebody…

She stepped closer to the door and saw two men she never met before. One was a middle-aged man sitting beside Rodey, while the other was a young man standing beside the older man. But they resembled each other a lot.

Are they father and son?

She could hear their voices.

Inside the ward, Xin Nianzu said, "You must know why we came here."

Rodey shrugged. "Have you come here to take me to jail?"

"No. Not now, at least. But we came here to tell you there would be a court hearing to decide on your punishment by the law."

Rodey didn't care. "Whatever. I already knew that. But that still doesn't explain why you are here. Aren't you a lawyer? A defense lawyer at that."

"Correct. I came here to offer to take your case."

Now, even Rodey was shocked. Then he burst into laughter.

"Yo, old man, you hit your head somewhere?" He looked up at Xin Zhen and smirked. "Hey, IB dog. Your oldie father seems to have gotten really old. He is talking weird shit about taking my case."

Xin Zhen ignored his sarcastic comments. "You have got ears to listen. Don't they work, or are they just for show? Or can you not understand human language?"

Xin Nianzu said, "It's nothing to get shocked about. I am a defense lawyer, and it's my job defending innocent people-"

Rodey said, "You have really hit your head hard somewhere if you think that I am innocent."

"Let me complete my sentence, Rodey. It's my job defending innocent people or the ones who I deem worthy of getting lighter punishment even if they have committed crimes."

Rodey narrowed his eyes. "Lighter punishment?"

Xin Nianzu nodded. "Yes. No lawyer can defend your case and ask the court to set you free. That is impossible considering the crimes you have committed. But, it is equally noteworthy that you changed and went against your boss. You helped the kidnapped victims escape from the base and, in the end, fought with your own gang you were once part of. It cannot erase your past completely, but taking the side of justice, in the end, would help lighten your punishment by the court."

Silence.

"And I am here to offer you just that. Of course, I would have to say that you have hurt innocent people, but in your favor, I would say that you changed your ways and hence deserve that consideration when deciding your punishment."

Rodey said nothing.

"What you did would make the court give you a life sentence. It was possible if you had stayed the same. But you helped the law in dealing with such a dangerous gang. I can help you reduce your sentence up to ten years maximum. I don't think any less than that will be possible by the court."

Ten years…

Rodey faintly smiled. He clenched his fist under the sheets.

"I don't need your help. You are giving me too much credit for my change. I haven't changed at all. I am still rotten at the core."

Xin Nianzu smiled. "And the fact that you can say that about yourself proves that you are a changed man."

"Whatever. I don't need any help, and certainly, I don't want to owe the man who I kidnapped."

He sighed. "You don't understand. You do not owe me anything, Rodey. It's my job as a lawyer. I am not doing you any favor. If you go without any defense lawyer in the court, there would be no chance at all that your punishment will lighten. You might get a life sentence."

"No problem."

Xin Zhen sneered. "Don't act so tough, bastard. I know how you are. You like your freedom. Like hell, you could spend the rest of your life behind bars. You would go insane before you die."

Rodey gritted his teeth.

Xin Nianzu said, "Rodey. It's not just about you now. You have somebody else waiting for you."

He stiffened.

"You know who I am talking about."

Rodey felt uncomfortable.

"Don't decide things in a rush just thinking about yourself. That girl really loves you. Do you want to make her wait forever?"

"That's not my problem if she waits or not! I already told her it's a waste of time. If she doesn't want to listen, then don't blame me."

Xin Nianzu blinked his eyes. "But have you considered starting a new life with her?"

Rodey looked at him in disbelief. "A new life?"

Then he laughed loudly. "Oh...Oh my God. You are one funny man. Starting anew? Now I am sure you have gone senile."

"Why is it impossible? You can still start your life with her after ten years are over in prison, and you atone for your sins. Leave that past behind once your sentence is over. You deserve to start a new life. You deserve to live a happy life. It's not difficult, but you are not able to forgive yourself. That's why you are running away from the possibility." 

"I am not running away from anything!"

Xin Zhen sneered. "The more you shout, the more it is the opposite."

Xin Nianzu said, "Rodey. I cannot force you. It's up to you if you want me to take your case or not. But please think carefully. About you and Ying Yue and your futures. I know it's difficult to erase the past, and you might not want her to suffer for choosing you as her life partner who was a convict once."

Rodey couldn't retort.

"But let Ying Yue make that decision. Don't decide by yourself that you don't deserve another shot in life. Talk to her. Think and imagine your future with her and then come to me to say your decision. If you still disagree, then I won't force you."

He stood and patted his shoulder. "I will wait for your final decision."

They left his ward and saw Ying Yue standing outside the door.

Xin Nianzu gently smiled. "If he doesn't get convinced with your words, don't hesitate to use your fists to knock some sense into him."

Ying Yue was surprised. "R-really?"

"Of course. That lad loves you too. A lot. He won't raise even a finger against you. So beat and punch him as much as you want until he agrees to take my help."

She burst into a soft chuckle and nodded. "I will."