flstandardbreds Chapter 394 Let Her Return to Her Roots
Chapter 394 Let Her Return to Her Roots
Zhou Nan accompanied Zhu Huimin's mother and brother and slowly walked out of the court gate. The cold winter wind cut across his cheeks like a knife, and his brother's innocent face was already soaked with tears.
His body was so thin that he seemed to be blown down by a gust of wind. His thin shoulders were trembling slightly, and every step he took felt like he was stepping on cotton, soft and weak.
Zhu Huimin's mother is hunchbacked. Time and illness have left deep marks on her face. Her complexion is sallow and bloodless. Long-term medication has made her look listless and dazed. Every step she takes seems extremely difficult.
The three of them stopped and slowly turned around to look at the national emblem hanging high. The sunlight shone on it, reflecting a dazzling light, but in their eyes, the light was a little dazzling.
At this moment, the scenes in the courtroom came flooding back to his mind. The lawyer stood in the center of the courtroom, his voice clear and bright, yet with an unquestionable coldness, as he read out the verdict:
"Regarding the accidental death of Zhu Huimin, the defendant garment factory should bear the main responsibility because the dormitory was in disrepair and there were serious safety hazards.
Funeral allowance is calculated based on the average monthly salary of employees in the previous year in the pooling area of 8000 yuan for 6 months, totaling yuan;
The one-time work-related death allowance is calculated as 20 times the national per capita disposable income of urban residents in the previous year, which is RMB;
In addition, considering that Zhu Huimin still has an underage brother who needs to be raised and a mother who has been ill for a long time, living expenses compensation shall be given to the dependents as appropriate.
According to the per capita consumption expenditure of urban residents in the previous year in the place where the court is located, the younger brother's support period is until he is 18 years old.
The mother calculated the total amount based on 20 years, RMB. In summary, the garment factory needs to compensate the plaintiff for various expenses totaling RMB.
"The defendant, Dong Jiahui, pushed Zhu Huimin during the quarrel, and his behavior was causally related to Zhu Huimin's death, so he should bear secondary responsibility.
Funeral expenses are RMB; death compensation is calculated based on the per capita disposable income of urban residents in the previous year in the location of the court, RMB, for 20 years, totaling RMB;
The dependents shall bear one-third of the living expenses according to the same standard, that is, RMB; the mental consolation money, taking into account the circumstances of this case, is determined to be RMB. Dong Jiahui needs to compensate the plaintiff for all expenses totaling RMB. "
These cold numbers hit their hearts like a hammer. This money was the price of Zhu Huimin's life, but no amount of money could bring back that living person.
The mother's lips trembled slightly, and she wanted to say something, but her throat was blocked by a sob;
My brother's tears burst out again. He bit his lips tightly and his body trembled violently, as if he wanted to vent all the pain in his heart through this trembling.
Zhou Nan stood aside, watching this sad scene, his eyes couldn't help but redden. He gently reached out his hand and supported the trembling body of Zhu Huimin's mother. In the cold wind, the figures of the three people looked particularly lonely and desolate.
On the steps outside the court, Zhou Nan stood beside Zhu Huimin's mother and brother Zhu Huiqiang, his expression solemn and full of concern.
He slowly stretched out his hand, handed the compensation documents and the bank card with the compensation in his hand to Zhu Huiqiang solemnly, and said softly:
"Hui Qiang, keep this. You will depend on it for your living expenses. Your sister is gone, and you will be the mainstay of the family from now on!"
His voice was slightly hoarse, with a hint of fatigue and heartache. He turned to look at Zhu Huimin's mother, his eyes full of determination:
"Auntie, although Huimin is gone, from now on, I am Huiqiang's brother. No matter what difficulties our family encounters, or if you want to talk to someone, you can call me first."
Zhu Huiqiang was stunned for a moment, his eyes instantly turned red. He took the bank card and documents with trembling hands. When his fingers touched Zhou Nan's palm, it was as if he grasped the last bit of warmth, and he stammered: "Brother Zhou Nan, thank you..." Before he could finish his words, he was choked by sobs.
"Auntie, the dead cannot be resurrected. You are not in good health, so you must take care of yourself. Don't be too sad and ruin your health. Huimin definitely doesn't want to see you like this."
Zhou Nan's voice was gentle and soothing, "I have already booked your train tickets for tonight on my phone. I will take you to the train station now. Go home and have a good rest first.
I then took care of Huimin's ashes and personally sent them back to the village, so that she could finally rest in peace. "
When Zhu Huimin's mother heard this, she felt as if all her strength was drained away. Her legs went limp and she almost collapsed to the ground.
Zhou Nan was quick to reach out and hold her. The old woman could no longer suppress her grief and burst into tears:
"My daughter, you have never enjoyed a single day of happiness with your mother. You have been so sensible since you were young that it makes people feel distressed. When you were in school, you ate steamed buns and pickles every day to save a few dollars for food. Later, because the family had no money, you dropped out of school early and went to work.
After growing up, you finally have something to look forward to, but... you have suffered such a misfortune. In this life, your mother has not brought you any blessings, but only troubles!
"She is still so young, but I am the one sending her off. How can I accept this? My poor daughter..."
Her crying was so heartbreaking that it attracted the attention of passers-by, but they could not bear to look any longer and left in a hurry.
Zhou Nan's eyes were red and his nose was sore. He hugged the sad old woman tightly and patted her back gently, again and again, as if he wanted to pass all his comfort and strength to her:
"Auntie, please don't say that. Huimin is the one I love most in my life. In my heart, you have already been my family. It is my duty to take care of you. I will take care of everything in the future."
Zhu Huiqiang had already burst into tears. He reached out his hands and hugged his mother's trembling shoulders, tears streaming down his face, unable to stop the sorrow that was like a flood bursting through his heart.
In the cold wind, the three of them hugged each other and cried, their shadows stretched out under the warm sun, looking extremely desolate.
After a long while, Zhou Nan took a deep breath, calmed down, and said softly: "Let's go to the train station, you can go home early!"
As he spoke, he supported the old man and Zhu Huiqiang and slowly walked down the stairs towards the parking lot. Each step he took was heavy and firm.
As night falls and the lights come on, the whole city is illuminated by bright neon lights, like a colorful painting.
Inside Hongsheng Royal View Hotel, crystal chandeliers cast soft and luxurious light, illuminating every exquisite ornament and elegant decoration.
Luo Jinxi, wearing a simple dress, sat quietly in the corner of the hotel, looking at the hustle and bustle of traffic outside through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows.
The streets were crowded with cars and pedestrians, but her eyes were full of loneliness and her thoughts were drifting to who knows where.
Just then, the glass door of the hotel slowly opened to both sides, and Pei Huiping's tall and straight figure holding a bouquet of flowers came into view.
He has a slender figure, walks briskly and confidently, and wears a well-tailored casual suit. Every step he takes exudes a unique aura.
After entering the door, he first raised his head slightly, then looked around quickly and sharply, trying to find the familiar figure in this bustling space.
A neatly-dressed waiter immediately came forward with a professional and enthusiastic smile on his face, and asked politely, "How many people are you, sir?"
Pei Huiping raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a gentle smile, and said in a clear voice: "I have an appointment."
As soon as he finished speaking, his sight caught sight of Luo Jinxi sitting in the corner. She was sitting there blankly, her eyes empty, looking out the window, exuding an indescribable depression, as if she was shrouded in an invisible haze.
Pei Huiping smiled and walked towards Luo Jinxi with elegant steps like a gentleman. He handed the flowers to Luo Jinxi with both hands, "Hi Jinxi, this is for you, do you like it?"
Luo Jinxi said nothing, took the flowers and placed them on the seat next to her. Pei Huiping sat down opposite her with an indifferent look.
He leaned forward slightly and greeted softly, "Jinxi, why are you just sitting there without ordering anything?" His voice was full of concern.
Luo Jinxi sat up straight, tidied the hair around her ears, and asked softly, with a barely perceptible sense of alienation in her tone: "Why did you choose to eat here?
What can you do with that little salary?" Although the words were plain, they seemed to carry thorns that pierced Pei Huiping's heart.
The smile on Pei Huiping's face did not fade, but became even gentler. He tilted his head slightly, looked at Luo Jinxi sincerely, and said seriously:
"When I invite my goddess to dinner, I have to go to the best hotel and the most romantic atmosphere, so that we can live up to each other's youth."
As he spoke, a fiery light flashed in his eyes, which was a deep affection that belonged only to him for Luo Jinxi.
Hearing this, Luo Jinxi rolled her eyes at him and said angrily, "You are so slick."
After a pause, he continued, "Shall we eat somewhere else?"
"Why? The environment here is pretty good." Pei Huiping's expression suddenly became tense, his brows slightly frowned, his eyes full of confusion and puzzlement.
He carefully selected this hotel, fully expecting to give Luo Jinxi a wonderful dining experience, but he did not expect her to make such a request.
Luo Jinxi lowered his eyes, his fingers unconsciously rubbing back and forth on the table. After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly:
"It was the first time I ate here, and he brought me here." The voice was soft, but it was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.
Pei Huiping's expression suddenly turned ugly. The corners of his mouth, which had been upturned, gradually drooped, and the light in his eyes suddenly dimmed.
He opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but hesitated for a moment before uttering three words with difficulty: "Jiang Chengyu?"
Luo Jinxi didn't say anything, but just nodded slightly, which was considered as acquiescence. A complex emotion flashed in her eyes, with memories, loss, and a hint of unspeakable bitterness.
Pei Huiping took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and trying to sound calmer: "I admit that he is better than me, but, with him like this now, you really don't have to persist. And..."
He paused, a trace of struggle flashing in his eyes, as if he was struggling to find the right words to describe the relationship between Jiang Chengyu and Mu Xiaoji.
After a long while, he seemed to muster up the courage, sat up slightly, and said seriously:
"That day at the amusement park, I could see in Mu Xiaoji's eyes the deep affection he had for Jiang Chengyu. It was more than just concern. It was as if the two of them were one soul, with an inseparable entanglement."
As he spoke, he stared closely into Luo Jinxi's eyes, trying to catch something from her reaction.
Luo Jinxi listened quietly, without denying it, but took a deep breath and said slowly: "Yes, you have a good eye; they got married when they were studying abroad in the United States!"
Pei Huiping was struck by lightning when these words came out, his face full of shock and disbelief. His eyes widened, his mouth slightly opened, and he couldn't say a word for a long time.
He never thought that Jiang Chengyu and Mu Xiaoji were already married. This news was both unexpected and reasonable to him.
He looked at Luo Jinxi, with a complex emotion welling up in his heart, including heartache and helplessness, but more of a sense of relief for himself, relief that he still had the opportunity to stay with Luo Jinxi, to give her warmth and support.