Chapter 119: The One Who Was Hoodwinked into Limping

"I actually have a small matter I'd like your help with!" Xiao Cheng said with a beaming smile, dropping the subject of the debt. Though he didn't say it outright, his attitude was clear: the money would only be repaid once the favor was done.

Old Ding the Cripple was stunned. He hadn't expected Xiao Cheng to actually need something from him. What could a crippled night watchman possibly do? His righteous words from earlier had been nothing more than empty pleasantries.

"What is it? Just say the word!"

He had painted himself into a corner; he had to keep up the charade now.

"It's actually quite simple. Do you remember Lu Songyan? The big guy my father struck in the back with a knife. He told me what happened back then. When my father struck your leg, it terrified everyone behind you. Then Zhang Weihai shouted, 'He’s using a weapon to harm people! It’s not a crime to beat him to death—get him!' You were right there; you must have heard that. So, I’d like to ask you to serve as a witness."

Old Ding fell silent. He set down his chopsticks and looked out the window, as if reliving the scene or lost in deep contemplation.

"Kid, are you trying to overturn your father's case?"

"Yes!" Xiao Cheng replied with ironclad resolve.

Old Ding’s hand trembled slightly. He looked down at his crippled leg and asked, filled with grief and indignation, "So, my leg was crippled for nothing?"

"If my father were executed, would your leg be healed?" Xiao Cheng didn't wait for an answer, continuing, "It’s true my father struck that leg, but have you ever stopped to think about who put your leg under his blade in the first place?"

"When they sent you charging into someone’s home with clubs back then, didn't they tell you that people use kitchen knives to cook? Didn't they tell you that while men are made of flesh and blood, blades are made of iron? That one strike could kill, or leave you crippled? Didn't they tell you that even a clay figurine has a temper? If you storm into someone’s home, they’re going to fight for their lives!"

Old Ding sat blankly, unable to speak.

"My father struck your leg, and he has spent five years in prison for it. But what about those who sent you to that blade? They’re all living as if nothing happened, getting promoted and making fortunes! How have you fared these past five years? Did they count it as a work injury? Did they give you a 'heroic deeds' bonus? I understand you feel unbalanced because you're permanently disabled, but should you really hate us?"

"Was it my father who crippled your leg? No, it was those people at the relocation office who swindled you into it!"

Old Ding felt as though his other leg was about to be swindled into uselessness too.

"Uncle Ding, I can settle the debt of money, but you know better than I do who you should be settling the debt of justice with! Who ordered you to storm into my home? Who ignored you afterward and left you to end up in such a miserable, destitute state? Can that account really be charged to my father?"

Old Ding remained silent for a long time before saying, "If I don't testify for you, you won't pay me back, is that it?"

Xiao Cheng smiled. "I will definitely pay you back. But as for who gets paid first, that remains to be seen."

The implication was clear: whoever testified first would get the money first.

Old Ding hesitated repeatedly, then finally shook his head. "Kid, I won't beat around the bush with you. The grudges of the past are over. I don't care if your father gets out or not. My leg—well, I brought it upon myself. I can accept my bad luck; I'll treat it as retribution for the first half of my life. I’m only interested in that eighty thousand. Give me the money, and I’ll testify. Not only will I testify, but I can find most of the guys who went in with me back then. We can all testify for your father! Let’s be blunt: you’re going to have to buy this testimony with cash."

Xiao Cheng nodded. "Fine."

In truth, buying that testimony was exactly why Xiao Cheng had come.

"Then... you have to give me the money first!"

Xiao Cheng didn't speak; he just watched Old Ding with a slight smile, a look that made the man’s skin crawl.

Flustered, Old Ding tried to explain, "Don't worry, I, Old Ding, never go back on my word. I said I’d testify, so I will. If you don't believe me, I'll write you a sworn statement right now. It’s just... you know my situation, Uncle is a bit tight on cash..."

"I know you're tight on cash. Gambling debts, right?"

Old Ding was stunned. He hadn't expected news of his usury debts to have reached the boy’s ears. He felt a bit embarrassed. "My luck hasn't been great lately..."

"Yeah, you lost until your pockets were cleaner than your face, and then, not satisfied with that, you went and took out high-interest loans..."

Old Ding’s face burned. "I only borrowed two thousand..."

"Two thousand isn't much, but they’re making you pay back eighteen thousand!"

Old Ding wore the expression of a man who had lost his way.

"Have you paid it back yet?"

"Heh, back in the day, I, Old Ding, was someone of status around Dongfeng Town. I still have a little bit of pull..."

"Is it your pull, or your daughter's? Perhaps you don't know this yet? Because of this debt, your daughter was driven to the point of almost having to sell her body!"

If not for the word "almost," Old Ding would have gone insane.

As Xiao Cheng expected, Ding Sina hadn't told her father about the humiliation she endured to pay off the debts. There was a serious breakdown in communication between father and daughter.

"I’ll give you this eighty thousand. I don’t know how long it will last you at the gambling table. Uncle Ding, Nana is fifteen. In a few years, she’ll be getting married. Don’t you want to provide a generous dowry and see your daughter get married in style?"

These few words nearly brought the cripple to tears. What father wouldn't want to be generous when his daughter leaves the nest? But as a disabled man who couldn't even walk far, what could he do?

"Alright, kid, I can tell the difference between good advice and bad. Give me the money, and I won't touch a cent. I'll save it for my daughter!"

Xiao Cheng nodded. Regardless of whether it was genuine, the point had been made.

"So, can you give me the money first..."

"Since we’re here, I’m definitely going to pay. But there’s a problem. If I pay first, I’m worried you won’t show up in court. But if I ask you to testify first, you’re worried I won’t pay. Usually, in these situations, you find a guarantor—someone trusted by both sides—but we don't have anyone like that..."

Old Ding was in a bind. His own mental calculator was working overtime. It wasn't just that he couldn't accept payment after the fact; even if he got the money first, he would certainly have to sign a receipt. If the case were overturned and his father declared innocent, there would be no talk of compensation—and the money already paid would have to be returned.

But who would give him the money without a receipt?

Xiao Cheng tapped his fingernails on the table, smiling as if he could see right through the cripple's thoughts.

"Kid, I’ll be straight with you. It’s not just that I’m worried you won't pay. Even if you do pay me, you’ll definitely want me to sign a receipt, right? If the case is overturned and you take that receipt to the court—I think they call it 'execution reversal'—wouldn't all my hard work be for nothing?"

Xiao Cheng laughed, as if he had anticipated this move all along.

"Your concerns aren't unreasonable. I have another way. As long as you record a video for me, you won't even need to sign a receipt!"

Old Ding covered his chest. "What for? Are you going to pull that 'nude loan' extortion stuff?"