Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1179: The Right to Forgive or Not

“No need to deal with the detention center case? Why!”

At dawn, Sir Ma and Zhou Yusheng arrived at Director Liu’s office, where they were given unexpected instructions from their superior.

Ma Houde immediately became agitated, slamming his hands on the desk, startling Director Liu, who hurriedly wiped his sweat with a handkerchief. “Because this case has already been handed over to someone else for investigation. Your current priority, along with Zhou Yusheng, is to focus on the dismemberment case. That’s the one the public knows about and cares about.”

Ma Houde frowned. Someone committing murder in a guarded detention center was a major security risk. Of course, that didn’t mean outside cases weren’t important.

“We understand, Director Liu. We’ll solve the dismemberment case as soon as possible,” Zhou Yusheng quickly said, cutting off Sir Ma before he could argue further, pulling him out of the office.

Sir Ma was annoyed. “Zhou Yusheng, what’s your deal?”

“Someone from above stepped in. The fact that Director Liu had us come this early to tell us means the decision is final,” Zhou Yusheng frowned. “No need to push back. We all know Director Liu’s temperament. Didn’t he take the fall for you last time? If he’s not letting us investigate this time, it probably means he can’t cover for us anymore.”

Ma Houde didn’t reply. He smoked several cigarettes in silence before following Zhou Yusheng back to the special investigation team.

With the detention center case now out of reach, they focused on the dismemberment case, where several suspects had been narrowed down.

One was Wu Rong, who was involved in Wang Liang’s exposure from his affairs with multiple women. The other was Zhao Le.Both had strong motives. One could’ve acted out of hatred from love; the other could’ve sought revenge for her sister. Investigations showed Wu Rong often visited Wang Liang’s residence, likely had a key, and could’ve snuck in to commit the crime.

Wu Rong had also stopped working in the city after the new year, and her whereabouts were currently unknown. Records showed she bought a train ticket to her hometown before the new year.

“We tried contacting her relatives back home and got in touch, but Wu Rong never returned,” Lin Feng reported. “However, records confirm she did board the train.”

“Hm...” Ma Houde nodded.

After a brief discussion with Zhou Yusheng, he said, “You take someone with you and make a trip to her hometown. Do everything you can to find her. I’ll contact the local police station to support you. Don’t delay—leave immediately.”

Lin Feng saluted. “Yes, sir!”

…

Gao Wen entered the classroom looking preoccupied. He had arrived very early today and had even unlocked the door himself.

For no other reason than to observe every student entering.

As class time approached, students trickled in, greeting him before taking their seats. But Gao Wen didn’t see the one he was looking for.

He glanced at the time... minute by minute... finally, the bell rang.

Gao Wen sat silently at the podium, observing his class. Then, he did something unusual: he took attendance.

His classes were typically open lectures with multiple classes attending, and usually full. Roll calling was rare and time-consuming—but today, he did it anyway.

Students were curious. Gao Wen had seemed different these past few days.

“Chen Zihao… Wei Xinyue… Xi Jinmin… Luo Qiu?”

He called the name “Luo Qiu” almost absentmindedly, but no one responded. Gao Wen scanned the room.

Some students also began looking around—most didn’t recognize the name, assuming he was from another class.

“Luo Qiu? Are you here?”

He looked toward the window seat in the back… finally, Gao Wen closed the roster and calmly said, “Alright, that’s enough. Let’s begin class.”

Thankfully, roll call didn’t take long, and students quickly opened their books.

After collecting himself, Gao Wen shook his head and turned to begin writing on the chalkboard.

His handwriting was beautiful, even with chalk.

When he turned around, microphone in hand, he began, “Alright, today we’re discussing—”

His eyes widened. His breath caught. His heartbeat thudded loudly.

He was here… in that seat.

When did he arrive… did he sneak in while I was writing on the board?

Gao Wen took a deep breath, forcing himself to continue the lecture. But his eyes never left that seat, or the young man sitting there.

Halfway through the class, Gao Wen gave a discussion question and had the students form groups—standard teaching practice.

Students quickly broke into clusters to discuss. Gao Wen appeared to walk among them casually, listening in.

But he had only one goal—getting closer to that last row.

He was still there… hadn’t vanished.

Step by step, like his pounding heart, Gao Wen reached the last row and sat down.

Only he and Luo Qiu sat in this four-desk row. The next group of students was a full row ahead.

Gao Wen carefully studied this young man who had been haunting his mind for days—ever since he had mysteriously appeared.

“Why aren’t you discussing with the others?”

“Because I don’t know them.”

“I took attendance earlier. Why didn’t you respond?”

“You did? I must’ve arrived a bit late. Sorry. When I came in, I only saw you writing on the board.”

“You don’t know them? Why?”

“You should know, teacher. I’m not one of your students.”

The more they spoke, the calmer Gao Wen became.

But inwardly, he was far from calm. This wasn’t how a student his age should behave... and suddenly, Gao Wen remembered a former student: Chen Mingming.

But the image vanished quickly. Luo Qiu’s presence was too overwhelming—too familiar, too intimate, too knowing… yet this shouldn’t be possible.

The most familiar stranger—that feeling suddenly surged in Gao Wen’s heart. He opened his mouth, wanting to ask something.

“Professor Gao, your question is actually quite interesting,” Luo Qiu suddenly smiled.

The words Gao Wen had been about to say were swallowed. He could only respond with a simple “Oh.”

The discussion topic he had given the students: Forgiveness.

Scenario:

In a U.S. courtroom, a serial killer was being tried.

His methods were brutal. All victims were women, and all had been assaulted before being murdered.

The victims’ families gathered in court, hurling curses at the killer. The killer, however, remained expressionless.

Only one person—a priest and the father of one victim—after delivering his statement, said:

“As a father, I cannot forgive your crimes. But as a priest, speaking only for myself—I forgive you.”

The accused broke down, weeping uncontrollably.

“What do you find interesting about it?” Gao Wen naturally hadn’t forgotten the question he’d posed. “But before that, tell me—do you think this murderer should be forgiven?”

“I offer forgiveness, on behalf of myself only,” Luo Qiu said calmly.

Gao Wen frowned. “That’s your answer?”

Luo Qiu shook his head slightly. “That was the priest’s answer.”

Gao Wen fell silent for a moment, then asked again, “I’m asking you.”

Luo Qiu replied mildly, “In court, both forgiveness and unforgiveness coexisted. The priest himself also embodied both—he forgave and didn’t forgive. I am not him.”

“You don’t plan to answer?” Gao Wen frowned again.

Luo Qiu looked straight at him. Gao Wen instinctively adjusted his glasses just as he heard Luo Qiu say, “If I am neither the priest nor the victim’s family, then on what grounds could I refuse to forgive this murderer? And on what basis could I offer forgiveness?”

“We can assume we are them. It’s just a thought experiment, an academic exercise,” Gao Wen insisted.

Luo Qiu smiled faintly. “It’s enough for me to simply observe. Whether those who forgive are many or few, or those who don’t forgive are many or few—either is fine.”

Gao Wen opened his mouth as if to argue, adjusted his glasses again, and seemed lost in thought. “I’ve said this is a hypothetical, a scholarly discussion. You shouldn’t dodge it. If you are, maybe it’s because you’re afraid of confronting such a choice.”

“That’s true.” Luo Qiu nodded this time. “As long as emotions exist, no one wants to face such a choice. So the best way is to prevent that kind of choice from ever falling upon yourself.”

Gao Wen frowned. “But in reality, we can’t control what nature throws at us, let alone accidents. That’s why you shouldn’t avoid it. You need to face it.”

“No,” Luo Qiu looked at him calmly, “I can avoid it now.”

…

In that moment, Gao Wen felt as though he’d just heard the funniest joke and biggest lie in the world. His lips parted slightly.

In Luo Qiu’s eyes, the only thing visible was an unbelievable confidence.

“That kind of dilemma will never happen to me,” Luo Qiu said quietly. “So I can only remain an observer—and I am disqualified from discussing this case.”

This case?

Gao Wen vaguely felt something stir in his mind, but he couldn’t quite grasp it. He fell silent for a long while before returning to the original question. “Then why did you say this case was interesting?”

“Isn’t it fascinating when contradictions coexist?” Luo Qiu smiled. “I said before—on the same courtroom floor, both forgiveness and unforgiveness existed at the same time. The families did not forgive the murderer. But once the law passed sentence, he had been forgiven. The priest, as a father, refused to forgive. But as a priest, he did forgive... If possible, I wish I could’ve been there—just to sit in the audience and watch.”

“Human nature… is complex,” Gao Wen murmured. He subconsciously brushed off Luo Qiu’s wish to attend that court.

He looked down, lost in thought for a long time… until finally, Gao Wen took a deep breath and raised his head.

But Luo Qiu was no longer there.

The desk beside him was completely empty. Given how close they were, he should’ve noticed if he left.

Gao Wen’s mouth slowly opened in shock.

“Professor… Professor Gao! Are you okay?”

A student’s voice gradually pulled him back to reality. He realized that many students were now staring at him in confusion. Gao Wen reflexively asked, “What’s wrong?”

A female student hesitated, then said, “Teacher… you… you were talking to yourself just now.”

Gao Wen froze and shot to his feet, staring at the desk beside him—where that young man had sat.

“I… I was talking to myself? I clearly just—”

He looked at the students around him. Their gazes were filled with confusion and even fear. A deep unease rose within Gao Wen.

Maybe… it really was all in his imagination?

A cold sweat instantly broke out all over his body.

He said nothing, simply rushed out of the classroom under the puzzled eyes of the students—leaving behind even his bag.

…

…

“Hey, stop it! Someone’s coming! I think it’s Professor Gao!”

In the stairwell leading to the rooftop, a student ran over in a hurry.

“What the hell is he doing up here?”

At that moment, three male students had surrounded another student with glasses—Zhao Le.

Zhao Le clutched his stomach in pain, bitter liquid still on his lips—he had clearly been beaten. Yet none of the hits were to the face; they targeted areas that wouldn’t show.

“You got off easy, four-eyes. Next time, clean your glasses better before you peek.” The one speaking was the boy who got interrupted in the equipment room earlier.

The students laughed mockingly and left with satisfied smiles. Zhao Le leaned against the wall and slowly stood up, still holding his stomach in pain.

Beneath his glasses… his gaze had changed—

Hatred.

(End of Chapter)