Chapter 33: Qin Huairu’s Night of Terror, Banggen’s Murderous Resolve

Qin Huairu stared blankly at Banggen, wondering if something was wrong with her ears.

Kill... him?

She opened her mouth, but it felt as if her throat were obstructed by something, leaving her unable to utter a sound. Was the son before her eyes truly the same Banggen who used to act spoiled and get into trouble? The coldness and malice on his face, so unfitting for his age, sent a chill deep into Qin Huairu’s heart—a chill more biting than the winter frost.

"Banggen, you... what nonsense are you spouting!"

After a long while, she finally found her voice. She grabbed his shoulders, her own trembling. "Is that something you can just say? Murder is against the law! It means the firing squad! Do you understand?" She tried to use the harshest words possible to scare her son into abandoning this terrifying thought.

However, Banggen’s reaction was unexpected. He neither showed fear nor retreated. He simply looked at her calmly and countered, "And what is the difference between how we are now and being dead?"

This sentence was like a sharp blade, thrusting deep into Qin Huairu’s heart.

Yes, what was the difference? Her mother-in-law was insane, her own reputation was ruined, the household was destitute, and they lived every day under the cold stares and gossip of others. Such a life was more painful than death.

"Even so... you can't just go and kill someone!" Qin Huairu’s tears began to fall again. She clutched Banggen, sobbing and pleading, "Banggen, Mom only has you left. You can't get into trouble! If something happens to you, I won't want to live anymore!"

Banggen allowed her to hold him, offering no struggle and no response. His face remained as stagnant as a pool of dead water. He knew that talking to his mother was useless; she was too weak. In this family, he had to rely only on himself.

This harrowing conversation eventually ended with Qin Huairu’s tears and Banggen’s silence. Qin Huairu assumed her son had just been venting in a moment of anger and that she had persuaded him otherwise. She hugged him, lecturing him on the importance of studying hard so that he could succeed and earn the respect of others in the future. Banggen just nodded silently, acting exceptionally well-behaved.

Seeing her "sensible" son, Qin Huairu felt a slight sense of relief. She had no idea that, out of her sight, the murderous intent in Banggen’s gloomy eyes had only grown firmer.

He had made up his mind. And he had already found the perfect opportunity to strike.

Every day after work, Chen Mo would go to Factory Director Yang’s home for his medical visits.

From the rolling mill to the director's residence, there was a stretch of road that was quite secluded, especially at night, where there were almost no pedestrians. That stretch of road was the burial ground he had chosen for Chen Mo.

He had even planned out the details of the attack. He would hide in the bushes by the roadside in advance. When Chen Mo’s bicycle passed by, he would suddenly rush out and thrust a thick wooden stake—prepared long ago—into the spokes of the wheels. Chen Mo would surely fall. Before he could react to the fall, he would rush forward and plunge the sharpened awl he had kept into his neck or heart!

He had rehearsed this plan in his mind at least a hundred times. Every time, he succeeded. Every time, Chen Mo fell in a pool of blood. The thought of that scene filled Banggen with a morbid excitement.

He began preparing for his plan. He secretly hid some dry rations and water and stole five yuan from home. This was his "escape money." He had decided that after killing Chen Mo, he would flee immediately, stow away on a train to another city, and never return. He even fantasized about learning skills after escaping, and then returning in glory when he was grown to pick up his mother and sister.

A twelve-year-old boy, using the impractical, swashbuckling logic he had learned from storytelling and movies, was constructing a bloody and absurd future for himself.

...

Meanwhile, Chen Mo’s life was becoming increasingly comfortable.

After more than a month of acupuncture and medicinal baths, the leg of the factory director’s son had improved dramatically. Yang Kai could now abandon his crutches and walk slowly like a normal person. Two years ago, such a thing would have been unthinkable.

Yang Weiguo’s gratitude toward Chen Mo was beyond words. Not only did he provide another generous "consultation fee," but he also used his connections to assign Chen Mo a newly built bachelor dormitory at the factory. It was a small red-brick building; though not large, it was bright, clean, and had a private bathroom—conditions far better than the crowded courtyard house.

"Dr. Chen, this is only temporary," Yang Weiguo said, smiling as he personally showed him the room. "When the family apartments being built for the engineers are finished in a while, I’ll save the best two-bedroom unit for you!"

"Director Yang is too kind," Chen Mo replied calmly. He knew this was all his due.

In the infirmary, the way Lin Wanqing looked at him was changing as well. Beyond admiration, there was now a hint of something indescribable. She would take the initiative to fetch hot water for Chen Mo, tidy up his desk, and sometimes bring him small snacks she had made from home.

"Dr. Chen, try the mung bean cakes I made. They help clear heat and detoxify." A faint blush appeared on the girl’s fair cheeks.

Chen Mo was well aware of her feelings, but he did not expose them. He simply accepted them politely and engaged her in discussions about medical issues. He enjoyed this sense of keeping her at arm's length.

That day, Deputy Director Li sought him out again. Since Chen Mo had thoroughly humbled Qin Huairu and Shazhu at the courtyard meeting, Deputy Director Li was even more wary of him, yet valued him more.

"Dr. Chen, what a brilliant move!" Deputy Director Li pulled him aside, winking and grinning. "That Yi Zhonghai, cunning and deceitful, has been the 'First Master' of the courtyard for decades, yet he took such a massive fall at your hands this time!" He assumed Chen Mo was helping him deal with Yang Weiguo’s people.

"I merely addressed the facts," Chen Mo replied indifferently.

"Dr. Chen, no need to pretend with me," Deputy Director Li lowered his voice. "I know you aren't exactly on the same page as Old Yang either. Well? Have you considered what I brought up last time?"

"Once I take his seat, the position of Infirmary Director will be yours! By then, won't you and I be the ones calling the shots in this factory?" He was still using that tactic of painting a grand future to win Chen Mo over.

Chen Mo chuckled inwardly. He had been worrying about finding an opportunity to deal with him, and now he had delivered himself to his doorstep.

"Deputy Director Li, the risks... they are too great," Chen Mo said, intentionally feigning hesitation.

"Great wealth comes from great risks!" Deputy Director Li coaxed. "Look, I’ll let you in on a secret. Next week, people from the city are coming to inspect production safety. I’ve already arranged for a 'minor accident' to happen in Workshop One. As director, Old Yang will surely have to take the blame. Once I apply a little pressure, his days as director will be over!"

Deputy Director Li, thinking himself clever, laid out his plan completely. He looked at Chen Mo, waiting for his "pledge of allegiance."

A look of being "moved" slowly appeared on Chen Mo’s face. He leaned closer to Deputy Director Li and spoke softly, in a voice only the two of them could hear.