Chapter 7, I am not selling kitchen knives

Ding Wu is Wang Jingzhe's childhood friend, and indeed his only childhood friend. The two have known each other almost since birth, having been born just three days apart. When they were young, they would play together, taking turns urinating. At that time, Wang Jingzhe lived with his father and sister in an old house on the hillside, while Ding Wu's family resided in the village at the foot of the hill. The two remained inseparable until they reached their teenage years

Go, go...

With a clatter, the prison guard opened the cell door, took out the leg irons and handcuffs to put on 201258, and then two guards escorted him to the visiting room

Ding Wu pointed to a scar on his head and said: "After I arrived in the capital, I found that it was difficult for outsiders to get by. If you have no money, no connections, and no skills, you will be bullied no matter what you do. Later, I was bullied to the point where I couldn't even lift my head. I told myself, as long as you don't kill me, I will definitely make you sleep with your heart in your throat."

Later, Ding Wu followed his parents to the capital city for work. Unexpectedly, two years after arriving in the capital, he was sent to prison due to a case of causing death by injury. At that time, he was sentenced for excessive self-defense, with a prison term of eight and a half years

There is no way around it, my father said that for those of us in this line of work, this outfit is our trademark and cannot be changed. Wang Jingzhe said with a grin: "I have been wandering around outside for the past few years, going everywhere. I am too sentimental; after listening to Zhao Lei sing 'Chengdu,' I went to Chengdu. After hearing Bi Ge's 'Hello Zhengzhou,' I made a trip to Zhengzhou as well. Now, the only thing I dare not do is listen to Han Hong sing, because I am afraid she will sing 'Tianlu'"

The prisoner lying on the bed reacted instinctively upon hearing his number, springing up with a "thud," legs together, and shouted forward: "Report!"

"I am not selling kitchen knives..." Wang Jingzhe asserted with conviction, stretching his neck as he defended himself. He then frowned and said, "I still have two accounts to collect, one in the capital and one in Longxi. After I finish collecting the account in the capital before you came out, I will need to make a trip to Longxi. You can come with me, and once we finish our business, we can discuss future matters together.

"Where is your father? Isn't he the one who handles the collection of accounts at https://www.hetushu.com?" Ding Wu asked, puzzled.

Come out, there is someone in the reception room who wants to see you

Ah, you said you were so innocent when you were young, how is it that after growing up, you dare to draw a knife and stab someone at the slightest disagreement

In a visitation room at Tianhe Prison, Wang Jingzhe waited for a long time in front of a glass window until he saw Ding Wu being escorted over by a prison guard. He immediately broke into a grin, revealing a set of small white teeth. On the opposite side, Ding Wu, who had been maintaining a stern expression, also rarely showed a hint of a smile. If any inmates from the same cell block had seen Ding Wu smiling at that moment, they would surely have been startled by the corners of his mouth turning up.

Wang Jingzhe said: "I haven't seen him for three years. Three years ago, he told me he was going to travel the world, and then he disappeared without a trace. I haven't even called him since then, and I can't find him. Also, I have to personally go to Longxi to collect the accounts; no one else can go.

"Haha, you are just as troublesome as your father," Ding Wu scratched his head and said, "When I was young, your father tricked me, telling me that if I kissed, I would get pregnant and have children. One time, while I was eating, my dog came over and tried to snatch my food, and its mouth brushed against mine. Not long after, the dog gave birth to five puppies, and I ran over crying to ask him if they were mine. Your father actually told me they were my offspring... From that moment on, I secretly resolved that as long as I had a bite to eat, I would never let them go hungry. For this reason, my mother would make meat for me, and I saved a few pieces from every meal to feed the dog."

"Alright, just wait for me!" Ding Wu stood up and waved his hand at Wang Jingzhe, saying, "Wait for me for half a month, and your Brother Wu will be able to see the light of day again"

"Are you waiting for me?" Wang Jingzhe asked

Ding Wu lay on the table and lazily said into the phone: "I was sentenced to eight years with a reduction of one and a half years. I will be able to go out in more than half a month. There's no need to mention the years spent in vain; it's all in the past now"

Ding Wu looked Wang Jingzhe up and down a few times, then asked: "Where have you been these past few years? Why are you still wearing this robe? Can't you change it up a bit? You are only in your twenties, yet you look like a little old man in his thirties. Are you trying to act mature?"

Our family of debt collectors is said to have an unerring judgment, capable of determining fate with precision. Unfortunately, I can predict others' fortunes but cannot foresee your calamity. Wang Jingzhe, holding the microphone, spoke with a choked voice, saying: "Wu Er, it would have been better if you hadn't come to the capital; several years of youth have been wasted."

After meeting with Ding Wu, Wang Jingzhe emerged from the prison. As he walked out the main gate, he noticed Lin Xianyu's 750 parked by the roadside. Upon seeing him come out, the young woman lowered the car window and waved her hand, beckoning Wang Jingzhe to come over

After chatting for a while, it was almost time for the visit to end. The prison guard urged that there were only two minutes left. Ding Wu then asked Wang Jingzhe, "What are your plans next? When I get out, why don't we do something together? Like you setting up a stall selling kitchen knives. It seems like you wouldn't get a single order in a month. Two men relying on your livelihood, wouldn't that lead to starvation in the end?"

Prisoner No. 201258, come out! The prison guard called out to a prisoner lying on the bed in one of the cells.

It is sufficient to come out, as long as you can come out. I will be waiting for you in the capital. After you come out, please give me a call

The Tianhe Detention Center's most ruthless and the one that no one dares to provoke, 201258, also has moments of laughter; such occurrences are truly astonishing

Tianhe Prison, the serious offender supervision area, is permeated with a stifling atmosphere. The inmates here are those who have committed serious crimes in the capital or are residents of the capital, with minimum sentences ranging from five to approximately fifteen years. There are also life sentences and death row inmates awaiting execution. The majority of the criminals are involved in murder, large-scale robbery, drug trafficking, and significant fraud, while petty theft and minor offenses do not qualify for incarceration here. Minimum sentences range from five to approximately fifteen years, with life sentences and death row inmates awaiting execution. The majority of the criminals are involved in murder, large-scale robbery, drug trafficking, and significant fraud, while petty theft and minor offenses do not qualify for incarceration here.

The words spoken by Ding Wu have almost permeated the entirety of his life journey. In this matter, he possesses an extraordinary and unique tenacity, the kind that not even several oxen could pull back. Later, Wang Jingzhe advised him multiple times, but Ding Wu firmly told him not to bind him with those notions of what happens after death. He stated that he only remembers what is alive and present, and matters concerning death are too distant for him to concern himself with.