#34: The 8 PM Rights Defense

Luo Mingjing sat motionless on the sofa, listening as Xu Qianqian recounted how Wang Zhenyu had come and taken the graduation project. Li Xiang was unreachable—he had changed his number. Their uncle, Luo Heqiang, hadn’t returned. Instead, he had a mistress who bore him a son, sent to Hong Kong for birth, claiming their family home brought bad luck.

Luo Mingjing snapped back to reality. He asked, “Luo Heqiang never came back?”

“No,” Xu Qianqian whispered. “Dad handled everything after Mom passed. Uncle only returned at the start of this month. He asked if you were out yet. In the end, we gave Secretary Cao fifty thousand yuan. Secretary Cao treated Chief Liu and Liu Rong’s family to dinner, and only then did they let you go.”

Luo Mingjing stood up, rummaged through a suitcase, placed his mother’s photo inside, and began packing. He said, “Qianqian, pack your things. Is it time to leave? Has the admission letter arrived?”

Xu Qianqian replied, “...Brother, I’m... I’m repeating the year...”

“You didn’t pass?” Luo Mingjing sighed. “You didn’t pass?”

“I didn’t take the exam.” Xu Qianqian burst into tears. “Before the exam... before the exam, her family hired thugs to hang banners in front of the school demanding money. The principal told me to study at home. When I went to check the exam hall, they hung banners there too. Many parents complained that my presence would affect their children’s performance...”

Luo Mingjing exploded in anger. He threw the clothes in his hand, his eyes red, and shouted, “What does this have to do with you?! Are those people animals?! Did they scare you? Did they?!”

Luo Mingjing called Luo Heqiang, demanding money. Luo Heqiang retorted, “How old are you now? Over twenty, with hands and feet of your own—do you still have the face to ask for money from the family? Your aunt is right—you were spoiled by your mother. All you do is fight and bring shame to your father. Out of ten people who come asking for money, nine are because of you. How could I have such a son?”

Luo Mingjing replied, “Give or not. If not, I’ll strangle your son. Aren’t those two living at Bishui Tian? You wait and see. In Luo Heqiang’s eyes, I’m just a useless piece of trash—I’m capable of doing it!”

After hanging up, Luo Mingjing turned to Xu Qianqian and said, “Next time you ask him for money, do it like this. Got it?”

Luo Mingjing knew his father was a shameless scumbag, so their relationship had always been strained. Luo Heqiang knew little about him—his son’s achievements were never heard of; all he heard were negative reports.

One mistress’s brother said, “Chairman Luo, someone came asking for money, saying your son beat them up and wants medical fees.”

Another concubine’s relative said, “Chairman Luo, your son showed up at my place a few days ago, looking fierce and scaring my mother.”

Another concubine remarked, “He studies art? Art doesn’t cost that much—don’t tell me he’s using drugs. Recently, the son of a construction materials businessman tested positive for drugs, and he was also into arts. Be careful. With Sister-in-Law’s way of raising kids, your son will ruin the family sooner or later.”

Luo Mingjing had always been the scapegoat. He had sought out his father’s mistresses and relatives, but only after they had come to his mother’s house to flaunt their arrogance.

Luo Mingjing’s mother was a woman difficult to evaluate. She lived under pressure, adhering to tradition. Though her marriage was dead in name, she never mentioned divorce. Her life revolved around her father, husband, and son. Deep down, she wanted to live for herself, clinging to a stubborn breath of strength, yet she never dared step outside the rules and confines of her environment, eventually torturing herself into illness.

Fortunately, Luo Mingjing was indeed the most reliable support in her life. As his name suggested, he could reflect sunlight into her world.

It took Luo Mingjing a long time to convince her to follow him. He was about to graduate—whether studying abroad or working, they would move somewhere else and live their own lives.

But this hope was fragile. When Luo Mingjing was arrested, the victim’s family came crying and causing trouble. She was helpless, unable to make decisions or provide money. She called Luo Heqiang, but he responded coldly, “Your disgraceful son is your problem. Deal with it yourself.”

She called Secretary Cao, who said, “Sister-in-Law, Boss is in Hong Kong for childbirth. His suggestion is to teach the kid a lesson by keeping him locked up for a couple of days.”

No one listened to her. No one believed her. She had raised her child well, but it didn’t matter. The father who could have made decisions for her was gone. Her husband’s mistresses were even giving birth. He had moved on, started a new family. She couldn’t rely on him—on anyone. Her son was in prison, and she was at a loss, not knowing what to do.

Life was so hard. A woman’s fate was so bitter.

Already suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts, she jumped off the building, ending it all.

Luo Mingjing once again shouldered the blame.

“Hey, their ancestral tomb has bad feng shui. The son’s just like his father—seducing women and driving his mother to death.”

“They claim to be artists? He must be on drugs. Didn’t he pay someone to take his college entrance exam for him? Surprising that the substitute scored so high and wasn’t caught—it’s bizarre.”

That year, Luo Mingjing stayed home, cooking meals and guiding Xu Qianqian in her studies.

“Copy this.”

“Pay attention to the lines. Are they good enough?”

“...Still can’t grasp math? What’s so hard about it? Come here. All your geometry answers are wrong—what are you doing?”

“Politics, history, geography—these simple subjects... Hand over the book. Let me mark some questions for you. Check back in half an hour.”

Luo Mingjing said, “Qianqian, study hard and apply to schools far away.”

Xu Qianqian said, “I want to apply to T University... I want to be like you.”

Luo Mingjing hesitated. “...Alright.”

Luo Mingjing stopped going out altogether. Apart from mentioning something felt off about his three-month detention, everything else seemed normal.

But Xu Qianqian remained vigilant. She secretly took photos, saving them and making copies.

The first sign something was wrong was during his pneumonia treatment in the hospital. A nurse asked, “How did you get those injuries on your face?”

He replied, “I don’t know.”

He truly didn’t know. His expression was confused, as if he couldn’t recall. Finally, he said, “From fighting.”

Xu Qianqian asked, “Brother, did someone hit you? Did Chief Liu hit you?”

“...How could that be? It never happened,” Luo Mingjing replied.

“But you have a wound on your eye and another on your head. Why else would the nurse ask?” Xu Qianqian grew anxious.

Luo Mingjing insisted, “Impossible. It didn’t happen.”

He refused to admit any abuse endured in the detention center. Only after seeing a psychologist a year later and undergoing treatment could he confess to Xu Qianqian: “...A bunch of scum—they weren’t openly cruel, but they were terrible. They’d drag me out for interrogation during meal times, lock me in a dark room, and by the time they finished, mealtime was over, and there’d be no food left. I was starving. I have a temper, couldn’t stand their faces, and when I spoke up, I’d get beaten—not exactly beaten, more like fights—but I had no advantage... Still, it wasn’t all bad. I quite enjoyed knitting sweaters, weaving chair cushions, and pressing coal balls in there. I was good at those tasks. Only later did I find out those were paid labor activities, though no one ever paid me... Isn’t that shady? These scum feeding off the state...”

The initial drug treatment was effective. He recovered well, returning to his fiery personality, speaking with pride in his eyes. But gradually, he became what he was now.

No longer boiling hot, just lukewarm water—neither sharp nor round, reduced to a gray dot drowned in the crowd.

When Xu Qianqian talked about her brother, she often said, “My brother isn’t imposing—he has big eyes. Before, when he glared, even before his temper flared, it would provoke others, as if he was picking a fight... That’s why his relationship with our uncle was strained. One glare, and arguments followed. Arguments meant no proper conversation. Now... now he’s gentle.”

Now, he was lifeless, making no effort, just getting by. He’d smile and say, “Qianqian, do I resemble the winter wren?”

Perhaps unable to tolerate his idleness, Luo Mingjing opened a studio called Upright Studio. He posted notices, not accepting students—not minors, not anyone. Despite having no students, he installed surveillance cameras.

Luo Mingjing said, “Prevention is better than cure.”

Over these five years, society changed, everyone kept pace with life, except Luo Mingjing. Ignoring life’s rhythm, he struggled to pay rent and earn daily meals in a small alley of the city, not even cutting his hair.

No friends, no desire for excessive socializing. But deep down, he knew this wasn’t sustainable. Seeing his old profession, he could still feel that indomitable spark within.

Thus, he said, “Qianqian, let’s set a dream—to create our own clothing brand. What do you think? I’ll start saving from now on.”

“You actually... if you ask Uncle for money, he might give it,” Xu Qianqian said. “There’s still your share in the family... It’s all yours. Uncle actually left you a portion. Before you started school, he told me—if you two can’t communicate properly, he could only talk to me. He said if you decide to return and behave, he’d arrange work for you.”

The rift between father and son was too deep. When the son said he wanted to leave, the father’s feelings were complex, but he couldn’t express them properly. So he told Xu Qianqian, “Tell him that if he wants to come back and act like a decent person, not causing trouble, he won’t starve. Even if I have more children, he’s still my son. Right, Qianqian? Tell him that as long as he doesn’t mess around, doesn’t indulge recklessly, and wants to do something meaningful, I’ll give him a chance.”

Luo Mingjing fell silent. After a long while, he said, “No. Once you recover the money he owes for your university education, I’ll have no ties with him. He can keep whatever he has—I don’t want anything to do with it. I’m not interested.”

Xu Qianqian grimaced, feeling both worried and heartbroken.

Luo Mingjing continued, “Life is just a few decades. If you don’t strive for what you love, what’s the point? I don’t want his stuff. Even if I did, I wouldn’t like it, and it would bring so many complications. Eventually, I’d be tied down by a bunch of half-siblings and stepsiblings. I’d probably end up like my mother—might as well jump and die.”

“Brother, um... I’ve been thinking about studying abroad...” Xu Qianqian said. “Or maybe I should just work first.”

“If you want to continue studying, do it,” Luo Mingjing said, serving rice for Xu Qianqian. “Do you want to be like me? If you want to study, then do it. I know you do—don’t be afraid to say it. If you can study, then study. Ask Luo Heqiang for the money you’re owed. When you get married, he’ll have to give money too—he promised. As for your dad, if you want to deal with him, fine. If not, don’t bother. Take what you can—it’s what he owes you. Don’t feel bad if you can’t get it—you don’t owe them. Grandma’s still alive, so visit during the New Year’s for her sake. After all, you’re the granddaughter who brought glory to the Xu family by getting into T University. Once Grandma passes, you can sever ties completely.”

“Alright.”

Luo Mingjing opened his eyes, feeling as if he had emerged from another world.

He lay on his long-unoccupied single bed, disoriented for a while before distinguishing between dreams and reality.

Shi Min wasn’t a dream—she was real.

He had avoided the world for five whole years until Shi Min, a woman named Shi Min, broke open his shell and pulled him out.

“Let’s date. You’re my ideal type.”

Luo Mingjing tilted his head, listening for a moment. The studio was lively—cats meowed, and Ms. Zhang’s voice could be heard.

It seemed she had taken over the kitchen. Peeking cautiously from the doorway, Luo Mingjing was promptly smacked on the head by Shi Chu passing by.

Shi Chu retracted his hand swiftly, as if nothing had happened, and called out, “Mom, the big-eyed kid you’ve been worrying about is awake.”

“Perfect timing!” Ms. Zhang replied. “Dinner is almost ready!”

As Shi Chu approached Shi Min, she grabbed his scarf and choked him, forcing him to lower his head and obediently take a hit.

Shi Min said, “Can’t keep your hands to yourself? Should I chop them off?”

Shi Chu retorted, “Do you have eyes on the back of your head?”

“Luo Mingjing, come here,” Shi Min, showing leniency due to blood ties, spared her eccentric brother and smiled at Luo Mingjing. “My mom invited you to dinner and brought a thoughtful gift.”

“Thank you...” Luo Mingjing walked over and froze upon seeing the so-called “thoughtful gift” cradled in Mr. Shi’s arms.

In Mr. Shi’s arms nestled an orange cat. Shi Min laughed, “We’ve completed the set—an orange cat. Come, meet her. Her name is Jingjing.”

She referred to the comic he drew—a black-and-white cat and a chubby orange cat.

Luo Mingjing sat down and quietly asked her, “What about... the online situation?”

Ms. Zhang placed a pot of hearty stew on the table and said, “Eat up to gather strength. First, eat.”

The Shi family took out their phones, collectively turned them off, aligned their chopsticks neatly, and began eating.

“Hurry up and eat,” Shi Min handed Luo Mingjing a pair of chopsticks and said, “This is battle fuel. After eating, watch me fight for you.”

Shi Chu chuckled, “First time targeting public security and judiciary—kind of exciting.”

Ms. Zhang asked, “If we give them face, what are they?”

“Public servants,” Little Brother Shi answered.

“And we are?”

“The people.” Little Brother Shi was very cooperative.

“Understood?” Ms. Zhang served herself a bowl of meat soup, then served each of her “kids.” “Master-servant relationships are clear—we’ll definitely win.”

Shi Min tilted her head and smiled at Luo Mingjing. “Eat.”

That family was a bottomless abyss, coldly watching as you sank into darkness.

This family, from now on, would be your strong backing, extending a powerful helping hand, offering warmth and comfort unconditionally.

Ms. Zhang said, “Don’t be afraid. After eating Dongdong’s cooking, you’ll fear nothing. All the bad guys will be driven away.”

Shi Chu muttered, “Mom, my goosebumps... He’s not three years old anymore...”

“Shut up and eat! Come, Jingjing, eat some meat!”

Luo Mingjing laughed and said, “Alright, thank you, Auntie Dongdong.”

Shi Chu shot him a lingering look, while Shi Min beamed with satisfaction.

After the Shi family finished eating, they turned their phones back on.

Shi Min received a call from Xiao Pi: “Chairman Shi, it’s posted.”

Shi Min gestured, “Shi Chu, your PR team can follow up now.”

Holding the phone, Shi Chu smirked wickedly. “Hmm—internet is truly amazing.”

At 8 PM, the legendary peak traffic period.

Perfect for causing trouble, releasing major news, and... defending rights.