After reading the "Trade Report" for a while, Lynch picked up the local newspaper again. The information in the Trade Report was mostly about changes on a macro level, which wasn’t very useful for Lynch at the mont.
On the contrary, so local newspapers could provide him with important information, allowing him to understand local changes more quickly.
For example, several factories had closed down again, and a large number of unemployed workers had poured into the streets, making the already unsafe security environnt even more insecure.
For example, a family’s male cat was actually pregnant, its belly swelling as if it was about to give birth soon. The cat’s owner reportedly even hired a nurse specifically to care for this male cat.
For example, a farm’s milker said he was abducted by aliens, that the aliens had snatched a tuft of hair from his leg and then put him back. With the help of a painter, he even drew the appearance of the alien spaceship and the aliens.
And... Lynch glanced at the directory and flipped to the middle edition of the local news report, where there was a small piece of news stating that Michael, the forr head of the Tax Bureau investigation team who was sent to serve his sentence in another region’s prison not long ago, admitted to asking his child to take so responsibilities for him in order to evade legal punishnt.
He now recognized his mistakes, confessed to the prison authorities, and the court sentenced him yesterday.
Young Michael was acquitted, but Michael’s prison term was extended by forty months, three years and four months. Adding to the previous sentence, even if Director Johnson wanted to use the "Special Talent Requisition Ordinance" to get Michael out, there would probably be no chance.
Seven years later, no one knows where Director Johnson might be. Perhaps he still has the ability to do so, for example, he has advanced to a consultant position in the state office.
But it’s also possible that he doesn’t have the ability to do so. We all know that a warehouse administrator simply cannot activate such an ordinance, even if he nominally rose to the state office of the Tax Bureau.
This is a deal that is difficult to decide whether it is worthwhile or not.
It might have different values in the eyes of different people. For example, in the eyes of Michael and his wife, at least this deal was worthwhile, as young Michael got out of prison a few months early and received the important verdict of "not guilty."
The State Court considered so specific actual situations, believing that if Michael asked young Michael to do sothing, as both father and son and as a subject-subordinate relationship, young Michael would find it difficult to refuse.
Furthermore, considering young Michael’s age, the charges of harboring and perjury were not established. The judge at the State Court humanely gave young Michael a final verdict of "not guilty."
This also ans that the original blemish on young Michael’s record was completely erased thanks to this verdict and Michael’s additional prison term of more than three years.
His life trajectory changed sowhat.
Just as Lynch pursed his lips, expressing indignation and a certain degree of humanitarian sympathy for Michael’s predicant, the doorbell rang.
Lynch put down the newspaper, wiped his mouth with a napkin, stood up, and walked toward the living room. After the maid simply tidied up the things on the dining table, she went to open the door for Lynch.
Nowadays, a good job is very hard to co by, especially one that only requires so cleaning.
Whenever Lynch was not at ho, she would lie on the sofa watching TV to pass the ti, still receiving a decent salary every month. She cared a lot about this job, which was why she wanted to talk privately with Lynch, hoping to work here longer.
The house’s door was quickly opened, and Director Johnson standing outside the door was montarily stunned when he saw the maid’s attire, but he quickly averted his gaze.
Who knows if these people have any unspeakable little quirks? If he angered Lynch by looking a few tis extra, or if sothing unexpected happened, he really wouldn’t be able to explain himself.
After a brief inquiry, the maid led Director Johnson to the living room and then voluntarily left.
"I just saw you in the newspaper," Lynch said after shaking hands with Director Johnson and sitting back down. He crossed his legs, smiling at Director Johnson, "Is there anything I can do for you?"
It seed like a very normal attitude, but Director Johnson felt there was a certain aura hidden within Lynch’s facade, an indescribable quality... aloofness?
Perhaps, and it also felt a bit like arrogance, difficult to describe.
His words and expressions were rely perfunctory towards him, Director Johnson was quite sure of this.
He didn’t mind Lynch’s performance, instead oddly asking, "Did I make it into the newspaper?"
According to unwritten rules, a head of a certain authority in a region, without the consent of the other party, wouldn’t voluntarily appear in front of the dia and the public.
The reason was partly to preserve and protect their mystique, and partly to avoid creating trouble for them.
This world always has many lunatics who never consider whether their actions comply with the rules. They only do what they want, including harassing people they believe have hurt them, even if it’s not actually the case.
Lynch nodded, "I saw Michael’s prison term was extended..."
Upon hearing this, Director Johnson scratched his head, and bitterly smiled, "I knew I couldn’t hide it from you, it was my doing, which also relates to why I’m here."
Lynch slightly nodded, signaling him to continue as he also realized Director Johnson’s purpose for coming here.
But he wouldn’t proactively state it. So words, when spoken by himself, might carry more weight, but sotis when he speaks them, they may not have the best effect.
Michael was serving his sentence, young Michael was also exclusively in jail, and Michael’s wife might not even know how to face the suddenly changed life. No one in this family is capable of changing the current situation.
The only person who could change, who had the power to change it, was Michael’s forr boss, Director Johnson.
Lynch wouldn’t suspect that Michael’s colleagues had acted. Those people, no matter the situation that led them to step on Michael, wouldn’t want any further connections with Michael, except for Johnson.
He’s a good-natured person, sotis too kind to determine right from wrong.
After hesitating for a while, Director Johnson sighed helplessly, "I t Michael a few days ago. He said this matter ends here and also expressed regret for what he did to you in the past, asking to convey his apology and hope that you can forgive him..." Lynch nodded to show he understood, but judging from his unchanged facial expression, he seed indifferent to Michael’s statent.
It makes sense when you think about it. Ten years from now, an ex-convict and a possibly more successful figure would have no chance of crossing paths. Why should he care?
But so things still need solving, so Director Johnson pressed on against his nerves, "About this matter... we spent quite a bit of money. Once young Michael returns, he needs to transfer to another school’s place for further studies, plus so other expenses..."
Director Johnson instinctively rubbed his palms, a habit showing a little embarrassnt, honestly admitting he may not be a remarkable person, but he has practically never broken the law, or actively done anything like today.
Hearing this, Lynch realized it was almost ti; first, he stated his stance, "I have no benefit, nor any connections with Michael. Even if his wife and child must beg on the roadside, they deserve it."
"But...", he changed his tone, "You and I are good friends, and I’m willing to help you when you have difficulties. This isn’t because of Michael’s nonsense, but because of you, Director Johnson."
Lynch’s words brought him so anger, so resignation, and so indescribable pride?
Actually, when soone’s value is affird by others, and a higher affirmation is given, they tend to be happy about it.
"I don’t know..." Director Johnson felt a bit confused.
Lynch took out a transfer checkbook, wrote a number, and handed it over, "On your behalf, in the spirit of humanitarianism, I’m willing to help this unfortunate family, but I need soone to oversee the use of this money and distribute it to them in installnts. Do you have ti to do this, Director Johnson?"
With a rip, Lynch tore the check from the book, holding it in his hand, waiting for a response.
User Comments
0 comments from readers