Consequences of Kindness
by Huina Zheng
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Table of Contents parts 1, 2, 3 |
2: The Naïve Young Man
Ming’s parents liked to tell him that he should treat others the way he hoped to be treated himself. They were always there to lend support to friends, family, neighbors, and other villagers in need. It often meant they themselves had to tighten their belts. His parents once took out all their savings to lend to his uncle to start a factory. After the factory went bankrupt, his uncle never mentioned paying the money back.
Ten years had passed. This often made Ming secretly wonder whether such self-sacrifice was truly worth it. When his parents learned that his classmate’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, and their family was in financial hardship, they told him to donate all his pocket money to his classmate’s family. And all his parents told the other parents was “my son generously offered his help,” even though they never gave Ming a chance to refuse.
The only “bad” thing Ming ever did as a child was when, after he refused to let his deskmate copy his test answers, and in retaliation, his deskmate tore Ming’s book, Ming threw his deskmate’s backpack into the toilet. His parents told him that anger didn’t solve problems; he could help his deskmate improve his grades instead. If he couldn’t sympathize with others and extend a helping hand, even if he were to get into the best university in the future, he would still be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Ming didn’t want to be like his parents, doing good deeds without considering the circumstances. He was determined not to be a blind do-gooder. He had read about the Peng Yu case, in which Peng Yu helped an elderly woman who had fallen and took her to the hospital, only to be accused of being the one who caused her fall and was ordered to pay compensation. There was no surveillance footage, and Peng Yu couldn’t prove he didn’t push the woman. The judge’s words, “If you didn’t knock her down, why would you help her?” still echoed loudly in Ming’s mind.
Clearly, “doing a good deed” wasn’t a convincing reason. He had read in the news about people who helped elderly people and were later sued by their families. However, he believed that people who were grateful and knew right from wrong wouldn’t falsely accuse those trying to help. The media should report more stories like that, instead of focusing solely on stories of wrongful accusations.
If his parents were to fall to the ground, he would hope someone would help them, so he chose to help the elderly woman despite knowing the risks. Fortunately, the intersection had security cameras. Ming believed the video would prove his innocence. With this confidence, he went to the police station. Just as he expected, after reviewing the surveillance footage, the traffic police confirmed that his car had not hit the elderly lady.
He breathed a sigh of relief. After completing all the paperwork, signing the necessary documents, and receiving the official proof, he felt vindicated. Though the process was a bit troublesome, he was proven innocent. There was no doubt about it; just as the sun rises only in the east. He didn’t regret his decision to help the old lady. If given the chance again, he would do the same.
He thought the matter had come to an end.
The next day, while he was in the classroom explaining how to construct noun clauses in English, he heard a commotion outside. Someone was shouting his name, “Zhang Ming.” His students’ attention shifted from the blackboard to the noise outside the classroom. His colleague, Ling, walked in, signaling for him to step out.
After assigning the students some exercises, he followed Ling to the front desk. There, the elderly woman and her son were yelling. As soon as the middle-aged man saw him, he strode over. Ming instinctively took a step back.
“You knocked my mother over, and now you want to shirk responsibility?” The man’s accusatory tone drew the attention of nearby customers and colleagues in the consultation room.
“The police reviewed the footage and confirmed that I didn’t hit your mother. I have the official documentation from the police.” Ming forced himself to speak in a firm voice.
“You think you bribed the police, and that’s how you can escape responsibility?” The man grabbed Ming by the collar. “If you don’t pay up, don’t blame me for what happens next—”
“Sir, please calm down. If you continue like this, we will have to call the police,” Ling warned him from the side.
“You think calling the police will scare me?” the man shouted.
Out of the corner of his eye, Ming saw that the administrator at the front desk was already dialing the phone. Once the police arrived, all the trouble would be over.
Copyright © 2024 by Huina Zheng
