Chapter Twenty-Four: A Handshake and Reconciliation

  "I'm sincerely willing to return the phone to you, let's not quarrel anymore, let's shake hands and make peace." Lin Junyun's eyes were clear like a spring, and he stuffed the phone into Pang Guang's hand: "I want you to help me with something."

  "You said." Pang Guang is now a bit undecided, the money is still in his pocket, and the phone has returned to his hand. If she wanted to play tricks, it wouldn't be possible anyway.

  Lin Junyun thought for a moment and said: "Can I borrow 5,000 yuan from you? I can write an IOU, and when I've saved up enough, I'll return the principal plus interest to you."

  "Are you that short of money? It seems like every time I see you these days, it's always about money." Pang Guang's tone softened a bit as he pulled out the prepared cash from his pocket and handed it to Lin Junyun: "But I don't have that much, even if I broke my piggy bank, I could only scrape together 3000 yuan." Pang Guang thought to himself, I'm a fair person, this 3000 yuan was originally meant for you to redeem your phone anyway, doesn't matter whether it's borrowed or not, just take it.

  "Is there paper and pen? I'll write you an IOU, 2000 yuan. I'll think of another way." Lin Junyun was overjoyed to see Pang Guang agree so readily, this was the money that would save his mother Kong Yue's life.

  "It's fine." Pang Guang shook his head, even he himself was surprised at how quickly his attitude had changed. He should be resentful towards her for making him suffer so much, shouldn't he?

  "Alright, when I have the money, I'll definitely pay you back with interest. Lin Junyun will remember this kindness of yours. In the future, let's hang out together. If you run into any trouble at Dongcheng Middle School, don't forget to look for me. I'll do my best to help you." Lin Junyun smiled and then resumed his usual expression that Pang Guang was already used to seeing.

  "Whatever." Pang Guang neither confirmed nor denied: "As long as you don't give me trouble, I'll make a profit."

  They walked home in the same direction, shoulder to shoulder. On their way home, Lin Junyong suddenly said: "Pang Guang, call your dad this afternoon and go to school to explain what happened last night!"

  When Pang Guang heard the word "dad", he immediately remembered that his motorcycle was still at the Public Security Bureau. He turned to Lin Junyun and said, "You go back by yourself, I need to go back again. Damn thief, I don't know if my motorcycle has been damaged or not. If it's scratched, I'll slap him to death."

  "Alright, see you this afternoon." Lin Junyun smiled sweetly and suddenly found that Pang Guang was quite lovable. He always spoke with a mouthful of "old man this" and "old man that", but he never actually hit or scolded anyone. Of course, hitting the table didn't count. Yesterday, after adding 5000 to the ransom himself, he did see Pang Guang slap the table once.

  Pang Guang rushed back to the entrance of Dongcheng District Public Security Bureau, where he met Pang Dahu, who was just going out. He scared him and quickly looked for a place to hide, but unfortunately, there was only a large empty space around him, with no place to hide at all. He had to walk past with a forced smile: "Dad, what a coincidence! I didn't expect to meet you here."

  "Old man is working right here, it's hard for you not to run into me." Pang Da Hu grabbed the collar of Pang Guang's clothes like an eagle catching a chicken and lifted him up: "I've told you thousands of times that after transferring schools, you can't be as naughty as before. You kid really gives me face, just arrived and already made such a big mistake."

  "Dad, I'm innocent, I was at a female classmate's house last night." Pang Guang explained while struggling.

  "That's exactly what Laozi said." Pang Dahu let go of Pang Guang's collar and gave him a solid slap on the ear.

  Pang Guang covered his burning cheeks: "You hit me, but I have to tell the truth, they framed me, isn't it the best proof that I'm fine now?"

  "Alright, let's talk reason, you explain to me, how did you end up sleeping in the same bed as your female classmate?" The robbery case has come to an end, now Pang Datou is concerned about this.

  "I went to visit a fellow student who was ill and accidentally drank liquor thinking it was a beverage. I felt dizzy at the time, and I don't know what happened afterwards."

  Pang Da Hu nodded in satisfaction, Pang Guang's description was similar to the reason he had thought of before. That's good, no need to bother guiding Pang Guang along his own train of thought. When they got to school, he would just say that. After a moment's hesitation, he pulled out 20 yuan from his pocket and handed it to Pang Guang: "Alright, I'll trust you this time. Don't go home for lunch, eat something outside instead. Meet me at the school gate at 2 pm."

  Pang Guang took the money: "But Dad, my motorcycle is still being detained by you guys."

  "You take the bus, I'll handle the motorcycle. Remember 2 pm this afternoon, don't be late." Pang Datou waved his hand and watched as Pang Guang walked away before turning back to the Public Security Bureau.

  Pang Guang clutched his 20 yuan and found a fast food restaurant, where he sat down by the window and ordered a spare ribs rice bowl. As he ate and played with his phone, when he flipped to the text message, he was stunned, his mouth even forgetting to chew.