Chapter 56: Pity Is Not a Justification for Crime

“No!” Jiang Zheng said.

Faced with Jiang Zheng’s merciless refusal, the woman was disappointed, and a flash of determination appeared in her eyes.

Just as she was about to act, Jiang Zheng sighed, “You have hands and feet; you can survive doing anything. Why must you resort to such heartless deeds?”

The woman was silent, her gaze layered with complicated emotions. After a long pause, she finally spoke. “With hands and feet, yes, you can survive. But life is not just about survival.”

“No matter the reason, committing such monstrous acts is inexcusable. Have you considered, when you steal a child, you shatter a family?” Jiang Zheng’s voice was cold.

His anger toward this trafficker far surpassed what he felt for her two accomplices earlier.

Suddenly, the woman turned and fixed her gaze on him, her tone icy. “Let me ask you: if one day your child fell gravely ill and only a large sum of money could save him, and all you had to do was one thing to secure it—would you do it?”

Jiang Zheng frowned. “It depends on what that thing is. Not everything can be done.”

“You don’t have children, do you?” the woman asked.

“No.” Jiang Zheng replied.

“No wonder you can say such things. If you’ve never had a child, you can’t understand that feeling,” she said.

“I think I understand now. Your child is seriously ill, treatment is expensive, and you don't have the money. So you chose to traffic children?” Jiang Zheng asked.

The woman nodded in response.

“So, if you were in my position, what would you do?” she asked.

“I could ask for help from society, or borrow money, but I would never choose a criminal path,” said Jiang Zheng.

“How do you know I haven’t asked for help? In the end, the money that reached me for treatment was nowhere near what you imagine—far from enough. As for borrowing, ha! That’s even worse. I’ve borrowed from everyone I could.” Her voice was bitter.

Jiang Zheng fell silent at her words.

“Do you understand that despair? Just a few thousand more, but you simply can’t earn it, no matter what you do!” Her voice was hoarse.

“There are still other ways. No matter what, trafficking children is wrong,” Jiang Zheng insisted.

“What ways? You haven’t lived my despair, so of course you can speak so lightly,” she growled.

Her eyes widened, bloodshot and wild, her emotions spiraling.

“I had no choice! I could only do this, or my child would die! For him, I’d go to hell willingly!”

“Pity is not a reason for crime! Your child is a child, but are other people’s children not children too? When you stole that child, did you consider he also has a mother who loves him, a mother willing to give everything for him?” Jiang Zheng roared.

He admitted, the woman before him was indeed pitiable—a mother who loved her child and would sacrifice everything for him.

But that could never justify her crime.

No matter how pitiful, hurting others is always wrong.

If pity were a justification, if one could hurt others wantonly, then everyone could do the same.

The woman was stunned, guilt flickering in her eyes, but it quickly hardened into resolve.

“I am not wrong. Everything I did was for my child,” she said.

“Obstinate to the end. You can repeat those words to the police,” Jiang Zheng replied coldly.

Suddenly, the woman tore at her clothes and cried out, “Help! Someone’s trying to assault me!”

Jiang Zheng’s expression changed. They were not in some deserted place; though it was night, people still passed by.

Hearing her scream, some instinctively looked over.

Soon, a few righteous bystanders stepped forward, glaring at Jiang Zheng. “Scoundrel! Stop right there!”

Within moments, several people crowded around him, voices raised in outrage.

“Grab him, don’t let him get away!”

“Call the police! Hurry!”

“I’ll expose him, make sure he’s ruined!”

…

Seeing this, the woman knew she had won her gamble. She was afraid Jiang Zheng might get violent—he was close enough that she couldn’t escape if he tried anything.

Afraid, yes, but for her child, she was willing to risk everything.

With Jiang Zheng surrounded, she prepared to flee.

She knew she couldn’t escape for long; eventually she would be caught. But before that, she had to reach the hospital and pay the fees.

Jiang Zheng was frustrated; he realized he hadn’t intimidated her at all.

All those fierce expressions he’d made were wasted.

He hadn’t failed to scare her—he’d underestimated a mother's resolve.

Seeing her about to run, Jiang Zheng’s mind raced.

Breaking through by force was impossible; too many people blocked him. Even if he managed to escape, his reputation would be destroyed.

Once something like this spread online, it would be impossible to explain.

Public opinion is powerful—it can elevate a person, or ruin him utterly.

Many who suffer online abuse, even when the truth emerges later, are left with lifelong psychological scars.

Jiang Zheng understood perfectly: should this incident be misrepresented online, the consequences would be dire.

He could not endure such a result.

So, forcing his way out was not an option. He had to clear his name and keep the woman from escaping.

Suddenly, inspiration struck. He shouted, “Stop that woman! She’s a child trafficker! Don’t let her get away! I’ve already called the police—they’ll be here soon. I never assaulted her; it’s all a trick!”

The crowd hesitated, unsure whom to believe.

Jiang Zheng quickly added, “You don’t have to trust me, just don’t let her leave. Once the police arrive, everything will be clear.”

Seeing Jiang Zheng’s confidence, the crowd wavered.

They weren’t foolish—if he really were a molester, he wouldn’t be waiting for the police. His calm confidence suggested he might be telling the truth.

So, two people chased after the woman and blocked her escape.

“Why are you stopping me?” she demanded angrily.

“We think it’s best to wait for the police. Please stay put for now.”