Chapter 573 Inescapable
"Of course it succeeded. After an arduous battle, your father and his team members finally destroyed the drug trafficking den, arrested all the drug dealers, and eradicated a major scourge for society. Since then, Lone Eagle Ridge has returned to its former tranquility." Liang Lu's face was filled with a gratified smile.
Qi Xiaowei clapped his hands excitedly: "Dad is a great hero!"
Qi Dawei also nodded firmly: "Mom, I want to be as brave as Dad in the future."
Liang Lu looked at the children's admiration for Qi Tongwei, her heart filled with joy and comfort. She decided to tell the children another story of Qi Tongwei's heroic deeds.
"Children, your dad is not only brave in fighting crime, but also a true hero in life." Liang Lu's eyes sparkled, as if she had returned to that passionate and touching moment. "When your dad was still in college, he once passed by a river near the school. It was summer at that time, and there were many children playing by the river."
Qi Dawei and Qi Xiaowei stared at their mother intently, afraid of missing any details.
"Suddenly, a child accidentally fell into the rushing river. The water was flowing very fast and the child struggled desperately in the water. The other children were frightened and stood on the shore, at a loss as to what to do. At this critical moment, your father rushed to the river without hesitation and jumped into the river without even taking off his clothes." Liang Lu's voice was a little excited, and her hands unconsciously gestured at the scene.
"Dad is so brave!" Qi Xiaowei couldn't help but admire.
Liang Lu continued, "The water was cold and fast, but your father didn't care about his own safety at all. He swam towards the child who fell into the water. The child was constantly tossed around by the current, and your father had to work hard to get close to him. Then, he held the child's arm tightly and swam back to the shore with all his strength. However, the current was so strong that every step forward was extremely difficult."
Qi Dawei held his breath nervously, as if he could feel the danger his father was facing at that time.
"Your father gritted his teeth and kept adjusting his posture and direction. The veins on his arms were bulging from exerting too much force. At this life-and-death moment, he relied on his tenacious perseverance and excellent swimming skills, and finally swam to the shore with the children." Liang Lu's face was full of pride.
"After getting ashore, your father was exhausted, but he was the first to check if the child was injured. Because of his heroic act, the child was out of danger. The school awarded him the medal of model hero to commend him, and he became a role model praised by everyone in the school. At that time, he stood on the podium, and the sunlight shone on his young and energetic face, which was so dazzling."
Qi Dawei's eyes were full of longing: "Mom, I want to be like Dad in the future and bravely lend a helping hand when others are in danger."
Qi Xiaowei also said: "I want to be a little hero too!"
Liang Lu smiled with relief. She gently stroked the heads of the two children and said, "You must remember that although your father made mistakes, he also has many shining points that are worth learning from. His courage, his kindness, and his responsibility are all precious treasures of our family."
Liang Lu was pleased with the children's positive response to Qi Tongwei's heroic deeds, but the questions raised by Qi Dawei afterwards made her fall into deep thought.
"Mom, what if those people who fell into the water were rescued but blackmailed Dad? It would be just like what was reported in the news about the man who was blackmailed for helping an old lady cross the road." Qi Dawei frowned, his eyes full of confusion and worry.
Liang Lu was slightly stunned. This question was indeed a tricky one. She subconsciously tightened her clothes and thought for a moment before slowly saying, "Dawei, this is indeed a very complicated question. Human nature is sometimes very beautiful, like your father who jumped into the water to save people without hesitation. He only wanted to save a life without any distractions. The behavior of those who were rescued blackmailing the rescuers is the ugly side of human nature."
Qi Xiaowei asked curiously: "Mom, why would someone do such a bad thing?"
Liang Lu sighed and patiently explained: "In this world, there are all kinds of people. Some are kind, upright, and grateful; but some are selfish and will do anything for their own benefit. When faced with the temptation of profit or wanting to evade responsibility, they may do things that go against their conscience. Just like in some places, some people deliberately fall down and then frame the people who help them up, just to get money compensation."
Qi Dawei's eyes widened: "Doesn't this mean that good people don't get rewarded?"
Liang Lu shook her head gently: "No, Dawei. Although such ugly phenomena exist, most people are still kind-hearted. Society is also constantly improving laws and moral norms to protect those who do good things. You see, there are still many people who will lend a hand when others are in trouble, and there are also many people who are sincerely grateful to their saviors."
She continued, "When your father saved people, he didn't think about whether he would be blackmailed. He followed his own kindness and justice. We can't give up doing good things just because there are a few bad people. If everyone turns a blind eye to the dangers of others because they are afraid of being blackmailed, how cold and indifferent the world will become."
Qi Dawei nodded, not quite understanding: "Mom, I understand. We still have to be kind and brave, but we also have to learn to protect ourselves."
Liang Lu looked at him approvingly: "Yes, Dawei. When helping others, we can try to find witnesses or leave evidence. This can not only help others, but also avoid unnecessary trouble. This is also the way we need to learn to deal with the complex human nature."
Liang Lu looked at Qi Dawei's thoughtful expression, and her thoughts couldn't help but drift back to the various experiences she had experienced in the past about human nature. Those memories came like a tide, and every scene hurt her heart. She couldn't bear to look back, but she couldn't escape.
She recalled her marriage with Qi Tongwei. The initial union might have been mixed with various complicated factors, but she had sincerely expected a better future. However, with the ups and downs of Qi Tongwei in the officialdom, the desire and greed in human nature gradually appeared in him. She watched him struggle in the vortex of power. For the so-called future, he gradually lost himself, and his former kindness and justice were thrown behind his mind. At that time, she cried alone in countless nights, feeling the fragility and helplessness of human nature in the face of reality. She tried to redeem and awaken the conscience deep in Qi Tongwei's heart, but she was ruthlessly hurt again and again.