Never forgive

     Ever since I can remember, my second brother has always impressed me as a generous, warm-hearted person who loves to help others. Whenever he sees someone in trouble, he will definitely lend a helping hand.

    In mid-August this year, on a scorching hot day, I was holed up at home when my second brother came back, his brow furrowed with barely concealed anger. Sensing something was wrong, I rushed over to ask him what was wrong. My brother angrily said, "On my way back, I saw an old man fall to the ground. I kindly took him to the hospital and even paid his hospital fees. I was planning to get the fees back when the old man's family came, but those heartless people not only didn't say a word of thanks, they even treated me like the one who caused the accident." My brother's voice grew louder and louder as he spoke, as if he were declaring his innocence to the world.

    "And then what happened?" I asked in a low voice.

    "They were a group of people, and they kept talking to me, so I couldn't say a word. They just took 1,500 yuan from my bag and confiscated my ID card. They even acted like they were in the right." The second brother got angrier and angrier as he spoke.

    Unfortunately, a large group of people stormed in aggressively, surrounding us. The one leading them, presumably the old man's son, had such a bulging face that his eyes were practically slits. "Pay up, or we'll tear your house down," he said forcefully, and the others joined in the commotion.

    The neighbors gathered in layers, all siding with my second brother. Seeing the situation was getting out of hand, I quickly called the police. The police took both parties to the police station. I realized I was in trouble. There are many similar reports in the news: someone helps an elderly person who has fallen, only to be falsely accused of being the one who caused the fall, and without direct evidence, they end up having to pay compensation.

    In the evening, my second brother returned with a complicated expression—was it relief, sadness, or resentment? No one could say for sure…

    The next day, before 7 a.m., I was still lazing in bed when I suddenly heard footsteps outside. It sounded like there were many people. I sleepily went to the door to see what was going on, and there I saw the same group of people from yesterday, all smiles, surrounding my second brother, holding a banner in their hands. There were also police officers and reporters recording. "This is a staged performance," I muttered to myself.

    The old man's son, seemingly sincerely apologetic, said, "Brother, I'm so sorry, brother, I'm so bad, I misunderstood you. Brother, the doctor said if we had arrived five minutes later, my father wouldn't be here. Brother, you're truly a benefactor to my family." "Society needs positive energy," the policeman praised. "That's why I called a reporter to publicize your good deed and let more citizens learn from it." The old man's son seized the opportunity to apologize, saying, "Brother, you're so magnanimous, please don't blame us anymore." He then presented a banner of appreciation.

    "I will not forgive you." My second brother's words were firm and resolute, leaving us all stunned. According to past news reports, if a person who intervenes in a fight is proven to have done a good deed rather than been the perpetrator, they will usually forgive the person who is trying to extort money.

    "I will never forgive you," the second brother said firmly again. The reporter, seemingly unaccustomed to such a scene, felt a void in his heart. His words, delivered with unwavering conviction, were an implicit order to leave, and they slunk away. Wait a minute, my second brother isn't a petty person!

    As evening fell, we sat under the old locust tree to cool off. "Second brother, this isn't like you at all," I couldn't help but break the silence of the night.

    "Xiao Yu, don't you also think I should forgive him?"

    "We all know that you are a helpful and generous person, Second Brother."

    Do you know why I can't forgive him?

    "Why?"

    The second brother stood up and said with grief and indignation, "Xiao Yu, have you ever thought about why no one dares to help an elderly person who has fallen, why people are extorted after they try to help others, why such incidents are so common, and why society has changed so much?"

    "I don't know." Faced with so many questions, I was at a loss for how to answer.

    "Let me tell you. Human nature is inherently good; many people are willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. But there are always some who label those who act bravely as perpetrators. When someone who does good is extorted, how many people will dare to help? As for extortionists, they'll extort if they can, and even if they fail, their losses are minimal—the law is flawed! Over time, who will want to be a sucker? If I forgive him, wouldn't I be telling the world that extorting others will be forgiven anyway, with no loss? If I forgive him, wouldn't I be giving extortionists another unwarranted indulgence? If I forgive him, wouldn't I be telling others that extortion goes unpunished, and won't such things happen again? If I forgive him, wouldn't I be desecrating justice and dignity? If I forgive him, wouldn't I be discouraging those who have acted bravely and been extorted as perpetrators? Tell me, can I forgive him?"