Mama, Love Me Once More

My father was a narcotics officer who died in the line of duty. Ever since I was little, I dreamed of taking over his badge number. When I learned my scores were good enough for the police academy, I called Mom right away to share the good news. Mom flew into a rage. “A good-for-nothing like you thinks you can be a cop? Take over your dad’s badge number?! Don’t disgrace him! Get out!” I felt as if I’d fallen into an icy abyss. In a daze, I headed home, only to be surrounded by drug addicts in a dark alley. “We hear your dad, Zhao Tianhai, was a narcotics expert who trained plenty of top students. He’s made it impossible for us to buy even a little stuff! Come on, you’re coming with us. We need to talk!” Naturally, I refused and fought back with everything I had. They had clearly come prepared. A sharp knife pierced my lower back, draining all my strength. Just before I lost consciousness, I remembered Mom’s last words to me. Mom, did I really disgrace Dad...?