BEIJING - Breaking news from the corner of Chengfu Lu and Subway Line 13: 王弟弟/Wang Didi/ Three Thumbs is not in jail. Speaking last night to a crew of Wednesday night drunks, he said his two week absence was spent visiting his mother in Chongqing, not in a cold, hard Chinese jail cell. He didn't comment on why his absence lined up with the police raid on the wing joints, but perhaps he used it as an excuse for an overdue vacation.
Next time I'll be more careful in reporting the idle chatter of the Wudaokou community, or the claims of a chicken wing salesman. In reporting on Wang Didi's jail term, he had an ulterior motive. People have to buy their chicken wings from somewhere, and perhaps he thought by telling a white lie, we'd shift over to his grill.
The comments I made on China's legal system still stand. I've heard enough examples from class speakers, books, and professors to be convinced that the application of law here is inconsistent and sometimes corrupt. Thankfully, it appears that at least for now, the consequences of bad laws have not affected my circle of friends.
