When their crying had stopped, she said, "I only got out over a year ago, more desperate than all of you because I was burdened with a huge penalty.
"I've experienced the despair of life after prison. Now that I feel I have some capability, I couldn't let you suffer as I did.
"I'm offering you free housing, cell phones, and ten thousand yuan each.
"I'm giving you a month to adapt to life outside and to think about how you'll make a living in the future.
"I hope you can leave the despair and suffocation of the past behind. You've been punished as you deserved. Now, live well.
"Otherwise, it would be a disservice to the suffering you've endured."
Finally, she turned her gaze to Shen Yao. "You're still young. If you want to study, you can take the adult college entrance exam."
Shen Yao lifted her small face. "Can I still study? But I want to help you."
