"Today, I am honored to be invited to this banquet by young Lin Feng, and I am very happy. Young Lin Feng is someone we all watched grow up. Now that he has achieved something, he knows gratitude. He remembers the scraps of food we once gave him and cherishes the kindness shown by the village, so he has specifically come to repay it today..." the elder said slowly. Although his voice was not loud, it reached everyone present.
The villagers dared not make a sound, all listening intently to the elder. Even the children were taught by their parents not to cry out.
"Today is young Lin Feng's banquet of gratitude. Those who did not extend a helping hand to Lin Feng, step forward!" The elder was initially smiling, the atmosphere was good, but he saw two faces among those seated. The elder's attitude instantly took a sharp turn, filled with anger.
At the elder's sudden outburst of anger, the entire place fell silent. People looked at those around them.
"Lin Dawei, what are you doing here? Get out!" A villager discovered Lin Dawei and Lin Yu sitting next to them. They immediately understood the elder's meaning and slammed the table, shouting.
"Why can't I sit? If I hadn't picked that kid up, would he be where he is today?" Lin Dawei snorted coldly, refusing to get up. Lin Yu pretended not to hear.
"Lin Dawei, when you say that, aren't you utterly shameless? Everyone here knows clearly how Lin Feng grew up! What do you have to do with it?" A man at the same table was enraged and stepped forward, intending to pull Lin Dawei and Lin Yu up.
Lin Dawei clung to the table, refusing to let go. "If I hadn't picked that kid up, would you have helped him? If it weren't for me, would this kid be where he is today? I was just trying to train him. Why don't you understand my good intentions!"
One had seen shameless people, but never such brazen ones.
Everyone was amused by Lin Dawei's audacity. Lin Yu, however, felt his father was right. "What's wrong with what my dad said? If we hadn't raised him, would he have joined the army? Would he be where he is today? He should be grateful to us!"
"Throw this shameless father and son pair out!" The elder was so angered by the two that he slammed the table heavily and said.
"Elder, how can you be so biased? Without me, would you have had the chance to sit here today! How can you drive me, a contributor, out!" Lin Dawei threw a tantrum. The men beside him, filled with anger, walked over and lifted Lin Dawei, throwing him out.
"Lin Yu, do you want to be thrown out, or will you leave on your own!" After throwing Lin Dawei out, they turned to Lin Yu and asked.
"I'll go myself." Lin Yu shrugged his shoulders and limped out.
Lin Dawei and Lin Yu glared at everyone resentfully, suppressing their temper and not acting out, standing aside wondering what they were plotting.
The elder snorted coldly. "Of all the people in the village, you two are the least qualified to sit here!"
"Elder, don't be angry. Today is a happy occasion. Don't let these two ignorant fools spoil it." The village chief smiled at the elder, who then put away his anger.
"Young Lin Feng, serve the food! The aroma is making this old man a bit greedy." With Lin Dawei and Lin Yu gone, the elder's mood improved. He looked at Lin Feng and said playfully.
"Yes! Lin Feng! Serve the food quickly! I'm so hungry my mouth is watering!"
"Indeed..."
"Even the elder is greedy. The food today must be delicious!"
Everyone said kindly and laughed.
"The food is here, the food is here!!" Zhang Cuihua's distinctive loud voice rang out. Upon hearing her, everyone immediately perked up, eagerly looking towards the kitchen.
Fu Wenwen led the way, carrying the braised pork to the main table. Zhang Cuihua followed closely behind. Seeing the main dishes finally arrive, everyone quickly picked up their bowls and chopsticks, excitedly waiting.
"If I don't get to eat, none of you will!" Suddenly, Lin Dawei appeared from nowhere, his face contorted with madness. He lunged at Fu Wenwen, intending to knock over the braised pork she was holding.
"Wenwen!" Lin Feng's heart tightened. He stood up and rushed over, but Lin Dawei had already reached Fu Wenwen, lifting his hand from below.
Just as Lin Dawei was about to succeed, Fu Wenwen raised her hand holding the braised pork high, causing Lin Dawei's hand to miss. Lin Dawei failed to touch the plate with the braised pork.
With a glare of anger, Lin Dawei immediately prepared to try again, lunging forward to push Fu Wenwen down.
The two were too close. Behind Fu Wenwen was Zhang Cuihua, whose face had turned ashen. If Fu Wenwen fell backward, she would inevitably bump into Zhang Cuihua.
Fu Wenwen's expression turned grim. She pushed the braised pork up with both hands, sending it into the air.
"Ah! The braised pork!" everyone exclaimed.
Fu Wenwen then fell backward. Just as she was about to hit Zhang Cuihua, she instantly flipped, wrapping one arm around Zhang Cuihua's waist for support, steadying herself and protecting her from falling.
With her other hand, she caught the falling plate, successfully catching the braised pork.
"Amazing!" Everyone was stunned by Fu Wenwen's skillful move. After reacting, they couldn't help but clap and cheer.
Lin Dawei glared at Fu Wenwen with a ferocious expression. Both of his attempts were dodged by her. As Lin Dawei was about to pounce on Fu Wenwen, Lin Feng and the villagers who had reacted rushed forward. Lin Feng grabbed Lin Dawei and performed a shoulder throw, slamming him heavily to the ground.
"Ah! My back!!" Lin Dawei cried out in pain.
But no one sympathized with him at this moment.
A few villagers who rushed over saw that Lin Feng had dealt with Lin Dawei before them. They stood coldly to the side, watching Lin Dawei pretend.
"My back, hurry and take me to the hospital, my back is broken!" Lin Dawei screamed. "Lin Feng, you broke my back, I'm going to the police station to report you!"
"Oh really? Then hurry up and go!" Lin Feng looked coldly at Lin Dawei on the ground, indifferent. He turned to Fu Wenwen, who was now holding the braised pork in one hand and supporting Zhang Cuihua with the other.
Lin Feng stepped forward to take the braised pork from Fu Wenwen. Fu Wenwen then released Zhang Cuihua, stood up, and straightened.
"Throw him out!" The elder's face turned cold. He said to the village chief beside him, "Expel him from Honghe Village!"
"Elder, it's not like in our time anymore. We can't expel him from the village." The second uncle quickly appeased the elder, advising him not to get angry.
"Why not? Such a useless person. If it were my time, I would definitely break his leg before throwing him out!" The elder knew that the village chief was no longer the sole authority. He had been the village chief for decades, and in the past, the village chief had absolute power.
"..." The village chief couldn't help but mutter in his heart as he looked at the elder.
—I wish I could!