After deterring the people of Xiaowang Village, Chen Yang led the villagers back.
The people of Xiaowang Village listened to his words and dared not harbor any ulterior motives.
They were truly willing to break legs, and they did.
Most importantly, the fault was theirs from the start. They had attacked first. Although Chen Yang’s retaliation was a bit harsh, they had been compensated.
They couldn’t find any reason to retaliate, not only because they were in the wrong but also because they were intimidated by Chen Yang’s ferocity.
For a long time afterward, the people of Xiaowang Village kept a low profile, no longer as arrogant as before, bullying smaller villages and seizing water at every opportunity.
There was no other way. Shenjiaba was not a large place. Who knew if other villages had similarly fearless hotheads? If they were pushed too far, they might draw a knife. Who would they complain to?
As for Wang Xuehong’s broken leg, no one seemed to care. Wang Xuechao managed to get him a hundred yuan for medical expenses. Lying in bed for a few months passed quickly.
“Villagers, thank you all for your help this time. I, Chen Yang, will remember your kindness.”
“If I, Chen Yang, ever become successful, I will definitely remember you all when good things happen.”
Leading the villagers back to the dam, Chen Yang bowed to everyone. So many people had come to support him; he had to remember this friendship.
“Yangzi, you’re being too formal. We’re all from the same village and same team.”
“Besides, you always think of us when good things happen. Catching fish, raising rice-flower fish – weren’t those all your ideas?”
Tu Erwa patted his chest. He had taken a punch while fighting the people of Xiaowang Village, but he had also landed a blow. Now, he was saying his piece.
“We’re all from the same team; we don’t have to stand on ceremony. If anyone needs help in the future, just say the word. We’ll help each other.”
The old Party secretary, seeing everyone return safely, breathed a sigh of relief. As long as no major incident occurred, it was fine.
A good beating to let off steam wouldn’t be investigated.
Chen Yang’s father-in-law, his second uncle, and other relatives and villagers exchanged pleasantries and thanks. Shen Fuguo sent everyone off to continue digging the irrigation ditch, pulling Chen Yang aside.
“No major trouble, was there?”
Shen Fuguo was still a little worried. Chen Yang smiled faintly and waved his hand.
“It’s nothing. I broke that kid’s legs. He’ll probably be in bed for a few months.”
A hundred days for bones to heal. Although Chen Yang hadn’t completely broken the bones, they were at least fractured. Wang Xuehong wouldn’t be able to walk for months.
“And you call that nothing? If the other party reports it to the police, you’ll end up in jail. No, I must go find Director Liu.”
Shen Fuguo became nervous upon hearing this. After all that had happened, he already regarded Chen Yang as one of his own younger generation. How could he let Chen Yang get into trouble?
“Old Party secretary, it’s fine. That kid’s cousin took a hundred yuan for medical expenses and was compensated. They have nothing more to say.”
“They were in the wrong from the start. Besides, they were engaged in superstitious practices. They wouldn’t dare involve the police.”
Chen Yang could naturally feel the old Party secretary’s concern for him and quickly comforted him.
“That’s good, that’s good.”
“I still need to go find Director Liu to instruct the Party secretary of Xiaowang Village, so no hotheaded fool causes more trouble.”
“You, kid, lie low for these few days. Stay in the village and don’t go anywhere. We’ll give your family a gong. If anything happens, just beat the gong, and everyone will come to help.”
Shen Fuguo was still worried. Living to their age, they valued caution and foolproof planning.
Chen Yang didn’t refuse the old Party secretary’s kind offer, only keeping his gratitude in his heart.
This incident further solidified Chen Yang’s resolve to lead the villagers to prosperity in the future.
These villagers treated him as one of their own. If he had the ability, why wouldn’t he help them live better lives?
He thought about the fermented fish he had made last time. The first attempt hadn’t been flavorful enough.
Chen Yang had improved the recipe and tried twice more. The fermented fish, marinated with the ingredients from the third revision, had been ready for about a week.
It was time to go home and taste it. If the flavor was good, Chen Yang still wanted to try and establish a fermented fish factory in Wanli Commune next year or the year after when conditions were ripe.
This would allow him to lead the villagers in fish farming, manage sales, and attract surplus rural labor to work in the factory, increasing their income.
It was already November, and soon it would be December. Xiaogang Village was about to sign the contract responsibility system.
Liuhe County was not far from Fengyang County. This wave of the household contract responsibility system might well reach Shenjiada Brigade next year.
Once everyone contracted their own land, things would be different from before. They could work overtime, and in their leisure time, they could earn money by taking on odd jobs. Life would certainly be much better than before.
Upon returning home, Shen Xue, seeing Chen Yang return unharmed, immediately threw herself into his arms and sobbed.
Her father had returned home before her. The family already knew that Chen Yang had avenged Shen Rong.
Her mother had also taken Shen Rong to Wang Laoguai to get her scraped head bandaged. There was a significant gash on her forehead, and it was unclear if it would leave a scar.
“Brother-in-law, did you really break that bad guy’s legs?”
The young girl blinked her eyes, looking at Chen Yang, deeply moved.
Her brother-in-law heard that someone had bullied her, so he brought a group of people and broke that bad guy’s legs. How could she not be moved?
“Do you think I’m lying? I said I’d change my name if I didn’t break his legs.”
Chen Yang replied proudly. Shen Xue held him, feeling incredibly content.
This was her man. With him around, no one could bully their family; she felt completely at ease.
“From now on, let me and Dad pick you up at the end of the month. Don’t come back alone. You’re a young lady now, and you need to be mindful of your safety. Try to stick to the main roads and don’t take shortcuts to save time.”
“What if you run into some bad people?”
Chen Yang lectured the young girl. In this era, the legal system was not as complete as in the future. Even in later generations, there were surveillance cameras everywhere.
Young women still got followed and harmed when jogging or running in the morning. One always had to be mindful of self-protection because you could never be sure if you would encounter a bad person.
“Brother-in-law, I know. You’re being so motherly, just like Mom.”
The young girl stuck out her tongue. Before she could finish being mischievous, her mother grabbed her ear.
“What about me? You little rascal. Your brother-in-law owes so many favors to everyone for avenging you this time.”
“Remember everything your brother-in-law says. Your sister has her brother-in-law, so we don’t have to worry about ourselves for the rest of our lives. You and your dad worry about you the most.”
“Study hard, go to college, and make something of yourself. Then your father and I will be at ease.”
After all, she doted on her little girl. Liu Chunmei couldn’t help but tear up again as she touched the bandage on Shen Rong’s head.
Her daughter, who was perfectly fine, had been hit on the head, and it was uncertain if she would be disfigured. How could she, as a mother, not be heartbroken?