The village head is currently Xie Suì táng's grandfather's eldest son, named Xie Chéng píng. Xie Suì still has to call him Uncle Táng.
Xie Chéng píng is over forty years old, but appears older in the village, looking like he's in his fifties, with a face full of weathered wrinkles. However, his eyes are bright, adding a touch of shrewdness to his honest face.
"Little Suì is back. Your aunt came to see you and the child earlier. I'll go tomorrow; there are still some village matters to attend to."
Xie Suì scoffed inwardly. What important matters could there be in the village? He clearly wanted to play hard to get, not wanting to give face to his junior.
He smiled broadly, "Uncle Táng is busy, of course. The village has so many big and small matters, all of which require your attention, don't they? It was originally my place to visit you, but I just got back and haven't had the chance."
Anyone can say pretty words. Xie Suì sat down and continued, "I heard that the Zhao family and our Xie family are at loggerheads. This is not good; it's not conducive to stability and unity."
Xie Chéng píng cursed, "The old Zhao family has been exploiting us for so many years. Zhao Tiě lín embezzled so much money and grain from the village; it's all their doing. Do they still expect to live good lives?"
Xie Suì sighed, "One cannot simply say it like that. Zhao Tiě lín has already been punished for his mistakes. It has nothing to do with ordinary villagers. As the village head, you cannot just dismiss everyone. I'm just reminding you, if this truly escalates, you, as the village head, will also be in trouble. The town mayor and the county magistrate are watching. I have matters to attend to at home. Uncle Táng, please come for a meal tomorrow. I'll be going back now."
"Alright, I'll see you out. Little Suì, you've really made a name for yourself. I hear you're even building a house. Can the village laborers help you with the work? They don't have many skills, but some know bricklaying. Can you give them a hand?"
Xie Suì replied, "I really can't make that decision. As you can see, it's foreign investment. I'm just assisting. However, if anyone wants to work, I can introduce them. Those with skills can be hired, and those with strength can be laborers. I'll do my best."
Xie Chéng píng said, "You're too modest. You have two factories, and even the county party secretary calls you brother."
Xie Suì frowned, "Please don't say that. It's not good for the secretary's image. How can we call each other brother? We're not in the underworld. I don't engage in anything illicit. Uncle Táng, I didn't expect you to have such ambitions at your age."
Xie Chéng píng gave a dry laugh and watched him leave, his eyes filled with contemplation.
Xie Suì returned home. Apart from those helping out, most people had left. Du Fēi yáng and Táng Líng had taken the children to play by the river, undeterred by the winter chill.
Xie's father was smoking his pipe, sitting on the steps, lost in thought, like a static sketch.
"Dad, what are you thinking about? Is the conflict between our Xie family and the Zhao family serious now?"
Xie's father replied, "Indeed. We've already had several fights. The Zhao family is quite numerous. However, many Xie family members are working in the city, in your factories. They have money, and the old Zhao family can't even compare."
People are social beings; one cannot completely disregard human relationships. Xie Suì also came from the village and inevitably helped his fellow villagers. He had arranged for quite a few people to work in his factories. Of course, they were all Xie family members. He couldn't use others while neglecting his own clan elders; otherwise, people would gossip behind his back.
The Zhao family was excluded, and they couldn't even find anyone to plead their case to Xie Suì. This gradually accumulated a lot of anger. Hence, the incident of the children being pinched a few days ago.
Xie Suì was furious. Issues should be discussed openly. Taking it out on children was unforgivable.
As they were talking, the former village head, Zhao Tiě gāng, walked in. He looked ten years older than he had a year ago.
"Little Suì, can I have a word with you?"
Xie Suì beckoned him to sit, "Uncle, you shouldn't be so formal. Is this about the Zhao family's affairs?"
"Yes. We all live in the same village, seeing each other all the time. How can we live like enemies?"
Xie Suì replied, "But I can't do anything about it. I can't control everyone. Uncle Zhao, do you have any solutions?"
He recalled that at the time, he had taken advantage of the village head's position, but they hadn't held it against him. Zhao Tiě gāng was a decent person; the problem lay with Zhao Tiě lín's family. When he was the village head, Zhao Tiě gāng was quite fair, and there weren't many conflicts in the village.
"This depends on your attitude. You have considerable influence in the village now. If you say something, the Xie family will listen to you."
Xie Suì stated, "I can ask the Xie family to restrain themselves, but pinching my child today is unforgivable. To harm an infant, the old Zhao family's conduct is questionable, and they might not be entirely blameless."
"My wife is ignorant. I'll have them come to apologize to the child. Please, Uncle begs you. If this continues, something truly serious will happen, perhaps even leading to death. Do you really want to see that day?"
Zhao Tiě gāng pleaded with a distressed expression. Xie Suì said, "Alright, I'll do my best. Uncle Zhao, you must also restrain the Zhao family. This cannot be resolved overnight."
"Uncle understands. I will definitely restrain them."
Xie Suì saw him out. If the old Zhao family were willing to yield and swallow their pride, they wouldn't be in such dire straits with the Xie family. It was a case where both sides were at fault, deserving equal blame.
Du Fēi yáng and Táng Líng returned, each holding a grey rabbit. They were extremely happy. The rabbits were so plump!
"Brother Xie, we're having rabbit for dinner. We were lucky and caught two rabbits."
"You have the ability to do that?"
"The rabbits fell into a pit, and we just picked them up."
Xie Suì was speechless, "Those were traps set by someone. They belonged to someone. What can I say about you two?"
Xie's father said, "You eat them. I'll pay them for it and say it wasn't intentional."
"Alright, Dad, you go ahead. Take the flashlight and watch your step."
It was getting dark soon. Winters get dark early. Xie Suì told his father to be careful.
Since they had caught rabbits, they had to eat them. One was braised, and the other was made into spicy shredded rabbit. The rabbit pelts were thick and could be processed to make knee pads for grandma.
"This is delicious. I rarely eat rabbit, and it tastes quite good."
Du Fēi yáng ate with joy, opening a bottle of red wine. It felt incongruous, and Xie Suì couldn't help but wonder about this dining choice.
Xie's father returned, looking rather angry. Xie Suì asked, "What's wrong, Dad?"
"The old Zhao family is truly going too far. They want a hundred yuan for two rabbits. Isn't this extortion?"
Normally, a rabbit sold in the county town was only five yuan. Now, Xie's father went to offer compensation, and upon seeing that it was Xie Suì's father, they were extremely rude. Did he, who earned so much money, care about trifles? They directly demanded a hundred yuan, threatening to return the rabbits. Taking without permission is stealing, and would the Xie family stoop to being thieves? The Zhao family had finally found a handle on Xie Suì, and they were surely venting their anger. It was Zhao Sān wàng, the husband of the woman who had pinched Xie Suì's son's face.