Xie Sui's words threw everyone into a panic, as if a duck in their grasp had flown away. Instantly, they turned their animosity toward Li Jiaqing's mother, blaming her for ruining their good fortune.
Just as they were about to plead, Xie Sui had already taken Du Feiyang to the hospital. Unable to stop them, they shifted their anger to the Li Jiaqing family, accusing them of instigation and ruining the entire village's opportunity.
Li Jiaqing fared even worse, taken away by the police. His mother's actions against the Hong Kong businessman had caused significant harm. Their family would have to pay for the medical expenses and seek the victim's forgiveness. Otherwise, if a lawsuit were filed, he would face imprisonment.
Li Jiaqing cried out, "They're extorting us! That young man from Hong Kong, he just fell. How much damage could that do?"
The police officer retorted, "He fell and hit the back of his head. It's not up to you to say if it's serious or not; the hospital decides. They've already invited experts from Hong Kong for a consultation. Your family needs to handle this. Your mother, Chen Chunhua, will be detained. You need to seek forgiveness from the victim. This is currently a civil dispute, but if the consequences are severe, it will become a criminal case. Furthermore, you are being investigated for hiring villagers to incite a riot. Do not leave this county and be ready to be summoned at any time. If this is proven true, you'll face at least three years in prison."
As Li Jiaqing was about to leave, several sharp, well-dressed young men entered. "We are Director Xie's lawyers, handling these cases. Here are our claims, please review them."
With lawyers present, Li Jiaqing felt Xie Sui's capabilities for the first time. It wasn't just about money; it was about his strategic approach, unlike the outsiders from last year. He had no choice but to concede and initiate a settlement. Otherwise, Xie Sui could indeed send both mother and son to jail.
Li Jiaqing returned home, his mind heavy with worry, and discussed with his father. The thin, wiry old man, the village chief of Li Family Village, was the true backbone of their family. He remained behind the scenes, offering advice, while his son acted on his behalf.
When villagers came seeking explanations, Chief Li dismissed them with a few words. Although Director Xie spoke eloquently, no tangible results were evident yet. They were told to be patient and wait for his actions. The villagers dispersed, but Chief Li's attempts to incite them to block Xie Sui's path were met with refusal. Even his own extended family members distanced themselves, unwilling to be manipulated.
The world moves for profit. No matter how influential Chief Li was, he couldn't offer the village children free education or jobs in the factory, allowing them to become city dwellers. Working in a factory, sheltered from the elements and earning good money, was far more appealing than toiling in the fields. Xie Sui's two moves had effectively alienated the villagers from Chief Li.
Li Jiaqing returned, dejected. Chief Li, puffing on his pipe, said, "Don't be discouraged. Things haven't reached the worst point yet."
"Dad, we're no match for Director Xie. He has money and connections. You didn't see those lawyers. How can we fight him? Why don't we just give up?"
"Give up? Then our Li family will become a complete laughingstock. Even if we can't reap the benefits, we must regain control of the villagers and prevent them from turning against us. Is my position as village chief for nothing?"
"Then what do you suggest, Dad?"
"Your father has his ways. Tomorrow, we'll visit the Hong Kong businessman at the hospital and bring some eggs."
The next day, Du Feiyang lay in his hospital bed, his head bandaged. He looked at the basket of dozens of eggs brought by the father and son and fell silent. Was he, the esteemed Du Shao, worth only a few eggs?
"The villagers don't have much to offer. This is the best we have in our family. How is Director Xie? Mr. Du, how are you feeling? Is your injury serious?"
Du Feiyang remembered Xie Sui's instructions and refused to speak to them. He rolled his eyes and pretended to be asleep, infuriating Li Jiaqing, who felt he was being deliberately provoked.
"Hey, my dad is talking to you. Don't pretend…"
A bodyguard stood silently in front of Li Jiaqing, grabbed him by the collar, and tossed him out. Chief Li's face darkened. Before he could say anything, he too was escorted out by the bodyguards. The door closed, and a voice said, "Du Shao needs to rest. Please leave. If you cause any trouble, we will escort you out of the hospital."
This was a private room. The bodyguards stood by the door, their eyes glinting menacingly at them. The Li father and son had no choice but to leave. Chief Li then went to find Xie Sui again. This time, he couldn't even get to see Xie Sui. He had gone to the county to discuss matters of the school and the new factory with Secretary Chen. He wasn't deceiving the villagers; he genuinely intended to build a school and a new factory. The new factory would be built on the land previously purchased by Du Feiyun, which had now been acquired by Du Feiyang. An unrelated person was made the nominal head, with registration still in Hong Kong.
Secretary Chen, of course, was supportive but expressed concern about Xie Sui occupying such a vast area. "Can you utilize all of it? Currently, all regions are promoting industrial zones and attracting investment, but we are just a small county, and we don't have the capacity to develop such a large industrial zone."
Xie Sui replied, "I alone am equivalent to an industrial zone. Secretary Chen, rest assured, since I've taken such a large area, I will definitely use it. This is the scale of my new factory. The new equipment is imported from the United States, increasing production capacity tenfold. We will need at least thousands of workers, plus storage facilities. This area is still small."
Secretary Chen was gratified. "Director Xie is a man of great vision. The county will spare no effort to support you."
"Regarding the matter of Li Family Village, the county needs to intervene. I genuinely wish to benefit the villagers while making profits, but they shouldn't treat me like a fool."
Secretary Chen said sternly, "Don't worry. If the village chief of Li Family Village dares to cause further trouble, I will not tolerate it and will punish them severely."
"Thank you. Then, Secretary Chen, you are busy. I'll take my leave now."
"All right, Director Xie, have a safe trip. I'll see you out." Secretary Chen personally escorted him out. The county officials were astonished. Director Xie had such a good relationship with Secretary Chen! Xie Sui greeted everyone. He had visited before, and although the secretary had changed, the subordinates remained the same. Everyone he remembered was flattered. Director Xie hadn't changed; he was still the approachable and amiable person from the small factory.
Xie Sui went to the construction site and did not return to the factory. The Li father and son waited for him all day in vain. Xie Sui wasn't deliberately avoiding them; he was simply busy. The two minor figures were not worth his effort to evade.
However, Du Feiyang couldn't stay in the hospital for long. He discharged himself and joined Xie Sui in managing the construction site.
In the blink of an eye, it was the Lantern Festival. The two men gave the workers three days off and also rested at home, spending time with their children. The Li father and son finally managed to see Xie Sui, but the bodyguards blocked them, and they couldn't get close without Xie Sui's approval. Li Jiaqing had lost his former swagger, looking disheveled, just an ordinary fallen troublemaker.