Ding Xiulan, after seeing her eldest son off, felt a pang of panic. Her legs grew weak as she sat on a stool, unable to stand steadily, and she dared not think about what had happened.
She knew her daughter often acquired valuable items and brought home food and necessities. She hadn't entirely ignored the origins of these things, but greed got the better of her, and she didn't press for details. People tend to deceive themselves, and ignorance allows one to pretend nothing has occurred.
Zhao Youliang was not home; he had gone to the county town, determined to forge his own path. She had no one to discuss this with.
Shortly thereafter, Zhao Youfang returned. Seeing her expression, Ding Xiulan knew things were not good: "What exactly happened?"
Zhao Xuefei suddenly opened the door and said, "Let me tell you. The matter is already this way, and I don't care anymore."
The family sat down in the main hall. Zhao Tielin had also woken up and listened to her story while smoking his pipe.
Ding Xiulan sobbed, "What are we going to do? Those gossipy women will surely spread rumors about you. How will you ever get married!"
Zhao Tielin, without anger, asked, "Are you saying Xie Sui is behind this?"
Zhao Xuefei gnashed her teeth, "Besides him, who else would scheme against me like this?"
"Your father will handle this. You stay home for the next little while and don't go anywhere. Don't pay attention to what people outside are saying. As long as you weren't harmed, that's what matters."
Zhao Xuefei said, "That's not possible. They think they can take advantage of me, but they're dreaming."
Zhao Youfang was speechless; his sister was getting something for nothing. He mused that if he were in her shoes, he would be furious too. No one's wealth comes from the wind, only to be lost like this.
"I'll go pay your second uncle a visit. All of you, behave yourselves these next few days. Xie Sui is just a brat; if he wants to make a name for himself, he'll have to ask our old Zhao family first."
...
On the essential road outside the village, several people were cursing, their hearts filled with anger. If Zhao Xuefei weren't a girl, they would have beaten her up.
Lu Tianxing, in particular, had genuinely loved Zhao Xuefei. She was the goddess of his dreams, and he was the most heartbroken. His face was gloomy, and he didn't want to speak.
"Brothers, are we just going to leave like this?"
Xie Sui appeared before them, a cigarette dangling from his lips. He exuded a certain "young and dangerous" aura, akin to a character from Hong Kong triad films, especially with his side-parted hair, reminiscent of Edison Chen.
"Who the hell are you?" Lu Tianxing cursed. He was already looking for a place to vent his frustrations and a foolish-looking person suddenly appeared. Mostly, he was jealous of Xie Sui's handsomeness.
"We are all fellow sufferers. My friend, I understand how you feel."
Tang Huawen chuckled, "Brother, are you the last one in line? You have to call us older brothers!"
Wu Guanliang also tried to find humor in their misfortune, "I'm your third brother!"
Xie Sui: "..." He thought, "Third brother my ass! I want you to call me dad!"
He blew out a smoke ring and said, "This morning, that woman, she took off her clothes and insisted on sleeping with me. But I, with unwavering resolve, slapped her a dozen times."
"Hiss!"
The three men were simultaneously shocked, followed by righteous indignation: "Are you an idiot? If it were me, I definitely would have taken her! It's a fool who doesn't take advantage of a good opportunity!"
"You're the fool, and your whole family are fools," Xie Sui cursed inwardly, but seeing that they might still be useful, he didn't say it out loud.
"Some advantages cannot be taken, they cost you your life. I have a wife and children. To ruin my family for a cheap woman would be true foolishness. As for you, don't be swayed by her tears and coaxing again. Do you understand 'a dog cannot change its nature'? Of course, you guys are yesterday's news; it's uncertain if she'll come back to you anyway. I'm just giving you a heads-up."
The faces of the three men turned grim. "You're the one who's yesterday's news!"
"What exactly do you want to say?" Lu Tianxing was losing patience. Heartbreak could mature a man quickly.
"I am Xie Sui!"
Xie Sui waited for their shocked and admiring gazes, but instead, he saw three indifferent eyes.
"That useless Xie Sui?"
"The lazy, pretty-boy Xie Sui?"
"Brother, you aren't exactly hot stuff either. Zhao Xuefei definitely wouldn't look at you."
Damn it, the plot wasn't going as expected. They thought Xie Sui was still the same as before. Zhao Xuefei didn't even spare them a glance, so how could she be interested in this useless pretty boy? They looked at Xie Sui with a touch of superiority; he was the real loser!
"Hey, let's not talk about the past. A real man doesn't worry about not having a wife. Do you want to get rich?"
"Zhao Xuefei actually has good taste; you are all outstanding young men from several villages. It's a pity you're too poor."
"Men, being handsome is useless. You need money. If you had money, women like Zhao Xuefei would be lining up, and we wouldn't even bother with them!"
Lu Tianxing said, "I know you. You made a lot of money selling canned goods. The Zhao family tried to steal your business but failed. You've got something!"
"I've got plenty of 'something,' no need for you to tell me."
Xie Sui motioned for them to sit on the grass, passed around cigarettes, and as they puffed away, a sense of camaraderie began to develop. After all, they had all been involved with Zhao Xuefei, making them indirect rivals. Xie Sui couldn't help but feel grateful to her for bringing him these willing helpers.
"I'm not selling canned goods anymore. I've opened a snack factory, affiliated with the county food factory. I'm looking for you guys to be responsible for fruit procurement in your respective villages, as well as medicinal herbs like scorpions and cicada shells. I'll buy as much as you have. The profit margin will be more than what county workers earn."
Xie Sui had long intended to develop a network of suppliers in the surrounding villages, as relying solely on his own village wouldn't generate much income. Peaches were limited, and with future sales increases, there wouldn't be enough. Scorpions and cicada shells were seasonal medicinal herbs, unavailable in autumn. He wanted to "harvest" as much of this "leek" as possible. The profit in this area was enormous, and Xie Sui needed to accumulate capital quickly.
"Cash settlement, and I'll work with you."
"It will definitely be cash. Do you think I'd shortchange you, brother? Work with me for a summer, and I guarantee everyone will get a wife."
Wu Guanliang said, "Can we not mention wives? You're rubbing salt in the wound. Don't laugh, but I can't get it up anymore when I see a woman."
"Haha... Oh dear, that won't do. I'll take you to the city another day and get you a bath. There are some highly skilled technicians who can help you regain your vigor!"
Discussing such topics between men further strengthened their bond. Lu Tianxing also managed a slight smile, no longer appearing so dejected.
With them secured, Xie Sui had gained control of three villages. There were nine other villages nearby, and he wanted all the fruit and cicada shells from the entire town. Lu Tianxing's family was from the village, and his father was familiar with people in several villages. Xie Sui asked Lu Tianxing to help find agents from a few more villages, and they would have a meeting to make money together.
With matters settled, Xie Sui returned home. As he entered, he saw Lin Wanwan's inquisitive gaze, and his heart skipped a beat. Had his wife sensed something?