Xie Sui's words ignited the emotions of everyone present. The villagers had all witnessed Zhao Tielin's underhanded actions; how could they blame Xie Sui?
Zhao Tiegang, the village chief, had shown favoritism to his own kin without even asking for details, which was unfair and unbecoming of a village chief.
Zhao Tiegang calmed down, facing the angry gazes, and began to panic. "What do you want to do?"
"Nothing much, just seeking justice."
Xie Sui had become the backbone of the crowd. They instinctively stood by his side, confronting the Zhao brothers.
"Little Sui, you're a bit too hot-headed for a young man. Uncle Zhao has always treated you well. What are you trying to do?" Zhao Tiegang softened his tone, realizing he couldn't afford to incur the wrath of the entire village.
Xie Sui also smiled. "Uncle Zhao, if you had spoken like this earlier, I wouldn't have gotten upset. Let's talk about the matter at hand. He stole my business and then provoked me with his words. Am I, Xie Sui, someone who can be bullied so easily?"
Zhao Tiegang replied, "Regardless, he's much older than you, practically of grandfatherly age. You should show some respect. Honoring the elders and cherishing the young is a virtue."
"Heh, so a turtle lives longer, and I should respect it then?"
"Does being old give one the right to be unreasonable? That's being disrespectful in old age, a useless old fart. Whoever respects him is a fool!"
Xie Sui, who had been fearless for so many years, had never lost an argument. His sharp words left Zhao Tiegang speechless, and both brothers' faces turned grim.
Finally, Xie Yugui stepped forward to mediate. "Little Sui, you should say a bit less. We're all neighbors in the same village, and we'll see each other around. If you give the village chief some face, let's just let this matter go."
"Fine, I'll give you face, Uncle. But Zhao Tielin, I'll make this clear: my business isn't so easily snatched. The money I, Xie Sui, can earn, not everyone can. You profited and then played the victim; Xie Sui doesn't tolerate that kind of behavior!"
"Alright, when it comes to business, it's all about individual capability. What's the use of talking about this?"
"Good, then it's individual capability. Zhao Tielin, you went to the state-run restaurant in town to snatch my game business and ruin it; that's not right."
"Today, I'll let everyone see what kind of person you are. My business, Xie Sui's, isn't so easily snatched. You'll have a day to cry."
The villagers found Zhao Tielin's behavior shameful. Making money is one thing, but stealing someone else's business is unethical.
However, he had never seemed to have any ethical behavior.
Zhao Tielin sneered, "You said it yourself, it's about individual capability. Is the state-run restaurant yours? Can I not go there?"
"Heh, if you have the guts, go again tomorrow and see if they'll want your goods then?"
Xie Sui's mocking tone unsettled Zhao Tielin, making him wonder if this kid was a bit of a troublemaker.
"Let's disperse. Don't you all need to go home and make dinner?"
The villagers went home. Xie Sui hummed a tune and went to find Doudou and Dingding, casting a sidelong glance at Zhao Tielin, making him tremble with anger, yet unable to do anything about it.
Zhao Tiegang sighed helplessly, "Big Brother, your actions put me in a difficult position. You did what you did, but why provoke him?"
Zhao Tielin was still fuming, "You don't know how infuriating that little brat is. If you don't help me, will you help him?"
"Didn't I help you? For you, I'm offending the entire village. What else do you want me to do? Please, I'm begging you, don't mess with Xie Sui. He's a hothead, who knows what he's capable of?"
A cold glint flashed in Zhao Tielin's eyes. "Sooner or later, I'll finish him!"
"You... Hmph, I'm done with this. I'll resign from this village chief position later. Whoever wants to do it can do it."
With an elder brother like him, his tenure as village chief wouldn't last long.
"Look at your meager ambition, you're hopeless!"
Zhao Tielin was frustrated, wishing he had let his son be the village chief instead. This brother was truly incompetent.
Zhao Tiegang was so angry he couldn't breathe properly. He was nearly fifty and had his pride.
When Xie Sui found Doudou and Dingding, they were engrossed in a game of tin frogs, their little bottoms sticking up as they played with great concentration.
Children were the best, carefree and without worries.
"Daddy, you're back."
"Daddy, are we going to catch small fish today?"
The two rushed to his side. Xie Sui didn't mind their dirtiness and picked them up, one in each arm. They had gained so much weight since he was reborn; he almost couldn't lift them.
"If you still want to eat small fish, Dad will catch them for you. If my sons want it, it must be arranged."
"Daddy is the best, mua!"
The two children kissed him, covering him in slobber. Xie Sui found it a bit disgusting, thinking how messy boys were, not as cute as sweet, soft little girls.
If Wanwan could have a daughter for him, it would be perfect.
"Dingding, do you want a little sister?"
Doudou immediately became vigilant, feeling his dad's smile was a bit creepy, like a villain in a movie tricking children for information, very cunning.
"No, sisters are too delicate. They only know how to cry and can't do anything else. They're so annoying."
Dingding was blunt. His friends' sisters were all crybabies and couldn't keep up with them due to their short legs, yet they insisted on following along, which was very bothersome!
Alas, whose emotional intelligence did this child inherit? Xie Sui had been giving toys to little girls since he was eight; girls loved playing with him.
He hoped he wouldn't have trouble finding a wife when he grew up.
"Daddy, do you want Mommy to have a little sister for you?"
Doudou saw through his thoughts. Xie Sui nodded vigorously. "Yes, if our family has a little sister, Dad will be in charge of the baby, and it won't bother you."
"If you two act cute with Mommy, and you get a little sister, I'll reward each of you with a house, okay?"
Doudou imitated his cold chuckle. "No, you want to give us houses so we can move out, and you can monopolize Mommy and our sister? Daddy, you're so cunning!"
Dingding suddenly understood. "So that's how it is. Daddy is too wicked, bad daddy. Brother, let's go home and tell Mommy."
The two little guys changed sides quickly. When it involved Lin Wanwan, they were always on their mother's side.
"No, no, Dad was just saying casually. Don't tell on me. Tattletales aren't good children."
"Uh, I bought comic books today. Do you want to hear Dad tell a story?"
The little guys immediately forgot about telling on him. The matter of a sister was too far away; comic books were more important.
"Yes, Daddy, let's not catch fish anymore. Let's go home and tell stories."
Xie Sui had them ride on his back like horses, taking turns, instantly winning them back over.
The comic books he bought were the hottest at the time, "Journey to the West." The TV series had just premiered and hadn't become nationally popular yet. There wasn't even a TV in the village, so they couldn't watch it if they wanted to.
"This is Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. He possesses seventy-two transformations, immense divine power, and is rebellious. He is the Victorious Fighting Buddha, but sadly he was defeated by the Buddha. He's amazing."
"I want to be Sun Wukong, I want to cause havoc in heaven!"
"I want to be Sun Wukong too, Daddy, I want to protect Master and go to the West to get scriptures."
Lin Wanwan watched him tell stories to the children with a smile. His gentle and patient demeanor, bathed in the setting sun, resembled a beautiful painting.