The Yang family, after seeing the police off, grew increasingly indignant. How dare the Zhang family report them to the authorities! They returned to the Zhang family's home with reinforcements, determined to vent their fury.
This was not the morning. The Zhang family, without any support, was at their mercy. However, Xie Sui had already instructed his family: if the Yang family dared to cause trouble, they should be dealt with.
As soon as they entered the village, they were intercepted by the Xie family members. The Zhang family was, after all, part of their village. Were they to be bullied repeatedly? This was no longer just a matter between two families; it had escalated into a conflict between two villages.
The village head of Yang Family Village, upon receiving news, had not yet had a chance to discipline his own villagers before they stirred up more trouble. He chased after them in anger.
On the Xie family's side, village head Zhao Tiegang was also at his wit's end. The Yang family was simply too overbearing.
"What are you doing here again?"
Yang Yumei's second brother retorted, "Zhang family, get out here! Playing dirty tricks, agreeing to things one moment and then reporting us to the police the next. Is that how you do things?"
"Reported to the police?!"
The Xie family members exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes widening in realization. So that was why Xie Sui had so readily handed over the money. He had set a trap for them.
Some younger villagers had initially thought Xie Sui was too cowardly, wondering why he was giving them money. They felt he should have been demanding the return of the betrothal gifts, not giving more.
Was he a fool?
As it turned out, Brother Xie was clever, directly reporting them to the police, enraging the Yang family.
Zhao Tiegang's mouth twitched. This Xie Sui boy never did anything good!
"Since the police would arrest you, it means you broke the law. What do you want now? To make things worse? Our village is not to be trifled with. Go back where you came from. I won't pursue this further, but I guarantee you'll get a beating and end up in jail if you don't. Try me!"
Yang Yumei's second brother felt a pang of doubt. Was it really that serious? But if he went back now, he would lose face.
Gritting his teeth, he declared, "Who are you trying to scare? Jail, so what? Who's afraid? Even if I go to jail, I'll make the Zhang family suffer. Anyone who dares to stop me today will face my wrath!"
Zhao Tiegang sneered, "Who do you think you are? Coming to our village to cause trouble? I'll make you kneel and call me 'Dad'!"
These words were like sparks falling into hot oil. The Yang family exploded instantly. Before anyone knew who started it, a punch landed on Zhao Tiegang's eye socket, turning it into a panda eye.
"How dare you hit our village head! Everyone, attack! Avenge the village head!"
Not only the Xie family members but also the Zhao family members charged forward. The Yang family had only about a dozen people, while the village had hundreds of young men. They were quickly subdued.
The village head of Yang Family Village was so terrified he dared not approach. At this point, anyone who dared to intervene would be beaten along with them.
Zhao Tiegang, still possessing some reason, knew that a beating was enough. Killing someone would only cause more trouble. He shouted, "Stop! Everyone, stop!"
The fighting ceased. The Yang Family Village members were now subdued, lying on the ground groaning.
Zhao Youfang knew they were looking for Xie Sui. He said, "Xie Sui is in the county town. He's the one who called the police. Go find him. Coming to our village to cause trouble is practically asking for death!"
The Yang family members, hearing this, thought it made sense and scrambled to their feet to leave.
Zhao Youfang, smugly, wondered how Xie Sui would handle this.
The Xie family members glared at him. "Zhao Youfang, aren't you betraying Xie Sui? You're truly despicable. No matter how we quarrel amongst ourselves, when outsiders bully us, we should stand together. What do you mean by pushing Xie Sui out?"
Zhao Youfang retorted, "Xie Sui caused the trouble, so why should the whole village carry it for him? I don't care if you want to curry favor with him, but don't drag my family into it. That's impossible."
The Xie family members were even angrier. "Fine, you said it. From now on, if your Zhao family needs help, don't expect any from us Xie family members."
Zhao Tiegang felt weary. "Everyone, disperse. Xie Sui is capable; he can handle it. Let's not let this matter damage our harmony."
Xie Dahe listened to the villagers' discussions, feeling a sense of unease. Would his son be in danger?
Someone reminded him, "Quick, go send a message to your son so he can be prepared."
"Right, send a message to Xiao Sui! But how do we get to the city?"
"Zhang family's mule cart is at home. Your son Xie Sui helped their family out, so ask Old Man Zhang to take you."
The villagers brainstormed. Zhang Wenfeng's father, Xie Sui's father, Xie Sui's uncle, and a few cousins – seven or eight strong young men set off for the city to find Xie Sui.
Xie Dahe had never been to Xie Sui's factory before. They finally found the place after asking for directions. Looking at the thriving factory, they were all filled with envy. This was Xie Sui's factory!
They had expected it to be as simple as their home workshops, but it was magnificent. There were even guards at the entrance.
"Who are you looking for?"
"Looking for Xie Sui. I'm his father!"
The gatekeeper, upon hearing that the boss's father had arrived, quickly went to call him. Xie Sui was experimenting with a new product with Lin Wanyuan. He intended to make the cup ice cream a massive success, not profiting himself, and definitely not letting Yan Xiaoliang make any money.
He planned to make cone ice cream next, the small crispy cones. The combination of the crispy cone and the ice cream was a perfect match. It had been a bestseller in his past life, and it would be successful in this one too.
Hearing that his father had arrived, Xie Sui was surprised. He came out with Lin Wanyuan, not expecting so many people. "Why are you all here? What happened? Come in quickly."
Zhang Wenfeng was also there. Upon learning that the Yang family had caused trouble again and even beaten the village head, he angrily grabbed a shovel, ready to confront them. "They're going too far! This is unbearable. I'll fight them!"
Even a clay figurine has its temper. This time, Zhang Wenfeng's conflict with the Yang family was no longer ordinary; they were enemies. If not life and death, it was close.
"Come back!"
Xie Sui wasn't angry; he was actually happy. "This is a good thing. There was still a possibility of reconciliation with the Yang family. If they returned the money and apologized, the matter could have been resolved. But now they've courted death. Not only did they resist arrest and obstruct law enforcement, but they also gathered to cause trouble again and beat the village head. This matter cannot be settled amicably. Just wait and see. It'll be at least five years, and letting them sit in jail would be more satisfying than beating them!"
Xie Sui's cousin, Xie Chengping, said, "Zhao Youfang is a scoundrel. He sent the Yang family to cause trouble at your factory. We were worried you'd be at a disadvantage, so we rushed over to help you. They might be here soon."
"Oh, good. This time it'll be at least ten years."
Xie Sui wasn't worried at all. He called everyone to have tea and eat ice cream, asking his second sister to buy groceries. Since everyone had worked hard to come and help, they had to have a good meal.
Seeing his lack of concern, everyone relaxed. They smoked, chatted, and listened to Xie Sui brag—no, talk about his factory.
Xie Sui kept looking towards the gate, wondering why the Yang family hadn't arrived yet. He wanted to deal with them quickly so they could eat.