Chapter 167: Who Is Truly Wronged

Liu Shangan shot to his feet: "If it weren't for my eldest son borrowing money everywhere to obtain a letter of forgiveness, do you think our family of three could have gotten out safely? Who is truly the wronged one?"

If you hadn't harbored the intent to harm and targeted my spouse, would we have become the village's pariahs?

Heaven and Earth bear witness, I didn't ask for a penny more; three hundred was to quell the Ge family's anger, and two hundred was for my son's leg treatment and dental work. If you disagree, then I, Liu Shangan, won't care about saving this old face of mine. I'll just block people at your doorstep every day and cause a scene at your workplace every day. You decide what to do."

Seeing Liu Shangan had said enough, Ge Xiulan knew it was her turn to step in.

She slapped her thigh and started wailing: "Oh my heavens, they really don't want us to live!"

Her shout sent a cold sweat down the spines of brothers Chen Weidong and Chen Weiping, who had left earlier. If they really let things escalate here, their already ruined reputation would surely be dragged out and paraded again.

The two rushed into the main hall: "Stop, stop, stop. Let's discuss this like reasonable people; don't make a fuss anymore."

Seeing her purpose achieved, Ge Xiulan pretended to wipe a tear: "Do you think I want this? Wasn't it your mother who ruined my family, causing us to lose our reputation and offending both my husband's and my own natal families? If you don't compensate us, then none of us will have a good time."

In the end, the three generations of the Chen family all went out to borrow money. After running around for over three hours, they finally scraped together five hundred yuan.

Chen Jiefang summoned people from the neighborhood committee and two neighbors to act as mediators, making Liu Shangan and Ge Xiulan write a receipt. It stated that upon receiving this sum, the grudge between their two families would be settled, and neither side would ever come to the other's door to demand compensation again.

Liu Shangan took the money but didn't take the original route home; instead, he detoured onto the road leading to the neighboring commune.

Ge Xiulan looked confused and asked: "Husband, isn't this the way back to the commune?"

Liu Shangan quickened his pace: "The Chen family found so many people to act as mediators. Do you think they had good intentions?"

Ge Xiulan instantly broke out in a cold sweat: "Are you saying Chen Jiefang did this on purpose?"

Liu Shangan didn't bother answering his wife's question; instead, he carefully checked the direction.

Unfamiliar with the surroundings, Ge Xiulan felt a bit afraid. She hurried a few steps and took her husband's arm: "Where are we going?"

Liu Shangan replied somewhat irritably: "Where else? Naturally, we are taking a detour back to the commune."

Because of this detour, by the time they returned to the commune health center, the sky had already turned pale with the first light of dawn. The two, exhausted, arrived at the health center.

When they pushed the door open, Hearing Liu Jiandong opened his eyes: "Dad, why are you two only back now?"

Liu Shangan's eyes were burning painfully. Seeing an empty bed nearby, he said: "I'll sleep for a while. You stay alert; don't let anyone get close to me."

Seeing his father's bulging pocket, Hearing Liu Jiandong knew they had managed to get the money: "Alright, you two get some rest quickly."

Perhaps because borrowing the money had relieved a heavy burden on their hearts, Ge Xiulan lay down beside him. The couple fell asleep instantly.

When the Physician from the health center came to check the wards in the morning, the couple was finally woken up: "Your son just needs to recover at home. Try to supplement his nutrition as much as possible during this period; it will aid his recovery."

They were lucky enough; as soon as Liu Shangan went out, he encountered the mule cart picking up the Ding Zhiqing. Without caring whether there were extra spots or not, he got on immediately.

Fortunately, the cart was large enough. When the Village Head brought the Ding Zhiqing out, they could barely squeeze everyone in, though everyone had to hold their own belongings.

The Village Head glanced at the people on the cart, took out a handful of feed for the mule tied under the tree, and said: "You've worked hard today, old friend. After eating this feed, we'll set off."

(End of Chapter)