Chapter 668: Argument

After the village leaders arrived,

Then it was about giving up seats.

There are many rules and many matters when eating in the village,

These people are all especially good at showing off.

Just a simple gesture and it's over,

But they keep going on and on.

I'm getting irritated.

And I can't say much more.

Just thinking about giving up seats took over half an hour, and all the dishes got cold.

I'm also starving.

After everyone sat down,

Xiao Long started pouring the wine.

Before the wine was even poured, they started arguing over whose cup was bigger, whose was smaller,

whose cup was deeper.

They were arguing so loudly it felt like their heads would burst.

The women's table where Qian Niang and the others sat, since they weren't drinking, ate especially fast.

After they finished eating, Qian Niang went with He Qing, Qiao Jie, and Yang Tao to another room to rest.

Fang Rui quietly stayed behind to clear the tableware.

She is a very diligent girl.

Shi Yong didn't eat with us because he doesn't drink alcohol and finds our drinking unpleasant.

So he ended up eating with Qian Niang and them.

After Shi Yong finished eating, the technician happened to come to install home appliances, and Shi Yong went along to help.

Our table started drinking noisily.

These village leaders, who at first were pushing and shoving over the drinking game without drinking, now drink more fiercely than anyone.

They all in unison praised Li Ming,

and unanimously agreed that Li Ming is the most impressive person to have come out of Niushiling Village.

Li Ming beamed with satisfaction, his vanity never before so fulfilled.

Yes, his son Xiao Long works in the city and has brought back a beautiful daughter-in-law.

Li Ming has a fancy car, a Western-style house in town, and a villa being built at home—who wouldn't envy him?

Actually, after men turn forty, their vanity grows stronger.

They love superficial things even more.

Li Ming kept raising his cup, drinking nonstop with the village leaders and neighbors.

I and Shi Jinhe could only silently accompany them in drinking.

This drinking session lasted until past five in the afternoon before ending.

They kept drinking until all the wine Xiao Long had bought was gone, only then did they break up.

Wow, they can really drink—each person consumed no less than one jin.

Li Ming drank even more,

and Xiao Long supported him as he went out to see off the guests.

Li Ming staggered as he walked, his speech slurred, yet he kept spouting grandiose talk,

saying that in two years he would have every household in the village build a villa.

The village leaders were delighted hearing that, and kept holding Li Ming's hand,

and had the accountant come over,

and said to Li Ming: "Li Ming, we've agreed on this. In two years, we'll have every household in the village build a villa. Empty talk isn't proof—let's put it in writing. Li the accountant, bring pen and paper."

As soon as I heard that, I knew Li Ming was drunk and boasting.

Niushiling is a big village with over a thousand households.

They would have to build over a thousand villas.

Li Ming simply doesn't have the ability to do that, even if he worked himself to death.

I hurried over to them,

"Village Head Zhou, Li Ming is drunk. No need for a written pledge. Xiao Long, quickly help his father back inside to rest."

"Brother, I'm not drunk. I, Li Ming, have plenty of money.

It's just villas—I can afford to build them.

I used to be a bureau chief; now I'm even more capable than a bureau chief.

"Village Head Zhou, listen up—I, Li Ming, will issue a guarantee; in two years I will definitely fulfill it." Li Ming wouldn't let me speak.

This Li Ming really… I can't quite accept it.

Has his brain been kicked by a donkey?

If you really wrote a pledge, what if something happens in the village—how would you deal with them coming after you?

Are you saying you'll help or not help?

It's fine to brag and have everyone laugh, but you can't write a pledge.

Xiao Long pulled Li Ming toward home.

Don't let Li Ming write a pledge.

Li Ming suddenly shook off Xiao Long's arm at this moment,

Suddenly he pointed at Xiao Long and shouted: "Get lost, bear. Am I still your dad? If you don't listen to me, in front of you it's just fart."

Today, Xiao Long, you must apologize to me.

Xiao Long was stunned by Li Ming's shout,

He got angry, threw down Li Ming, and went home first.

Li Ming's shout made the village leader embarrassed to let Li Ming write a written statement.

I and Shi Jinhe persuaded Li Ming, then sent the village leader and neighbors home.

Exhausted.

Really fucking exhausting; I was in a good mood, stir-fried some spicy chicken, had a few drinks with Jinghe and them, but Li Ming's mess ruined everything.

After seeing everyone off,

I then heard the sound of Qian Niang's family arguing,

I hurried back,

All I saw was Xiao Long taking Fang Rui away.

Qian Niang held Xiao Long's hand, not letting him go.

Li Ming was shouting loudly in the courtyard,

"Li Xiaolong, I ask you: how did Fang Rui's parents die? What exactly is going on?"

Fang Rui burst into tears as soon as she heard that.

Seeing this, Xiao Long felt heartbroken,

He quickly comforted Fang Rui, telling her not to cry.

Qian Niang pointed at Li Ming and scolded,

"Li Ming, you start spouting nonsense after a drink—hurry back inside to sleep. He Qing, come pull him away."

He Qing came over and pulled Li Ming.

Li Ming then shoved He Qing away,

"I'm not drunk; this matter must be cleared up today."

Li Ming's voice called Shi Yong and Yang Tao out of the house.

Watching Li Ming's angry look, I was very angry.

You can question Xiao Long, but the occasion is not right.

We need to communicate privately; Xiao Long is an adult now, he's already a grown man, we must respect him and not use the father's identity to overpower him.

Xiao Long glared at Li Ming with angry eyes,

Fang Rui was crying so hard it seemed dark heaven and earth.

Yeah, this makes Fang Rui lose face.

Qian Niang, seeing this, couldn't bear it and plopped down on the ground, crying.

"Li Ming, you're going to die, Bodhisattva, what sin have I created?"

Seeing Qian Niang cry, my heart couldn't take it; I absolutely cannot let Li Ming continue causing trouble.

I walked a few steps up to Li Ming,

"Li Ming, what do you want to do?

The Xiao Long matter is my decision; if you have an issue, take it up with me.

I deliberately let Xiao Long conceal it.

What are you making a fuss about."

I want to take the blame, so Li Ming directs his anger at me.

Otherwise, Li Ming and Xiao Long will really come to blows; if father and son come to blows, it's completely over.

Xiao Long still wanted to say something,

Then I said to Xiao Long: "Xiao Long, first take Fang Rui away; let Xiao Shitou drive and take you home. Don't ask about family matters; when things are settled, you can come back."

"Uncle, I won't leave; I must have a settlement today." Xiao Long was unwilling to go.

"Settle what? A fart? How do you settle with your own father?" Xiao Long was also drunk.

At this moment I pushed Xiao Long toward the door,

"Xiao Long, do you want Fang Rui to cry herself to death here?"

Hearing this, Xiao Long's mind cleared instantly.

He hurried over to where Fang Rui was squatting on the ground crying, reached out and pulled her up,

"Fang Rui, listen to me:

Don't worry, I will protect you for life."

This is my promise. Even if I have no home, no parents, just like you.

Let's go."

After saying that, Xiao Long was already tear-streaked.

Fang Rui stood up and leaned against Xiao Long's side.

Then the two walked toward the door.

I had already messaged Xiao Shitou. Have him pick up Xiao Long and then send him and Fang Rui back to Xin Cheng.

Once Xiao Long left, I felt much relieved.

Because Xiao Long was here, the argument would only escalate.

As soon as Li Ming saw Xiao Long leave, he started turning his anger toward me.

Let it come; I face it calmly.

As long as one's conscience is clear, one fears nothing.

He Qing urged Li Ming to go back inside to rest, but Li Ming shouted at He Qing.