Chapter 80: A Thin Arm Can't Twist a Thick Thigh

Jia Guimin sneered back: “This is our family matter, Li Jiutang—you’re meddling too much.”

“I don’t care about other people’s business, but I’m taking charge of your Luo family’s affairs,” Li Jiutang said, hands behind his back, expressionless. “I’m laying it out right here: if you keep making life unbearable for Luo Yuezhen, I’ll make your life unbearable too.”

“You good-for-nothing hag, you haven’t been whipped in three days and now you’re tearing up the roof—what are you stirring up for during the New Year?”

Luo Zhonglin, Yuezhen’s second uncle, stormed into the courtyard, cursing, then kicked Jia Guimin. “You disgrace—go home.”

Jia Guimin was stunned by the kick—was this rebellion? Then she saw the old man winking at her, and swallowed the curse on her tongue.

Luo Zhonglin forced a smile. “Village chief, this old woman doesn’t know her place—please forgive her. I’ll take her home right away.”

Jia Guimin was dragged unwillingly toward home by Luo Zhonglin; Luo Yuezhen’s aunt followed, head down.

“Enough, let go of me,” Jia Guimin snapped, wrenching her arm free from Luo Zhonglin’s grip. “Old bastard, if you don’t explain this, we’re not done.”

Luo Zhonglin snorted. “You’re like a rat playing third wheel for a cat—money over your life. Before, Li Jiutang didn’t care, so you could do whatever you wanted. Now he’s decided to step in—if you keep harassing Luo Yuezhen, have you thought about the consequences?”

“What consequences?” Jia Guimin’s face twisted with menace. “Does Li Jiutang control the sky and the earth, even people’s shit and farts? That house was left by the old man. Luo Yuezhen’s a married daughter—water spilled out. I must reclaim that house—where will Lao Gada live when he gets married?”

Luo Zhonglin said, “The land plot was approved specifically to build a house for Lao Gada.”

Jia Guimin glared. “Why abandon a ready-made house and build a new one? Don’t you think it costs money?”

“He’s the village chief. If there’s any future benefit from the village, one word from him and you get nothing. Most importantly, the land contract expires in a few years—we don’t even know what the policy will be after. Are you really going to oppose Li Jiutang and expect to come out ahead?”

Luo Zhonglin sighed. “You can’t fight the thigh with your arm—just calm down.”

Jia Guimin fell silent, but her face darkened further—clearly, she was still unwilling.

Zhou Andong watched the villagers disperse, sighing inwardly. The Chinese had endured too much suffering, so they grew accustomed to bottomless endurance and submission—directly causing the lower classes to swing between two extremes.

One side wolfish, the other sheepish. Before the strong, they’re more docile than sheep. Before the weak, they’re crueler than wolves. Tragically, they’re more eager to vent their envy, hatred, and resentment toward the upper class by inflicting violence on even weaker groups.

“Sister Yuezhen, how are you?”

Luo Yuezhen wiped the blood from her face and shook her head. “I’m fine!”

Zhou Andong nodded, placing the meat on the drink crate Zhou Anbei was holding. “Xiao Bei, take this inside.”

“What’s this?” Luo Yuezhen blocked Zhou Anbei. “Dongzi, you’ve helped me enough—I can’t take this.”

Zhou Andong smiled. “These are gifts others gave me—I’ve got plenty at home. Besides, it’s all for the kids. Just take it.”

Luo Yuezhen was about to protest when Li Jiutang spoke: “Since Dongzi brought it to you, take it.”

“Dongzi…” Luo Yuezhen hadn’t shed a tear through the beating and insults—but now she wept uncontrollably, unable to speak.

Li Jiutang said, “It’s the New Year—don’t cry, it’s bad luck. Go make something tasty and have a proper celebration.”

Luo Yuezhen bowed deeply to Li Jiutang. “Thank you, village chief.”

Li Jiutang’s face warmed. “Go inside quickly—it’s freezing out here. Don’t let the children catch cold.”

“Uncle Jiu!”

Zhou Andong was about to speak, but Li Jiutang waved him off. “I know what you’re going to say. Don’t worry—as long as I’m here, no one will bother this girl again.”

Zhou Andong nodded. This was also his chance to cultivate goodwill with Liu Yahang in Tanghezi. Though a bit late, at least he wouldn’t repeat the utter enmity of his past life.

Zhou Andong crouched and rubbed the heads of the two children—the boy, eleven, was Liu Yu; the girl, nine, was Liu Rui.

“Remember—if anyone ever bullies your mother again, go find the village chief.”

Liu Yu nodded firmly. “I’ll never let anyone bully Mom again.”

“Good kid!” Zhou Andong patted the boy’s shoulder, then stood. “Sister Yuezhen, go inside. We’re leaving.”

Only after Zhou Andong, Zhou Anbei, and Li Jiutang vanished from sight did Luo Yuezhen lead the children inside. She stared at the two crates of drinks and meat, and tears fell again.

“Liu Yu, Liu Rui—remember, when you grow up, you must repay Uncle Dongzi well.”

Zhou Andong hadn’t walked far when he saw a tall, bulky fat man trudging toward him, head down. Zhou Andong grinned.

“Gao Laofei!”

Gao Zhen heard his name, looked up, saw Zhou Andong, laughed loudly, and ran over, lifting Zhou Andong off his feet and spinning him around several times.

“Big Brother Dong, I was just going to find you!”

“You idiot, put me down!” Zhou Andong gasped, nearly suffocating under Gao Zhen’s thick arms.

“Oh!” Gao Zhen chuckled sheepishly and quickly set Zhou Andong down.

Zhou Andong shook his head helplessly. He had few friends—this fool was one of them, and the most loyal, even willing to risk his life.

“When did you get back?”

“Last night!” Gao Zhen pulled out a pack of 555 cigarettes. “Big Brother Dong, try these—real kick.”

Zhou Andong took the cigarette; Gao Zhen lit it for him. “Not bad—you’re smoking 555s now. Looks like you made good money this year.”

“Not bad. With overtime, I can make up to three hundred a month, even less sometimes. Brother, quit that winery—come south with me. Factories everywhere, hiring everywhere. You’ve got education—you’re a college grad—you’ll be a manager right away, earning six or seven hundred a month easy. And the female workers? They wear next to nothing. In summer, legs everywhere—white and long.”

“Oh!” Gao Zhen slapped his thigh. “Guess who I ran into? Zhang Sihé—that bastard’s gone big—he’s got a girlfriend, the shoe factory boss’s daughter. She manages hundreds of people, drives a BMW to work every day.”

“Beep-beep-beep…”

Suddenly, a car horn blared at the alley entrance. All three turned—the car was turning into the alley, moving slowly. Closer look: Guangdong license plate.

“Damn!” Gao Zhen cursed. “Talk of the devil—he actually drove back. He didn’t come home for the New Year—he came to show off.”