Chapter 60

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Protagonist:

Li Xiulan

After Niu Chunsheng learned of Liang Yuanchao's idea, he felt some displeasure in his heart.

He was no longer a village cadre of Shanggou Village, so on what grounds should he be the one to advance this sum of money?

The fact that he could come help mediate was already giving Liang Yuanchao a lot of face.

But then he thought again: if Li Xiulan continued to deadlock like this, in the end, the one who would suffer harm would still be herself.

After all, she was just a petty village woman; how could she contend with the village committee? How could she contend with the town government?

The construction of the Jingzhu Expressway was a major affair at the national level.

No matter how much Li Xiulan kicked up a fuss and acted unreasonably, it was impossible for her to affect the advancement of this national major affair.

The fear was that at that time the government side would use some means, causing Li Xiulan to lose both the wife and the troops — to deadlock until the house was demolished but not a penny of money was obtained, and besides gaining a body of injuries there would be nothing else gained; that would be even more miserable.

So, in the end Niu Chunsheng still agreed:

"Alright then, this demolition compensation I can help advance to Sister-in-law Xiulan, but when the demolition funds are disbursed, you must return it to me at the first possible moment!"

Hearing that Niu Chunsheng was willing to help advance the demolition compensation, Liang Yuanchao was immediately overjoyed, a smiling face appearing:

"Chunsheng, then I'll have to trouble you, really too grateful! You're truly a good person!"

Niu Chunsheng said further:

"When the time comes, those three thousand yuan you must personally hand to Sister-in-law Xiulan; you absolutely must not say it was me who helped advance it, otherwise she might not accept it!"

Liang Yuanchao nodded like pounding garlic:

"Know, know, when the time comes I'll definitely keep my mouth shut tight!"

Niu Chunsheng then said:

"Then you come to town in three days; at that time I'll arrange with Sister-in-law Xiulan, let you two meet at my shop."

Niu Chunsheng bid farewell to Liang Yuanchao, then went once more to Li Xiulan's home.

"Sister-in-law Xiulan, I've already persuaded Liang Yuanchao; he's willing to give you the demolition compensation in advance. In three days you come to town to my shop; he'll have me act as witness, give you the money face to face. He says he's afraid you'll take the money but be unwilling to sign the demolition agreement, so he needs me to serve as witness."

Niu Chunsheng told Li Xiulan such a well-intentioned lie.

"Really? He's really willing to give me the demolition compensation in advance? Wasn't it said we had to sign the agreement first, wait for the government to disburse funds later, and only then give the demolition compensation?"

Li Xiulan's face revealed a trace of surprise, but there was no delighted surprise.

Because by now she already didn't want demolition anymore.

She now had lost the Village Entrance Convenience Store, and her income had fallen to rock bottom.

With no security whatsoever, she only wanted to guard this house and keep living in it.

"Under my persuasion, Village Secretary Liang said he could give you special treatment, but the premise is you must keep it secret, don't go blabbering everywhere!"

Niu Chunsheng spoke thus with a smile.

Li Xiulan, however, gave a bitter laugh:

"Chunsheng, actually I already don't want demolition; I'm fine just living in this house. This house is dilapidated, a bit dilapidated, but making do it can still be lived in. The main thing is I don't want to toss and turn anymore."

Hearing this, Niu Chunsheng's face immediately revealed surprise.

He had already negotiated terms with Liang Yuanchao; how could Li Xiulan say no demolition and just not demolish?

So he hurriedly persuaded:

"Sister-in-law Xiulan, don't be willful; listen to me, take the money, agree to demolition. You can out-stubborn Village Secretary Liang, but can you out-stubborn the town government? When the town government sends people down to forcibly demolish your house, what will you do? Don't forget you still have three children! For a breath of anger to be this stubborn isn't worth it!"

Li Xiulan's heart trembled once.

Had to admit, Niu Chunsheng's words were very reasonable.

For her own breath of anger, letting three children follow along and suffer was indeed inappropriate.

So in the end she nodded in agreement:

"Then alright, you go help me tell Liang Yuanchao: as long as he puts the money into my hands, I'll sign immediately."

Hearing this, Niu Chunsheng only then let out a breath of relief.

Then said:

"I've already settled it with Village Secretary Liang; in three days you come to town once, come to my shop; at that time Village Secretary Liang will, under my witness, give the money to you in full, not a penny less!"

Under Niu Chunsheng's mediation, this matter was finally resolved.

But Niu Chunsheng's action of sacrificing his own interests drew the dissatisfaction of his fiancée Lin Xiaofang.

When he returned to town and told Lin Xiaofang about this matter, Lin Xiaofang immediately pulled a long face:

"What are you thinking in your head? Treating yourself like Living Buddha Ji Gong, so eager to help! Three thousand yuan — that's no small amount; how could you help them advance it? Don't forget the eighth of next month we still have to hold the wedding banquet; there are still many places needing money!"

This was the first time since Lin Xiaofang had known Niu Chunsheng for so long that she got angry at Niu Chunsheng.

She felt that Niu Chunsheng not discussing with her in advance, just agreeing to help advance this sum of money, was disrespect toward her.

"Am I not helping the village committee solve a problem? Now I've already promised them; what use is you telling me this? Besides, our current savings, even if we advance that three thousand yuan, holding the wedding banquet is still more than enough; you don't need to worry!"

Niu Chunsheng patiently persuaded.

Lin Xiaofang, however, couldn't help but shed tears, angry and turning her back:

"Bottom line: you still can't forget Li Xiulan! Whenever she has something, you always take the initiative to help her! Why don't you go marry her then, don't come marry me!"

Hearing this, Niu Chunsheng didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

Hurriedly hugged Lin Xiaofang from behind:

"Already eating vinegar? Don't be like this; I swear to heaven, right now toward Li Xiulan I really don't have a single shred of impure thought! I just saw her so pitiful, purely wanted to help her a bit! You also wouldn't want your husband to be a cold-blooded person without compassion, right!"

"You say you have no impure thoughts about Li Xiulan now, which means you had impure thoughts about her before, right?"

Lin Xiaofang seized on the wording and launched a soul-searching question at Niu Chunsheng.

Niu Chunsheng was even more speechless, unable to refute for a moment.

Because he indeed had impure thoughts about Li Xiulan before, but that was all in the past!

Ever since he met Lin Xiaofang, he had wholeheartedly loved only Lin Xiaofang alone.

"Why aren't you speaking? Did I hit the mark?"

Lin Xiaofang turned around and fiercely twisted Niu Chunsheng's arm.

Niu Chunsheng's face twisted in pain:

"Wife, spare me, I swear this is the last time I help Li Xiulan, from now on I'd rather be beaten to death than meddle in Shanggou Village's affairs again, that should be fine, right!"

Seeing Niu Chunsheng's attitude in admitting fault was passable, although Lin Xiaofang still harbored anger in her heart, she didn't want to quibble over so much anymore.

Most importantly, she knew Li Xiulan fundamentally couldn't snatch Niu Chunsheng away from her.

Today's Li Xiulan is thirty-plus years old, old and ugly, and brings three children along, while she, Lin Xiaofang, is both young and beautiful; unless Niu Chunsheng's brain got waterlogged, how could he possibly betray her to be with Li Xiulan?

"Those are your own words; if I catch you sneaking off to help Li Xiulan in the future, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"

Lin Xiaofang gave a cold hmph.

This matter passed just like that.

Niu Chunsheng hurriedly embraced Lin Xiaofang, feeling grateful:

"Wife, I knew it, you're the most reasonable, you're truly my good wife!"

Then he took the initiative to kiss Lin Xiaofang.

Lin Xiaofang closed her eyes and met him.

The two were being intimate, but just then, Lin Xiaofang suddenly felt a wave of nausea surge up.

She hurriedly pushed Niu Chunsheng away and went to the toilet to vomit.

"Wife, what's wrong?"

Niu Chunsheng hurriedly followed, asking with concern.

"Don't know, just suddenly wanted to throw up." After vomiting, Lin Xiaofang felt much better.

Niu Chunsheng was stunned:

"You haven't had your period this month, could it be you're pregnant?"