Chapter 112: Chen Gui resorts to tactics

Old Wu, if we're talking about who's formidable, it's still you.

These days the whole village is discussing your family's affairs.

Cutting ties with Wu An was actually a retreat to advance.

You've been scheming a lot for today, haven't you?

Chen Gui held his teacup and said with a cheerful smile.

Hearing this, everyone else in the room looked up, the village elder included, who chuckled, "All good as long as nothing happened, all good as long as nothing happened."

Wu Yingwei sat down and said, "Today's affair has nothing to do with me."

I didn't do anything—my second son is upright and has nothing to fear.

Ah... none of us believed him before; he was the one who suffered injustice.

Whether others believe it or not, he believes in Wu An, believes Wu An acted with justice and courage; thus the only mistake Wu An made in this affair was secretly taking out a loan from a loan shark.

But then again, why did Wu An need to borrow money?

It's not like the family lacks money.

Wu Yingwei feels ashamed; as a father he's done poorly, over the years he hasn't brought much money home, and if the family were better off, Wu An wouldn't have needed to borrow from a loan shark.

Wu Yingwei feels he also bears responsibility in this matter, and thus feels even more guilty toward Wu An.

Chen Gui curled his lip and said, "We're not outsiders—what's there to pretend about?"

Saying "upright and fear no crooked shadow" like that, you're not afraid of everyone laughing at you.

You've got to admit your second son is no pushover—he actually teamed up with Shen Fang to spin this as an act of justice and courage.

Wu Yingwei's face darkened.

But he didn't reply.

He knows Chen Gui's character well enough.

If he replies, Chen Gui will only get more worked up.

Chen Gui saw Wu Yingwei staying silent, assumed he felt guilty, and sneered, "Don't be too harsh on people—show mercy where you can."

If you get them thrown in jail, you'll have sealed the feud forever.

The village elder is still saying that several villages may merge later; with you stirring up this mess, how will work go forward after the merger?

Wu Yingwei slammed his teacup on the table, glared at him, and said, "Then according to you, what should I do?"

Chen Gui couldn't come up with a reasonable reply, gave an embarrassed laugh: "You look even more worked up."

I'm not saying anything else, I'm not saying anything else.

I mean no harm, I'm just worried about you.

Wu Yingwei's face flushed and his neck thickened; for a moment he couldn't think of how to reply.

The bystanders quickly stepped in to mediate.

Chen Gui took a sip of tea and said leisurely, "Don't try to advise me—I'm perfectly calm."

Old Wu, if you find my words unpleasant, I'll apologize.

I dare not provoke you; your second son is formidable—he can make white sound black and black sound white.

Though he mouthed an apology, each word was like a dagger stabbing Wu Yingwei.

The village elder coughed twice and said, "Chen Gui, shut your mouth."

Chen Gui then gave a grudging smile, glanced at Wu Yingwei, lifted his teacup, took a sip, and said nothing more.

He certainly wasn't just talking idly.

Once the village elder steps down, Wu Yingwei's standing will be far greater than his.

Given Wu Yingwei's loyalty and dedication, his selfless contributions to the village, what does he have to compete with Wu Yingwei?

But now Wu Yingwei has this matter, which is a hidden danger; he raised it today, and the village elder will certainly take it into account.

When it comes time for re-election, he must resort to tactics to have a chance to win.

Wu Yingwei had no idea of Chen Gui's scheming; he still thought Chen Gui simply disliked him, went out for a smoke, came back, and kept working.

……

A Qing arrived at the old house; it was already 2:30.

Today there are only 15 Luck Points; the two of them being busy is enough. Mei Yueqin didn't come along—she's at home preparing dinner, saying she'll make it even more lavish than yesterday.

They met.

Wu Anxian asked A Qing about what happened in the hospital; A Qing gave a vivid account—he and Lao Mai had been watching at the hospital entrance, and soon police arrived and took Chen Long and Chen Zhong away.

A Qing gestured excitedly: "Brother, you didn't see it—Chen Long was so scared he pissed himself, claiming he's still a patient."

A policeman slapped him, scolding him for his patient-like squeals, which sounded like pig squeals.

After being slapped, Chen Long shut up; that hospital director is even worse—he literally pissed his pants. Hahaha.

Wu An also listened happily.

Extorting him once wasn't enough; he even fabricated an injury appraisal. With that breakthrough, plus Lao Mai's investigation, Chen Zhong is as good as finished.

The only hidden danger is that this time he got personally involved, making reconciliation with the Chen family impossible.

But he isn't afraid either.

The two carried water buckets and tools toward the sea; A Qing rubbed his sore butt, limping.

Wu An asked, "What's wrong?"

A Qing said with a bitter face: "I was in a hurry to get back, I kept urging the old man to ride faster—he's a tough guy too, really just twisted the throttle to the max the whole way."

I almost got shaken to death.

I had a drink at noon; after getting out of the car I threw up.

Wu An frowned; "You okay?"

A Qing shook his head: "It's fine once you've thrown up, bro, where are we going today?"

Wu An looked left and right; there were many people gathering seafood, he thought for a moment, pointed east: "Let's go to the east side of the dock."

A Qing realized: "Going to look for your sister-in-law?"

Wu An slapped him on the back of the head: "What sister-in-law, I haven't even got a dot in my eight characters yet."

A Qing shouted: "Brother, with this shout of mine, don't you already have a dot in your eight characters?"

"……" Wu An glared, damn, A Qing really is a talent.

That makes sense!

The two pulled the calf along, laughing happily as they walked toward the east side of the dock.

Just as they reached Rocky Beach, they saw from afar a graceful figure—who else could it be but Gu Anran?

Clearly wearing a straw hat, dressed simply and plainly, wrapped up tightly, Wu An could spot her at a glance in the crowd.

Gu Anran seemed to sense something too, straightened up, pushed at her straw hat, and upon seeing him, broke into a smile and waved.

He walked over.

Gu Anran asked: "Is the matter settled?"

Wu An nodded, then asked: "You ask that as soon as you open your mouth—are you worried about me?"

Gu Anran said: "Yeah, we're friends."

"If it weren't inconvenient to go to your village, I'd want to follow you and have a look."

Wu An chuckled: "How's this side?"

"Not great." Gu Anran shook his head, gaze burning as he looked at him, saying: "Actually, I don't come here much."

Wu An thought, what a coincidence—I don't come here often either.

But today we did come, and we ran into each other.

Is this fate?

Of course not.

All we can say is that both of us knew we'd run into each other by coming here.

He could feel that he and Gu Anran were tugging at each other.

To be frank.

This tugging feeling is actually quite interesting.

Actually, in his two lifetimes he's never had a proper romance; the previous one was Shen Fang, who was the clingy type, and in fact he gained nothing from it, instead he got hurt badly.

Facing Gu Anran.

He felt no awkwardness at all; on the contrary, he felt quite at ease.

Wait a moment.

Could it be that he's been downgraded?