Chapter 223: Is it all Wu An's scheming?

"The second son of the Wu family is truly remarkable."

"Yeah, back then Wu An also got into trouble because Shen Fang hit Chen Long and was extorted for money, and the Chen family came to the Wu family to cause a scene, but in the end Wu An was fine while Chen Long got arrested instead."

"This time it's similar—Mao Wang being released is also thanks to Wu An's help."

"Where does this kid get such great ability?"

"No wonder they say a prodigal son's return is worth more than gold."

The crowd grew more excited as they arrived at the small shop.

At this time the tide had come in; these women and idlers had nothing to do, so they went out to gather seafood and sell it, earning money to buy things at the small shop—food, drink, daily necessities.

Live off the mountains, live off the water.

The villagers' daily life basically relies on gathering from the sea.

They may not get rich, but they never lack food or drink.

Life in the fishing village is still pretty good.

At midday, under the old elm tree in the open space by the door, people cooled off and chatted; a few old men played chess, chattering away, and the small shop was very lively.

Those who can sit with their legs crossed at the small shop's doorway chatting are all "tough guys" who have survived the waves and fought their way out with sharp tongues.

After receiving an anonymous report from the village's "socially anxious" person, the women and idlers who often hang around the small shop are all "mouth champions"; forced into it, they can only sneak past the small shop.

Even when they have to pass by, they keep their heads down and walk quickly.

A slight delay and they'll be talked about behind their backs.

They find it unbearable.

But today is different; that mouth which usually ruins people now spews fragrant words, praising Wu An as handsome as Pan An, affectionate as Song Yu, talented as Zi Jian...

Mei Yueqin was also there; hearing this, she shook her head repeatedly, saying Wu An wasn't that good, while being modest, yet the corners of her mouth couldn't be pressed down no matter how hard she tried.

"Everyone knows I never praise people, but today I really can't control myself."

"Wu An really is capable."

"If it weren't for Wu An, Mao Wang would probably have to go home today and definitely end up in jail."

"Yeah, this Mao Wang stabbed someone, yet he can settle it—could it be that Chen Long got arrested again?"

"I just came from town; Chen Long wasn't taken away, he's still in the hospital, though police have been guarding the door, and I don't know what will happen next."

"Hiss..."

Upon hearing that, everyone sucked in a cold breath.

"That scary?"

The stabber got released with no trouble, while the victim ended up being controlled by the police.

"How did Wu An manage that?"

Everyone wondered wildly, extremely curious.

Mei Yueqin, being stared at by everyone, shook her head and said, "A An didn't say, and I don't know either."

She knows.

But she also doesn't know whether speaking would harm Wu An, so naturally she won't reveal anything.

"No matter what, Wu An's prodigal son's return is truly priceless."

"Not to mention making money—just handling these matters this way leaves no room for objection."

"Yeah, the change is huge, like he's become a different person; before he wouldn't even acknowledge people when they met, now he's more smooth than I am."

"I don't know if that Mao Wang kid can also turn over a new leaf like Wu An."

"Hey, I think it's hard."

"Yeah, Wu An can settle things on his own; he's relying on Wu An to be fine—no, not the same, not the same, far off."

At this moment, Li School interjected: "Wu An obtained evidence proving Chen Long bullied Shen Fang, and Mao Wang was protecting Shen Fang."

"If you ask me... Mao Wang is the hero."

She is Shen Fang's close friend, and she gets along fairly well with Mao Wang; but now Shen Fang has to go out to work, Mao Wang is miserable, hearing the villagers gossip about him, she couldn't help but speak up for Mao Wang.

She thinks Mao Wang is really good.

Just that good people don't get good rewards.

Everyone laughed.

"Mao Wang is a hero?"

"You've seen his father almost vomit blood from anger, being whipped by his father with a belt—what kind of hero is that?"

"I'd say he's more like a clumsy bear."

"Mao Wang is quite pitiful, but that's still his own doing."

"In this world there aren't enough women, yet he insists on clinging to Shen Fang, being ordered around by her at will—tsk tsk... his father's scolding is absolutely right."

As the saying goes, when the wall falls everyone pushes, when the drum breaks everyone beats it; the villagers' talk about Mao Wang naturally yields nothing good.

Li School still held her neck stiff and said: "Anyway, I think Mao Wang isn't as bad as you say; Wu An actually didn't do much either."

"If I had evidence, I could do the same."

"It's just a matter of making a report call."

As she spoke, Lao Jiang walked out of the small shop puffing on a cigarette, chuckling: "You think it's that simple?"

"Then how isn't it you who got the evidence?"

"If not you, why is it specifically Wu An?"

Li School slightly opened her mouth, stunned by the question.

Yeah.

How come it's Wu An?

Originally everyone wondered how Wu An had done it; Li School said Wu An had obtained the evidence, so the question was: how did Wu An get the evidence?

Someone reacted, some excitedly asked: "Lao Jiang, do you know?"

Lao Jiang gave a cold snort.

Immediately someone passed a cigarette, making room.

The old elm tree was big and also old, with a ring of flower beds around it; everyone sat around the flower beds, Lao Jiang sat in the middle, took a puff of his cigarette, and said: "My little shop here sees people coming and going, I've actually heard some rumors."

Mei Yueqin instantly became a bit nervous: "Lao Jiang, you mustn't talk nonsense."

Lao Jiang gave a hehe laugh, saying: "Look how you've made his sister-in-law nervous; whether you're talking nonsense or not, you still plan to report me to the police and arrest me."

"I also just heard people say that."

"Now I'm just saying it offhand."

Everyone urged him to hurry up and speak.

Lao Jiang then said: "All of this is that brat Wu An's scheme."

"You all know the grudge between Chen Long and Wu An; Chen Long originally should have compensated, but he stubbornly refused, dead or alive, which annoyed Wu An. Think about it—would Wu An be the type to let it go?"

Everyone shook their heads.

"So, Shen Fang, Mao Wang, and Chen Long were all schemed against by Wu An."

"I heard that brat Wu An finally got the compensation from the Chen family."

Hiss—

Everyone was shocked, and Li School was dumbfounded.

No way?

Real or fake?

Everyone instinctively felt it impossible; if it were true, it would be too shocking.

Everyone looked toward Mei Yueqin.

Mei Yueqin's eyes flickered.

"Yueqin, did you get the money?"

"This... uh."

Mei Yueqin had no choice but to nod.

Since Lao Jiang had said it to this extent, her denial would be useless; if anyone inquired, they could naturally find out.

Everyone was excited.

"Damn, is Wu An cheating?"

"He could scheme all this?"

"That's too fake; what gives him the confidence his scheme will succeed? What if Shen Fang and the others don't follow his plan?"

"But the result was that it succeeded."

After Lao Jiang said that, everyone's discussion became more intense.

Some believed.

Some didn't believe.

Some were even afraid!

Anyway, all kinds of opinions were expressed.

Lao Jiang finished his cigarette and cheerfully went back to his little shop.

Mei Yueqin was also pestered by everyone to no end, so she hurried home.