Chapter 428

Evening.

Wu An didn't drink much.

This just happened; he was afraid he'd get drunk, so he pulled Father and elder brother aside to chat about random things, in case Father found out that behind all this were his schemes—even if the outcome was good, Father would probably feel uneasy in his heart.

It's not that we blame him for stirring things up.

But we're worried he'll get into trouble.

Parents plan far ahead for their children, can give everything for them, but they don't necessarily want their children to sacrifice too much for them, especially when undertaking huge risks.

As parents, their greatest wish is for their children to be safe and sound.

So Wu An didn't dare tell Wu Yingwei about it.

It's better to have fewer things than more.

Wu Yingwei also didn't drink much, saying he had many things to handle the next day, first of all the sea‑area contracting matter; although Old Village Chief Shen had moved into the courtyard, the matter still needed to move forward.

Wu Yingwei also said outright that the contract for the sea‑area contracting had already been signed by Shen Nan.

The matter is already settled.

He can't interfere with this; all that's left is the signing ceremony.

He needs to set up the table.

Wu An expressed understanding, letting Father do whatever he should.

What he wants.

He doesn't need others to give it to him.

He can get it himself.

In life, there are times when others give you a hand, but don't count on it; once you start relying on others to pull you up, you're done.

And don't even talk about how many times they could pull you.

Unless that person is your lover.

However.

Even if it's your lover, you can't expect them to pull you a few times; in the end you still have to rely on yourself.

Wu An deeply agreed.

He went out the door.

He let out a little belch, feeling slightly tipsy, and Wu An thought it was quite nice.

On the way.

A Qing arrived.

"Brother, shall we have another drink tonight?"

"Sure, let's go to the shop and buy some marinated dishes."

"Okay."

They arrived at the shop.

It was past eight in the evening; Lao Jiang had already closed the door.

They knocked on the door.

Lao Jiang muttered while opening the door.

"Lao Jiang, want to have a drink together?"

"Sure." Lao Jiang smiled, closed the door, tidied the inner room a bit, brought out the marinated dishes and liquor, and the three of them sat around the small table and started drinking.

He first lifted a cup.

"Lao Jiang, could you do me another favor?"

"A An, if you have something just say it."

"Sure, we're all our own people..."

A Qing raised his hand: "Wait, how are we suddenly our own people?"

"Isn't that so?" Lao Jiang raised an eyebrow: "This table of food and drink, you pay a third— isn't that fair?"

A Qing chuckled: "Our own people, our own people, Uncle Jiang, I was just joking."

Wu An asked: "Lao Jiang, your feud with Chen Gui—was it because back then with Shui Lao San..."

Lao Jiang took up the thread: "Right, back then I felt something was off; I didn't have that big a grudge with Shui Lao San... I only found out later that Chen Gui was stirring trouble."

"But I can't contend with him."

"I tried to tell your father back then, but he simply wouldn't believe me."

"Ah, if it weren't for your father back then, I'd either be dead or crippled."

Having said that, he downed a cup of wine.

Wu An suddenly understood; it all made sense—no wonder Lao Jiang helped him everywhere, not just because of his grudge against Chen Gui, but also because of Father's favor.

Lao Jiang asked: "What do you need?"

Wu An said: "Help me expand this matter with Chen Gui as much as possible."

Lao Jiang's eyes flashed, he smiled: "Sure, that's an easy thing."

Wu An said: "I'm preparing to open a supermarket in town; it's in the preparation stage, expected to break ground by year‑end and surely be operational next year."

"Right now my girlfriend is doing the planning; if you have time, please give some pointers."

Lao Jiang's eyes lit up: "Sure, sure, sure—I have plenty of free time."

He knew.

By saying that, Wu An meant to bring him along to make money together.

After drinking two bottles, Wu An and A Qing rose to say goodbye, went out the door, and A Qing again asked Lao Jiang whether they were now his own people.

Wu An nodded.

A Qing was happy, didn't bother to ask Lao Jiang how he became one of them; he also couldn't think that much, muttering that from now on coming to the little shop would mean free food and drink.

Wu An kicked him: "Even as one of our own, you can't do that."

"Also, your family is building a new house; don't let Aunt Juan handle everything."

"You should also put some thought into it."

A Qing scratched his head: "My mom won't let me manage it."

Wu An gave him another slap on the back of the head: "Just because I told you not to interfere, you really won't?"

"Forget it."

"Anyway, we can't go out to sea tomorrow; tomorrow take me to see your new house."

A Qing grinned: "Then I'll let Mom know."

……

Hospital.

Shen Nan kept watch by the bedside.

Old Village Chief Shen woke up groggily; perhaps he'd slept too much in the afternoon, so he couldn't sleep at night.

"A Nan, pour me some water."

"Grandpa, you're not pretending, are you?"

"……"

Shen Nan complained verbally, but still went over and poured a cup of water.

Old Village Chief Shen drank water, almost being driven to real anger by this grandson; he took a breath and asked, "How is the village now?"

Shen Nan pursed his lips: "What else can it be? From now on it's the Wu family's world."

"My sea area..."

Old Village Chief Shen set down his teacup and said, "Don't worry, your matter... will be fine."

Shen Nan said, "Nothing will happen now, but later it's not certain."

"I told you back then, you should have..."

Old Village Chief Shen gave a cold snort: "Still think it's not chaotic enough?"

"Do you still have something going on between you and Chen Gui?"

Shen Nan shook his head.

Old Village Chief Shen took a deep breath and said, "Then it's fine; the matter with Chen Gui is over, no need to mention it again, Wu Yingwei's succession as village chief is set in stone, so you don't need to harbor any ulterior motives."

"The path you will take, I have thought far ahead for you."

"If Wu Yingwei becomes village chief, we still need a deputy; who do you think would be suitable?"

Shen Nan's face lit up; he asked, "Thank you, Grandpa, I... I think Minghao brother would work."

Old Village Chief Shen glanced at him, "a look like looking at an idiot flashed by," then closed his eyes: "No, because of Chen Gui, I've already made things difficult for the superiors."

"Arranging Ah Hao again, the superiors might not agree."

Shen Nan: "That might also get approval."

Old Village Chief Shen: "We can't afford to gamble."

"Alright, let me think about who to arrange."

Shen Nan coughed twice, then asked: "Chen Gui sent me many messages asking me to investigate the USB drive; do you think I should help him look into it?"

Old Village Chief Shen asked: "How would you investigate, and who would you investigate?"

Shen Nan: "Wu Yingwei."

Old Village Chief Shen waved his hand: "Don't waste your effort."

"I can't see through it, I really can't see through."

"Chen Gui is a mad dog; he's saying that just to drag Wu Yingwei down."

Shen Nan frowned: "But I also think it was Wu Yingwei who did it."

Old Village Chief Shen: "It wasn't him."

"I actually think it's that brat Wu An."

Shen Nan was taken aback, then laughed: "Grandpa, you're overthinking; how could that be, it's impossible."

Old Village Chief Shen sighed: "I guess I was overthinking."

At the same time he added in his heart: "Hopefully it is... otherwise it'll be troublesome."

Shen Nan wanted to speak but held back, seeing the old man close his eyes and pretend to sleep, so he shut his mouth and took out his phone to play.

The old man had ideas; he'd said too much, which also made the old man unhappy.

He simply kept quiet.

He opened the game.

Hey.

This game is interesting.

This round must break the record.

Damn, just a little bit short!

Let's try again...

Old Village Chief Shen narrowed his eyes at this scene... then completely closed his eyes, out of sight, out of mind!