Chen Jiuyang took a taxi home.
A large crowd was gathered at the entrance. Chen Jiuyang recognized them as relatives of the village head of Huangliangbo Village. One of the elders was the former village head, Huangliangbo's father. Due to his age, he had stepped down and let his son, Huangliangbo, take over the position.
The old village head smiled and said, "Jiuyang, do you still recognize me?"
Chen Jiuyang replied indifferently, "Aren't you Elder Village Head Huang? I heard you were enjoying yourself in Fengcheng. Why are you back in the countryside? What do you need from me?"
The old village head coughed:
"Jiuyang, my son and grandnephew offended the Mountain God. They're in the hospital, on the verge of death, acting like lunatics, and no treatment seems to work. They already know they were wrong. Can you think of a way to appease the Mountain God and have him spare Liangbo and the others?"
Chen Jiuyang sneered inwardly, but his face remained calm:
"Elder Village Head Huang, our Chen family has lived here for generations. Your son and grandnephew not only beat my mother but also lent her money at exorbitant interest rates. Do you think the Mountain God would be appeased?"
The old village head's face immediately showed shock. He quickly said, "Is that so? I had no idea about these things! They were too out of line. I'll tear up the loan agreement for the usury immediately. Once they are discharged from the hospital, I will personally escort them to apologize to your mother!"
Chen Jiuyang let out a series of cold laughs. Did Elder Village Head Huang really not know? With his meager salary, how could he afford to buy a Western-style house in Fengcheng for retirement? How hypocritical.
If he hadn't returned in time, he wouldn't have known the fate of his mother and sister. Was this something that could just be overlooked?
The incident where his sister's college entrance examination was usurped was likely the work of the Huang family. How could he let them off so easily?
However, it was acceptable to collect some interest first.
Chen Jiuyang said calmly, "Alright, I'll ask the Mountain God to intercede later. I'll notify you when I have any news."
"Here is twenty thousand yuan. Jiuyang, take this. Consider it as nourishment for your mother," the old village head said, pulling out twenty thousand yuan and pressing it into Chen Jiuyang's hand.
Chen Jiuyang accepted it and then asked them to leave, to stop crowding his doorstep.
Upon returning home, he saw his mother stir-frying a large pot of food, with his sister Chen Yating helping her.
Chen Jiuyang asked, "Mom, what are you busy with?"
Zhang Xiuzhen smiled and said, "Youngest son, aren't a few families planning to break ground for new houses? Those workers don't have a canteen, so they hired me to cook for them. Mom can earn some money now!"
Chen Jiuyang smiled, "That's good news."
His father, Chen Jianmin, used to be a contractor. When his mother had free time, she would go to the construction sites to cook for the workers, earning a small profit in the process to supplement their household income.
Zhang Xiuzhen lowered her voice and said mysteriously, "Don't tell anyone, but I can earn several hundred yuan a day from twenty to thirty workers. This money will be saved for your future marriage."
Chen Jiuyang's heart warmed, and he smiled, "Mom, I understand. I'll be back for dinner later. I have to go out for a bit to handle something."
Zhang Xiuzhen said, "Go ahead."
Afterward, Chen Jiuyang pulled Chen Yating aside and handed her the twenty thousand yuan in cash. "Xiao Ya, you got into university. This twenty thousand yuan is your brother's reward for you."
In their rural village, if a family had a child admitted to university, it was customary to hold a celebratory feast. However, due to the previous events, there had been no celebration. But as a brother, he certainly had to give his sister a red envelope as encouragement.
Upon receiving the twenty thousand yuan, Chen Yating jumped up with joy and hugged Chen Jiuyang, kissing him on the cheek and shouting ecstatically, "Brother, thank you!"
"Shhh!" Chen Jiuyang whispered, "Keep your voice down. If Mom hears, she might confiscate your money."
Chen Yating immediately quieted down and then excitedly ran back to her room to store the money.
Chen Jiuyang smiled and then took a taxi to the county hospital.
After inquiring, he found the ward of Huang Dahu and Huang Liangbo.
He saw Huang Dahu and Huang Liangbo lying in their hospital beds, tied up with ropes, with their mouths gagged to prevent them from committing suicide.
Both men had pale faces, vacant eyes, and their bodies twitched occasionally.
Elder Village Head Huang looked at the two of them, his eyes red, lost in thought. Seeing Chen Jiuyang arrive, he forced a smile and said, "Jiuyang, how is it? What did the Mountain God say?"
"The Mountain God agreed," Chen Jiuyang replied.
"That's great!" Elder Village Head Huang was overjoyed. In front of Chen Jiuyang, he tore up the IOU signed by Zhang Xiuzhen and burned it to ashes.
"However..." Chen Jiuyang said, "A death sentence can be avoided, but a living one cannot."
Elder Village Head Huang's beard twitched. "Jiuyang, what do you mean?"
Chen Jiuyang sighed, "Elder Village Head, the Mountain God said he can spare their lives, but it seems they have done other things that wronged my family, so they cannot be completely forgiven."
Elder Village Head Huang's eyes flickered with panic. "What exactly did they do? I'll ask them clearly once they wake up! Jiuyang, can you tell me what the Mountain God's punishment is?"
Chen Jiuyang inwardly sneered, but outwardly said, "The Mountain God said they cannot move during the day and cannot sleep at night."
Elder Village Head Huang was startled. "Cannot move during the day and cannot sleep at night?"
Chen Jiuyang nodded.
Elder Village Head Huang, perhaps due to his many misdeeds, began to cry, wailing mournfully, "Oh my heavens, to suffer such torment!"
Chen Jiuyang said, "Once they have rectified the wrongs they did to my family, the Mountain God's punishment will naturally disappear."
After speaking, Chen Jiuyang ignored the old village head's lamentations and turned to leave, preparing to go home for dinner.
However, when he reached his doorstep.
Two groups of people were confronting each other.
One side was Yao Zixuan, dressed in high heels, with a cool demeanor and exceptionally beautiful appearance.
The other side was Lin Yuexian, looking heroic and standing with seven or eight bodyguards behind her.
Upon seeing Chen Jiuyang return, Yao Zixuan immediately went up and affectionately linked her arm with his, questioning him with a resentful tone, like a wronged young wife, "Jiuyang, who is this woman?"
Lin Yuexian was not to be outdone, looking at Chen Jiuyang with a reproachful gaze. "Mr. Chen, you just touched me this morning. Is my Lin family not treating you well enough that you have to seek other women?"
Chen Jiuyang's scalp tingled. He took a deep breath and said calmly, "Stop fooling around. If you have something to say, say it!"
"No! Jiuyang, you need to tell me clearly who she is!" Yao Zixuan's cool tone was tinged with resentment, something no man could resist.
Chen Jiuyang slapped her buttocks hard. "She has important business with me. You go back. If you have nothing to do, go help my mother with the cooking."
"Okay." Yao Zixuan's bottom stung, her face flushed red. She proudly walked into Chen Jiuyang's house like a winner.
Lin Yuexian sneered inwardly. You're not Mr. Chen's woman, so why are you acting like one in front of me?
She then relaxed, thinking, "When it comes to competing with women, do I, Lin Yuexian, fear you?"
She cupped her hands in a salute to Chen Jiuyang and said, "Mr. Chen, I have important matters to discuss with you."