After finishing the paperwork at the police station with Yu Feng, Yang Jian drove back to his brother-in-law's repair shop construction site alone.
The site was still halted, with only his father sitting by the roadside, looking somewhat dejected.
"Dad, are you alright these past couple of days?"
From Yu Feng, he learned that the police had visited his brother-in-law's home, and Pan Wenbin had also sent people to stake out the site. Yang Jian was worried about his father's safety.
Seeing Yang Jian get out of the car, Yang Shuanglin sprang to his feet. "You come here."
Yang Jian saw his father holding a shovel and knew he was about to lash out again. He didn't intend to dodge and walked straight up to him.
Yang Shuanglin raised the shovel but hesitated before striking, then sighed and put it down.
"Tell me honestly, did you cripple that Liu Ming?"
Yang Jian glanced around. Seeing no one, he nodded. "I did it. He was the one who brought six men to break my brother-in-law's legs and flatten this place. As for Pan Wenbin, he bribed officials to stop us from rebuilding. If I hadn't taken the initiative, they would have eventually seized this land. If it were you, could you tolerate that?"
"Damn it, these people are indeed going too far. But you were too reckless, barging into their home and crippling someone. Do you know that's against the law?"
Yang Shuanglin's tone was noticeably less harsh. Although his son's actions were a bit extreme this time, they were understandable. His daughter and son-in-law had been pushed too far; he himself wouldn't have been able to stand it.
"Dad, it's alright now. Pan Wenbin ran away, and Liu Ming was arrested. You've heard about this, right?"
"I know that, but what about the fact that the police are looking for you?"
"It's also fine. I just came from the police station. My case has been cleared."
Hearing this, Yang Shuanglin's tightly furrowed brow finally relaxed. He had been worried sick about this for days. That night, the police had not only come here to arrest his son but also went to Yang Li Village, terrifying the entire family for several nights.
"Go home later and let your mother and grandparents know you're safe."
"Sure, I'll go see my brother-in-law at the hospital first, then I'll head back."
As the father and son were chatting, Yang Hui rode over on her motorcycle. She dismounted and sized Yang Jian up.
"Second brother, are you hurt? Why were you so foolish, going to someone's house to fight? If you got caught, you'd go to jail."
Yang Hui clearly believed the rumors circulating outside. She was certain Liu Ming had been crippled by her brother because she knew him too well. Although steady, he was quite stubborn and couldn't stand seeing his sister bullied.
"It's fine, sis. I just went to the police station and cleared my name. They proved it wasn't me. Have you and brother-in-law been bothered by Pan Wenbin?"
"No, Yu Feng arranged for many people to protect us at the hospital that night. By the way, how did you get involved with Yu Feng? Keep your head straight, okay? She's a married woman, and you're still a single guy who hasn't dated anyone. If you have a questionable relationship with her, it won't be good for your reputation."
Yang Jian's head began to ache. "Sis, what nonsense are you talking about? I have nothing to do with her. She just wants to recruit me to work for her. She even said she wants to hire me as the vice president of their group of companies."
"You absolutely cannot go! Do you know that people are saying you're her kept boy toy? The first time I met this woman, I thought she was a sly fox. Stay away from her."
"What did you say? I'm being kept by her?"
"Yes, that's what everyone is saying. They say you didn't just beat up Liu Ming for your brother-in-law, but also to help the Yu family. It's because of your cooperation with the Yu family that Pan Wenbin's gang fell so quickly. Otherwise, you alone couldn't have taken down Pan Wenbin. The Yu family benefited the most from this incident, freeing them from Pan Wenbin's control."
Before Yang Jian could retort, Yang Shuanglin smacked him on the backside with the shovel.
"You disgrace to decency, how could you do something so shameful? Does a grown man need to be supported by a woman? You've completely disgraced the Yang family."
"Dad, I'm not being kept. People outside are just talking nonsense."
Seeing the second shovel coming, Yang Jian didn't dare to dodge and could only endure the pain.
Fortunately, Yang Hui quickly pulled her father back, preventing him from hitting further.
"Second brother, whether people are talking nonsense or not, you need to keep your distance from that woman from now on. I heard her husband is a government official. If he wants to target us common folk, it's a matter of minutes. Besides, such a reputation will make it impossible for you to find a wife later."
"Sis, you don't believe me either?"
"What's the use of me believing you? People have their own mouths. If a bad reputation gets out, what girl would dare to date you?"
This statement left Yang Jian speechless. He had never dreamed such a situation could arise.
Yang Shuanglin, who had hit his son too hard and was emotionally agitated due to his age, took a while to recover. "Listen to me, you are forbidden to contact that woman from now on. As for that damn vice president position, it's all lies. Those rich people are using you as a pawn, making you risk your life for them."
"Alright, alright, I'll listen to you. I won't contact that woman, and I won't be her vice president. Is that okay now?"
"Not yet. You go back immediately and work in Hancheng. Your previous boss treated you well; he bought you a car after only three months of work. Go there and work hard; it's much more reliable than relying on a woman and living off her."
"Dad, I'm not living off her. Also, because of brother-in-law getting beaten up, I've already requested a month's leave from my boss. I don't need to go back for now. Brother-in-law is in the hospital, and sister has to take care of him, the elderly, and the children. This place can't be abandoned either. She's completely overwhelmed. I need to help her get this place up and running before I can leave."
Hearing his son state the facts, Yang Shuanglin realized his eldest daughter was truly in a difficult situation.
"Alright then, finish sorting things out here with your sister, and then leave immediately. If I hear you have any contact with that woman again, I'll break your legs."
"I know. I'm going back to see Mom and the others now. I'll come back tonight to keep watch for you."
Yang Jian hurriedly got into the car and sped away. His father, being old, had started to nag, repeating the same thing countless times. He couldn't stand to stay any longer.
He had originally planned to discuss the matter of the land with his sister, but he had to abandon that idea for now. They held deep prejudices against Yu Feng. Bringing up Yu Feng's desire to acquire the land at this time was clearly inappropriate.
As for Yu Feng's offer to make him vice president, that was also out of the question. Such a golden opportunity to reach new heights was thus killed by rumors and prejudice.
It was a pity. For a rural child who hadn't attended college, becoming the vice president of a group of companies was perhaps a height that would be difficult to reach in a lifetime.