The news of Yang Jian buying a car quickly spread throughout Yangli Village, and the crowd of onlookers grew so large that the cigarettes Yang Jian brought back were not enough to distribute.
Yang Rui, being quick-witted, hurried to the village store at the entrance and bought two packs of the best cigarettes in the shop. She also bought some candy to give to the children who had come to watch the excitement.
Yang Jian's parents and grandparents also came upon hearing the news.
"Dad, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, look, this is the new car my brother bought."
Yang Rui was even more excited to see her family. The scene today brought her family so much honor.
Yang Shuanglin was full of disbelief: "Your brother bought a car? How much did it cost?"
"Two hundred and ten thousand, paid in full."
"How much? Two hundred and ten thousand, where did he get so much money?"
Yang Shuanglin's body trembled noticeably. This prodigal son had lost two hundred thousand yuan during the New Year, and now, in just three months, he had earned over two hundred thousand?
"Dad, my brother is working as an assistant for a big boss. He helped him close a huge deal, and the car was a reward from the boss. He also got a reward of one hundred thousand in cash. Please don't hit him this time."
Yang Rui, seeing her father about to get angry, quickly whispered an explanation in his ear.
At this moment, Yang Jian was helping his grandparents into the car, allowing the two elders, who had never ridden in a small car before, to experience it.
"Your father, buying a car is a big event. Hurry back and prepare firecrackers."
Yang Jian's mother, though shocked, was ultimately happy.
Two hundred thousand yuan could build two three-room, two-and-a-half-story houses in the countryside, so it was indeed a big deal, which was why it caused such a stir in the village.
Yang Shuanglin didn't lose his temper this time. He turned and ran towards the store.
After distributing three packs of cigarettes, Yang Jian finally managed to escape the villagers' questions and drove his grandparents and mother back to his own courtyard.
Yang Shuanglin lit two strings of firecrackers, their deafening sound breaking the village's tranquility. It was unknown how many villagers would lose sleep that night.
Jealousy is a vice, but it is also a motivator. In the future, more people in this village will buy cars than in other villages.
"Honestly, where did you get the money to buy the car?"
Back home, Yang Shuanglin began to interrogate his son. He was skeptical of Yang Rui's explanation. Did he not know his son's capabilities? What boss would reward him with thirty thousand yuan?
"It was really a reward from the boss. Look, this is the invoice for the car, and this is a group photo when the car was bought. I couldn't have robbed someone for money and a car, could I?"
Yang Jian, whose stomach was growling, had no temper in front of his father. He had been beaten countless times since he was a child and already had a psychological shadow.
Yang Rui also spoke up for her brother: "Dad, I've met my brother's boss. He treats him really well and pays him a high salary. My brother now gives me a thousand yuan for living expenses every month and also bought me a mobile phone and a computer."
"No wonder you didn't ask for money from home this month."
Yang Shuanglin believed his daughter more, but he still didn't have a good expression for Yang Jian: "I'll believe you for now. If I find out you're doing anything illegal or immoral outside, I'll definitely break your legs. Since you have money, go to your sister's house tomorrow and return the money to her. Her family is also in trouble recently."
"What trouble?"
As soon as he heard that his sister was in trouble, Yang Jian immediately exploded, eager to rush over.
His sister Yang Hui was twelve years older than him and had doted on him since childhood. His mother's health was not good, so she had taken on all the household chores, essentially playing the role of a mother. After getting married, she still gave him pocket money from time to time. If anyone bullied his sister, he would dare to fight to the death.
"I don't know the specific situation. Your sister just mentioned it to your mother the day before yesterday. You go and see tomorrow."
Yang Shuanglin was sixty years old and felt powerless to help his daughter with her troubles. These matters could only be left to the younger generation to worry about.
Having finally tricked his parents, they no longer pressed him about his experiences outside during this period, but Yang Jian couldn't sleep all night.
On one hand, he was worried about his sister's family. His sister was also a strong-willed person and wouldn't tell her maiden family about minor matters. This time, it was clearly not a minor matter.
On the other hand, he was worried about where he would go after the Qingming Festival. His sister had bragged to their parents about him having a high-paying job outside, so it was no longer appropriate to go back to working at construction sites. He didn't have enough money to take on projects.
There were three paths before him. One was to find Yu Feng and ask her to help him find a high-paying job, which should not be a problem. However, he couldn't get too close to this woman, and he wouldn't seek her out unless it was absolutely necessary.
The second was to join Wu Wangchun's team, work for them, or take shares in the emperor. However, Wu Wangchun was too familiar with his father, and they were both from the same area, so his affairs outside would easily reach his father's ears. Working in a casino was something his father could not tolerate.
The third was to continue following Song Jianhao. Although his casino in Xunsi River had collapsed, he would definitely restart elsewhere. Following him, although there were always risks, his luck seemed to be quite good. In just three months, he had earned enough for a car and over a hundred thousand yuan.
He would decide after the festival. He fell asleep in a daze and woke up at eight in the morning. His father had already prepared the incense, candles, paper, and grass for visiting the graves and was ready to go tomb sweeping.
After returning from the cemetery, Yang Jian took his sister to Liu Village, three kilometers away, to sweep the graves of their maternal grandparents. His uncle Liu Tong was surprised but overjoyed to see his nephew arrive in a small car and insisted on them staying for lunch.
His cousin Liu Chao, who was the same age as Yang Jian and two months younger, refused to get out of the car and said that he wanted to follow his cousin to Hancheng to work after the festival.
However, with his elder sister on his mind, Yang Jian resolutely refused to eat at his uncle's house. As for helping his cousin find a job, he dared not agree, as his own job was still uncertain.
After leaving his uncle's house, they didn't go home but headed straight for the county town.
Yang Hui's in-laws lived in Gaojiawei, located in the southern suburbs of the county town. In recent years, the city had expanded rapidly, and some of the farmland in Gaojiawei had been occupied by factories, mines, and residential developments. In a few years, the entire Gaojiawei would likely become part of the urban area of the county town.
He saw his elder sister Yang Hui at the District People's Hospital. His brother-in-law Gao Daqiang had been hospitalized for several days due to injuries.
"Sister, what's going on? How did brother-in-law get such serious injuries?"
As soon as Yang Jian entered the ward, he saw his brother-in-law with a bandaged head, his left leg in a splint hanging off the end of the bed, and injuries on his face. He was clearly not lightly injured.
Yang Jian also respected his brother-in-law very much. He was not only sharp-minded, diligent, and kind, but he also treated his sister with mutual respect. They had never argued in their twelve years of marriage and had always been very concerned about him. He never hesitated to lend him money.
"Your brother-in-law was beaten like this, and the house we built was also demolished."
Tears welled up in Yang Hui's eyes. She, who had been very strong before, could no longer hold back her tears upon seeing her family.
Yang Jian's blood rushed to his head instantly: "Who, who beat my brother-in-law? I'll kill him."