Zhang Liuxing suppressed the anger in his heart and stared at Zhang Liunian with a solemn face, "Third brother, a man should stand by his actions. You wouldn't lack the courage to admit it, would you!"
"How could I not? I not only dare to admit it, but I also dare to beat you." As soon as Zhang Liunian finished speaking, he threw two punches, sending Zhang Liuxing flying backward and landing in a heap.
Jiang Xing, who was hiding beside him, had his mouth wide enough to fit an egg upon witnessing this scene.
As for the others, they were all so stunned by the sudden turn of events that their jaws dropped, unsure how to react.
"Zhang Liunian, you madman, why did you hit me?" Zhang Liuxing, who had never been touched by anyone, was bewildered. He couldn't understand why Zhang Liunian would attack him.
"You and Fang Ru deliberately framed me, causing your father-in-law to withhold my business license. You didn't think I knew, did you!
No, since Fang Ru mentioned provoking me at the entrance of the Administration for Industry and Commerce and threatening me with the recipe, you must have been involved in this matter."
Zhang Liunian glanced at Jiang Xing, but quickly averted his gaze.
"Slander! What evidence do you have to prove I was involved in that matter?" Zhang Liuxing clutched his aching chest, paused for a moment, and then retorted agitatedly.
"Of course, it was Fang Ru who admitted it herself. There's no need for you to pretend you don't know.
If you and your wife hadn't agreed, you wouldn't have acted against me. Fang Ru wouldn't be so audacious.
I just want to ask, how did I offend you that you repeatedly attacked me? First, you sent Mom and Dad to ask for the recipe, then you had your father-in-law detain my license. Did I steal your wife or take your life that you treat me like this?" For two lifetimes, Zhang Liunian wanted to ask why Zhang Liuxing always disliked him.
They were brothers, yet he could disregard their eldest brother but fixated on him.
What had he, Zhang Liuxing, done to him? Why did he have to provoke him?
"I have no idea what you're talking about. I didn't do anything. Don't maliciously speculate about me." Zhang Liuxing would never admit to his involvement.
If he confessed, Zhang Liuxing would have no face to face his family and friends. Thus, this matter could only be blamed on Fang Ru.
He didn't know what was wrong with her, but she went to provoke Zhang Liunian and even threatened him with the recipe. Was this fool afraid that people wouldn't know about their underhanded tactics?
What a fool. How could she be so stupid as to approach the party involved when doing such things!
Zhang Liuxing cursed Fang Ru profusely in his mind.
The reason Fang Ru provoked him in the first place was greed, wanting to obtain the recipe in Zhang Liunian's hands.
What she didn't expect was that Zhang Liunian was not afraid of trouble at all.
In the end, he successfully obtained his business license. Fang Ru hadn't mentioned this to Zhang Liuxing, so he was unaware of it.
"A coward who dares not to act, I return your words." Zhang Liunian said with disdain.
"..." Zhang Liuxing was furious but found no words to refute.
Zhang Wenxue, who had overheard their conversation, finally recovered from the shock of his youngest son beating his second son. He looked at his two sons and said gravely, "Tell me, what exactly is going on?"
Why did his two sons suddenly come to blows and hurt each other?
Moreover, listening to his youngest son, it seemed that the second son and his wife had attacked their third son.
This was absolutely impossible. How could his sons, Zhang Wenxue's sons, engage in internal strife and turn against each other?
"If you want to hear it, I'll tell you..." Zhang Liunian would not help Zhang Liuxing save face. He found a stool and recounted the events that had transpired during this period.
After listening, the Zhang family's expressions all soured.
"Second brother, did you really do that? Then you're too unbrotherly. Third brother didn't provoke you. At first, you guys came looking to snatch third brother's recipe. You can't just do that because third brother didn't give it to you..."
Zhang Liushui believed every word his third brother said. Since he claimed that the second brother and his wife had done this, then they must have.
They were too much of a disgrace to their brotherhood!
"..." Zhang Liuxing almost spat out a mouthful of blood. Just as he was about to retort, he heard his father, whom he had always respected, speak.
"Second son, if you and your wife truly did this, then I am very disappointed." Zhang Wenxue's impression of his youngest son had improved significantly during this period. Coupled with his previous understanding of his youngest son, he knew that he was not one to lie.
After all, how could a person who used to be quiet and reserved become adept at lying?
Therefore, what his youngest son said was likely true.
"Second son, Mom believes you are not that kind of person. Your three brothers had an ordinary relationship before, but it wouldn't have come to the point of becoming enemies. So, this must be Fang Ru's doing. She must have targeted third brother's recipe, which is why she acted this way." Following Zhang Wenxue, Yu Xiaohua also expressed her thoughts.
However, her words did not bring Zhang Liuxing any comfort.
Because he had been beaten by his younger brother, whom he had always looked down upon, and his parents, whom he had doted on, did not even question Zhang Liunian, which made him feel very uneasy.
"What's the harm in falsely accusing someone? He wants to smear my name, and you believe him. No matter what I say, it's useless."
Experiencing for the first time that his family didn't take him seriously and didn't believe his words, Zhang Liuxing felt extremely stifled.
What was the point of these family members who couldn't stand by him? It would be better for them to be destroyed.
Realizing the terrible thought in his mind, Zhang Liuxing quickly dismissed it.
"Whether you were involved or not, heaven knows, earth knows, and I'm too lazy to argue with you." Zhang Liunian waved his hand, unwilling to look at him. He turned to say goodbye to his parents and leave.
Seeing him about to leave, Zhang Wenxue stepped forward and told him that Zhang Liuxing had an illegitimate child and intended to hand them over for them to raise.
"Dad, you can make the decision yourself. You don't need to consult us. Anyway, we three have separated, and we won't shortchange the annual contributions." Zhang Liunian did not get involved in such matters. Zhang Liuxing asking his parents to help raise the child was their decision.
"I understand." Zhang Wenxue used to be irrational because his second son had gotten into college and was praised by everyone, causing him to lose his composure whenever his second son's matters were brought up.
However, after living in the village for more than a month and personally witnessing his youngest son's capabilities, he had regained his sanity.
What could he do? His sons were too outstanding; he had no choice but to become rational.
"Then we're leaving." Zhang Liunian didn't want to linger. He turned, picked up Hua Bao, and was about to leave when he heard Zhang Wenxue say again, "Third son, what you said just now might have just been your second sister-in-law's idea. Don't misunderstand your second brother. You are brothers born of the same mother. Never turn against each other and make a fool of yourselves!"
As a father, no one wanted to see their sons become enemies. This was the most cruel thing to them.
Zhang Liunian did not reply. He placed his daughter in front of the motorcycle, started it, and drove away.