"Pfft!"
Du Ziteng, sitting on the tractor, was so amused by Zhang Wenjun's shameless words that he couldn't help but mock him. "Shameless old man, just say you want to snatch my elder brother's things. Don't pretend it's for my own good, it's disgusting."
Du Ziteng jumped off the tractor and walked step by step behind Zhang Liunian, as if to make a show of force.
Zhang Wenjun's old face felt uncomfortable, but for the sake of money and snatching Zhang Liunian's business, he was willing to go all out, regardless of what others thought of him.
"Liunian, don't listen to his nonsense. Let me tell you, your second brother is the only golden phoenix in our ten-mile radius village. Now he's returned to serve as an official. If you do business as a self-employed individual here, he'll be very angry when he finds out, and the consequences..."
"What consequences? I'm just doing my own business, what does it have to do with him?" Zhang Liunian interrupted his third uncle before he could finish.
They had already split the family, so what did his second brother have to do with what he wanted to do?
"How can it not have anything to do with him? He's a proper official. You doing this disgraceful thing concerns his reputation. Will he not say anything?
Besides, you know how much your father dotes on your second brother. Ever since your second brother got into university and brought honor to the family, he has always put your second brother first.
If they find out you're doing this, which everyone dislikes, it will be embarrassing for your second brother.
At that time, do you think your parents will let you continue?" Zhang Wenjun argued persuasively, trying to persuade Zhang Liunian with words to give up this spot and not compete with him.
But Zhang Liunian wouldn't listen to others. "What does this have to do with you setting up a stall here?"
"He wants you to give up this business so they can swoop in and take it. It's truly disgusting." Du Ziteng saw through Zhang Wenjun's malicious intentions clearly.
"Nonsense, I'm helping you solve problems and don't want to see father and son turn against each other. I'm helping you, Liunian." Zhang Wenjun spoke righteously, acting like a good uncle.
This disgusted Zhang Liunian and the other two. Zhang Qian directly exposed his scheme.
"You're spouting nonsense. You just want to bully Brother Liunian and monopolize this place to make money. Bah! Such hypocrisy." Zhang Qian spat at Zhang Wenjun, who quickly dodged.
"Liunian, I'm your own third uncle. Are you letting outsiders insult me like this? When your eldest brother and sister-in-law come back, I'll report you."
Zhang Wenjun, after dodging the spit, shifted his focus to Zhang Liunian.
Zhang Qian's father was the village Party secretary, so he couldn't afford to offend him. Naturally, he could only vent his frustration on Zhang Liunian.
Before Zhang Liunian could answer, Zhang Qian stepped forward and pointed at Zhang Wenjun's nose, scolding him. "You old man, you have no integrity. You're trying to steal Brother Liunian's business and then play the victim. Uncle Wenxue won't fall for your tricks."
In Zhang Qian's mind, Zhang Wenxue and his wife were a pretty good uncle and aunt, and he didn't believe they would believe Zhang Wenjun.
"Whether my eldest brother listens to me or not, we'll see." Zhang Wenjun couldn't quite figure out his eldest brother's thoughts, but that didn't stop him from making threatening remarks.
He thought that his young nephew Zhang Liunian would be moved by these words. To his surprise, Zhang Liunian suddenly looked up at the sun in the sky and seemed a bit anxious.
Is he afraid? That's great?
It seems his nephew is afraid of his elder brother and sister-in-law. That's good. When they return, he will definitely ask them to discipline him.
Zhang Liunian was unaware of his third uncle's thoughts. He had just looked at the sun and realized it was getting late, and he had to deliver goods. He didn't want to waste any more time here.
"Xiao Qian, Ziteng, stop arguing with him. We still have important things to do." Zhang Liunian said, then turned and walked towards the tractor.
Du Ziteng followed closely and helped lift the lobsters to Grandpa Tang.
Zhang Qian remained unmoved. He had a hot temper.
He was already angry yesterday when Wang Xiao'e tried to snatch Brother Liunian's business. Now, Zhang Wenjun had come to Zhang Liunian's territory and was openly trying to steal it, making him wish he could just start a fight.
Hearing that Brother Liunian didn't want to deal with it anymore, he felt even more indignant. Why did everyone have to bully his good Brother Liunian?
"You old man, just wait. We won't let you have your way.
When I get home, I'll tell my dad about your shameful deeds, and let my dad deal with you." Zhang Qian didn't know that Zhang Wenjun had borrowed a bicycle from his family to come here to do business.
So, when Zhang Wenjun heard this, his expression instantly changed. He knew that if Zhang Hao found out he borrowed the bicycle to deal with Zhang Liunian, he probably wouldn't be able to borrow a bicycle tomorrow.
But it didn't matter. Even without a bicycle, they could still walk, it would just take more time.
"Go ahead? You're just a brat who runs to Dad to complain. I despise people like you the most."
"I despise people who steal their nephew's business. Disgusting."
"..."
Hearing the commotion, Grandpa Tang pulled Zhang Liunian over and asked what was going on.
"The person selling goods is my third uncle. He's selling the same food as me. My brother can't stand it, so he's helping me!" Zhang Liunian stated the facts.
Grandpa Tang, upon hearing this, realized what was happening. He then told Zhang Liunian that Zhang Wenjun had come to buy a bowl of lobster yesterday and had inquired about things.
"If I had known he was here to steal your business, I wouldn't have chatted with him yesterday." Grandpa Tang regretted his actions from yesterday.
Zhang Liunian was their family's benefactor, so how could he have harmed him?
This person was too detestable, having caused him to make such a mistake. He would spread the word about his actions and make everyone boycott him.
"It's no use. He's determined to come here and steal business. No matter what, he'll find out.
But you should watch out for him in the future." After instructing Grandpa Tang, Zhang Liunian, along with Zhang Qian, who didn't want to leave, got on the tractor.
Arriving at the machinery factory, Zhang Liunian delivered the goods, had them weighed, and received the payment.
"The food factory called and asked you to deliver two hundred catties of braised meat and six hundred catties of lobsters this afternoon." Zhao Zhijie handed the money to Zhang Liunian and relayed the call from the food factory.
Zhang Liunian smiled, took the 700 yuan, and put it in his pocket, alongside the 375 yuan from the morning, then replied with a smile, "Okay."
"Starting tomorrow, our factory will also need two hundred catties of braised meat, and the lobsters will be the same." Zhao Zhijie also confirmed his factory's order in advance to avoid looking for someone later.
One hundred catties of braised meat were far from enough for workers like them.
Zhang Liunian still smiled and agreed, "Alright!"
Zhao Zhijie continued, "The day after tomorrow is Saturday, and I'll be off for two days. If you have time, come to my house for a visit."
This was a confirmation of the intention to visit. How could Zhang Liunian refuse?
The two were nominally uncle and nephew, so they naturally had to visit each other.