Chapter Thirty-One: The Truth Revealed

When Liu Yueyu finally paid off all the debts, the relatives looked at Shen Guodong with mixed emotions. Where had this fellow managed to earn so much money? Over a thousand yuan, all repaid just like that! It was simply unimaginable.

“Second Brother, here’s your fifty yuan; Guodong said to give you twenty yuan as interest.” Liu Yueyu handed fifty yuan to her second sister-in-law, who snorted, “You gave ten yuan interest for a ten-yuan loan, but we lent you fifty and you’re only offering twenty yuan in interest?”

Liu Yueyu felt a bit embarrassed at these words. She turned to Shen Guodong, hoping he would give a definitive answer. After all, he was the backbone of the family; if he didn’t speak, she dared not decide on her own.

“Yueyu, just return the fifty yuan to Second Brother’s family; don’t give any interest!” Shen Guodong lit up a cigarette and stood, speaking calmly. “What I give you is out of kindness; what I don’t give is out of duty. Don’t be too greedy in life.”

Liu Yueyu was taken aback, not expecting Shen Nanfeng to make such a decision. It was a bit beyond her expectations, and for a moment she didn’t know how to respond. But since Shen Guodong had spoken, she could only comply.

“Second Sister-in-law, this money is Guodong’s earnings. Sorry,” Liu Yueyu apologized.

Zhang Mulan and Liu Jianjun immediately exploded. “What’s that supposed to mean? Everyone else who lent you money got interest, but we lent you fifty yuan and you’re not giving a single penny of interest?” Zhang Mulan protested furiously.

“What I give you is kindness, what I don’t give is duty. When we borrowed money, wasn’t that what you said?” Shen Guodong was not one to forget grievances; this woman had said exactly that before. For fifty yuan, he’d been humiliated beyond measure. If not for the money, when had Shen Guodong ever suffered such indignity?

“You!” Zhang Mulan was trembling with rage, unable to utter a word.

This was precisely the effect Shen Guodong sought. He sneered. He remembered those who treated him well and repaid kindness with kindness, vengeance with vengeance.

That was definitely what Shen Guodong intended to do.

“Yueyu, Big Brother lent us over five hundred yuan; give him a thousand,” Shen Guodong continued.

At this, Liu Yueyu’s expression changed. That seemed a bit too much—five hundred yuan in interest!

Liu Jianguo quickly interjected, “Guodong, that won’t do. Just repay what you owe. I never expected you to return extra; I just want you both to live well, that’s what makes me happy as your elder brother.”

Shen Guodong smiled. “It’s fine, Big Brother. It’s not much money, just a small matter for me. If I want to earn, I can do so anytime!”

Shen Guodong spoke with absolute confidence, beyond question.

Hearing this, Liu Jianguo said no more. Since Shen Guodong spoke like that, it showed he was fully confident. Otherwise, he’d never joke about money. In the past, money was his lifeblood; he’d sacrifice his pride for a few yuan.

The others stared, unable to believe it—what had Shen Guodong done to suddenly become so wealthy?

Chen Gantian, always proud of being the richest among these relatives, now wore a stiff expression. Jealousy had completely transformed his demeanor. The look on his face was one of shock, almost beyond measure.

This fellow… That jealousy seemed to drive him mad.

Suddenly, he realized the crux of the matter and his lips curled into a cold smile. “Shen Guodong, looks like you’re quite impressive now!”

“Just average, not particularly impressive, but maybe a bit better than you,” Shen Guodong replied with a slight smile.

Chen Gantian was instantly infuriated. This guy dared say such things to his face—wasn’t that enough to make anyone laugh? Did he really think he was so remarkable?

“Alright, kid, you think you’re so great, but your mother-in-law’s leg was broken and you didn’t do anything about it. Here you are bragging to me—who do you think you are?” Chen Gantian sneered relentlessly.

He finally voiced what everyone was thinking.

Liu Yueyu’s face changed dramatically. “Mom, is that true? Who hit you? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’s nothing serious. It’s all been resolved now, so you don’t need to worry,” Zhang Ailian sighed. She least wanted her daughter to know, since Liu Yueyu’s life was already hard enough. How could she add to her burdens?

“Big Brother, who did it?” Shen Guodong wasn’t one to let things slide. He looked at the man before him and spoke calmly.

“Don’t worry about it. Their family is powerful; we can’t compete. Better to avoid trouble. It’s all in the past now,” Liu Jianguo sighed.

Chen Gantian, eager for chaos, chimed in, “Since Shen Guodong thinks he’s so capable, tell him. He feels so great—let him handle it.”

He sneered, “You know the Wang family at the head of the village? They’ve got connections with the underworld. Would you dare offend them?”

“The Wang family at the village head?” Shen Guodong smiled faintly. So what if they’re connected? Does that give them the right to beat people at will?

With this, Shen Guodong said nothing more. Since they’d made a move, he would have to settle the score. At the very least, he needed a reasonable explanation for his side.

Having learned what happened, Shen Guodong understood that the dispute was over irrigation water. The Liu family’s field was slightly higher up and should have waited for their water to accumulate before releasing it downstream. But Old Wang, brute and domineering, released the water early, leaving Liu’s field unable to fill up. Zhang Ailian went to reason with him, but Old Wang, arrogant and violent, hit her. With the Wang family’s influence, they dared not protest and had to swallow the insult in silence.