Chapter Thirty-Four: Chen Gantian's Regret

This man was someone Shen Guodong had met before! It was none other than the buzz-cut Brother Wang.

As a trusted confidant of Bald Brother, Brother Wang held considerable authority in everyone’s eyes. That was why, at this moment, so many people stepped forward to explain the situation to him.

“Brother Wang, this kid kicked your uncle’s door to pieces. We were all inside eating, and he pulled a stunt like that—he clearly doesn’t have any respect for us.”

“We’re asking him to pay three thousand as compensation—surely that’s not unreasonable!”

“This guy, if he wants to go looking for trouble, there ought to be a limit. I finally understand now, he’s not just reckless, he’s out to get himself killed. If we don’t teach him a lesson, who knows how much worse he’ll get treated in the future.”

One after another, people began to list Shen Guodong’s transgressions. It was obvious that, since Old Wang was Brother Wang’s uncle, he’d erupt in anger—three thousand might not even be enough to settle the matter.

When Chen Gantian and the others saw Brother Wang arrive, their smiles grew broader.

“Wang Ping! One of Bald Brother’s most capable men, notorious for protecting his own—Shen Guodong’s really met his match this time.”

“Isn’t that the truth? He’s just asking for it!”

“There’s a good show coming—when Heaven wishes to destroy someone, it first lets them go mad with arrogance. That’s why Shen Guodong got a bit of money and immediately let it go to his head.”

Voices overlapped in a chorus of anticipation. No one believed Shen Guodong could escape unscathed.

At these words, Brother Wang’s face darkened instantly. Someone had dared to cause trouble at his uncle’s house—were they tired of living? But when he followed everyone’s gaze and saw that the culprit was Shen Guodong, his expression froze.

Shen Guodong? What was he doing here? Could the person they were talking about really be him?

“Xiaoping, let me tell you, this guy treats you as if you’re nothing. He knew I was your uncle, but still came looking for trouble and even kicked down my door. Have you ever heard of such a person?”

Old Wang wailed his grievances.

Wang Ping had grown up without a father; it was his uncle who had raised him. For that reason, Wang Ping was especially filial—anything that affected his uncle’s family, he treated as if it were his own, sometimes even more seriously than his own affairs.

With his uncle complaining like this, Shen Guodong was surely doomed.

But to Old Wang’s surprise, Wang Ping didn’t fly off the handle this time. Instead, he looked at Shen Guodong with a hint of respect and said, “Brother Shen, what brings you here? Is there some misunderstanding with my uncle’s family? We’re all one of us here—there’s no need for things to get so tense.”

“One of us? A misunderstanding, Brother Wang? I don’t think that’s the case. Here’s what happened: The water for your uncle’s rice field has to pass through my mother-in-law’s field. Normally, you’re supposed to fill the upper field before letting the water flow down, but your uncle drained the water from my mother-in-law’s field for his own. Once his field was full, my mother-in-law’s was left dry. When she confronted your uncle, he broke her leg—she’s still bedridden. I want an explanation. In my anger, I kicked down the rotten wooden door. Now your uncle wants me to pay three thousand, claiming it’s imported. Brother Wang, you tell me—should I pay? If you say I should, I’ll do whatever it takes to raise the money.”

Shen Guodong’s smile was cold and biting.

With things at this point, there was nothing more to be said.

Brother Wang’s pupils contracted slightly. Shen Guodong was clearly forcing him to make a decision. The fault obviously lay with his uncle—taking someone else’s water was already wrong, and to break the woman’s leg was intolerable by any standard.

No one could accept that!

Brother Wang was now put in a difficult position, unsure what to do.

“Xiaoping, why are you bothering to talk to this punk? Who does he think he is? In this city, who’s tougher than Bald Brother? You’re his right-hand man—you’ve got nothing to be afraid of!” Old Wang snapped coldly.

“Enough!” Wang Ping snapped, angered. He knew all too well how his uncle abused his position to bully others—but in the past, he could smooth things over, so he’d turned a blind eye. But Shen Guodong was someone Bald Brother valued highly, instrumental in Bald Brother’s transformation into a businessman and a wealthy man—though the results weren’t visible yet. Ever since they’d spoken, Bald Brother saw Shen Guodong as almost a divine figure. Unless Shen Guodong failed, Wang Ping could never compare in Bald Brother’s eyes!

Old Wang was stunned. Eyes wide, he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. Wang Ping had always respected him—now he was being dismissed?

“Xiaoping, have you forgotten who raised you? I toiled to bring you up, and now when I’m in trouble, this is how you treat me?” Old Wang said angrily.

But when these words came out, Wang Ping only grew more bitter. “Uncle, I’m doing this for your own good. Brother Shen is someone even Bald Brother relies on. In Bald Brother’s eyes, I’m nothing compared to him.”

At those words, everyone was dumbstruck.

How could this be? Shen Guodong had ties to Bald Brother, the city’s most formidable figure? Who could believe it?

In an instant, shock registered on every face—they could hardly accept it as reality.

Shen Guodong commanded such status?

Brother Wang’s men were filled with terror and relief. Thank goodness they hadn’t tried to rough up Shen Guodong—otherwise, they’d be finished.

But even so, the words they had already spoken were enough to fill them with dread.

Chen Gantian and his relatives were equally stunned.

Had they heard right? Thinking it over, it did make sense—how else could Shen Guodong have made so much money so quickly? Could it all be thanks to Bald Brother?

A wave of regret swept through them. To think they had failed to cozy up to someone like Shen Guodong—what a mistake!

But none felt true fear like Chen Gantian. His face turned ashen, barely able to stand. He couldn’t comprehend what was happening.

Why had things turned out this way? He had just thoroughly offended Shen Guodong—didn’t that mean his own fate was now sealed? Chen Gantian nearly lost his footing.

But in this world, there is no medicine for regret.