Chapter 101: The Village Tyrant’s Schemes and Deceptions

The villagers stepped aside at once, their faces alight with curiosity and envy.

In Xiagwa Village, a car was indeed a rare luxury. Only a handful of families could afford one, so it naturally became a symbol of status and standing.

People guessed at the car's origin, their hearts full of wonder and admiration for its owner.

When Donglai poked his head out of the front passenger window with a swaggering grin and greeted the villagers warmly, everyone was even more astonished.

Yuxin's parents, too, showed an unusually showy side. They leaned out of the windows to exchange pleasantries with the villagers, savoring this rare moment of honor and attention.

In the past, Yuxin's parents might have felt ashamed because of their poverty and would never have dared to be so conspicuous before others.

But now they had enough confidence to reveal themselves without reservation.

This luxurious car not only marked the improvement of their family's finances, it also gave them a sense of confidence and pride they had never known before.

As the vehicle slowly rolled into the village, the people at the entrance remained stunned, unable to come back to themselves for a long time.

"Was that Old Zhu's family just now? Am I seeing things?"

Someone could not believe his own eyes and turned to the person beside him for confirmation.

"I looked twice, and I think I saw his daughter Yuxin!"

another person said in surprise.

Rumors about Yuxin had long since spread through the village. Everyone had assumed she had married into some poor mountain backwater, and some even said her husband was already dead.

Yet now it seemed those rumors had fallen apart on their own.

The villagers discussed the changes in Yuxin's family, their hearts full of confusion and curiosity.

They did not know what Yuxin had gone through, nor how she had come to live such a life.

But in any case, the transformation of her family made them feel the boundless possibilities of life, and a glimmer of hope.

"Who knows? But they drove back here in a car, so I reckon they've made it!"

one villager sighed, his tone carrying both envy and puzzlement.

Another villager, curious, asked about the car's brand and price. After all, in this small village, the chance to see a luxury car was rare indeed.

The villager, around forty years old, took out his phone and began searching carefully, his face full of concentration and curiosity.

But when he saw the result, he seemed struck by lightning. His whole body trembled, his mouth opening and closing without a sound.

This sight only made the surrounding villagers more curious, and they crowded around him.

"You're just checking a car price—why are you acting like you got electrocuted? What, this thing worth a few hundred thousand or something?"

one smoker joked half in earnest, trying to ease the tension.

But when he saw the number on the other man's phone, even he could not help but widen his eyes.

The screen clearly showed the words "Porsche, 1.68 million." To this tiny village, that number was practically astronomical.

The entire entrance fell silent in an instant. All the villagers were stunned by the figure.

They had never imagined that someone so close to them could own such an expensive vehicle.

Because the road ahead was too narrow, the car could go no farther and finally stopped by the roadside more than a hundred meters from Chunlian's home.

The doors opened, and a group of people stepped out. Yuxin's family and Li Chao all wore smiles, savoring the villagers' envious gazes.

At that moment, they felt an unprecedented sense of glory and satisfaction.

For Yuxin, all these changes had come so suddenly, and yet so naturally.

Standing at the entrance of Yuxin's home, Li Chao surveyed everything around him and already understood why Yuxin's mother had gone so angrily to argue with them.

He noticed the sharp contrast between Yuxin's single-story house and Huang Laowu's new two-story building, as well as the unreasonable design of Huang Laowu's home.

Huang Laowu's two-story house stood especially prominent in Xiagwa Village. Not only did it flaunt his financial strength, it also, in its own way, placed pressure on the neighboring households.

That pressure was not merely material; it also lay in the way Huang Laowu's family encroached on public space and ignored the lives of their neighbors.

Li Chao saw that Huang Laowu's house extended backward, invading the path used by Yuxin's family to come and go, making an already narrow lane even tighter.

Such a design not only affected the family's daily movements, it also quietly deepened the conflict between neighbors.

Even more intolerable was the fact that the drainage pipe on Huang Laowu's roof was aimed directly at Yuxin's courtyard.

This meant that whenever it rained, Yuxin's family would have to bear the torrent of water pouring down from above, a blatant and severe destruction of their living environment.

In addition, Li Chao noticed a newly cleared patch of land outside Huang Laowu's courtyard wall, enclosed with wire mesh. That plot happened to lie right along the route Yuxin's family had to take in and out.

Such an arrangement only made their difficulties worse, forcing them every time they left home either to take a long detour or pass through a cramped narrow way.

Seeing this, Yuxin was so angry her eyes turned red.

She could not understand why Huang Laowu's family would bully people so shamelessly, why they could not care for others' feelings just to protect their own interests.

She felt furious, helpless, and wronged, as though all her efforts and sacrifices had turned to dust in that instant.

Li Chao gently patted Chunlian's shoulder, offering silent comfort and support.

He knew that what Yuxin needed now was understanding and strength, not more blame or complaint.

Donglai echoed his indignation from the side, his eyes filled with dissatisfaction toward Huang Laowu's family and helplessness at their own situation.

He turned to look at Li Chao, his gaze flickering with expectation, as if hoping this new brother-in-law might bring some change for their family.

Yet Yuxin's father remained exceptionally calm and rational. He interrupted Donglai and said in a voice that was almost pleading,

"Forget it. Our family can't compare with Huang Laowu's. If we make a scene, the ones who lose in the end will still be us. Right now, the most important thing is that your sister has finally come home for a visit. We should cherish this reunion."

Li Chao looked deeply at Yuxin's father and understood the old man's worry and helplessness.

In the countryside, many farmers were accustomed to swallowing their grievances. Faced with a powerful village bully or a vicious neighbor, they often chose to keep silent, afraid of stirring up trouble.

But Li Chao knew that such cowardice would only make the other side more arrogant, more relentless in bullying them.

Still, night had already fallen, and Li Chao did not rush to act.

He planned to have a reunion meal with the family first, understand the situation in detail, and then make his move.

After all, solving a problem takes time and strategy; it cannot be done in a single step.

The family entered the courtyard, which had been tidied up fairly neatly. Though plain, it was full of the feel of everyday life.

Yuxin's mother was already busy in the kitchen, preparing dinner.

Li Chao turned on the courtyard light. The glow illuminated every corner and warmed everyone's heart.

Bathed in that light, the family sat together, savoring this rare moment of reunion.

Yuxin's father had slaughtered a chicken and, from their green vegetable patch, picked some tender cucumbers, bright red tomatoes, and fiery chilies. Everything was as fresh as could be.

Smoke curled upward, and the aroma drifting through the air was almost enough to steal a person's soul.

While the chicken simmered, Yuxin's mother pointed toward the courtyard, unable to hide the worry in her eyes.

"Look at this yard. We had it neatly arranged two years ago, thinking we'd find Donglai a good wife. But after more than a dozen matchmaking meetings, there was still no result. That marriage is still hanging in the air."

These days, times had changed. The girls had all turned their eyes toward the bustle of the county town. Who would be willing to leap into the fire pit of our poor mountain hollow?

The family sat in the yard, and once the conversation started, it would not stop. Li Chao took the chance to ask about Huang Laowu's background.

Yuxin's father puffed on his dry tobacco, his gaze drifting past the front courtyard as he sighed.

"Speaking of Huang Laowu, when he was young he was never a harmless one. He drank, chased women, gambled, and fought—he had all the vices. A proper scoundrel. And now that he's old, he still won't settle down. With four sons backing him, he runs wild in the village, a real local bully.

"As for the other three boys, they haven't caused much trouble. The important one is the fourth son. Word is he's doing very well in the county town, working as a driver for some big boss and going in and out of fancy places all the time.

"That family is basically the emperor of this village. Who'd dare go and knock against that stone?"

"If we run into them, all we can do is chalk it up as bad luck and keep the peace."

Li Chao gave a wry smile and shook his head, then changed his tone, with a touch of scorn.

"I thought he was some impressive figure. So he's just a driver."

Upon hearing this, Yuxin's father said earnestly,

"A gatekeeper to a minister is still an official of rank. Don't look down on a driver just because he's only a driver. It's a high branch he's climbed onto. People like us ought not to provoke him lightly."

After hearing this, Li Chao could only force a slight smile and say no more.

Donglai stood nearby, unable to hide the disappointment in his eyes.

He had originally thought that Li Chao, returning in a luxury car, would surely stand up for them over the way the family had been bullied. He had even imagined that Li Chao might call in friends to back them up.

But now it seemed Li Chao's reaction was far too cautious, even somewhat subdued.

His feelings were mixed and complicated, yet he had no words for them. After all, the subtlety and complexity of the matter could not be explained in a few sentences.

Soon the food was served, and the family sat in the courtyard to enjoy this homely dinner.

...

In the front courtyard, Huang Laowu was wearing a plain undershirt, sitting idly in the yard.

A cigarette was pinched between his fingers as he drew and exhaled clouds of smoke, his expression seeming to announce his overbearing rule in the village.

His real name had long been forgotten beneath the old locust tree at the village entrance. Because of the five small black moles on his face, the villagers affectionately, if a little mockingly, called him Huang Laowu.

That nickname, repeated over time, had become his personal label, and mentioning his real name now only left people blankly puzzled.

Inside the house, his three burly sons were seated around a table, passing around drinks. Laughter and clinking glasses blended into a noisy din.

Just then, a villager stepped in from outside with quick, cheerful steps and greeted Huang Laowu warmly. "Brother Huang, was dinner to your liking?"

Huang Laowu smiled and nodded in reply. He casually took a cigarette from the pack and flicked it out; it traced a graceful arc before landing neatly in the villager's hand.

He narrowed his eyes and asked in feigned nonchalance,

"Anything new going on?"

The villager took the cigarette, found a chair, and sat down. In a mysterious tone, he said,

"Hey, have you heard? Old Tie's daughter, Yuxin, has come back! And she's driving a luxury car worth more than a million. That air about her—it's something else."

"Oh?"

At those words, Huang Laowu's expression changed abruptly. His relaxed body went rigid in an instant, as though something had struck a nerve.

"Didn't they say she married off to that poor, remote place in Kaiyuan and became a widow? How did she suddenly make it big?"

The villager shook his head, equally baffled.

"Who knows? Times change fast. Maybe Yuxin made a name for herself out there."

After speaking, the villager patted Li Maze's shoulder and warned him in a meaningful tone,

"Brother Huang, you'd better take this seriously. Don't brush it off."

With that, he took his leave, leaving Li Maze alone in the chair, the tip of his cigarette glowing and dimming as if he were brooding over some heavy matter.

For most people, Yuxin's return might have been little more than village gossip, something to chew over after a meal. But for Huang Laowu, there might well be hidden currents stirring beneath the surface.

Huang Laowu silently calculated that if Yuxin had truly become prosperous as the rumors said, then for his family she would be a potential threat.

He knew well that in a small village like this, once someone broke the old balance, ripples would follow.

When the cigarette burned down, he ground out the butt with force and strode into the main room.

His eyes flashed as he kicked the bottles scattered across the floor, sending them rolling everywhere. The crisp sound of breaking glass and clinking bottles mingled together, instantly filling the room.

"Stop drinking! All of you listen to me: Yuxin from the back courtyard has come back!"

Huang Laowu's voice was low but forceful, carrying an authority that could not be ignored.

"Yuxin?"

At that, the three brothers first froze, then looked at one another and laughed, as though they had heard the greatest joke.

The eldest, face flushed red with drink and reeking heavily of alcohol, said contemptuously,

"A married daughter is water poured out. What waves could she stir by coming back?"

The second and third brothers joined in at once. The second beat his chest and barked,

"If she dares come to our house and make trouble, I'll be the first not to spare her. I'll strip off her clothes and throw her out so the whole village can see just what she's made of!"

The third laughed so hard he bent over double.

"Exactly! Since when has our Huang family ever been afraid of anyone in this village? Dad, is this really something worth getting worked up over?"

Yet when Huang Laowu repeated once more,

"I heard that this time, she came back driving a car worth more than a million,"

the air in the room seemed to freeze.

What?

Those two words landed like a heavy hammer, striking hard at the hearts of the three Huang brothers.

The smiles on their faces froze at once, and even their drunkenness seemed to clear by several degrees.

A car worth more than a million was an astronomical sum to men like them, who earned their living by brute strength in the village.

Yuxin's sudden prosperity forced them to reassess this family member they had once dismissed as an outsider.

In the village, there was an unwritten rule: judge a person by the car they drive.

To them, the value of a vehicle was often directly tied to a person's social standing and financial power.

So when they heard that Yuxin had returned in a Porsche worth over a million, their first reaction was naturally disbelief.

The second brother was the first to question it.

"Most people in the village don't know much. Could someone have seen it wrong?"

His tone carried some uncertainty, as though he were trying to convince himself to accept this sudden reality.

The eldest brother was more decisive. He stood up abruptly and decided to verify the news himself.

"Go outside and take a look, and we'll know!"

With that, he strode toward the door. Seeing this, the others followed after him at once.

A few minutes later, Huang Laowu and his three sons stood before the Porsche. What they saw left them all wide-eyed.

The sleek body, the gleaming paint, the distinctive badge—everything about it proclaimed its nobility and exceptional quality.

"What... what do we do now?"

The third brother finally broke the silence. His voice trembled a little, clearly shaken by this sudden display of luxury.

Before this, they had behaved so arrogantly in the village only because they had a bit of strength and nerve, enough to bully the weaker villagers.

But now, faced with this genuine luxury car and the possibly immense wealth behind it, they could not help feeling a little guilty.

Still, the eldest brother had some experience. He quickly adjusted his mindset and proposed a possibility.

"Don't panic! I heard some city people like to rent luxury cars just to put on airs. Maybe this one was rented by Yuxin!"

Though his words still carried some uncertainty, they were like a shot of adrenaline, making the faces of the Li family look a little better.

They exchanged glances and silently considered it.

If that were true, then there was no need to worry too much.

But if not... how were they supposed to face this family member they had once looked down upon, who had suddenly grown so powerful?

"All right, let's go back first!"

Huang Laowu's words carried a note of resolve, as though bringing this sudden storm to a temporary halt.

He was already planning that, whether Yuxin's car had been rented or not, bringing back the fourth son who had gone out into the world and become the most capable of them would at least strengthen the family's position.

As night deepened, everything in the Huang household seemed to settle back into calm. Yet at the other end of the village, the story of Chunlian and Chen Shan was quietly unfolding.

Yuxin brought Li Chao to the edge of the village, to a house on the farthest boundary. It had once been her maiden room.

Though everything had changed with time, after a thorough cleaning and tidying it still retained a trace of feminine warmth and delicacy.

"Sleep here tonight first," Yuxin said softly, her eyes revealing her care and concern for him.

She knew this sudden arrangement might be inconvenient for Li Chao, but she had already done her best to give him the best conditions she could.

At her words, warmth rose in Li Chao's heart. He looked at Yuxin, his eyes full of gratitude and tenderness.

"What about you?"

Yuxin smiled faintly and pointed outside.

"My dad is making do with a bedroll in the courtyard, and I'll keep my mom company. There are only so many rooms in the house. There's really nowhere else."

Hearing this, Li Chao could not help feeling sorry for her.

He knew all too well how limited Yuxin's family's circumstances were, and understood even more clearly the effort she had made to let him stay as comfortably as possible.

So he smiled and shook his head.

"What need is there for a bedroll? We'll just make do for one night."

At that, Yuxin's cheeks flushed lightly, yet her heart was overflowing with emotion.

She knew Li Chao was being considerate of her, and was using his own way to show her care and affection.

In that small room, the two hearts grew closer through mutual understanding and tolerance.