Chapter 40.2

Chapter 40.2

The only other thing that can be done is to sell things. But youve seen the vegetable farmers on our street; first of all, you would have to tend to your familys land. Do you all know how to do that?

Only two people in the group said they knew.

For an era where having land was more important than owning a house, a large number of them chose to become ruffians, whom people despise and fear, simply because they didnt have land.

Oh, not quite right. Ruffians, who were once looked down upon and feared.

Everyone messily started to put forth ideas but were all rejected one by one.

By the end, everyones self-confidence was completely wiped out.

They hadnt realized until now that they, once so dashing and unrestrained, who came with the wind and went with the rain, were such losers who couldnt accomplish anything.

Finally, Liu Zi tentatively came up with an idea, Why dont we ask Shi-ge if theres any solution?

Shi-ge is the smartest and our boss, so he might be able to figure out a way out.

Everyones expression suddenly froze.

Thats right! How did we forget about Shi-ge? This time, if it wasnt for Shi-ges reminder, wed be squatting in jail right now.

Previously, I thought Shi-ge could only fight, but who knew his mind was so flexible.

Okay, Shi-ge typically comes to the county in the afternoon. Well ask him at that time to give us some advice. Then we may be able to do something about it, but if its really not possible Didnt Shi-ge say he wanted to go to Shanghai before? After all, I have nothing tying me down, I may as well go with him. Even if I have to bear hardships outside, if I follow Shi-ge, my heart will be more at ease.

At the thought of Lin Shiheng, their hearts started to settle and their facial expressions lost the previous fluster. After discussing to meet at the usual place in the afternoon, they all scattered.

Meanwhile, as time passed, the entire countryside became aware of this catch-and-release affair in the county.

The ruffians reputation was indeed quite good recently, and no one thought that the public security officers released the prisoners incorrectly. Those they have helped were happy about this, while those who had no connection with it would just idly discuss.

***

Recently, as hes preparing to leave for Shanghai, Lin Shiheng, worried that Mother Lin would be left unattended in the village and also wanting to appear friendly to the neighbors, went to the mountain and caught a few rabbits and gave them to the neighbors. When he met someone in the village who couldnt carry their water, he would also help.

Although everyone knew that he helped people because he was hoping the villagers would help look after his mother after he leaves, being helped would still leave them with some good impression of Lin Shiheng.

Before, they really didnt notice that this young man grew up to be quite energetic and that he looked pretty good when he smiles. Moreover, the most important thing is that he was quite capable. The land on his side was rather strange. Dont know if the mountain was eaten clean in the year of the disaster or because it was too close to the water source, but everyone who went up there to try to hunt down prey came back down without success; except Lin Shiheng, who once went up and brought back three rabbits, all of them mature.

Moreover, he went several times afterward and came back with a good harvest every time. Such capability Even if he couldnt earn money in Shanghai and had to come back to live, he could still live quite well just by hunting.

People will subconsciously pay attention to those who are capable, even if they had intentions in their hearts.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

With their change of heart and Lin Shihengs intention to be closer, they were soon able to genially greet each other when they meet when he walks through the village.

***

This time around, after hearing about the arrest in the city, people gathered to gossip.

She choked for a few seconds and finally changed the topic, That Did you hear about the arrests in the county?

Arrests? What arrests?

Lin Shihengs facial expression immediately tensed up. I have been in the mountains this whole time, what happened in the county?

Its nothing really, just that the boys you played with were reported, and when the public security comrades went to arrest them, they discovered it was a mistake and so released them again.

So it was like that

Lin Shihengs face relaxed again, carrying the wild games in his hand and smiled. Last time I went to the city, there was a crackdown on crime thefts and robbery. In the past, when caught, they would beat you up to teach you a lesson. Now, people that have been caught would be directly put in jail. If its too serious, they may even be executed. But my brothers are fine since they havent done those kinds of things.

Aye, we also know that. Otherwise, the public security comrades would not release them either. Im just telling you so that you wont be anxious when you hear other people muddly speaking about it.

Aye, I know. Then if theres nothing else, Ill leave first.

After waiting for Lin Shiheng to walk away, the group of people again gathered around to gossip.

***

At first, they spoke about how cruel and unpopular Old Lady Lin was, then they mention how Lin Shiheng, that young man, was really not bad. Before he looked so easy to provoke, presumably because he was an orphan with a widowed mother. The mother usually doesnt stand up for herself, if he didnt become a bit more ruthless, they would have been bullied to death.

At some point, they started talking about the arrests again.

Some people felt that being executed for stealing and robbing was too much, while others felt it was appropriate. Otherwise, peoples hard-earned money will just be stolen and taken away.

They spoke intensely but it was just a moment of interest; after a while, they all scattered to work again.

But these words have a different meaning in the ears of those with intent.

And this was Widow Zhang.

After she recovered from her injuries, she began to torment her daughter-in-law and her young granddaughter again, but not her son, yet still treated him as if his she cant look at him without feeling upset

Widow Zhang was different from the other widows who consider their only child as more important than life itself. Her husband died to save his son, a cripple who cant even take care of the fields.

Often, she would think, if only the son had died instead of the husband, then she could just give birth to another. However with her husband dead, with this crippled son around, it was difficult to even find someone else.

She was not stupid either, knowing that she only has such a son to rely on. Therefore even if she wasnt happy, she didnt display her anger on her face. At most, she would only be a little cold. When her son finally married, she took all her anger out on this daughter-in-law.

Previously, Widow Zhang fought and sprained her waist so she was in bed for a good two days. She didnt expect that just as she went out, she actually heard this.

You can be shot for stealing money?!

If Lin Shiheng didnt steal all that money, where could he have gotten it from?

This is more blackmail material.

Widow Zhang then aggressively and confidently went to the Lins.