"Brother Li, you're here too!"

In front of so many people, Xing Guodong naturally couldn't call him "benefactor," so he just kept calling him "brother" with a big smile.

The two started chatting as if no one else was around.

Zhou's mother pulled Zhou Jun over and lowered her voice, "Jun, who is this young man?"

Zhou Jun glanced at Li Weidong and felt that he looked somewhat familiar.

Suddenly, he slapped his thigh: "Isn't this Li Weidong, the mushroom seller from Taohuayu Village?"

"Why is he here when we're not even related?"

Mr. Zhou quickly said, "No matter how he got here, he knows these policemen so well. They're from the same village, they can't just stand by and watch us get arrested, can they?"

"Have him put in a good word for me!"

I think so!

Zhou Jun nodded.

Just then, Li Weidong and Xing Guodong finished their chat.

"Then I won't delay your business any longer."

Li Weidong waved his hand and said to Li Xiaoli, "Lili, we didn't get to eat at this feast, so we should go home now."

Li Xiaoli panicked: "Then little..."

"Little brat, come home!"

Li Weidong pulled her out the door.

Xing Guodong then looked at the Zhou family and said, "You should all come back to the police station with us now!"

Zhou's parents exchanged a glance and stepped forward simultaneously, pleading on the surface but actually trying to stall Xing Guodong.

Zhou Jun rushed out and grabbed Li Weidong.

"What are you doing?"

Li Weidong looked bewildered.

Zhou Jun clasped his hands together, his face full of pleading: "Brother Weidong, we're practically from the same village, and who knows, if we go back a few generations, we're even relatives!"

"Look at the mess we've made today, the wedding can't be held, and my whole family is going to be arrested. You know the police, can you put in a good word for us?"

As he spoke, he began to bow.

Li Weidong frowned, looking troubled: "I only know the police. They're on official business. What right do I, a mere commoner, have to speak?"

Zhou Jun immediately said, "I won't let you help me for nothing, I'll pay you! Just name your price, as long as you can help solve this problem, money is no object!"

Losing money is better than going to jail!

Li Weidong laughed: "Since you know me, you should know what I do. Do you think I'm short of money?"

Li Xiaoli stood to the side, trying to speak several times but was stopped by Li Weidong, making her anxious and pacing around in circles.

What's going on here, bro?

Zhou Jun was also anxious, his eyes darting around, when suddenly an idea struck him: "How about this, I'll marry my sister to you, and then we'll be family. Brother-in-law, you can't just watch our family suffer, can you?"

Li Xiaoli's eyes widened suddenly.

This works?!

Li Weidong's face darkened: "What do you mean? The police are here to arrest us for this. If you marry your sister to me, aren't you just setting me up for failure?!"

Zhou Jun was dumbfounded.

Just then, Zhou's father came out.

He had overheard their conversation, and now he came out to explain: "No, no, it's just an engagement!"

"How about an engagement? We can get married when Ono is old enough. My daughter is beautiful, you won't lose out!"

Li Xiaoli's eyes widened even more.

Things were developing in ways that were increasingly beyond her expectations.

Li Weidong shook his head again: "No way! I don't plan to get married right now. Besides, all my money is in business, and I can't afford a bride price..."

"No bride price needed!"

Both Zhou's father and son, Zhou Jun, said in unison, "As long as you help resolve this matter, our family won't accept a single penny of betrothal gifts! When Xiao Ye turns twenty, you just need to come and pick her up; we won't ask for a single penny from you!"

Anyway, he's a money-losing good-for-nothing, and he's disobedient. Now he's become a hot potato, so we need to get rid of him as soon as possible.

Li Weidong pretended to be deep in thought.

The Zhou father and son were extremely anxious.

If we wait any longer, the police might actually arrest us!

Zhou's father gritted his teeth and stamped his foot: "How about I give some more dowry money?"

Li Weidong then spoke up: "No need for a dowry. After all, she's Lili's classmate, so I'll help you out this time!"

Then he added, "Just one thing: after the engagement, Ono will be mine. Although she will still be raised in your family, your family is not allowed to mistreat her anymore, and she must continue her studies."

He raised his chin, his face full of arrogance: "I will not marry an illiterate person."

Mr. Zhou nodded hurriedly: "Of course, of course, don't worry, if this girl can get into university, that's fine too!"

As soon as he said that, he realized something was wrong and chuckled awkwardly, "So, once I turn twenty, I can marry into the family, and the money for my university education... well, you'll have to pay for that, son-in-law, right?"

These days, it costs a lot of money to support a college student!

Li Weidong smiled and nodded, saying, "Of course, just treat her well."

Then, amidst the grateful gazes of the Zhou father and son, they returned to their courtyard.

Xing Guodong was giving orders to his men to prepare to arrest someone.

Li Weidong went up to them and said in front of everyone, "Brother Xing, the groom has run away and the wedding is off. I just gave them a talking-to, and they won't do it again."

"Please give me some face today and let's just let this matter drop!"

The people around gasped.

It's impressive that someone would dare to talk to the police like that!

The Zhou family looked at Li Weidong with admiration, while anxiously awaiting Xing Guodong's answer.

Xing Guodong came here today at Li Weidong's request to help put on a show.

Now that Li Weidong had spoken, he immediately said, "Since Brother Li has already spoken, then let's just forget about it!"

After saying that, he glanced at the Zhou family again: "Let it go today, but it's hard to say next time. If I find out that you've married off your daughter who's not old enough again, then nobody's face will be saved!"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!