Zhang Cheng stared at the large, striped tiger in the distance, lazily poking at a pheasant with its paws, and felt a chill run down his spine.

These villagers are too carefree.

That's a tiger, a ferocious beast that eats people! Have you forgotten how it tore those poachers to pieces and swallowed them whole?

Zhang Weiguo leaned closer and lowered his voice:

"Brother Dog, 'Big Sister' really doesn't bite."

Yesterday, that silly boy Shanwa went and touched its butt, but 'Big Sister' just moved away and ignored him completely.

A group of ruthless people! Zhang Cheng, too lazy to dwell on the matter any longer, raised his voice and said:

"I brought some things back from the county. Fellow villagers who helped me, come and share them!"

Upon hearing this, the old village chief immediately beamed, pulled out three hundred and sixty-five yuan from his pocket, and said in a loud voice:

"All the villagers who helped Er Gouzi get a loan last time, come over! Er Gouzi has paid back the money, so everyone will get a five-yuan bonus, plus rice and flour!"

The crowd immediately erupted in uproar.

"I knew Er Gouzi was reliable. The money's back in just a few days!"

"Ergouzi, I'm glad I could help you! Forget about the money!"

One of the men declined.

Zhang Cheng simply stuffed the money into his hand:

"Uncle, let's keep things separate."

Some people also muttered sourly:

"We didn't help with the loan, but we did go to the county town with them; they brought rice and flour..."

Zhang Cheng acted as if he hadn't heard anything, beckoning to the villagers who had helped him, and headed straight for the consignment shop.

Inside the consignment shop, six porters were slurping down noodles.

Aunt Hua excitedly untied the burlap sacks one by one, revealing snow-white rice and flour.

Hearing the noise, Aunt Hua quickly came out to greet them.

"Uncle Zhaocai, Weiguo, lend a hand in distributing the grain."

"Village chief, please distribute money to everyone!"

Zhang Cheng made the arrangements quickly.

"Okay!"

"Line up properly, don't push!"

The old village chief maintained order.

In no time, the entrance to the consignment store was filled with thanks and praise.

Zhang Cheng had a smile on his face; this feeling of being recognized was indeed quite nice.

Those who did not contribute stood at a distance, whispering among themselves.

"Tch, didn't we also run errands for them when they went to the county? Now look what's happened, we don't get any benefits at all."

"Exactly! I even helped him move his things when he moved! He's such an ungrateful wretch."

An old woman pursed her lips.

"Hmph, using the villagers' money for speculation and profiteering, he'll be in jail sooner or later!"

A man lowered his voice, but his tone was full of schadenfreude.

They didn't know exactly what Zhang Cheng had done, but that didn't stop them from speculating with the worst possible intentions.

"Let's go, let's go, what's there to see?"

"It's just five yuan for a few pounds of rice and flour, who cares!"

Before long, the villagers, having received their reward, dispersed contentedly.

The porters each received five cents as payment and left Zhangjia Village.

Inside the store, Zhang Cheng, the old village chief, Zhang Jucai, and several others sat around the stove.

Zhang Jucai was curious:

"Er Gouzi, what big deal are Da Nao and Jian Hao doing for you in the county?"

"Selling clothes."

"The two of them?"

Zhang Jucai's lips twitched.

"Those two blockheads, they'd be lucky if they didn't get sold out and still help count the money."

Aunt Hua was displeased and glared at her:

"Zhao Cai, you can't say that! Er Gouzi can use Big Head, which means Big Head has the ability!"

"Yes, yes, I misspoke, I deserve a slap!"

Zhang Jucai quickly changed his tune, realizing he had been tactless; Zhang Da Nao's mother was right in front of him.

Zhang Cheng distributed cigarettes to everyone and smiled slightly.

"As long as they are willing to learn, Big Head Bro and Sword Master can definitely succeed."

"Er Gouzi has good taste!"

Aunt Hua felt relieved to hear this.

The old village chief took a drag of his cigarette:

"Er Gouzi, when are you going back to the county?"

"I won't go for now."

"Oh? Business is shut down in the county?"

"Okay, I'll leave the clothing store to them and take a break."

Zhang Cheng gave a vague answer.

"Then, when we start work in the spring..."

"No."

Zhang Cheng shook his head.

He doesn't have the time to plant fruit trees, dig ditches, or build roads.

As the group was chatting, Zhang Cheng's mother rushed into the store like a gust of wind.

She caught sight of Zhang Cheng by the stove, her face contorted with rage, and without a word, she raised her withered claws and slashed at Zhang Cheng's face.

"Sister-in-law, what are you doing!"

"Mr. Ming, stop!"

Everyone was shocked.

Zhang Cheng frowned, suddenly stood up, and narrowly avoided the attack.

"You heartless beast! If you hadn't cursed my grandson, he wouldn't be dead! I'll fight you to the death!"

My mother pounced on me again, like a madwoman.

Aunt Hua reacted quickly and grabbed her in a hug.

The old village chief's face darkened, and he rebuked:

"Old Ming, what nonsense are you spouting! The child is gone, how can you blame Er Gouzi! You're getting senile!"

"I don't care! It's him! This ingrate killed my grandson!"

Zhang Cheng looked at his mother, who was throwing a tantrum in Aunt Hua's arms, with a sullen face, and a nameless anger surged to his head.

At this moment, Old Zhang arrived with a complicated expression and growled at his mother:

"Have you made enough of a scene? If you have, go back and cook!"

No matter how fierce my mother is, she's afraid of Old Zhang getting angry, and she immediately wilted.

Old Zhang grabbed her arm, and without saying goodbye to the others, dragged her outside.

"well!"

The old village chief sighed heavily.

"It's tough on Er Ya too."

Meanwhile, inside the old house.

Zhang Zoushan and Li Dali pushed open the door and sat down by the stove.

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