While carrying the offerings up the mountain, Xiao Penghui overheard Li Hongying chatting with his wife, saying that Xiao Cheng had married a kind-hearted young wife, but he didn't believe that Xiao Cheng would be so short-sighted as to be held back by a mere woman.
"A good man should have ambitions beyond his hometown. Once he makes a lot of money, anywhere can be his home," Xiao Penghui continued to persuade him.
Several members of the Xiao family who had come back with him were also making grand promises, telling Xiao Cheng that he could make a lot of money outside.
The implication is that staying in a small town is a dead end and a waste of potential, while having money means you'll have women wherever you go.
Men without money are looked down upon everywhere. They can't even be in the first group when they return to their village to pay respects to their ancestors. When the elderly in the village see them coming back by bus, they are all smiles.
I was overjoyed. On the way up the mountain, many elders asked us to help guide the younger generation.
Those who make a lot of money and return home bring honor to their ancestors; those who don't make money and don't achieve anything significant lose face when they return to worship their ancestors, and the village chief won't even offer them tea.
Being personally received by the head of the Xiao family when returning to their hometown to pay respects to their ancestors made Xiao Penghui and his companions feel incredibly honored. They were somewhat vain and spoke with a touch of arrogance.
Xiao Cheng just smiled and didn't say anything.
He disdained pretense and saw no need for it.
The South City is rife with problems and chaos. The real estate and commercial streets are controlled by local tyrants; the casinos, nightclubs, and entertainment industry are He Yongli's territory; and the canal, docks, sand and gravel pits, floating dance halls, and security businesses are in the hands of big bosses.
Li Chengbin was also in charge of governing along the river. The sand and gravel pits in the Pingcheng area were all somewhat related to Li Chengbin. The powerful figure behind him has always been a mystery in Nanshi.
The last shotgun incident has only recently come to light.
The big boss is based in Nanshi, and his influence extends far. He has already infiltrated and controlled several small counties around Pingcheng, and now he has his eyes on Pingcheng. Sooner or later, he will go to war with Li Chengbin.
Facing off against Li Chengbin, Da San will definitely not sit idly by, and another fierce battle will ensue.
If you want to open a road in Nanshi, you either have to collude with the four major giants or eliminate them.
Otherwise, going to Nanshi to make a living is just getting by; if your business gets too big, you'll be controlled and never have a chance to rise to the top.
To venture into this territory without any power is tantamount to suicide.
Xiao Cheng looked at the girl wearing a straw hat under the tree, his dark eyes gradually reflecting the light. He needed to find a way out, not to go and die. There were more opportunities for development in other places than in Nanshi.
Seeing his stubbornness, Xiao Penghui shook his head and sighed: "We're all from the Xiao family. Uncles and elders are just a matter of seniority. Let me say a few more words to you. Think it over carefully whether you want to live a good life or continue to live a hard life."
"We won't say much more. If you go to Nanshi, just let us know in advance. Uncle will definitely treat you to good food and drinks. We can discuss anything together as a family of the Xiao family."
"As long as you don't find Uncle Liu too long-winded."
Xiao Penghui quickly reverted to his elder's tone, displaying not only the shrewdness he displayed when discussing business, but also a touch of warmth.
Xiao Cheng had no choice but to respond, trying to get something for himself: "No, what Sixth Uncle said makes sense."
Having already started with "Fifth Aunt" last time, it wasn't difficult for Xiao Cheng to address him as "Sixth Uncle" this time.
As a result, Xiao Penghui thought his words of comfort had worked because he saw how enthusiastic the man was.
They started rambling on and on, making empty promises and drawing grandiose conclusions.
Xiao Cheng: "..."
Under the lush tree, Bai Lu and Xiao Wei massaged their calves for a while before leaning against the tree to rest.
Suddenly, voices came from behind.
"Hey, do you have a lot of chestnuts stored up at home? We'll buy them all, no matter how many you have."
The person being questioned was probably the eighth in his generation, and he read it out in a rough, unrefined voice.
The person who was called a gossip spoke angrily: "What gossip? The Xiao family children who were weeding and hoeing around here were all calling me grandma, didn't you hear them?!"
"Everyone is helping our ancestors clear the weeds, what are you doing wandering around! Buying chestnuts? Don't you know what season it is? The chestnut flowers haven't even bloomed yet, where are you going to get chestnuts? Are you daydreaming?"
"Weren't you back in your hometown to pay respects to your ancestors? You haven't even lit the incense yet and you're already talking about money in front of them? Are you desperate for money? Whose daughter are you? I want to see what kind of parents could raise such an ill-mannered daughter!"
Li Shuixian ran away, her face flushed with embarrassment after being scolded.
As he ran past a big tree, he saw Bailu laughing gleefully. He was instantly enraged and sneered, "If I can't get any chestnuts, neither can you!"
"You heard what they said, right? There are no chestnuts on Xiao Family Mountain. You came all this way for nothing with your pregnant belly, and you still won't get any business. You'll just be waiting to die poor!"
Bai Lu crossed her arms and continued laughing: "You sold your dark, unappealing coke?"
Li Shuixian choked, her chest heaving violently with anger, unable to utter a word.
Xiao Wei readily agreed, "No, I even saw the pig boss carrying a butcher knife to return the goods yesterday."
Is business really that bad?
Bai Lu looked exaggeratedly shocked and sympathetic: "They can't even make back their costs, won't they go bankrupt?"
Li Shuixian was about to launch a tirade when Xiao Wei spoke first: "Whether it's a loss or not, I don't know, we might go broke."
Bai Lu covered her mouth and laughed so hard she was shaking.
Li Shuixian was furious: "Who can have a smooth run on their first business venture? My first batch of roasted chestnuts was a little off, but the second batch was much better than yours, and my business was a thousand times better!"
"Eight...Grandma doesn't have any chestnuts, but other people definitely do. Once I buy them all, you'll be starving and going back with a belly full of filth!"
Upon hearing that his elder brother's child had been slandered, Xiao Wei angrily retorted, "You're the one full of filth!"
You're covered in filth!
Li Shuixian was furious. She took a few big steps forward and raised her hand to slap Xiao Wei.
Unexpectedly, Bai Lu grabbed her hand and, just like last time in the vegetable garden, casually threw her to the ground.
Eat a mouthful of rotten leaves and roots.
"Ptooey! Ptooey, ptooey..." Li Shuixian spat out the filth. Her wrist, which had been pinned down, was so painful that she couldn't move it. She could only support her plump body with one hand and scramble to her feet.
The Xiao family members, who were clearing weeds nearby, all turned to look when they heard the commotion. Dozens of eyes stared at Li Shuixian, their curious gazes sharp as knives.
Li Shuixian gritted her teeth and could only swallow the bitter pill.
He patted off the withered leaves and twigs stuck to his floral-patterned coat, then looked up and glared at Bai Lu with a sinister look.
He whispered menacingly, "You just wait!"
"Wait for what?"
Xiao Cheng walked over carrying a shovel, speaking coldly and with a face so gloomy and terrifying that it could frighten a three-year-old to tears. The drizzle that fell on his shoulder was instantly reduced to ashes.
Without saying a word, Li Shuixian turned and ran.
She was running too fast and didn't see the road clearly. She crashed into a tree trunk and was dragged away by her husband before she fainted.
Xiao Cheng walked towards Bai Lu, reaching into his coat pocket. When he came out, his palm was covered in a golden hue.
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