Chapter 150 Relatives
The entire process was carried out smoothly and efficiently, clearly indicating that this was a habitual offender in handling such matters.
After everything was settled, He Shijie, holding the thick stack of waivers, smiled at the villagers and said:
"Thank you all for your hard work. Although we didn't harvest any dendrobium, I promised you one yuan a day, and I won't shortchange you. Now I'll settle the accounts with you."
The villagers were extremely grateful to He Shijie, and they all wished they could worship him like a Bodhisattva.
Once the money was paid, everyone stopped making things difficult for Gu Mansheng and Lu Huaiyuan and released them on the spot.
Yang approached He Shijie with a fawning expression: "Boss, didn't you want dendrobium? If we find some later, can we still sell them to you for five yuan a plant?"
A barely perceptible smile flashed in He Shijie's eyes as he nodded gently, "Of course. As long as there's stock, I'll buy it anytime."
After saying that, he looked at Aunt Zhou with a half-smile: "Captain, no objections, right?"
Aunt Zhou had no time for these private deals. She glanced at Yang with disdain and said coldly, "Do whatever you want. I need to go to the hospital to deal with the injured and the deceased's funeral arrangements!"
After saying that, she hurriedly left with a few key members.
He Shijie's gaze swept over the disheveled Gu Mansheng and Lu Huaiyuan, still wearing that kind smile: "Were you frightened? Are you alright?"
Gu Mansheng shook her head, still shaken: "No...it's nothing."
Lu Huaiyuan didn't dare to breathe loudly and could only shake his head in agreement.
After finishing his "household chores," He Shijie suddenly looked up, his gaze sweeping over the crowd and precisely locking onto Liu Zhixia not far away. His eyes narrowed, and then he revealed a look of sudden realization.
"This must be Miss Liu, right?"
Liu Zhixia nodded slightly, her expression calm: "Mr. He, I've heard so much about you."
He Shijie raised an eyebrow, flashing a set of white teeth, and asked in a pretentious manner, "Do we know each other?"
Liu Zhixia shook her head: "I don't know them. Anyone can say polite words."
“Interesting.” He Shijie’s smile deepened as he looked her up and down. “I’ve heard that Miss Liu’s pickled vegetables are exceptional, and people from all around are scrambling to buy them. I wonder if you would be willing to part with your recipe and sell it to me? I’ll offer a thousand.”
The entire room fell silent instantly, everyone's eyes practically bulging out of their sockets.
A thousand dollars?!
The total medical expenses compensated to the entire village today don't even amount to this! This is simply astronomical!
Liu Zhixia smiled faintly: "Boss He flatters me. This is just a simple craft that everyone knows. What secret recipe do I have? I'm a timid person and I wouldn't dare to cheat people."
He Shijie shook his finger: "No, you deserve it! People should know how to use their strengths to create wealth and make a good life for themselves and their families, right? How about this, a thousand yuan, plus a formal position in a state-owned factory, how about it?"
Now, the villagers' eyes turned red.
A thousand dollars, plus a secure job! This is a dream come true for so many people!
However, Liu Zhixia shook her head again without even thinking: "I'm sorry. My parents taught me from a young age not to lie. I don't have the recipe, and it's impossible for me to make one up and sell it to you. I have something to do, please excuse me."
After saying that, she grabbed her family and left without looking back.
A chorus of sighs of regret rose from the surrounding crowd. Yang Shi, huddled in a corner, watched Liu Zhixia's retreating figure, her face contorted with jealousy. She spat viciously, "Pretentious! Falsely aloof!"
He Shijie stared at Liu Zhixia's departing figure, the smile in his eyes instantly vanishing. He turned to Gu Mansheng and said, "I haven't visited the Lu family yet. Come on, take me to get acquainted with them."
Gu Mansheng was overjoyed and quickly led He Shijie home.
The Lu family's house was considered quite impressive in the village, but compared to He Shijie's villa, it was worlds apart.
He Shijie stood in the courtyard, looked around, and frowned slightly: "You live in this kind of dilapidated place? Can you get used to it?"
Gu Mansheng pouted, looking aggrieved: "I guess I'll just have to follow my husband wherever he goes. Besides, I've slept in the cowshed before, so what's the big deal?"
He Shijie said with a pained expression, "I thought your parents had arranged a good place for you before they left, but I never expected it to be such a terrible environment."
Lu Xiaohui, who was standing to the side, was dumbfounded.
This is the best tile-roofed house in the whole village! How could it be complained about as having a bad environment?
However, seeing He Shijie's outfit, she didn't dare to say anything, but she couldn't hide the shock on her face.
After exchanging pleasantries, He Shijie sat down, turned his gaze to Lu Huaiyuan, and his tone instantly turned cold: "What exactly happened today? I spent so much money to settle this, you have to give me an explanation, right?"
Lu Huaiyuan's heart skipped a beat, his face turned pale, and he lowered his head, not daring to breathe.
"Speak!" He Shijie's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. "Lu Huaiyuan, you can even mess up such a small matter. How can I value you in the future? How can I entrust you with important tasks?"
The Lu siblings were startled by the sudden sternness and looked at each other, neither daring to speak first.
Lu Huaiyuan chuckled and tried to justify himself: "Uncle, it's all because those peasants were so ignorant! They knew it was dangerous but still did it, and now they're blaming us for what happened. Look at the mess this has made..."
He Shijie found a chair that looked fairly clean and sat down, a mocking smile playing on his lips: "So, they're being unreasonable, and I'm being unfairly compensated?"
Just as Lu Huaiyuan was about to nod, Gu Mansheng slapped him hard across the face!
"Smack!"
"You still dare to argue?! I gave you so much money to buy the best rope, and what did you do? You bought a pile of junk! It breaks with the slightest pull. Who are you trying to kill by using this stuff to tie someone up?!"
Lu Huaiyuan covered his face, looking aggrieved: "Xiaoman, you're wronging me... How did I know the rope wasn't strong? They all looked the same..."
His voice grew softer and softer; he would rather die than admit to embezzling public funds.
But who are He Shijie and Gu Mansheng? It's obvious as soon as you hear it.
He Shijie pointed to the broken rope on the ground, his tone icy: "For such a paltry profit, I not only failed to get the dendrobium, but also lost several hundred yuan! Lu Huaiyuan, how can I entrust Xiaoman to a fool like you?"
Lu Huaiyuan panicked: "Uncle, I really don't know..."
"fart!"
He Shijie roared, and the bodyguards behind him immediately stepped forward, kicked Lu Huaiyuan to his knees, and held him down tightly.
He Shijie raised his foot and stomped hard on Lu Huaiyuan's shoulder, looking down at him condescendingly: "Short-sighted good-for-nothing! You can't even handle such a small matter! A rope that's so cheap, even a fool would know there's something wrong with it! You think I'd help you take the blame? Dream on! Your Lu family will pay for these few hundred yuan yourselves!"
Lu Xiaohui, who had been huddled to the side watching the drama unfold, screamed in terror when she heard about the compensation demand: "Boss He! Where would our family get that much money! Besides, aren't you and your sister-in-law relatives? This..."
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