Xu Kuo picked up the land deed, examined it carefully, and nodded in satisfaction after confirming that there were no errors.
"Village chief, I'll be going now. Don't worry, I'll make good use of this land." After saying that, Xu Kuo turned around and left, heading straight for the village committee.
He wanted to change the ownership of the farmland as soon as possible to avoid any unforeseen complications.
The village chief watched Xu Kuo's departing figure, trembling with rage. He grabbed Tan Wang by the ear and dragged him into the house.
"You good-for-nothing! I'll beat you to death today!"
Soon, Tan Wang's pig-like screams echoed from inside the house.
Tan Wang was beaten black and blue, lying on the bed unable to move. He hated Xu Kuo to the core, gritting his teeth and vowing, "Xu Kuo, you just wait! This isn't over! I'll make you pay!"
The village chief was furious at Tan Wang's appearance, but there was nothing he could do. He sighed and warned Tan Wang, "You better behave yourself! The village chief election is coming up soon, so don't cause me any more trouble!"
Tan Wang didn't listen to the village chief at all. He turned over, turned his back to the village chief, and didn't say a word.
After a while, taking advantage of the village chief's inattention, he secretly slipped out of the house and disappeared into the night...
Xu Kuo, clutching the heavy land deed, went straight home.
As soon as I entered, Jiang Xiuying greeted me with a hint of doubt in her eyes: "Honey, what's wrong with you being so excited?"
"Got it!" Xu Kuo waved the land deed in his hand, his face full of undisguised pride.
He handed the land deed to Jiang Xiuya and briefly explained the bet he made with Tan Wang.
Jiang Xiuying took the land deed, examined it carefully, and after confirming that it was correct, her brows furrowed: "This land... is it really the one you won in the bet with Tan Wang?"
"Is that a lie?" Xu Kuo plopped down on the stool, picked up the bowl, and gulped down several mouthfuls of cold water.
Jiang Xiuying looked worried and placed the land deed on the table: "Aren't you afraid the village chief will come after you? He's a petty person!"
Xu Kuo wiped his mouth and waved his hand dismissively: "What's there to be afraid of? The leadership transition is in a few days, what can he possibly do? Besides, with this written bet in black and white, if he dares to renege on it, I'll report him to the township!"
Jiang Xiuying was still worried, but seeing Xu Kuo's confident demeanor, she could only suppress her concerns.
Xu Kuo, however, was preoccupied with something else. With the land secured, vegetable production would undoubtedly increase significantly, and he and Niu Erbao alone wouldn't be able to handle the workload. He needed to find a way to fully unleash Niu Erbao's potential.
"That kid Erbao is nimble and clever now. Why don't we... let him try selling vegetables in the town by himself?" Xu Kuo pondered, and the more he thought about it, the more feasible the idea seemed.
Meanwhile, Tan Wang was limping towards the town.
He was seething with rage, wishing he could tear Xu Kuo apart alive. This was a huge embarrassment; not only had he lost the land, but he'd also received a severe beating from the village chief. He couldn't swallow this insult!
"Xu Kuo, you bastard, I'm not done with you!" Tan Wang gritted his teeth and quickened his pace.
He was going to the township to find Shi Jixing and discuss a plan. Tan Wang knew that Shi Jixing had always wanted to deal with Xu Kuo, and this was the perfect opportunity!
Tan Wang hurried along the way and finally arrived at Shi Jixing's office.
Upon entering, one could see Shi Jixing sitting behind his desk, his face so gloomy it seemed to drip water.
Shi Jixing hadn't made any extra money from the market for over a month, and he was incredibly anxious, like a cat on a hot tin roof. Without this extra income, he was penniless and couldn't even afford cigarettes!
"Secretary Shi, you have to stand up for me!" Tan Wang said with a mournful face as soon as he entered the door, and began to complain.
Shi Jixing stood in front of Tan Wang, took a deep breath, as if he had made some kind of do-or-die decision.
"Tan Wang, there's something I need to tell you."
Tan Wang was slightly taken aback, and subconsciously asked, "What's wrong?"
"I've found you a job. It's a bit far from the village, but at least you can make a living there."
Starting tomorrow, please don't come to my market anymore.
If Xu Kuo continues to cause trouble like this, the market will have no choice but to close down.
Upon hearing this, Tan Wang instantly turned red with embarrassment: "Secretary Shi, you can't abandon me! I...I..."
The words were on the tip of his tongue when he suddenly remembered that he had lost the land bet. If Shi Jixing found out, he would definitely be looked down upon, so he swallowed them back.
"Secretary Shi, don't worry! I, Tan Wang, am no pushover!" Tan Wang gritted his teeth and said fiercely, "I have a way to bring the vegetable market back to life!"
Upon hearing this, Shi Jixing immediately became interested: "Oh? What brilliant idea do you have?"
A sly glint flashed in Tan Wang's eyes: "I...I also got my hands on some top-quality vegetables, no less than Xu Kuo's!"
Shi Jixing was overjoyed: "Really? If you really have good vegetables, that will solve a huge problem! Here's what we'll do: tomorrow you'll go to the most conspicuous stall at the entrance of the market and sell your vegetables. I want to see who dares to say that the market I, Shi Jixing, manage is no good!"
Shi Jixing acted swiftly and decisively, immediately setting about the arrangements, as if he could already see the bustling market and the influx of wealth.
Tan Wang left the office, his heart pounding like a rabbit's.
He was just speaking carelessly in a moment of panic; he didn't have any good dishes to offer.
The vegetables in Xu Kuo's field were all fresh and tender, clearly carefully tended, and I had no idea how to prepare them.
Tan Wang was so anxious that he scratched his head and cheeks. Suddenly, his eyes lit up and a wicked idea popped into his head: "Xu Kuo's field has plenty of vegetables. If I go and steal some, I shouldn't get caught, right?"
As night fell, Tan Wang stealthily approached Xu Kuo's farmland.
Under the dim moonlight, the vegetables in the field were lush and green, growing very well and making one's mouth water.
Tan Wang swallowed hard, grabbed a sack, and started pulling up vegetables.
He specifically targeted the largest and best pieces, and in no time, he had filled the entire truck.
Tan Wang was panicking, afraid of being caught red-handed. After picking the vegetables, he pushed his cart to the market overnight.
Before dawn, Tan Wang arrived at the entrance of the vegetable market.
He parked his car in the most conspicuous spot, his heart pounding like a drum.
On the other side, Xu Kuo and Niu Erbao got up early, packed their bags, and prepared to go to the vegetable market.
Xu Kuo planned to have a good talk with Niu Erbao today and let him sell vegetables on his own in the future.
"Erbao, what do you think..." Xu Kuo was about to speak when the door of the vegetable market creaked open slowly.
Xu Kuo and Niu Erbao were stunned for a moment.
"Why are you opening so early today?" Niu Erbao scratched his head, looking puzzled.
The next second, Xu Kuo's gaze was drawn to a figure at the entrance of the vegetable market—Tan Wang!
He had already set up his stall there. Xu Kuo frowned, his gaze sweeping over the fresh vegetables on Tan Wang's stall, a question forming in his mind: Why do these vegetables look so familiar?
He strode forward and demanded sternly, "Tan Wang, where did you get these vegetables?"
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