Wu Baoan had watched Erdanzi grow up since he was a child. Although Erdanzi was a little slow-witted, he was not a bad person and had never done anything petty or despicable.
Seeing him crying so pitifully, her heart softened immediately. "Speak up if you have something to say, or shut up. I'm ashamed for you!"
"Okay, okay, I'll talk nonsense, no, no, I'll tell you right now."
Erdanzi calmed himself down a bit before speaking again.
"You have no idea how much trouble I've been suffering these days. Those two, Liang Fugui and his wife, are truly despicable. They're obsessed with money, and they're green with envy seeing Qingya making so much money."
In order to also make white sugar, Liang Fugui had his wife seduce me. She really went all over me, pulling and dragging me around, and her eyes were practically drooling over me.
As someone who's been a bachelor for over twenty years, how could I possibly stand this?
Liang's seduction made me feel like I was on fire, and I fell for their honey trap.
Just when they were about to succeed, this dim-witted idiot barged in recklessly.
Without thinking twice, they immediately bombarded me with several bombs, which completely stunned me and forced me to reveal the secret recipe for boiling sugar.
You tell me, I'm just a handyman, how would I know what the secret recipe is?
But if I don't tell, they threaten to report me to the authorities, saying I raped a respectable woman...
I was scared, so I had no choice but to tell them what I had seen.
I thought everything was fine, but little did I know I was having a sweet dream at home tonight.
This damn bastard was wielding a cleaver and trying to chop me up, forcing me to come to the sugar shop to steal the secret recipe.
To save my life, how could I dare refuse? That's why I'm here."
Upon hearing this, Wu Baoan looked at Liang Fugui with a skeptical expression and asked, "Is what he said true?"
"Village head, I..." Liang Fugui knew he couldn't deny it and didn't know what to say for a moment.
Seeing his expression, Wu Baoan was so angry he wanted to kick him a couple of times. He pointed at him and said, "What kind of mess have you two made!"
Erdanzi, who was standing nearby, asked tentatively, "Village head, does this mean I have nothing to do with you anymore?"
"I'll let you off this time since you were forced into this situation. Get up!" Wu Baoan said, looking at Da Bao.
Da Bao understood and stepped forward to untie the ropes binding Er Danzi.
Erdanzi rubbed his sore wrists, which were tied up. "Okay, thank you, village head, thank you, Qingya."
After he finished speaking, he glanced triumphantly at the dejected Liang Fugui, feeling a sense of satisfaction.
Serves you right! This is your retribution for bullying honest people.
If I get you locked up in jail, I'll make sure you're cuckolded.
Thinking of this, he hurriedly added, "Village head, someone like this must be sent to the authorities and imprisoned!"
Wu Baoan frowned and waved his hand, "Alright, you don't need to tell me what to do."
Upon hearing that he was to be handed over to the authorities, Liang Fugui was so frightened that his eyes widened and he knelt down, begging for mercy.
"Village head, it's all my fault for being confused for a moment. I know I was wrong. Please don't send me to the authorities."
"This is theft, how can you let it go so easily?" Wu Baoan was both angry and anxious; this concerned the village's reputation.
As the saying goes, good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast.
One person's evil deeds bring suffering to thousands.
If this really escalates to the point of involving the authorities, everyone will know about it.
Those who know the truth are fine, but those who don't will say that the people of Nanshan Village are all dishonest and only produce petty thieves.
We must not let one bad apple spoil the whole bunch...
Thinking of this, he glanced at Chen Qingqing with some difficulty and whispered something to her.
“Qing’er, in principle, theft should be reported to the authorities, but I’ve thought about it repeatedly. If we really report it to the authorities, it will definitely affect the reputation of our Nanshan Village. How about this, since it’s his first offense, let’s give him a chance to reform.”
Chen Qingqing narrowed her eyes. Even if Liang Fugui failed to steal and was handed over to the authorities, he wouldn't be sentenced to death. At most, he would be imprisoned for a year or two.
Since her parents still lived in Nanshan Village, she might as well go with the flow and do Wu Baoan a favor, so that she wouldn't offend anyone.
She nodded slowly. "Alright, but if there's a next time, I won't let it go so easily."
"Don't worry, if he continues to misbehave, I'll punish him severely without you even having to tell me." Chief Wu breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Liang Fugui. "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and thank Qing girl!"
"Thank you, Qing girl, thank you, village head." Liang Fugui was so frightened that his body trembled like a leaf, and his mouth stammered, "No, I won't dare to do it again, I won't dare to do it again."
Chen Qingqing looked coldly at Liang Fugui and snorted.
"I know you're eager to get rich, and there's nothing wrong with that idea. After all, everyone wants to live a good life."
But you must know that a gentleman loves money, but he acquires it in a proper way.
Your theft this time constitutes a crime. If it happens again, I won't be as lenient as I am today.
"When the time comes, no matter who pleads for you, I will make sure you receive the punishment you deserve."
"Yes, yes, Qing girl, you are so kind. Don't worry, I will never dare to do it again." Upon hearing this, Liang Fugui felt as if he had been granted a pardon and immediately kowtowed repeatedly to make a promise.
Wu Baoan waved his hand at Da Bao, "Untie the rope for him."
"Yes, Uncle Village Head." Da Bao stepped forward, untied the ropes from Liang Fugui's hands, kicked him in the buttocks, and said viciously, "Get out of here right now. If you dare to cause trouble at my house again, I will never forgive you next time."
Liang Fugui nodded repeatedly, "No, no, I'll leave right away."
Seeing Liang Fugui trembling as he left the courtyard, Erdanzi was incredulous. "This guy is rotten to the core, his words are worthless. You can't just let this go."
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