Free Web NovelChapter 43: Chapter 21: Resolution
The sunset’s afterglow stained the vast expanse of the sky. Endless clouds transformed into a brilliant display of color, their magnificent light streaming across mountains and rivers to blanket the entirety of Changshan City, turning everything a brilliant gold.
At this time of day in Willow Alley, a crowd of women would always gather beneath the giant willow tree, gossiping about neighborhood trifles while doing their sewing and mending.
Today was no exception.
Secrets never stayed secret for long in Willow Alley.
The news from the afternoon—that Fang Rui had reclaimed the grain lent to Sister-in-law Cai Gen and two other families, while also providing aid to Uncle Zao Huai’s family—had already spread like wildfire.
This novel event naturally became the main topic of today’s gossip.
"Sister-in-law Cai Gen, is it true? Did Brother Rui of the Fang Family really go to your house to take back the grain you borrowed?" a young woman asked.
’Isn’t that just rubbing salt in the wound?’
Sister-in-law Cai Gen’s expression faltered. She felt uncomfortable sitting there and couldn’t help but say, "Um... I have some things to take care of at home, so I’ll be heading back now."
After she left.
PFFT!
Behind her, a burst of stifled laughter rang out, half in jest and half in mockery.
"I heard it wasn’t just Sister-in-law Cai Gen’s family. The grain from the other two families was taken back as well."
With Sister-in-law Cai Gen gone, the group of women discussed the matter with even less restraint.
"It’s true! My house isn’t far from Zao Huai’s family, and I happened to see it all..."
Another woman said with envy, "Goodness, it was a whole small sack of wheat bran, wild vegetables, and even oil! All of it went to help Zao Huai’s family... Brother Rui of the Fang Family is so generous!"
"I heard it was a loan, not a gift..." someone said, their tone tinged with jealousy.
"He says it’s a loan, to be repaid when the harvests are good again, but what’s the difference between that and a handout? If that’s what you call a loan, then sisters, how about you all ’loan’ my family some grain?"
"Yeah, I’d take a loan like that too. The more, the better. More is Better."
"Hahahahaha!"
The air was filled with cheer.
After the laughter died down, another woman spoke up with a sigh. "Zao Huai’s family was on the verge of collapse. It looked to me like they were about to starve, but now it seems they can pull through..."
"That just goes to show: live honestly, and blessings will follow!"
"Exactly. Those other families may not say it, but I bet they’re regretting it something fierce... Didn’t you see the look on Sister-in-law Cai Gen’s face just now?"
"Serves them right! From what I see, Brother Rui of the Fang Family is a straightforward person. He knows who’s been kind and who’s wronged him, and he always repays his debts of gratitude..."
...
It wasn’t just the women gossiping. At dinner that night, the men of the households were talking about it too.
The more perceptive people saw Fang Rui’s methods for what they were: treating different families differently, winning over one group while striking down another.
While taking his revenge, he also set an example for what it means to repay kindness.
It made everyone think: Uncle Zao Huai’s family had helped the Fangs, and even though their help wasn’t ultimately effective, they had still received a huge reward. So, what about the rest of us?
If we were to get close to the Fang Family and actually managed to help them with something, would they just stand by and watch if our own families ran into trouble? They would surely be even more generous, right?
With this in mind, the men of each family instructed their wives to build a better relationship with Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family. Even the children were told to get on good terms with Fang Ling.
...
In the period that followed, Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family found that her social standing had improved dramatically. Her neighbors became incredibly warm, scrambling to help with even the smallest of matters.
Fang Ling also benefited, becoming the veritable Child King of Willow Alley.
Even Fang Rui, despite the intimidating aura from Song Dashan’s execution, found that his other neighbors were noticeably friendlier when they saw him.
Fang Rui didn’t care about these things, but it was a different matter for Mrs. Xue and Fang Ling.
Song Dashan’s execution could have caused the neighbors to distance themselves from the Fang Family, giving Mrs. Xue and Fang Ling the cold shoulder. But that possibility was neutralized before it could even emerge.
Perhaps even more minor troubles were eliminated before they could take form. The feedback from his Tribulation Points was the best proof of this.
In short, by taking back the grain from Sister-in-law Cai Gen and the other two families, he had settled a grudge. By aiding Uncle Zao Huai’s family, he had repaid a kindness. This move was a massive win for Fang Rui.
...
「Back to that evening.」
After dinner.
"Mother, Ling’Er, same as always. You two hide in the cellar," Fang Rui said.
"Alright!"
Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family was used to this. She acknowledged him and led an obedient Fang Ling into the cellar. freewebnovёl.ƈom
Outside.
BOOM!
Fang Rui moved a massive stone he had specially acquired and used it to block the cellar door.
The stone was incredibly heavy. No one could move it unless they were exceptionally gifted with innate strength or were an Entry Grade Martial Artist. This guaranteed the two of them maximum safety.
As for the air inside?
There was no need to worry; it had its own air vent.
In truth, after the incident with Song Dashan, it was unlikely that any neighbors in Willow Alley would cause trouble. But what about people from outside the alley?
To be on the safe side, Fang Rui still had Mrs. Xue and Fang Ling hide in the cellar.
After they were inside, he went back into the house. However, he didn’t take his medicine pouch and head for the Black Market.
Instead, masking his face with Ge Cloth, he went straight to Song Dashan’s house.
’Song Dashan is dead, but his family is still here: Auntie Cai Hua, Xiaoqiu, and Xiaohua...’
Fang Rui hesitated, debating whether to cut the weeds and pull out the roots.
Yes, just this morning, he had told Auntie Cai Hua that he wouldn’t hold a grudge and that they would go on as before.
But in reality, how could that be possible?!
Putting aside everything else, Song Dashan had died because of the Fang Family. If Auntie Cai Hua, or Xiaoqiu and Xiaohua, harbored hatred and were bent on revenge, they would be a major destabilizing factor.
So what if they were just a woman and two small children?
With a pair of scissors and the right opportunity, even a woman or a child could ambush and kill an adult.
’I’m not afraid for myself, but what about my mother and Ling’Er?’ freewebnσvel.cøm
A glint flashed in Fang Rui’s eyes.
He couldn’t possibly protect the two of them around the clock. If they were truly ambushed by the Song woman and her children, and an accident occurred, the pain would be absolutely unbearable!
