Free Web NovelChapter 349: Chapter 211: When in Doubt, Burn Incense and Ask the Ancestors for Judgment
This remark immediately changed Zhang Qiang’s expression.
At first, Wang Baoqiang’s explanation didn’t seem problematic, but the last two sentences laid a significant trap for Zhang Qiang.
Regardless of whether he had such luck, even if he did, why didn’t he share the wealth with the people in the village?
Did his heart turn dark, thinking he was superior to others!
Sure enough, Zhang Qiang looked up and found that those who had come from the same village to support him all looked down in silence, avoiding his gaze, even the young man from earlier lowered his head.
Watching the livestream, Shui Tou couldn’t help but sigh.
"This is the rural clan culture; whether you’re right or wrong, they’ll stand by your side unconditionally. Even if you commit heinous crimes, they’ll protect you with their lives.
But once someone excels, they’ll turn against you, thinking your conscience is badly spoiled for not sharing the wealth, a peculiar cultural trait of Dragon Country."
"Yes, and that’s the key. If you win once, nobody says anything. Even if it’s a big win, people understand if you keep quiet. But if you keep winning, it’s clear you’ve got some trick up your sleeve, yet don’t share with everyone else. What’s your intention, not wanting others to live well?"
"Ha! If I were really lucky, winning almost every time I bought a ticket, I wouldn’t tell anyone either, not even my cousins, because I can’t be sure the time they buy isn’t the one I miss. A gift of food turns into a grudge, it’s a bloody lesson!"
"I think Wang Baoqiang is right, Zhang Qiang can’t be that lucky every time, can he? Does he really think the lottery center manager is just twiddling his thumbs."
"..."
Zhang Qiang was deeply anxious. Though he couldn’t see the comments in the livestream, he knew better than anyone that if he didn’t clear things up now, he might no longer have a place in the village.
"Little Daoist, I have something to say."
Ning An noticed this and gestured for everyone to be quiet, also indicating Wang Baoqiang to sit down first.
Then, Ning An nodded, signaling him to begin his defense.
"It’s... it’s like this."
Zhang Qiang’s face showed a hint of bitterness, then he took off his t-shirt, revealing an abdomen with a hideous scar.
It was clear the wound had been large at the time; otherwise, any doctor with some sewing skill wouldn’t have left such an ugly scar.
"Six or seven years ago, I went out to work with two pals. We didn’t have much knowledge or skills, so naturally, no place wanted us."
"In the end, we had no choice but to do hard labor on the railway, relying on hammering rail ties, barely making ends meet and sending a bit of money home."
"We had planned that once we’d saved enough capital, we’d come back and open a small shop."
"But plans don’t keep up with changes. The day we were close to saving enough, the three of us were drunk, stumbling around the construction site, and none of us noticed a missing manhole cover ahead."
"That’s how I stepped right into it. Really, it’s not a big deal for rough folks; a dirty sewer is just a rinse away from cleanliness."
"But the problem was, the sewer had a protruding rebar that cut me open."
"By the time they got me out and to the hospital, I had already lost too much blood and passed out."
"The doctor had already issued a critical condition notice. My two friends wouldn’t even glance at it; they took out all our saved capital, knelt down, and begged the doctor to save me, saying if it wasn’t enough, they’d go do hard labor or sell blood, promising the hospital wouldn’t be owed a penny."
This was the most touching moment in Zhang Qiang’s life.
In life, one doesn’t need many friends, just two or three who would risk their lives for you is enough.
At this point, Zhang Qiang silently wiped his eyes and said wistfully:
"It may seem laughable, but at the time our so-called shop-opening capital was only twenty thousand yuan. It was these ten thousand yuan that we earned over half a year."
"Maybe Heaven was watching over me, because before we spent all our capital, I woke up. It’s fortunate I did, or those two boys would’ve really sold their blood."
Zhang Qiang laughed happily, his eyes showing a touch of softness, as if it was his happiest time.
And in the livestream, Shui Tou listened intently, only a few comments floating by.
Yet at times like this, there’s always someone who spoils the moment.
"No, Zhang Qiang, are you ever gonna finish? Ten villages around have heard you tell this story more than once or twice, haven’t they?"
"You’re not tired of telling it, but everyone’s tired of hearing it."
"Didn’t you go to the magic city alone later and open a lottery shop in town by yourself?" freёweɓnovel.com
"You’re not about to claim the fifteen thousand you won in the lottery was because your good buddies leaked inside info to you, are you."
Wang Baoqiang showed a bit of impatience, glancing sideways, his mouth turning up disdainfully, "We know you repaid the debt and then went every day to your brother’s lottery shop."
"But he stopped working two years ago and has already moved away. You’re not about to say he was a lottery shop owner, so he leaked inside info to help you win big money, are you."
Interrupted by Wang Baoqiang, Zhang Qiang was so furious his liver hurt, wishing he could slap him twice.
But Zhang Qiang ultimately held back, continuing, "During my coma in the hospital, money was being spent like water. The three of us worked hard for a year, only to lay me up for four days."
"That’s when they realized that just doing hard labor wouldn’t work."
