The saying that a woman at thirty is a wolf and at forty is a tiger held true for Li Guihua.
Lin Xiao Tian knew Li De Ping’s capabilities; it was over in a minute, hardly enough to satisfy the ravenous Li Guihua.
But Lin Xiao Tian was different. He was strong and energetic, and looking at him, Li Guihua’s desires had been building for a long time.
“You’re here about the fish pond, aren’t you? If you’re willing, I can help you, Auntie,” Li Guihua brazenly scanned Lin Xiao Tian.
Lin Xiao Tian swallowed.
To be honest, at forty, Li Guihua maintained such a figure, and her entire being exuded a mature charm that young girls like Bai Xue simply couldn’t compare to.
Moreover, seeing Li Guihua like this, Lin Xiao Tian knew he could have her in minutes with just a little initiative.
“Thank you for your kind offer, Auntie. If you’re willing to help, I’ll be eternally grateful, Xiao Tian.”
“Haha, you brat, you’re not going to show any appreciation for Auntie’s help?”
“What kind of appreciation do you need, Auntie?”
“Well…” Li Guihua trailed off and suddenly moved closer to Lin Xiao Tian.
A strong perfume scent wafted towards him. Li Guihua wore a heavy perfume, and just as she was about to make a move, a figure appeared in the distance.
“The village chief is here!” Lin Xiao Tian deliberately called out.
Upon seeing this, Li Guihua immediately toned down her advances, much to Lin Xiao Tian’s relief. He had just been contemplating how to refuse her.
Li De Ping quickly approached, and a smile lit up his face upon seeing Lin Xiao Tian, as if he had expected him.
“Xiao Tian, come inside!” Li De Ping beckoned Lin Xiao Tian into the house.
Lin Xiao Tian didn’t hesitate and followed Li De Ping inside.
Inside, they sat facing each other. Li De Ping was stingy, not even offering Lin Xiao Tian a cup of tea, and got straight to the point.
“Xiao Tian, I assume you already know the general situation.”
“I won’t waste words. Simply put, I’m in a difficult position, but this isn’t something I can decide alone. It concerns the interests of the entire village.”
“As long as you’re willing to pay the money, I won’t pursue this matter.”
Li De Ping adopted an arrogant demeanor, showing no intention of giving Lin Xiao Tian any leeway.
“Village Chief, I recall people have been fishing in Bishui Lake since way back. Why didn’t you pursue it then, but you’re pursuing it now that I’m fishing?”
“And since when does fishing in Bishui Lake require compensation? By that logic, should fishermen hand over their earnings from going out to sea?”
Hearing Lin Xiao Tian’s logical and well-founded refutation, Li De Ping smiled faintly, having anticipated this.
“Xiao Tian! I know you’re not convinced, but the rules are the rules. If you’re really unconvinced, we can call a village meeting to discuss it and see what the villagers think?”
Lin Xiao Tian sneered at Li De Ping’s unreasonable behavior.
Li De Ping was truly shameless, scheming to this extent for a little money.
“The village chief handles matters justly, so I am naturally convinced, Xiao Tian. However, that pond, I remember it was an enterprise left behind by my parents. When did it become communal property?” Lin Xiao Tian asked, looking at Li De Ping.
“Is that so? Do you have any proof?” Li De Ping feigned ignorance.
“Does this count?” Lin Xiao Tian said, pulling out a written agreement.
This agreement was the contract signed between his parents and the village when they contracted the pond, complete with the village’s official seal.
Previously, Li Da Zhu had sold most of the belongings left by Lin Xiao Tian’s parents to pay off debts. However, the pond, being full of poisonous snakes, was unwanted and had remained.
Li De Ping was momentarily stunned, clearly not expecting Lin Xiao Tian to produce such a document.
He glanced at the contract; it indeed bore the village’s seal, and according to the contract, the pond was Lin Xiao Tian’s legal property.
But Li De Ping wasn’t about to concede that easily.
The pond had brought Lin Xiao Tian so much income; he had been coveting it for a long time. If he himself hadn’t been incapable of catching fish, why would it have benefited Lin Xiao Tian?
“Xiao Tian, you’re still too young. This contract is clearly forged!”
“Forged? Impossible. Village Chief, if you insist on saying so, then we’ll go to a lawyer to verify it!”
“Going to a lawyer will certainly cost money. I don’t think it’s necessary. I’m in charge of the village seal, and I can tell at a glance that this is definitely forged!”
“In my opinion, such a counterfeit item is a menace to keep around. I’ll destroy it today to prevent anyone else from being deceived by it!”
With that, Li De Ping tore the contract directly in front of Lin Xiao Tian.
Then, he looked at Lin Xiao Tian with a calm expression and sighed in an authoritative tone:
“Xiao Tian, you’re still too young!”
Facing Li De Ping’s shameless act, Lin Xiao Tian remained silent.
He had prepared himself somewhat for Li De Ping’s rogue behavior, but he hadn't expected him to be so brazen.
Seeing Lin Xiao Tian’s calm expression, Li De Ping was slightly surprised.
Most people would have exploded in anger in such a situation. Lin Xiao Tian, however, remained composed. He had originally planned to use Lin Xiao Tian’s outburst as an excuse to trouble him, but it seemed he had underestimated Lin Xiao Tian.
“Xiao Tian, actually, if you really want to fish in Bishui Lake, there are ways,” Li De Ping said with a sly smile.
“What brilliant idea do you have, Village Chief?” Lin Xiao Tian asked impassively.
“Actually, a few years ago, I personally applied for the fishing rights and usage rights of Bishui Lake. There is a valid authorization contract for this. If you truly want to farm fish in Bishui Lake, we can cooperate,” Li De Ping said, giving Lin Xiao Tian a meaningful look.
Heh.
Lin Xiao Tian couldn’t help but scoff internally.
So this was what Li De Ping had been waiting for.
What was this talk of infringing on communal property?
It was clearly Li De Ping’s envy of Lin Xiao Tian’s earnings, using the village’s interests as a pretext to get a cut.
“If you’re willing to cooperate, this matter will be dropped. I’ll let bygones be bygones regarding past issues. However, from now on, we’ll split your fish sales revenue seventy-thirty!”
“A seventy-thirty split? How?”
“The usage rights are with me, so I should get the larger share.”
“You mean… you want seventy percent?”
“Of course! If you’re unwilling, we can put it to a village meeting vote!” Li De Ping said with a mocking smile at Lin Xiao Tian.
Lin Xiao Tian couldn’t help but laugh.
“What are you laughing at? I’m handling this justly!” Li De Ping flicked his sleeve.
“Village Chief, you are truly just! You’ve occupied my pond, torn up my contract to my face, and you call that just!” Lin Xiao Tian sneered.
“Heh, Xiao Tian, do you know what they mean by ‘an old ginger is spicier than a young one’?” Li De Ping revealed his hand.
Lin Xiao Tian shook his head and smiled, then fell silent. He suddenly took out his phone and began to read it intently.
Li De Ping was taken aback and even called out to Lin Xiao Tian, but Lin Xiao Tian completely ignored him.
“Heh, naive. You think this kind of underhanded trick will work? Just agree to my demands,” Li De Ping sneered.
But Lin Xiao Tian still didn’t pay attention to him, continuing to stare at his phone.
Just as Li De Ping was about to threaten Lin Xiao Tian again, a voice suddenly came from the phone.
“You devil, go easy on me…”
Li De Ping froze.
He suddenly realized it was Zhang Xue Fen’s voice.