Drip!
The lighter ignited, casting a faint light, and Li Li slowly walked towards the bee garden. Before he had gone halfway, he noticed someone blocking his path.
"Er Shanzǐ, stop fooling around. I promised I'd run after you lit the fire!"
Li Li was startled, thinking that Er Shanzǐ had suddenly gone back on his word and was blocking him.
"Li Li, you've got some nerve!"
Just as Li Li was about to push the person in front of him away, an unfamiliar voice suddenly called out. He raised his lighter and looked, only to be stunned.
It was Er Zhù!
How could he be here!
Shouldn't he be asleep at home right now?
Whoosh...
Just as Li Li was about to flee, the lights in the rows of wooden houses suddenly lit up, and Li Li was instantly surrounded by the villagers of Shiliu Village!
Li Li was completely panicked. He looked at Er Zhù, then at the furious villagers, and trembled all over!
"Li Li, you're too despicable. You're going to burn down our bee garden just to sell your own honey!"
"Exactly! Er Zhù was the one who helped you get rich in the first place, and you're repaying kindness with enmity!"
"No, he's worse than an animal!"
...
Facing the barrage of curses, Li Li was furious. He wanted to retort, but for a moment, he didn't know what to say.
Not far away, Er Shanzǐ saw Li Li being discovered and had already fled. Now, Li Li was truly isolated and helpless!
"Er Zhù, let's call the police. This kid is too wicked. I want to see him go to jail!"
"Right, if someone like him doesn't go in, the public will not be appeased!"
"People like him should be sentenced to ten or eight years!"
...
The more the villagers looked at Li Li, the angrier they became, wishing they could arrest him and throw him in jail right now!
If this had actually caught fire, not only would the bee garden be destroyed, but the entire ranch would have burned down!
Their direct losses would have reached millions!
And that didn't even include the villagers living in the back mountains.
Thinking that the back mountains might turn into nothingness, some villagers stepped forward, intending to beat Li Li.
"No, no, no, don't call the police, I know I was wrong!"
"Er Zhù, for my sister's sake, please spare me this once!"
Seeing that the villagers were about to call the police and were so furious, Li Li was terrified. He clasped his hands together and knelt on the ground, begging repeatedly.
As for Er Zhù, he had been watching Li Li calmly from beginning to end, as if all this had nothing to do with him.
He knew how bad Li Li's nature was, otherwise he wouldn't have come here in the middle of the night to catch him!
But thinking of Li Mei, and of Li Old Lady's hunched back and wrinkled face, he also didn't want to call the police.
Li Li was the apple of Li Old Lady's eye. If he went to prison, Li Old Lady might not survive!
Li Old Lady was Li Mei's only connection to the world, and he couldn't let Li Mei be sad!
"Er Zhù, I know I was wrong. As long as you don't call the police, I'll do whatever you want!"
Seeing that Er Zhù remained silent, Li Li was so scared that he was about to cry. He knelt directly on the ground and begged earnestly.
"It's okay if you don't call the police. Then, from now on, you'll be free labor."
Just as Li Li was about to knock his head until he fainted, Er Zhù slowly spoke.
Hearing Er Zhù say this, the villagers, though somewhat unwilling, said nothing.
After all, everything they had now was given to them by Er Zhù.
"Free labor? What does that mean?"
Just as Li Li was about to express his gratitude, he suddenly seemed to realize something and asked with a confused look.
"You'll work for us for free, raising bees, and help out at the ranch when you have time!"
As soon as Li Li finished speaking, Er Zhù answered his question very concisely.
Free?
"Then how will I live if I have no money? I haven't even gotten married yet?"
Li Li's eyes widened, and he looked at Er Zhù with some displeasure, as if he were about to hit Er Zhù.
Was this Er Zhù forgiving him? This was practically telling him to die!
"If you don't agree, then fine. We'll call the police."
Er Zhù didn't pay him any attention. He glanced at everyone and prepared to turn and leave.
This kid liked money, didn't he? Then he would leave him penniless!
He wanted to see what other tricks he could pull!
"No, no, no, I agree, I agree! Thank you, Er Zhù, thank you for letting me go!"
Seeing that some villagers had already dialed the phone, Li Li quickly nodded in agreement.
Damn it, working for him for free and having to thank him! Li Li's lungs were about to explode with anger!
But now that he had been caught red-handed, if he didn't agree, he would be arrested!
Thinking of going to prison, Li Li's anger instantly vanished.
"Uncle Liu, have him sign a contract. I'm leaving."
Er Zhù didn't even look at Li Li, gave instructions to Uncle Liu beside him, and then turned to leave.
Li Li watched Er Zhù's retreating back, his fists trembling, but he dared not make a move!
Er Zhù, you bastard, just you wait!
One day, I'll make you pay back tenfold, a hundredfold!
Li Mei found out about Li Li's situation the next day. She was ashamed and indignant, but she was helpless against her rogue brother.
Li Li also threatened Li Old Lady at home constantly, asking her to beg Li Mei to intercede for him, but Li Old Lady felt it was too shameful and refused to go, even if it meant her death.
And so, Li Li became the free labor of Shiliu Village, doing the dirty work without a single cent!
In the blink of an eye, autumn arrived. Looking at the rows of luxurious detached villas, Er Zhù and Uncle Liu both smiled with satisfaction.
"Er Zhù, the houses are built. Should we let the people from Linyuan Village move in now?"
Uncle Liu stroked his beard, glanced at Er Zhù, and tentatively asked.
"Yes, I'll handle this. Isn't that Zhao Datang causing trouble all the time? Then I'll go."
Er Zhù nodded slightly, then suddenly seemed to think of something and spoke slowly.
After Qian Fugui was imprisoned, Zhao Datang had intended to run for village head. When he learned that Linyuan Village was going to merge with Shiliu Village, he was furious and spread rumors everywhere in the village. Now, more than half of the people in Linyuan Village disagreed with this plan.
Even a dozen people had gone to the town government to protest, but they were all sent back by Liu Changfa.
"Alas, Er Zhù, don't be rash. That Zhao Datang is a scoundrel. If he latches onto you, the important business will be ruined!"
Thinking of the troublesome Zhao Datang, Uncle Liu sighed and gently patted Er Zhù's shoulder, reminding him earnestly.
"Don't worry, I don't even consider a small fry like this a threat."
Er Zhù smiled slightly, looking in the direction of Linyuan Village, his expression still calm.
Uncle Liu wanted to say something more, but seeing Er Zhù's calm demeanor, he said nothing further.
Er Zhù was indeed much more capable than him!
In the blink of an eye, it was the next day. Er Zhù drove to Linyuan Village after breakfast.
But as soon as he reached the village entrance, he was surrounded by villagers.
"Wang Er Zhù, get down here!"
The one leading the charge was a middle-aged man with a receding hairline and a bulbous nose. Er Zhù recognized him immediately as Zhao Datang!