Chapter 41: Chapter 41 Obliteration of Grudges and Favors

Words : 1399 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

"Uncle, Auntie, please get up, I've forgiven you." Zhang Xiaoxue's eyes brimmed with tears, finally feeling accepted by her relatives after her father's death. However, Zhang Tie and Mo Li didn't get up; they were waiting, waiting for Xia Liu and the villagers to speak. "Hmph, Zhang Tie, even you have seen this day!" "Why do it in the first place if you'd regret it today!" "Let's say less, everyone. I think Zhang Tie and Mo Li also know that they were wrong." ... The villagers held many different opinions, but they were all very polite. The past was the past, and it was most important to do better in the future. Finally, after much persuasion from the villagers, Zhang Tie and Mo Li stood up. Xia Liu watched all this transpire, having already expressed his stance to Zhang Xiaoman the night before, that he wouldn't say anything as long as the villagers accepted them. Still, Zhang Tie and Mo Li formally apologized to Xia Liu, and if Zhang Xiaoxue hadn't held them back, they would have certainly knelt once more. "Xiaoxue, this is a small token of my sincerity. Uncle and Auntie were wrong before. I'll start packing and clear out the house right away." Zhang Tie handed over the rope used for tying pigs to Zhang Xiaoxue and, in front of everyone, returned the house as well. "Hahaha, Zhang Tie did well. That house was left to Xiaoxue by Old Zhang, and now it's finally back in its rightful hands." "Mmm, not bad, Zhang Tie really does seem to be sincerely remorseful." Hearing that Zhang Tie was returning the house to Zhang Xiaoxue, the villagers on-site began discussing it passionately once more. They were genuinely happy for Zhang Xiaoxue, having seen for over two years without Xia Liu what her situation had been like. However, Zhang Xiaoxue herself was stunned. If it had been before, she would have eagerly wanted the house back. But now, she had no interest in it. If she reclaimed the house, she would definitely have to move out of Xia Liu's place. She didn't want to move. She wanted to live with Xia Liu, even if not in the same room, just under the same roof was enough. Without Xia Liu, she wouldn't have anything she has now; she couldn't bear to leave, not in a million years. "Uncle, Auntie, I don't want the house. Living with Brother Xia Liu is enough for me." After glancing at Xia Liu, Zhang Xiaoxue spoke her mind. "This..." Zhang Tie and Mo Li were dumbfounded. They had made all the preparations to return everything to Zhang Xiaoxue, but now, she didn't want it, didn't want... "What's this 'this'? Xiaoxue's already said she'll live with Xia Liu, quit your dilly-dallying," Uncle Li Zhi interjected harshly, unable to watch Zhang Tie's hesitations any longer. "Haha, Zhang Tie's brain might have been muddled lately." "Exactly, the young couple wants to live in their own home. By forcing the house on them, you'd be interfering in their relationship." "Besides, you two have lived in that house for two years—who would want that house now?" ... Hearing the villagers' renewed discussion, Zhang Tie immediately felt embarrassed. Zhang Xiaoxue hung her head, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She sneakily glanced at Xia Liu and saw that he wasn't speaking, just smiling faintly while smoking. In fact, Xia Liu had been worrying himself to death. He couldn't possibly say that he and Zhang Xiaoxue had nothing to do with each other and then kick her out, could he? After all, she had been living in his house for over two years, and she'd been there ever since he returned. They were both adults. Even if they were truly innocent, would the villagers believe it? Zhang Xiaoxue was not only young but also very beautiful. With such a lovely young lady living in his house, they would never believe Xia Liu could resist her, not even a fool would believe that. Of course, none of them would say those words out loud; they all accepted the couple as newcomers, with the man tall and handsome, and the woman virtuous and diligent. "About Zhang Tie's issue, let's just do as Xiaoxue said. You continue to live in the house, and also, take these chickens, ducks, and that pig back with you. We're all from the same village; there's no need to be so formal," Xia Liu said after a short silence. "Xia Liu, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have poisoned them, causing you to lose..." "There's no need to talk about that now. The chickens are dead, but what I hope for is that it won't happen again in the future, no matter who it is. I hope we can all get along harmoniously," Xia Liu interrupted Zhang Tie, not wanting to bring up the past. Though Zhang Tie was at fault, he was, after all, from Osmanthus Village and now that he had been accepted by everyone else, it was okay to just let it go. "Thank you, thank you! Wife, Xiaoman, hurry up and thank Xia Liu!" ... After this apology, Zhang Tie returned to the fold of Osmanthus Village. However, Mo Li still felt uneasy, having done too many wrongs. She struggled to raise her eyes when speaking to the other women, for fear they might reproach her. "Dear uncles and aunts, senior men and women, yesterday held me up and I returned late. Now, I'll distribute the money to everyone!" Following the end of Zhang Tie's matter, Xia Liu directly opened the plastic bag, revealing the bright red bills to the air. "Wow! I knew there was money in that bag, and it really is!" "Haha, everyone stay calm. In the future, we can earn even more money with Xia Liu!" "Next, I'll call out names, and those I mention can come and get the money. Of course, don't mind if I don't pay attention to seniority here, it's all real names." After glancing at his notebook, Xia Liu realized Zhang Xiaoxue had registered everyone's real names, which was somewhat embarrassing. "Hehe, if you were to call out 'Uncle,' a lot of people named Uncle Zhang would have to stand up," Uncle Li Zhi laughed heartily, and his words drew laughter from the villagers. "Uncle Li Zhi, fifty-three kilos of oysters, one thousand six hundred yuan!" "No way! I did the math last night; fifty-three kilos of oysters come to one thousand five hundred and ninety yuan. A round number would be enough! So, one thousand five!" As soon as he heard he would receive one thousand six hundred, Li Zhi immediately started to protest. Before Xia Liu could respond, the villagers applauded in agreement, their emotions growing more excited. They strongly supported Li Zhi's sentiment. The rate of thirty yuan per kilo for oysters was already sky-high; they absolutely couldn't accept Xia Liu losing even more money to round up the figures for them. Although they didn't know how Xia Liu managed to sell the oysters for thirty yuan a kilo, without him, such high returns wouldn't have been possible. How could they let him spend more? So, they would rather receive slightly less, by a hundred or two, than have Xia Liu add his own money to make up the amounts. With no other option, Xia Liu could only distribute the round amounts as the villagers suggested. Any odd amount, whether forty or ninety, had to be rounded down to end in zeros. While Xia Liu was distributing money, Zhang Xiaoman dragged Zhang Xiaoxue out to the courtyard. "Sister Xiaoxue, I'm sorry," Xiaoman said. "Xiaoman, there's no need to say anything. I've known for a long time you meant well for me, trying to shock me into leaving the village to seek opportunities in the big city." "Sister Xiaoxue, how did you know?" Xiaoman's eyes misted up instantly upon hearing Zhang Xiaoxue's words. "We grew up together; how could I not know you? But I was hurt for quite some time. You owe me for that," Zhang Xiaoxue retorted, smiling.

Chapter 41: Chapter 41 Obliteration of Grudges and Favors

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