The Leng Family’s old house.
After finishing breakfast, Aunt Leng and Third Aunt Leng saw that the sun was already high in the sky before setting off together for Leng Yuan’s house.
Following behind them were Leng Qiushou, Leng ManCang, and Leng Qingtian.
"Mom, isn’t it a little late to be going now?"
"It’s not late." Aunt Leng was perfectly composed. "It’s not like he has many relatives, and there isn’t much to prepare. Besides, if we go late, he’ll be in a total panic. That’s how we’ll make Leng Yuan realize just how important we are."
Offering a lifeline in a ti of crisis was the surest way to earn gratitude.
Third Aunt Leng nodded.
The idea had been hers, but Aunt Leng had done all the talking. Everyone assud it was Aunt Leng’s plan, leaving Third Aunt Leng to follow along, content to be the unsung mastermind.
As the two of them passed under Da Shu on the east side of the village, they saw a group of old won sitting there, their eyes glancing toward Leng Yuan’s house every now and then.
Aunt Leng: ...
Third Aunt Leng: ...
The old won: ...
Both groups froze when they saw each other.
Ultimately, one of the old won was the first to react, quickly asking a question.
"Qiuyue, Yu Zhi, where are you two off to?"
Qiuyue was Aunt Leng’s given na, and Yu Zhi was Third Aunt Leng’s.
The two of them smiled and replied, "Isn’t Leng Yuan hosting a banquet today? We’re going to help!"
"Help? I thought you’d already cut all ties with him, and now you’re going to help?" Liu Xiqing exclaid in astonishnt, her voice rising sharply.
Aunt Leng’s expression didn’t falter.
"What’s all this nonsense about cutting ties? Blood is thicker than water. How could we ever truly cut him off?"
"We can’t chat now, Auntie. We have to hurry over and help."
They had completely forgotten the cold, cruel looks on their faces when they’d forced Leng Yuan to leave the main family courtyard. Now, they were all smiles.
The old won: ...
’The Leng Family is large and well-off. If they reconcile with Leng Yuan, he won’t be on his own anymore.’
Liu Xiqing couldn’t help but mutter.
"If the Leng Family makes up with Leng Yuan, then he’ll have their backing from now on."
"You won’t be able to just push him around anymore."
Her gaze darkened. ’With the Leng Family helping him host this banquet today, there’s no way he’ll lose face now.’
Hearing this, one of the old won beside her replied rather bluntly.
"Is there anyone in this entire village who isn’t afraid of Leng Yuan? He beat the younger Leng Family boys so badly they were laid up in bed for half a month. Who dares to bully him?"
Liu Xiqing: ...
’Well... that’s true!’
’Leng Yuan had beaten up all the younger mbers of the Leng Family. Who would dare to pick a fight with him?’
But Leng Yuan was all alone. No matter how formidable he was, he still gave off the impression that one man couldn’t do it all.
Faced with this contradiction, she was suddenly at a loss for a rebuttal.
But she refused to concede and forced out another comnt.
"So what if he’s alone? How much can he really accomplish? And don’t you forget, he racked up seven or eight hundred in debt for his father’s dical treatnts!"
After wracking her brain, that was the only thing she could think of that was worth bringing up.
It was a story that had been told for years, but bringing it up now still drew a collective sigh from the crowd.
"That’s true! It’s so much money. Who knows if he’ll ever be able to pay it all back in his lifeti."
The thought that Leng Yuan was saddled with so much debt instantly restored everyone’s sense of balance.
After all, their own large families were barely scraping by. Why should Leng Yuan, a single man, be able to live well? It would be a slap in the face to all of them.
Knowing he wasn’t doing well put everyone at ease.
As they neared the entrance, Aunt Leng was still giving instructions.
"When we go in, the courtyard is going to be deserted and pathetic, with hardly anyone there. When you see it, you’d better control yourselves. Don’t you dare laugh out loud."
Otherwise, if Leng Yuan flew into a rage out of humiliation, all their efforts to get back on his good side these past few days would be for nothing.
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