Feng Jincai had just blocked the door when three more men arrived shortly after.
Shu Qingqing recognized the one named Xiaojun, so she asked, Are the other two men also Feng Jincai's sons?
Feng Xiangdi nodded.
Feng Xiangdi's grandparents heavily favored boys over girls. When she was little, these male cousins bullied her endlessly. Although her father didn't share those patriarchal views and treated her well, he was weak-willed. He could only endure it silently, never daring to stand up for her.
This was why Feng Jincai's family dared to show up at their door and bully the mother and daughter so brazenly.
Feng Xiangdi hadn't returned home all these years partly because she had eloped and felt too ashamed to face her parents, but also because she was sick of seeing her parents endlessly tolerate Feng Jincai's family.
Now that her father was gone, she didn't want to endure it anymore either.
Feng Xiangdi said, Do you think I'm scared just because you brought a few more people? We live in a society governed by law now. Whether it's the homestead or the farmland, my name is on the deeds. If you want to forcefully occupy my family's property, then I'll invite the police over to judge the situation.
Seeing that Feng Xiangdi was really about to make a call, Feng Jincai lunged forward and slapped the phone out of her hand. You worthless money-losing girl, you ungrateful wretch! You dare call the cops on me? You're completely out of line!
Furious, Feng Xiangdi grabbed a broom from the kitchen and held it up. Watch me and see if I dare.
Xiao You had followed them out at some point. Seeing the scene, she was immediately frightened to tears.
Heartbroken, Feng Xiangdi hugged Xiao You. Mom, take Xiao You inside first.
Mother Feng hesitated. Xiaodi, he is your uncle after all. Let's just talk things out nicely.
Feng Xiangdi closed her eyes. After all these years, her mother was still exactly the same.
Mom, you've endured it for so many years. Has it ever earned you their genuine respect? Blindly yielding will only make them worse. If you still see me as your daughter, take Xiao You inside. Let me handle things today.
Mother Feng fell silent for a long time before she finally led Xiao You away with a worried expression.
Qingqing, lend me your phone, Feng Xiangdi said.
Shu Qingqing immediately handed her phone over.
Feng Jincai tried to step forward and snatch it, but Feng Xiangdi was prepared and struck his arm with the broom.
Feng Jincai cursed in pain, You son of a bitch, I'm going to teach you a lesson today!
Feng Jincai turned around to grab a hoe.
A slightly chubby man next to him quickly stopped him. Dad, don't be impulsive. Let me say a few words to Xiaodi.
The chubby man walked over, smiling before he even spoke. Xiaodi, we are family after all. Logically speaking, if you're taking auntie to the city to enjoy a good life, the land here will be left uncultivated, so it naturally should be left to us.
If you really rent it to outsiders, once you leave, we're all from the same village. If we go make trouble a few times, who would dare rent your land? And as for this house, since you won't be around, even without a key, we can still get in. It's just a matter of breaking a lock.
Shu Qingqing finally understood. Even if Feng Xiangdi didn't agree, once she left and the house was empty, wouldn't Feng Jincai's family just come and go as they pleased anyway?
Xiaodi, you should think about it carefully. With that, the chubby man pulled Feng Jincai away.
Feng Xiangdi dropped the broom as if she had lost all her strength.
He was right. Once they left, they would truly be at the mercy of Feng Jincai's family to do whatever they wanted.
Mother Feng walked out. Xiaodi, how about... I just don't go to the city with you. I'll stay here and guard our house. That way, they won't dare to mess around.
Feng Xiangdi shook her head. She couldn't possibly leave her mother here alone just for a house. Besides, given the character of Feng Jincai's family, even if her mother stayed, they would still find a way to seize their land and house.
The money she earned now was enough to buy a three-bedroom apartment in Beijing. Although the house in her hometown wasn't worth much, it still belonged to her family, and she didn't want to just hand it over to others.
But what else could she do?
Should she pay someone to watch the house for them?
However, everyone in the village knew what kind of person Feng Jincai was. She feared no one would dare take on the job.
Feng Xiangdi covered her face in distress.
Shu Qingqing couldn't think of a solution either, so she could only sit silently beside her.
They had originally planned to leave tonight, but under these circumstances, she couldn't leave with peace of mind, so she refunded her ticket.
The next evening, Feng Jincai and his sons came back, bringing the village chief with them.
The village chief sat down on the sofa and advised earnestly, Xiaodi, now that you've made money in the big city, logically you should show some filial piety to your uncle. But your uncle isn't even asking you for money. He just wants to let Xiaojun stay in your house. Since nobody will be home, the house will just be empty anyway, right? And those six acres of land—renting them out only brings in a few thousand yuan a year. Just consider it a sign of respect to your uncle and let him farm it.
Feng Xiangdi sneered. What do you mean 'only a few thousand yuan'? When I was little, how much money did Feng Jincai borrow from my family and never pay back? During my first year of high school, my dad broke his leg and needed money for medical bills. Feng Jincai was losing money playing mahjong every day but refused to pay us back so my dad could get treated. How come I didn't see you step up to uphold justice then, Village Chief?
Feng Xiangdi's words left the village chief speechless. In the end, he could only shake his head and leave.
Seeing that Feng Xiangdi was completely unyielding, Feng Jincai pointed a finger at her resentfully before leaving. Worthless girl, if you have the guts, don't ever leave.
Feng Xiangdi could only continue trying to figure out a solution.
Shu Qingqing also worried for Feng Xiangdi and didn't sleep well that night. When she woke up the next morning and was about to go wash up, she suddenly received a WeChat message from Lu Bochuan, asking her to send him her location.
Lu Bochuan was asking for her location... Could it be...
She quickly called him. Lu Bochuan, what do you need my location for?
The sound of a train roaring past came from the receiver first, followed by Lu Bochuan's voice: To pick you up.
You're really here? Shu Qingqing was surprised. The day before yesterday, when Lu Bochuan called her, she had told him that the matters regarding Feng Xiangdi's father were all settled and that she would be heading back soon.
It was just that yesterday, because of the incident with Feng Jincai, she had forgotten to tell Lu Bochuan after refunding her ticket. She never expected him to come pick her up in person.
Shu Qingqing immediately said, Lu Bochuan, wait there. I'll come pick you up right away. This village is remote and hard to find.
Lu Bochuan said, Don't come. Be good and wait for me. I brought Xiao Liu.
The driver, Xiao Liu, was tall and sturdy. Shu Qingqing felt relieved. Just as she was about to tell him to be careful on the way, she suddenly had an idea. Lu Bochuan, did you bring any bodyguards?
Lu Bochuan: I brought one.
Shu Qingqing: Here's what you do. After you leave the station, go hire a few more bodyguards. Get the kind that look really intimidating at first glance.
Lu Bochuan instantly gripped his phone tighter. Is someone bullying you?
Shu Qingqing: No, Didi is the one being bullied. Bring a few more people to help back Didi up.
Lu Bochuan felt relieved and agreed to bring more people over.
Shu Qingqing hung up the phone and immediately said to Feng Xiangdi, Contact your uncle right now and tell him to come over in an hour.
