Honey, you didn’t really drugged me, did you?

Chapter 101: Chapter 96 I Want to Hang Out with Brother 94!

“Ouch… stop hitting, stop hitting! Someone’s going to get killed!”

At the Lu San and Chen Sanliu families, cries for fathers and shouts for mothers rang out.

There were also the sounds of men swearing and cursing.

Cries and shouts were incessant for a while.

Lu San, covered in blood, crawled out the door, only to be dragged back into the yard by a leg by a Fishing Guild Disciple, followed by a flurry of punches and kicks.

The same was happening in the yard of Chen Sanliu’s family.

Chen Xiaohu and Zhou Chu stood outside, surrounded by villagers eager for a spectacle,

Pointing and making comments about both families.

Seeing this scene, someone from the Chen family had already gone to inform the Clan Leader.

The old Clan Leader was a cousin of Chen Yongwang and was nearly sixty years old, known for being quite greedy and mercenary.

When he rushed over, the Chens around him immediately said, “Uncle, Uncle…”

The Uncle saw the intense fighting, especially how pitifully Chen Sanliu was being beaten; it twisted his heart – he was Sanliu’s own uncle!

How could he allow his nephew to be beaten like this?

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But seeing it was the fishery’s men that had initiated the beating, he felt powerless to intervene.

Especially since the man in charge was Zhou Chu – not from Xiantao Town but the county; he had transferred here not long ago, to gain some prestige, and the Uncle couldn’t get a word in.

Frantically spinning his wheels, all of a sudden, someone pointed at Chen Xiaohu, noticing how chummy he was with Zhou Chu.

If Zhou Chu couldn’t speak up, could Xiaohu not?

He immediately approached and said to Xiaohu, “Hu Zi, Hu Zi!”

Chen Xiaohu turned and saw his uncle, whom he had once respected for being fair and decent. But ever since this morning, when his father pleaded with the uncle not to remove Brother Jiu Si from the family tree, and the uncle had turned them away with scorn,

Angry enough that his father nearly passed out, that was when Hu Zi realized – so much for the so-called uncle – he was nothing more than a greedy old man who feared trouble.

Back when Grandpa Yongwang was alive, he’d never dare utter a word behind Grandpa’s back.

But lo and behold, after Grandpa’s passing, the uncle, like a toad that had transformed through cultivation, rose to a higher generation within the family, has shown favoritism to his own branch over the years.

The family members quietly had complaints, but due to his status, they dared not speak out.

Now, being part of the Fishing Guild, regardless of his esteemed status, could he meddle in Fishing Guild affairs?

Hu Zi coldly ignored him, but the uncle, disregarding his pride, approached and said, “Hu Zi, what are you all doing, beating your Uncle San Liu like this?”

Hu Zi glanced at the old man, then with a tone of official business, said, “Uncle, it’s best you stay out of this. Chen Sanliu and Lu San colluded with the traitor Zhao Xun of the Fishing Guild, harming our disciples. Even killing them wouldn’t be too much!”

“Ah, Hu Zi, no, that can’t be! San Liu has been a good, honest, and upstanding kid from the start; he couldn’t possibly do such a thing!”

“Couldn’t? Hmph, if not, how did Brother Jiu Si’s family and mine get cleaned out? How did our belongings end up in their possession? Uncle, I advise you not to get involved, lest you get implicated. When the Fishing Guild acts, we don’t show mercy,” Hu Zi said coldly.

He had been with Chen Jie for some time and had learned much about handling matters from him.

“Hu Zi, Hu Zi, there must be some misunderstanding. How about you have them stop for now, and let me go ask around? There’s bound to be some misunderstanding,” the uncle urged.

“Stop? Uncle, are you telling me how to conduct Fishing Guild business?”

Hu Zi said coldly.

“How can you speak that way to your uncle!”

At that moment, one of Hu Zi’s uncles by blood scolded him.

Uncle Erba was known for his kind-heartedness, so many thought the Erba family could be easily bullied, including Hu Zi.

Upon hearing this, Hu Zi coldly replied, “Why does my uncle care how I speak? The Fishing Guild is handling this matter. If you continue to obstruct us, I might give you some face, but Captain Zhou over there won’t!”

Saying this, everyone looked towards Zhou Chu, who also looked back.

The uncle’s face turned pale; he could scold Hu Zi, but he didn’t dare show disrespect to Captain Zhou.

The uncle was in a hurry; if the beating continued like this, Chen Sanliu was sure to die, and this would not do – his brother only had this one son to continue the family line.

With this in mind, he suddenly spotted Chen Erba in the crowd.

At that moment, Chen Erba and Aunt Erba, who had been pushed down and sustained some injuries, were supporting each other and came out to see their son getting revenge for themselves!

The uncle said to someone beside him, “Go, find Erba.”

Soon they reached Chen Erba.

The uncle laughed, “Erba.”

“Uncle.”

Chen Erba was polite but distant.

The uncle then said with a smile, “Erba, still mad at your uncle, huh? Ah, I admit I was wrong in my attitude this morning. I apologize.”

“I wouldn’t dare. You flatter me too much, uncle.”

“See, you’re still upset with your uncle. Erba, I was looking out for the family… Now San Liu knows he was wrong, we can’t just let it end in a death, right? It’s San Liu’s mistake, but it’s not worth dying over.”

“Please, for my sake, go talk to Hu Zi, come to some agreement, and we’ll compensate for the losses at the original price…”

In the end, Uncle Erba was persuaded by the uncle’s plea to not let it result in death. Yes, it shouldn’t cost a life, and surely after this, they would recognize their mistakes.

Thinking this, Uncle Erba found Hu Zi.

Hu Zi figured it was enough; beaten like this, they wouldn’t be able to get out of bed for a month, and the rest could be compensated slowly.

Hu Zi then found Zhou Chu.

Zhou Chu said with a smile, “Whichever way works for me, as long as it’s acceptable to Jiu Si.”

Hu Zi replied, “Brother Jiu Si says if they learn their lesson and don’t dare again, it will suffice.”

Zhou Chu nodded and said, “Have your Uncle come here.”

Soon the uncle approached.

Zhou Chu looked at the uncle and asked, “So you are the uncle?”

Hearing this, Chen Sanliu who was being beaten to a twitch managed a reflex, thinking, It’s ruined, now the uncle is going to get beaten too!

He seemed to have just been asked that question when the beatings started.

Uncle was startled too, shuddering as he said, “Yes, Lord Ship Captain, what are your orders?”

“Hmm, I can stop hitting you, and I can spare their lives, but what about the losses sustained by my two Fishing Guild brothers?”

“We will compensate at the original price!”

“That won’t do!”

Zhou Chu looked at Uncle, whose face changed as he asked, “What do you mean?”

Zhou Chu said, “See the state of Brother Jiu Si’s home? The door’s been kicked in, and the inside’s been turned upside down. How do you propose we settle this loss?”

“And my brother Xiao Hu, both his parents were beaten until their legs were crippled. How do you calculate the worth of two legs?”

Uncle hastened his response, “Erba’s leg has been like that since he was a child, it’s not—”

“I heard from Brother Xiao Hu that his condition was improving recently, but flared up again because of the anger you caused. You’re not planning to take responsibility, is that it?”

“No, no, we will take responsibility!”

“Alright then, in addition to the original compensation, each family will pay an extra five silver taels!”

“Five taels!”

Uncle’s eyes widened; five taels could buy two acres of good farmland.

“Oh, you can’t bear it? Fine, let’s fight then!”

Zhou Chu waved his hand and the surrounding Fishing Guild Disciples immediately shouted, ready to move in.

Uncle gestured with his hand, “Here, take it, no need to fight!”

Zhou Chu said, “You’ll give it then. Three days. If the money isn’t here in three days, we’ll come back.”

“I advise you not to play any tricks on us. The Fishing Guild isn’t made up of saints and angels. If we kill a few of you, the government won’t even care. Do you understand?”

“Yes, yes.”

After hearing this, Zhou Chu turned to Xiao Hu and said, “Xiao Hu, help your uncle and aunt back to the house. I’ll handle the rest.”

“Also, in the future, be tougher when you talk. We, the Disciples of the Fishing Guild, are not so easily bullied. If anyone doesn’t agree, they can come and try.”

Having said this, Zhou Chu kicked Chen Sanliu, who was lying on the ground unable to get up, “Now, I don’t care whether you beg or hire someone, go restore Brother Jiu Si’s house to its original state. If there’s anything Brother Jiu Si is dissatisfied with when he returns, I’ll come back with men and beat you again!”

“Move it!”

After issuing his fierce threat, Zhou Chu gestured with his hand and the Fishing Guild Disciples immediately stopped their work.

After Zhou Chu left, Chen Sanliu’s wife rushed over, crying and wailing. It was lucky that Zhou Chu hadn’t laid a hand on the woman when he attacked.

By now, Uncle too sighed, “Get some people to put everything back in Jiu Si’s home exactly as it was. If anything’s broken, replace it with new ones.”

By this time, Xiao Hu had already brought Uncle Erba and Aunt Erba back into the house.

“Son, today…”

Uncle Erba was still worried, but Xiao Hu replied, “Dad, it’s nothing, just relax.”

“Right, where’s Jiu Si?”

“Oh, Brother Jiu Si is fine. Our Big Ship Leader defected last night, causing chaos, but today things are starting to return to normal. Don’t worry about it.”

“That’s good, that’s good.”

Xiao Hu said, “Dad, Mom, you rest. I’m going out to take a look.”

Meanwhile, outside Aunt San Liu was wailing.

“Damn it, they were so ruthless. We all come from the same lineage, and you show such a lack of virtue… you’re inhuman!”

“Uh-hmm… cough cough…”

Right then, Xiao Hu walked out.

Uncle San Liu, frightened, quickly went to pull Aunt San Liu back, “Be quiet, be quiet.”

“Mom, stop talking, please.”

Chen Xiong also spoke with tears in his voice.

With the Big Ship Leader’s defection and dreams shattered, topped with the recent scare from being beaten by the Fishing Guild, he truly didn’t dare to challenge Chen Jiusi anymore.

He was even fearful at the sight of Chen Xiaohu now.

Chen Sanliu also became fearful and realized the gap between himself and Chen Jiusi.

Previously, it was merely a gap in wealth—nothing but not having as much money as the other—but now it was a gap in power. If he took a stand, the other family could simply send dozens of people to beat him up—who could stand against that?

Chen Xiaohu just stood at the doorway of his house, watching Chen Sanliu’s family.

At this time, Uncle also spoke up, “Don’t cause any more trouble!”

Having said that, he left using his walking stick. As he passed by Chen Erba’s family, he smiled at Xiao Hu, “Xiao Hu, Uncle is leaving. Drop by our place when you have time.”

“Oh!”

Chen Xiaohu replied indifferently.

Uncle wasn’t displeased, understanding the confidence that comes with being part of the Fishing Guild.

At this time, the other villagers also came to greet Chen Xiaohu, displaying unprecedented warmth.

Once they were far enough away, the group looked back at Chen Xiaohu and said enviously, “Ah, if only we had been nicer to Jiu Si back then. Look at Chen Xiaohu. He used to be just a no-account basket weaver, doomed to live in squalor like Chen Erba for the rest of his life. But he just followed Chen Jiusi for a few days, and now look at him… so impressive!”

“Isn’t that the truth? Uncle is usually so imperious, but look how compliant he was today, so polite to a younger man. Chen Xiaohu really showed his strength today.”

“That’s what I’m saying, following Chen Jiusi is the way to achieve anything. Hey, do you think we could still gain success by joining Chen Jiusi now?”

“Now? Well, we surely can’t compare to Chen Xiaohu, but it’s certainly better than the others.”

“Compare with Chen Xiaohu? What relationship do they have! But if Brother Jiu Si, no, it’s Brother Jiu Si now, could give us a hand, maybe we could join the Fishing Guild in the future. Wouldn’t that be grand?”@@novelbin@@

“Aiyo, you’re calling him Brother Jiu Si already?”

“So what? Brother Jiu Si really is talented. I’m willing to call him ‘brother’ from the bottom of my heart. Do you all want to spend your lives as mere farmers in Xiantao Village?”

The others fell silent.

After a while, someone spoke up.

“It’s just that I don’t know whether Jiu Si would be willing to accept us. After all, we haven’t really helped him before!”

…