Chen Gang ran off, and Chen Jianying left with Chen Tie.
Li Tau seized the chance to say, "Alright, back to work, everyone!"
Although the villagers were still unsatisfied, since both sides had settled the matter privately, they dispersed while gossiping, each heading off to their tasks.
After the crowd left, Li Tau looked at Yang Milan and then turned to his sons. "You all go back to work too. Don't be late. Mercy, you should head out as well."
Li Mercy glanced at Milan worriedly but didn't move.
"Don't worry. He's fine. Dad guarantees it," Li Tau reassured.
Milan smiled faintly and pointed to the tomato-and-egg noodles on the table. "Eat first, Mercy. It might be messy, but it's better than going to the fields on an empty stomach."
Li Mercy quickly stepped forward, taking out two lunch boxes. She handed one to Milan and kept the other, eating quietly at his side.
The four Li brothers didn't dare disobey their father. Seeing that Milan truly seemed alright, they left together.
Now only three remained in the brigade office: Li Tau, Li Mercy, and Yang Milan.
---
Li Tau waited until no one else was around, then asked in a deep voice, "Milan, did you let Chen Gang hit you on purpose?"
Milan knew he couldn't fool his sharp-eyed father-in-law, the old scout. He nodded. "Yes."
"Why? You know it's no easy thing to squeeze money out of the Chen family," Li Tau frowned.
"Because Chen Gang dared target Mercy," Milan replied through gritted teeth, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes. "He deserves to die!"
Li Tau was startled. He hadn't expected his son-in-law, once weak and timid, to radiate such a fierce killing intent.
He worried for a moment and said, "Chen Gang is just a petty thug. He's not worth your time. And with me here, the Chen family won't dare cause real trouble."
"What if you're gone?" Milan asked quietly.
Li Tau frowned. "Gone? What do you mean? Are you cursing me?"
"I'm not cursing you, Dad. But no one can predict life. What if something happens tomorrow? What if an accident comes before you expect it?"
---
"Even if I were gone, there's still Jianguo, Guoqing, Jianjun, and Guoqiang. Your brothers-in-law can protect Mercy," Li Tau said firmly.
Milan shook his head. "A thief can plot for a thousand days, but you can't guard against a thief for a thousand days. That's the problem."
"What do you mean?" Li Tau asked, his brows knitted.
Milan's eyes hardened. "Dad, I may not be capable of much, but I'll never let Mercy or Maggie fall into danger. Whoever dares try, I'll make them regret ever being born."
Li Mercy, hearing the deep resolve in his voice, felt her heart warm. She reached out gently, whispering, "Don't be angry, Milan. He only said a few ugly words. I didn't take them to heart."
Milan smiled. "Everyone can see how Chen Gang feels. But could he really lay a hand on my wife, Yang Milan's wife?"
Li Tau frowned. "I'm afraid you'll offend the Chen family, and they'll try something against you."
Milan's eyes flashed with cunning. "Dad, have you heard the saying: If you want to kill someone, first drive him mad?"
---
Li Tau's eyes widened. "Milan… are you setting a trap for the Chen family?"
Milan nodded. "Think about it. From Chen Jianying provoking me yesterday to Chen Gang spreading rumors today, their hostility is already out in the open. They won't let it go. If I just sit and wait, I'll be the one who suffers."
He clenched his fists. "So when they act, I'll make sure they never recover."
Li Tau hesitated. "But isn't that going too far?"
Milan gave a cold smile. If only he knew the Chen family's crimes from my previous life, he thought. He'd lead his four sons himself to wipe them out.
But since those things hadn't yet happened, Milan only asked softly, "Too much? Do you really think so?"
---
Without waiting for an answer, he held up the thick stack of compensation bills. "Dad, look carefully. Do you notice anything strange?"
Li Tau glanced at the notes. "It's just a few bills. What's the problem?"
"This money is brand new," Milan said, "and all in consecutive numbers."
Li Tau froze.
"Dad, doesn't the production captain have no salary?" Milan pressed.
"Yes. Even the brigade secretary has no wages. Only my army stipend counts," Li Tau nodded.
"Then tell me, how could Chen Jianying suddenly pull out so much money—all in new notes, consecutive numbers? Clearly, they received a large sum all at once."
Milan's eyes narrowed. "And these twenty bills we hold—who can prove the rest with consecutive numbers aren't still in the Chen family's hands?"
---
Li Tau, sharp from years as a scout, realized the problem.
Although Chen Jianying was team leader, his income was no different from ordinary members. At most, his family earned a hundred yuan a year, barely enough to cover food.
What's more, the Chens had spent heavily marrying off their eldest son Chen Jin. How could they possibly have this kind of surplus?
"You mean…" Li Tau began.
"Shh." Milan cut him off. "We have no evidence yet. Don't say anything for now. But one thing's certain—the Chen family's money isn't clean."
He leaned back and added meaningfully, "When I demanded two hundred yuan, Chen Jianying hesitated, but only for a moment. That alone proves two hundred yuan is nothing to them."
---
Li Tau thought carefully, then nodded. Indeed, Chen Jianying's quick agreement showed her family had far more hidden wealth.
"At the very least," Milan concluded, "we now know they aren't as poor as they claim."
Li Tau glanced at the young couple's meal—noodles topped with bright eggs—and couldn't help twitching his lips.
Milan dares call himself poor while eating like this?
"Look at other families," Li Tau sighed. "They live on coarse grains and wild vegetable pancakes. Some even boil tree leaves for porridge. Yet you two eat eggs daily…"
Still, he grew serious and warned, "No matter what, you must be cautious. Chen Jianying isn't easy to deal with."
Milan nodded. "I understand, Dad. Don't worry—I won't fight them head-on."
"That's good," Li Tau said with relief. "Eat, then. I'll go check on the fields."
"Take care, Dad," Milan replied respectfully.