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Chen Family – Main House
The atmosphere in the Chen household was heavy and gloomy.
Chen Jianying sat on the edge of the heated kang bed, a pipe in hand. The sound of bata, bata echoed with every puff, sparks flickering like his mood—sometimes flaring bright, sometimes dim.
On the ground, Chen Gang squatted with his fists tightly clenched. Finger-shaped welts marked his face, his expression twisted with humiliation and suppressed fury.
"Is what you just told me true?" Chen Jianying asked coldly.
Chen Gang quickly replied, "Dad, it was Milan who struck first! I only hit him back. I didn't even touch him much!" His voice was full of grievance.
But Jianying already knew deep down—the Chen family had been tricked.
The thought of the two hundred yuan they had handed over made his heart ache. Two hundred yuan! Enough to buy a pig, yet that brat Milan had walked away with it for nothing.
Seeing his father's silence, Chen Gang grew anxious. "Dad, you have to believe me! He was pretending—just acting!"
Jianying exhaled a long plume of smoke, his voice low and sharp. "How dare you say that? Why are you always circling around that Li girl? If there was nothing improper, who would believe you were being wronged?"
Chen Gang bit back, "Dad, it's only because that old man Zhou opposed you. I went to stir things up, to give him some trouble, but I never expected…"
"Enough!" Jianying snapped. "You stupid brat! You're blinded by your obsession with that Li family girl. Don't you know what kind of disaster you've dragged on us?"
No one knew better than Chen Jianying the nature of his second son.
"Dad… no matter what, you must avenge me!" Chen Gang ground his teeth. Never in his life had he felt so wronged. For a single punch, he had been slapped half a dozen times by his own father, forced to pay two hundred yuan compensation, and shamed before the entire brigade.
It was unbearable humiliation.
Jianying's eyes turned icy. "Do you really think our Chen family's money is so easy to extort?"
At these words, Chen Gang's eyes lit up. "Dad, what are you going to do?"
Jianying took two deep drags from his pipe before answering. "I haven't decided yet. But after this, even you should see—Milan is not easy prey. He's a city-educated youth with tricks up his sleeve. If we rush in blindly, he'll only make fools of us again."
Chen Gang hesitated, then suggested, "Then… what if we make it look like an accident?"
"Fool!" Jianying barked. "You think Li Tau is an ordinary man? He's no soft vegetarian. That old scout sees everything. Do you think you can fool him so easily?"
Chen Jianying knew very well—Li Tau was no common soldier. He had once served in Unit 212 of the army and had powerful backing. The year he returned to the village, he was immediately appointed brigade secretary without election, proof of his strong connections.
"We must not act rashly against Milan or Li Tau. Today's humiliation will serve as a lesson. We'll strike when the time is right."
Chen Gang clenched his fists. "So what should we do?"
Jianying thought for a moment, then asked, "I heard that Monkey Hou (Hou San) has come back to the village?"
"Yes, I ran into him yesterday," Chen Gang replied.
"Good. In the afternoon, find him for a drink. Have him deal with Milan."
Chen Gang was startled, then grinned with malicious joy. "Dad, that's brilliant! Hou San himself said the Li family would suffer sooner or later!"
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Hou San's Background
Hou San was notorious in the Babaoliang Brigade. His father had died young, his mother remarried, and he was raised by his grandparents. When they too passed away, Hou San had no one to discipline him and grew wild.
He became infamous for stealing chickens and dogs. Last year, he had been caught red-handed by Li Tau stealing brigade chickens, and was sent to the commune for punishment.
The commune sentenced him to a year of forced labor. He had only been released five or six days ago.
Jianying sneered, "Hou San holds a deep grudge against the Li family. Stir him up a few times and he'll rush to attack them without restraint. Let him strike first. We'll deal with Milan through his hands."
Chen Gang still worried. "But Dad, the Li brothers aren't weak either. Even if Hou San makes a move, they might retaliate."
"Hmph," Jianying scoffed. "Those Li brats are indeed troublesome. That's why we'll let Hou San handle Milan first. I already have a plan—you just need to follow it."
Hearing his father's scheme, Chen Gang's expression shifted from rage to excitement. A feral gleam burned in his eyes.
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That Afternoon
By afternoon, the sky darkened, thunder rumbling as rain began to fall—a blessing for the wilting crops. The downpour ended work early, and Milan left the brigade to return home.
At home, Mercy had already brought little Maggie back from her grandparents'. When the child saw her father, she ran into his arms, calling out joyfully.
Milan's heart softened. He scooped her up with a broad smile.
Inside the house, Mercy was preparing to wash clothes. Milan stopped her. "You've worked enough. I'll do it tomorrow."
Mercy laughed. "If you wash clothes, the women in the village will laugh me to death! No, go rest."
Though she refused, her heart warmed at his care. Milan smiled, knowing that in this era, men rarely shared housework, but inwardly, he was determined to cherish his family.
Outside, rain poured down with flashes of thunder, but inside, laughter of father and daughter filled the dimly lit room.
Work could wait—these fleeting moments of Maggie's childhood could not.