Chapter 793: Family Affairs
Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales
Although Lin Zhiyun had some remarks on Yang Ming’s impure purpose of approaching her, her heart was still warm when she heard him being somewhat overbearing. Lin Zhiyun was with Yang Ming regardless of her status, and she didn’t ask for anything else. She just asked Yang Ming never to abandon her. This was the woman’s little happiness.
“It’s there.” Lin Zhiyun excitedly said as she pointed at a small village not far away.
Yang Ming looked in the direction Lin Zhiyun pointed at. Sure enough, there was a village not far from here. This was a small village near Song Jiang. It was impossible for Yang Ming to encounter this place as he had never come here before.
“Go in from this intersection?” Yang Ming asked, pointing to the ramp in front.
” En , that is it.” Lin Zhiyun nodded and couldn’t hide the excitement in her eyes. The last time she came here was when she was in high school. After that, she was busy studying, and then a lot of things happened at home. Lin Zhiyun hadn’t been here in more than three years.
Yang Ming reduced the speed and prepared to drive the car into the road on the side. Suddenly, more than a dozen people holding bright flashlights appeared in front of the car stopping them.
Yang Ming quickly stopped the car. At this time, a man who was leading the group ran to pull the door of Yang Ming’s driver’s seat, but the doors were all locked automatically because the car initially had a certain speed. The person naturally couldn’t open it.
“Open the door! Get out of the car!” The man couldn’t pull the door, so he slammed on the window and shouted.
The man’s voice was loud. Yang Ming and Lin Zhiyun could hear clearly.
“What is going on here?” Yang Ming looked at Lin Zhiyun with a puzzled look.Could it be that they had encountered a road robbery?
“I also don’t know.” Lin Zhiyun was also surprised, but she said, “Why don’t you open the window? I can ask them.”
“It’s better for me to ask.” Yang Ming shook his head and pressed the switch to the window on his side.
When the window rolled down, the man reached out and wanted to grab Yang Ming’s neck collar. Yang Ming was immediately disgusted. He quickly pressed the window’s switch again, and it closed on the man’s hand. The man screamed and promptly pulled his hand back.
Yang Ming once again rolled down the window. The man immediately didn’t dare do that again but glared at Yang Ming fiercely. Yang Ming was a bit unhappy. What have I done to offend you?
“What do you want?” Yang Ming frowned and asked the people outside.
“Leave your valuables. Otherwise, you won’t be able to leave today.” The man threatened.
” Oh –” Yang Ming wasn’t angry but smiled. “Are you threatening me? I can run you over and kill you now. Do you believe it or not?”
“You dare? Then you have to go to jail!” The man glared and said, “Don’t pretend. I know best about you rich young masters – timid, prey on the weak and fear the strong. Hurry up and leave the money. Then I won’t trouble you!”
“Have you made a mistake? A group of people armed with iron wheels and shovels to rob people? You have threatened the safety of our lives and property. It would be a waste to kill you!” Yang Ming smiled. “Forget it. I’m in a good mood today. I’m not going to trouble you, so you should go. Don’t wait until I get out of the car in a moment. You would have to climb back.”
“Isn’t that a lot of hot air?” The man apparently didn’t believe Yang Ming’s words and thought he was bullsh*tting. “I’ll tell you, our patience is limited. You have only one way to go, and that is to cooperate. Don’t talk about those useless things. Otherwise, we would kill you and no one would know.”
Yang Ming was really too lazy to entertain these people, and slowly drove the car forward, trying to force these people back. If he had to drive through forcefully, probably these people wouldn’t wait there to be killed.
“Wait a minute!” Lin Zhiyun quickly stopped Yang Ming and said, “I think I know this person!”
“What?” Yang Ming slammed the brakes and stopped the car.
“Are you Brother Xiaozhong in Grandmother Zhang’s family?” Lin Zhiyun asked with some hesitation.
” En ? Who are you?” The man was stunned. He didn’t pay attention to Yang Ming’s front passenger seat just now. He only saw that she was a woman, and he didn’t care much about her. He didn’t expect this person to know him.
“I am Lin Zhiyun. Don’t you know me? When I came back the year before, I went to Grandmother Zhang’s house for dinner!” Lin Zhiyun said.
” Ah , it turns out to be you!” Zhang Xiaozhong also felt that Lin Zhiyun looked familiar. When he heard her say it, he immediately remembered, “You are the little granddaughter of Old Lin!”
“Yes, it’s me!” Lin Zhiyun opened the door and got out of the car. Yang Ming wasn’t at ease, so he also got off.
After Zhang Xiaozhong thoroughly saw Lin Zhiyun, he waved to the group of men in front of the car. “Everyone, open the road. We’re from the same village. We know each other!”
” Oh …” After listening to Zhang Xiaozhong’s words, these people dispersed.
“Brother Xiaozhong, how did you become a robber? Do you know that this is illegal!? If Grandma Zhang knew, would she agree?” asked Lin Zhiyun.
“Hey, robbery? Robbery is nothing!” Zhang Xiaozhong sneered without care, “If we are considered robbers, what about those big bosses? After more than a year, not a penny of salary has been given. Wow – is that different from robbery?”
Yang Ming sighed and shook his head. This Xiaozhong’s idea was a bit reasonable, but these two things were fundamentally different! That was considered an arrear in salary, and this was obviously a vicious criminal case.
“Then you can’t rob!” Lin Zhiyun was somewhat unable to understand Zhang Xiaozhong’s approach.
“How can I live without robbery? The big guy had been working for the big boss for a year. When it was the New Year, the big boss didn’t give us money. We haven’t been good this year. The wife and children at home still need to live.” Zhang Xiaozhong said with hatred, “Grandmother Zhang is too old. I need to pay for medical treatment. You say, don’t rob, what should I do?”
“Yang Ming…” Lin Zhiyun turned her head and looked at Yang Ming. She wanted to say something, but she hesitated.
Yang Ming knew that Lin Zhiyun wanted to ask if he could help these people, but it was inappropriate for her to open her mouth. Although this matter had nothing to do with him, Yang Ming had been cultivating Lin Zhiyun’s habit of coming to him in the first instance. Therefore, Yang Ming naturally couldn’t pour cold water on Lin Zhiyun’s heart, so he said, “Get in the car. Then we’ll slowly talk.”
Seeing Zhang Xiaozhong’s confused expression, Yang Ming smiled and said, “I am Zhiyun’s boyfriend. You tell me in detail. I’ll see if I can help.”
Zhang Xiaozhong was very surprised. He naturally didn’t believe that Yang Ming, an unfamiliar person, could help him solve problems. In his opinion, most rich people were heartless. Never mind the big boss who he worked for. A girl in the village married a rich boss from the city. Her brother asked her to help him talk to the boss he worked for. In the end, the girl’s husband refused adamantly.
In fact, Zhang Xiaozhong’s thinking was too simple. Who can help him in this kind of situation? Even if they can speak up, they wouldn’t say it! This involved a considerable favor. If the big boss really agreed to give money, the money given away wouldn’t be just tens of thousands. They would want hundreds of thousands or millions!
Seeing that she didn’t have to speak herself, and Yang Ming understood what she meant, Lin Zhiyun was pleased. This kind of tacit understanding was really wonderful. Yang Ming readily agreed to help, and Lin Zhiyun felt that Yang Ming really spoiled her.
“Brother Xiaozhong, Yang Ming says that he can help. That means there must be a way. Get in the car!” Lin Zhiyun waved at Zhang Xiaozhong.
Although Zhang Xiaozhong didn’t believe it much, having hope was always good, so he quickly got in the back seat of the car. It was his first time sitting in such a high-end car, and he looked around curiously.
Yang Ming started the car and asked, “What the hell is going on? You should talk about it.”
Zhang Xiaozhong didn’t expect Yang Ming to be more anxious than him. He was somewhat in fear and trepidation. He knew that Yang Ming’s car was a BMW, so he realized that Yang Ming was a rich man, and he couldn’t rob Yang Ming. However, in his impression, those rich people were bullish in speaking, but they won’t take on the trouble.
Seeing how Zhang Xiaozhong was dumbfounded, Lin Zhiyun was anxious, “Brother Xiaozhong, quickly tell!” Lin Zhiyun was afraid that Yang Ming would change his mind when he became impatient.
“Then I will say it… In fact, the matter is simple. Some young people from neighboring villages as well as our village and I went to work at a construction site. Initially, the deal was to give us twenty thousand yuan in salary a year. But in the New Year when I was at home, everyone was only paid two thousand yuan of new year money. The remaining eighteen thousand yuan was not mentioned in words. We asked for it, but they won’t give it. They also asked people to drive us out and threaten us. If we dared to make trouble, we would be beaten to death…” Zhang Xiaozhong simply told of his own experience. “You say that what he did isn’t a robbery? It is alright for them to rob us so much money. If we robbed three thousand or even two thousand, what can happen to us?”
“This isn’t the same. Nature is far worse.” Yang Ming shook his head and said, “Before this causes any bad consequences, don’t do this kind of thing anymore. As for your livelihood problems, let me find some other ways.”
“Can you talk to the boss to pay us our salary?” Zhang Xiaozhong listened to Yang Ming and immediately got excited.
“Whether or not I can say anything, I don’t dare say. I don’t even know who your boss is, but I can solve your work problems this year.” Yang Ming said.
” Ah …” Zhang Xiaozhong couldn’t help but show his disappointment. It was good to solve the problem, but the key question was, how were they going to survive currently? Nowadays, almost every family had no surplus. They were borrowing money from their relatives to live. However, relatives were also not wealthy. It was okay to borrow once, but how could people survive if they continued to borrow more?
“What’s wrong? You’re unwilling?” Yang Ming looked at Zhang Xiaozhong strangely.
“No… no…” Zhang Xiaozhong shook his head quickly. “It’s just that we are all in debt now. I’m afraid I can’t find a new job…”
“This is simple. I’ll introduce you to a formal security company. If you sign the contract, you can take the first two months of salary in advance for emergency use. Can this solve the problem?” The security company was Yang Ming’s, so Yang Ming called the shots. Yang Ming considered that the security company’s business was getting bigger and bigger, and more and more employees were needed. After some simple training, these people can take up some ordinary security positions.
“Then… How much is the monthly salary of a security guard…?” This was the concern of Zhang Xiaozhong.
“About two thousand or so.” Yang Ming didn’t know the specifics, he could only give a ballpark figure. He remembered that Bao Sanli had said it before, but he didn’t know if there was an increase in salary now.
“Really?” Zhang Xiaozhong was excited. “That’s great, but are you lying to me?” Zhang Xiaozhong calculated, If the security guard could actually make more than two thousand, isn’t this work too good? When I was a physical laborer, I still earned less than two thousand a month. And most importantly, I can take my salary for the first two months in advance so that I won’t worry about being cheated again. But are the words of this person credible?
One must know that, if he were alone, it would be fine to arrange a job. But to arrange work for this group of people, wouldn’t it be a bit unrealistic?
“Brother Xiaozhong, you can rest assured. Yang Ming never lies.” Lin Zhiyun noticed her lover being questioned and quickly explained.
“The security company that I talked about is currently recruiting. I can only speak up and give you the priority of the opportunity to be employed.” Yang Ming said, “However, if they are lazy and are fired, then I can’t deal with it either.”
“That is impossible!” Zhang Xiaozhong said quickly, “We village children can endure the most suffering, not to mention that it is much easier to be a security guard than to labor physically in the company!”
When the car entered the village, Yang Ming told Zhang Xiaozhong to tell the others what he had just said. If he wanted to, he could report to Ming Yang Security Company the next day. If he didn’t want to, it was fine.
Zhang Xiaozhong’s family lived next door to Lin Zhiyun’s grandmother’s house. After Zhang Xiaozhong returned home, Yang Ming and Lin Zhiyun also entered the small courtyard. The furnishings in the garden were neat. Lin Zhiyun skillfully opened a small transformer box and pushed up the switch. The night light on the electric gate of the yard suddenly lit up.
” Oh , okay. There is still electricity. Second Uncle’s family must have come often and taken care of it,” said Lin Zhiyun.
” Oh ? Your Second Uncle?” Yang Ming really didn’t know that Lin Zhiyun had a Second Uncle.
” En , my Second Uncle’s family is from the neighboring village, relying on farming for a living, not wealthy. So before the things happened at home, I found it inappropriate to borrow money from them. Their family’s living expenses are only one or two thousand a year.” Lin Zhiyun explained.
Yang Ming nodded. Lin Zhiyun said the facts. Nowadays, it was really impossible to make money by relying on farming near the city. Now it was the specialized greenhouses or farms that made money.
“Come in!” Lin Zhiyun opened the door with the key and said to Yang Ming, “I am going to light the furnace and start the fire.”
“I will help you.” Yang Ming didn’t live in the countryside, but he saw similar situations on TV, so he said, “Should I bring these briquettes [1] into the house?”
” En , be careful. Don’t get your clothes dirty.” Lin Zhiyun nodded and instructed.
“It’s okay.” Yang Ming picked up two pieces of briquette and went into the house together with Lin Zhiyun.
After putting the briquettes into the furnace, Lin Zhiyun then found a few old newspapers. She lit the fire, kindled the briquettes, and suddenly there was heat in the room.
” Hmph …” Lin Zhiyun sighed and said with pleasure, “Okay, I’ll take you to my childhood room to see.”
On the right side of the door, there was a small house. Lin Zhiyun pushed open the door. It was a small room, but it was still neat and clean. There was a small kang [2], and the bedding was gone. Not far from the small kang, there was a small table with an old radio.
“Last time, there were a lot of toys that Grandma gave and sewed for me, but I don’t have them anymore…” Lin Zhiyun said with some regret, “How is it? Are you okay?”
“The small space is good. I didn’t expect that your childhood was spent here.” Yang Ming said, “Take me to see your grandma.”
“It’s your grandmother in the future, too,” corrected Lin Zhiyun.
” Hehe , yeah.” Yang Ming nodded. “Let’s go see Grandma together.”
” En , you come with me.” Lin Zhiyun took Yang Ming out of the small house. They walked to the innermost room, pushed open the door, and said, “This is my grandmother’s old room…”
Yang Ming entered the room following behind Lin Zhiyun and saw a portrait of an old person on the coffee table and a ranking.
Yang Ming took a deep breath and stood respectfully in front of the coffee table. He bowed three times and said, “Grandma, I’m Zhiyun’s boyfriend, Yang Ming. Zhiyun brought me to visit you.”
Lin Zhiyun saw Yang Ming’s meticulous and serious expression and was pleased. She lit the incense next to her and bowed three times. She said something silently in her heart.
“I can see that your Second Uncle is also a dutiful son. It is clean, obviously the result of frequent cleaning.” Yang Ming touched the coffee table and said in amazement.
” En , Second Uncle’s home is close to here, so he always took care of this place.” Lin Zhiyun nodded. “Second Uncle is great. I will take you to his house when I have the chance.”
“Okay.” Yang Ming nodded.
When the two were talking, they heard a lot of noise from the outside of the house. The lights of the houses next to Grandmother’s house were all lit up.
“What happened?” Lin Zhiyun asked, baffled.
“I don’t know. Let’s go out and have a look.” Yang Ming actually saw it, but he couldn’t say it. Otherwise, Lin Zhiyun would ask him how he knew it. He really couldn’t explain it.
“Xiaozhong, it’s not good. Your brother and several people in the neighboring village went to the boss to ask for their work salary. They were beaten and went to the hospital!” A woman full of sweat told Zhang Xiaozhong.
“Auntie Wang, please lower your voice. Don’t wake my grandmother. What is going on? Why was Little Yi beaten?” Zhang Xiaozhong asked urgently.
“It’s because he thinks that it is not good for you to stop cars and rob them, so he decided to take a few kids from neighboring villages to go to the boss and ask for money. The boss told his men to give them a good beating. Their injuries aren’t light!” said Auntie Wang.
“I’ll fight with him! At the worst, it’ll be a life for a life!” Zhang Xiaozhong was so angry that he was trembling. His face was blue, and he wanted to look for a weapon.
But several villagers next to him stopped him. “Xiaozhong, you calm down. How are you gonna fight with them? They are from the underworld. You will die if you go!”
“Yes, it is more important to hurry to the hospital!” Auntie Wang also added.
Zhang Xiaozhong gradually calmed down at this moment. He also knew that it would be useless to go there, too. He wasn’t the boss’ opponent. He sighed helplessly and asked, “Where is my brother?”
“In the town hospital. I will take you there!” said Auntie Wang.
“Okay, okay. I’m going to stop a car.” Zhang Xiaozhong said quickly.
“Brother Xiaozhong, take our car,” Lin Zhiyun said under Yang Ming’s direction.
” Ah , this… I really thank you so much…” Zhang Xiaozhong was shocked and happy. He also thought that Lin Zhiyun had a car here, but it wasn’t appropriate to trouble others. At this time, Lin Zhiyun voluntarily suggested, so he naturally was grateful.
“This is…?” Auntie Wang looked at Lin Zhiyun and Yang Ming, surprised. The people in the nearby villages basically knew each other. They obviously never met Lin Zhiyun and Yang Ming before.
“My neighbor, the granddaughter of Old Lin. She just came back today,” Zhang Xiaozhong explained.
” Ah , I remember. It’s Lin Zhiyun, right?” Auntie Wang’s memory was good, “Then it’s just right, your uncle’s child had gone, too, and he is injured!”
” Ah ? My brother is also injured?” Lin Zhiyun was surprised and looked at Auntie Wang. “How did my brother participate?”
“We were all working together…” Zhang Xiaozhong said helplessly, “It’s just that my brother and your brother have been working for half a year, and they could get two thousand yuan which is a lot. I didn’t think that they would cause trouble…”
“It’s all because of you, or else, would your brother have gone?” Auntie Wang complained, “Oh, never mind. Let’s go to the hospital.”
When she saw Yang Ming’s car, Auntie Wang was a little surprised. How is Lin Zhiyun’s boyfriend so rich? Then why are they participating in this? But because they were not familiar, it was inappropriate for her to ask.
According to Auntie Wang’s navigation, they came to a small hospital. The four people rushed to get off the car and then ran to the emergency room. Thankfully, the people were not seriously injured. After being bandaged, they were getting a Tetanus shot in the ward.
“Little Yi, how are you?” Lin Zhiyun saw her brother in the ward whose arm was wrapped with a large round of gauze.
Lin Yi heard Lin Zhiyun’s voice and was stunned. When he looked up, he was surprised. “Sister, why have you come?”
“What are you doing? Don’t you know that Second Uncle is worried? Are you alright?” Lin Zhiyun looked at Lin Yi’s current condition and was relieved.
“I’m fine…” Lin Yi bowed his head. “Sister, can you not tell my dad? He will be angry if he finds out.”
“You, if I don’t tell Second Uncle, do you think Second Uncle won’t notice it?” Lin Zhiyun shook her head helplessly as she spoke.
Seeing the usual docile Lin Zhiyun suddenly pick up the role as the big sister, Yang Ming found it refreshing and watched her with interest.
Over on the other side, Zhang Xiaozhong also had a serious face, screaming at Zhang Xiaoyi, “How can you go to the boss? Do you not know yourself? Their people are all fighters. Aren’t you walking into death by going there?”