Era: Starting with the struggle to refuse being taken advantage of

Chapter 257 They are all my beloved family and friends
Seemingly afraid that Wang Chengpeng would misunderstand his meaning again, Wang Chun'an quickly smiled and said:

"Cousin, don't misunderstand, I'm definitely willing to do this deal."

"But could you give me the money first?"

At this point, Wang Chun'an looked at the money in Wang Chengpeng's hand with an extremely eager gaze.

Since losing Wang Tieshan and Wang Yinshan and separating from the family, and with his grandfather Wang Degong now in charge of the finances, Wang Chun'an's life has become much more difficult.

Although the family would never skimp on food and drink for the eldest grandson, they would never have any other money.

After all, Wang Chun'an is an adult. If he doesn't go out and earn his own living, does he expect to stay at home and retire every day?
If his wife hadn't been pregnant and he hadn't just lost a job, he probably would have been forced to work in the fields long ago.

He could be exempted from work, but he had no money, so his life was very hard.

Faced with Wang Chun'an's request, Wang Chengpeng frowned and said:
"Leaving aside the question of whether the information you provided is true or false, I haven't even heard a single word of what you're talking about."

"Do you think I'm a fool to give you money under these circumstances?"

"I can give you money, but you have to tell me the news first, and then I'll give you fifteen yuan."

"Once I confirm that the information you provided is indeed true, I will give you the remaining thirty yuan."

Upon hearing that Wang Chengpeng wanted to pay in installments and even wanted Wang Chun'an to speak first, Wang Chun'an's face immediately fell.

However, considering Wang Chengpeng's recent threats, even if he wanted to resist, he wouldn't be able to do so in the slightest.

Deceiving Wang Chengpeng? That's absolutely impossible, since that would mean losing the bulk of the remaining thirty yuan.

Not only that, but Wang Chengpeng might also take this matter to the village.

With a heavy sigh, Wang Chun'an said:
“My cousin’s words make some sense, so I’ll tell you the news first.”

"I only did this because the bracelet really belongs to your family, my cousin. Otherwise, I would never have done such a thing."

"It was quite a coincidence. The day after I went home after drinking that day, I happened to hear my grandmother cursing something as I passed by the main house. She kept calling out 'that woman'."

"I was just curious, so I peeked through the door and saw my grandma playing with the table you mentioned."

"After that, I pretended to have something to ask her and called out from a distance, only to find that she hurriedly put the bracelet into a box."

"After she finished dealing with me, she closed the door and then carefully stuffed the box into a corner under the bed."

"It's just that there was a crack in the window, otherwise I might not have been able to find where Grandma hid things."

"After all, you've lived at home for so many years, and you know that Grandma is very good at hiding things."

Under a combination of coercion and enticement, Wang Chun'an completely betrayed Zhao Yuju.

After a moment's thought, Wang Chengpeng handed over twenty yuan and said:

"Here's twenty yuan for you. I'll give you the remaining twenty-five yuan after I confirm the information."

"My cousin is really capable. In just a short time, he got the information I wanted."

"If there is another opportunity in the future, let's work together again."

"Especially if someone tries to take advantage of our family, you'll definitely get a reward if you secretly tell me."

Wang Chengpeng had developed a desire to befriend Wang Chun'an, this filial son.

With him acting as an inside man for Lao Wang, many things might become much simpler.

With an awkward laugh, Wang Chun'an said, "Cousin, what are you talking about? How could anyone have bad intentions towards your family?"

“Especially in our family, there would absolutely never be such a person.”

After a pause, Wang Chun'an added, "By the way, if such a thing really happens, will it still be the same price?"

Why wouldn't he be happy to earn tens of dollars just by talking?
Moreover, he had long disapproved of the behavior of certain people in his family, and for the sake of money, he could certainly speak out for justice.

Wang Chengpeng nodded slightly and said:
"The price, of course, depends on the matter. Big things have big prices, and small things have small prices."

Hearing this, Wang Chun'an was stunned for a moment and said, "How could you say that?"

“They are all my dearest relatives and friends, and I feel a great psychological burden to do this.”

Looking at Wang Chun'an with curiosity, Wang Chengpeng asked in confusion:
"So what you mean is...?"

Wang Chun'an said with a determined look in his eyes, "What I mean is, I won't do it if the money is too little."

Nodding slightly, Wang Chengpeng said, "Don't worry, the prices I offer are absolutely reasonable."

"Besides, aren't you the one who holds the initiative in the cooperation? If I ever give you too little, you can just stop cooperating with me."

After hearing Wang Chengpeng's words, Wang Chun'an nodded blankly and said:

"That does seem to make sense."

"Although they are my dearest relatives and friends, I am a person of the highest principle and I cannot tolerate any injustice."

"So if I find out that someone is using dirty tricks behind my back, I will definitely tell you immediately."

At this point, Wang Chun'an added, saying:
"This is for justice, not for money."

Nodding and smiling, Wang Chengpeng said, "Yes, it's for justice."

"I feel much more at ease knowing that my cousin is so understanding and righteous."

"Alright, cousin, I have things to do. If you have other things to do, I won't keep you here any longer."

"I have something to do, of course I have something to do." Clutching the money in his hand, Wang Chun'an said, "I have other things to do, so I won't bother my cousin any longer."

"See you next time."

After saying that, Wang Chun'an hummed a little tune and left.

Although this operation did not fully achieve its purpose, it can still be said to have yielded considerable results, enough for him to continue living a carefree life for some time.

After seeing Wang Chun'an off, Wang Chengpeng opened his own courtyard gate and went inside.

As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, the dogs greeted me warmly.

Especially Big Yellow, which led the way, wagging its tail wildly at Wang Chengpeng.

Although Dahuang had a lot of bandages on its body, judging from its lively appearance, it seemed that the problem was not serious.

Wang Chengpeng gently stroked Big Yellow's head a few times and praised it:
"Big Yellow, you guys did a great job this time."

It was at this moment that Wang Meiyan, who had heard the commotion, warmly came forward and said:
"Brother, you're finally back."

“You didn’t come home last night. Your parents are worried that something might have happened to you again.”

She looked Wang Chengpeng up and down, and seeing that her older brother was indeed unharmed, she breathed a sigh of relief and said:

"There's some food left for you in the kitchen. If you're hungry, you can go and eat something first. Dinner will probably take a while."

Entering the kitchen, Wang Chengpeng looked at the steaming buns still warm in the steamer and felt moved. Perhaps it was this happiness of being able to eat hot buns as soon as he got home that sustained him and supported him to keep striving on this path.

There was still time before his parents returned, so Wang Chengpeng didn't waste any time. After a quick wash, he went back to his room.

Wang Chengpeng picked up a book he had been reading halfway through from the bookshelf and continued studying.

……

While Wang Chengpeng was studying hard, Li Dan was also going through a mental storm.

Wang Chengpeng's words undoubtedly left a deep impression on her, greatly impacting her originally simple worldview.

Lying helplessly in bed, with her head covered by a pillow, Li Dan still had no clue what to do.

After hesitating for a moment, she finally decided to ask Li Weiguo for help.

In situations like these, perhaps only one's own parents can be of help.

Her mother died early, and the only person she could rely on was Li Weiguo.

The elderly people in the family are still there, but they don't live in Shanghe City, so they are too far away to help in the present situation.

Just then, Li Weiguo, who had been busy all day, returned home and bumped into Li Dan, who was also in a hurry.

Without even thinking, Li Dan asked:

"Dad, what should I do if—I mean, what if—I fall in love with someone who already has a partner?"

Li Weiguo also doted on his innocent and carefree daughter, saying:
"Of course, I'd snatch him away and make him my partner."

Li Dan's expression froze for a moment, then she said coquettishly, "Dad, I'm talking to you about serious matters. How can you joke around with me like that?"

Looking at his well-behaved and sensible daughter, Li Weiguo said with a smile:

"How could I possibly joke around with my precious daughter?"

"In fact, what I just said is exactly what I think."

“My daughter, Li Weiguo’s daughter, is no less than anyone else, and she is worthy of anyone.”

"You said you only have a partner, not that you're married, so why can't you fight for it?"

Li Weiguo was incredibly clever; how could he possibly hide Li Dan's little scheme from him? He immediately understood that she was referring to him.

He already knew about Zhou Xia and Liu Yanran's messy affair, so he wasn't surprised at all. The only thing that puzzled Li Weiguo was who had told Zhou Xia about it.

Song family?

Li Weiguo quickly came up with a reasonable explanation.

It must be that the Song family couldn't stand seeing their daughter doing well, which is why they said those irrelevant things to her.

Therefore, it seems highly likely that Zhou Xia possesses some secrets of the Song family; otherwise, the Song family wouldn't have done something so pointless.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. I believe that if I tell Zhou Xia about this, it will strengthen his resolve to surrender to me.

After all, the Song family has already made their move, so it's foreseeable that Zhou Xia won't find it so easy to find a partner in the future.

After Li Weiguo's encouragement, Li Dan finally felt a little better, but she still harbored resentment and said:
"But that woman was really good to that man, she was even willing to have his child."

Li Weiguo glared at his good-for-nothing daughter and said:

"Can't you have a child with that man?"

"If that woman truly loves that man, then she should choose to let go."

"After all, what are your family backgrounds and what are hers? Only you can bring that man happiness."

At this point, Li Weiguo said earnestly, "Daughter, happiness must be earned through your own efforts, and once you've made up your mind, you must never give up no matter what difficulties you encounter."

"You're so worried about just one woman today. What will you do if your husband meets other women in the future?"

"If you really can't get over it, then give that woman some money as compensation."

“Our Li family has plenty of money; resolving this kind of trivial matter is a piece of cake.”

"Alright, daughter, don't bother your dad with such trivial matters anymore."

"Go back to your room and think it over. Once you've figured it out, you'll realize that this is actually the easiest thing to solve."

“We are the Li family, with our own family heritage. We shouldn’t be bothered by such trivial matters.”

Although she felt that Li Weiguo's words seemed somewhat incorrect, Li Dan couldn't find a reason to refute them for the time being, and could only return to her room in a daze.

Judging from her expression, she seemed to have calmed down considerably, clearly having been successfully comforted by Li Weiguo.

However, the two of them were unaware that this was Li Dan's only chance to escape the vortex.

Since she has chosen to bear the consequences of the Li family's actions and handle this matter in the Li family's style, then she is destined to perish along with the Li family!
Coincidentally, just as Li Dan returned to her room, Zhou Xia arrived with a large pile of gifts.

Not only that, he also brought a bouquet of flowers, making him look even more respectable.

Although Wang Chengpeng was indeed urging him a bit too much, Zhou Xia was, after all, a man who had been around for a long time and knew the principle that haste makes waste.

Moreover, if it weren't for his status as Li Dan's partner, he probably wouldn't even have the right to enter the Li family's gate.

Sure enough, upon hearing that Zhou Xia had come to see Li Dan, Li Weiguo's expression softened considerably, and he said in a gentle tone:

"Let this brat in. Once he's properly comforted my daughter, she won't overthink things anymore."

After Zhou Xia entered the Li family's gate and found out the location, he rushed to the door of Li Dan's room without stopping.

After knocking politely three times on the door, Zhou Xia said in an extremely gentle voice:

"My little darling, I've come to see you. May I come in?"

What you can't have always seems more alluring!
Zhou Xia understood this principle well, and usually kept a distance from Li Dan, always maintaining a lukewarm attitude.

It was precisely because of this that, upon being suddenly called upon by such a kind Zhou Xia, Li Dan, who had been troubled, had long since forgotten about the matter. She immediately opened the door happily and exclaimed with delight:
"Brother Xia, what brings you here today?"

When Li Dan saw the flowers Zhou Xia was holding, she was overjoyed and as happy as a little bird.

With a gentle smile, Zhou Xia began:

"The reason I came today is, of course, because I missed you."

"I waited for you all morning but you never showed up. I think I must have done something wrong to make you angry."

"That's why I rushed over here as soon as I got off work to apologize to you."

"I also have a big surprise for you, I hope you'll be happy."

(End of this chapter)