CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER 69: MAKE THINGS CLEAR

Chen Wenjun’s eyes shimmered with tears, and upon seeing Liu Yaya’s bright smile once more, his lips involuntarily curled up, "And as for Yaya, you won’t have to worry about her being mistreated by the Liu family ever again."

The two exchanged a smile.

When Lin Qingxiang and his son came over to continue working, they were pleasantly surprised to find a smooth dirt road added to Nanyu, and were overjoyed.

They had to travel back and forth on this road while working, which was previously full of potholes that frequently sprained their ankles, making it inconvenient to push carts. Now everything was simpler, and business could keep pace.

Their joy made everyone much more enthusiastic about their work.

Chen Wenjun gave Lin Qingxiang some instructions and then left.

As he rowed near the port, he encountered Chen Yongding’s fishing boat.

This time, Chen Yongding didn’t call out to him but instead docked his boat directly, threw a bamboo pole, and jumped onto Chen Wenjun’s boat with a grave expression, "Do you know that Zheng Aqiang’s legs have been broken?"

Chen Wenjun honestly shook his head.

Chen Yongding became anxious immediately, "That useless bum can’t climb up a wall is now telling everyone it was you who made his life so miserable, and he’s asking you to take care of him for life. He wants everyone to get justice for him. If you’re not involved, then quickly explain it to everyone."

Chen Wenjun’s face darkened, he nodded and steered the boat with Chen Yongding towards the port.

Early in the morning, many Dang people hadn’t left yet, and upon seeing Chen Wenjun arrive, they all went to their decks to watch the spectacle.

Chen Wenjun and Chen Yongding boarded Zheng Aqiang’s boat together.

Chen Yongding shouted with a huff, "Ah Qiang, I brought Wenjun here. Whatever you have to say, say it to everyone’s face."

"Say what! It’s Chen Wenjun who made me this miserable! He must take responsibility!" Zheng Aqiang’s resentful voice came from the cabin, but there was no movement.

Everyone looked at Chen Wenjun.

Chen Wenjun sneered twice, "You owed Gao Lei five hundred bucks and faked an IOU saying I owed you a thousand to fool people. Gao Lei saw through it, and that’s why you’re in this mess today. You deserve it!"

"What? Five hundred bucks? Is he crazy? How could he owe so much?" Zhou Shuifang exclaimed in shock as she emerged from her own cabin, even Grandpa Chen, who usually didn’t meddle, also stuck his head out.

"Wenjun, you say he forged an IOU to make you pay his debt?" Grandpa Chen asked seriously.

Apathy towards gambling is one thing, framing someone else is another.

"No, I didn’t! He’s lying to you all!" Zheng Aqiang was extremely agitated but only dared to shout from inside the cabin.

Chen Wenjun looked calm, "Gao Lei came looking for trouble with me, wanting me to give him a thousand bucks. The IOU was right in front of me. He wanted to confront me. I signed my name right there, but the handwriting didn’t match at all. Gao Lei took me to see Zheng Aqiang.

Before being asked, he confessed himself and even begged me to help him again. Grandpa, you know I’m buying land and building a house, any spare money I have goes into materials. This house will sometimes be put on hold to build. How can I have money to help him, let alone for a five-hundred-dollar gambling debt?

I didn’t agree, so he called me heartless and mean. Another thing, since he couldn’t borrow money from me, he’s been eyeing my house. Recently, he snuck in a few times to steal when my boat was empty. I set a trap and he hurt his eye, that’s why he quieted down."

"Gasp!" Everyone was shocked and wide-eyed, then began to criticize Zheng Aqiang’s behavior.

Grandpa Chen didn’t expect Zheng Aqiang to do so many bad things, he was so angry his chest heaved violently and he cursed loudly, "No wonder your parents and brothers don’t want you, even your wife ran off with the kid! You deserve this! Why didn’t Gao Lei just beat you to death to spare us this trouble!"

The Dang people deeply despise stealing from their own. In the past, anyone caught would get a severe beating, and Zheng Aqiang didn’t just steal, but did it several times.

After scolding Zheng Aqiang, Grandpa Chen turned to reprimand Chen Wenjun, "Now that you’ve spread your wings, you bought land and are building a house without saying, yet didn’t mention anything when your home was burgled. What if Zheng Aqiang, failing to steal from you, targeted others? Can you prevent it from happening to others?"

Chen Wenjun didn’t look too good either, "Grandpa, I just didn’t want to make a complete rift. Besides, the first time he stole from me, I didn’t know it was him. The second time was because of the bloodstains I found, and Ah Qiang’s wife came to borrow money, that’s when I guessed.

I thought he’d learn his lesson and wouldn’t act up again. Who knew he’d turn to open theft. Had I known how rotten he’d become, I would have made a big deal of it back then."

Only then did everyone remember the relationship between Chen Wenjun and Zheng Aqiang. If these incidents hadn’t happened, the two would’ve been as close as brothers. It’s understandable that Chen Wenjun covered up for him.

Upon hearing this, Grandpa Chen’s expression softened significantly. He then frowned and asked, "What now? His parents and brothers have fled, his wife and kids are gone, and his legs are broken. How will he live going forward?"

Anger aside, Grandpa Chen truly couldn’t stand by and watch someone die.

Chen Wenjun understood what Grandpa Chen meant and immediately lowered his eyes, speaking indifferently, "Grandpa, previously, in order to get money from me, Zheng Aqiang knocked me out in an alley and robbed me of the dozens of bucks I earned through hard work. He even threatened Ping’an, making him speak well of him in front of me. If Ping’an hadn’t confessed, I would’ve thought Ping’an really liked his Uncle Qiang.

For such a person who bullied me and my son, I even loaned him so much money. Over the years, after adding and subtracting, it amounts to more than a hundred. I don’t plan to get that money back from him, but from now on, I won’t care if he lives or dies.

If that’s all, I’ll leave now. I have to hurry and sell fish!"

Everyone watched as Chen Wenjun left resolutely, momentarily unable to react. In their impression, Chen Wenjun was a silent, kind man without much presence. Since when did this honest man become so resolute?

If even Chen Wenjun won’t take care of him, they’re even less likely to do so.

Seeing no more spectacle, they hurriedly rowed their boats away from the port.

Chen Yongding watched as everyone left and wanted to leave too, "Dad, I’m going to row the boat."

Grandpa Chen stood silently on the deck for a long time.

Once the boat left the port, Zhou Shuifang muttered, "Wenjun used to be so close to Ah Qiang, I thought he’d lend a hand no matter what. But he actually left so decisively! It really seems like he’s changed, become more ruthless than before."

Grandpa Chen sighed and shook his head, "Ping’an is Wenjun’s lifeblood. If it weren’t for Ping’an, his life wouldn’t have been so hard. Ah Qiang did so many wrong things, threatening Ping’an and letting Wenjun find out. It’s no wonder Wenjun can’t forgive him!

Alas! Both Yongding and I have to go running the boat, and you have a lot of things to take care of. No one can look after him, he might starve to death at this rate."