CHAPTER 19: CHAPTER 19: SEVERE CONSEQUENCES

He Chen had no intention of recovering the past money and wealth; he believed he could earn more money faster, but he had to ensure that there would be no more thieves in this family, and he certainly wouldn’t allow such greedy people to stay in the house.

Once they discovered Ye Manman’s secret, he couldn’t even fathom what they would do for profit!

The team leader glanced at him and listened to the villagers’ verbal abuse of Li Hongmei’s family, urging them to move out quickly and stop harming others. He nodded.

"Don’t worry, I’ll handle this matter for you; tomorrow, I’ll have them move back, and we won’t let good comrades be disheartened."

He patted He Chen’s arm to reassure him before formally addressing Li Hongmei’s family.

"This incident has a terrible impact. Comrade Li Hongmei, Comrade Liu Dongliang, our Qingshui Production Team has always upheld the ethos of promoting civility and creating a new life. Everyone working hard together is the only way to prosper. We’re about to participate in the advanced production team evaluation, and now, due to your family, we might not be able to qualify."

He knocked on the table, speaking sternly.

"Do you know what this means? Every household in a team that qualifies as an advanced production team can get a pot of peanut oil and a bag of sorghum rice. Now it’s all gone."

"And the amount you’ve stolen is quite large, involving expensive items. A box of candy costs several dollars, and you’ve almost finished it. How would anyone be willing to accept that? Even a wild rabbit can sell for more than ten dollars; if you don’t give people a satisfactory explanation, be prepared to enter the slammer."

As he spoke, his words became more and more alarming, and Li Hongmei and Liu Dongliang’s faces turned pale with fear.

Upon hearing they might go to jail, the two of them rushed to He Chen to beg for leniency.

"He Chen, Auntie didn’t mean it. Auntie was just upset that after marrying, you want to kick us out. We didn’t intentionally steal. You usually give us food, and when you make money, you voluntarily let me keep it. I was just..."

Li Hongmei’s voice grew more fearful, her lips trembling.

"I was just momentarily possessed. Don’t blame us; we can’t go to jail! If we do, what about Tiejun? He’s your cousin! Tiejun! Come over and plead with your cousin!"

She mustered strength and directly pulled Liu Tiejun off the ground, compelling him to kneel and plead with He Chen.

Tiejun, however, failed to grasp the seriousness of the situation, and stubbornly refused to kneel, arrogantly saying:

"Why should I plead with cousin? Didn’t you say cousin is just a servant of our family, his things are mine, and when I grow up, even his wife will be mine, I"

However, before he could finish, He Chen kicked him.

"There’s nothing to discuss; if you’ve done wrong, you must face legal consequences."

He Chen was usually a silent person and never resorted to physical means. He was so big, no one dared to provoke him.

Liu Tiejun was used to flaunting his cousin’s protective presence in the village. Kids his age were all afraid to provoke him, fearing he’d complain to He Chen.

No one could have imagined that this young Liu Tiejun, not even grown, was already plotting to possess his cousin’s wife in the future.

He Chen was so angry that he finally acted, kicking Liu Tiejun so hard that he lay on the ground, unable to get up for a while.

Li Hongmei screamed and rushed to help Liu Tiejun up.

Seeing her son in obvious pain, she didn’t care anymore and pointed at He Chen, cursing him heartlessly, calling him ungrateful and ungrateful wolf, throwing every nasty word at him. The surrounding villagers couldn’t stand by and watched Li Hongmei’s family like they were vermin, avoiding them at all costs.

The team leader, hand on his forehead, sighed heavily.

Initially, he thought He Chen, being so mild-tempered, would be the one to speak seriously and let Li Hongmei beg for forgiveness so as not to blow it out of proportion and affect the evaluation. Now, all this was for nothing.

Frustrated and exasperated, the team leader directly instructed someone to contact the police, putting an end to this whole affair.

Seeing He Chen holding Ye Manman’s small hand softly, crouching down to soothe her like coaxing a child, anyone could see his heartbreak.

This Liu Tiejun still harbored such thoughts. He Chen had already been lenient, considering they were blood relatives, by not kicking him to death.

Everyone spat on the ground and muttered a word of disgust before watching the team leader drive Li Hongmei’s family away, finally resuming the distribution of pork.

As soon as Ye Manman returned home, she stopped crying, her sorrow seemingly vanished, leaving He Chen blinking, flabbergasted.

"You’re... not angry anymore?"

At first, he knew Ye Manman was purposely crying to make a case because he trusted his wife’s smarts; she had to take some unconventional measures to force them to move out.

But in the middle, hearing her cry until she was hoarse and her eyes turned red, he couldn’t help but feel heartache, while doubting if perhaps he had wronged her too much. Was she really planning to leave him?

Once this thought appeared, it grew uncontrollably like wild grass, binding his heart with sharp pain.

He Chen, head lowered, looked at Ye Manman’s face forlornly, like a puppy.

Ye Manman patted his head. "Of course I’m not angry. I’m thrilled."

"You cooperated well today; I was worried you’d soften up and not want them to leave."

She looked at him mischievously, her large eyes like black grapes gleaming under the night sky.

He Chen pursed his lips. "How could that be? I’ve wanted them to leave for days, it’s just that no one ever listens to me..."

"I’m sorry for putting you through this."

Ye Manman nodded, "That’s right, I’ve been very aggrieved!"

As soon as she said this, He Chen’s heart leaped.

But then Ye Manman continued.

"Your punishment is to make me braised pork and spicy rabbit today, and help me wash my feet tonight!"

With an imposing aura, she traipsed toward the house.

Hearing this, He Chen couldn’t help but follow her.

"Okay, I’ll make it today."

"What would you like to eat tomorrow?"

"...Hmm, haven’t thought about tomorrow yet, let’s eat today first~"

"Alright."

He Chen worked quickly; before Ye Manman realized, the delicious aroma filled the air.

She followed the scent out of the room just as He Chen brought three dishes: one of braised pork, one spicy rabbit, and a plate of stir-fried vegetables.

The colors and aromas were delightful!

Ye Manman hadn’t had a decent meal in a long time, as Ye Xiaotong and Yang Xiumei’s cooking skills were especially poor, rendering the food nearly inedible.

As soon as she tasted He Chen’s dishes, she held her cheeks, feeling she might cry from happiness.

"This is so delicious!"

"He Chen! You’re amazing! Such a chef!"

She gave him a thumbs-up, took another bite of braised pork, and enjoyed it with some broth and multigrain rice.

Multigrain rice was usually dreadful to eat, but now soaked in juices, it had a distinct flavor.

Seeing He Chen still hadn’t started eating, Ye Manman urged him once again.

"You should eat too~ This spicy rabbit is so good, the meat is firm and chewy!"

She placed a piece of rabbit meat in his bowl, followed by a piece of braised pork.

"I also don’t like eating alone. If you enjoy your food, it piques my appetite!"

Ye Manman pouted, seemingly on the verge of discontent.

He Chen quickly took a big bite of the braised pork.

"Isn’t it tasty?"

"Mm, very tasty."

He Chen devoured the food, sitting across from the person he loved. Seeing her smile contently, he felt not only his stomach being filled but also his heart, completely fulfilled.

However, they had barely begun eating when Li Hongmei and her family returned, all looking utterly defeated.