Chapter 12: Envy and Regret

Surrounded by envious and flattering voices, Ling Hongying’s face flushed red, and he couldn’t help but proudly say, “Where, where, I don’t recognize any brands. These were all bought for me by my nephew, Ling Mo. If you hadn’t said anything, I wouldn’t have known they were so expensive.”

“Ling Mo? That’s Ling Hongshan’s son, right? He’s really good to you.”

“That’s right, my nephew is very good to me. He said I’d worked hard taking care of his dad during this time, so he bought these things to reward me. Who knew he spent so much money? Sigh, that nephew of mine, just like his dad, is one to repay even the smallest kindness with a great reward.” Ling Hongying said proudly.

“Tsk tsk, it seems the Ling Hongshan family has really struck it rich, and not just in a small way. Look at Ling Hongying’s treatment. The other siblings in the Ling family must be green with envy and regret, right?”

“Not just the Ling siblings. What do you think the Xu family will be like when they find out the Ling family has suddenly become wealthy?”

“Haha, they’ll probably turn pale and won’t dare to go out for a long time, right? They let a golden goose slip away.” A golden goose is an idiom for someone that is a great source of wealth.

“Heh, who told the Xu family to be so unreasonable? His father had just fallen ill, and they came running to break off the engagement. That’s why they say, don’t push things too far, or you’ll suffer retribution!”

The crowd’s voices were loud, and everyone intentionally or unintentionally glanced at Ling Hongmei and the others while speaking.

Ling Hongmei and the others’ faces were a mixture of green and white, a look of shame on their faces. Their expressions were dazed, and they were clearly overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events.

In the end, Ling Hongshan and Yang Shulan couldn’t bear it, returned the money to them, and without saying anything more, pulled Ling Mo away.

However, Ling Hongmei and the others’ ungratefulness, and the Ling Hongshan family’s public shaming of them, would definitely be talked about for a long time in this remote village.

The truck continued through the mountains, finally stopping in front of the village committee of Dashan Village.

Because the road wasn’t accessible, the car couldn’t reach Ling Mo’s home.

The last three li (approximately 1.5 kilometers) of mountain road, Ling Mo’s family had to walk back.

Ghost House Mountain, 1127 meters high, stretching for more than twenty li, is the largest mountain near Jinping Township.

Because the mountain is high and densely forested, with steep slopes, and it is the most remote village in Jinping Township, the transportation is extremely poor. Until now, the road only goes to the village committee, and nearly half of the production teams in the village have to walk several li of mountain road to catch a car.

Seeing a new car driving over, the people in the small clearing in front of the village committee couldn’t help but look over.

“Hey, Ling Hongshan is back. He recovered so quickly?”

“Ling Hongshan’s kid bought a car?”

The brand-new truck attracted a lot of discussion.

“Big brother, you’re back? Is your health already better?”

As Ling Mo’s family got out of the car, they saw their second uncle carrying a bamboo basket, walking over curiously.

“Second uncle.”

Ling Mo had a good impression of the second uncle in front of him, who had taken out all his family’s savings and even sold a pig to gather the money and personally send it over.

“Hongyuan, thank you this time. Your family’s conditions are so difficult, and you still took out so much money to help me. I’ll remember this favor, brother.” Ling Hongshan patted Ling Hongyuan’s shoulder, saying gratefully.

Ling Hongyuan was a gaunt farmer. The heavy farm work and the heavy family burden had bent the back of this tall and slender man, who was originally somewhat handsome, making him slightly hunchbacked. His face always carried the simple and honest smile of a farmer.

“Big brother, don’t mention thanks. We’re all family. It’s just that I don’t have much ability, and that little bit of money probably didn’t help big brother much.” Being thanked by Ling Hongshan, Ling Hongyuan’s face turned slightly red, and he seemed somewhat embarrassed.

Ling Hongshan solemnly said, “No, you helped me a lot. I will remember it for the rest of my life.”

“Yes, Hongyuan, you don’t know how grateful your big brother is to you. Among the Ling family’s brothers, you are the most loyal and righteous.” Yang Shulan said, taking out an envelope and handing it to Ling Hongyuan, “This time, fortunately, the heavens were kind, and your big brother was able to turn danger into safety. Mo’er also earned some money. This is to return your money. Thank you.”

Ling Hongyuan hurriedly said, “Sister-in-law, big brother’s health has just recovered, he definitely still needs to recuperate. You should use this money first, I’m not in a hurry.”

Ling Mo carried over a few large bags, saying, “Second uncle, thank you for your kindness, but my family is not short of money right now. By the way, these are some gifts I bought in the city for you and second aunt, as well as Xiaoqiu and Xiaoyan, please accept them.”

Seeing the pile of things Ling Mo brought over, Ling Hongyuan hurriedly declined, “This, so many things, I can’t take them, I can’t take them. Xiao Mo, I appreciate your sentiment, but you should take these things back for your big brother and sister-in-law to use. I didn’t help much in the first place, I can’t take them.”

Ling Mo smiled and said, “Second uncle, please accept them. I bought them specifically for you. I bought a share for my dad and mom too. Look, I still have a lot in the car.”

“Ling Hongyuan, you should accept them. I think you’re much better than your brothers. Ling Mo should buy you things. Now that your big brother’s family is rich, you’ll have good days ahead.” The surrounding villagers, hearing the conversation, couldn’t help but smile and advise.

“Ling Hongshan, you can’t tell at all that your body has just recovered from an illness. I knew it, good people are rewarded. Tsk tsk, this car must be worth hundreds of thousands, right? How did you suddenly get rich?”

The villagers gathered around, curiously looking at the truck.

“Haha, it’s all Xiao Mo’s luck, he made a little money.” Ling Hongshan said politely with a smile.

“You even bought a car, and that’s just a little money?”

“It seems Xiao Mo has become successful.”

The villagers said one after another, their faces full of envy.

Under the persuasion of the crowd, Ling Hongyuan finally accepted the gifts from Ling Mo. Seeing Ling Mo taking out a large pile of packages from the car, he said, “Big brother, sister-in-law, you have so many things, it’s not easy to carry, right? Let me send you back first.”

The group of people climbed up the hillside from the fork in the road beside the highway.

The mountain was lush with trees and greenery, with a path that people had frequently trodden.

However, this road was not only winding and steep, but also blocked by dense trees. Once it rained, the road would become very slippery. Going up and down the mountain was extremely inconvenient.

Passing through the long mountain forest, the view suddenly opened up, revealing layers of terraced fields in front. Further above, on the mountain ridge, was a large area of relatively flat mountain land.

Ling Mo’s home was also located here.

Arriving home, Ling Hongyuan put down his things and left.

Ling Hongshan looked at his house, saying, “Finally back, it’s still comfortable in my own home.”

Ling Mo, putting away the things, said, “Dad, you must be tired from this trip, right? Rest well first. I’ll make lunch in a while.”

Ling Hongshan, looking at the busy Ling Mo, had a gratified smile on his face, “Mo’er, you should rest too. Those things can be put away later, it’s not urgent. This time, the person Dad should thank the most is you.”

Ling Mo smiled and said, “Dad, what are you talking about, I’m your son. This is all I should do. If there’s anyone who should be thanked, it should be me thanking you, and I’ll never finish thanking you in this lifetime.”

“Haha, good, let’s not talk about these things between father and son. But this time you’ve been delayed for so long. Now that my health has recovered, and the family has money, you don’t have to worry. After resting for a few days, you should go back to Huacheng as soon as possible.” Ling Hongshan said.

“Dad, actually I’ve already made a decision. I’m not going out anymore. I’m going to develop my career at home from now on.” Ling Mo hesitated for a moment, then suddenly said firmly.