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In the courtyard, Cui Zhengyang inspected the machine and found no issues with it. The problem lay with the driver’s operation. The gear wasn’t engaged, and with the brake on, the tractor running would have been quite strange.
After solving the problem, Cui Lao personally demonstrated to Liu Xuebing how to drive the tractor properly. “Young man, in the future, follow my instructions, and you won’t have any problems. If you encounter any issues, come find me; I live here.”
Seeing the tractor start up again, Liu Xuebing’s admiration for Cui Zhengyang instantly soared. “Sir, I really have to thank you today. In the future, if I encounter any problems, I’ll have to trouble you, sir.”
With that matter settled, Cui Zhengyang had to go and address the issue with the pulverizer. At this point, the crowd automatically made way for the elderly man, showing admiration and gratitude for someone with such skills.
Dealing with the pulverizer was even simpler; it was just a case of too much material causing a blockage. After clearing it, the machine roared back to life. Jin Manxiang was almost moved to tears. “Uncle, we really owe it to you today. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known what to do. To show my gratitude, I’d like to invite you to our house for a meal at noon.”
Upon receiving the enthusiastic invitation from the forthright rural woman, Old Cui politely declined with a smile. “Comrade, I appreciate your kindness, but I haven’t been of much help. If you encounter any problems in the future, feel free to come find me. Let’s all work well, and everything will fall into place.”
Old Cui’s display today made Liu Changlin start to look at these people in a new light. He had seldom interacted with them before, but today, he truly witnessed what it meant to be capable and skilled. These were the true capable individuals.
“Old comrade, we really have to thank you today. We might need to trouble you again in the future.”
After exchanging a few words with the former brigade leader, Old Cui led the others away. Zhang Qiang and the others also came for lunch, so they left the production brigade courtyard together, while being watched by the onlookers.
“Grandpa Cui, you’re really amazing. Did you see the way they looked at you?” Zuo Yu chattered alongside the elderly man as they walked.
Zuo Zhanshan, smiling, held his grandson and listened to Zuo Yu’s admiring words for Old Cui. “Zuo Yu, in the future, you should learn well from your Grandpa Cui. Once you’ve learned, you’ll also feel the respect and admiration from others.”
The little one, having witnessed the scene where the elderly man was respected, kept nodding his head continuously. “Grandpa, don’t worry. We’ll study hard for sure.”
After lunch, Wang Juan came over to chat with Zhang Lan, recounting the day’s events at the brigade. “Sister, let me tell you something. When Wang Zhenguo and the others fell ill this time, not a single person from our village went to visit them. Don’t you find that amusing?”
Zhang Lan found it quite unbelievable as well. Normally, in a village, there would at least be some close neighbors and friends. In case of any significant events or even minor issues, people would usually bring something over to show their concern, not so much for the gift itself, but as a gesture of friendship.
“Wang Juan, how can that be? Not a single person?” Zhang Lan was quite incredulous.
Wang Juan asserted, “Of course. Everyone is saying the same. I reckon these people aren’t well-regarded, and secondly, this matter is somewhat eerie. So, no one dares to go. They not only dug up someone’s grave but also looted the contents. What kind of things were in there? Previously, we had a tradition of leveling graves, but that was for a reason. Those graves were affecting the farmland. But these graves were peacefully situated on the hillside, not bothering anyone. Yet they dared to disturb them. Who else would confront them if not us?”
The latter part of Wang Juan’s statement was whispered into Zhang Lan’s ear.
Hearing these words, Wang Zhenhe became even more agitated. If things continued this way, his brother’s fate would truly be uncertain.
“Sister-in-law, stay here. I’ll go take a look. After all, we’re brothers. Even if he’s unkind, I can’t be indifferent. I should go and see him,” Wang Zhenhe declared.
Understanding her husband well, Zhang Lan nodded. She wouldn’t go herself, but she couldn’t stop Wang Zhenhe’s sense of brotherhood. As the saying goes, blood is thicker than water. Some things, even if one might not want to acknowledge them, still remain a bond between brothers.
Wang Qian quickly stood up. “Dad, I’ll go with you. After all, they’ve been causing trouble for us for so many years. I want to see what they’re up to this time.”
Wang Zhenhe didn’t respond to his daughter’s words. The accumulated grievances from all these years had likely formed an insurmountable barrier in the hearts of the children. Repairing that relationship would likely be very difficult, especially since their own relatives showed no interest in mending it. He simply held his daughter’s hand silently and walked out.
Seeing Wang Zhenguo lying on the kang, Wang Qian felt a fleeting urge to laugh. The once arrogant troublemaker who used to bully her mother was now lying quietly, almost indistinguishable from a lifeless body. Upon closer inspection, she noticed that his breathing seemed normal, but his complexion was a bit off. She even got the feeling that Wang Zhenguo might be deeply engulfed in fear at this moment.
“Could it be that he inhaled something harmful in the grave, and now he’s gripped by fear?” She speculated inwardly but showed no outward signs.
Upon seeing her third son approach, Zhu Qiyu refrained from making any cutting remarks. Instead, she grasped Wang Zhenhe’s hand. “Youngest son, think of a way to save your brother. After all, he’s your own brother, no matter what wrongs he’s done. You’re blood relatives.”
Wang Zhenhe looked at his mother with some helplessness. “Mother, if I had a way, would I stand by and do nothing? But this little son of yours should learn a lesson this time. He should do fewer immoral things in the future.”
These words immediately drew the displeasure of both Zhu Qiyu and Ma Fenqing. Before the older woman could speak, her daughter-in-law interjected. Although they had not seen Wang Zhenhe before, based on her mother-in-law’s words, she understood that he was her third elder brother.
“Brother, I don’t want to hear that from you. What has my husband done to make you hate him so much? If you’re here to mock him, I suggest you leave. I’ve never seen a brother like you. Your brother is unwell, and all you do is stand there making sarcastic remarks.” Ma Fenqing was extremely blunt with Wang Zhenhe. Wang Qian shot a sidelong glance at Ma Fenqing, her pregnancy-related puffiness making her look even more unattractive. Observing her expression, it seemed as though she was blaming their family.
“Little Aunt, why are your words so harsh? My father came here in good faith, amidst his many duties, to see his own younger brother. How can you misconstrue that? Why did your Wang Zhenguo fall ill? Do I need to say it? Only someone who has done many immoral things could end up like this. Why don’t you ask those children who were also watching? How come nothing happened to them? People with dirty thoughts in their hearts are bound to end up like this. Don’t tell me my father can’t save him. Even if he could, after hearing your words, we wouldn’t save him out of principle. Let’s go, Dad. We’re not welcome here. Even if you are concerned about brotherly love, others might not reciprocate it.”
Wang Qian pulled Wang Zhenhe out. Upon hearing Wang Qian’s words, Zhu Qiyu couldn’t just let them leave, hastily grabbing Wang Zhenhe’s arm. “Youngest son, please don’t be angry. Your sister-in-law is just anxious and spoke without restraint. Don’t argue with a pregnant woman. If you have any way to help Zhenguo, please do it. I’m begging you.”
The old lady even seemed as if she were about to kneel before Wang Zhenhe, but he stopped her. “Mother, please don’t do this. You’re only shortening my life. I don’t have a solution. It was Wang Qian’s anxiety that led to those words. You should believe that too.”
Wang Qian’s suggestion, although speculative, was based on her belief that Wang Zhenguo might be in a state of fear that prevented him from regaining consciousness. “Dad, slap Wang Zhenguo’s face as hard as you can. I think that might wake him up.”
Ma Fenqing and Zhu Qiyu were deeply upset upon hearing this. “You little brat, your uncle is already sick, and you come up with such a terrible idea. Are you trying to harm him?”
Wang Qian, feeling even more upset, placed her hands on her hips and shouted at Zhu Qiyu and Ma Fenqing, “I’m telling you, if you don’t watch your mouth, I won’t save him. Dad, let’s go. What kind of people are they… we’re offering help but were getting treated like a scapegoat.”
Zhu Qiyu, desperate to save her son, was starting to feel swayed by Wang Qian’s resolute words. Wang Qian was the only person who could potentially save her son. If they left, she would be left with no option but to weep at the grave.
“Hey, don’t go, Qianqian. It’s not good for grandma and your aunt to speak that way, but we’ve never heard of this method. You have to explain it to us before we can trust it,” pleaded Zhu Qiyu.
Wang Zhenhe also held his daughter close. “Qianqian, if you have a way, please save them. After all, it’s a human life. Regardless of your grandmother’s stance, you should also consider your grandfather’s wishes. At this age, the pain of seeing the younger generation suffer is unbearable.”
Wang Qian had never intended for Wang Zhenguo to die. Seeing his condition that day, she boldly suggested her father try, taking a desperate measure.
“Grandma, why did I ask my father to slap my uncle? Firstly, my father is upright and selfless. You have to admit that, don’t you?” Zhu Qiyu, even though unwilling, nodded at this critical moment.
“Secondly, I feel that my uncle is unable to wake up on his own. It seems he needs external help, and it requires someone like my father. But I want to make it clear that if we, with good intentions, fail to revive him, you can’t blame us. Furthermore, if I manage to revive Wang Zhenguo today, remember that you owe me a favor. You should remember to repay me in the future. I’ll decide when I want you to repay it. Can you agree to this condition?”