Chapter 38: I Won’t Take More Than What’s Mine

Xie Aiguo, at his age, understood everything perfectly well.

The meaning behind Jing Xi’s words was clear to him, even without having to think too hard.

There had already been enough chaos in the village, especially the never-ending drama between the Zhang family and Jing Xi.

After everything that happened, Jing Xi had simply continued living her life without making a fuss.

On the other hand, the Zhang family had repeatedly gone back on their word—Zhang Qiang had harassed her again, and then the whole family had barged into her house and ransacked the place.

Later, Jing Xi had even done the Liu family a huge favor. Now, with all the public attention on her, if she were to expose the way she had been treated in the village and stir up public outrage, authorities would likely step in to investigate.

And if that happened, would he even be able to keep his position as village chief?

Xie Aiguo took a sip of water. “Jing Xi, have a seat. Let’s talk this through properly.”

Jing Xi responded calmly, “I’ve always been talking properly.”

Xie Aiguo put on his reading glasses, his tone becoming noticeably more agreeable.

“Your parents were outsiders. They came here back then as part of a rural support program and decided to stay. At that time, land had not yet been distributed, so naturally, they didn’t receive any.

Your aunt, Yu Zhu, was a native of our village, and her household registration remained here. It’s normal for her to have had land.

But since this involves private rental agreements, I really need to ask the elders in the village. I genuinely don’t know the details of this matter.”

Jing Xi listened in silence.

Seeing that her expression remained neutral, Xie Aiguo continued, “Give me some time. I’ll make sure to give you an answer after the New Year.”

Jing Xi remained silent for a few seconds after he finished speaking, then looked at him directly. Her gaze was cold and sharp.

“Village Chief Xie, I’ll trust you one more time. But this will be the last time.”

“I’ll have to trouble you to handle this, as my voice carries little weight.”

“But let me make something clear.”

“I hold grudges. I remember exactly who has treated me well and who hasn’t. I won’t take more than what’s mine, but what belongs to me is mine, and if someone has taken it, they must return it.”

Xie Aiguo stood up and nodded. “No problem! I will make sure to investigate this thoroughly!”

Jing Xi smiled slightly. “There’s one more thing. Regarding the Zhang family’s false accusations against me, I want all three of them to publicly apologize to me in the village. That’s not too much to ask, is it?”

Xie Aiguo’s expression stiffened.

But no matter how he looked at it, the Zhang family was clearly in the wrong.

So, after a moment of thought, he agreed. “An apology isn’t too much. Give me some time—I’ll talk to them with Old Wu.”

“Alright.”

As Jing Xi left, she gave Xie Aiguo a meaningful smile.

The look sent a shiver down his spine.

If he had to compare, the Jing Xi of today was nothing like the Jing Xi of the past.

Staring at the registry book on his desk, Xie Aiguo muttered under his breath, “Only the one who tied the knot can untie it.”

The next day, at the Zhang family’s home.

Xie Aiguo paid them a visit.

The Zhang family, having recovered their money, once again wore expressions of satisfaction, standing tall with confidence.

Xie Aiguo wasted no time and got straight to the point. “I’m here today to talk about Jingxi!”

The three members of the Zhang family immediately darkened their expressions upon hearing this.

“I haven’t even started talking, and the three of you are already pulling long faces,” Xie Aiguo remarked.

Wang Cuihua slammed the broom she was using to sweep the kang. “Nothing good ever happens when that girl is involved.”

“That’s not right, old Zhang’s wife. How do you explain falsely accusing Jingxi of stealing? Now that you’ve found your money, it proves she didn’t take it. What do you have to say for yourself? Honestly, Jingxi doesn’t even care to hear anything about your family!”

Wang Cuihua muttered, “What’s there to say? I was just suspicious of her, that’s all.”

“Suspicion is one thing, but you went through her stuff, tossed her bedding outside, and scattered her food all over the place. How do you explain that? She’s an orphan—how is she supposed to sleep and survive the winter? How is she supposed to eat? You can’t just act like this!”

Wang Cuihua was somewhat unconvinced, though she knew Xie Aiguo had a point. “But how was I supposed to know it wasn’t her at the time? That’s not my fault!”

“Look at you, getting all worked up after just a few words! That girl has lived in this village for years—has she ever stolen anything? Use your brain and think about it!”

“I can’t think that far ahead; I’m a simple woman!”

Hearing this, Xie Aiguo lost his patience.

“Fine, I guess I’m meddling in something that’s none of my business! I came with good intentions, hoping you three would apologize to Jingxi. After all, we live in the same village and see each other all the time. But since this is your attitude, I have nothing more to say. Jingxi hasn’t even accepted the city newspaper’s interview yet. Once she does, I won’t even need to be the village chief anymore—it’d be a relief for me!”

Xie Aiguo stood up, ready to leave, not having taken a single sip of tea.

Hearing this, Zhang Qiang quickly pulled him back.

“Don’t go, don’t be mad! You know how my hot-tempered wife is—always making a fuss and refusing to back down when she thinks she’s right. Don’t take it personally, talk to me instead!”

Xie Aiguo glared at him. “Who calls the shots in your family?”

“I do, I do! Don’t get mad at a foolish woman!”

Zhang Qiang pulled Xie Aiguo back into his seat and even shot a look at Wang Cuihua.

She shut her mouth. “Fine, I won’t talk anymore. Go on, say what you need to say.”

Xie Aiguo finally took a sip of tea before continuing, “Jingxi said you three must publicly apologize for accusing her of stealing.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“What? Apologize?”

“Yes.”

“That’s humiliating! I won’t do it! I already paid compensation, and she bought new bedding, didn’t she?”

“Oh, so now you care about humiliation? But you had no shame when you barged into her place, flipped through her belongings, cursed at her, and tied her up in the yard? Old Zhang, tell me honestly, do you think you’re in the right here? Behind closed doors, do you really have any justification for what you did?”

Zhang Qiang said nothing.

He knew he had no justification.

Wang Cuihua and Zhang Jianjun also remained silent. Especially Zhang Jianjun—if it weren’t for his own guilty conscience back then, his relationship with Jingxi wouldn’t have deteriorated like this.

He used to like Jingxi. But when he saw his father pressing Jingxi down on the kang, trying to kiss her, he lost all reason, consumed by anger.

Later, he put all the blame on Jingxi.

It wasn’t until Wu Dazhuang was arrested that he finally came to his senses—realizing just how much Wu Dazhuang had led him astray.

He had almost ruined Jingxi.

Jingxi was the only truly innocent one in all of this.

Zhang Jianjun got up and left the house. “I’m going out for some air. You adults can discuss this.”

Once he was gone, Wang Cuihua let out a heavy sigh.

Xie Aiguo pressed on, “It’s just an apology, not like you’re cutting off a piece of flesh. Besides, it’ll only take a few seconds—how hard can it be?”

He sighed, “I’ve said what I came to say. Think it over for yourselves.”

Zhang Qiang stood up. “I’ll walk you out.”

As they stepped outside, Xie Aiguo glanced back to make sure Wang Cuihua hadn’t followed before lowering his voice. “Old Zhang, you’d better put away those wandering thoughts of yours. We’re both men—I know exactly what you’re thinking. But you need to learn when to quit and be content with what you have.”

Zhang Qiang looked up. “…”

“And another thing, I asked around. That Long family that helped the Liu family find their lost child? They’re the same Long family from Shaanxi that’s buying up our village’s land for dihuang root farming. That Mr. Long personally helped Jingxi find the child, and they even had a couple of meals together—they got along well. Think about it: if Jingxi tells Mr. Long anything bad about you, do you think you’ll still be able to sell your dihuang roots in the future?”