"Gou Dan, is what Comrade Shen saying true?"
"I... we did hit Er Gou Ge, but..."
"You little brat, it really was you who hit my Er Gou. I'm going to teach you a lesson today, you reckless thing."
The village chief's wife lunged at Gou Dan. Gou Dan's mother let out a cry and blocked her son.
"Auntie, what are you doing? It was just kids playing, how can you hit someone?"
"My Er Gou bled so much, and you call it playing? I'll beat this brat to death today."
Shui Wa: "The village chief's wife is really a divine assist."
"Auntie, please stop hitting. Zhao Zhi Li threatened Gou Dan and me into hitting Er Gou Ge."
Aside from Jun Jiu Li and their group, everyone else gathered here was on their side. The person felt utterly confident now.
"Yes, yes, it's none of our business. Zhao Zhi Li ordered us to do it. If we didn't obey, he would have killed us."
The village chief's face grew long. "Comrade Shen, we need an explanation. This child must be disciplined properly to avoid causing trouble later and regretting it."
"Alright, you say my son threatened you. I ask you, what did he use to threaten you?"
"A sickle, he had a sickle in his hand."
"Heavens, he even carried a sickle. It was just kids fighting, why are you taking it so seriously?"
"Be quiet. My son was cutting pig feed earlier, what else would he be holding if not a sickle? You have so many people, and he's all alone with a troublesome sister. Are you scared of a sickle?"
"No, he released snakes to bite us before."
"How did that snake listen so well, biting you just because my son told it to? Please produce evidence, otherwise, I have reason to suspect you're fabricating stories to stall for time."
"What Comrade Shen said makes a lot of sense. Who can control snakes?"
Gou Dan: "He sprinkled medicine on us. It must have been the medicine's effect. We aren't lying."
"Where's the medicine? How was it sprinkled? How can you prove it was my son who sprinkled it? I need evidence."
"This, the medicine was washed away by the river."
"I think you are all habitual liars. Who in this village doesn't know your character? I think you just had a falling out and decided to have a brawl together."
"Comrade Shen, you shouldn't speak so unkindly. My Gou Dan is a good child."
The onlookers felt a bit embarrassed upon hearing this.
"I don't care about your issues, but my son and daughter were forcibly brought here by these few people. You must give me an explanation, or I'll call the police. Especially since Wang Er Gou intended to take liberties with my daughter. If my son hadn't been smart, I don't know what the situation would be now."
The village chief's wife put her hands on her hips and tilted her head. "Hmph, then you produce your evidence."
"Alright, if I can't produce evidence, I'll call the police. Let the police help me. I don't believe the police can't find evidence. Then I can't say what the outcome will be for these children."
Jun Jiu Li finished speaking and made as if to leave with the two children. Gou Dan's mother, terrified by her words, quickly shook her son.
"Quickly tell me everything. Did you guys try to bully Zhao Zhi Li? Did Er Gou say such things?"
Gou Dan, frightened by his mother's stern expression, stammered, "Er Gou Ge fancies Zhao Xin Nuan, but she never agreed. He did say today that he wanted to do that... and then forcibly marry Zhao Xin Nuan to have a good life."
The village chief wished he could cover the brat's mouth.
"Good, I've heard it all clearly. Gou Dan is the witness!"
"Ah, ah, ah, I didn't mean to, I wasn't intentional."
Gou Dan immediately covered his mouth after speaking. At this moment, someone ran down the small path in a hurry.
He panted and said, "Oh, Village Chief, hurry back to the office. A car has entered our village, and they say they are looking for Zhao Chen Guang's family. Hurry and have Comrade Shen take the two children there."
Gou Dan's mother became even more flustered upon hearing this and quickly pushed her son forward.
"Gou Dan, quickly kneel. Apologize to Aunt Shen and Brother Zhi Li, and beg them for forgiveness."
Although Gou Dan felt wronged, he still chose to obey his mother.
"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have bullied you. Please forgive me."
"Hmph, you are truly going too far. This matter cannot be dropped just like that. We will pursue it to the end. I have plenty of time."
The village chief's legs went weak upon hearing this. If Jun Jiu Li insisted on holding them accountable, these children might end up in the police station. Wouldn't their reputation be ruined? How would they find wives in the future? Their village would be drowned in the spittle of other villages.
"Quickly, you disobedient little brats, all of you kneel and admit your mistakes. You can get up when Aunt Shen forgives you."
"Aunt Shen, please be merciful. They are still young children, they don't know any better."
"Who are you apologizing to? What did you do wrong?"
The few of them could only change their tune and kowtow to Zhao Zhi Li. Since the village chief had spoken, they dared not resist.
Zhao Zhi Li watched them kneel at his feet and cry, feeling extremely pleased.
With a well-behaved demeanor, he said, "I forgive you. I hope you won't bully others again."
Those few people could only swallow their pride and thank him for his magnanimity.
Jun Jiu Li said casually, "My son has a good temper, but you must also pay for the mistakes you've made. Ten yuan in medical expenses per family, is that alright?"
The few families felt pained, but for the sake of their children, they gritted their teeth and agreed.
"We won't be staying here long, so I hope you can be quick about it."
Jun Jiu Li then left. The children who had fallen into the water were weak and had directly fainted.
"Son, what exactly happened?"
"They were bitten by snakes that suddenly appeared."
"Doctor, doctor, please come and see my child, sob..."
Snakes frequently appeared in this area, and the doctor kept medicine for snake venom, so he hurried over to treat their injuries.
"Leave a few people here to look after the children. Each family sends one person back to get the money and give it to me. I'll give it to Comrade Shen."
"Alright."
Gou Dan also quickly exposed his bitten leg and ran to find the doctor. He exchanged a glance with his equally fortunate brother, and everything was understood without words.
Seeing his companions in such a pathetic state, he resolved never to hang out with them again.
After returning home, the village chief was very anxious. After a few seconds of hesitation, he gritted his teeth and took out 300 yuan to put with the compensation.
"Old man, what are you doing? That's 300 yuan, not 30 yuan!"
"Get lost! Do I need you to teach me how to do things? You're useless and only make things worse, you've even corrupted your son."
With that, he glared fiercely at his wife and left the house.
"Wuwuwu, why is it all my fault?"