Ding Xiaoyue had never lost a fight in her life, but she had just been defeated by Zhang Liunian and found it difficult to accept.
"Impossible, how could you possibly win against me?" Ding Xiaoyue flipped over, wanting to fight again, when a stern voice sounded from behind her.
"Enough, Xiaoyue."
Upon hearing the voice, Ding Xiaoyue's body immediately froze, not daring to move.
Tang Ge, dejected and dispirited, was instantly revitalized. He ran excitedly to Zhang Liunian's side and sneered, "You're finished, you're dead. Do you know who Xiaoyue is? She's the daughter of the Ding family. The Ding family's influence is on par with our Tang family. Furthermore, Uncle Ding is the director of the supply and marketing cooperative. If you hit his daughter, he definitely won't let you off."
Ignoring Tang Ge's words, Zhang Liunian finally remembered why Ding Xiaoyue's name sounded familiar. In his previous life, this Ding Xiaoyue was the most hated person among the men in Nancheng. She was insatiably lustful, wanting to spend a night with any handsome man she saw. If they were more capable, she'd tie them down and take them home. She didn't care if they had families or their age; as long as they were good-looking, she wanted them. Because of this, the Ding family's reputation was terrible. Perhaps due to the accumulated resentment, when she was thirty, she was gang-raped to death.
"Mouthy!" Zhang Liunian raised his leg and kicked Tang Ge against the opposite wall, so firmly he couldn't get loose.
"Dad, since I... lost, I can't lose, and I won't lose," Ding Xiaoyue roared at her father, who had arrived, venting her inner turmoil.
Seeing her like this, Ding Zhaoshan sighed and said, "If you lost, you lost. What's there to not admit? Over the years, relying on your strength, how many people have you beaten, how much trouble have you caused the Ding family? We finally sent you to the village, and you ran back to cause trouble again. Now you've finally hit a brick wall, and it can be considered broadening your horizons, letting you know there's always someone better out there. This isn't a bad thing."
His daughter was frustrated, but he didn't feel sad; instead, he felt a sense of relief. This was because he knew his daughter needed someone stronger than her to curb her arrogance. Heaven knew how much he had worried about this lawless daughter. Today, someone could control her, and he felt like celebrating. However, what surprised him was that the one who defeated his strong-willed daughter was Zhang Liunian, this seemingly gentle and refined young comrade.
"Comrade Zhang, I apologize. This is my daughter. She caused you trouble just now. I apologize on her behalf. I am truly sorry." Ding Zhaoshan genuinely wanted to apologize to Zhang Liunian, but his attitude made the trapped Tang Ge's eyes widen in disbelief. It shouldn't be like this. Zhang Liunian had beaten Ding Xiaoyue, so why wasn't he angry? Why was he apologizing to Zhang Liunian? Their Ding family was second only to their Tang family and had connections in the Health Bureau. As long as Uncle Ding was angry, without the Tang family making a move, Zhang Liunian wouldn't be able to stay in Nancheng. But Tang Ge hadn't expected that Ding Zhaoshan, upon seeing his daughter beaten, would not only not be angry but would also proactively apologize and seek forgiveness.
"Uncle Ding, how can you apologize? He hit Xiaoyue!" Tang Ge shouted, and then his whole body fell off the wall with a thud, landing on the ground.
Ding Zhaoshan glanced at Tang Ge, a hint of displeasure in his eyes. He knew who instigated Xiaoyue to pick a fight with Zhang Liunian. Using his daughter, the Ding family remembered this.
"Comrade Zhang, I'm not someone who can't distinguish right from wrong. Xiaoyue was wrong this time, and it's not your fault," Ding Zhaoshan said, fearing that Zhang Liunian would misunderstand him and hinder their cooperation. This was absolutely not allowed, as Zhang Liunian's pickled vegetables were selling extremely well in their supply and marketing cooperative, with huge profits. They were almost on par with the daily profits of other items. This was a good collaboration, and he couldn't let his daughter ruin it.
Hearing this, a smile finally appeared on Zhang Liunian's face. "Naturally not."
"Xiaoyue, why aren't you apologizing to Comrade Zhang quickly?" Ding Zhaoshan, relieved that Zhang Liunian wasn't implicating him, still wanted his unpromising daughter to learn to yield and take responsibility for her mistakes.
Ding Xiaoyue, told by her father to apologize, stared intently at Zhang Liunian's devastatingly handsome face and fell silent. Such a powerful man, and so handsome. She was determined that this man must become hers. With a determined resolve, she said, "Zhang Liunian, is it? I, Ding Xiaoyue, have taken a liking to you. I want you to become the son-in-law of the Ding family... Ah!"
However, before she could finish her sentence, her head received a blow from her father.
"What nonsense are you spouting? He has a wife and children. Put away these improper thoughts, or I'll break your legs." Ding Zhaoshan rubbed his forehead, having never expected to witness his daughter trying to forcibly take a man. This was truly embarrassing for his Ding family. How did this daughter become like this?
"Dad, I..."
"Shut up. If you don't shut up, I'll have you locked up when we get back, and you won't be able to come out for a month." Ding Zhaoshan, afraid his daughter would say more shameless things, quickly interrupted her before she could continue her rambling. Ding Xiaoyue, seeing her father's anger, dared not say anything more.
Seeing her quiet down, Ding Zhaoshan sent her home and then began to chat with Zhang Liunian.
"I am truly sorry. It's my failure to discipline my daughter that led her to cause trouble for everyone. Comrade Zhang, please forgive her." Ding Zhaoshan's face was full of apology.
Zhang Liunian waved his hand. "Her behavior was indeed a bit excessive. If she doesn't rein it in, she'll sooner or later bring trouble upon herself."
"I know that, but she's so strong, and usually, a few people can't restrain her. If she wants to go out, it's very easy. However, I will strictly supervise her when we get back."
"Handle it as you see fit. I need to head home." This was his family's business, and Zhang Liunian wouldn't interfere. He had already wasted a lot of time in Nancheng, and it was almost dark. He didn't want to waste any more time.
But before he could take a step, Ding Zhaoshan quickly said, "Comrade Zhang, remember to send me a thousand bottles tomorrow. You don't know how popular your three types of pickled vegetables are. People can't stop eating them. Five hundred bottles are already in short supply." This could have been notified by phone, but a phone call cost two yuan. Now that he had met the person, it was better to save money if possible!
Zhang Liunian smiled in surprise. "Alright, I've noted it."
"Pleasure doing business with you."
Sitting in the tractor, Du Ziteng spoke up about Ding Xiaoyue's matter. "I didn't expect that ugly woman to have such a background. I really didn't expect her father to be a director."
Zhang Liunian didn't reply. Du Ziteng then inquired about Zhang Liunian's factory.
"Brother Liunian, have you considered it?" A day had passed, and it was time for Zhang Liunian to give his answer. Then he could give his father a definite reply.
Looking at the expectant Du Ziteng, Zhang Liunian paused and said, "Yes, give me everything at the market price." He had thought of it yesterday. The Nancheng Brick Factory's collective housing for employees was approaching. Because of this single order, the Nancheng Brick Factory's reputation had been thoroughly established, spreading to several surrounding cities, allowing them to cover the entire province and later expand to other provinces. If he secured the Nancheng Food Factory's cooperation at this time, he could not only slap the Tang family hard but also build his reputation and make money.
"That's great. I'll go back and tell my father. I won't let him charge a high price, don't worry." Du Ziteng, seeing Zhang Liunian agree, excitedly patted his chest and assured him that the price wouldn't be inflated.
"Just the market price is fine," Zhang Liunian repeated, saying no more.
On the other side, Tang Ge, who had been injured and admitted to the clinic, lay beside Qian Fei.
"That Zhang Liunian is too much. He actually dared to lay hands on you, Brother Tang. We absolutely cannot let him off."