"I won't stand here and let you hit me," Zhang Liusha said, turning to run as his mother prepared to strike.
Su Jie glanced at her brother-in-law, her eyes flickering.
Perhaps there was at least one person in this family who stood on her side.
Zhang Liunian, unaware of these matters, found it was time for deliveries again in the afternoon.
Zhang Liunian and his two companions arrived in Nancheng just after five. They first settled the goods for the food factory, then went to the Nancheng Supply and Marketing Cooperative, and delivered to the Nancheng Restaurant.
After the deliveries, Zhang Liunian had over two thousand yuan in hand. With the money, he sent Zhang Qian and Du Ziteng to inquire about installing telephones for him, while he himself headed to the jewelry store in the department store.
Coincidentally, as soon as he entered the store, he ran into Qian Fei.
This was the first time the two had met since his return from rebirth.
At that moment, Qian Fei was holding something, and a flicker of panic crossed his face, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
Looking at his former friend whom he hadn't seen in a long time, Zhang Liunian felt both resentment and hatred.
If Qian Fei hadn't constantly spoken ill of Jiang Qingqing behind his back back then, he wouldn't have misunderstood her and witnessed his wife and daughter die before his eyes.
Thinking of his wife and daughter, Zhang Liunian's breathing became uneven, and he wished he could just rush forward and beat the man to death.
But the timing was wrong now; he still needed to buy the gift before settling the score.
Qian Fei, looking at Zhang Liunian's changing expression, couldn't help but furrow his brow.
The Zhang Liunian before him seemed different, though he couldn't pinpoint how. Was it his demeanor, his expression, or both? It felt as if everything had changed.
They had been nominal good friends before, chatting and eating together whenever they met.
But this time, Zhang Liunian showed displeasure and ill intentions upon seeing him, completely devoid of his former naive and easily fooled nature.
Just as Li Qi had said, Zhang Liunian had indeed changed.
He had become a stranger to them.
However, thinking of something, Qian Fei pretended not to notice Zhang Liunian's transformation. He stepped forward with a smile as before, reaching out to put an arm around his shoulder, saying with a laugh, "Liunian."
His arm stopped mid-air as Zhang Liunian grabbed it and flung it aside.
Seeing this, Qian Fei's face immediately fell. As a young master of the Qian family, he had never suffered such humiliation. Even his good brother, Brother Tang, treated him with deference. How dare this country bumpkin, this illiterate with only primary school education, Zhang Liunian, humiliate him like this?
In the past, whenever they were together, Zhang Liunian was always subservient to him. When had he ever had the chance to put on airs?
He had only associated with him because of his beautiful wife; otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered with Zhang Liunian, this useless country lout.
"Liunian? What are you doing? We've been brothers for so many years, what have I done to wrong you? When have you ever eaten a meal where I didn't pay? When have you needed help and I haven't assisted you?" Qian Fei was furious internally, but he still put on a facade of being hurt by his brother.
This was the male equivalent of a "green tea" girl, and Zhang Liunian felt a chill. "Qian Fei, you know what you've done. Don't paint yourself as some noble benefactor.
And you say you treated me to meals? When was it voluntary? When did I even get a single bite?
As for helping me, are you referring to helping me get into Datang County High School last year?
Thank you, but we met three years ago because of this, and three years later, it was also because of you that I got in, and I ended up in the 'eat, drink, and play' class."
Zhang Liunian had attended school for two months last year, but he still failed the college entrance examination. It wasn't that he was incredibly stupid, but that class was not designed for the college entrance exam. It was a class focused on leisure activities, spent entirely playing.
There were no teachers willing to teach, and what could he possibly learn in such a class?
Zhang Liunian couldn't understand how such a class could exist in their county back then. Now, upon reflection, he realized the Qian family must have been involved behind the scenes.
Otherwise, who would specifically create such a class?
Moreover, Zhang Liunian had wanted to enroll in a regular senior year class, not this remedial one, and ultimately, he didn't get his wish.
Later, he found that he was learning just as much, if not less, in this class compared to being at home, so he simply went home.
Zhang Liunian's gaze, which seemed to have seen through everything, made Qian Fei involuntarily step back. Impossible, how could Zhang Liunian, a country bumpkin, know all this?
He didn't have the brains for it. If he did, he wouldn't be discovering the truth now. Someone must have told him something?
Or perhaps he had become a private entrepreneur and, with a little money, had become arrogant. It must be that.
Qian Fei tried to reassure himself inwardly, but his face still showed shock. "What do you mean by that? I sent you to a remedial class out of goodwill, and you suspect me of having ill intentions?
Zhang Liunian, you truly are an ungrateful wretch. I must have been blind to call you a brother and treat you so well."
"Treat me well? Did you give me a piece of paper, a pen, or lend me money to live?"
"..."
"What have you done besides harming me? Qian Fei, have some shame!"
If Zhang Liunian's hand injury had already healed, he would have dragged the man out and given him a beating.
No rush, he had plenty of time to deal with him. He still needed to buy the ring, or the jewelry store would close.
Striding past Qian Fei, Zhang Liunian deliberately bumped him with his shoulder. The impact caused Qian Fei to stagger back a couple of steps, and an old ring he was holding fell out.
Hearing the sound, Zhang Liunian glanced at the ring on the ground. It was very old. Thinking of something, he looked up at Qian Fei, whose face had turned as dark as a soot-covered pot, and a sarcastic smile played on his lips.
When Qian Fei saw Zhang Liunian's expression, he exploded in anger. "Zhang Liunian, do you know what you're doing?"
Zhang Liunian ignored him completely and walked to the counter to look for rings.
The gift he had promised his wife last night was actually a wedding ring.
He had no money five years ago, but now that he had a little, he definitely had to get one.
"Comrade, are you looking for a ring? Is it for a wedding?" The salesperson, who had been watching the scene unfold from the counter, approached as Zhang Liunian began browsing the ring display.
Before Zhang Liunian could answer, a large hand suddenly reached for his shoulder, accompanied by Qian Fei's yelling, "Zhang Liunian, did you not hear me talking to you, you bastard?"
Zhang Liunian was not about to let him succeed. He cupped his right hand, then applied pressure, and a scream immediately erupted from Qian Fei's mouth. "Ah!"
Qian Fei hadn't expected Zhang Liunian to be so ruthless. His entire face was contorted with pain. "Let go, let go quickly!"
It hurt him terribly. How dare this country bumpkin do this? How dare he?
Zhang Liunian ignored his distorted expression, then pulled and swung, throwing Qian Fei several steps away. His body slammed directly into the wooden door of the jewelry store with a loud "bang."
The salesperson from the jewelry store rushed forward to check the situation. Fortunately, the doorframe was intact.
"Stay away from me." Zhang Liunian's cold gaze was fixed on Qian Fei on the ground. He uttered that infuriating sentence before continuing his search for rings.