Xu Zheng did not default on his debt. That afternoon, he had San Mao personally go to the trading company to apologize to Jing Yongli, also delivering five hundred yuan in compensation and the traffic police squadron's IOUs.
In the following days, no one interfered with the fresh fish acquisition, and there were no more disputes over the grain purchase.
The entire Xinqiao community knew that although Yang Jian was not home, he had a group of formidable brothers backing him up. Anyone thinking of extorting from Yang Li Village was courting death.
This made many people understand that while using violence to counter violence was illegal, it was precisely the more rogue and ruthless methods that were needed to fight back against those with connections and protection, making them feel pain and fear.
After helping Yang Huailin acquire fresh fish for two days, Afeng received a distressed call from Yang Hui. Wu Laizi's lawyer had arrived again.
Driving Jiang Bin's SUV, Afeng and Anan immediately rushed to Chengguan, leaving Junjun at the factory to assist Jing Yongli.
Half an hour later, they arrived at Chunfeng Building and met the lawyer at Yang Hui's small shop.
The lawyer, Mr. Fu, was a middle-aged man around forty, of medium build, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and appeared quite shrewd.
Lawyer Fu also brought two young men in their early twenties, who were either his assistants or Wu Laizi's summoned cronies.
"Afeng, they came to ask me to sign again. This time, not only did the lawyer come, but he also brought two thugs. Those two thugs threatened to halt Chunfeng Building's construction and shut down my shop if I didn't sign, and to ensure the repair shop wouldn't get a single job. They're too arrogant."
Yang Hui pulled Afeng aside outside her shop, anxiously explaining the lawyer's demands.
Since Yang Jian's incident, Yang Hui and her husband had been under immense pressure. First, there was a shortage of funds, with material suppliers and contractors demanding payment. Fortunately, Lu Hao's rent arrived in time, alleviating some of that pressure.
Then came the constant harassment from social elements, either claiming the cigarettes they bought were fake or bringing cars for repairs and deliberately causing trouble. The couple was exhausted, both physically and mentally, and could barely hold on.
Now, Wu Laizi was causing more trouble. If she agreed to forgive Wu Laizi, Yang Hui couldn't reconcile it in her heart; she had almost been beaten to death by that devil, how could she possibly forgive him?
But if she didn't write the letter of forgiveness, her family would continue to face endless harassment and threats. While the adults might be able to endure it, how could their two children grow up healthily living under such constant strain?
"Sister Hui, leave this to us," Afeng said.
After hearing Yang Hui's account, Afeng was furious. It was simply too much, too lawless. He immediately strode into the small shop.
"Lawyer Fu, is it? You should not come here again. Wu Laizi's case cannot be forgiven. His only way out is to surrender himself to the authorities and accept legal sanctions."
Facing the lawyer, Afeng remained calm.
Lawyer Fu offered him a cigarette. "You're Yang Hui's relative, aren't you? Let me put it this way, Wu Laizi's case isn't a big one, as no one died. But it's not small either – a brutal street assault and fleeing the scene.
Even if you don't forgive him, he might not be sentenced too harshly. We can handle this case as a derivative of a traffic accident. Wu Laizi wasn't the only one who assaulted someone, so his legal responsibility isn't as great as you might imagine.
If you can forgive him, it would actually benefit both parties. After all, the incident has happened, and the focus now should be on getting Yang Hui the maximum possible compensation.
My client offered fifty thousand yuan last time, but Yang Hui and her husband didn't agree. After further discussion, my client is willing to add another fifty thousand. That should show considerable sincerity."
Afeng sneered. "Ten thousand yuan in compensation shows considerable sincerity? Do you know how much Yang Hui's surgery cost? Her two surgeries alone cost five hundred thousand, not including nutrition and lost wages. Ten thousand yuan to get forgiveness? Isn't that laughable?
Besides, this isn't about compensation. If Wu Laizi truly wants forgiveness, he should first surrender to the judicial authorities, and then we can discuss forgiveness."
"Wu Laizi has already surrendered. It is precisely his family who has entrusted me to come and discuss compensation with Yang Hui. Otherwise, our law firm wouldn't have taken this case."
"Wu Laizi has surrendered?"
Afeng was somewhat surprised. He had planned to find Wu Laizi and deal with him privately to eliminate future trouble. He never expected him to surrender.
"He has indeed surrendered. You can verify with the police. If the suspect hadn't turned himself in, our law firm wouldn't have accepted the commission; that would be against legal procedure."
"In that case, we'll just wait for the court's verdict. We will also hire a lawyer and fight this case to the end, and we will apply for associated civil compensation, which will be far more than ten thousand. Forget about forgiveness."
Afeng felt there was no point in continuing the discussion and decided to find a lawyer to prepare for the lawsuit.
Before Lawyer Fu could speak, the young man next to him, wearing a blue down jacket, became impatient. "Who do you think you are? The party involved hasn't even spoken, so what are you babbling about here?"
Afeng paused. "Lawyer Fu, is this your assistant?"
Lawyer Fu shook his head. "No, they are relatives of the client."
"Alright then, you can go. I'll have a chat with these two brothers."
"Okay, I'm leaving. I've left my number with Yang Hui. Feel free to contact me if you change your mind."
Lawyer Fu sensed the tense atmosphere and quickly made his exit. After bidding farewell to the two young men, he left in his car.
"Buddy, it's cold in here. Let's go outside and get some sun."
Afeng said this and walked out of the small shop, fearing he might knock over the shelves if he got physical.
In the central region, winter days are warmer outside than inside. The two young men also felt a chill and followed him out.
However, as they reached the doorway, Afeng leaped up and delivered a series of kicks, sending the two young men sprawling to the ground. Before they could get up, their chests were pinned down.
"What did you just call me? Who do you think I am?"
Afeng was pinning the down-jacketed man who had spoken rudely to him. With Wu Laizi locked up in prison, he decided to take his frustration out on these guys, assuming they were in league with Wu Laizi.
"You're fucking asking for death! How dare you lay hands on me? I guarantee you won't get out of Chengguan."
Despite being subdued, the young man remained defiant.
Afeng slapped him across the face. "Still talking tough? Did you grow up eating shit? Your mouth is full of filth. Did your nine years of compulsory education go to waste?"
"I'll kill you."
Another slap. Every time the young man cursed, Afeng slapped him.
The young man's mouth started bleeding. Realizing he couldn't intimidate Afeng, he stopped cursing.
A crowd had gathered around to watch, and no one stepped forward to intervene.
Afeng patted his face. "Say it again, why aren't you cursing anymore? Weren't you so tough just now? Now you're scared?"
"What exactly do you want?"
"That's better. Speak properly. Don't start spewing obscenities and calling yourself 'old man.' You have no manners. I ask you, who sent you? It wasn't Wu Laizi, was it?"
"I... I'm with Boss Hong. You can't afford to offend him. Let me go quickly."
The young man no longer dared to call himself "old man," but he remained defiant.
"Which Boss Hong? Say his full name."
"Boss Hong is Hong Xing. No one in Chengguan dares to disrespect him. Let me go quickly."