"Alright, cousin, this land belongs to Er Zhu now. You should leave," Liu Yan said, interrupting Liu Jinqiang before he could continue threatening Er Zhu.
"Cousin, what are you doing? Do you know how much effort I put into finding this land? Why should I give it up just like that?" Liu Jinqiang was stunned. He thought Liu Yan was just pitying a bumpkin like Er Zhu and argued back angrily.
"He's the richest man in Liu Town. What right do you, a mere traditional Chinese medicine merchant, have to compete with him?" Seeing that Liu Jinqiang not only didn't leave but was arguing with her, Liu Yan looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"Ah? He's that richest man in Liu Town, Wang Er Zhu?" Liu Jinqiang froze. He looked at Er Zhu in disbelief, a trace of shock flashing in his eyes. He had thought Er Zhu was just an ordinary country bumpkin, but he never expected him to be the legendary richest man in Liu Town! No wonder his cousin was defending him. It was for this reason!
Liu Jinqiang stared blankly at Er Zhu, while the villagers of Lihua Village looked at Er Zhu in shock. They never imagined that this so-called benefactor was actually the richest man in Liu Town! They had truly met a noble person this time!
"Benefactor, on behalf of all the villagers of Lihua Village, I beg you to help us escape poverty and become rich!" Old Man Sun suddenly remembered something. As he spoke, he was about to kneel before Er Zhu. The other villagers of Lihua Village echoed him, their eyes filled with pleading.
"Uncle, you're too kind. Isn't my cooperation with you helping you escape poverty and become rich?" Just as Old Man Sun was about to kneel, Er Zhu quickly helped him up. Old Man Sun tried to struggle, but Er Zhu's hands were like vises, and he couldn't break free!
"Heh heh, Brother Er Zhu, I apologize for my poor judgment just now. How about you cooperate with me? I've already paid the deposit for this land anyway." Seeing that Er Zhu was about to cooperate with these farmers, Liu Jinqiang's eyes darted around, and he approached with a fawning smile. Cooperating with a big shot was a rare opportunity he would never let slip by. Besides, even if Wang Er Zhu didn't want to cooperate with him, he would do so for his cousin's sake! If he could cooperate with the richest man in Liu Town, his traditional Chinese medicine factory would surely become famous throughout Guangyuan County! Liu Jinqiang became happier as he thought about it, imagining crisp banknotes flying into his pocket!
"I will only cooperate with the villagers." Just as Liu Jinqiang was daydreaming, Er Zhu's words were like a basin of cold water, drenching him completely! A flash of anger crossed Liu Jinqiang's stunned eyes. He opened his mouth several times, wanting to speak, but thinking of Er Zhu's status, he could only exchange glances with Liu Yan. His cousin and Er Zhu had such a close relationship, so Er Zhu would surely listen to her!
"Don't look at me. I support Er Zhu's decision!" Just as Liu Jinqiang was frantically signaling Liu Yan, he felt another basin of cold water poured on him. His cousin was actually siding with those country bumpkins!
"Liu Yan, have you forgotten you're a Liu family member? I'm your cousin!" Liu Jinqiang was furious. He clenched his fists and shouted at Liu Yan. At this point, he had lost face and dignity!
"It's precisely because you're my cousin that I support Er Zhu cooperating directly with the farmers. Don't you know how bad your traditional Chinese medicine factory's reputation is in Guangyuan County? Liu Jinqiang, you've disgraced our Liu family!" Liu Yan retorted without backing down. She glanced at Liu Jinqiang contemptuously, her brow furrowed. Liu Yan had never liked this cousin of hers. If she hadn't encountered him by chance this time, she wouldn't even bother talking to him!
"Fine, don't you regret it!" Seeing Liu Yan's angry expression, Liu Jinqiang knew he had lost the advantage. He threw down this sentence and turned to leave.
"Er Zhu, I'm sorry. My cousin has always been like this. Please don't pay him any mind." Liu Yan didn't even look at Liu Jinqiang. Instead, she turned to Er Zhu and apologized.
"Mm, why are you here? Do you need something?" Er Zhu nodded slightly and then asked as if he had just remembered something. Ever since he refused Liu Yan last time, she rarely came to find him unless there was something important. Although their interactions were a bit awkward, Er Zhu felt it was necessary!
"It's nothing, I just heard you were in Lihua Village and was worried about your safety, so I came to see you." When she said this, a blush spread across Liu Yan's face. She said this while linking her arm with Er Zhu's. Hearing this, the villagers of Lihua Village exchanged glances, seeming to understand something. No wonder Liu Jinqiang dared to be so arrogant; it turned out his cousin and their benefactor had an unusual relationship! Looking at the deep affection in this woman's eyes, she must be their benefactor's girlfriend! Thinking of this, many Lihua Village girls who had a good impression of Er Zhu felt disappointed. Although they were not ugly, they were a world apart from this woman!
"Mm, since you're here, let's go back together." Seeing Liu Yan's affectionate gaze, Er Zhu nodded slightly. He wanted to ask Liu Yan to leave, but he couldn't say those words in front of the villagers of Lihua Village. Besides, he also wanted to plant some fruits on this land, so having Liu Yan around would be beneficial.
"Benefactor, let's not stand here. Please come to my home for a visit." After an unknown amount of time, Old Man Sun suddenly remembered something and gestured for Er Zhu and Liu Yan to head into the village. The other villagers quickly crowded around, and soon they arrived at Old Man Sun's house.
"Benefactor, please excuse our humble abode. We are poor, we can't even afford to build a brick house..." Looking at his own low thatched hut, Old Man Sun felt embarrassed. His head was almost buried in the ground. The other villagers also lowered their heads in shame.
"It's alright. In six months, I'll have you living in villas." Er Zhu said dismissively as he walked into the house. Hearing this, the scene instantly became lively. Most of them thought Er Zhu was joking, but little did they know, Er Zhu was telling the truth!
"Oh, who is this young brat? You're not old, but you have a big mouth. Villas in six months, who do you think you are?" As Er Zhu entered the house, a woman's voice came from the doorway. He turned his head and saw a fashionably dressed woman looking at him scornfully.
"Heh heh, Miss Zheng, why didn't you announce your arrival?" Seeing the woman, Old Man Sun greeted her with a subservient bow, his eyes full of flattery.
"Who are you? Er Zhu has never gone back on his word. Why are you questioning him?" Seeing that Old Man Sun hadn't introduced the woman, Liu Yan asked with some anger while sizing up the woman. Er Zhu was the richest man in Liu Town, and no one in Liu Town dared to question him. Yet, upon arriving in Guangyuan County, any Tom, Dick, or Harry dared to challenge him!