As Fei Tou and the others walked towards Er Zhu's house, the youths from Li Village ran in the opposite direction.
Though they also wanted to follow Er Zhu, they had a more important matter to attend to!
Inside the house, Li Mei was preparing to cook when Fei Tou and his group suddenly burst in, panting.
"What do you want this time? I'm telling you, Er Zhu is home!"
Seeing Fei Tou, a sense of dread washed over Li Mei. She clutched her clothes tightly, her eyes wide with fear.
Gazing at Li Mei's delicate and pitiable appearance, a flicker of greed flashed in Fei Tou's eyes. He was about to act when he suddenly recalled Er Zhu's cold, sharp gaze.
Damn it, he almost made a huge mistake!
If he had laid a hand on Li Mei, Er Zhu would have flayed him alive!
"Li Mei, don't be scared. I... I won't do anything to you. I'm here to see Er Zhu."
Fei Tou took a deep breath, suppressing the wicked urge in his heart, and explained with a smile.
"Fei Tou, come here!"
A hint of confusion crossed Li Mei's eyes. Just as she was about to question further, Er Zhu's voice echoed from the west wing.
Fei Tou nodded and ran over subserviently, his eyes full of appeasement.
Hmm?
Li Mei looked suspiciously at the retreating figures of Fei Tou and the others. She quietly followed, pressing her ear against the door to eavesdrop.
Fei Tou had been coveting her for a long time, but now he had actually held back!
Could it be that her charm had significantly diminished, or was there something she didn't know going on?
With that thought, Li Mei pressed her ear firmly against the door, straining to hear the movements inside.
"Er Zhu, please take us as your followers! From now on, no matter the danger, we will not hesitate!"
"That's right, I, Gou Dan, only recognize you as my big brother. If you don't take me in, I'll pester you and never leave!"
"I, Gou Sheng, will follow you too. You'll always be my big brother until the day I die!"
…
With a few thuds, these words drifted from the house. Li Mei's eyes widened, and she was stunned for a long time!
Heavens, Fei Tou and the others wanted to recognize Er Zhu as their big brother!
Snapping back to reality, Li Mei quietly pried open the door crack and peered inside with narrowed eyes. But the more she looked, the more she was shocked!
She saw Fei Tou, Gou Dan, and Gou Sheng desperately clinging to Er Zhu's leg, their devoted expressions utterly unbelievable!
Li Mei's face contorted repeatedly, and she covered her mouth in astonishment, unable to speak for a long time.
What kind of love potion had Er Zhu given them? She felt like she had missed so many things!
Inside the room, Er Zhu sat impassively on the kang, glancing calmly at Fei Tou and the others.
Judging by Fei Tou's temperament, he wouldn't normally have taken him as a subordinate. However, it wouldn't be unacceptable for him to run errands.
Besides, he wasn't worried about the guy having any ulterior motives.
"Go back and take good care of your land."
Er Zhu didn't answer them, instead waving his hand impatiently.
Hearing this, Fei Tou and the others froze for a moment, then as if they had understood something, they repeatedly kowtowed.
"Big Brother, don't worry, we will live and die with the land from now on!"
"Big Brother, your business is our business from now on!"
"Thank you, Big Brother. From now on, wherever you point, we will strike!"
…
The three of them grinned like blooming flowers, thanking him as they kowtowed, looking happier than if they had found a treasure!
"Go on, go on."
Er Zhu frowned slightly, too lazy to listen to their flattery, and urged them again.
"Alright, alright, we're leaving now, Big Brother!"
Fei Tou sensed Er Zhu's displeasure and quickly pulled his subordinates aside, bowing and scraping as they retreated.
When Fei Tou and his group saw Li Mei by the door, they smiled and nodded at her with respectful expressions, completely devoid of their usual lecherous demeanor.
Li Mei ignored them and entered the house, about to speak. But Er Zhu raised his hand, stopping her unspoken questions.
"It was just a small matter, so I didn't tell you."
After Fei Tou and his group had completely left, Er Zhu patted the empty seat beside him and briefly recounted the matter of Fei Tou.
The more Li Mei listened, the more shocked she became, and her admiration for Er Zhu grew even greater.
If he could subdue a scoundrel like Fei Tou, what else couldn't he conquer?
In the blink of an eye, three days passed. Er Zhu and Elder Chen had finalized the preliminary work for establishing the factory. The villagers were busy harvesting ginseng in the fields, and Lin Quan had also arrived.
Although everyone was busy, they were all happy. Er Zhu's prestige among them had unknowingly risen significantly.
One morning, after breakfast, Li Mei heard a loud noise. She looked up, a flicker of panic in her eyes!
Li Li and his mother had arrived!
Recalling the events of her last visit home, Li Mei's heart pounded like a frightened rabbit, filled with anxiety!
Now that Er Zhu was not at home, how could she possibly handle this!
"Sister, I'm here!"
"Ah Mei, quickly come and help me!"
Just as Li Mei was panicking, she suddenly heard the voices of Li Li and his mother. Her hands trembled, and the rice bowl in her hand fell to the ground.
"Sister, your house is really nice. Give me the refrigerator!"
While Li Mei was still stunned, Li Li had already walked in, his eyes fixed on the double-door refrigerator in the kitchen.
A few days ago, his friends had told him, and he hadn't believed them, but he never expected it to be true!
The dilapidated old house of the past had been replaced by a bright four-room brick house. There was also a car parked in the yard, and countless agricultural machines of all kinds!
My God, he had struck it rich!
A sharp glint flashed in Li Li's eyes, his greed completely unconcealed!
"Ah Mei, since you're well-off, help your brother. Look, he's so old and still hasn't married."
Old Mrs. Li grasped her daughter's hand, pointing pitifully at Li Li and pleading.
Da Shuanzi and the others had returned to report, and she hadn't expected Er Zhu and Li Mei to be living so well!
"And the car in the yard, give it all to me!"
Li Mei instinctively wanted to refuse, but before she could finish speaking, she heard Li Li's voice again.
"Li Li, what do you mean by this? Are you trying to rob me?"
Li Mei was utterly enraged. She pushed her mother away and questioned her angrily.
"Ah Mei, Xiao Li is your own brother. What's wrong with giving him something?"
Hearing Li Mei's words, Old Mrs. Li held her daughter's hand, her eyes turning slightly red.
She knew this was wrong, but Li Li was her only son. If he lived poorly, how could she face Li Mei's father after her death?
Looking at the wrinkled face of her mother, Li Mei swallowed the words that had reached her lips.
"Ah Mei, please help your brother for mother's sake. He's the only male heir in our Li family."
Seeing Li Mei still hesitating, Old Mrs. Li suddenly began to cry, her legs slowly bending...