Chapter 104: Old Grudges

Zhang Peiyue really came to deliver money? Well, at least the kid still has some humanity!

Wen Xiaocheng turned his head and happened to meet Zhang Weishan’s gaze. It had been five years since they last met, and Zhang Weishan was noticeably different now. He used to look like a nouveau riche—gold chains, gold watch—desperate for everyone to know he was wealthy. But now, he was much more refined, even the excess flesh had disappeared. On a scorching hot day, he still wore a proper shirt and tie. Regardless of manners or temperament, he looked like a completely different person. Perhaps in a big city it wouldn’t stand out, but in this small county town, just this restrained aura made him appear like a so-called successful man.

“You must be Wen Xiaocheng, right?” Zhang Weishan stood up, strode over, and extended his hand. “I’m Zhang Weishan, Zhang Peiyue’s father.”

For a moment, Xiaocheng was at a loss, unsure how to face this man. Though he was an enemy of his family—after all, his father was the one who killed his younger brother, and though his father’s actions had torn his family apart and landed him in prison, the deceased were gone; he couldn’t keep holding onto that hatred forever. Besides, now they had covered Lu Qi’s medical expenses—it was, after all, an act of goodwill.

Debts of the father are repaid by the son, but who can truly calculate such debts?

Xiaocheng didn’t reach out to shake hands but simply gave a slight nod—a gesture of respect. No matter what, Zhang Peiyue was family, and by tradition, calling him “uncle” wouldn’t belittle himself; it was a proper courtesy. Not shaking hands meant a fundamental difference in values and no intention to associate.

Zhang Weishan took no offense, withdrew his hand, and nodded in return. “Don’t worry about the medical expenses. I paid a fifty-thousand-yuan deposit. If that’s not enough, just call Peiyue. I’m covering all his medical costs.”

“Then I’ll thank you on behalf of Lu Qi.”

“Ah…” Zhang Weishan sighed. “This Lu Qi, he’s Lu Songyan’s son, isn’t he?”

Mentioning Lu Songyan, it was clear the five-year-old feud was understood. Xiaocheng nodded in acknowledgment.

“Looks just like his father,” Zhang Weishan murmured. “Young man, do you have a moment to talk?”

Xiaocheng frowned. He had been preoccupied with Lu Qi’s situation and wasn’t prepared for a deep conversation with Zhang Weishan. But since the topic was brought up, he didn’t want to show weakness either.

Seeing Xiaocheng agree, Zhang Weishan gestured toward the nearby waiting area for family members. Ding Sina and Professor Dai, sensing the mood, said, “You talk, we’ll go check on Lu Qi.” Zhang Peiyue immediately added, “I’ll go too.”

The three left, leaving only Zhang Weishan and Wen Xiaocheng on the bench.

“Actually, I saw you five years ago. You were just a kid then. Now look how tall you’ve grown.”

Xiaocheng snorted coldly. “Uncle Zhang, I was small then, sure, but I was already ten. I remember what happened back then! My father’s in prison, and I’m the only man in the Wen family who can represent us outside. This is a conversation between our two families. So whether you’re trying to make friends or assert seniority, save it. If you have something to say, let’s get straight to the point!”

Zhang Weishan smiled. “Alright, you represent the Wen family, I’ll represent the Zhang family. The conflict between us started five years ago, not to assert seniority, but that’s where it began.”

Both had witnessed the events five years ago, but Xiaocheng wondered how Zhang’s family interpreted them.

“You were just a child then. Actually, my career was just getting started,” Zhang Weishan sighed. “The Riverside Garden project—I put my entire fortune and life on the line. If we didn’t start construction on time, if the funding chain broke, my Shanhai Real Estate would be finished. Back then, only a dozen or so households hadn’t relocated yet, and your father was the pillar of those few. As long as he was out of the way, the rest would be easy.”

At this, Xiaocheng’s gaze sharpened. Zhang Weishan quickly added, “Let’s stick to the facts. I’m just telling you what I thought at the time.”

“At that time, I specifically talked to your father. I offered three times the public price! But your father was adamant, said he wouldn’t sign because the house by the river was an ancestral home… I was furious. If your family didn’t move, I’d lose over a hundred million. I felt like I might jump off a building!”

Xiaocheng remained silent, listening on.

“We held meetings with the relocation office and others. Everyone thought your father was a righteous teacher who knew the law, but he was stubborn. Since gentle means didn’t work, we had to be forceful. Before the incident, our plan was to tear down the courtyard walls, storm in, detain your family, and after demolishing the house, persuade your father—whether through apologies or high compensation. Compared to the fortune I risked on the project, your family’s compensation was nothing.”

Zhang Weishan’s eyes glazed over as he recalled those days with deep regret.

“Never expected your father to live up to his name—Wen Xin Wu! Like a broken machete, he held off a dozen men!” Thinking of that scene, his own younger brother lying helpless and convulsing in a pool of blood, Zhang Weishan choked up. “Afterwards… no need for details. A man’s rage spilled blood within five steps. My brother was slashed in the neck and was dead before the ambulance arrived. Qiu Zeyan, Ding Quezi, and Lu Songyan, Lu Qi’s father, were all injured…”

“My brother died. Your family was almost destroyed too. Back then, my mother was still alive, blaming me for not having an eldest son. I was heartbroken! I hated your father then! Wished the court would execute him!”

Xiaocheng did not lose control. He said he hated back then, implying he no longer did.

“Later, Riverside Garden was finally built. Afterwards, not just our town, but even Hongxing County and Xiangyang City, demolition became more civilized. Who knows if your father’s knife played a part in that? That was a lesson my brother paid for with his life!”

Zhang Weishan’s eyes reddened. After a long pause to compose himself, he continued, “A few days ago, my son asked me for money. I casually threw him two thousand yuan. He said it wasn’t enough. I asked how much he needed. He said one hundred thousand! I asked why so much. He cried and said he wanted to hire someone to kill you!”

Xiaocheng listened, biting back a sneer. Zhang Peiyue, such a loser—buying a hitman? Why not just take out a bank loan?

Zhang Weishan went on, “When I asked him what was going on, he stammered, barely explaining things at your school. I’ve been running around for years, but his mother’s been the one raising him. We spoiled this kid! I thought the tragedy from five years ago was behind us. Didn’t expect the hatred to pass on to the next generation!”

“I used to avoid this matter instinctively, but avoidance solves nothing. If this continues, my son will really hire a killer!”

Xiaocheng inwardly chuckled: You’re worrying too much. Zhang Peiyue doesn’t have the guts to kill anyone!

“Actually, the Lu family was also a victim of the incident five years ago. His father was injured, and no one paid for his medical bills. Since Lu Qi is in trouble today, I’m covering all expenses. Consider it a settlement for what happened back then.”

Xiaocheng nodded. Whether Wen or Zhang, both families bore some responsibility. The only innocent party was the Lu family. Now that they had closure, Xiaocheng wondered how Zhang and Wen would settle their feud.

——————

Every family has its troubles. Wen Xinwu is no exception, nor is Zhang Weishan. Every character carries their own helplessness, their own pains. There is no absolute right or wrong. Good and evil have no clear boundaries—only our Party is great, glorious, and correct.

Today is my seventh wedding anniversary. Give me a like, and I won’t buy a gift for my Party.