Chapter 40: Chapter 40: The Repentant Couple

Zhang Xiaoman bowed her head, and soon after, crying could be heard. She was at her wits' end; all she wanted was for the villagers to accept her parents. Her parents knew they were wrong, but if Xia Liu was still bearing a grudge, the villagers wouldn't forgive them."Brother Xia Liu, I'll do anything as long as you forgive me."

Brother Xia Liu, brother...

Xia Liu had already drunk a bit too much. This girl's attitude had changed so suddenly; without any other option, he could only respond, "Stop crying. Have your mom and dad give Zhang Xiaoxue a proper apology, and apologize to the villagers as well."

"Mm, thank you, Brother Xia Liu, and please don't tell my cousin about this." Having said that, Zhang Xiaoman, with her graceful figure, happily skipped back home.

Following this incident, Xia Liu realized that Zhang Xiaoman was trying to tell him in her way that she wouldn't let the issue between him and Zhang Qing become known, and it also meant that their relationship wouldn't be hostile in the future.

Xia Liu couldn't help but smile wryly. This girl was quick to act, drifting so smoothly that he almost couldn't resist praising her.

Of course, the matter with Zhang Tie and Mo Li couldn't be resolved by one person alone. Even if he could influence it, it would only be in a supporting role.

Xia Liu didn't rush home. Instead, he quietly lingered near Zhang Tie's house.

It just so happened that luck favors the prepared. Zhang Tie and Mo Li had gotten up early, having been unable to sleep for several days.

"Xiaoman, why are your clothes completely soaked?"

"It's nothing; I just took a quick shower because it was too hot. By the way, Mom, Xia Liu came to see me yesterday. He said if you and Dad apologize to my cousin and the villagers, he will forgive us." Zhang Xiaoman quickly made up an excuse to divert her mother's attention.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Oh, what a good daughter you are to Mom." Once confirmed, Mo Li excitedly hugged Zhang Xiaoman for a while, then ran back to the room to call Zhang Tie.

Mo Li had seen all the changes in Xia Liu since his return; not only had he brought roads to the village, but also opportunities for the villagers to make money.

Mo Li realized her mistakes, but she hadn't had the chance or the face to apologize to Zhang Xiaoxue. Now that Xia Liu had spoken, how could she not be happy?

Once Zhang Tie was informed, his sleepiness vanished instantly. He was aware of the villagers' situation, especially since they had made over a thousand yuan just the day before—a sum equating to what he would earn after days of sunning.

"Wife, let's bring some chickens to apologize to Xiaoxue. When it's time, we'll give her back the house and move back to the old one." Zhang Tie, being a candid man, had felt uneasy living in the house they had taken by force for a long time, even suffering from nightmares where his brother strangled him, asking why they had driven away Xiaoxue.

"I'll listen to you; I know I was wrong, too. But Xiaoxue might still be sleeping. Let's go at eight and bring that pig with us!" Mo Li didn't object, slowly believing what everyone said: by following Xia Liu, they could surely stabilize their lives and live in a big house.

Hearing these reassuring words, Xia Liu left satisfactorily. It seemed Zhang Tie and Mo Li were truly remorseful.

Of course, whether they had changed because they saw everyone making money or because of a guilty conscience didn't matter. They were still members of Osmanthus Village.

Without realizing it, Xia Liu found himself back home. As expected, Zhang Xiaoxue was up, currently tying an apron and frying eggs.

"Brother Xia Liu, did you not come home all night?" Zhang Xiaoxue asked in confusion when she saw Xia Liu enter.

"Heh, Xiaoxue, you're up early. Why don't you rest a bit longer?" Xia Liu evaded the question, attempting to shift her attention.

But Zhang Xiaoxue's intelligence wasn't to be underestimated. She saw through Xia Liu's ruse, her expression turning serious as she looked at Xia Liu and said, "Did you go behind my back to have an affair?"

...

Xia Liu was completely dumbstruck; what in the world was this situation, and when had this girl's attitude changed like this? But indeed, he was somewhat guilty; if counted, he had "stolen" two.

"Giggle, Brother Xia Liu, look at how nervous you are. Go wash up, and then we can have breakfast." Just as Xia Liu was about to explain, Zhang Xiaoxue suddenly burst into laughter.

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"Forget it, you win, beautiful girl." Chuckling bitterly, Xia Liu hurried to make his escape. He realized this girl was becoming a bit bewitching and wondered what she really thought of him. Could it be that she and Zhang Xiaoman had also discovered his situation with Zhang Qing?

After breakfast, Xia Liu took a trip to the village chief Li Zhi's house and asked him to spread the word that they were to come to his house later to collect money.

Li Zhi couldn't refuse and had to do as Xia Liu asked.

And so, in a short while, the villagers had gathered at Xia Liu's doorstep. Xia Liu had withdrawn one hundred and eighty thousand yuan from the bank the day before. He took out eighty thousand and planned to distribute it.

Because the courtyard could not accommodate so many people, he set up a table and two chairs outside the door, with the plastic bag containing eighty thousand yuan placed on the table.

Everyone could guess what was in the bag and were thrilled with anticipation.

But just as Xia Liu was about to open the bag to distribute money, Zhang Tie, Mo Li, and Zhang Xiaoman arrived. Sёarᴄh the nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Zhang Tie led a pig that weighed about two hundred pounds, tied with a rope, walking in front. Both Mo Li and Zhang Xiaoman carried several chickens and ducks in their hands.

"Look, it's Zhang Tie!"

"Hmph, he's definitely not here for anything good."

"Xia Liu, they are...?" Li Zhi sensed something amiss and asked Xia Liu with a smile.

"Uncle Li, ask everyone to be quiet for now, just watch," Xia Liu said with a faint smile.

"Xiaoxue, your uncle has come to apologize. I'm sorry for letting you suffer these past two years." Once on the spot, Zhang Tie endured the unusual glances from the crowd as he apologized to Zhang Xiaoxue.

"Xiaoxue, it's your auntie who was wrong. I was confused at that time and made those mistakes. I kneel before you, begging for your forgiveness," Mo Li said, kneeling on the ground, her head lowered without daring to meet anyone's gaze.

Seeing this, everyone was flabbergasted. Zhang Tie and Mo Li actually coming to apologize to Zhang Xiaoxue was practically big news.

Seeing Zhang Xiaoxue at a loss, Zhang Tie also prepared to kneel beside Mo Li. That's when Zhang Xiaoxue came to her senses and hurriedly went to hold up Zhang Tie and Mo Li, "Uncle, Aunt, please don't do this."

"Xiaoxue, we are sorry for what we've done to you. We know we were wrong, please forgive us," Mo Li said, tears welling up in her eyes.

Tears also began to appear in Zhang Xiaoxue's eyes. Over the years, even if she had held resentment, it had been worn away by time, and since Xia Liu returned, she had even forgotten the wrongs Mo Li had done to her.