Er Laizi of the Village

Today, Rotten Mouth Chen had already come to their home to demand payment for the third time. She was very enthusiastic about her nephew's affairs. Although she didn't know what was going on, Chen Mo could guess without much thought that there must be some benefit involved to make Rotten Mouth Chen so diligent. Otherwise, why would such a snobbish fellow be so active?

"Dad! Mom was hospitalized for treatment, and you didn't tell me?" Chen Mo wasn't too concerned about the debt. For him now, ten thousand yuan was a trivial matter. However, his mother's hospitalization worried him greatly. Even though he had just seen his mother looking fine, he still asked with concern.

"Your mother doesn't have a serious illness. It's just a stomach problem. She's already been treated, and there are no major issues." Regarding Chen Mo's question, his father didn't want his son to worry too much and simply explained.

"Sigh! I say, you people can discuss your family matters behind closed doors. It's best to pay the money back quickly. We're all people who value our reputation; we can't borrow money and not repay it! If it weren't for my nephew's kindness, allowing you to use your homestead to repay the debt, you'd have to beg for food to pay it back. This is a great opportunity!" Rotten Mouth Chen said somewhat smugly.

"Shut up! I didn't ask you, so don't speak!" Chen Mo said, annoyed, and stopped Rotten Mouth Chen.

"Ah! Everyone, come quickly and see! Is the Er Wa family unreasonable? They owe money but refuse to pay! Is there any justice? Everyone, come and see! People shouldn't be like this. Those who owe money act like masters, and they won't even let me speak when I'm trying to collect a debt. If you have the ability, then pay the money back!" Rotten Mouth Chen started shouting to the heavens and earth, using exaggerated body language to perform. In the countryside, some women are like this. Once something displeases them or they get into an argument, they'll use any words or actions, just to disgust people to death.

The onlookers immediately started whispering among themselves, watching Rotten Mouth Chen's performance with amusement.

"Rotten Mouth Chen is performing again!"

"Heavens! Rotten Mouth Chen is so embarrassing."

"But she's right, isn't she? You should pay back what you owe!"

"It's not like they owe Rotten Mouth Chen's nephew money; why is she making such a fuss?"

"Her heart is rotten. People nowadays!"

Some were sympathetic, some disagreed, and some cursed Rotten Mouth Chen. In short, there were all sorts of comments, and the crowd buzzed with discussion.

"Give me the IOU!" Chen Mo extended his hand and signaled in front of Rotten Mouth Chen. He decided to ignore Rotten Mouth Chen's performance. For such a person, if you give them an inch, they'll take a mile.

"Ah!?" Rotten Mouth Chen was like a duck whose neck had been suddenly squeezed. She immediately fell silent, unable to react.

"Why should I give you the IOU? Don't even think about it! Oh! I say, Chen family kid, you went to school, but no one sees your knowledge. You've learned a belly full of bad ideas. You want to take the IOU and tear it up? No way. There are so many people watching, don't think of any good deeds!..." Rotten Mouth Chen, after recovering, spewed venom at Chen Mo!

"Shut up! You want my family to pay the money, but you won't let me see the IOU first. How can we pay?" Chen Mo shouted.

"Yo yo yo! You're going to pay? Do you have the money? Your dad hasn't even spoken, and you're acting like a big shot?" Rotten Mouth Chen said maliciously.

"Heh heh! Idiot!" Chen Mo turned to his father and said, "Dad, let me handle this matter!" Seeing his father squatting in the yard, his heart ached with sadness, making him want to cry. Parents do so much for their children. Fortunately, he didn't dwell on it for long; it was just a moment. It wasn't the time for sentimentality; it would be fine to feel emotional after the matter was resolved.

Chen Mo's father didn't say much but relit his nearly finished cigarette, took a few puffs, and then said quietly, "Okay!"

"Did you hear that? This matter is now being handled by me!" Chen Mo turned to Rotten Mouth Chen and said.

Hearing Chen Mo's reply, Rotten Mouth Chen was momentarily speechless, not knowing what to say. However, she still held the IOU and did not hand it over to Chen Mo.

"Auntie, I'll do it!" A fellow with a sharp mouth and a horse-like face darted in from outside and snatched the IOU from Rotten Mouth Chen's hand, followed by four or five young men.

"Hmph! You've been watching the show from outside for so long, and now you finally show yourself?" Chen Mo snorted and said to the newcomer. As a cultivator, he couldn't possibly not sense the hostility around him. Ever since he stood in the yard, he had felt the subtle hostility from the crowd and had noticed these guys.

"Damn it! What the hell are you talking about? What business is it of yours whether I come or not? You owe money and don't pay, and you still have the nerve to talk?" The newcomer was Rotten Mouth Chen's nephew and a fellow villager, Chen Yinshui. He was a scoundrel who had been idle in the village since childhood and often stole things, making him very detestable.

"Did I say I wouldn't return the money?" Chen Mo said coldly.

"Fuck! If you have money, pay it back quickly. If not, use your family's homestead as payment!" Chen Yinshui grumbled.

"Watch your mouth, don't stink like you've eaten dirt!" Chen Mo said.

Chen Yinshui never actually intended to get the money back. What he truly desired was the homestead. Chen Mo's family homestead was perfectly situated at a crossroads, with one path leading to town, another to a neighboring village, and a third towards another village entirely. The homestead was right beside this road, in an excellent location. If a shop were opened here, whether selling groceries or anything else, it would be a prime spot.

If Chen Mo's family had more money, he would have opened a small convenience store himself long ago. Chen Mo knew this, so he was well aware of Chen Yinshui's intentions. To think he'd offer eight thousand yuan and expect them to give up the homestead, ha!

"Give me the IOU, and I'll give you the money, then get lost!" Chen Mo said nothing more, pointing directly at Chen Yinshui's nose.

"Fuck! I don't want your money anymore! I'm in a bad mood today, so I'll use your family's homestead as payment!" Chen Yinshui was somewhat conflicted when Chen Mo so readily offered to repay the debt. So, he directly and forcefully objected, thus revealing his true objective.

"Slap!" Chen Mo stepped forward and slapped Chen Yinshui across his horse-like face, saying, "Who the fuck are you talking to?"

Chen Mo hadn't used much force. Otherwise, an ordinary person like Chen Yinshui wouldn't have been able to withstand his strength.

"Your~ Mom! Brothers, go get him! Teach this kid a good lesson!" Chen Yinshui said, covering his cheek, clearly angered.

The four or five youngsters behind him immediately pulled out clubs and rushed forward. But in Chen Mo's eyes, they moved as slowly as snails. Chen Mo didn't wait. He stepped forward, using both fists and feet, and in just a few moves, he had all the young men lying on the ground.

Chen Mo stepped forward and grabbed Chen Yinshui, the one with the horse-like face, by the neck, lifting him up. Without saying much, he started slapping the horse-faced man. For a scoundrel like Chen Yinshui, if you didn't teach him a lesson, he'd remain arrogant.

After slapping the horse-faced man more than ten times, he snatched the IOU from the fellow. He first read the contents of the IOU, then confirmed with his father that the IOU was indeed real.

Releasing Chen Yinshui's neck, he reached into his bag. In reality, he had transferred the money to his backpack via the Universe Bead. He took out two stacks of hundred-yuan bills, each worth ten thousand yuan. He counted out twelve thousand yuan and threw the money directly at Chen Yinshui, saying, "Here's twelve thousand yuan, the same amount written on the IOU."

He then took out another two thousand yuan and threw it at Chen Yinshui, saying, "This money is for your injuries!" After speaking, he stepped forward and kicked Chen Yinshui a few more times. Of course, he held back his strength. Otherwise, if he injured him, he'd have to flee too. However, he couldn't let a guy who acted so arrogantly in front of his parents get away with it. It was only because he had returned today that he didn't know what might have happened. If there were any unforeseen consequences, he would regret it to death.

When Chen Mo had dealt with him and his accomplices, Chen Yinshui knew that he wouldn't be able to accomplish anything today. Although he was unwilling, there was nothing he could do. He couldn't win in a fight. What else could he do? Chen Mo had been the king of the village kids since he was young, and that was earned through fists. Although it didn't seem like much as he grew up, today it reminded Chen Yinshui of Chen Mo's dominance among the village youngsters, and he was suddenly speechless.

"Take the money and get lost!" Chen Mo said. Chen Yinshui and Rotten Mouth Chen were somewhat intimidated by Chen Mo's fierce gaze and wanted to argue, but they couldn't open their mouths.

Chen Yinshui, Rotten Mouth Chen, and the guys lying on the ground helped each other up and left reluctantly. However, as they left, the hatred in the eyes of Chen Yinshui and Rotten Mouth Chen was so intense it was as if they wanted to pierce Chen Mo with their gazes.

Seeing Chen Yinshui's gaze, Chen Mo's eyes narrowed slightly. He thought to himself, 'If Chen Yinshui and Rotten Mouth Chen try any tricks next time, I'll make sure they regret it!'

As the surrounding crowd slowly dispersed, Chen Mo stepped forward and closed the gate to his yard before turning back to his father.