Tie Bao briefly explained the situation.
It appeared that Liao’s helper had gone to Liao Xianghe’s mother and said some things he shouldn’t have. Liao Xianghe’s mother had been injured before and had just been transferred from the hospital to her home. Due to Liao’s helper’s careless talk, she became so angry that she almost passed away.
Liao Xianghe, unable to contain his anger, went directly to confront Liao’s helper.
Su Xiaofeng originally thought it was a factory issue, but now that she heard it was Liao Xianghe’s private matter, she said lightly, "He’s an adult now, he should know what he needs to do, right? Moreover, he’s just my employee. As for who he has offended or who is looking for trouble with him, I can’t stand up for him."
Liao Xianghe was dealing with personal matters, and she didn’t want to interfere with how he was handling them.
Tie Bao had expected Su Xiaofeng to get involved because he had seen what she was capable of. If she took action, Xianghe definitely wouldn’t suffer a loss.
But what was she saying? She said that Xianghe was dealing with a private matter and it was inappropriate for her to intervene.
This woman, she’s just a cold-blooded animal—cold and heartless, not caring about her employees at all. With that thought, he turned his head and walked away, "You’re right, we’re all your employees, and you don’t have to be involved in our private matters. But Xianghe and I are friends, and I can’t stay indifferent and watch him get into trouble."
Since he had come here, it was Xianghe who was familiar with the place and had found them houses to rent. They had become friends long ago, not just coworkers.
Since Su Xiaofeng didn’t want to deal with employee affairs, as a friend, he felt compelled to get involved.
Watching him leave, Su Xiaofeng called out to him, "Do you know where he went?"
In truth, he didn’t know. He hadn’t been there long, and Xianghe had never mentioned his past affairs. He should have stopped Xianghe earlier or gone with him directly.
Xiaofeng stood up: "If you don’t even know where he is, how are you going to help him?"
"I heard that the other party is from the same village as him; he must have gone back to the village."
"How about this, come with me to see the old lady." Liao Xianghe’s Achilles’ heel was his mother. Since the other party had provoked her this time, there was no telling what Liao Xianghe might do.
"Where are we going to see her?"
Xiaofeng didn’t speak, just walked outside.
In a deserted corner, Liao Xianghe’s eyes were bloodshot as he stared at the group of people opposite him.
He was holding an iron rod, seemingly ready to fight to the death, "Liao’s helper, we grew up together; you’ve worked under me. Tell me how I’ve treated you."
Liao’s helper was nonchalant, "Big brother, people need to look forward. What’s the use of always talking about the past? Besides, back then you were big brother, and I was your subordinate, I did whatever you said, all talk of good or bad was just nonsense."
He himself lacked ambition to go and work, was it his fault he took his position?
"If that’s the case, we should avoid each other’s business. Why did you spout nonsense in front of my mom and even say I’ve killed someone? When have I ever killed anyone?" Although he had done some minor bad deeds, he would never dare to kill.
He was afraid of prison, and even more afraid that if he were imprisoned, there would be no one to take care of his mother.
"Of course, there is." Liao’s helper sneered, "Big brother, to be honest, big brother got into some trouble, and the police are after him. You’ve been with big brother for five years; it’s time for you to repay him, don’t you think?"
"You must have miscalculated." Liao Xianghe looked at them furiously, "I won’t be a scapegoat for anyone. I’ve repaid big brother’s kindness with five years of my life. As for his future, I don’t want to get involved anymore."
"Liao’s helper, you can’t decide that." Liao’s helper chuckled, "I’ve heard your aunt is quite ill, and it’ll take at least ten thousand to cure her. Last time you were lucky, someone was willing to help you, but not this time. Big brother said, if you’re willing to turn yourself in, he’ll take care of your old mom as if she were his own mother, and he’ll send ten thousand to the hospital right away to ensure she gets the best medication and treatment."
Big brother’s life hinged on his mom. As long as they could control his mom, they would have him by the throat.
If he helped big brother shoulder this trouble, he would be credited with a great contribution, and big brother would definitely regard him highly. Maybe even elevate him to a confidant.
"You’re all despicable." Liao Xianghe’s eyes were bloodshot with rage. These people completely disregarded past friendships and went straight for his mother, "If you have any issues, come at me - what did my mother do to you? I’m warning you, if anything happens to my mom, even if I have to go down with you, I won’t let you off."
"There’s no need to take it so seriously, big brother." Liao’s helper didn’t take Liao Xianghe’s anger seriously at all. There were four of them against him alone, and a lone fighter can’t beat a group. No matter how tough big brother was, he was no match for them, "Big brother, I’ve made myself very clear. If you turn yourself in at the police station, nothing will happen to your mom. Not only will she be fine, but we’ll take very good care of her."
Such a simple problem, yet Brother Five couldn’t figure it out. What was he thinking?
The most urgent task obviously was to take the money and save Auntie—that was critical.
Liao Xianghe thought of his mother, still in the hospital with her life hanging in the balance, hesitation showing in his eyes.
If Big Brother wanted him to surrender and take the blame, not going would mean that he and his mother could never expect any good days ahead.
If he went, he didn’t trust leaving his mother in the hands of Liao’s gang. If he didn’t go, whether his mother could even survive was a question.
"Brother Five, you’d better think this through. Auntie is your benefactor, she raised you from a baby, and now in her critical moment, you wouldn’t abandon her, would you?" Liao’s gang, feeling smug, watched Liao Xianghe closely; having followed Brother Five the longest, he naturally understood what his Achilles heel was.
Liao Xianghe looked at him, raised the stick in his hand, and without a second thought, swung it. This despicable man—if it weren’t for his baseless chatter in front of his mother, she wouldn’t have passed out.
Liao’s gang dodged and the other brothers immediately stepped forward.
Although Liao Xianghe had some fighting skills, he was still no match for a group, and he was quickly restrained, unable to move.
Seeing Brother Five now subdued, Liao’s gang squatted down to look at him.
Liao Xianghe’s mouth was bleeding, and his right eye had just been punched, now swelling and turning purplish-black.
"Brother Five, why bother yourself?" Liao’s gang stretched out his palm and lifted the other’s chin, forcing his gaze to meet his own: "Stop resisting, you’re no match for Big Brother."
"If I agree to you, can you take good care of my mom?" Sometimes in life, once you take the wrong path, there’s no turning back.
If there’s someone to blame, it’s for being too young when entering this line of work.
Now, it had harmed both himself and his mother.
"Of course," Liao’s gang nodded: "Auntie has always been someone I respected, as long as you help Big Brother, both he and I will treat Auntie as our own and take care of her, not letting her suffer any wrong."
What he was actually thinking was, this time Auntie was in the hospital unable to breathe, as soon as Xianghe admitted his guilt, Auntie, hearing this news, would surely choke and pass away on the spot.
Of course, she was indeed a good person; he, Liao’s gang, promised that after Auntie passed away, he would make sure her funeral was dignified.
On his knees, Liao Xianghe bowed three times toward the hospital: "Mom, your unfilial son took the wrong path, and I’m afraid I won’t be able to fulfill my duties by your side. Please live a long life, and stay healthy."
After bowing, he stood up, his voice filled with despair: "Isn’t it the police station we’re heading to? Let’s go."
Seeing Liao Xianghe so compliant, Liao’s gang and the others were very satisfied. Good, that’s how it should be: "Brother Five, rest assured, as long as you confess, Big Brother will certainly not let you suffer. Behave yourself inside and strive to get out early."
Liao Xianghe sneered inwardly; getting out early was definitely impossible. As soon as he went in, Big Brother would surely make him disappear.
The lonely and desperate figure walked ahead of Liao’s gang and the others, reflecting on his life these past few years—it truly wasn’t a life fit for a human.
He had thought he could make something of himself and give his mother a good life, but in the end, he realized he was barely human.
"Stop." A vigorous voice of an old lady sounded.
That voice... joy surged in Liao Xianghe’s heart as he turned and saw Tie Bao supporting his mother not far away.
The old lady leaned on a cane, but stood proudly erect; she walked forward step by step, her eyes sharp as knives, looking at Liao Xianghe and Liao’s gang: "Xianghe, where are you going?"
Liao Xianghe, delighted to see his mother approaching, moved closer: "Mom, why are you here? How’s your health?"
"My health is very good, nothing wrong at all," The old lady looked sternly at Liao Xianghe: "Tell your mother, where are you off to?"
This brat, always finding trouble if not disciplined for three days.