"So what if I’m taking revenge? What can you do about it? What, still thinking about calling those two big shots? Don’t think I don’t know—they’re not even here, and who knows if they’ll ever come back. Do you even know who I am, Er Qiangzi? You’re an outsider, daring to challenge me—are you tired of living? I’m not making it hard for you; I just don’t like you and don’t want you around here. Get out of here quickly, or else I’ll kill you, believe it or not!"
"You’re being a fascist," Lin Yinghui angrily shouted at Er Qiangzi.
"Fascist or whatever, in this town, I’m the boss." Er Qiangzi finished speaking and signaled to his buddies to grab their stuff and leave quickly.
"If you want to reopen and get your things back, go to town and pay the fine. Once you pay up, I’ll consider returning these items to you," Brother Yang said, glancing at them.
"Pay a fine? How much is that going to cost?" Liang Hongmei asked as soon as she heard.
Brother Yang gave her a scornful look, completely ignoring her, and turned away with his men.
After Er Qiangzi sent Brother Yang off with a grin, he came back and whispered in Lin Wan’s ear, "If you want to stay, it’s not impossible. If you come to East Forest in town tonight, I’ll bring your stuff tomorrow, and from then on, I’ll have your back in town. Think about it."
"Get lost," Er Qiangzi’s voice was loud, and Lin Yinghui, standing nearby, heard it clearly. He stormed forward and punched Er Qiangzi in a rage, making him dizzy. Er Qiangzi pointed at Lin Hui for a long time, then called his men back, "Beat him up. Damn it, he dared to hit me. He’s had it."
"What are you doing? Let go of my brother!"
"You bastards, don’t hit my son, don’t hit him!"
A group of people rained punches and kicks on Lin Yinghui, then swaggered away.
If his father hadn’t told him to hold back, he might have beaten him to death today.
Just a moment ago, the whole family was happily thinking about when to close up and go home for the New Year, and the next moment, the shop was in shambles.
Even so, Lin Wan couldn’t afford to feel sad; she quickly took her brother to the town clinic to check on him.
The mother and daughter were not severely injured, mostly just sore all over from the beating.
Her brother was the worst off; after a thorough examination by the doctor, fortunately, it was all just superficial wounds. He got some medicine and was bandaged up.
As soon as the three of them returned home, they found the landlord waiting for them.
"Miss, I’m taking the house back today. You better find somewhere else to go,"
"Brother, please don’t. We’re only halfway through this month; we still have half a month left," Lin Wan pleaded.
"Look at what you’ve done to my home—stuff’s missing, and now it’s a complete mess. I won’t even ask for compensation, and you still hope for some rent back? Not a chance. Also, you need to clean up before you leave."
"Brother, a person should live in good conscience. We’ve hit hard times, but if anything’s missing inside, we will pay for it. You can’t just take half a month’s rent from us—you’re clearly ripping us off." Liang Hongmei had suffered enough over the years and wasn’t the type to take things lying down.
"I don’t care what you say; there’s no point. You better leave quickly. Who is Er Qiangzi? The town’s thug—anyone who crosses him never has a happy ending. I’m not discussing this with you any further. You better pack up," The landlord, perhaps guilty or perhaps feeling sorry, said a few words and then turned his back on them, walking away.
"Little sister, you and Mom rest at home for a bit, I’ll go and bring our stuff back. Once I’m back, we’ll leave here," Lin Yinghui said, knowing they couldn’t mess with those people.
"Brother, you’re in this state, why would you still go? The things they took aren’t worth much; let’s just leave it be."
"They said we have to pay a fine too," Liang Hongmei remarked.