Chapter 012: Returning Home in Glory Ahead of Time—Niu Dayun’s Little Scheme

In Li Cheng's memory, Zhang Tianfeng was always an honest child. But when an honest person suddenly acts as a ruffian, the sheer contrast leaves his mind blank, as if he were dealing with a street thug. He didn't snap out of it until the bankbook dropped to the ground.

With trembling hands, he pointed at Zhang Tianfeng, "Zhang Jincai, you truly raised a good son—he dares to insult me!"

"Insulting you is mild. If you dare lay a hand on me, I promise you'll never eat standing up for the rest of your life!"

Picking up the bankbook, Zhang Tianfeng opened it and held it in front of Li Cheng, "Take a good look. I earned this yesterday—thirteen thousand six hundred."

"You bring your life's savings here to play the big shot? Do you think I'm stupid?"

"To me, you're no different from an idiot. I can't be bothered to explain anything to you!"

Zhang Tianfeng let out a mocking laugh, his gaze suddenly sharp. "Leave now, and if you dare insult my parents again, you'll see how I deal with you!"

"Fine, you want to play dirty? I'll call the police right now. Just you wait!"

"If you don't call the police, you're not worth your salt! I'll play along till the end."

Only when Li Cheng disappeared at the end of the road did Zhang Tianfeng turn around, grinning widely. "Dad, Mom, why did you suddenly come to Xiyan without telling me?"

"You rascal, just two days away and you've already picked up your fourth uncle's bad habits. If I'd known, I wouldn't have let you come up here."

"Mom, mom, my dear mother, don't pull my ear—it hurts!"

"Cut the nonsense and tell me what's really going on."

"Let's go upstairs, it's too hot here."

After bringing his parents upstairs, Zhang Tianfeng said, "Sister Lan, three bowls of shaved ice, please."

Seeing the room number 205, Zhang Jincai and his wife exchanged glances but said nothing as they went inside.

Carrying the shaved ice in, Zhang Tianfeng smiled, "Dad, Mom, you haven't told me yet—what brings you here?"

"Making money, of course. I never expected my good son to be the owner of 205 in the wholesale market."

"Uh... You know about me?"

"Your reputation precedes you—famous far and wide." Seeing the smile on his mother's face, Zhang Tianfeng felt a pang of unease, sensing something ominous was about to happen.

Upon learning their son was bringing his girlfriend home, and that her family was well-off, Zhang Jincai and his wife felt immense pressure. After hastily resolving matters at home, they came to Xiyan with their friends.

Zhang Tianfeng arrived in Xiyan on the 8th; his parents came on the 9th.

On the first day, the couple wandered the wholesale market with their friends, learning about sourcing and sales.

On the second day, as they prepared to buy stock and go it alone, they heard from wholesalers about a mysterious young man who, with a single bracelet, earned two thousand yuan in one night.

The couple didn't believe it and visited room 205, but Zhang Tianfeng was then busy crafting jewelry.

After discussing, they decided to wait a day and observe, continuing to help their friends with their stalls to gain experience.

On the 11th, they started buying goods and again heard from vendors that the young man was the owner of 205. After investigating and confirming the crowds, they finally believed it, bought a batch of goods, and earned one hundred sixty yuan in a single night.

They were delighted—having sold out by morning, they returned at noon when it was quieter to restock, only to be harassed by Li Cheng.

"You rascal, be honest—where did you learn all this? Claiming to be a coastal designer, have you ever seen the coast?"

"Auntie, he's very good at deceiving people." Qin Yuelan brought in the shaved ice.

Liu Shumei's eyes lit up—this girl was beautiful, with an air of prosperity.

"Young lady, has this rascal harmed you? Tell Auntie, and I'll stand up for you."

"No, he wouldn't bully me. He even helps me make money."

"Really? How much did you earn?"

"Yesterday's net profit was about one thousand yuan."

Liu Shumei felt a twinge—her son was truly generous when courting girls, one thousand five hundred!

"Auntie, please eat first. If you find anything unsatisfactory, I'll make adjustments."

"Thank you, dear, you go ahead. I have some family matters to discuss with my son."

"Alright~"

Qin Yuelan turned obediently and left, not forgetting to shoot Zhang Tianfeng a mischievous glance.

Pulling her son and husband close, Liu Shumei whispered, "Zhang Jincai, look at the son you raised—so lavish when dating!"

"What does it have to do with me? When we were courting, I was the stingiest among your admirers, wasn't I?" Zhang Jincai, caught in the crossfire, protested his innocence.

In their day, rural movies and the commune's bicycles were the tokens of courtship. Even if they wanted to spend money, the circumstances wouldn't allow it.

"Mom, that girl isn't my girlfriend," Zhang Tianfeng whispered.

Liu Shumei glared, "But you're doing business with her?"

"That's true. She's got a knack for business, and I want to mentor her so she can work for me someday." Zhang Tianfeng didn't hide anything from his family.

He had planned to confess everything when he went home, but hadn't expected the unexpected.

"Have you forgotten what your grandfather always said? 'Education comes first!'"

Leaning back in his chair, Zhang Tianfeng replied, "I was going to tell you when I got home, but now that you're here, it's just as well. From now on, I plan to study and earn money at the same time."

"It's not up to us—you'll have to talk to your grandfather."

"Alright, we'll head home soon. You two pack up your things."

"What are you up to?"

"Going to settle something."

As for news about Li Li, his parents might mention it, but they would never spread rumors about sleeping together.

In the 1990s, in the backward village of Qingwa, a girl's chastity was taken very seriously.

So there was only one suspect—Niu Dayun.

Whether it was him or not, Zhang Tianfeng was determined to act. He hadn't confronted him earlier because business took up all his energy.

These past few days, he had been recalling details and finally remembered Niu Dayun's entire criminal record.

Leaving the shop to Qin Yuelan as a final test, Zhang Tianfeng took his parents and departed.

First, they visited Fourth Uncle's house, asking him to submit evidence of Niu Dayun's embezzlement and let his name surface.

Then, Zhang Tianfeng and his parents hailed a taxi straight to their hometown.

At that moment, in the Zhang family's courtyard in Qingwa village, Niu Dayun sat at the stone table, drinking tea with Zhang Tianfeng's grandfather.

"Uncle Zhang, I found the source of the rumors—it was that loud-mouthed Wang family woman. I've already taught them a lesson."

"Thank you, Director Niu."

"You're my elder, just call me Xiao Niu."

Niu Dayun chuckled, "Actually, I think it's no trouble to go out and find work, but we must resolve this matter first, right?"

"I put my reputation on the line and secured a batch of orders for the factory. Now I need workers. Uncle Zhang, can you get Zhang Jincai and his wife back to work?"

Niu Dayun was in a real hurry now. He already knew he was under investigation.

He had made four preparations: first, letting Pei Guan, the key figure, escape—he was leaving tonight.

Second, pretending nothing had happened and cooperating with the investigation.

Third, spreading rumors about Zhang Tianfeng and Li Li to force Zhang Jincai and his wife back—once they returned to Qingwa, they would surely work at the factory.

Tonight, he would destroy the evidence, and besides scapegoating Zhang Jincai and his wife, there was another crucial reason.

Niu Dayun had received reliable news from a friend: Qingwa village would be expanded and become the largest town in Xiyan, with many favorable policies to follow.

The Zhang family's six tile-roofed houses were at the core of the planned vegetable market.

If he could acquire those six houses, he could earn at least hundreds of thousands!

He wasn't worried about being caught—he only wanted to make money, even if it wasn't rightfully his.

As for how many people might die or have their families destroyed, he didn't care.

"Alright, I'll call now and update you soon."

"Thank you, Uncle Zhang. I'll visit other workers now and come back later to see you."