Chapter 58: Changes In The Village

The fireworks and firecrackers that arrived in Su Family Village this year were all contracted out by Su Pingnan to Su Wenwen. They were already piled up in several dilapidated, abandoned houses. Su Wenwen was worried something might go wrong and even threatened harshly that if any brat dared to play with fire, the Su family’s Big Worm wouldn’t mind coming over for a talk. For a while families kept a tight watch on their kids, afraid that the now powerful Big Worm would go mad — if that happened, not even heaven would be able to save them.

In the ten-mile radius around Su Pingnan’s village in Heitu Town, Su Pingnan had quietly become one of the most important people around. In the past, he was a big shot because of his ruthlessness, but now, he was a big hot because he had undoubtedly become the provider for some 70% of the young people in these places. With money in one hand and ruthlessness in the other, everyone knew exactly what kind of person Su Pingnan was. Few dared to provoke him or make snide remarks. Jinxiu Pavilion treated these people very well — the company was legitimate, pay was high, and the living conditions were quite good.

As for being bullied by shady people? The Little Red Robe of Wucheng had a reputation so terrifying among those in shady circles that none dared to be blind to it. Parents who had been worried previously, saw their daughters return from working as servers with huge shopping bags. There was no bad gossip or news coming out from the restaurant at all. Their daughters had become more cultured, and so, naturally they admired Su Pingnan even more.

As for the young and able-bodied, most of the wilder ones followed Su Pingnan to make a living, but now they too, were wearing company-issued suits and stood in neat rows. Some who were steady and quick-witted were even promoted to things like transport team leader in Ertai Town, earning more than office workers in Heitu Town. Each time they came back and mentioned Su Pingnan, they had an almost fanatical fan stance. The few who refused to go had been trembling at the sight of Su Pingnan for years — they no longer had any complaints.

Some elders in the village also knew that Su Pingnan had taken over all the bluestone mountains nearby and that work would start next year. As for wages — there was no need to say more. It wasn’t just the small places. Even in Changyang County, whenever Su Pingnan was mentioned, people gave him a thumbs-up, saying proudly that a local son wouldn’t treat his own people unfairly.

With a pile of reasons stacked up, Su Pingnan achieved the dream his grandfather once had back when he was a bandit: the respect of everyone around him. Su Pingnan himself hadn’t yet enjoyed this treatment, but the his father and Su Zhendong felt the changes most keenly.

His father took the high salary his second son gave him and spent his days simply going to banquets. Now, if a family held a wedding and was able to invite Su Pingnan’s father, it was a tremendous honor. The old man had lived a humble life all these years and had never been flattered like this. After all, in his youth he was suppressed by Su Pingnan’s grandfather, and in his old age he couldn’t control his second and fourth children.

At first he wasn’t quite used to it, and within a few days he was lightheaded and out of sorts, drunk every day, and for the first time in ages he lost his temper with his wife. His wife didn’t relent — she made a phone call to Su Pingnan, who was puzzled for a long time, unable to figure out where his old man found the guts to do this.

He immediately had Su Wenwen run back and tell the old man that both their wages would henceforth be managed by his mother, which finally settled the puffed-up old man down. A settled old man was even more dangerous — after consulting with his wife, they thought: well, since our second boy is popular now, why not take this chance to find him a good-looking wife?

Thus, without Su Pingnan knowing, his parents had already agreed with a dozen or so girls they deemed pretty, gentle, and virtuous, only waiting for him to return for blind dates one family at a time. Su Wenwen was busy too. When he came back, he would talk with Su Zhendong about how to handle the stone mill business, and he seemed completely unconcerned about those matters.

Although Su Zhendong was timid and cowardly, he had the advantage of being conscientious. He asked about every piece of knowledge Su Wenwen learned without leaving anything out. After a few months of back-and-forth he had become a half-expert, just waiting to really show his skills when spring came.

On his way home, Su Pingnan was in a good mood. He could never have imagined that his parents had already arranged blind dates with a dozen girls for him — otherwise he would have surely turned around and left.

Su Zhendong was already waiting at the village entrance by the time Su Pingnan arrived. Su Pingnan had bought him a few decent outfits previously — clothes he rarely wore, but he had them on today. This elder brother felt a little upset about it, actually. He was wearing these clothes fearing he would be scolded or even beaten by his second brother if he was found wearing his old, shabby clothing.

Su Dingbei looked at the elated Su Anxi with a face full of contempt and said, “You’re as useless as the eldest — Su Pingnan’s return alone has made you this happy?” Su Anxi looked at this sister who most resembled her second brother and secretly pouted. Su Dingbei was the one who had gotten up early to dress up for hours, afraid her second brother would dislike her. She was in no position to say something like that.

Su Pingnan looked at the village before him and said to Du Jiu lightly, “Since this will be your home in the future, what ties do you still have to Sihairen?” Du Jiu and Su Wenwen immediately grew serious. Since Su Pingnan said that, it meant he had decided to strike back personally. And if he did that, any action he took would surely be earth-shattering.

Du Jiu thought for a long moment and shook his head. “Those people are just casual acquaintances. If not for Ruoyun, I wouldn’t bother with them.” Su Pingnan gave a faint “oh” and affectionately patted Du Ruoyun’s head. “Then there are some things we can do. You lead the team.”