Chapter 284: Something Doesn’t Sound Right

Chapter 284: Something Doesn't Sound Right

There were already many villagers watching the commotion, and Zhao Youde's sudden outburst startled everyone, making them gasp in unison.

The Yujia family killed Zhao Youcai?

That's a fresh accusation.

The grass on Zhao Youcai's grave has grown taller than a person, and now someone suddenly claims that the Yujia family killed him?

The villagers looked at Zhao Youde with strange expressions.

Zhao Youde, thinking the villagers were shocked by his revelation, felt somewhat proud and, with heightened emotions, waved his hand and declared, "We're here to demand justice for Youcai—"

Before Wei Pozi and Xingxing could interject, Pan Shi burst forward and spat in Zhao Youcai's face: "Pah! Justice?! You don't deserve it! When Zhao Youcai died, it was the villagers who pooled together their money, ten coins from one, five coins from another, to cover his funeral expenses! Where were you then?! Where were you when we, a widow and her child, were struggling to survive?!"

"Now you have the nerve to show up and talk about justice?! Pah!"

"And you dare to implicate the Yujia family in this?! Pah!"

Pan Shi looked around at the crowd and addressed the onlookers: "Fellow villagers! Even though Zhao Youcai was my husband, I have to tell the truth! He got drunk, threw a stone at another child's head, and then spouted nonsense to the child's elders, saying it was their own fault! Tell me, if this happened to your child, wouldn't you want to beat Zhao Youcai?!"

"Of course! I wouldn't let him off the hook!"

"I'd smash his head if he did that to my kid!"

The villagers shouted.

Their sense of justice was straightforward.

If you do something that deserves a beating, you get beaten—plain and simple!

Pan Shi nodded and said, "Right! Anyone would be furious if this happened to them! And back then, the young master from the Yujia family was trying to protect our Ah Wu when Zhao Youcai threw a stone at his head! Tell me, wasn't Zhao Youcai asking for a beating?! ... So I've never blamed the Yujia family! In fact, the Yujia family showed mercy—Zhao Youcai only stayed in bed for two days before getting up to drink with others! Nothing was delayed!"

"Even on the day he died in the avalanche, he was in the neighboring village drinking and playing cards!"

"Besides, everyone knows Zhao Youcai died in an avalanche! It's been nearly five years since he died! In these five years, if it weren't for the Yujia family, Ah Wu and I wouldn't know how we'd be living now! We might have starved to death and followed Zhao Youcai long ago! Now, Ah Wu has books to read, and I have food and clothes—all thanks to the Yujia family!"

"And now you come here, accusing the Yujia family of killing Zhao Youcai? I don't know what you're up to! But I'll tell you this straight—if you try to use Zhao Youcai to slander the Yujia family, I won't stand for it!"

Pan Shi's voice rose with each word, and by the end, she was almost shouting.

The villagers, stirred by Pan Shi's passion, began to point fingers at Zhao Youde and his group.

Over the past few years, the people of Nantuo Village weren't entirely sure how much the Yujia family had earned, but one thing was clear: the Yujia family's businesses had hired many villagers, paying them well and even giving them three days off each month.

When the fields weren't busy, having such a good source of income naturally made the villagers grateful to the Yujia family.

So, naturally, they sided with the Yujia family.

Moreover, Pan Shi's words made perfect sense, and the villagers nodded in agreement, adding their support: "Zhao family, stop making trouble. Zhao Youcai has been gone for so many years—what's the point of stirring things up now?"

"Exactly. Not to mention, Ah Wu is still your Zhao family's flesh and blood. Over the years, the Yujia family has helped the widow and orphan a lot. Out of gratitude for that, you shouldn't be causing trouble."

"Aren't you afraid Zhao Youcai might visit your dreams tonight to have a little chat?"

At this, Zhao Youde and Zhao Youkang visibly shuddered.

Especially Zhao Youde and Zhao Youkang, who exchanged a furtive glance.

They didn’t really come here planning to shake down the Yujia family. It was only after being here for two days and hearing some things that they thought it would be a good idea to try and milk a big payout from Yujia if possible.

However, they never saw this mess coming.

Zhao Youde puffed up his chest, trying to keep up a tough front: "...In any case, Youcai’s death smells fishy. We’re his brothers, and we’re worried sick. You should be able to understand that..."

"I just don’t get it!" Pan Shi interjected. "When he was alive, I didn’t see you anxious. Right after he kicked the bucket, I didn’t see you anxious either. Now, five years later, you suddenly pop up acting all worried. Who understands? I certainly don’t!"

Zhao Youde nearly lost his cool at Pan Shi’s words.

He shot her a venomous glare. He remembered when his late cousin was still alive, once after drinking, he had beaten Pan Shi to a pulp in front of them, then made her fetch water to wash his feet, which she obeyed without a peep. At that time, his late cousin had bragged about how Pan Shi would roll over for him, saying she wouldn’t dare to go east if he said west!

Now, Pan Shi had turned into a real firecracker!

Remembering the purpose of their visit, Zhao Youde steeled himself and said with a stern face: "...Pan Shi, you’ve been lining your pockets with Yujia’s favors, of course you speak for them! I don’t care, since you’re unwilling to seek justice for Youcai, we will!...We’re Youcai’s flesh and blood, and some of the Zhao family’s elders' graves are near Youcai’s. From today, that land’s ours to manage now, me and Youkang!"

Pan Shi let out a bitter laugh.

Some people place great importance on graves, but she couldn’t care less.

If it weren’t for Ah Wu, she wouldn’t even bother burning paper money for Zhao Youcai during the Ghost Festival!

Pan Shi opened her mouth, about to snap, "Suit yourselves," but Xingxing stepped forward, frowning slightly, and said, "Wait."

The excited expressions on Zhao Youde and Zhao Youkang's faces were abruptly cut off. They looked at Xingxing with impatience and anger, gritting their teeth: "That little brat’s at it again!"

Over the years, Pan Shi had practically raised Xingxing and naturally valued and trusted her words.

As soon as Xingxing said to wait, Pan Shi immediately stopped speaking and looked at Xingxing, waiting for her to finish.

The little girl, dressed in white, with a radiant smile, frowned, took Pan Shi's hand, and whispered, "Aunt Pan, don’t rush. Something feels off here. We need to think this through."

Pan Shi, who always trusted Xingxing, nodded and spat towards Zhao Youde and Zhao Youkang, changing her tone: "Those are the graves of my in-laws, my sister-in-law, and my husband. Don’t even think about it!"

And calling Xingxing a little brat, they certainly wouldn’t get their way!

Zhao Youde’s face contorted with rage for a split second.