When the crowd heard Xiao Quanren's comments, they were startled. What did the Wise One mean? Was he saying that the couplet Xiao Luo had written was even better than his own? The Wise One had been a scholar since the time of the Qing Dynasty, and what's more, he had spent most of his life practicing calligraphy. Xiao Luo was just a shade over twenty, so how could his skills in calligraphy possibly be better?
"You flatter me, Wise One," Xiao Luo said with a smile.
"Neither haughty nor humble, neither conceited nor rash. Xiao Luo, a great future awaits you!" old man Xiao Quanren held Xiao Luo's hands tightly, giving him considerable praise.
"The Wise One is right. Xiao Luo is bound to attain great achievements in the future."
"It is said that sharpening a chopper will not hold up the work of cutting firewood. Xiao Luo's few years in university has given him an entirely different temperament."
"Yes, indeed. It is the reason why Miss Ji took a liking to Xiao Luo."
Everyone heaped lavish praises on Xiao Luo.
That didn't sit well with Xiao Qiudong, who stood seething silently in the crowd, gritting his teeth and shaking in anger. He felt his sense of superiority crumble and that he had lost his position as the most outstanding youth in Luo Village. All the glory and limelight had now shifted to Xiao Luo.
All the praises he heard gradually made him lose his mind, and in a spiteful voice, he uttered, "He just a gigolo who gained his status all because of some rich lady. Is he that worthy of your high praises?"
It was in a moment of sheer frustration that he said those words. But he said it precisely when the crowd went silent, and hence, it was audible to everyone gathered at the Seekong altar. The instant they heard that they turned and glared at him.
Old man Xiao Quanren's expression changed, and he was displeased. "Qiudong, what are you mumbling about?" he said.
Murmurs of discontent and criticism could be heard from the crowd.
With all eyes on him, Xiao Qiudong felt the heat and panicked for a moment. But, he quickly regained his composure, seeing that what had said was already spoken, the time for fear had passed. Instead, he puffed his chest, keeping his chin up confidently and said, "Wise One, I'm telling the truth. Xiao Luo is just a salaryman who only earns about 80 thousand dollars every year. With that income, even being able to save up 50 thousand dollars at the bank is already considered good. It has been four years since he graduated, is it not? Only capable of saving up 50 thousand dollars a year at this point in his life is nothing to flaunt and be proud of." Then gesturing to Ji Siying, he added, "The only thing he can show off now is his girlfriend, Miss Ji. But to Miss Ji, I have a piece of advice for you. Those fairy tales you read will never happen in reality. You might believe in love, but what about your family? Would they allow you to marry a poor brat like Xiao Luo, born from a mediocre family and who can't even afford a house and a car? The answer is definitely, 'No.' I am convinced that you both will break up sooner or later. Marriage can only happen between people of matching social status, but what you have is..."
"Enough!!!"
A booming voice thundered from within the crowd, causing Xiao Qiudong to halt abruptly.
Xiao Qiudong turned his head, and he saw it came from Xiao Ping. Xiao Qiudong was puzzled, doubtful, and angry all at once. He stared at Xiao Ping coldly and yelled, "Xiao Ping, what did you have for dinner, explosives?!"
"Xiao Qiudong, what are you saying? The three of us have been friends since we were young. We played in the mud, stole the Wise One's loquat, and even snuck out swimming in the river together. Luo is now living a great life, and I'm genuinely happy for him, but why are you not? What are you implying now? Can't you bear to see Luo doing better than you? Are you only happy when Luo is inferior to you in every single thing? Xiao Qiudong, do you have a mental problem or what?" Xiao Ping rebuked him loudly, unable to tolerate his antics any longer. Xiao Qiudong had crossed the line this time.
"I have a mental problem? Hu-huh..."
Xiao Qiudong scoffed, "Isn't what I said true? If he hadn't gotten his hands on a rich girl, he'd just be nothing more than a fart!"
"Xiao Qiudong, what has gotten into you? What is this insanity you're showing in front of the Seekong altar?" Xiao Dizhang shouted, clearly angry and disappointed in Xiao Qiudong.
"Uncle Dizhang, I'm not insane, I'm just presenting the facts. Why does everybody think that I'm insane? Okay, so Xiao Luo can write calligraphy, he's good looking and has caught the eye of a rich girl, but these aside, he's nothing! Graduating from a university means he can only be a salaryman. I didn't attend university, but I own a house, a car, have a wife, and everything Xiao Luo doesn't have! Compared to me, what does he have to be proud of, and what can he flaunt?"
Xiao Qiudong had thoroughly lost his mind, convinced that he wasn't crazy, but everyone else was. As far as he was concerned, Xiao Luo was just the garbage who had managed to seduce a rich girl, so was he worthy of all the praise? Why didn't anyone look into his success and excellence instead? In his mind, the people here were just a bunch of fools.
He pointed at Xiao Ping maniacally and sneered, "I'm not lending you the 120 grand anymore. Do whatever you want. Even if the loan sharks chop your hand off, it has nothing to do with me! Trash like you who failed in doing business deserves it. If I were you, I wouldn't even have the face to come back for the New Year!"
"You..."
Xiao Ping was humiliated, and his entire body trembled in rage.
"Xiao Qiudong, what a terrible friend you are."
"Everyone has their ups and downs. Xiao Ping is one of our own, but you refuse to help him when you can do so. Aren't you afraid of retribution from Seekong?"
"How arrogant. No matter how much money you make, no one in our family will be happy for you."
The crowd roundly denounced him.
Xiao Qiudong was adamant, and he responded, "Lending money depends on sentiment; since when is it a duty? As you are all so warm-hearted, I suggest you collect 120 thousand dollars among yourselves and lend it to Xiao Ping!"
His insensitive remark silenced everyone.
Xiao Dizhang sighed, shaking his head and said, "Qiudong, why have you become like this?"
"I didn't change one bit. I am still me."
Xiao Qiudong glared at Xiao Ping and scowled, "When you borrow money, you should have the appearance and attitude of someone who is borrowing money. You need my help, and yet you have the cheek to speak to me in that way. In that case, why should I help you? You are acting so high and mighty even when you have to borrow money from me. By the time when you pay me back, should I have to treat you like a prince or what?"
Xiao Ping was humiliated, and he accepted the shame, but on the inside, he was devastated. Even after returning to his village, he still had to endure being trampled upon by his childhood friend and clansman, and eat humble pie. What he was facing now felt even worse than what he had experienced out there.
"Ping, I'll lend you the money!"
Xiao Luo said, stepping forward. Hearing his faint words made Xiao Ping's eyes widen in surprise. "Give me your bank account number, and I'll transfer the money to you right now."
When his grandfather had asked him to help aunt Taoxiu's family, he already made plans, but the chance didn't present itself. Besides, Xiao Ping hadn't approached him but went to Xiao Qiudong for help instead. Since Xiao Qiudong was willing to lend him the money, he couldn't just tell Xiao Ping not to accept the help from Xiao Qiudong. But things were different now, and he was determined to give Xiao Ping a helping hand.
"Luo, you..."
Xiao Ping looked a Xiao Luo, then looked at Ji Siying.
Xiao Ping was conflicted as the last thing he wanted was to burden Xiao Luo. If Xiao Luo's career were like Xiao Qiudong's, he'd undoubtedly have borrowed the money from him, but that wasn't the case. Listening to what Xiao Qiudong had said, Xiao Luo could only have saved 50 thousand dollars per year, at the most. He couldn't bring himself to borrow 120 thousand dollars from Xiao Luo, and he had to be considerate of Ji Siying's feelings. If Xiao Luo was to borrow him Ji Siying's money, won't that make it more difficult for him to face the Ji family?"
Xiao Luo could guess what was worrying Xiao Ping, and smiling calmly, he said, "Relax, this is my own money. Give me your account number."
Although Luo Village was in a remote area, it still had 3G signal coverage, and thus performing an online bank transfer was not an issue.
"This..."
Xiao Ping hesitated, then he took out the bank card in his pocket. As he had planned to borrow the money from Xiao Qiudong today, he had brought along his bank card. After all, 120 thousand was by no means a small amount, and he couldn't be receiving the money in the form of cash, so it had to be a bank transfer.
Xiao Luo smiled as he keyed in Xiao Ping's bank account number and name, and completed the fund transfer.
Xiao Ping had his transaction alert activated for his bank card, so when the 120 thousand dollars had been transferred into his account, he immediately received a message on his cell phone. On seeing the amount reflected in the text message, his eyes became a little teary, and he sniffled, "Luo, have you lent me the money that you need to marry Miss Ji? If that's the case, I..."
"You're overthinking, Ping. I still have more than enough for that!"
Xiao Luo cut in with a light smile, and he finally knew for sure why Xiao Ping chose not to come to him. Firstly, Xiao Ping must have thought that he wasn't earning as much money as Xiao Qiudong. And secondly, that he wasn't married yet, and a wedding would cost at least 150 thousand in the village. Xiao Ping obviously had considered these two matters before he chose not to borrow money from him.
"You sure you're not lying to me?"
Xiao Ping was a little hesitant as he was afraid that Xiao Luo was only lying to him to allay any feelings of guilt he had.
"He isn't lying!"
Ji Siying stepped next to Xiao Luo, and in a gentle voice, she said, "Take the money and pay off your debt, it's okay."
It was at this moment that Xiao Ping finally felt at ease. He nodded continuously and thanked them both profusely. "Luo, thank you, and to you too, Miss Ji. I'll write an IOU."
"No."
Xiao Luo stopped him with a simple word. He patted his shoulder and said, "That isn't necessary between us."
"Y-yeah, Xiao Ping, since Xiao Luo already said so, you don't have to do that. Besides, there are so many of us here as witnesses, why should Xiao Luo be afraid of you not paying back." Xiao Dizhang laughed heartily.
Everyone couldn't help but laugh when they heard that.
"Luo, my good old brother!"
Xiao Ping and Xiao Luo gave each other a brotherly embrace.
The crowd gathered before the Seekong altar was gladdened, and they shared in a warm, genial atmosphere. Everyone aside from Xiao Qiudong that is. Nobody showed any concern for him, nor did anybody even look at him. It was like he did not exist. His face turned red, and he felt less than human as if he did not belong there. As he stood there all by himself, watching everyone's joy and laughter seemed like mockery to him.
"Xiao Luo, why are you always against me?"
Humiliated, he flew into a rage, consumed with a deep hatred. Without warning, he picked up a wooded club leaning at the entrance door and smashed it directly on Xiao Luo's skull.
CRACK! The wooden club struck the top of Xiao Luo's head, instantly breaking apart. Xiao Qiudong struck the blow with all his might, venting all his anger.
Oh, no!
Those two words flashed in Ji Siying's mind, and her expression changed immediately. No one could've known better than her the kind of person Xiao Luo was. He was a wild beast, and that strike with the club would definitely bring out the worst in him.
The crowd at Seekong altar gasped, wide-eyed in horror as they watched the scene unfold. They couldn't believe that Xiao Qiudong would hit Xiao Luo with a club, and more so, right on his skull!
"What are you doing, Xiao Qiudong!"
Xiao Ping was the first to snap out of the shock as he quickly pushed Xiao Qiudong away and went to check on Xiao Luo. "Luo, are you alright?"
Xiao Dizhang and Xiao Quanren looked aghast, both very worried about Xiao Luo's condition. Xiao Dizhang pointed at Xiao Qiudong and shouted, "Hold him down, lest he goes mad again and harms somebody else."
On hearing that, four to five strong-looking men standing close by leaped on him and held him firmly against the wall. As they did so, Xiao Qiudong maniacally laughed like he had gone mad.
"This lunatic! Bring him to the police station!" Xiao Dizhang said, enraged.
"Hold up!"
Xiao Luo stopped them.
"Xiao Luo..."
As the crowd looked on, Xiao Luo stepped forward ominously and stood in front of Xiao Qiudong.
Is he about to reveal his fangs?
Ji Siying felt her heart stop for a moment. She could feel the rage emanating from Xiao Luo's body. Even with the heat coming from the flames of incense candles warming the altar area, her body shivered uncontrollably.
"Xiao Qiudong, please give me an explanation," Xiao Luo said, looking right at Xiao Qiudong.
It was beyond his expectations that Xiao Qiudong would get physical on him. He felt disappointed with himself for not being more alert and taking a hit on the skull, but with his inner power protecting his body, that strike was nothing more than an itch and caused him no pain.
"Explain?"
Xiao Qiudong sneered, his face contorted with a hideous expression. "I just felt like smacking a superficial piece of garbage like you hanging onto a rich girl for a good life. That's my explanation! Don't like it? F*ckin bite me then!"
He had entirely lost his ability to reason. He felt immensely humiliated, and he blamed it all on Xiao Luo.
"Xiao Qiudong, I think you've gone mad!" Xiao Ping walked over and berated him.
"Even if I've gone mad, you are the ones who have forced me into madness. Xiao Luo is just a useless fart, why are you guys treating him like he's some genius? Being able to lend you 120 thousand dollars just like that, if it isn't that rich girl's money, then whose money can it be? If a damned salaryman can have so much money, I'll chop off my head, and you can all kick it around like a ball!" Xiao Qiudong said.
Old man Xiao Quanren shook his head quietly and sighed. "A heart of jealously mustn't exist; to exist, a heart of jealously mustn't be!" he said.
"Jealousy? Wise One, I think you're old and confused as well. I, Xiao Qiudong, jealous of Xiao Luo? Pfft, what a joke!" Xiao Qiudong responded, laughing out loud.
Suddenly, Xiao Luo laughed along with him, and it was a terrifying, sneering laugh. Then he grabbed the half-broken wooden club from one of the men holding Xiao Qiudong down.
Xiao Qiudong quivered, and the smile on his face froze abruptly.
The crowd was shocked. "Is Xiao Luo going to hit him back?"
Xiao Dizhang, as Luo Village's secretary, couldn't just stand aside and watch the fight escalate. He quickly shouted, "Xiao Luo, get a hold of yourself!"
With Xiao Dizhang backing him up and aware of Xiao Luo's calm temperament, Xiao Qiudong continued goading Xiao Luo. "Stop your act. You won't dare to hit me, even if you have ten times the courage, you will still..."
His voice suddenly stopped-the wooden club in Xiao Luo's hand smashed right across his skull.
KAPOW!
The half-broken wooden club splintered into pieces and flew in all directions.
Xiao Qiudong felt his head spin, and a stream of warm blood flowed down copiously over his face.
When the men holding him saw him bleeding, they unconsciously let go of him and stepped back. Without their support, Xiao Qiudong dropped to his knees in front of Xiao Luo, his body upright, and his head lolling. He who was already shorter than Xiao Luo and kneeling on the floor now made him seem even more so.
He raised his head with a look of disbelief as he gazed at Xiao Luo in terror. "You... you..."
"I... I... I what?"
Xiao Luo glared at him, a cynical smile formed as he curled up the corner of his mouth and said, "Han Shang once asked Shi De: 'Some people in the world slander me, bully me, insult me, laugh at me, belittle me, look me down, hate me and deceive me. What should I do about it?' My answer to him will be 'whack him up'!"
As soon as his ended words, he hurled his foot through the air and kicked Xiao Qiudong right in the face.
The crowd could almost hear the howling wind and feel the billowing force of the kick.
"Arghh!"
The kick sent Xiao Qiudong flying out from the Seekong shrine, shrieking horribly in pain before landing heavily onto the hard ground outside.