Chapter 21: Winning People Over with Virtue

Seeing that Wang Feng agreed to come, Li Xian went with Li Pi to the Wang family's place.

Although it was still early, there wasn't much work left in the fields. All six of Wang's brothers were present, except Wang Tiezhu and his wife, who had gone to the small garden.

With a month left before the autumn harvest, the brothers were preparing some tools in advance.

When Li Xian entered the courtyard, Wang Laowu was sharpening a sickle.

Li Xian had played a trick on Wang Feng a few days ago, and she had complained bitterly at home. Although the Wang family was quite helpless about it, Li Xian had become a target of their resentment.

Seeing Li Xian striding into the yard, Wang Laowu stood up suddenly with the sickle in hand. "Li Laodi, what are you here for?"

Wang Laowu was even more robust than the eldest brother, Wang Qinghe, but unlike Wang Qinghe's calm demeanor, he seemed rather blunt. Seeing his posture, Li Xian took a small step back.

From a distance, he explained that he was here to invite them for a meal.

Wang Laowu, upon hearing this, put down the sickle and turned to his brothers. He then turned back and said, "You have such good intentions?"

From the looks on his brothers' faces, Li Xian knew he was likely on the Wang family's least-favored list. Wang Feng must have been criticizing him behind his back these days. Although he had promised to handle the situation well as per Zou Ni's request, he believed that interactions between people are mutual. He was here to mend relations, but he wasn't going to beg for peace.

"Yes, that's right. My elder brother and sister-in-law should already be there. If you have time, you should tidy up and join us soon."

Having made his point, Li Xian didn't elaborate further, only mentioning Wang Feng briefly before taking his leave.

After he left,

Wang Laowu scratched his head and looked at Wang Qinghe, who was sitting on the doorstep smoking a cigarette. He asked, "Eldest Brother, should we go? I have a feeling Li Laodi might have ulterior motives. Could it be that he wants to use the occasion of the new house to embarrass us in front of everyone?"

Wang Qinghe, who had been sharpening the sickle, stiffened his neck. "He dares!"

Recently, due to the house construction, Wang Feng and the Wang family had been the subject of much gossip. The small size of the logging field meant that news spread quickly. Whenever he saw the neighbors being polite on the surface but gossiping behind backs, Wang Qinghe felt a surge of anger.

Although he knew his sister's actions weren't entirely right, if it wasn't for Li Xian setting up this trap and using the new house to slap their faces, the situation wouldn't have escalated to this point.

He thought for a moment, threw the sickle on the ground, and said, "Let's go! We'll go! I want to see what he, Li Xian, can do to us!"

...

By the end of August, the weather was scorching. To stay cool, Zou Ni and Li You set up tables on the flat ground where the foundation of the new house had just been marked out.

Friends, family, and hired carpenters and masons, along with nearby neighbors, filled four large tables.

Although life had improved compared to before, it was still tough. With the major event of Li You's house construction, the guests included many children who followed along out of curiosity.

The logging field's population was diverse, with some having migrated from the northeast and others being local farmers from Longjiang Province. The complex demographics meant that rules were numerous and often ignored.

Adults sat at the tables, while children ran around the tables and stove, getting their faces and mouths oily even before the meal started.

When the six Wang brothers and Wang Tiezhu and his wife arrived, Li You and Zou Ni personally greeted them. It was as if the previous unpleasantness had never happened, and they warmly ushered their in-laws to the head table to sit with higher-ranking relatives.

Wang Qinghe and his brothers were guided by Zou Ni to the end of the table, where they sat with Li Xian and Li Pi.

Seeing the Wang brothers glaring at him with displeasure, Li Xian raised his eyebrows but didn't initiate conversation. After the walnut shell and the coffin incident, Li Pi now considered his second brother the most skilled and knowledgeable person in the world. He eagerly followed Li Xian's lead and stared back at the Wang brothers one by one.

Seeing Li Pi's childish behavior, Li Xian couldn't help but smile inwardly.

Just then, the women who were helping with the cooking began bringing out the dishes. Soon, the four large tables were filled with hot and cold dishes. Beer wasn't in season, and even the liquor was that kind of homemade strong alcohol served in plastic jugs. But it was convenient; each table had a bucket of it.

A bucket of twenty pounds, fifty-plus-degree pure grain alcohol, ready for everyone to enjoy.

When the food and drink were ready, Li Xian picked up a jug of liquor to pour for the Wang brothers. Unexpectedly, Wang Qinghe covered the cup with his hand. "Wait a minute."

Looking at Li Xian holding the jug, Wang Qinghe deliberately made things difficult. "Li Laodi, what's the purpose of this drink? Are you trying to get us to help with the house construction, or are you trying to make amends for what happened a few days ago?"

Wang Laowu, seeing his eldest brother's confrontation, chimed in, "Yes, what's the meaning of this wine? Without a reason, we're not drinking!"

Li Pi became anxious upon hearing this, "What are we making amends for? We haven't done anything wrong! Besides, there are so many people here. Do you think you're needed for the house construction? We're inviting you to a meal, and you're making such a fuss. Don't you know how to appreciate kindness?"

The Wang brothers were infuriated by this, with Wang San slamming the table and looking ready to fight. The commotion drew the attention of other guests at the tables.

Seeing the tension, Li You stood up and waved to Li Xian. "Laodi, now that everyone is here, you should say a few words on my behalf."

Li Xian rolled his eyes. Although Li You had no formal education, he worked as a technician in the logging field, overseeing the cultivation of saplings. Saying he was inept with words was obviously not true.

It was clear that Li You wanted Li Xian to shine and make a good impression.

Li Xian wasn't intimidated. He poured himself a glass of liquor and stood up confidently. He said a few words typical for such occasions, winning applause and praise from everyone.

Then he changed the subject. "I appreciate everyone's support. Starting tomorrow, my elder brother's house renovation and our new house construction will need your attention. I have a shallow tolerance for alcohol, so I'll toast to everyone. Please, drink freely!"

After saying this, he took a sip of the liquor himself.

Upon hearing about the renovation of Li Qing's house, Wang Qinghe and his brothers were stunned and then flushed with embarrassment!