Chapter 133: Far More Ruthless Than That Person Back Then

"Enough, stop your prattling. Isn't it bad luck enough already? Why are you just standing there like a fool? Let’s go back." Zhou Dahu, having regained some composure, snapped irritably.

Seeing that Zhou Dajin was still fuming with indignation, Zhou Dahu barked bluntly: "What use is it to be defiant with me? You weren't this tough when the person was actually standing right there. Why are you shouting now? As if anyone is happy to shell out money."

The money would inevitably have to be collected from every household in the village. If he allowed Zhou Dajin to continue stirring the pot and someone got the idea not to pay, it would be one thing if they wanted to commit suicide, but if they dragged the rest of the village down with them, then he, as the village chief, would be finished.

Besides, if things took a turn for the worse, the white tiger would surely come for him first. Wasn't that the definition of extreme misfortune?

Zhou Dajin was choked up. He retorted indignantly, "You’re the village chief, shouldn't you be considering the village's interests? You let yourself be cowed by a little girl and even agreed to pay up. Where will we in Xiaxin Village hold our heads after this?"

"Hold your heads?" Zhou Dahu, in his rage, tried to kick out, but his legs were weak, and he missed.

He fumed, "Do you want your face or your life? Fine, you’re so brave, you go! If you can manage to kill that white tiger, you can skip labor for a year and still get your work points."

What was this nonsense about being cowed by a little girl? That little girl rode a giant white tiger—it was far more vicious than the 'White Ancestor' of Niuluo Village had ever been.

"And you have the nerve to talk to me about face? Who was the first one to turn tail and run just a moment ago?"

Zhou Dahu’s words made Zhou Dajin’s face darken instantly.

"Exactly. Why didn't you step up and block that white tiger just now, or try to challenge it?"

"Isn't your family known for their ancestral rat poison? Why don't you go poison the big white tiger?"

The villagers, currently caught in a whirlwind of shock, fear, anger, and frustration, were already brimming with rage. Seeing Zhou Dajin’s attitude, their resentment poured out toward him all at once.

"That's right, if you can kill that white tiger, I’ll chop your family’s firewood for a year."

"And me, we’ll take care of your family’s water supply."

"Exactly, if you can't do it, stop shouting at us here."

"I..." Zhou Dajin was so overwhelmed by the collective verbal assault that his mouth twisted in frustration.

What kind of people were these? That white tiger was so huge; he’d likely be torn to shreds before he even got close.

Cast a final, unwilling glance toward Niuluo Village, Zhou Dajin followed the group back with a grim face. Just wait. Given the chance, he would make the people of Niuluo Village pay double!

***

Upon returning, Zhou Dahu struck while the iron was hot and called a village meeting.

Since more than half the village had been present, the news of what had happened spread quickly.

Five hundred and eighty yuan had to be split among the village. With one hundred and sixty-three households, it came to three yuan and fifty cents per family, with the remaining nine yuan and fifty cents to be covered by the families of the six children who had caused the trouble.

The families of those six children dared not raise an objection. What else could they do? The whole village had to pay, and their own children were the ones who had started it—they couldn't refuse.

As a result, the family of the boy who had led the trouble had to pay an extra fifty cents compared to the other five families.

That night, cursing could be heard throughout Xiaxin Village, along with the sounds of parents scolding their children.

No matter how much it stung, the money had to be gathered. These three-plus yuan, while not a fortune, felt like a needle pricking the heart of every household.

By the next afternoon, the money was collected, but it wasn't until the third day that Zhou Dahu took two men to deliver it to Niuluo Village.

At that moment, Bai Xi was eating watermelon, as was Xiao Hei. Xiao Shunzi and the others stood nearby, each holding a slice themselves.

"Did you all apply medicine to your wounds?"

Whether it was because the watermelon was a tribute from Xiao Shunzi and the others, or because Bai Xi had vented the frustration in their hearts, the watermelon tasted exceptionally sweet.

The watermelon had been offered to Bai Xi by Xiao Shunzi and his group, so naturally, it was taken to her treehouse upon their return. Bai Xi had eaten half that same day, and the other half was placed into her Qiankun bag, which she and Xiao Hei finished the next day.

As for this second watermelon, she had asked Li Jia to cut half of it today. Apart from Bai Xi and Xiao Hei, only Xiao Shunzi and his group had managed to get a slice each.

"Grand Aunt, don't you worry, these are nothing." Even though there were still bruises on their faces, it didn't really bother them anymore.

Bai Xi glanced at Xiao Liuzi, who looked indifferent, and said lazily, "Nothing? You were the one howling at the top of your lungs two days ago."

"Uh..." Xiao Liuzi felt a flash of embarrassment upon hearing this. He replied sheepishly, "It did hurt a bit back then, and I wanted Grand Aunt to stand up for us. If I hadn't cried out, how would you have made the people of Xiaxin Village pay up?"

He had heard the adults in his family analyze it that way afterwards.

"Oh? Xiao Liuzi, not bad. I didn't realize you were so clever."

Xiao Shunzi, standing nearby, patted Xiao Liuzi on the shoulder, quietly wiping the leftover watermelon juice from his hand onto him. However, he felt dirt on his hand instead and curled his lip in disgust.

A tactical error; he had forgotten they had been wrestling in the sandpit before coming to see Grand Aunt.

Xiao Hei had just finished its slice of watermelon and saw Xiao Shunzi’s movement, curling its lip in disdain—what a lack of ambition.

"That's right, who do you think I am? I learned it from Grand Aunt! It's called... what was it? Oh, 'He who stays near vermilion gets stained red, he who stays near ink gets stained black'." Xiao Liuzi had spent the whole day reciting that phrase just to learn it.

When he saw Xiao Shitou and the others snickering, and noticed Xiao Shunzi going to wash his hands, he realized what had happened and immediately chased after him to settle the score.

When Zhou Dahu arrived at the treehouse with Chen Daliu, he couldn't help but pause in astonishment when he saw the structure from afar. Living in a treehouse, keeping a white tiger—just who was this Grand Aunt of Niuluo Village?

Chen Daliu didn't notice Zhou Dahu’s shock. Seeing him freeze, he felt a sense of pride—scared, were they?

The reason he hadn't accepted the money earlier but instead led them to the treehouse was specifically to show Zhou Dahu Xiao Hei, to intimidate him and prevent him from harboring any treacherous thoughts.

With Xiao Hei there, he reckoned those in Xiaxin Village wouldn't dare pull any tricks.

Before Chen Daliu’s group had even approached, Xiao Hei had already sensed them, standing up and looking their way.

Bai Xi, however, felt nothing, slowly shaking the watermelon rind and eating with relish.

As soon as Zhou Dahu got close, he felt like he was being watched. He and his fellow villagers halted in their tracks, only moving forward under Chen Daliu’s urging.

Seeing Bai Xi sitting there happily eating watermelon with a group of brats, Zhou Dahu felt uneasy. When he saw the white tiger also eating watermelon in a leisurely manner, he felt a crushing sense of despair.

Two giant watermelons were gone, and on top of that, they had been extorted for five hundred and eighty yuan. The more he thought about it, the worse he felt.

"Grand Aunt, how is the watermelon?" Chen Daliu asked with a slight bow and a chuckle.