Read Novel Full Chapter 149 Part 1 – The Richest Man With Enough Power to Crush Lives Casually (I)
Chapter 149 Part 1 – The Richest Man With Enough Power to Crush Lives Casually (I)
After Mao Huimei’s return visit, the eldest uncle’s family were also getting ready to get home. Even though Chenchen and Mao Huizhu had argued with Qiangqiang many times, they still felt a bit reluctant when it was time for him to go. Chenchen even gave him his Luban puzzle box as a parting gift.
The group bid each other farewell reluctantly, promising to keep in touch.
But once the eldest uncle’s family arrived back in Mingxi County, it wasn’t Qiangqiang who called first—it was the eldest uncle.
“Xia Bao got caught stealing.” The eldest uncle had just returned when he heard the news and was clearly upset. “Wenyue, did you know about this?”
“No,” Xia Wenyue replied calmly. “What happened?”
“They said he stole from a construction site and got arrested by the police.” The eldest uncle sighed. Xia Wenyue could hear her brother and sister-in-law wailing in the background.
“Brother, what do they want from you now?” Since she didn’t know what came next either, she asked, “What did the police say?”
“The police called to inform them that Xia Bao has stolen tens of thousands worth of stuff over the past six months. The minimum sentence is ten years, but if the money is paid back quickly, there might still be a chance for leniency.”
“They want me to help call Xia Li.”
“Wang Tao says if they pay the money back in time and spend a bit more to pull some strings, the victims might not press charges. Then he could be released without jail time.”
Xia Wenyue said, “Then let them pay. Their own son, their responsibility.”
“Brother, don’t get involved,” she added. “They’ve been hoarding and scrimping their whole lives. They definitely have that much money saved up.”
Just as she finished speaking, she heard her brother crying out, “Brother, Wenyue is in Yan City. Can’t you ask her to check on our child for us?”
“I know I’ve wronged her, but Xia Bao is still her nephew. If word gets out that someone in our family went to prison, it drags us all down. Brother, you can’t just do nothing…”
Xia Wenyue was so angry she almost laughed out loud. “See that? They’re still scheming over us. Brother, stay out of it.”
“Even if things don’t go well, there’s still Xia Li. It’s not like it’s up to us.”
The eldest uncle sighed. “He already called Lili. She said she won’t get involved. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be turning to me now.”
He continued helplessly, “I just called Lili again. I think the kid’s completely disheartened by them.”
“She said if they cough up fifty thousand, she’ll ask Wang Tao to get Xia Bao out. If they don’t, let him go to prison.”
Xia Wenyue was a little surprised at that, but after a second thought, it made sense. When Xia Li got married, her parents-in-law took over ten thousand in betrothal gifts and yet she didn’t bring back a single cent. Her life had been hard enough because of it.
Then, after Wang Tao got himself a mistress, not only did her own parents not support her, they even sent Xia Bao to cause trouble for her. Anyone with a shred of sanity wouldn’t stand for that.
“Then let them choose. What matters more, the money or their son?”
Either option would feel like having their hearts cut out for the miserly couple.
Xia Wenyue felt nothing but satisfaction. “Brother, tell them that in Yan City, the police usually issue formal arrest notices within two weeks. It’s already been almost a week. If they can’t produce the money within another week and Xia Bao gets prosecuted, then paying up won’t help anymore. They must be prepared for a minimum ten-year sentence.”
With that, she hung up.
The whole family was in high spirits.
Mao Huilan said, “Let’s see if they dare show their shameless faces again!”
Xia Mian laughed, “Second Uncle’s probably going to fall seriously ill from this.”
Xia Wenyue smiled, “Serves them right!” Then she let out a relieved sigh and said, “Now only the Mao family and the Hao family are left.”
She turned to her husband. “When will your feature in that magazine be out?”
A smile appeared on Mao Zhishan’s face. “Next week. And the recording for ‘A Date with Shen Shi’ is also confirmed. The production crew should already be in Mingxi County gathering material.”
“Did you tell Rong Xin to send a social news reporter along too?”
Xia Mian immediately understood their plan and clapped. “Second Aunt, that’s brilliant! Looks like you’re going big!”
Xia Wenyue sneered, “The Hao family’s little tyrant days are just about over. Time to pay the price!”
…
Mingxi County did indeed welcome a group of reporters, who were given a very warm welcome. Upon hearing that the group was there to investigate the phenomenon of son preference in underdeveloped areas, the smile on the host’s face became much more genuine.
“A celebrity wants to donate money each year to help local girls go to school, so we need to conduct a survey to figure out how much would be needed annually.”
The hospitality director was even more pleased. “Now that’s a good thing! Big stars really do have money.”
Still, he assigned a sharp young man to act as a guide, warmly leading and hosting the team. Only after he confirmed that the journalists were merely visiting households, asking about average income and the education situation of boys and girls, did he begin to relax.
The team had specifically instructed that the purpose of the visit not be disclosed, to avoid skewing responses. So the locals simply knew a group of reporters was in town conducting interviews.
When they heard the footage might air nationwide, they became extremely excited and eager to speak, leaving nothing out.
At the Mao house, when Eldest Mao’s wife, Chen Lanxiang, picked up the phone, she heard her daughter’s excited voice.
“Mom! This is our chance! My father-in-law said that the reporters are from a national tv! Everyone in the country watch their news! If we ask them for help, we’ll definitely be able to find Mao Huimei!”
From her tone, Chen Lanxiang could tell her daughter was having another episode. She gently soothed her, “They’re not with the news. And besides, why would they help us find Mao Huimei?”
Ever since Mao Huihe’s life had improved after giving birth, the Hao family’s attitude toward the Mao family had subsequently softened. Sometimes they even had her bring things home, and that wicked old hag had stopped tormenting her as much. So Chen Lanxiang had become less obsessed with digging into the second branch’s affairs.
“They will!” Mao Huihe’s voice suddenly sharpened. “As long as it’s aired all over the country, the police can bring them back!”
Chen Lanxiang quickly replied, “Yes, yes, the police will bring them back.”
As if sensing her doubt, Mao Huihe snapped, “I’m not sick!”
“Mom, did you know that stingy brat from the Xia family got caught stealing in Yan City?”
The town was small, and Xia Chengzu and his wife had been making a scene everywhere trying to scrounge up sympathy and money. So the story of Xia Bao’s arrest had spread all over.
Chen Lanxiang nodded, “Yes, Mom knows.”
“Right! I heard if they don’t pay back a few tens of thousands, the police will throw him in jail for ten years!”
Mao Huihe’s tone was excited. “The second family took off with the bride price, that’s theft too! They’re on the run, guilty and afraid. The police can arrest them all!”
Chen Lanxiang hadn’t caught up yet. “What do you mean, took off with the bride price? They didn’t—”
“They did!” Mao Huihe cut her off firmly, shrieking, “They took 66,600 yuan!”
Hearing the crazed malice in her daughter’s voice, Chen Lanxiang felt a chill run through her. “Huihe… if that happens, the whole second family will go to jail…”
Mao Huihe snapped, “As long as they come back and repay the money, and Mao Huimei obediently marries into the Hao family, I’ll have my father-in-law let them go!”
Seeing her mother still hesitate, she added another bargaining chip, “That way Dawei will have money to treat the director to dinner, and he can become a star!”
Chen Lanxiang’s lips trembled. “Okay, Mom knows. I’ll think it over carefully… think it over…”
“Mom, Mao Huimei made our family suffer so much. Losing a few tens of thousands is letting them off easy!”
Hearing Chen Lanxiang’s breathing calm down, Mao Huihe smiled in satisfaction. “Make sure to call me when the reporters come. I’ll be keeping the phone close these next few days! I want to speak to them myself…”
Chen Lanxiang was a little afraid. “Didn’t the Hao family say you’re not allowed to go out?” Especially now that the reporters were in town.
Mao Huihe replied with manic certainty, “It’s fine, I’ll sneak out. I will get out.” Her voice was already sounding unhinged by the end, and she abruptly hung up.
Chen Lanxiang hesitated, but when she thought about her eldest son still suffering in Yan City, sleeping in a basement and struggling to eat, she pressed her lips together and went to find her mother-in-law.
After hearing what Chen Lanxiang had to say, the old woman clapped her hands in delight. “Your brain finally lit up for once!”
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