Chapter 22: He Wants to Renege? Let Him!

That evening, Li Guixi went to the small shop to buy two bottles of white spirits, getting thoroughly drunk with his nephew.

Wang Peng woke up with a pounding headache when the sun was already high in the sky. His cousin, Li Fang, had already packed her luggage. Her mother kept instructing her to listen to her cousin and work hard at the business with him. Before they left, Li Guixi brought out a shoulder pole, asking Wang Peng to carry away two large jars of pickled garlic.

With one carrying the pole and the other steadying the jars, the cousins arrived at their rented room in the county town. From a distance, they saw two people standing by their door. Upon getting closer, they were surprised to find it was Director Tong from the agricultural produce market. A few days prior, Wang Peng had purchased three thousand catties of rice, and the director had personally accompanied the delivery fleet.

"Director Tong, what brings you here?" Wang Peng set down the pole and opened the door, inviting him inside to talk.

Looking at the sacks of rice in the living room, Director Tong smiled. "Xiao Wang, the market has decided to buy back these three thousand catties of japonica rice. We'll offer you eighty cents per catty."

Wang Peng smiled; the price of rice had indeed skyrocketed. This was excellent news. If he accepted the deal, he would make an immediate profit of fifteen hundred yuan, but he aimed for more.

"Director Tong, I apologize, but my fried rice business cannot function without this rice," Wang Peng politely declined.

"Think about it," Director Tong persisted with a forced smile. "I'll pay cash—I have twenty-four hundred yuan right here." He pulled out his wallet and produced a thick stack of hundred-yuan bills.

"I'm sorry, I'm not selling," Wang Peng refused point-blank.

In the end, Director Tong left. As he departed, he gave a thumbs up and said, "Xiao Wang, your luck is truly incredible."

Li Fang stared at the rice sacks, giggling. "Cousin Peng! You are Zhuge Liang reborn. We bought this rice at a low price, and now we’re going to make a fortune. Tomorrow, let’s go sell fried rice at the school gate!" She was so eager she could hardly wait.

Wang Peng shook his head. "I’m just a 'hindsight' Zhuge Liang. Come on, Cousin Fang, let’s go to Du Lei’s house to settle our debt."

With school about to start, the Du family would surely be back, and he still owed Du Geda 460 yuan. They couldn't arrive empty-handed, so the two stopped at the market to buy five catties of eggs.

***

In Du Village, at the home of Du Lei, Du Geda sat dejectedly while his son, Du Ming, seemed somewhat depressed. They had returned from Xinjiang three days ago, and Du Lei’s mother had just given birth to a baby boy. Wang Peng hadn't been to the house in the last few days. With school starting soon, Du Geda was anxious and had gone to Wang Village yesterday to find him, only to find Wang Peng away and only Wang Cheng at home.

Wang Cheng had talked with Du Geda for a long time, making it clear that the Wang family would not repay Wang Peng's debts.

Village Chief Du Liu sneered, "You’ve been swindled. I told you long ago that Wang Peng is a slippery kid."

"That's not true!" Du Lei countered. "Brother Peng must have been delayed by something. I guarantee he isn't that kind of person."

"Don't be stubborn," Du Liu laughed. "He owes your grandfather 460 yuan and disappeared without a word. It’s clear he’s trying to welsh on the debt."

"Impossible! Brother Peng isn't the type to owe money and not pay it back," Du Lei insisted. "When he signed the IOU for Grandpa..."

"The IOU, you say? He was just bullying you because you don't understand the law," Du Liu chuckled mockingly, lighting a cigarette. "You're still young; I suppose I have to educate you. Listen well! Minors do not have full civil capacity, so an IOU they sign is just waste paper. If Wang Peng’s parents don't acknowledge it, the IOU is invalid, and even the courts wouldn't recognize it."

The Du family fell silent at these words.

"Brother Peng isn't that kind of person. I’m going to school to register the day after tomorrow; I'll ask him what’s going on," Du Lei maintained.

Du Ming added, "Lei, do as you see fit. If he wants to welsh on the debt, let him."

Du Geda nodded and took a sip from his bottle. "Right, if he wants to welsh, let him. It’s only four hundred yuan, and the help he’s given Lei is worth more than that."

Du Liu was stunned. "Are you all crazy? That’s 460 yuan!"

***

The Du family had long known that Du Lei and Feng Lingling had been dating since elementary school. Du Lei had a rebellious streak; the more you lectured him, the more he would defy you. The family feared a backlash, so they dared not bring it up, though they were worried. Du Lei’s grades had been excellent, but he only placed in the two-hundreds during the high school entrance exams—all because of Feng Lingling’s influence.

What they didn't expect was that Wang Peng, with a little trickery, would reveal Feng Lingling's true colors. They were so grateful to Wang Peng that they were willing to treat the 460 yuan as a token of thanks. Freed from the emotional entanglement, Lei would surely get into university.

The family's support gave Du Lei confidence. "Uncle Six, I believe in Brother Peng's character. We are best friends."

"Pah! You’ve only known him for a few days, what kind of 'best friends' is that?" Du Liu scoffed, pointing at a pile of cow dung. "If he pays that money back, I’ll eat that lump of dung."

*Ahem, ahem...*

A cough came from outside the door, and Wang Peng and Li Fang appeared.

"Brother Peng!" Du Lei hurried to greet him. "Where have you been?"

"Brother Lei, it's a long story. We'll talk later." Wang Peng reached directly for his wallet. He pulled out 460 yuan and walked up to Du Geda. "Grandpa Du, I’ve come to settle my debt. May I have the IOU, please?"

*Pfft!*

Du Lei’s mother burst out laughing. She glanced at the red-faced village chief and hurried inside with her baby. Her laughter made Li Fang giggle, as she and her cousin had been standing outside listening the whole time.

Village Chief Du Liu’s face turned even darker, and he began to edge away, looking for a quick exit.

"Uncle Six, don't rush off. I heard everything you just said," Wang Peng said, pointing at the cow dung.

"You brat, I don't have time for you!" Du Liu scurried away, tucking his tail between his legs.

Laughter filled the courtyard. Du Ming said, "Peng, the village chief isn't a bad man, he just has a loose tongue. Don't be angry with him."

"You must be Uncle Du Ming. Congratulations on your new son," Wang Peng smiled. "I've dealt with him before; I know he's not a bad person."

"That's good," Du Ming said, relieved.

Du Geda produced the IOU. "You always surprise me. If you ever have nowhere to stay in the future, come to Grandpa Du's place."

Wang Peng tore up the IOU and put the pieces in his pocket. "Grandpa Du, I've rented a small courtyard in the county. But the village chief was right—a minor's IOU is largely invalid if their parents don't recognize it. You shouldn't accept IOUs from children in the future."

Du Geda waved his hand. "I’m a good judge of character; you aren't that kind of person." He pointed to the eggs in Li Fang's hand. "If you try to be this polite again, I won't let you through the door."

"Understood. I'll be sure to do it again next time," Wang Peng nodded.

Everyone laughed, and the Du family invited the cousins inside. The men chatted in the living room, while Li Fang went to the bedroom to keep Du Lei’s mother company and hold the baby—she loved children.

Wang Peng shared his recent experiences, leaving the grandfather and son listening in amazement.

"You are a rare talent," Du Geda said, giving a thumbs up. "Selling fried rice is a good idea; school food is certainly not great."

"Lei, you should help Wang Peng out more in the future," Du Ming said, hoping the two would become firm friends.

"Don't worry, Uncle Du. We will definitely look out for each other," Wang Peng replied. He also wanted to count Du Lei as a brother.

Just then, Du Liu returned, carrying two bottles of white spirits. "Comrades, cow dung doesn't taste very good, so let's have this instead!"

The room erupted in laughter. Du Liu, thick-skinned, didn't mind at all. "Kid! I've heard about your situation. Would you consider moving your household registration to Du Village? When you get into Peking University or Tsinghua in the future, I, as the village chief, will be able to share in the glory."

He stared intently at Wang Peng.

Wang Peng was taken aback, then smiled. "When I get into Tsinghua or Peking, if I haven't found a place to settle down, I'll come and trouble you then."

"Good lad, it's a deal," Du Liu grunted.