Chapter Twelve: Ermao's Ear

Bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, Tang Long and Zhang Xiu'e drove the Isuzu light truck into the village.

"Tang Long, did you buy a truck?" Zhao Xiaoyue ran out, her eyes wide with astonishment.

Tang Long jumped out of the cab, ruffled Zhao Xiaoyue's hair, and laughed, "It's not my truck. The village bought it."

The Isuzu light truck had been purchased with village funds.

"The village bought a truck?" Zhao Xiaoyue blushed and asked.

At that moment, Zhang Xiu'e climbed out as well. She had been driving the truck back, and now she rubbed her aching shoulders, quietly cursing the damn broken road.

"That's right, the village bought a truck!" Zhang Xiu'e replied with a smile.

Most of the villagers gathered around, curious about how Tang Long and Zhang Xiu'e, who'd been taken away by Strong Source Company that morning, had returned with a truck in the afternoon.

"Where did the village get the money to buy a truck?" Zhao Xiaoyue was puzzled. Everyone knew the Fish Head Village Committee had no funds—otherwise, Old Village Chief wouldn't have handed over the committee accounts to Zhang Xiu'e, and the villagers wouldn't have accepted it so easily.

"Strong Source Company owed us money, and Tang Long helped us get it back!" Zhang Xiu'e said with a smile, giving all the credit to Tang Long and taking none for herself.

"Don't listen to Secretary Xiu'e's nonsense. If we managed to get money from Strong Source, it's all thanks to Secretary Xiu'e!" Tang Long laughed. What use was it for him to claim credit? This was his own village, after all.

Aunt Yang chimed in happily, "You two can stop passing the credit around. We've all seen who did what."

"Exactly. Secretary Xiu'e did her part, and Tang Long too." Lian Sheng grinned, giving a thumbs-up.

Everyone knew who had contributed, and their eyes were sharp.

But in the end, Zhang Xiu'e was not originally from Fish Head Village, so deep down, the villagers trusted Tang Long more.

Tang Long hadn't been back for long, but since his return, it seemed as if Fish Head Village had changed at its core.

"How much money did you actually get from Strong Source Company?" Aunt Yang asked, curious.

"Ten million!"

Zhang Xiu'e answered with a smile. Instantly, the villagers fell silent—even the children sensed something was different and stopped their noise.

Aunt Yang trembled, dropping the flatbread she held in shock, forgetting to pick it up.

Her eyes bulged as she asked, "How much did you say?"

"Ten. Million."

Thud!

Aunt Yang dropped flat onto the ground, scared stiff by Zhang Xiu'e. She couldn't even comprehend how much ten million was; she'd never seen even a hundred thousand, let alone ten million.

"Mom!" Zhao Xiaoyue rushed over to help her up.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Aunt Yang said, still seated on the ground, staring at Zhang Xiu'e and trembling as she asked, "Secretary Xiu'e, you're not lying to us, are you?"

Zhang Xiu'e hesitated, then pulled Tang Long over. "You should explain."

Tang Long looked at Aunt Yang and the surrounding villagers. "Secretary Xiu'e isn't making things up. Strong Source Company occupied 'Liengou Hollow' for four and a half years without paying a single cent in contract fees. That debt is valued at five million."

He paused, then continued, "Besides, during those four-plus years, Strong Source's people bullied and beat many villagers, injuring Brother Er Gou and Er Mao's ear, among others. The number of those hurt is not small, and that account is valued at another five million."

"So, in total, ten million. This is what Strong Source Company owes us, and we must not let it go!"

"Did Strong Source Company really pay up?"

The villagers stared, incredulous. They knew Strong Source Company better than Tang Long did; could those people really hand over such a sum so easily?

"The money has already been deposited in the village committee's account," Tang Long said, pausing to look at everyone calmly. "Secretary Xiu'e and I have discussed it. We need to spend this money quickly."

"You have two choices: first, distribute the money. Second, invest."

"Distributing is easy to understand. Aside from keeping a portion, the rest is divided equally—everyone gets a share."

"Investing means using the money as Fish Head Village's capital to establish a company. If the company makes money, everyone will get returns. If the company loses money, no one gets a cent."

"So, what do you say—should we start a company or split the money?"

Zhang Xiu'e looked at Tang Long in surprise. On the way back, they'd discussed using the money to start a company, but had never mentioned distributing it.

Ten million seemed a lot, but divided among five hundred villagers, each would get less than twenty thousand. It might last a year or so, but wouldn't make much difference.

Once the money was split, the unity of Fish Head Village would be lost.

From Zhang Xiu'e's perspective, she could not support distributing the money to the villagers.

She glared at Tang Long, a hint of anger in her eyes—he'd made another unilateral decision!

"Why split the money? If you give it to us, what if Strong Source's people come back and take it from us?" Zhao Xiaoyue suddenly exclaimed, her eyes darting.

Her words instantly made those tempted by the idea of splitting the money hesitate again.

They'd been tormented enough by Strong Source Company to be fearful.

Tang Long and Zhang Xiu'e might be able to get the money back, but could they keep it safe if it was handed over to the villagers?

Refuse them? Strong Source's scoundrels had plenty of ways to torment you until you gave in.

"Xiaoyue is right. Besides, you two got the money back from Strong Source, so what's the point of giving it to us?" Lian Sheng chimed in.

Li Ergou echoed loudly, "I also disagree with splitting the money!"

Tang Long ignored the dissenters and turned his gaze to the silent villagers. "Everyone, speak up. How should we handle this money? Let's pool our ideas—there's nothing to be shy about, right here at our own doorstep!"

"I—I think we should use the money to take Er Mao to a city hospital to check his ear," Qiu Yuxia raised her hand, blushing and shrinking back—she rarely spoke in front of so many people.

Tang Long walked over to her and asked, "Can Er Mao's ear be treated?"

Qiu Yuxia nodded, then shook her head, "We've only been to the county hospital, never to a major hospital for tests. I think we should try a big city hospital—there's a chance for treatment, but I can't guarantee a full recovery."

"Then let's take Er Mao to a big city hospital. No matter the cost, the village will cover it as long as he can be cured."

Tang Long waved Zhang Xiu'e over, "Secretary Xiu'e, you come from a big place—do you have contacts in city hospitals?"

Zhang Xiu'e nodded, "We'll go to the provincial capital. I'll handle the hospital arrangements. If that's not enough, we'll go to the capital."

She took on the responsibility without hesitation.

"Thank you," Tang Long said softly.

Zhang Xiu'e gave him a coquettish glare and snorted, "Why are you thanking me like I'm an outsider? As village secretary, shouldn't I be responsible for my own villagers?"