Chapter Seventy-Nine: Everything Depends on Me

Zhou Meiniang was waiting anxiously for Shen Guodong’s arrival! At that moment, seeing so many cars parked at the gate, she was startled. Cars in the eighties! They were unequivocally luxury goods. For most people, not to mention driving, they had barely seen a car at all. Even in the city, their rarity was akin to spotting a Lamborghini or other supercars in later years. The roads were still mostly dominated by the army of heavy bicycles, while motorcycles were a bit more common. Back then, riding a motorcycle made you the envy of everyone; if you wanted to impress a girl, you’d succeed for sure—the young ladies would lower their heads, and the matter would be settled!

In the big cities, cars were slightly more plentiful. But in Fengcheng, their numbers were truly pitiful! Bald Brother’s car was already quite old. Years ago, when he went to the city to collect a debt, the debtor had no money and offered the car as payment. Bald Brother learned to drive through trial and error, bumping and scraping his way until he managed to get the hang of it. Plenty of amusing mishaps came with the process.

Zhou Meiniang hurried out to close the courtyard gate tightly, then saw Shen Guodong step down from the car. She was stunned for a long moment—how could he have come back by car?

“Meiniang, what are you up to?” Shen Guodong was amused by her actions.

Meiniang felt a bit embarrassed. She knew how captivating her appearance was, so she worried someone might have taken a fancy to her and come to cause trouble. She hadn’t expected it would be Shen Guodong!

“It’s you? Where’s your bicycle?” Meiniang asked. “Why are you riding in a car? Who’s inside with you, are they friends?” She was like a curious child, full of questions.

Shen Guodong smiled, replying, “Yes, friends! I asked him to come over to settle the Wang Weihua matter. I’m afraid if we go alone, he’d refuse, so I thought we’d use some unconventional methods.”

Bald Brother locked the car and strode over, his fierce appearance causing Meiniang to instinctively step back a few paces. Clearly, with that look, any woman would be intimidated.

“Brother Shen, your taste is remarkable. If it weren’t for the rule that one must not covet a brother’s wife, I’d be tempted myself.” Bald Brother wasn’t wrong—Meiniang’s beauty could stir thoughts in anyone. As a man of the streets, Bald Brother had done his share of misdeeds—stealing wives, doing things right under their husbands’ noses, playing the role of the neighbor’s secret lover—but he treated his own men well.

If you’re not good to your brothers, no one will follow you. In street circles, brotherhood is paramount; only with such loyalty can you build power, inspire devotion, and have others fight at your side.

Bald Brother gazed at Meiniang’s enchanting beauty, nearly drooling. And that figure—it was perfection! Her clothes could not hide her allure; she was the very embodiment of temptation. He was speechless. He’d been with many women but never encountered such an extraordinary beauty. Meanwhile, Shen Guodong had effortlessly claimed her. Comparing oneself to others could drive a person mad.

“This is Bald Brother,” Shen Guodong made introductions—basic courtesy was necessary.

Meiniang was a little embarrassed by Bald Brother’s words, but she smiled, “Bald Brother!” As for her status, she didn’t elaborate; there was no easy way to explain it, given her relationship with Shen Guodong was rather unspeakable.

“Let’s go!” Shen Guodong took Meiniang’s hand and settled into the back seat of the car. Bald Brother drove. In those days, few could drive, and it was a rare privilege—just riding in a car was a treat.

Once inside, Meiniang, ever fascinated by cars, looked around, touched everything with keen curiosity. Shen Guodong couldn’t help but find it amusing.

They drove for more than ten minutes, arriving at a village—Wang Family Village. Even now, there were many villages within the city.

“Bald Brother, stop at the entrance. If I can’t manage things, I’ll call for you!” Shen Guodong didn’t want to be too ruthless from the outset. Though Wang Weihua was in the wrong, if he cooperated, Shen Guodong was willing to pay compensation; he wasn’t short of money anymore.

“Alright, I’ll have my men keep an eye on the house. If anything seems off, we’ll come in!” Bald Brother wasn’t about to let anything happen to Shen Guodong at a critical moment.

This time, Shen Guodong agreed without protest.

From here, they could see Wang Weihua’s house. There were many brick houses nearby, but Wang Weihua’s was an old wooden structure—a clear sign his economic situation lagged far behind his neighbors. Only a foolish woman like Meiniang would have remained loyal so long, even living as a widow. Wang Weihua was impotent and uninterested in women. Marrying Meiniang was merely for appearances—after years together, they had never even shared a bed, let alone any intimacy. This ended up benefiting Shen Guodong.

Looking at Meiniang, anyone would assume she couldn’t possibly adhere to the traditional virtues of a wife. Yet the reality was quite different. Meiniang was very proper and upright, never overstepping her bounds. Most rumors were spread by jealous women. In this era, divorce was rare, and women were highly traditional.

She was no exception—married for better or worse, never considering divorce, since such a scandal would disgrace her parents in the eyes of neighbors and relatives. Only the events of that day had driven her to despair. If not for Shen Guodong, she might have taken her own life to preserve her family’s reputation.

Thinking back, it was foolish to sacrifice herself for such a man—it simply wasn’t worth it. Now, Meiniang had come to terms with everything, facing it calmly.

“We used to live in a brick house at the east end of the village, but that was the Wang family’s old cattle shed. They had decent conditions, but after Wang Weihua lost the house gambling, we moved into the cattle shed, patched it up, and managed to live there,” Meiniang said, her mood complicated.

Reaching this point was no easy feat for any woman. Fortunately, Shen Guodong was at her side, making things less bleak.

“Don’t worry, I’m here! Wang Weihua will have to agree, whether he wants to or not,” Shen Guodong said calmly. “Bald Brother and his men are outside, nothing will go wrong!”

Hearing this, she finally calmed down. Yes—what was there to fear, with Shen Guodong by her side? No matter what, this man would be her strongest support.