Chapter 147: Coming to Repay a Favor

There truly was a formidable background! Zhang Pu thought to himself that just by glancing at the four bodyguards, he could tell their master was no ordinary person. Even Uncle Fu could sense the respectful attitude that the local township and village officials had toward these outsiders.

Zhang Pu’s gaze had grown sharp; he could tell that although the elderly man appeared highly esteemed, he might not be the true master behind this visit. Instead, he was likely sent by some behind-the-scenes figure. Indeed, Zhang Pu’s intuition proved correct. As events unfolded, it became clear that the old man’s identity matched Zhang Pu’s suspicions.

After a period of conversation, Zhang Pu and Uncle Fu were astonished to discover the purpose behind the officials accompanying the guests: they were here to hand over this very stretch of forest to them!

What was going on? The situation seemed rather convoluted.

It turned out that ever since Zhang Pu’s parents managed this forest—until their disappearance—the business had been running at a loss. The township had no choice but to reclaim it. Yet, at this critical juncture, outsiders suddenly offered a price far higher than that of local bidders to acquire the forest. The township and village officials could hardly disagree; who wouldn’t want such a prize? Moreover, the wealthy merchant from outside sweetened the deal with benefits, practically buying over the entire township and village leadership.

The group accompanying them today had come to speak on their behalf.

But what exactly was their real intention? The forest that Zhang Pu’s parents had contracted was no longer theirs. Ownership could no longer possibly belong to Zhang Pu. Even if they wanted to evict someone, they wouldn’t need such a grand entourage.

Not to mention that Zhang Pu and Uncle Fu, old and young as they were, seemed hardly a match on the surface. If anyone were to be sent, it would likely be armed forces or police—officials trained for conflict—or the tough-looking plainclothes bodyguards behind the elderly man and the young woman.

Yet, the situation was far from that. Nobody could fathom why the old man and the young woman were here, why township officials had come, or why the village chief and party secretary were present.

What game were these people playing? Even the seasoned and cunning Uncle Fu could not guess, and Zhang Pu, with memories of a past life, found himself at a loss.

Zhang Pu recalled that his previous life had never involved such a drama.

He didn’t understand why, upon his rebirth, so many peripheral details of life seemed to have inexplicably multiplied.

When Director Zhang of the township stated that the forest still legally belonged to Zhang Pu under the contract, disregarding the losses incurred by his parents, and promised subsequent support policies, both Uncle Fu and Zhang Pu were stunned.

Was this a windfall from the heavens?

Yet anyone with worldly experience knew well: nothing truly falls from the sky without cause.

If a pie does fall from the sky, it is sure to be a trap.

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

“Well…” Uncle Fu, thinking Zhang Pu was still young, tried to speak on his behalf. “But respected leaders and honorable guests from afar, forgive my old-fashioned mind—I frankly don’t quite understand the current situation.”

Uncle Fu spoke honestly, and no one present laughed at him. Indeed, some things needed to be spelled out before one could truly understand.

Zhang Pu sensed there was more beneath the surface but chose not to reveal his sharp insight just yet.

Feigning the innocence of a naive youth, he said, “So you mean to help my family because my parents disappeared, and everyone wants to do their best to assist me?”

His tone betrayed a disbelief at such unexpected kindness.

Seeing this, Director Zhang, a bald man with a beer belly, laughed heartily and reached out with his greasy right hand to pat Zhang Pu’s head—the boy looked so endearing to him—but Zhang Pu deftly dodged the gesture.

“Haha! This kid’s quick on his feet,” Director Zhang chuckled.

At that moment, he didn’t suspect Zhang Pu harbored any special skills.

The others followed Director Zhang’s lead, laughing in the manner of social pleasantries.

Uncle Fu and Zhang Pu, however, remained puzzled.

“All right then!” Director Zhang said openly, “I’ll be frank. Zhang Pu, your family’s misfortune elicits our deepest sympathy here at the township and village. We want to give you the greatest assistance possible. Unfortunately, Qingshan Township has always been a poor, remote place—not a booming development zone dripping with wealth. Despite our best efforts, we simply don’t have the means. Your parents’ management of the forest somehow led to huge losses, and the township and village cannot fill that enormous gap…”

At this, Uncle Fu seemed about to object, but the village secretary from Greenstone Village gave him a warning glance, and the village chief subtly kicked Uncle Fu under the table, signaling him to keep quiet. Thus, Uncle Fu was silenced.

Director Zhang’s casual accusation that Zhang Pu’s parents had mismanaged the contract and lost much money greatly displeased Zhang Pu. Yet, since he knew little about his parents’ business, he could not argue, nor did he want to interrupt. Instead, he waited to see what these people were really up to.

Director Zhang continued, weaving his tale: “The township and village tried their best but still couldn’t help your parents. Fortunately, your grandfather once had a good and noble friend who, as I hear, was once indebted to your family. Upon learning of your current misfortune, this friend immediately came to your aid.”

Thankfully, Director Zhang stopped short of further disparaging Zhang Pu’s parents, or Zhang Pu might have been tempted to strike him.

At this point, both Zhang Pu and Uncle Fu grasped most of the truth: someone wished to repay an old favor by offering timely assistance.

The benefactor, given today’s show of force, had to be someone immensely wealthy.

Uncle Fu could barely contain his joy for Zhang Pu.

But Zhang Pu himself felt somewhat indifferent.

Why?

Because he now saw himself merely as a dragon stranded on a shoal. Given time, he believed he could soar at will, looking down proudly upon the land beneath him—indeed, with absolute dominance.

Even now, if he wished to make a splash, he could convincingly present himself as one of the top figures in the Qingwu area. It was only the lower echelons of Qingshan Township and Greenstone Village who remained ignorant of his true standing.