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Wei Ruo took in Xiaoxi Village’s reaction, then spoke calmly but sternly:
“What belongs to me, Xu Heyou, I will give if I wish to give it. If I don’t wish to give it, no one can snatch it from me. If you’re suffering and can’t get enough to eat, that’s your problem—not mine. Don’t try to threaten me with that. I won't fall for it.
As for the rice seedlings, when you chose not to believe me, you should have been prepared to bear the consequences. You made your choice; you must bear the outcome yourselves. Being weak doesn’t mean you’re right. Suffering doesn’t mean others are obligated to help you.”
Then she pointed at the man still restrained on the ground.
“You’ve all seen it. I, Xu Heyou, am not someone who is easy to provoke. Today my attendant is merely giving you a demonstration. If you attempt to harm me again, I won’t be so courteous next time.”
The people of Xiaoxi Village looked at Wei Ruo, unwilling to accept it, but this time they didn’t dare argue back.
Wei Ruo then gave Xiumei a look. Understanding, Xiumei released the man on the ground.
He struggled to his feet and staggered back to his fellow villagers. When he looked at Wei Ruo and Xiumei again, the arrogance from before was gone—replaced only by fear.
The villagers of Xiaoxi Village looked at one another, none of them speaking. In the end, they could only leave in dejection.
After they had gone far enough, Shi Dayou stepped forward and apologized to Wei Ruo.
“I’m sorry, Young Master Xu. You were frightened because of us.”
“There’s no need to apologize. It has nothing to do with you,” Wei Ruo replied.
Shi Dayou looked at her as if he had something to ask. After hesitating for a while, he finally decided to speak.
“Young Master Xu, about the rice seedlings… is there really no other way?”
“You’re hoping I’ll help them?” Wei Ruo asked in return.
“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare—that’s not what I mean. If Young Master Xu is willing to help, then you help. If you can help, it’s our good fortune. If not, we wouldn’t dare ask for more,” Shi Dayou hurriedly explained.
After a pause, he added, “Young Master Xu, actually… not everyone in Xiaoxi Village is as rude and unreasonable as the ones you saw just now. Most of the villagers are good people. Just like our village, they work hard in the fields, waiting for the year’s harvest to feed their families. If all the seedlings die, then this year they really might…”
Hearing the implication in Shi Dayou’s words, Wei Ruo replied, “The late rice seeds I gave you can still be planted in time. But if I truly intend to help them, there are many things I must consider.
It’s not only Xiaoxi Village that has been affected. If I had rashly agreed to help just now, more and more people would come to me afterward. If I cannot ensure that I have the capacity to resolve the entire matter, I cannot be generous on impulse.”
“I see.” Shi Dayou nodded quickly. After listening to Young Master Xu’s explanation, he understood that Young Master Xu had many concerns. It was he who had thought too simply.
“You focus on handling your own affairs first.As for the villages afflicted by the crop disease, I will consider it,” Wei Ruo said to Shi Dayou.
“Yes, yes, yes. Thank you, Young Master Xu, thank you,” Shi Dayou said repeatedly.
“Alright, it’s getting late. I should head back. You should all get back to your work as well.”
Shi Dayou nodded again and again, watching as Wei Ruo and Xiumei left.
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