"What happened?"
At this moment, Jiang Fan and Su Weiwei exchanged glances, both feeling that something serious must have happened; otherwise, the crying wouldn't be so mournful.
Thinking of this, Jiang Fan suppressed the ripples in his heart and walked out of the house.
He saw a black coffin unexpectedly placed at the entrance of the Meng Family not far away.
Uncle Meng's wife, Sister-in-law Meng, was wearing white mourning clothes, her eyes red and kneeling on the ground crying.
Her son, Meng Tie, was also kneeling on the ground, clenching his fists, his face full of tears.
However, more than that was anger and hatred.
The surrounding neighbors also came out one after another, their expressions numb, feeling a shared sorrow for the loss, deeply grieving.
"Uncle Meng died?"
Seeing this scene, Jiang Fan was shocked, the entire Meng Family was dressed in mourning clothes, and recalling what happened the day before yesterday, the outcome was self-evident.
"Alas, Old Meng really had it rough, being badly beaten by the Dragon King Gang, severely injured. We thought he could pull through, but he died because he couldn't afford the medical expenses due to his severe injuries."
Song Fugui sighed helplessly.
Originally, Uncle Meng didn't have to die if he could get proper treatment.
But the money of the Meng Family had long been taken away by the Dragon King Gang, no medical expenses left.
As a result, Uncle Meng, unable to afford treatment, could only go home to recuperate.
Then, in just one night, he died because of his severe injuries.
A human life, in this era, is so cheap, like an ant.
"Old Meng worked hard all his life, got up early and stayed up late for fishing, braving the elements, tirelessly every day, yet only earned a few taels of silver. But the bastards of the Dragon King Gang wanted even that little money, and even beat Old Meng to death."
"Those bastards from the Dragon King Gang really deserve to die."
"Shut up, if those from the Dragon King Gang hear us, what good will it do us?"
"Just saying, could that lead to disaster too?"
"Heh, do you really think those from the Dragon King Gang care about reasoning?"
"Alas, let's not talk about it, let's not talk about it."
The villagers of Osmanthus Village discussed animatedly, each with a sorrowful, helpless look.
They also wanted to help Old Meng's family, but alas they were powerless.
"This."
Hearing this, Jiang Fan clenched his fists, feeling a surge of sadness. This is the plight of the poor in chaotic times; a single accident can destroy their home and ruin them.
Uncle Meng did nothing wrong; he was just an honest, stuttering fisherman, working hard all his life.
Yet it was only because of the greed of the Dragon King Gang that led to his death.
Zheng Wenbing really deserved to die and should be torn apart.
Fortunately, that guy was already slain by me, and even his corpse fed to the wild wolves.
I hope Uncle Meng's spirit in heaven could find some solace.
"The Old Meng Family is now only left with a widow and a child; the days ahead will be tough."
"Yeah, they might not even be able to pay next month's monthly salary."
"Without Old Meng, the veteran fisherman, how much fish can they catch? Can the young Meng Tie manage?"
"If they can't pay, there might be another beating."
"Sigh, we're all villagers here; if we can help, we should."
"You heartless one, still wanting to give money to Qian Laomeng's family, when we don't even have grain at home. Trying to play the good guy, do you want to starve our family?"
"I didn't mean that; I can't afford money, but a few pieces of flatbread could be a token of goodwill."
"Yes, we've been neighbors for dozens of years."
The villagers discussed animatedly, negotiating how much money to give.
Jiang Fan listened quietly on the side. Although he still had a lot of money on him, he wouldn't play the fool.
The Meng Family indeed was pitiable and lived very hard.
But isn't everyone struggling in this world? Who isn't pitiful?
If he exposes his wealth, it might not be a good thing.
Rather, it might bring unforeseen disasters.
Staying unremarkable and blending in was the best way to live in Osmanthus Village.
Now, he couldn't do anything; being able to take care of his small family was his limit.
At this moment, each villager went forward to pay respects to Uncle Meng and gave some token money.
Jiang Fan also stepped forward, following the crowd.
"Thank you, thank you."
Meng Tie knelt on the ground, his gaze empty, seemingly in utter despair.
He mechanically repeated thanks.
I guess he hadn't recovered from the blow of his father's death.
"Alas."
Seeing this, Jiang Fan couldn't help but feel a twinge of sorrow in his heart.
There was a time when Meng Tie was also a high-spirited young man, who said he planned to learn martial arts and become a renowned hero.
But now, it had come to this.
And this scene made Jiang Fan even more determined to gain powerful strength.
In these chaotic times, all skills are worthless.
No matter how much money you earn, it's meaningless, all temporary.
If there's no powerful strength, none of this can be safeguarded.
It would just be making wedding clothes for others.
So, the Luck Points on him couldn't be spent recklessly; they could only be used to improve his martial arts power.
After paying respects to Uncle Meng, Jiang Fan walked out from the Meng Family.
"Xiaojiang, have you thought over that matter from last time?"
"Are you considering selling me your Upturned Boat?"
At this moment, a young man, covered in spots, around twenty-five or six years old, approached; his attire was casually put together, looking very nonchalant.
He was none other than the infamous idler of Osmanthus Village—Guo Mazi.
This person wasted his days idling in the village, living by stealing and pilfering.
Yet, he was quite sociable and familiar with some members of the Dragon King Gang.
So even though he was detested by both man and ghost in the village, not many dared to offend him.
He came directly in front of Jiang Fan.
"No need, my family's Upturned Boat is not for sale."
Jiang Fan shook his head firmly.
It's worth noting that his family's Upturned Boat was bought with the accumulation of three generations, quite valuable.
For fishermen, boats are their livelihood, practically essential.
Some fishermen, due to poverty, can only rent boats from the Dragon King Gang, facing further exploitation.
They barely make ends meet.
But for fishermen who own a boat, it's entirely different. They avoid the Dragon King Gang's exploitation, earning much more than other fishermen.
If not driven to absolute poverty, no fisherman would possibly sell their means of livelihood.
If that were all, it would be fine. But this Guo Mazi, utterly despicable, wanted to buy his Upturned Boat at the price of a simple boat, practically daylight robbery.
"Oh, it's rumored that your family's money has long been exhausted."
"If this month's fishing yields no results, you won't even be able to pay next month's monthly salary."
"And I've offered a very high price."
"After all, your family's Upturned Boat has been in use for so many years, old and ragged, it can't fetch a high price at all."
"If not for considering you as a fellow villager, I wouldn't have offered such a high price."
"If next month, the Dragon King Gang comes, and you can't pay the monthly salary."
"The price won't be the same."
Guo Mazi spoke with a tone laced with threats.