The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 16 The Zhou Family Conflict
"What are you doing, you bastard? You come back and start hitting your brother? You're going to rebel!"

When Zhou Yongliang saw Zhou Wangzu kick him, he immediately picked up a hoe with both hands, intending to swing it at Zhou Zhiqiang.

'Damn, this family really doesn't treat me like their own child!'

When Zhou Zhiqiang saw Zhou Yongliang's plan, he couldn't help but curse inwardly; he had only kicked Zhou Wangzu once, and Zhou Yongliang was already wielding a hoe against him, what a fine fellow.

That way, he doesn't need to be polite anymore!
After receiving the reward for his deduction, Zhou Zhiqiang was clear-headed and quick-witted. As soon as Zhou Yongliang picked up the hoe, he quickly grabbed it and then kicked Zhou Yongliang in the stomach.

"Ouch."

Zhou Yongliang grunted and sat down on the ground with a thud, then looked at Zhou Zhiqiang with disbelief.

Zhou Zhiqiang, who used to be so quiet and unyielding, has now actually attacked him?

When Tian Daniu saw that her husband had been beaten, she immediately sat down on the ground, slapped her thigh, and cried out, "Oh my God! We have a heartless wretch in our family who beats his own father! May a bolt of lightning strike him dead!"

Zhou Zhiqiang took a deep breath. He had been given a cheat code after coming to this world, and he thought he would always remain calm and composed.

But I never expected that when I returned to Hongqi Village, I would be so angry at these bizarre family members that I would fly into a rage.

"Alright, I'm not going to waste any more words with you. I'm going to find the village chief right now, and we're splitting up from today onwards!"

Zhou Zhiqiang pushed his bicycle outside, saying, "Just wait, this family will definitely fall apart today."

He would rather have his reputation ruined in the village than part ways with these people.

If these people get even a little bit involved, they'll be stuck with it for life.

At most, splitting up now will only damage our reputation, but if we don't split up, our reputation could be ruined for life.

Moreover, after the family property was divided, Zhou Zhiqiang planned to ask the village elders whether he was actually the Zhou family's biological son.

Nowadays, college students are extremely precious. Even in the families of cadres in Beijing, it is very difficult to support one college student.

Zhou Zhiqiang climbed his way up step by step from the rural primary school and rural middle school. Without outstanding grades and performance, he could not have been admitted to Sijiucheng Industrial University from the county high school.

He was the only college student in the entire Sanhe Township, but instead of being proud of it, the Zhou family spent all their time scheming to take advantage of the meager subsidies that the original owner had.

If he were his biological son, Zhou Zhiqiang would have eaten all the cow dung in the village!

"you dare!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yongliang, despite the pain in his stomach, stood up and blocked Zhou Zhiqiang's path, saying, "If you dare to split the family property, I'll tell the whole village about how you're an ingrate!"

Zhou Zhiqiang sneered, "Go ahead and spread it if you want. Do you think I'm afraid of this?"

So what if their reputation is ruined? At most, their reputation is ruined in Hongqi Village. When the organization investigates later, they certainly won't just listen to their side of the story.

It's not surprising how the Zhou family treated the original owner before, and Zhou Zhiqiang is confident that he can achieve great success in industry.

What will his reputation be like then? Will it be up to the Zhou family to gossip about him?
Even if they insist on gossiping, let them go ahead. Zhou Zhiqiang would rather both sides suffer losses than let these people get away with it. It's disgusting.

"Get out of my way, or I'll teach you a lesson if you keep blocking my way!"

Zhou Zhiqiang's loud shout startled Zhou Yongliang, who involuntarily let go of the handlebars.

Zhou Zhiqiang used to be a quiet, unresponsive person; no matter how much you scolded him, he wouldn't react. Now, he's kicked his brother and hit him?
This sudden change left Zhou Yongliang feeling uncertain. Seeing Zhou Yongliang so frightened that he let go of the handlebars, Zhou Zhiqiang immediately got on the bike and headed towards the village chief's house.

Upon arriving, Zhou Zhiqiang shouted a few words outside the door. The village chief quickly came out and, seeing that it was Zhou Zhiqiang, asked in confusion, "Zhiqiang, are you done?"

"No, there's something I'd like you to witness: I'm dividing the family property."

"Separate the family!?"

Upon hearing this, the village chief was startled, but seeing the resolute expression on Zhou Zhiqiang's face, he knew that Zhou had made up his mind and no amount of persuasion would change his mind.

However, the village chief still spoke up, "Zhiqiang, your parents and grandparents definitely won't agree to dividing the family property. Besides, you've only been working for a short time, and if you divide the family property now, there will definitely be gossip in the village."

"Let them spread the word, I'm not afraid of gossip."

Zhou Zhiqiang shook his head and said, "Moreover, I also give five yuan every month after the family splits up. Village chief, that's not a small amount, is it?"

You know how the Zhou family treated me before. From now on, I'll give them five yuan every month until Zhou Yongliang and Tian Daniu are no longer able to make ends meet.

The village chief choked upon hearing this. He realized that Zhou Zhiqiang was even saying such things, so the two sides must be irreconcilably at odds.

Moreover, five yuan a month is quite a lot in the village. A family with two or three strong laborers can only save up fifty or sixty yuan a year.

Even at sixty a year, the Zhou family can still be the best-off family in Hongqi Village, as long as the rest of the Zhou family works hard.

Nowadays, only Zhou Yongliang from the Zhou family works in the fields. Old Man Zhou and Zhou Wangzu both prefer to rest rather than work in the fields.

They used to think that they could get fifteen yuan from Zhou Zhiqiang every month, which would amount to nearly two hundred yuan a year, enough to buy several hundred kilograms of grain, enough for their family to eat.

So the old man and the young man worked only sporadically, and although they were still at the age to work, they were lazy all the time.

After thinking for a moment, the village chief said, "Zhiqiang, five yuan is indeed a good amount, but if your parents and grandparents insist on not doing so, I can't interfere. Even as the village chief, I can't force you to divide your family property."

“It’s alright, village chief. If they don’t separate their households, they won’t have a single penny left.”

Zhou Zhiqiang shook his head and said, "I'd rather lose my job than let them get away with this. I won't give them any money, and I'll come back home every day to eat their meals."

If they don't give me food, I'll smash the pots and pans, and nobody will get to eat.

"Are you kidding me, Zhiqiang? You're a college student, a chosen one."

“It’s precisely because I’m a college student that I don’t want to get involved with them, village chief. Do you think they treat me like family?”

Zhou Zhiqiang's retort left the village chief speechless. He then continued, "I will never forget the help you and Teacher Wu Ming from the township middle school gave me, even if it takes twenty years. But what about Zhou Yongliang and the others?"

At this point, Zhou Zhiqiang paused for a moment, then couldn't help but continue to ask, "Village chief, I'm not bragging about my college degree, but a college degree is a treasure in any family, right? But the Zhou family in Hongqi Village is an exception."

"You're an elder from Hongqi Village, Village Chief. Tell me the truth, am I really Zhou's biological son?"

The village chief was taken aback upon hearing this, then sighed and shook his head.

"Really?"

Upon seeing this, Zhou Zhiqiang was secretly pleased. If that wasn't the case, things would be much easier. They had no gratitude for being born, and they didn't even take good care of him. Giving them five yuan a month was really too good for them.

(End of this chapter)