The heavens set sail from the courtyard

Wang Gang only learned from his neighbors the next day that Erqing's mother had gone to the He family to break off the engagement, which did not surprise him at all.

There aren't that many suckers in this world. He Wenhui is beautiful, but with all that burden at home, anyone would shake their head.

Previously, Daqing insisted on marrying He Wenhui, leaving Erqing's mother helpless. But after yesterday's events, everyone knows that He Wenyuan and He Wentao are not to be trifled with, and anyone who gets involved with the He family will be in trouble.

Erqing's mother knew when to cut her losses and insisted on annulling the engagement, but this only made He Wenhui's reputation even worse.

In this era, reputation is still very important. He Wenhui has been divorced and has now been jilted, so even fewer people would dare to marry her.

Erqing's mother not only called off the engagement, but also demanded that the He family compensate her son for his medical expenses, not a single penny less than one hundred yuan.

The He family couldn't possibly come up with the money, and He Wenhui was so worried she was almost in tears.

He Wenhui originally wanted to write an IOU, but Erqing's mother was not as good at talking as Wang Gang, so how could she agree? She insisted on cash.

He Wenhui asked everyone around her, but no one was willing to lend her the money, because everyone knew that the He family simply didn't have the ability to repay it!

Gao Junling was willing to lend the money, but she usually supported the He family quite a bit, and she couldn't come up with that much money now!
Wang Gang had to let He Wenyuan off the hook for now because he was busy with his wedding. He would settle this score with the He family sooner or later.

Wang Gang didn't go to the He family, but unexpectedly He Wenhui came to him on her own.

When Wang Gang got home from work that day, he found He Wenhui standing downstairs at his house with a conflicted expression.

"You were looking for me?" Wang Gang pushed his bicycle up to He Wenhui.

“Hong Chang.” He Wenhui was very happy to see Wang Gang.

“We’re not related anymore, so don’t call me that so affectionately. From now on, just call me Master Liu!” Wang Gang said coldly.

“Hongchang, I know you’re still angry with Wenyuan. I’ve already given her a stern talking-to, and I promise I’ll never bother you again,” He Wenhui said pitifully.

"He Wenyuan isn't just looking for trouble, she wants me dead!" Wang Gang parked his bicycle and said disdainfully, "Do you know what the consequences will be if I'm labeled a thug?"

He Wenhui knew this, of course, but it was her own sister who had caused the trouble!

“Hongchang…”

“Call me Master Liu,” Wang Gang interrupted coldly.

He Wenhui gritted her teeth and said, "Alright! Master Liu, Wenyuan's self-criticism has been written, but could you please not read it aloud in public? She's a girl and she's shy, so it's really embarrassing for her."

Wang Gang saw He Wenhui take out a piece of paper, and without even looking at its contents, he said, "He Wenyuan, did you write this self-criticism?"

"Huh? How did you know?!" He Wenhui exclaimed in surprise.

Wang Gang scoffed, "It seems He Wenyuan still hasn't realized his mistake!"

“No,” He Wenhui said anxiously, “Wenyuan already knows she was wrong, but she has to go to school and really doesn’t have time, so I helped her write the apology letter.”

Wang Gang looked at He Wenhui and couldn't understand why she was so protective of her younger siblings and always unconditionally cleaned up their messes.

"I warned you before, if we keep indulging He Wenyuan and his gang like this, something terrible will happen sooner or later," Wang Gang said quietly. "Looks like you still don't understand!"

He Wenhui said, "I will definitely discipline Wenyuan and the others more strictly in the future."

Wang Gang pursed his lips, clearly not believing that He Wenyuan and the others would change their ways, but still said, "Have He Wenyuan sign the letter of apology and put her fingerprint on it. If she provokes me again, I will take the letter of apology to the school and find their principal."

Since the wedding was in three days, Wang Gang didn't want to cause any trouble at this time and affect the wedding, so he let He Wenyuan off the hook for the time being.

"Thank you, Master Liu." He Wenhui was overjoyed and said, "I'll go get Wenyuan to sign and stamp it right away!"

Wang Gang turned around, went upstairs, and returned to his home.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. He Wenhui stood at the door, holding a letter of self-criticism, looking very uneasy.

"Master Liu, Wen Yuan has already signed the letter of self-criticism. Please take a look."

Wang Gang took the letter of self-criticism, read it and found no problems, then said, "If your younger brother or sister dares to scheme against me again, don't blame me for being impolite!" "No, I promise it won't happen again."

Wang Gang nodded, put away the letter of self-criticism, and seeing that He Wenhui showed no sign of leaving, asked, "Is there anything else?"

He Wenhui looked around and asked, "Can I go inside and talk?"

Wang Gang could tell from He Wenhui's hesitant manner that she wanted to borrow money.

“Say what you have to say here. We’re divorced now. If a man and a woman are alone together in a room, I’m afraid your sister will accuse me of being a pervert again,” Wang Gang sneered.

He Wenhui sighed and said, "I might not be able to pay back the money I borrowed from you in a short time?"

Wang Gang leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed and said, "I know Erqing's mother broke off the engagement, so you didn't receive the bride price and therefore don't have the money to pay me back!"

He Wenhui lowered her head and said softly, "Yes."

Wang Gang raised an eyebrow and asked, "Do you want to borrow some more money from me?"

"Ah, how did you know?" He Wenhui looked up in surprise.

"I heard about Erqing's mother asking you to pay for medical expenses," Wang Gang said. "Your family has five mouths to feed, and you're all relying on your salary. You're out of money, aren't you?"

He Wenhui blushed and said shyly, "Could you lend me another hundred yuan? I'll write you an IOU!"

Wang Gang refused without hesitation: "No."

He Wenhui said urgently, "I will pay you back as soon as I make the money."

Wang Gang shook his head again and said, "I'm getting married soon. If Yang Maixiang finds out that we still have financial dealings, what do you think she'll think?"

He Wenhui's face turned pale, and she could no longer open her mouth to borrow money.

"I'm sorry, I hadn't thought of that."

Wang Gang said, "I can't lend you any more money, and you must repay what you owe me as soon as possible. I don't want to have anything to do with your family anymore."

He Wenhui said anxiously, "But I really don't have any money!"

Wang Gang said, "If you don't have money, you can use your house to pay off your debts."

"What? You want my house!" He Wenhui exclaimed in surprise.

"The only thing your family has that's worth anything right now is that house," Wang Gang sneered.

“If I give you the house, where will our family of five live?” He Wenhui resolutely refused, “No, I absolutely cannot give you the house.”

"Then pay back the money," Wang Gang said coldly. "You owe money and don't pay it back? You think you're in the right?"

"It's not that I don't want to pay it back, it's just that I don't have the money right now and I need to pay it back slowly," He Wenhui said anxiously.

“Your monthly salary is about thirty yuan. After deducting necessary household expenses, you’re lucky if you don’t have to borrow money, let alone save any!” Wang Gang said quietly.

He Wenhui lowered her head again and said, "I can try to find a part-time job."

Wang Gang scoffed, "You work as a female factory worker in a textile factory, where they operate on a shift system, and sometimes you even have to work the night shift! How could you possibly have time for a part-time job?"

“Then I won’t sell the house,” He Wenhui said through gritted teeth.

“Transfer the house to me, and I’ll give you an extra two hundred yuan, enough to pay back Erqing’s mother,” Wang Gang suggested. “You can continue living in the house afterward; consider it rent to you for five yuan a month.”

He Wenhui looked at Wang Gang in surprise.

"You can go home and discuss it with your mother," Wang Gang said, closing the door behind him. (End of Chapter)