Era: Starting with the struggle to refuse being taken advantage of

Chapter 58 Jedi Counterattack
Considering Wang Tieshan's sudden change in attitude, Wang Chengpeng's intuition told him that there must be some crucial information hidden on the bicycle.

Sure enough, he soon saw a blurry shoe print, but upon closer inspection, he could tell that it was Zhao Yuju's handiwork.

Although foot binding has been completely abolished as a feudal remnant, some elderly women in rural areas still bind their feet.

Due to the era, Zhao Yuju's feet were not fully bound; only a small portion was bound.

Although it doesn't affect her mobility, it does make her feet slightly smaller than average, and her shoe prints are also very tiny.

Now that he knew the reason for his father Wang Tieshan's unusual behavior, Wang Chengpeng had already made up his mind and said:
"Just pretend I broke this bicycle."

"Alright, Dongzi, I'll pay you back. Let's go back now."

"If we stay here and make a ruckus, others will laugh at us."

Wang Chengpeng used the word "just consider" rather than directly admitting that he was the one who did it, which makes a big difference.

Because of his friendship with Wang Chengpeng, Wang Zidong simply sighed, said nothing, picked up his bicycle, and prepared to leave.

Wang Tieshan looked at his son, sighed, and followed him. Some things were simply not suitable to leave in front of so many people.

But how could Wang Chengpeng so easily let go of the person who framed him?

He secretly gave Wang Zidong a few winks, and based on their long-standing tacit understanding, plus the shoe prints on the bicycle, Wang Zidong almost instantly understood Wang Chengpeng's plan.

Sure enough, just as Wang Zidong was about to leave and the crowd was dispersing, he suddenly tripped over something and stumbled.

Thanks to his youthful agility, Wang Zidong didn't fall down directly, but he instantly attracted everyone's attention.

At that very moment, Wang Zidong exclaimed, "Hey, why is there a shoe print on my bicycle?"

"The shape of this shoe print..."

Before everyone could get a good look, Wang Chengpeng, as if he had done something wrong, rushed forward and blocked everyone's view.

He even wiped away the shoe prints on the bicycle in full view of everyone, saying:

"Dongzi, don't talk nonsense, where are there any shoe prints?"

"Let's go, let's go, everyone make way, everyone make way."

Wang Chengpeng's unusual behavior instantly attracted everyone's attention, and some people in the distance even whispered among themselves:

"What's going on? Look at how flustered Wang is. Could it be that he really broke the bicycle? You can never judge a book by its cover."

"What kind of shoe print is it? Can someone nearby tell me?"

Immediately, one person said smugly, "Luckily I kept my eyes peeled, otherwise I wouldn't have seen such a good show."

“You may not be able to see clearly because you are far away, but I can see it very clearly.”

"Those shoe prints, tsk tsk tsk, it's just...unspeakable, unspeakable!"

The more mysterious the man became, the more curious the crowd grew, and they all started asking him questions.

Perhaps knowing it wasn't convenient to talk here, he simply strode away.

Just kidding, he knows an incredible secret, a secret that can't be told in front of the Wang family's house, only in front of his own.

Wang Chengpeng stopped the bicycle at just the right moment to wipe away the footprints, ensuring that no one could see them, yet the footprints remained visible to everyone.

Even with the innate curiosity of humankind, this matter will eventually ferment and spread throughout the entire village, at which point the truth will become clear.

Together they carried the bicycle, and once they were alone, Wang Zidong finally couldn't hold back and asked Wang Chengpeng:
"Pengzi, why did you choose to take the blame for them?"

"That's not fair. You don't admit what you did, but instead you're made to bear the blame."

"Repairing a bicycle isn't expensive, it's only a dollar or two, is it really necessary for them to make such a fuss?" Unlike Wang Zidong's anger, Wang Chengpeng seemed completely unconcerned. Although he paid for the repairs, he gained something much more, and said with a smile:
"Dongzi, don't just look at things on the surface. You think I've lost out, but I think I've gained."

"Don't take this bicycle back yet. Let me take a look. Maybe I can fix it for you."

Judging from Wang Tieshan's willingness to take the blame for Zhao Yuju, it's clear that he hasn't completely given up on this family.

Only by making Wang Tieshan see the true colors of this family can the possibility of Wang Chengpeng's home being broken into be completely eliminated.

Moreover, Wang Chengpeng's statement that he made a profit was not just empty talk. Now that the truth has been exposed, although he may seem to have taken the blame, he has actually gained a good reputation.

On the contrary, Wang Jinshan may be about to suffer the consequences of his shameless behavior!

However, Wang Zidong did not understand Wang Chengpeng's behavior. He felt that Wang Chengpeng was crazy to say that he had made money.

Leaving behind the words "The emperor isn't worried, but the eunuch is," Wang Zidong quickened his pace considerably; he was absolutely furious.

As for Wang Chengpeng's suggestion to help check the bicycle first, he did not refuse. Just because Wang Chengpeng was good at fixing radios, he was willing to let Wang Chengpeng take a look.

Although they were carrying a bicycle, Wang Chengpeng and Wang Zidong were both young and strong, so they didn't find it strenuous and returned to their yard half an hour later.

It was already half dark, with only the kitchen light still on.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, Liu Chunhua eagerly brought dinner to Wang Chengpeng, saying:

"If you're going out, at least finish your meal before you go out."

"This is dinner for tonight. Eat quickly, or you'll go hungry."

Wang Chengpeng took the still-warm dinner from Liu Chunhua's hands and began to eat heartily, but then he heard Liu Chunhua muttering to herself:

"I don't know what's wrong with your dad. Ever since he came back, he's been looking sullen. When you ask him, he won't say anything. He's like a silent gourd."

Wang Chengpeng, of course, knew the reason for Wang Tieshan's depression, but instead of explaining, he said ambiguously:
"Dad is fine. He'll be alright once he's figured things out."

"Mom, don't wait for me. Go get some rest. Do you think I'm going to starve?"

At this point, Wang Chengpeng quickened his chewing pace and finished his dinner in no time.

The way he wolfed down his food made Liu Chunhua frown, and she kept saying, "Eat slowly, eat slowly."

……

"Son, you really missed out by not going to the Wang family to see the show today. It was quite a spectacle."

As soon as he got home, Liang Zhongxiao couldn't control his urge to share and started shouting loudly.

Liang Jianshe smiled and said, "Dad, we've just been busy at home."

"Besides, isn't it the same whether you go or I go? Tell me, let me know what happened tonight."

Liang Zhongxiao couldn't help but start sharing immediately, recounting most of what had happened that night.

But at the very end, he left us in suspense, asking a question in return:

"Son, who do you think broke this bicycle?"

Scratching his head, Liang Jianshe guessed casually and said, "It must have been Wang Chengpeng who did something bad, otherwise why would he have to pay money?"

“Repairing a bicycle costs money. If he didn’t do it, why should he pay for it? I would never pay for it.”

"He must have realized that the situation was not right, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree to avoid trouble."

(End of this chapter)