"Alright! Let's put the happy things aside for now. I've called Sister Wang Fang and Brother Ma over today because I have something important to discuss with everyone!"
Seeing Han Lang's serious expression, everyone immediately dropped their playful mood and became solemn.
"It's like this, as our family has grown stronger day by day, the gap with the Gou family has been steadily narrowing, and in some aspects, we've even begun to subtly surpass them. Therefore, they specifically sought out Brother Tang and Elder Cao to help them negotiate peace with us..." 138 Reading Network
Han Lang didn't directly reveal the true reason for the Gou family's peace overture. Instead, he presented the matter as their family's growing strength and the Gou family feeling threatened.
Even so, everyone present was extremely surprised to hear this news.
Ma Long, being straightforward, immediately stood up and said indignantly, "Peace talks? What peace talks? The Gou family has been targeting us for more than a day or two. Now they know we're not to be trifled with and they come to seek peace? Is there such a cheap thing in this world!"
Wang Fang frowned and pinched Ma Long hard, saying angrily, "You're the only one! What are you chiming in for? Listen to the young doctor finish speaking first!"
Ma Long cried out in pain and then returned to his seat with a wronged expression, no longer speaking.
Han Lang smiled and continued, "Of course, it's not that cheap! However, to show their sincerity, the Gou family has agreed to cede all markets in the entire Yiyang District and Pingyang District to us. Furthermore, to express their apologies, they are also willing to serve tea and apologize to all of us in the presence of the three major families. However..."
Han Lang's tone shifted, "Given that we have all suffered persecution from the Gou family, I believe this matter primarily concerns your opinions. If even one of you disagrees with forgiving the Gou family, I will directly reject their peace proposal. Now, please share your thoughts!"
As soon as Han Lang finished speaking, Ma Long immediately stood up again.
Before he could say anything, he saw Wang Fang glaring at him. He was startled and quickly explained weakly, "You can't pinch me for this. It was the young master who asked me to express my opinion!"
Han Lang also quickly said, "Yes, Sister Wang Fang, Brother Ma was also shot under the Gou family's scheme, so he has absolute right to speak. You don't need to stop him!"
Hearing Han Lang say this, Wang Fang had no choice but to relent.
Ma Long then replied with a triumphant smirk, "I disagree. Being shot or not is irrelevant, but I can't swallow this humiliation! What do they think they are, the Gou family? Oh, they want peace, so they get peace; they want to fight, so they fight. Does everything in this world belong to the Gou family? I can forgive them, but only if their father and son, and that Gou Xingzhi, all stand before me and let me beat them up until I've vented my anger!"
Hearing Ma Long's crude words, Wang Fang's temper flared again, "Tsk... you're asked to give your opinion, so speak properly. Why do you keep talking about fighting and killing? Can't you have a civilized way of resolving things?"
Ma Long immediately became agitated, "How am I uncivilized? Was the Gou family ever civilized when they dealt with us before? Weren't they always using low-class tactics? And let me tell you, I'm a soldier. I learned nothing about civility in the army! As someone once said, dignity is always on the tip of the sword, and truth is always within the range of artillery! If you talk about civility with them now, and one day they become stronger than you, who knows how they'll deal with you again!"
Everyone couldn't help but chuckle at Ma Long's animated description, and then quickly returned to a serious demeanor.
Wang Fang gave Ma Long a look of indifference, then turned to Han Lang and asked, "Young doctor, what are your own plans for this matter?"
Han Lang smiled casually, "My thoughts are not important. The Gou family is nothing more than ants to me; I've never taken them to heart. Today, it's mainly about how you all decide. Don't consider me!"
Han Lang deliberately put on an indifferent act, not wanting his own thoughts to sway everyone's subjective opinions.
For a moment, everyone fell silent.
After a while, Han Zhongyi stood up and said, "This is what I think. It's better to resolve enmity than to create it. As long as the Gou family no longer targets any of us and our entire family remains healthy and safe, nothing else is that important!"
Su Su also echoed, "I agree with your father. Whether it's the Gou family or the Pig family, as long as you are all safe and healthy, nothing else matters."
The couple's words warmed everyone's hearts.
Han Lang knew even more clearly that his parents, like Luo Jiaying's parents, were extremely kind people.
It was unlikely they could hate someone.
"What about you, Han Kang! What do you think?" Han Lang asked by name.
Han Kang thought for a moment, sat up straight, and then said indifferently.
"My opinion is the same as Brother Ma's!"
"To be honest, the last time I was unconscious, I saw the Hall of Yama in my dream!"
"That wasn't an illusion, it was a very real feeling!"
"I was truly terrified then."
"If it weren't for your superb medical skills, big brother, I think I wouldn't have come back!"
"If our Han family were still just a third-rate family with a huge gap from the eight major families, I would have endured it!"
"But now, our strength is no less than the Gou family's! So, let alone just the markets in Yiyang District and Pingyang District, even if they handed over the entire Gou family, I would never forgive them!"
Han Lang nodded, then looked at Luo Jiaying, who was staring blankly and remained silent.
He knew that Luo Jiaying must be recalling the experience at the unfinished building again.
Although he arrived in time and she wasn't seriously harmed, the tens of minutes from being tied up to Han Lang's appearance must have been the darkest moments of her life.
How scared and desperate must she have been then!
Thinking of this, Han Lang decided not to ask her anymore and said directly.
"Alright, then we refuse..."
Before Han Lang could finish speaking, Luo Jiaying's tearful voice suddenly came through, "I'm sorry, Brother Han Lang. I know, from the Han family's perspective, I should... but I can't get over it, I can't forgive them, I can't..."
After speaking, she even lowered her head and started crying.
Seeing Luo Jiaying in a dilemma, Han Lang sat beside her with concern and gently comforted her.
"It's okay, Xiao Ying! As Han Kang just said, we are not afraid of the Gou family now, so we don't necessarily have to accept their peace talks. You haven't wronged anyone, and you don't need to apologize to anyone, do you understand?"
After Han Lang spoke, everyone else also started comforting her in a flurry of words.
Seeing everyone's concern, Luo Jiaying quickly composed herself, wiped away her tears, and showed a knowing smile.