"Occupied by Li Quan? Uncle, what exactly happened?"
Li Xuan frowned as he listened to Li Weiye's words.
"Li Xuan, it's my fault. I couldn't even protect your last bit of property. So many years have passed, and I thought you'd never return, so I buried this matter in my heart."
Li Weiye sighed helplessly and then slowly recounted what had happened over the years.
It turned out that after sending Li Xuan off to university in Hangcheng, the post-disaster reconstruction project in China was also nearing completion.
According to the principle of one house per household in Dongyang Village, Li Xuan was also allocated a house. Initially, Li Xuan's house didn't attract much attention.
As China's economy grew rapidly over the years, coupled with the post-disaster reconstruction, Dongyang Village also caught the wave of economic development.
Dongyang Village had long since transformed from a village into a town, and was now unrecognizable. After Dongyang Village became a town, people from neighboring villages naturally started to come. It was at this time that Li Xuan's house caught Li Quan's attention.
As for this Li Quan, he was not much older than Li Xuan. Like Li Xuan, his parents had also died in the earthquake.
However, Li Quan had never been good at studying and naturally did not continue his education. As he grew up in the village, his personality changed somewhat. Although he was a bit reclusive, he was still honest.
But after Li Quan worked in Dongyi Town for a year, his personality changed completely. It would not be an exaggeration to call him a hooligan and a village bully. Relying on his youth and strength, he had bullied the villagers a lot.
He did nothing all day, and his family's farmland had been neglected for a long time. What was most infuriating about Li Quan was that he extorted protection fees from every household.
If anyone refused, they would be met with fists and kicks.
Over time, everyone became afraid of Li Quan. Fortunately, Li Quan only demanded tens or a hundred yuan, and the villagers, out of respect for Li Quan's deceased parents, did not pursue the matter. Of course, the more important reason was their fear of retaliation from Li Quan. As for calling the police, it was something they had never even considered.
In 2015, as Dongyang Town's economy improved, housing prices naturally increased. Li Quan was naturally well aware of the situation in the town.
Moreover, Li Xuan had not returned for nearly seven years, and the vacant house naturally made Li Quan extremely envious.
In fact, Li Weiye also had a house at first. However, as he got older, he was inexplicably tricked by Li Quan, who claimed he wanted to rent the first floor to open a shop. The contract even contained a clause that Li Weiye would gratuitously transfer the house to Li Quan.
After the incident, with the contract in black and white, Li Weiye was helpless even if he wanted to report it to the police. At that time, Li Weiye, thinking he was old and had no children, had no choice but to swallow his pride and endure the matter.
Unexpectedly, less than a month later, Li Quan came knocking again. This time, his purpose was even clearer. Li Xuan's house was next to Li Weiye's house and had an excellent location. Li Quan directly demanded that Li Weiye sign the transfer agreement for the house.
Li Weiye endured and swallowed his pride when his own house was occupied by Li Quan. But Li Quan actually wanted Li Xuan's house too, and Li Weiye refused no matter what at the time. He thought Li Quan would give up, but instead, he resorted to violence against Li Weiye.
Afterward, he forced Li Weiye to sign the agreement. This incident made the villagers even more fearful of Li Quan.
"Uncle, why didn't you call the police then? This is a society governed by law. Village bullies like Li Quan would naturally be dealt with by the authorities. Your constant indulgence is only helping the wicked."
After listening to Li Weiye's account, Li Xuan deeply felt the truth that vicious people emerge from poor villages. Similarly, a lack of legal awareness was also a fatal flaw. Even if people knew that the police maintained order, they dared not be the ones to speak out.
"Li Xuan, I was useless. And even if Li Quan were arrested, how many years would he be imprisoned? When he gets out, it would be the villagers who suffer. I couldn't reach you then, so I just endured it."
"At least I still have a place to live here, and it's not a big deal. It's just that your house has fallen into Li Quan's hands. Li Xuan, I've failed your trust."
Li Weiye said with a sob, clearly still troubled by this matter.
"Uncle, it's alright. Don't worry, now that I, Li Xuan, am back, no one can take away what belongs to me. Not only that, but I will also help you get your house back. Since Li Quan dared to do this, he must face legal consequences."
Li Xuan patted Li Weiye's back reassuringly, then his gaze turned cold as he spoke.
Although Li Xuan did not care much about the house, Li Quan's actions had touched a nerve.
The dragon's hidden wrath, touch it and it will retaliate!
"Li Xuan, Li Quan is now powerful and has a few men from Dongyi Town working for him. You've only just returned, so don't provoke them!" Li Weiye grabbed Li Xuan's hand, saying nervously.
"Uncle, don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Li Xuan felt a warmth in his heart, then held Li Weiye's hand and said with a smile.
"Yes, Li Xuan. Uncle has also thought about it. The house situation is already like this, and you are still young and won't develop here in the future. So, you shouldn't provoke Li Quan. Your parents left early, and Uncle must take good care of you."
"It's true that Uncle didn't handle the house situation well. When Uncle is gone in the future, this old house will be yours. Consider it Uncle's compensation to you." Li Weiye said, relieved slightly.
"Uncle, you're still hale and hearty. We'll talk about the house later. By the way, Uncle, since you were the village head, shouldn't you have been promoted when the village became a town?" Li Xuan said with a wry smile, shaking his head, then pondered for a moment.
"I'm old now, and I don't have any desire to climb higher. After the village became a town, I retired. The person leading our town now is from the town itself. And I heard he has a good relationship with Li Quan, though I don't know if it's true."
Li Weiye said with a sigh of melancholy.
"I see, I understand. Uncle, it's getting late, you should get some rest. Tomorrow morning, I plan to visit Mom and Dad's graves."
Li Xuan nodded slightly. No wonder Li Quan dared to be so arrogant; it seemed he had someone backing him.
"Oh, alright. You've rarely come back, and you should indeed visit your parents' graves. It's only right. Li Xuan, you'll have to make do tonight. My place is rather humble." Li Weiye nodded.
"It's alright, Uncle. You should go rest early." Li Xuan said with a smile, shaking his head, then helped Li Weiye walk inside.
"Li Quan. Since I, Li Xuan, have returned, it's time to settle these old scores."
More than ten minutes later, after Li Weiye had fallen asleep, Li Xuan slowly walked to the well and sat down. After a moment of contemplation, Li Xuan slowly closed his eyes.
The next day, as dawn broke, Li Xuan's eyes also opened.
After entering cultivation, meditation and breathing exercises were enough to restore his spirit and energy. Li Xuan exhaled a breath of stale air and immediately stood up and walked towards the street.