Chapter 17: CompensationLeave?Now that they’ve come before the Village Chief, they still think they can just walk away.“Please stay a moment, both of you,” Lin Qinghe said coldly.She then turned to the Village Chief and said, “I’ve been busy taking care of my injured younger siblings at home. Even if you hadn’t called for me, I would have come to speak with you.”“Wang Erlang not only forcibly took our game but also injured my younger siblings. Shouldn’t the Wang family give me an explanation for this?”As she spoke, her gaze shifted to Butcher Wang, meeting his eyes—sharp and laced with warning.Lin Qinghe stood her ground, her posture straight and her eyes as cold as blades. Even facing a man twice her size, she showed no fear.What did it matter if she offended him today? If she didn’t turn this situation around, the Wang family would trample over the Lin family from now on. Worse, if her younger siblings encountered the Wangs again or were bullied by others, they would feel intimidated from the start.How could they stand tall if that happened? Even if they grew up strong and healthy, they would lack confidence and courage when facing others or handling situations. How could they ever succeed?Hearing this, the Village Chief smiled faintly. Few in the village dared to challenge Butcher Wang. There had been many incidents in the past where people were in the right, but no one could stand up to him. Usually, they were cowed by his imposing presence, and matters were left unresolved.If the involved parties didn’t press the issue, how could he, as the Village Chief, insist on pursuing it?“Wang Erlang has already admitted to this. Butcher Wang, what do you have to say?” the Village Chief asked, turning to him.When put on the spot, Butcher Wang chuckled dismissively. “It’s just a scuffle among village children. What explanation is needed?”“When you came to me earlier, you didn’t say that. You said Erlang’s injuries…”“Ahem, Village Chief, I was just worried about my child and spoke out of turn. As for the Lin children, it was just a push and a kick. How serious could it be? They’re so delicate that they even called for a doctor.”“You care about your child, but don’t I care about my younger siblings?” Lin Qinghe said coldly. “Qingbai and Qingmiao are both seriously injured. Doctor Zhao has examined them. If you don’t believe it, you can ask Doctor Zhao yourself.”The Village Chief added, “We should indeed hear what the doctor has to say.”Without allowing any objections, he immediately sent someone to fetch Doctor Zhao.Doctor Zhao arrived quickly. As soon as the Village Chief spoke, he began describing the siblings’ injuries.“Qingmiao’s hands are scraped, but that’s not the main issue. Her foot is sprained and needs time to heal. As the saying goes, ‘A hundred days to mend bones and tendons’…”Wang Erlang glared, interrupting before Doctor Zhao could finish. “Doctor Zhao, are you sure? I only pushed her. How could it be as serious as you say?”Village children were tough. A push, a few punches, or a few kicks—they’d get right back up as if nothing happened.“Not serious? Look at how big you are, and then look at Qingmiao. She’s just a child, barely able to walk steadily. Her bones and tendons aren’t fully developed yet. It’s fortunate she wasn’t hurt more severely, or she could have been left with lifelong problems.”Even Butcher Wang couldn't stand hearing this anymore. "Doctor Zhao, you're going a bit too far with your words. Don't scare the children.""I'm not scaring anyone. A child's bones and muscles are very fragile and can't withstand injury."Doctor Zhao replied and continued, "As for that child Qingbai, his injuries are even more severe. He was already weak to begin with, and even with careful daily care, he often fell ill. To be kicked flying by such a big person, his stomach is covered in bruises. If I hadn't arrived in time, his internal organs might have been injured."The more he spoke, the more serious it sounded. Butcher Wang frowned at him, feeling that he shouldn't have been invited in the first place. When the Village Chief sent someone to call for him earlier, he should have stepped in to stop it."Doctor Zhao, from what you're saying, the Lin family's children are all so precious that they can't be touched or bumped into." Butcher Wang curled his lip, thinking he was exaggerating."I'm just stating the facts. Speaking of which, your Wang Erlang really needs to be disciplined properly. Stealing things in our village… tsk tsk, our Zhao Family Village has never had such a domineering person before."Putting aside the beating, stealing someone else's prey is indeed a major taboo in the village.Hearing him bring this up, the Village Chief's expression immediately darkened. Thievery and robbery were absolutely forbidden in the village, let alone openly stealing someone's prey—that could never be tolerated."Our Zhao Family Village absolutely cannot tolerate thieves and robbers…"Seeing the change in the Village Chief's expression, Butcher Wang's heart sank. Hearing his words, he quickly interrupted, "Village Chief, Erlang is still just a child and doesn't know any better. He probably just wanted to tease those kids and didn't mean to anger them. He definitely won't do it again."His usual domineering behavior in the village was partly justified and partly not, but it had never crossed the Village Chief's bottom line. However, if he truly angered the Village Chief, he had the authority to expel their entire family from the village."If teasing children can lead to such severe injuries, what would happen if he weren't just teasing? Would he take someone's life directly?" Lin Qinghe said coldly.Hearing her add fuel to the fire, Butcher Wang grew angry and glared fiercely at Lin Qinghe. "You're a grown adult too. You should know what to say and what not to say. Don't think that just because your mother married into the Wang family, I'll show her any favor."As if he were so considerate. Lin Qinghe straightened her expression and said, "You just think that my Lin family depends on you for survival, so you look down on us siblings. Don't talk to me about favors. If you really cared about favors, Wang Erlang wouldn't have been so ruthless."Wang Erlang dared to attack them simply because he thought beating them was no big deal—that the Lin family should just endure it without any resistance.Hearing this, Butcher Wang's expression shifted. "So, you're saying your Lin family doesn't need to rely on my Wang family for survival?""Of course not. My Lin family has dignity too. We won't accept handouts!""Good, you said that yourself. I didn't force you." Butcher Wang was immediately pleased. She had said it in front of the Village Chief, so he wasn't afraid she would go back on her word later.He never intended to help raise the Lin family's children in the first place. Having it stated so clearly was even better. Now, he had something to say to Mrs. Su as well."One thing at a time. My Lin family may not eat your Wang family's food, but since Wang Erlang injured my sister-in-law, the medical expenses must still be paid." This account had to be settled clearly.Butcher Wang's joy faded almost instantly upon hearing this. Of course, he had no intention of paying the medical fees. Though he appeared rough and crude, he was actually quite shrewd.Seeing his silence, the Village Chief frowned and said, "That's reasonable. Since Wang Erlang injured someone, your Wang family should cover the medical expenses.""My Wang family's money isn't so easily taken. Think carefully," Butcher Wang said, his words laced with a subtle threat."My Lin family members aren't to be casually harmed either," Lin Qinghe replied, turning to bow respectfully. "I ask Village Chief Grandfather to decide this matter."The Village Chief's authoritative voice rang out: "Butcher Wang, what do you say?"With no way to turn things around and the outcome already decided, Butcher Wang gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, my family will pay the medical expenses."

Eldest Sister of a Farming Family: Managing the Household, Farming and Opening Shops