Chapter 53: The Downfall (Part 1)

After circling Dai Xiaohua’s Recycling Station one more time, Ye Tian found Feng Kuang hiding behind a stall selling sunflower seeds.

“Ye Tian, how is it? Did you see anything?”

Even though Ye Tian hadn’t told Feng Kuang his thoughts, Feng Kuang had guessed a bit. Ye Tian probably wanted to ruin Dai Xiaohua’s Feng Shui so he would be plagued by bad luck.

“Brother Fengzi, the Feng Shui of his Recycling Station is excellent, and there’s no Sha Qi or Yin ground around it either. It’s not easy to handle…”

There was no trace of a smile on Ye Tian’s young face. Not far from this Recycling Station was the County Town’s busiest main street. The street was built along a river, perfectly matching the Feng Shui pattern of “back to water, facing street,” making it a prosperous commercial spot.

Even if Ye Tian could see the distribution of Yin-Yang Qi here and use some minor tricks to disrupt the Yin-Yang balance, at most it would only make this Recycling Station’s financial luck poor recently. He couldn’t fundamentally solve the problem.

As for using more drastic methods to change the entire Feng Shui layout around this area, Ye Tian hadn’t even thought about it. Although he knew how to do it, that kind of layout required altering some of the surrounding environment and might even require demolishing some buildings. This was simply not something Ye Tian could accomplish.

“Ye Zi, then… then what do we do? Are… are our Recycling Stations really going to be driven out of business by that bastard?” After hearing Ye Tian’s words, Feng Kuang was so anxious that tears almost welled up in his eyes.

Even though Feng Kuang had been going out collecting scrap these past few days, not only did he earn less compared to previous days, but twice he also ran into Dai Xiaohua and his gang. If he hadn’t hidden quickly, he would have gotten beaten up again.

Ye Tian hadn’t anticipated that after boasting so confidently, he would encounter such a situation. For now, he could only comfort Feng Kuang, “Brother Fengzi, don’t worry. There will always be a way.”

No matter how mature Ye Tian was, he was still just a child. What he relied on was the knowledge about Fengshui Geomancy in his mind. If he couldn’t find a solution from that, then he wasn’t much different from an ordinary kid.

“What way can there be? He’s a city person and has relatives who are officials. What can we do to him?” Feng Kuang glared hatefully at the gate of the scrap yard and spat forcefully in that direction.

“Right, you said the reason that person can act like a bully is because of his uncle? Find out where his family lives tonight.”

Ye Tian suddenly thought of something. Dai Xiaohua lived inside this Recycling Station, so it was hard for Ye Tian to take action there. But that official definitely wouldn’t live there, right?

From what Brother Fengzi said, that official was Dai’s backer. If he got into trouble, Dai Xiaohua certainly wouldn’t fare well either. Moreover, altering the Yang Dwelling Feng Shui of a residence was much easier than altering the Feng Shui of a street-side shop.

“Probably. Otherwise, why wouldn’t the Police Station arrest him? Ye Tian, don’t worry. I’ll go ask around in a bit…”

Upon hearing this, Feng Kuang scratched his head. These were all inferences made by Ye Dongping. He didn’t know what kind of official Dai Xiaohua’s uncle specifically was. For a rural kid who had only been in the city for about a month, even a township head was an unimaginably big official.

Staying here wouldn’t yield any results. So, first, Feng Kuang took Ye Tian back to their Recycling Station. Then he himself went out to find Wang Ying. There was no other way; if he wanted to find out where Dai Rongcheng lived, asking those who collected scrap wouldn’t be useful.

…

“Dad, you’re back…”

Before Ye Tian even entered the courtyard, he saw the open gate. Sticking his head in, he saw Ye Dongping sitting by the hand-pumped well, frowning, seemingly lost in thought.

“Running out again? Can’t you, this little rascal, stay put for a few days? Do you really think I won’t hit you?”

Seeing his son come in, Ye Dongping’s frown deepened. He glanced behind Ye Tian and asked, “Where’s your Brother Feng? Went out collecting scrap again? Didn’t I tell him to stop for a few days?”

Ye Dongping also knew about Feng Zi running into Dai Xiaohua and the others when he went out. That bunch didn’t know how to hold back. If he got beaten up again, Ye Dongping really wouldn’t know how to explain it to Feng Kuang’s parents.

“Brother Fengzi went to find Sister Yingying. Dad, you shouldn’t worry too much either. Master said, wicked people get their due punishment. Those people won’t be gloating for long.”

Seeing his father’s face looked much more haggard, Ye Tian felt distressed too. He knew his dad came to the County Town just so he could go to school. If they still lived in the small mountain village, his father would probably be much happier.

“Sigh, if wicked people really got their due punishment, there wouldn’t be so many people daring to do wicked things in this world.”

Ye Dongping shook his head, but after hearing Ye Tian’s words, a glimmer of hope arose in his heart. Perhaps the Old Taoist really had hit the mark?

A little over an hour later, Feng Kuang also returned from outside. Behind Ye Dongping’s back, he gave Ye Tian a meaningful look. Clearly, getting a few words out of the simple-minded Wang Ying was something Feng Kuang could manage.

…

The County Party Committee and County Government of the small town were both located in the south of the city. Although only a river separated it from the East City, it was a place where various administrative units gathered, making it naturally the most bustling area in the entire County Town.

Behind the County Party Committee, there was a large compound enclosed by a high wall. The wall was covered with green ivy, giving off a cool feeling amidst the hot summer.

There weren’t many houses inside the compound, only a dozen or so, all two-story buildings. Tall trees grew between each building, and together with the wall, they blocked out the noisy sounds of bustling traffic.

Dai Rongcheng lived inside this County Party Committee compound. Unlike his usual habit of rarely returning home before midnight, these past few days, Dai Rongcheng hurried home as soon as work ended.

“Old Dai, what’s with you these past few days? Just staying in the study all the time for no reason. What’s so interesting about these old paintings?”

A woman in her fifties, holding a cup of freshly brewed Maoshan Green Peak tea, pushed open the study door. After placing the tea on the table, she also looked at the painting spread out on the desk.

Dai Rongcheng was fifty-seven this year. He had a broad forehead and sported the slicked-back hairstyle popular in that era. Apart from some graying at the temples, his hair was jet black, making him look over ten years younger than his actual age. He appeared quite handsome.

“You long-haired, short-sighted old woman, what do you know? This is a painting by Wen Zhengming from the Ming Dynasty. You can’t buy this even if you have money.”

Upon hearing his wife’s words, a trace of disgust flashed in Dai Rongcheng’s eyes. The modesty he usually showed in front of leaders and subordinates vanished completely. He waved his hand impatiently and said, “Get out. Don’t come into my study from now on. Oh, and not a word about these Calligraphy and Paintings to anyone outside…”

Watching his wife’s slightly plump figure leave the study, Dai Rongcheng frowned. His mind drifted to that graceful and supple figure in the County Party Committee archives room. An involuntary heat stirred in his lower abdomen.