Chapter 408 - 408 Humiliation
408 Humiliation
In order to survive, he had already put down his so-called dignity and self-respect.
After all, he knew very well that he was no match for Chu Yang.
In front of the strong, lowering one’s stance was the right thing to do. There was nothing to be embarrassed about.
However, in Cao Xing’s eyes, the Laoshan villagers behind him were merely a flock of sheep. For a wolf like him to apologize and beg for forgiveness from these sheep that were usually at his mercy, Cao Xing found it difficult to accept such a change in status.
“You can’t do it?” Chu Yang’s voice was filled with surprise.
“I can.” Even though Cao Xing was extremely unwilling, the thought of what had happened at his home a while ago and the fear of death made him overcome all other considerations.
Following that, Cao Xing slowly moved his body and turned to face the people from Laoshan Village.
“Everyone, thank you for coming here again today. When Old Mr. Chu passed away, I was deeply aware of all my past shortcomings…”
Cao Xing described it vividly. Although he was kneeling, it gave people the feeling that he was sincerely repenting for all the sins he had committed and begging for everyone’s forgiveness.
“What is this Cao Xing doing? Is he coming up with wicked ideas to harm his villagers again? The Dangshan Village Chief frowned as he watched the scene. He certainly did not believe that Cao Xing was truly repenting.
The probability of such a thing happening was as absurd as a rooster laying eggs or the sun rising from the west.
“Chief, you didn’t do anything wrong. This is what we should do.”
“Chief, please get up.”
“Chief, did we do something wrong? You can tell us.”
Even the Dangshan Village Chief, who was hiding amongst the crowd, did not believe Cao Xing’s nonsense. How could the villagers, who had been exploited and bullied by Cao Xing over a long period, believe him?
Cao Xing’s actions made these people even more afraid.
They felt that there must be a more sinister plan behind Cao Xing’s abnormal actions.
As he thought about this, a villager from Laoshan Village even walked towards Cao Xing to help him up.
Perhaps this would leave a good impression on Cao Xing.
Cao Xing was shocked when he saw the person walking towards him trying to help him up. He quickly said, “Don’t help me up, Li An. Do you remember the sheep that your family lost last year? You still couldn’t find it after searching for days.”
“Village chief, the sheep was eaten by the wolves on the mountain. This is a fact that everyone knows.” The Laoshan villager called Li An sighed and said helplessly.
In fact, he knew better than anyone how the sheep had been lost.
He had been raising the sheep for more than two years. He was going to sell it so that his two children could pay for their school fees, but the day before the sheep was about to be sold, it abruptly vanished.
Three months later, winter arrived.
Cao Xing’s son, Cao Yun, had an extra sheepskin coat on him that winter.
Even though Li An knew this, there was nothing he could do.
“No, I brought the sheep home and ate it. Li An, I’m sorry. I’m an animal. Can you forgive me?” Cao Xing quickly explained.
He was about to admit to the bad things he had done in the past, and Li An had to cooperate.
“Chief, you’re right. This is what I should do. You don’t need my forgiveness.” Li An replied softly as he slowly unclenched his fists, slightly stunned when he heard Cao Xing’s words.
“You b******!” Cao Xing was already cursing inside, but as he looked at Li An, who was about to leave, he suddenly continued, “Li An, do you still remember that you liked Wang Mei more than twenty years ago?”
Cao Xing’s words were effective.
Li An, who had already turned around, turned back again and looked at Cao Xing with a calm expression.
Li An was in his forties that year, and so was Cao Xing. There wasn’t a big age gap between the two.
More than 20 years ago, Li An had liked a girl named Wang Mei from the neighboring village.
They were soon to be married, but on the eve of their wedding, Wang Mei suddenly looked for Li An one night and told him that she was leaving the place to live in the world beyond the mountains.
At that time, Li An hadn’t thought too much about it. He simply thought that he wasn’t worthy of Wang Mei. Wang Mei had her life ambitions, so he could only choose to silently give her his blessings.
Now that Cao Xing had brought up the past again, it seemed to have stirred up Li An’s feelings.
“Chief, please stop humiliating me.” After Li An spoke, he knelt before the village chief.
In Laoshan Village, he had been helpless against Cao Xing.