Chapter 108: Tao Gaolong Is Released from Prison

The road leading to Snake Coil Mountain has broken ground. It is just a simple matter of smoothing out the subgrade and spreading gravel; it counts as basic infrastructure. The town is in charge, and the county road and bridge company has sent over an excavator and a bulldozer, which are now rumbling their way into the mountains. The mountain village has suddenly become quite lively.

Many of the village children and elders, who have never seen such contraptions before, gathered in several layers to watch the spectacle. The brush on the road surface had already been cleared, and there weren’t many uneven patches. It is estimated that the subgrade will be pushed out in two or three days, and after digging ditches on both sides and laying down gravel to be pressed, the job will be done.

Feng Shuya, while handling matters in town, called Le’er to inform him that the case involving Tao Gaolong and his associates would be heard in court today, and asked him to notify Tao Haiying.

Le’er went to Tao Haiying’s house. She had already left for school, so Le’er thought it over and decided to head into town himself. He didn’t ask Li Ying to take him; his leg injury had completely healed, and a little walk for exercise wouldn’t hurt. It was only a few miles, and he would be there in no time.

When he arrived at the town middle school, the students were doing their morning exercises. Le’er spotted Tao You-neng at a glance, and Tao You-neng saw him too. At the same time, he also saw Xiao Li. Wearing her student uniform, Xiao Li looked quite beautiful; while the other female students all wore ponytails, she was the only one with her long hair flowing loose.

Tao Haiying was nowhere to be seen.

The students were hardly exercising; some were too lazy to even lift their arms, looking listless. Once the exercises concluded, Tao You-neng ran over.

"Le'er, why did you come to school?"

"Go find Tao Haiying for me. Her brother is getting out today."

"Oh... wait here, then."

Just then, Xiao Li spotted him as well. She walked over with a graceful, swaying gait. The cold wind stirred her long hair, and her eyes were full of charm. Several other girls followed in her wake.

"Le'er, are you here to see me?"

"Yeah, here to watch you do your exercises," Le'er said with a laugh. "Are you exercising or dancing? And is that a 'boneless' dance, at that?"

"I heard you brought back a pretty girl from Guangzhou?"

She walked up to his side without any hesitation and linked her arm through his, acting very intimate. Many of the boys nearby glared at him with rage, as if he had snatched away their sweetheart. Le'er wanted to pull away, but seeing their unfriendly gazes, he held his ground instead.

"Uh... what are you talking about?"

"Giggle... I heard it from Tao You-neng already," she said with a coquettish laugh. "And I heard you’ve become a big boss, investing millions. Where did you get so much money?"

"That’s my business. What does it have to do with you?"

"How about I be your girlfriend?" Xiao Li whispered softly into his ear. "You’re a little millionaire, and if I’m your girlfriend, I’ll be a little millionairess."

When she finished, her face flushed red, though she was still giggling. Le'er ignored her. Just then, Tao Haiying came running over with Tao You-neng. The moment Tao Haiying saw Xiao Li’s posture, a look of hostility appeared in her eyes. Xiao Li was not one to be trifled with; she returned the hostile look and clung even tighter to Le'er’s arm.

"Let go, I have things to do."

"Looking for her?" Xiao Li cast a disdainful glance at Tao Haiying. "You can actually find someone that ugly attractive?"

"Uh... I have serious business."

He pulled his arm away from Xiao Li and walked toward Tao Haiying. However, Tao Haiying walked toward the school gate without even looking at him. She only stopped once they were outside, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Le'er, is my brother really getting out?"

"Yes," Le'er said nonchalantly. "Teacher Feng called me. The verdict is today, and he’ll be released after it's announced."

"Brother Le'er, will you come with me to pick up my brother?" Tao Haiying said with a pitiful expression. "I’m not familiar with the county seat and I won’t be able to find the place."

"Uh... I’m not very familiar with it either."

"Then let’s go find it together," Tao Haiying said, linking her arm through Le'er’s. "Please, Brother Le'er?"

"Fine... but let go of me," Le'er said, growing a bit anxious. What was wrong with these girls? There were so many eyes on the street watching them. "Look at this, what does it look like?"

"I’m going to hold on," Tao Haiying said, looking somewhat heartbroken, tears welling up in her eyes. "That vixen Xiao Li can hold your arm, why can’t I?"

"I don't have anything to do with either of you, why are you holding onto me?"

"I just want to hold onto you."

Not only did she refuse to let go, she pressed herself even closer. Feeling helpless, he had to let her hold him. Fortunately, no one he knew saw them, otherwise, he would never be able to clear his name even if he jumped into the Yangtze River.

They walked all the way to the bus station without running into anyone they knew. Le'er was drenched in sweat; it was truly difficult for him in the middle of winter. He took out some money and let her buy the tickets, while he called Li Ying to let her know he was heading to the county seat for some business. Li Ying was a bit worried, afraid he might run into trouble again. It took him quite a while to explain it clearly.

"Then come back early."

Those words carried a thousand unspoken sentiments. Tao Haiying returned with the tickets, and the two soon boarded the bus. They happened to get a double seat, and Tao Haiying leaned against him without hesitation, grabbing his hand as well.

"Uh... this doesn't look very good."

Le'er frowned, trying to pull his hand away.

"No one knows us here, what are you afraid of?" Tao Haiying’s face was full of resentment. "You brought a pretty girl back from Guangzhou, and now you don't like me anymore."

"What does this have to do with you?"

"If we... you know, then it would have to do with me." Tao Haiying’s face turned crimson. "Anyway, forget it. I’ll lean on you for a while since I can."

"Have you all gone crazy?" Le'er couldn't fathom it. "I have no relationship with either of you."

Tao Haiying ignored him, simply leaning tightly against him, clutching his arm and holding his hand. She was very quiet, and a look of happiness seemed to cross her face. Seeing her like this, Le'er closed his eyes, pretending to sleep.

He wondered if the "Master" Boss Hong had brought was right about him having a way with women. Could it be true? But this was a kind of "luck with women" he couldn't handle, nor did he hope for it. It was simply a nuisance.

Luo Yinxiang had gone to Guangzhou to divorce Sha Jinhai; if she were here, it would be even more chaotic. She wasn't there now, but one day she would return. He suspected she would be back soon, and he didn't know how he would explain this to Li Ying.

He only wanted Li Ying. Having her already made him feel incredibly happy; he didn't want any other women causing trouble.

"Le'er, that girl you brought back is so beautiful!"

Le'er didn't speak, looking back at her, unsure of what she meant.

"I snuck a look at her. She really is beautiful. No wonder you don't like me anymore." Tao Haiying smiled, a smile filled with resentment and sorrow. "I know that since you have her, you won't like me. But I just want to be with you. There, I'll just lean on you like this—look at you, still looking so impatient, as if you’ve suffered a great loss."

Fortunately, it wasn't far to the county seat, and they arrived soon. But once there, Le'er didn't know where to go to pick up Tao Gaolong and the others. He thought for a moment, took out his phone, and called Xie Dapao.

"Brother, where are you?" Xie Dapao’s voice was loud. "Are you in the county seat?"

"Yeah, I'm here to pick up Tao Gaolong. His verdict is today, but I don't know where to go."

"Pick him up?" Xie Dapao was very surprised. "Did your brain get flooded? Why would you go pick him up?"

"Sigh, it's better to resolve grievances than to keep them," Le'er said with a chuckle.

"I'm in the county seat. Where are you? I'll come get you."

Before long, Xie Dapao pulled up in his beat-up car. Seeing him with Tao Haiying, a look of sudden realization crossed his face.

"Haha... so that's how it is," he laughed heartily. "You rascal, I thought you were being kind-hearted, but it turns out you've got a girl keeping you company!"

Tao Haiying turned bright red, but she didn't shy away; instead, she looked somewhat pleased.

"Brother, why are you talking nonsense?" Le'er felt uncomfortable. "She's Tao Gaolong's sister. She insisted on having me come to pick him up."

"Don't explain, I know." Xie Dapao started the engine. "I thought you were a good guy, but who would have thought... haha... this is good. We have the same hobbies. A man should have his fun."

"What kind of nonsense are you spouting? I don't have anything going on!"

"Haha..."

The old car sped along and soon arrived outside the courthouse. People were coming out of the courtroom, and it seemed the session had concluded. Le'er and Tao Haiying got out of the car and saw Tao Wen walking out.

"Brother Tao..."

Tao Haiying called out. Tao Wen glanced at them, turned his head away, and walked off. Shortly after, Tao Gaolong and the other two walked out. Tao Haiying immediately ran over, her eyes streaming with tears.

"Brother..."

"Haiying, why are you here?"

"I... I came with Sha Le'er to pick you up." Tao Haiying pointed to Le'er in the distance. "He's over there."

"Hmph! Who asked him to come pick me up?"

Tao Gaolong’s face was dark, his eyes filled with fury.

"Brother, don't blame him," Tao Haiying cried. "If it weren't for him and Teacher Feng, how would you have gotten out? They pleaded with the presiding judge and the head of the Public Security Bureau to get you a suspended sentence."

"He has that much kindness?"

Tao Gaolong’s expression softened slightly.

"Brother, Brother Xinhua, Brother Fushu, Sha Le'er really isn't a bad person." Tao Haiying’s tears fell like rain as she wiped her face, letting the drops fall regardless. "He’s invested 3.5 million to start a company, and even the County Party Secretary treats him with the utmost respect. He has money and power—does he need to fear you? Yet, he came to pick you up. You were the ones who attacked him, not the other way around. You were in the wrong, not him. If you keep acting like this, will we have any place left in Taosha Village?"

"That rascal... where did he get that much money?"

"I don't know," Tao Haiying finally wiped her tears. "There’s even a girl from Guangzhou looking for him. She’s so beautiful, and she’s a big boss too; the car she drives is gorgeous."

Tao Gaolong was shocked. At this moment, he felt like a punctured balloon, his energy gone.

"Look, he even called Director Xie to pick you up, and he said he wanted to treat you all to a big meal."

Just then, Xie Dapao drove the car over. Le'er walked up, and the three men looked at him, their eyes igniting with anger once more. Le'er saw the rage in their eyes clearly, but he didn't care at all.

The three of them no longer posed any threat to him.

"You three are still looking at me like that? Do we really have such deep-seated hatred?" Le'er said with a laugh. "Let's go. This isn't a good place to be, with so many people watching us. Let's find a place to get a haircut first. If you want to fight me, we can talk about that after we've had a meal."

"Let's go, brother."

Tao Haiying pulled on Tao Gaolong, and the group headed toward the street.