Chapter 1453 - 730: Restoring Reputation (Part 2)
Thus, on that afternoon, a temporary stage was set up at the village entrance. The elder village chief had arranged for people to notify the surrounding villages affected by Liu Baoguo. For the villagers, this was a once-in-a-century event. They had been selling yams to Liu Baoguo here, and now he finally realized his mistakes and came to apologize and compensate them.
Although they didn’t know how much compensation they would receive, it could alleviate their living burdens and allow them to pick fewer herbs to exchange for money.
The villagers quickly spread the news, and soon, the entire village and neighboring villages knew about the upcoming compensation assembly.
At first, only a few people knew about it, and they were skeptical, thinking it was just a prank. But as more and more information came in, they finally believed it was no joke, and Liu Baoguo truly intended to compensate them.
The stage for the assembly was already set, and villagers gathered there excitedly. Even the villagers who weren’t owed compensation came, eager to witness this rare moment in person and see how the wealthy Liu Baoguo would apologize and how much compensation he would offer.
The elder village chief announced from the stage, asking the villagers who received compensation to line up orderly. With his authority among the villagers, as soon as he spoke, the previously noisy site immediately quieted down, and everyone conscientiously formed a long queue.
Lin Beichen encouraged Liu Baoguo to start distributing the compensation, a gesture that somewhat restored his reputation.
"It’s true, we really received the compensation, and such a large sum!" The villagers who received compensation shouted joyfully, temporarily forgetting their lost loved ones, but it was compensation they deserved.
"Next, you should get on stage and apologize to everyone, remember the sincerity I taught you?" With the compensation distributed, it was time for Liu Baoguo to speak and apologize. Lin Beichen reminded him whether he remembered the words of apology he had taught him.
"I remember clearly." Although Liu Baoguo hadn’t gone on stage yet, he was already a bit nervous. He had previously received awards for his yam business, but today was his first time apologizing in such a setting before everyone, making him feel a bit uneasy.
Under the gaze of the crowd, he walked slowly onto the stage.
"I feel very honored to be here and gather with all of you. However, you know me because of the tragic incident of digging yams leading to family members suffering poisoning and death, which deeply embarrasses me. You all should have received your compensation."
"I stand here sincerely wanting to say to everyone: Sorry!"
"As a businessman, in my pursuit of maximum profit, I led you noble and kind people to dig up poisonous yams to buy low and sell high, indirectly hurting you. It’s all my fault. I hope you can forgive me."
After saying these words, he bowed deeply to the audience below the stage.
The villagers who received compensation felt much of their hatred dissipate upon hearing his apology, though it hadn’t entirely vanished. However, they did not express any disgust, merely staring at him impassively.
Lin Beichen reminded Liu Baoguo from below the stage that he hadn’t finished speaking.
Liu Baoguo continued: "I promised the village chief that for the families who lost family members due to picking herbs, I would cover the costs for your children’s college education."
Upon hearing this, the faces of those who lost loved ones lit up with joy. Their children finally had hope for education.
It’s known they were previously cold and unyielding, refusing to forgive Liu Baoguo, as most of their deceased were the family pillars, supporting all income.
Now, having lost their support, survival itself became a problem, let alone affording education for their children.
"Are you sure you can uphold your promise?" Someone loudly questioned from below.
After all, from elementary school to college takes over a decade, what if he changes his mind and refuses to pay tuition midway?
"Of course, I stand by my word. If you don’t believe me, you can record what I say on your phone. If I ever go back on my word, you can expose me."
With the current internet accessibility, anything uploaded can rapidly spread nationwide. Therefore, Liu Baoguo allowed them to record his words as assurance.
Now everyone thoroughly believed he would fulfill his promises.
In this atmosphere of understanding, Lin Beichen was about to announce the meeting’s end when a man suddenly rushed out from the crowd, kneeling before Lin Beichen.
"Please, take me as your student!" He pleaded earnestly, hoping to become Lin Beichen’s disciple.
Lin Beichen was somewhat taken aback by this unexpected gesture; he examined the man carefully, surprised to realize this was the person he had intended to take as a disciple in the desert town.
Reflecting on that time, he had proposed taking him as a disciple, but the man hesitated, saying he needed a few days to think it over. Lin Beichen respected his decision, giving him time. However, due to urgency of tasks, he didn’t linger in the desert town, moving forward.
Originally believing they had no fate to meet again, he didn’t expect to encounter the man in this village once more.
"Why hadn’t you given me a response back then before hastily leaving?" He questioned Lin Beichen.
Lin Beichen explained: "You said you needed a few days to think, but I had other tasks to complete and thought it unnecessary to wait, so I continued on. I didn’t expect you to seek me out to request apprenticeship today."
"I don’t easily seek apprenticeship, but I always felt you were unique, so I secretly followed you and Deng Feng to figure out what makes you special. Seeing everything you’ve done on the way, I am filled with admiration for you."
Originally, he felt some disdain for Lin Beichen’s departure, deeming him impatient. But recalling how Lin Beichen saved them during a sandstorm, a scene that still astounds him, he decided to secretly follow Lin Beichen.
He witnessed Lin Beichen’s righteous acts, predicting fortunes, treating patients, and arranging compensation for villagers injured by herb picking. All these deeds deepened his admiration for Lin Beichen and made him regret hesitating for apprenticeship initially.
Seeing Lin Beichen about to declare the meeting’s end, he realized he couldn’t remain hiding, needing to take the chance to apprentice with Lin Beichen. Otherwise, once Lin Beichen left, he’d face endless tracking and hiding.
So, he dashed forward, kneeling before Lin Beichen, imploring to be taken as an apprentice.
Witnessing this, Lin Beichen felt naturally delighted. He enjoyed helping others, and someone actively requesting apprenticeship further pleased him. Now, with three disciples, tasks would proceed even more smoothly.
"Alright, I agree to take you as my apprentice. What is your name?" Lin Beichen inquired.
"I have no name all these years; everyone calls me Ghost Head, and I got used to it." He replied.
He had been clever since childhood, so people gave him the nickname. He had grown accustomed to it over time.
Lin Beichen, upon hearing this, felt some sentiment. He had never encountered someone this old without a proper name.
"How about this, I’ll give you a name now, would you be willing to accept it?" Lin Beichen asked.
Since he was now his apprentice, Lin Beichen felt entitled to name him. If willing, he’d name him now; if not, he’d continue calling him Ghost Head, without forcing him.
"Certainly willing! I beg Master to give me a new name immediately." He eagerly said.
Lin Beichen began pondering what name would be appropriate.
"How about Lin Zhengyi?" Lin Beichen proposed.
After careful thought, he found this name meaningful. If dissatisfied, another name could be offered until acceptance, given the vastness of Chinese language, naming wasn’t difficult.
He truly liked the name, happily completing the apprentice ceremony publicly.
The elder village chief also approved of the matter, proactively introducing Lin Beichen’s identity to the villagers: "The Lin Beichen you see is actually a Daoist follower, already having his own Daoist temple..."