Reborn in a small village in the 1990s

Chapter 312

"Didn't I tell you? This is your second brother's money, and I'll be paying it back to him in the future," Wang Guixiang added afterward, trying to dissuade Zhang Cuilan from borrowing the money.

Zhang Cuilan continued, "Mom, this time I don't want to borrow my second brother's money, but I want to get back the money that Tie Gang and I left with you. It's several thousand yuan, isn't it? Then I'll borrow some more from my family and scrape together ten thousand yuan to build a new house."

Zhang Cuilan had her own reasons for using this excuse. After all, she wanted to get her money back, which was reasonable and justifiable. If she asked to borrow the money her second brother had entrusted to Wang Guixiang, Wang Guixiang would refuse, saying it was her second brother's money. But this time, she wanted to get it back, and as long as she had money, Wang Guixiang would have no reason not to give it to her, unless she had no money at all.

Zhang Cuilan didn't want to use this reason until the very end, as it could easily strain the relationship between her and her mother-in-law. Moreover, Zhang Cuilan's initial plan was to borrow some money from Wang Guixiang that her second brother had entrusted to her for the use of her own family, and then simply default on the debt.

But every time Zhang Cuilan asked Wang Guixiang, she looked guilty. Zhang Cuilan was afraid that Wang Guixiang would squander the money in her room. If that happened, she would have to make a scene!

As expected, Wang Guixiang still looked guilty, not even daring to meet Zhang Cuilan's eyes. She lowered her head and said angrily, "You all keep asking me for money. Are you really that reluctant to leave your money with me? And why are you in such a hurry to build a new house? You're all living in a tile-roofed house now. Yongbo is only a few years old. It won't be a problem for him to sleep with you. You all want to move out and build new houses, leaving only the old man and me here. Are you looking down on us?"

Wang Guixiang changed the subject, leaving Zhang Cuilan feeling helpless after her questioning. "Mom, that's not what I meant. Even if we move out and build a new house, I will choose to build it near our home, not too far from you. Besides, I'm just taking out the money I had with you in advance. It's not like I'm asking you for money. Why are you reacting so strongly?"

After a pause, Zhang Cuilan looked at Wang Guixiang and suddenly asked, "Could it be that you gave away the money that Tie Gang and I entrusted to you, and that's why you're unwilling to give it back?"

Wang Guixiang's heart skipped a beat, and the cleaver in her hand fell onto the cutting board. After realizing what she had done, Wang Guixiang said guiltily, "What nonsense are you talking about? I didn't give it to you because I was afraid you and Tiegang would waste money. Besides, you really don't need to build a new house now. You have a place to live and food here. We have never treated you badly. Building a house also costs a lot of money. Why don't we wait until we have the money to borrow it?"

No matter what Wang Guixiang said, she simply refused to lend the money. She didn't have any money on her hands, so how could she possibly repay Zhang Cuilan? Besides, these people had been living and eating at the Zhao family's house for years, and she had spent a lot of money and energy taking care of the third branch of the family. Zhao Tiegang had only been away working for a year and had only managed to send a few thousand yuan home. Logically, this money should have been used to show her respect, so there was no reason for her to return it.

However, Wang Guixiang did not say these things to Zhang Cuilan. She knew her daughter-in-law well. If she said it, they might fall out. If the second son found out that she had used the money he had entrusted to her to buy a house for their youngest daughter, he would definitely make a scene. The whole Zhao family would be in an uproar, and how could she live a peaceful life then?

To prevent Zhang Cuilan from continuing to ask questions, Wang Guixiang excused herself to go to the restroom, leaving Zhang Cuilan to watch the chicken stewing in the pot before leaving.

Zhang Cuilan watched Wang Guixiang's retreating figure, her face instantly turning grim. She thought to herself, "This is it, I'm doomed. Even if I ask her for the money back, Wang Guixiang won't give it to me. It seems Wang Guixiang really spent the money I entrusted to her—no! Or perhaps she gave it to her lover!"

Zhang Cuilan was the type of person who never suffered a loss. Since her mother-in-law had refused to give her money time and time again, she decided not to hide it anymore and not to give Wang Guixiang any face. She would make a big fuss and maybe find out who Wang Guixiang's lover was, and then get the money back!

Soon it was afternoon. Zhao Tiesheng was taking care of Zhao Xiaojuan in the house, often teasing her. Looking at the smile on his daughter's face, Zhao Tiesheng felt a little dazed. His daughter had been born for a little over a month, and today was the only time he had fulfilled his responsibilities as a father and helped take care of her. Now, Jinxiang was still angry, and after this meal, she would probably take Xiaojuan back to her parents' home again.

Zhao Tiesheng felt annoyed and couldn't help but say to Zhao Dage, who was playing nearby, "Dage, why don't you say a few nice things about Dad to Mom so that she can calm down and come home sooner? Then our family can be reunited sooner."

Zhao Da'e pursed her lips, clearly somewhat displeased, and said, "Dad, you're the one who made Mom angry, why do you want me to come out and persuade her? Besides, I don't think there's anything wrong with living at the Cheng family's house. We can eat delicious food every day, and we don't have to be beaten or scolded by Grandma."

Zhao Tiesheng's expression changed upon hearing this. For the first time, he felt that he had wasted his time raising his daughter. She was siding with outsiders and not helping him at all. She even thought it was a good thing that Jinxiang was going back to her parents' home.

Enraged, Zhao Tiesheng smacked Zhao Dage on the forehead. "I'm your father. It's only right that you speak up for me and persuade your mother to come back. If Grandma hits or scolds you, it must be because you did something to offend her. Why are you only thinking about food and how Grandma beats and scolds you? Don't you think about our family? It's better for our whole family to be together than anything else. Besides, your mother's family isn't your mother's home. Your mother is an outsider. If she stays at your mother's family home too often, people will gossip. Only the Zhao family is your mother's home. I also forbid you from speaking ill of your grandmother anymore. Your grandmother often tells me that you always go against her. I haven't even reprimanded you, yet you always complain to me about your grandmother. How can you be so rude?"

Zhao Da'e was unhappy. What was good about this? Her mother was bullied by her grandmother at home, and she was bullied by her grandmother and third aunt at home. They would pull her ears for no reason, and her own father not only didn't say anything but also blamed her.

"Dad, instead of asking me to persuade Mom to go back to the Zhao family, you should reflect on your own problems and think about why Mom is always unwilling to go back. If life were good at the Zhao family, would Mom be thinking of leaving to live with her parents? Look at this dilapidated storage room, it's still drafty. Mom and I do most of the housework, and you never come to help. You just say it's what a daughter-in-law and granddaughter should do, and then you ignore us!"

As Zhao Da'e spoke, his eyes reddened, but every word he uttered felt like a knife stabbing into Zhao Tiesheng's heart, causing him pain, but mostly anger. He yelled at Zhao Da'e, "Zhao Da'e! Wang Guixiang is your grandmother! No matter how badly she treats you, she's still your grandmother! Show her some respect, I don't want to hear you say another bad word about her!"

"The Zhao family gave birth to you and raised you to adulthood, and all you do is complain. Don't you have any conscience? All these years I've worked so hard for this family, to make your lives better, and all you do is complain. I see you're doing quite well with your aunt, so just stay there and never come back!"

The loud argument between the two terrified Zhao Xiaojuan. She cried out loudly, seemingly trying to break free from Zhao Tiesheng's embrace. Zhao Tiesheng had no intention of comforting Zhao Xiaojuan at this moment, and simply put her aside, letting her cry.

Zhao Da'e felt wronged. Her eyes reddened as she looked at Zhao Tiesheng, but she still didn't cry out. She stubbornly looked into Zhao Tiesheng's eyes and slowly said, "One day, I will build a new house so that my mother can live in it and not have to suffer your humiliation."

As he spoke, Zhao Da'e picked up Zhao Xiaojuan from the bed and gently patted her back. Zhao Xiaojuan cried loudly, but Zhao Tiesheng did not come to comfort her. Zhao Da'e was also utterly disappointed in Zhao Tiesheng.

She hugged Zhao Xiaojuan, trying to comfort her and make her less scared. The argument between the two of them must have frightened Xiaojuan. Zhao Da'e felt sorry for her younger sister, so she moved her hands gently.

Looking at Zhao Da'e's actions, Zhao Tiesheng felt a pang of regret when he yelled those words at Zhao Da'e, but his dignity as a father prevented him from bowing his head, and he wouldn't say anything to comfort him.

Zhao Tiesheng thought he would make Zhao Da'e cry, but she didn't. When she looked at him, her eyes were full of disappointment. For a moment, Zhao Tiesheng felt guilty and didn't dare to look Zhao Da'e in the eye.

Zhao Da'e looked at Zhao Tiesheng for a long time before slowly saying, "When you and Mom weren't around, Grandma would often not give me food, leaving me hungry. She would even pull my ear from time to time to make me do chores. My ear is still loose. Uncle Chen at the clinic said that if she had pulled any harder, my ear would have been ruined."

Zhao Tiesheng's pupils widened instantly, as if he hadn't expected this. He said incredulously, "How could this be? Your grandmother only pulled your ear, how could it be so serious that it almost ruined your ear?"

Zhao Da'e gave a wry smile. "Dad, you haven't seen what Grandma looks like when she pulls my ear. I'm afraid even you would find it terrifying. You'll probably say that I must have made Grandma angry for her to pull my ear. No matter what I say, it's wrong. If you don't believe me, that's fine."

Zhao Da'e didn't want to say anything more. He simply picked up Zhao Xiaojuan in his arms and left to stay in Wang Guixiang's room. It was a tiled house with heating, which was better than this drafty barn.

Cheng Jinxiang went to the kitchen to help out. Although she said she didn't want to help in the kitchen, she just didn't want to work alone. When she saw Wang Guixiang and Zhang Cuilan working, Cheng Jinxiang would still help out, but she wouldn't do the hard work like carrying water. Instead, she washed the dishes and prepared the vegetables.

To avoid Zhang Cuilan's questioning, Wang Guixiang went directly to the yard to kill a chicken. Although it was cold outside, it was better than being constantly asked by Zhang Cuilan where the money had gone.

Cheng Jinxiang and Zhang Cuilan thus had some time alone together.

Zhang Cuilan realized this was a good opportunity, so she pulled Cheng Jinxiang aside and whispered to her, "Second sister-in-law, did you and second brother leave tens of thousands of yuan with Mom?"

Cheng Jinxiang was baffled. Why was Zhang Cuilan saying these things to her for no reason? Was she going to ask her for money?

Thinking of this reason, Cheng Jinxiang said, "It's no secret that Tiesheng and I have money with Mom. To be honest, we did put tens of thousands of yuan with Mom, but I recently asked her for the money, but she wouldn't give it to me. I can't lend you any money. My family is busy preparing to build a new house, and we are very short of money."

Cheng Jinxiang thought that this reason might be enough to refuse Zhang Cuilan's request to borrow money.

But when Zhang Cuilan heard that Cheng Jinxiang hadn't gotten a single penny from Wang Guixiang either, her eyes lit up. She always had something in common with Cheng Jinxiang to talk about, and even complained about him.

Zhang Cuilan pulled Cheng Jinxiang closer to her and whispered, "Second sister-in-law, I won't hide it from you anymore. Tie Gang and I also put several thousand yuan with Mom, but when I asked Mom for the money today, she refused to give it to me."

Cheng Jinxiang asked in confusion, "You asked Mom for money today, but she won't give it to you?"

Cheng Jinxiang was somewhat surprised, seemingly not expecting Wang Guixiang to refuse to give Zhang Cuilan money. Normally, Wang Guixiang would favor Zhao Tiegang's family and spend any money she had on them, while being very stingy with herself and Da'e. She even asked Cheng Jinxiang and Tiesheng to give her more money to show their respect. Several times, Cheng Jinxiang felt heartbroken, thinking that Wang Guixiang was too biased.

Zhang Cuilan, unaware of Cheng Jinxiang's deep thoughts, continued, "Second sister-in-law, do you know why Mom won't return the money to us?"

Cheng Jinxiang thought about it and realized that Wang Guixiang's refusal to give money meant she was unwilling to pay, but she didn't say it aloud. Instead, she felt disheartened and had nothing to say.

However, Zhang Cuilan thought that Cheng Jinxiang knew that Wang Guixiang was having an affair, which was why she hesitated to speak up. After all, she had only guessed that Wang Guixiang was having an affair from Zhao Da'e.

So she said directly, "Second sister-in-law, to be honest, I know that our mother-in-law is having an affair."

As soon as she finished speaking, Cheng Jinxiang's pupils widened. Zhang Cuilan's words shocked her. She never expected Zhang Cuilan to say something so shocking.

She quickly covered Zhang Cuilan's mouth, signaling her not to say anything reckless. "Sister-in-law, there are some things you shouldn't say. Don't say these things unless you're absolutely sure. If things get out of hand, what will outsiders say about us? That will be troublesome."

Zhang Cuilan thought Cheng Jinxiang was afraid of causing trouble, which was why she didn't dare to confirm. She snorted disdainfully and said, "What's so hard about saying it? I think our mother-in-law has someone else outside, and that's why she gave all the money we entrusted to her to her lover. Otherwise, why wouldn't she give us the money when we asked her for it? She must be out of money to give it to us."

Zhang Cuilan wasn't afraid of making a big fuss; the bigger the fuss, the better. Only when the waters are muddy can you catch fish, right?