Reborn in a small village in the 1990s

Chapter 362

Zhao Tiesheng was conflicted. He should trust his wife, but he wanted to know an answer more.

"Jinxiang, can you show me that nine thousand yuan?"

Zhao Tiesheng's answer was like a bucket of cold water poured over Cheng Jinxiang, chilling her to the bone. She couldn't help but laugh, her eyes filled with disappointment. She should have known what kind of person this husband of so many years was. She knew him well. Even if she hadn't done anything like this, having a secret rendezvous with another man, money was more important to Zhao Tiesheng. He wanted to know if Cheng Jinxiang had that nine thousand yuan.

In Zhao Tiesheng's eyes, personal gain outweighs everything else.

She should have thought of it earlier, but when she faced it herself, Cheng Jinxiang felt cold.

Wang Guixiang added fuel to the fire, saying, "Tiesheng, is there even a question? She probably gave that money to some random man. What a terrible thing! This is money you worked so hard to earn. How could she dare to give it to an outsider! I think you should get the money back and then divorce this shameless woman. Then Mom will find you a better wife!"

Wang Guixiang actually thought that Cheng Jinxiang wasn't so stupid as to give nine thousand yuan to a stranger, but in front of Zhao Tiesheng, she wanted to seize the opportunity to badmouth Cheng Jinxiang as much as possible, hoping to drive the couple to the point of divorce!

Then she would find another obedient daughter-in-law who could give birth to a boy.

Wang Guixiang's words planted doubts in Zhao Tiesheng's mind. He knew he should trust his wife, but he couldn't help but overthink and tentatively asked, "Jinxiang, why don't you hand over this nine thousand yuan to me for safekeeping? That way you won't have to worry about building the new house."

After much deliberation, Zhao Tiesheng decided that he couldn't afford to have too much of a falling out with Cheng Jinxiang. If he were to voice his suspicions, he might end up a bachelor, and Jinxiang would definitely divorce him. However, since he couldn't see the nine thousand yuan, he couldn't help but wonder if the money was still with Cheng Jinxiang or if she had spent it on that man. He couldn't stop thinking about it and felt more at ease having the money in his own hands.

Cheng Jinxiang smiled mockingly and said, "I don't have nine thousand yuan. I gave five thousand yuan to my uncle to help me buy building materials, and I gave the remaining four thousand yuan to Da'e to ask someone to help me hire workers. You don't have any money."

Wang Guixiang's eyes widened upon hearing this. "No nine thousand yuan?" Wang Guixiang instinctively felt that Cheng Jinxiang was trying to fool her.

"Who are you trying to fool? I didn't hear my brother mention buying building materials for you. And you gave four thousand yuan to Da'e? Don't be ridiculous. How old is Da'e? Can she keep that much money? I think you just can't come up with the money, so you made up this lie to deceive people. Tell me honestly, did you give the money to that wild man?"

Wang Guixiang grew angrier as she spoke, as if Cheng Jinxiang had really given the money to some other man. If Cheng Jinxiang had indeed done so, Wang Guixiang would be furious. This money could only be held by her son, not by any outsider—it was nine thousand yuan! She was heartbroken over the loss of that money!

Zhao Tiesheng's face was grim, seemingly not expecting such an answer. To be honest, he didn't quite believe what Cheng Jinxiang had said.

Putting aside the fact that he gave 5,000 yuan to his uncle to help buy building materials, and then gave 4,000 yuan to Zhao D'e to ask for connections to hire workers, Zhao Tiesheng was somewhat skeptical. Zhao D'e was so young, how could he know anyone? Wasn't that just nonsense?

Could it really be as Mom said? Jinxiang has been cheating on her husband for a long time, having an affair, and then secretly giving money to outsiders?

But soon, Zhao Tiesheng shook her head again. Reason told her that she couldn't think of Jinxiang like that, otherwise Jinxiang would really want to divorce her. But whether it was true or not, Jinxiang hadn't told her anything about talking to a strange man, and the villagers had seen it. Plus, with her mother's big mouth, if outsiders misunderstood and said that Cheng Jinxiang was cheating on her, what would happen to her reputation?

Cheng Jinxiang saw Zhao Tiesheng's dilemma and sneered, "What's wrong? Do you also think I'm cheating on you with other men and giving money to that other guy?"

Cheng Jinxiang stared intently into Zhao Tiesheng's eyes, seemingly trying to force him to admit that he thought the same way. If she heard the answer she wanted, Cheng Jinxiang would make up her mind to get a divorce.

Zhao Tiesheng quickly explained, "That's not what I meant, Jinxiang. I just think it's better for me to keep this large sum of money. It's not appropriate for a woman like you to manage this money. It should be managed by me, the head of the household."

Cheng Jinxiang snorted coldly. In the end, he still didn't believe her. But now she just wanted an answer. She wanted to force him to say it himself.

"So you don't believe a word I say? You also think I'm having secret meetings with other men and giving money to outsiders?" Cheng Jinxiang's questioning made Zhao Tiesheng silent for a long time.

Liu Lei, who was watching the scene from the sidelines, was even more engrossed. Such scenes were rare in the countryside. As he watched, he suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure, and Liu Lei's eyes widened in shock.

The person who came was Zhao Tingming. Just as Liu Lei was about to speak, Zhao Tingming shook his head at him, indicating that he should not say anything more. Then he turned around and looked at the farce of this family. He was originally strolling around outside when he saw that every household was sticking their heads out to look ahead. Out of curiosity, he went over and saw this scene. Wang Guixiang was scolding her second daughter-in-law for having an affair with a man outside.

Zhao Tingming's veins bulged as he listened. What kind of nonsense was this? How could such a good child as Cheng Jinxiang do such a thing? So he pulled Liu Lei aside to find out what was going on.

Zhao Tingming stood ten meters away. The people arguing in front of him didn't notice him coming. It was Zhao Da'e who noticed him. She was a little puzzled. How could she have run into her great-grandfather by chance? She was afraid that her great-grandfather would intervene to stop the argument. But that was fine too. With her great-grandfather's help, she wouldn't be afraid that her mother would be misunderstood by the villagers.

Wang Guixiang couldn't stand it anymore and stepped forward to retort, "I think it's almost certain that you gave it to that wild man from earlier. You shameless, wicked woman, you made up these lies to deceive us. The money is gone, and that's it. How old is Da'e? How would she know to hire workers? Today I'm going to make a big scene, so everyone can see what kind of person you are, a cheap slut who spends money on wild men!"

Wang Guixiang's constant use of vulgar language was unbearable, even for someone as good-natured as Cheng Jinxiang.

"Zhao Tiesheng, all I want now is an answer: do you believe me or not? If you believe me, then don't ask so many questions. If you don't believe me, we can get a divorce right now," Cheng Jinxiang said impatiently.

Zhao Tiesheng hesitated and said, "I believe you, of course I believe you, but Jinxiang, nine thousand yuan is not a small amount. You've given so many reasons, but you just don't want to give me this money. We've been husband and wife for almost 10 years, don't you trust me? If he's thinking of his family, I will definitely make good use of every penny. Or is it that you can't come up with this money because you've already given it to an outsider..."

With Wang Guixiang talking to Zhao Tiesheng about it so much, and Cheng Jinxiang unable to provide the money, Zhao Tiesheng began to suspect that Cheng Jinxiang was indeed having an affair with someone else.

Cheng Jinxiang frowned and said unhappily, "I told you that the money wasn't on me. Five thousand yuan was given to my uncle, and four thousand yuan was given to Da'e. I don't have a single penny on me. You still don't believe me no matter what I say. So how else do you want me to explain?"

Wang Guixiang spat on the ground, "Pah! Not a single penny left. I bet all the money went to those other men. Tiesheng and I have seen you give money to that guy who got on the bus earlier. Cheng Jinxiang, have you no shame? You're using our Zhao family's money to support other men. Let me tell you, if you don't hand over this 9000 yuan today, I'll make a scene and make sure the whole village knows you're keeping a lover."

Cheng Jinxiang clenched her fists, looked at Zhao Tiesheng, and said coldly, "And what about you? Do you think the same way?"

Seeing Cheng Jinxiang's extremely indifferent thoughts, Zhao Tiesheng panicked. He had a premonition that if he answered yes, Cheng Jinxiang would definitely abandon him.

"Jinxiang, I... I'm sure that's not what I was thinking, it's just that the money..." Zhao Tiesheng stammered. How could the money disappear so quickly? He didn't believe it.

Zhao Tingming, who was listening nearby, was furious. He stepped forward and said sternly, "What's wrong with this money? Do I have to come out in person before you'll believe that Jinxiang gave me this five thousand yuan?"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone looked toward the source of the sound.

Zhao Tingming's veins bulged. He never imagined that this family, apart from Da'e and Jinxiang, were all so brainless. What kind of logic was this? Just because she chatted with the construction workers for a while, she was accused of having an affair?

If every woman in the world talked to a driver or a butcher for a while, would they also be accused of having an affair? That's ridiculous.

Originally, Cheng Jinxiang had moved back to her parents' home because of Wang Guixiang's favoritism. Just when things were about to get better with the construction of a new house, Wang Guixiang caused such a big mess. She's such a grown-up, yet she still talks nonsense. Doesn't she care that her son will remain a bachelor?

If he doesn't come out and explain, Cheng Jinxiang's innocence and reputation will be ruined long ago. Such a good child, don't let Wang Guixiang and Zhao Tiesheng ruin him!

The mere mention of Zhao Tiesheng ignited a fire in Zhao Tingming's stomach. What a useless and incompetent junior! Anyone with a brain would know this was impossible, yet he hesitated for so long, even believing what Wang Guixiang said. If he didn't come out soon, Zhao Tiesheng might as well prepare to remain a bachelor forever.

"Big brother, you... why are you here?" Wang Guixiang felt a little guilty when she saw Zhao Tingming. How could she have run into her big brother by such a coincidence?

Zhao Tingming is the village chief and the most senior member of the Zhao family. His words carry great weight, and even Wang Guixiang is afraid of him.

Zhao Tingming walked over and scolded Wang Guixiang, "Wang Guixiang, look at what you've done today! You accused Jinxiang of having an affair without even knowing the facts. Where do you think you're putting Jinxiang? You're so old, how can you still act so recklessly?"

After being berated by Zhao Tingming, Wang Guixiang stood there obediently and said with an awkward smile, "Brother, Tiesheng and I saw Jinxiang having a secret rendezvous with a wild man. That wild man got into a car and left. I didn't just make things up; I was just telling the truth."

After saying that, Wang Guixiang tugged at Zhao Tiesheng next to her, "You're right, aren't you, Tiesheng?"

Zhao Tiesheng's mind is now filled with thoughts of whether Cheng Jinxiang has cheated on him, whether she has another man, and whether he can get the 9000 yuan back. Even with Zhao Tingming's appearance, Zhao Tiesheng's mind is still in turmoil.

Zhao Tingming was furious when he saw Zhao Tiesheng looking distracted. This kid had never had his own opinions since he was a child, and he was easily swayed by others.

He really couldn't stand it anymore, so today he'd teach him a lesson on behalf of his father!

Without hesitation, Zhao Tingming slapped Zhao Tiesheng across the face, leaving a clear handprint. Zhao Tingming showed no mercy and used all his strength.

Zhao Tiesheng was stunned by the beating and looked up at Zhao Tingming in confusion, "Uncle, what did I do wrong?"

Zhao Tingming was so angry at Zhao Tiesheng's shamelessness that he laughed. "You still have the nerve to ask? What did you do wrong? Don't you know? Your mother humiliated your wife so much, and instead of protecting her, you stood here like a coward, meek and submissive. Don't even mention that you're my nephew, I, Zhao Tingming, can't bear to lose face like this!"

When Wang Guixiang saw Zhao Tingming hitting her son, she rushed to protect him. Even though she was somewhat afraid of Zhao Tingming, this was, after all, her family matter. What did Zhao Tingming mean by interfering in her family?

"Brother, what right do you have to hit Tiesheng? You should be teaching that slut a lesson, not Tiesheng!" Wang Guixiang said discontentedly.

Zhao Tingming was furious with Wang Guixiang. It turned out that after he had talked for so long, Wang Guixiang still disliked him for getting involved and sided with Jinxiang!

“Then let me tell you, of the nine thousand yuan Jinxiang gave me, five thousand yuan was indeed for me to buy building materials, and the other four thousand yuan was for me to give to Da'e so that Da'e could find a renovation worker in the county to discuss the house layout! And I know that worker too, he's one of the best renovation workers in the county. Jinxiang has been telling the truth from beginning to end, and all I've seen is you guys being aggressive!”

The five thousand yuan was given to Zhao Tingming by Zhao Da'e, but Zhao Tingming thought that the money was probably given to Zhao Da'e by Cheng Jinxiang, and Da'e had given him money before, so rounding it up, wouldn't it be that Cheng Jinxiang gave him the money? Zhao Tingming thought it made sense.