Reborn in a small village in the 1990s

Chapter 331

“Tell me, what can you do with 10,000 yuan? If you want to build a nice, big new house, you need at least 20,000 or 30,000 yuan. With only 10,000 yuan, you can’t even build two rooms. Don’t forget, we have two daughters. Each of them needs a room, so we need to build three rooms in total. That will cost a lot of money.”

When Cheng Jinxiang got impatient, she couldn't help but grab Zhao Tiesheng's ear. Zhao Tiesheng also subconsciously said, "Our two daughters can live in one room. We don't need to spend so much money to build two rooms. We should spend the money wisely."

Zhao Tiesheng was frugal. He felt that if he asked Zhao Chunqin for money today, he might only get back about 10,000 yuan. He had already planned to borrow more money to raise 20,000 yuan to build a new house. He would build a simple one with two rooms, one for his two daughters and one for him and his wife. Any more than that would be too much money.

Cheng Jinxiang was so angry at Zhao Tiesheng’s words that her eyes blazed with fury, and she raised her voice, “Zhao Tiesheng, what kind of cowardly words are you spouting? If we had gotten all the money back and built the new house sooner, we wouldn’t have this conflict now. Instead of thinking about getting more money back and building more houses, you’re thinking about how to make your daughter suffer and how building one less house would save you money. You’re so useless. I was blind to have married you.”

That wasn't enough. Cheng Jinxiang then pinched Zhao Tiesheng hard, making him cry out in pain.

Cheng Jinxiang's eyes turned red with anger. "Zhao Tiesheng, I'm telling you this now: if we can only build two rooms when we build the new house because we don't have enough money, then you can go live in the Zhao family's storeroom. I will definitely give one room to each of my two daughters, and Da'e must have his own room."

Cheng Jinxiang felt she owed Zhao Da'e too much, and the nightmare she had in the hospital felt so real, like it happened in a past life. She felt she owed Da'e too much, so she thought she had to give Da'e a separate room. Moreover, Da'e was capable and could earn money, so he would need a separate room when he grew up. Cheng Jinxiang was afraid that if Da'e lived with Xiao Juan, Xiao Juan would make Da'e unable to stand it.

Zhao Da'e looked at Cheng Jinxiang with emotion, never expecting that her mother had thought about her for so long.

Cheng Jinxiang never intended to wrong her daughter; on the contrary, she wanted to fight for more benefits for her daughter.

Zhao Tiesheng looked at his wife Cheng Jinxiang in disbelief. Ever since Zhao Xiaojuan was almost sent away from the hospital, he felt that his wife had become a different person. The gentle and considerate Cheng Jinxiang of the past had changed and become unreasonable.

The two's argument attracted strange looks from those around them, and even people on the second floor opened their windows to see what was going on.

Eating melons is something ingrained in everyone's genes.

Feeling the whispers and the glances directed at him, Zhao Tiesheng felt extremely uncomfortable. He was so uncomfortable that his face turned pale, and he wished he could disappear into the ground.

He wanted to grab Cheng Jinxiang's hand and get away from this troublesome place as quickly as possible, especially to escape the gaze of this group of people.

But Cheng Jinxiang did not do as Zhao Tiesheng wished. She forcefully shook off Zhao Tiesheng's hand and stood there in place.

Cheng Jinxiang felt angry but nothing in particular. It was only when she saw Zhao Tiesheng's ugly face after she scolded him that she felt relieved and comfortable.

She was telling the truth, and besides, Zhao Tiesheng was a useless coward, so what she said wasn't wrong.

Seeing Cheng Jinxiang's stubbornness, Zhao Tiesheng's face darkened completely. He reached out and grabbed Cheng Jinxiang's hand tightly, frowning impatiently as he said, "Cheng Jinxiang, how long are you going to keep making a scene? Come with me now."

It was his male pride that was getting the better of him. With so many people watching, Zhao Tiesheng didn't want to be inferior to Cheng Jinxiang, nor did he want those around him to know his cowardly side. In addition, Cheng Jinxiang's words made him angry, but he didn't dare to vent his anger on outsiders, only on his family.

Zhao Tiesheng's grip hurt, so Cheng Jinxiang directly used her fingernails to pinch the flesh of Zhao Tiesheng's arm. Zhao Tiesheng felt the pain and subconsciously let go.

Cheng Jinxiang said bluntly, "What's wrong, Zhao Tiesheng? Are you angry because of what I said and want to get violent towards me?"

Cheng Jinxiang spoke loudly, showing no intention of saving face for Zhao Tiesheng.

The loud noise attracted the attention of many people, who all turned their gazes to see what had happened.

Zhao Tiesheng could even hear many people whispering.

"Sigh, are those two arguing? What happened?"

"I don't know either, but let me tell you, this woman was yelling at the man. It seems they were arguing about building a new house, and then the man got angry and tried to hit her. Look at the woman's wrist, it's all red from where the man grabbed it."

"Huh? What's going on? This man is such a jerk, trying to assault his wife in public."

"Well, it's their family matter, and we outsiders shouldn't get involved. But to be fair, that guy is really spineless..."

The people around were mostly cursing Zhao Tiesheng. Cheng Jinxiang's eyes were red with anger, and everyone immediately felt that Cheng Jinxiang had been wronged. People tend to side with the weaker party and speak up for her.

Hearing the insults directed at him from those around him, Zhao Tiesheng was furious and wanted to teach his wife a lesson as a husband, the kind of lesson that involves slapping her, but in the end, reason prevailed over anger.

Zhao Tiesheng knew that they were outside, and if he really laid a hand on her, it would confirm that he had bullied his wife, giving him a bad reputation. Moreover, Cheng Jinxiang might throw a tantrum and go back to divorce him, leaving him truly alone. His daughter's heart was with Cheng Jinxiang, and if he slapped her, his own daughter would become estranged from him.

It's not worth it to cause a family to break apart because of a slap, it's not worth it at all.

After weighing the pros and cons, Zhao Tiesheng clenched his fists and decided not to confront Cheng Jinxiang anymore. He turned around, grabbed Zhao Da'e's hand, and left, saying, "Da'e, come with Dad!"

Zhao Tiesheng chose not to dwell on it. Instead, he took his daughter and left the scene, heading towards Zhao Chunqin's residence. He hadn't forgotten his main task for the day: to get the money back from his younger sister.

He could ask his younger sister for more money later; there was no need to waste time with Cheng Jinxiang. Besides, so many people were watching the show and probably cursing him in their hearts. Zhao Tiesheng felt extremely uncomfortable and had wanted to leave for a long time, but leaving alone would seem pathetic and ridiculous. He felt that if he left alone, he wouldn't be able to take a step, but if he left with someone, he would be much bolder and leave with a clear conscience.

Poor Zhao Da'e, her face was full of tears, and she was in pain because her father was holding her hand.

Zhao Da'e glanced at Cheng Jinxiang, as if to say, "Mom, stop Dad, he's hurting my hand."

Overwhelmed with love for her daughter, Cheng Jinxiang panicked and chased after Zhao Tiesheng.

Soon the two arrived at Zhao Chunqin's residence. Once there, Cheng Jinxiang had no more interest in being angry with Zhao Tiesheng. Instead, she lectured him, "Didn't you say you were sure you could get the money? Your little sister lives on the third floor. Why don't you ask her for the money and see if you can get it back?"

Cheng Jinxiang looked down on Zhao Tiesheng's confident demeanor, saying that Zhao Chunqin would definitely pay back the money once she made it. In his eyes, his little sister Zhao Chunqin was incredibly wonderful.

Now Cheng Jinxiang wants Zhao Tiesheng to go to Zhao Chunqin to ask for the money, so he can see for himself whether his little sister will hand it over.

Zhao Tiesheng was naturally very confident. "Jinxiang, just wait and see. I'll go and get our money back right now."

Once the money is recovered and the new house is built, Cheng Jinxiang will return. When they live in the new house, instead of living with his mother, there will be fewer conflicts at home, and his life will be much easier. At least he won't be caught in the middle between his mother and wife.

Thinking of this, Zhao Tiesheng's anger instantly subsided by more than half, and he even climbed the stairs much faster.

Once on the third floor, Zhao Tiesheng was much more familiar with the layout. After all, he had been here once before and recognized Zhao Chunqin's room at a glance. There were relatively few residents on this floor, only six households. The corridor was also very spacious, and the household in the very middle was where Zhao Chunqin lived.

Zhao Tiesheng walked over, and through the door he could even hear some of Zhao Chunqin's voices inside, "Qingmin, wash the dishes and eat."

Li Qingmin is Zhao Chunqin's husband. Upon hearing this, Zhao Tiesheng immediately felt reassured. He even turned to Cheng Jinxiang with delight and said, "Jinxiang, Da'e, did you hear that? Chunqin and Qingmin are having dinner. We've arrived just in time."

Zhao Tiesheng was worried about what would happen if the couple wasn't home, but now it's all good. Not only are they home, but they're also eating. They might open the door for him if he knocks.

Seeing his father's happy expression, Zhao Da'e couldn't help but purse his lips. He was being too happy too soon; even at home, the father might not necessarily return the money to his family.

Cheng Jinxiang said coldly, "Don't be too happy yet. Talk to Zhao Chunqin first and see how much money she can pay us back now. Let me make this clear: we have to get some money back today no matter what. If she makes excuses about not having money, then I'm not leaving here today."

Zhao Chunqin had taken tens of thousands of yuan from her family. If they had separated the family earlier and built a new house sooner, the money wouldn't have been handed over to Wang Guixiang, and Zhao Chunqin wouldn't have borrowed it all. Every time Cheng Jinxiang thought of this, she felt a pang of regret, hating herself for not being more assertive back then.

But there's no use regretting it now. Cheng Jinxiang looked at Zhao Tiesheng with a hint of resentment in her heart. There was no point in saying more; she just needed to get the money back as soon as possible.

Zhao Tiesheng knocked on the door and called out, "Chunqin, open the door quickly, it's your second brother, I need to talk to you about something."

Zhao Tiesheng knocked on the door three times and waited quietly for someone to open it.

Inside the door, Zhao Chunqin, who was ladling soup, suddenly trembled and almost spilled the soup. Li Qingmin, who was sitting next to her, was stunned and stopped chewing his food. The two looked at each other in shock.

Just as Zhao Chunqin was about to speak, she realized that her second brother, Zhao Tiesheng, was knocking on the door from outside, so she subconsciously lowered her voice and said, "Why is my second brother here? And why did he come so suddenly?"

Li Qingmin thought for a moment, then suddenly frowned and said, "He said he wanted to talk to us about something. Do you think it might be because he found out about us taking money from Mom's side?"

The two never talked about the loan to outsiders, for fear that people would find out and cause trouble for her, demanding that Zhao Chunqin repay the money. She didn't want to repay it and would delay as long as possible. Besides, she didn't have much money on hand, as all of it had been invested in her business.

While the two were talking, Zhao Tiesheng was still knocking on the door outside. "Qingmin, Chunqin, open the door. It's me, Tiesheng, your second brother."

The knocking was somewhat urgent, as if afraid the person inside wouldn't hear it.

Zhao Chunqin subconsciously whispered to Li Qingmin, "We absolutely cannot open the door. We must pretend we are not home. Otherwise, if they open the door and ask us for money, it will be a troublesome matter. It's best to pretend we are not home today so that Second Brother will leave empty-handed."

Zhao Chunqin's main strategy was to delay meeting Zhao Tiesheng as much as possible.

Li Qingmin nodded, thinking that this was a good idea, since they couldn't come up with the money to pay off their debts anyway.

only……

Li Qingmin asked, "What if they keep waiting outside?"

He and Zhao Chunqin had no choice but to go out. They had to go to work tomorrow, and he also had to go out later to deal with work-related matters. It was impossible for them not to go out today; at most, they could just leave a little later.

Zhao Chunqin scoffed, "Then let them keep waiting. I know you have some things to take care of this afternoon. By the time you leave, it will have been several hours. I'll see if my second brother and the others can wait. It would be best if they couldn't wait any longer and went back to the countryside. If they do wait, I'll just go out and say I was asleep and didn't hear the knocking."

"If it comes to money, I'll make an excuse that I don't have any money right now and will pay you later. My second brother is easy to talk to. If I say that, he'll most likely go back and not say anything more. At most, he'll just urge me when I'll pay him back."

In Zhao Chunqin's memory, Zhao Tiesheng had always been an honest man. She would casually make empty promises, and Zhao Tiesheng would believe her without question. This was the reason Zhao Chunqin had used to borrow money from Zhao Tiesheng's family several times before, and it always worked for her.

After hearing this, Li Qingmin gave Zhao Chunqin a thumbs-up in agreement, saying that his wife always had a way with things.

The two ate their meal in silence, making very little noise and eating very slowly, afraid that people outside would hear them and discover that they were eating.

Zhao Tiesheng knocked on the door for a while, wondering why no one came to open it when he could hear people talking inside.