Reborn in a small village in the 1990s

Chapter 156

So when Zhao Da'e said she was going to pick up Cheng Jinxiao in a few days, no one was surprised.

After all, no one else had gone out either.

The farthest Zhou Yuren had ever been was during a major battle in another town... Normally, he'd either go up the mountain to chop firewood, gather mushrooms and pine nuts, cultivate a few acres of barren land, or go out gambling. He'd never been too far. So, he'd originally wanted to say he'd go, but the words caught in his throat; he felt he might easily get lost if he went.

As for the sisters Zhou Chunwen and Zhou Chunhong, they truly had never been anywhere. The furthest Zhou Chunwen had ever gone was to the local market, and she was completely illiterate. She didn't even know how to write her own name, so traveling far was out of the question.

“Big Goose, you can’t go by yourself. We’ll have to get a few more people together to go and bring your aunt back.” Cheng Jinxi, who had deep affection for her younger sisters, said through tears, “Please don’t let anything happen to your aunt.”

Zhao Da'e nodded heavily, it was inevitable that he would bring his aunt Cheng Jinxiao back.

However, there are priorities. Although Cheng Jinxiao's desire for a divorce is urgent, she is still in the Northeast and needs to plan carefully. At the very least, she needs to know what the letter said, what it contained, and where Cheng Jinxiao is in order to sit down and properly discuss the next steps.

However, time is tight. Zhou Tianfu's family reunion is on the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, which is only a couple of days away. We need to take care of this first before we can go out. After all, Zhou Tianfu's family reunion requires many relatives and friends to come, and picking up Cheng Jinxiao from Heilongjiang Province is not something Zhao Da'e can do alone. At her age, no one will allow her to travel alone by train; she must go with a few others so they can look after each other on the way.

Seeing Cheng Jinxi crying so hard, Zhao Da'e quickly gave her cousin a meaningful look. Zhou Chunwen helped Cheng Jinxi to sit in the inner room. Zhou Chunhong continued to tend the fire.

During breakfast, everyone looked worried. It was Zhao Da'e who said, "My cousin is going to meet a potential wife, which is a great thing. As for Aunt's matter, it won't make a difference if we deal with my cousin's situation in a few days. Once that's settled, we'll set off. Aunt shouldn't be in any danger; it's just a simple divorce."

Unexpectedly, Cheng Jinxi cried even harder.

Zhao Da'e sighed. Her aunt, Cheng Jinxi, was a woman who valued her reputation and doted on her younger sister, but sometimes she was powerless to change her situation. When she could do something well, she would do it well. But now she couldn't go pick up Cheng Jinxiao herself, so she was in a bad mood. She was helpless and could only rely on someone else. But when Zhao Da'e said she would have to go in a few days, her mood worsened.

Furthermore, Cheng Jinxi's thoughts differed from Zhao Da'e's. She worried about what would happen to her younger sister, Cheng Jinxiao, if she got divorced.

A woman in her mid-twenties, or even a young girl in later times, married and then divorced. What would she do? Cheng Jinxiao's situation differed from Zhao Da'e's mother, Cheng Jinxiang. Cheng Jinxiang had conflicts with her family, but since Zhao Da'e's rebirth and her younger sister Zhao Xiaojuan's birth, she hadn't been sent away, and Cheng Jinxiang's mindset remained relatively stable. Most importantly, Cheng Jinxi believed Cheng Jinxiang wouldn't divorce him. Although Zhao Tiesheng was a headache, he wasn't entirely useless; at least he could work, right? Besides, Zhao Tiesheng wasn't capable of even mentioning divorce. Even if divorce were to happen, it would be Cheng Jinxiang who initiated it. The Zhao family was dirt poor; a divorce would mean being a bachelor, and Zhao Tiesheng would absolutely not dare to bring it up. The Zhao family only bullied their younger sister for being indecisive and easily influenced, but once they got serious, the Zhao family wouldn't stand a chance. Therefore, Cheng Jinxi felt relatively at ease. However, regarding her younger sister Cheng Jinxiao's matter, things started abruptly, with her immediately demanding a divorce. The specific reason was unknown to Cheng Jinxi. But it was basically a done deal.

But Cheng Jinxi knew her family's situation. Her mother had been bedridden for many years, and her condition was now very bad; she was practically on her deathbed, and no one knew how much longer she had. Maybe a few months, maybe a few days. Cheng Jinxi was very saddened. If her mother passed away, she would lose her family.

Zhao Da'e's maternal grandfather passed away many years ago. If her maternal grandmother also passes away, where will Cheng Jinxiao go after the divorce?

I have no home anymore.

Although Cheng Jinxi has an older brother, who is Zhao Da'e's maternal uncle, her brother and mother are not the same thing. If Cheng Jinxiao is divorced and Cheng Jinxi's mother is still alive, that's one situation. If Cheng Jinxi's mother is gone, that's another situation.

If the older brother can tolerate Cheng Jinxiao, what about his sister-in-law? Although Zhu Yufeng is a good person, there's an old saying that even the most filial son can grow weary of caring for a chronically ill parent. Staying for a while is fine, but if it goes on for too long, the sister-in-law might develop resentment towards her divorced sister-in-law. That would be difficult to handle.

Moreover, how Cheng Jinxiao will live after returning home is also a problem. She has no land and nothing. Even if she can live under her brother and sister-in-law's noses for a year or two, she will eventually have to get married, won't she? Besides, a grown woman returning suddenly will inevitably cause gossip in the village.

She definitely has to get married eventually.

Like Cai Xiaofeng, whom Zhao Da'e recently met, she's on her second marriage. But Cai Xiaofeng's second marriage is quite different from Cheng Jinxiao's later second marriages. Cai Xiaofeng is educated, beautiful, and capable; most importantly, she's from the city.

Although it's just a county town, we're still city dwellers.

Urban values ​​and customs are far superior to those in the countryside. Cai Xiaofeng won't be subject to the villagers' pointing fingers or have to worry about anyone's attitude. She also has her elderly mother, who, although paralyzed, has a place to live and a place to eat. She just doesn't have money.

Where Cheng Jinxiao will stay is a very big problem.

This made Cheng Jinxi feel uncomfortable.

Zhao Da'e comforted Cheng Jinxi: "Auntie, don't cry. It's okay, it's okay. It's not a big deal. My aunt is a very good person. I promise you, after my aunt comes back, I'll let her stay at my house."

After Zhao Da'e finished speaking, Cheng Jinxi cried her heart out: "My sister..."

Zhao Da'e: "..."

Zhou Chunwen retorted to Zhao Da'e, "Hey, Da'e. You don't even have a place to live, yet you're staying at your own place? Do you even have a home?"

Zhao Da'e looked embarrassed: "That's absolutely true."

Zhao Da'e has been staying at her aunt Cheng Jinxi's house for a month and eight days. She really doesn't have a home; going home means constant fighting, a fierce battle. She's either outwitting Zhao Tingxu, tearing into Wang Guixiang, or fighting with Zhang Cuilan. Nothing else really happens. Occasionally, she also has to deal with her father, Zhao Tiesheng.

It's fair to say that the Zhao family's home is now a battlefield, filled with the smoke of battle. It's only been quiet for a few days because Wang Guixiang is in jail. But Wang Guixiang isn't facing a death sentence; she'll be released. Once she's out, will Wang Guixiang let Zhao Da'e off easily?

Even if Zhao Da'e is now completely innocent and naive, she still doesn't believe that Wang Guixiang will let her go.

Putting aside the fact that Wang Guixiang is Zhao Da'e's biological grandmother, even if Wang Guixiang were just an ordinary person, she was sent to the prison twice for trying to deal with Zhao Da'e. Wouldn't she have become corrupted by that?!

At the very least, Wang Guixiang definitely couldn't be polite and respectful to Zhao Dage, saying something like, "My dear granddaughter, you're really something. You've sent your grandma to Bali twice already. Your grandma thanks you so much."

Besides, Wang Guixiang has several daughters backing her up. Even if Zhao Da'e could persuade her second aunt to turn against her, she would never involve her eldest aunt in dealing with Wang Guixiang. Moreover, Zhao Chunqin is a staunch opponent of Zhao Da'e's plans. If Zhao Da'e wants to go home, there will inevitably be a bloodbath.

So Zhao Da'e is now unable to go home.

Zhao Da'e knew in her heart that she didn't like arguing or causing trouble. But it was Wang Guixiang and Zhao Tingxu who forced her to rebel.

To avoid arguing, Zhao Da'e even carved out a new path for herself, avoiding the old house altogether. All this was to prevent running into Zhao Tingxu.

Zhao Da'e thought about it and realized that he really had no way to settle Cheng Jinxiao.

Moreover, Zhao Da'e couldn't even settle his mother, Cheng Jinxi, in the storeroom. He could stay at his aunt's house for food and drink, since he was still young. But his mother, Cheng Jinxiang, couldn't stay at his aunt's house, because Cheng Jinxi's family also needed to make a living.

Multiple Zhao geese isn't a lot. It doesn't matter; one child can do it for a year or two, it's fine too. But if the whole family comes, that's a different story. It's completely unrealistic.

And it's quite obvious that Zhou Tianfu will be going to meet potential partners in a couple of days. In rural areas, the process from meeting potential partners to getting married is actually very quick.

This is equivalent to a breakthrough in the world of cultivation. Reaching a high level is like the early stage of Foundation Establishment, exchanging items is like the middle stage, and marriage is like the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment. There's no distinction between realms; they're all on the same level. Only after having a child does one achieve Core Formation. That's when one crosses the realm.

As for why it's divided into three steps—meeting the family, exchanging gifts, and the wedding itself—it's probably just to get more money as a wedding gift...

After all, in later generations, many things have been simplified to just one step: marriage.

The matchmaking will begin in the twelfth lunar month, and after the Lantern Festival in the first lunar month, the two families will discuss exchanging gifts. We don't know when the wedding will be next year. It's uncertain, but Zhou Tianfu will definitely get married next year.

The most crucial issue here is that once Zhou Tianfu gets married, not only will Zhao Da'e be left without a place to live, but even Zhou Chunwen and Zhou Chunhong will have to give up their rooms to their brother and sister-in-law.

By then, Zhao Da'e will be homeless, and naturally, there will be nowhere to settle Aunt Cheng Jinxiao.

"Big sister, don't worry. I'll work hard next year and build a house," Zhao Da'e said awkwardly.

Zhou Chunwen laughed and whispered, "Big Goose, I admire your ability to brag without blushing. I'm ashamed of myself for that."

Zhao Da'e was furious and retorted, "Sister, stop making fun of me. What if I really am rich?"

“That depends on what kind of house you can build. If it’s an adobe house, it won’t cost much. Just get some soil, hire a few helpers, and get some wood. You have a lot of trees in your backyard, so getting some purlins shouldn’t be a problem. You can build an adobe house without any issues.” Zhou Chunwen analyzed, “But if you want to build a bungalow, forget about it. That will cost thirty or forty thousand yuan.”

Zhao Da'e scoffed, "A newly built adobe house is still a new house. What, is building an adobe house illegal?"

Zhou Chunwen: "Uh..."

Zhao Da'e genuinely wanted to build a mud-brick house. She knew that things had to be done step by step; she couldn't take too big a leap. A four-room bungalow would cost at least 30,000 to 40,000 yuan. A three- or two-room mud-brick house would save a lot of money, probably only 18,000 to 20,000 yuan. Besides, Zhou Chunwen's suggestion was correct; there were quite a few trees in the backyard behind the old house. She had already paid for the land, and although it was a lease, Zhao Da'e wasn't allowed to plant trees. But rules are rules, and people are flexible. At worst, she could replant some trees herself, write a guarantee, and apply for a tree-planting permit. Then, the rafters, windows, and doors would all be taken care of.

Cheng Jinxi was still crying, so Zhao Da'e could only comfort her, "Auntie, don't worry. After I bring my aunt back, I'll build the house next spring when the ice thaws. I've already drawn up the blueprints."

Cheng Jinxi looked completely bewildered: "What are blueprints?"

“Mom, don’t listen to Da’e’s bragging.” Zhou Chunwen comforted her, “My grandma is still here, and my aunt can’t stop my aunt from coming home. At worst, give my aunt some money, Da’e has money.”

“Yes, I really have money. I don’t have much, but I can still afford three or five hundred.” Zhao Da’e said timidly. “At worst, we can rent a house. There are a few families in our village who have moved away and passed away. Their yards are empty, so we can rent them out for a while. It won’t cost much, at most a thousand yuan a year. Auntie, I’ll pay for it, so don’t be sad.”

As Zhao Da'e spoke, she didn't forget to take a jab at Zhou Chunwen: "When my cousin gets married and my older sister has nowhere to live, I'll arrange everything perfectly."

Zhou Chunwen clutched his chest: "Big Goose, that stab... was spot on... right to the heart."

Zhou Yuren remained silent, puffing on his pipe. He had his reasons. He couldn't ignore the practicalities. After all, his son's marriage was the most important thing in the world to him.

Zhao Da'e is right. Now that his son is married, his daughters, Zhou Chunwen and Zhou Chunwen, really have nowhere to live. Of course, it's not time yet; we'll talk about it later.

Cheng Jinxi sighed, not knowing what to do.

She was in a bad mood, but there was nothing she could do. She could only take it one step at a time. First, she'd bring Cheng Jinxiao back. As for the future, she'd deal with that later.

People can live, and you can't let a living person die from holding in their pee. Besides, Cheng Jinxiao has arms and legs, and divorce isn't an illness. She can find work and maybe even find a place to live.

"Alright. We'll discuss Aunt's matter in a couple of days. Aunt, you're back just in time. We need to discuss my cousin's family matter. Take my uncle and cousin's clothes, for example. My dad has a suit, it's not expensive, but it's wearable, so it's not a big problem. My grandfather also has a pretty good Zhongshan suit, I'll bring it over. That's all fine."