Reborn in a small village in the 1990s

Chapter 310

If we talk too much, it will only annoy people. Anyway, Zhao Da'e will be going to school soon after spring, so we can let the teachers at school teach him, or he can have a good talk with Cheng Jinxiang about Da'e's education in private.

"Big Goose, Jinxiang, it's getting late, I have to go home for dinner. Take these eggs and cured meat to help Big Goose recover."

The cured pork here isn't smoked; it's made by slaughtering a pig or buying meat and then salting it. This only guarantees a longer shelf life, but the taste is just average.

Cheng Jinxiang took the basket of eggs and cured meat. "Okay, you can go back now. I'll invite you over for dinner another day when I have time. Don't refuse me then."

Wu Shanhe said, "Okay, I definitely will."

As Wu Shanhe left, Cheng Jinxiang's eyes dimmed; she was still thinking about what Wu Shanhe had said.

Children cannot live without their father's presence...

Zhao Da'e noticed that Cheng Jinxiang was in a bad mood, so she tugged at Cheng Jinxiang's sleeve and asked, "Mom, what's wrong?"

Cheng Jinxiang half-squatted down to align her gaze with Zhao Da'e's. She sighed and asked Zhao Da'e a question, "Da'e, if your parents divorce, would you choose to live with your father or your mother?"

Without hesitation, Zhao Da'e said, "With Mom!"

The voice was loud and clear, without the slightest hesitation.

Cheng Jinxiang was shocked after hearing this. She had imagined many possible answers. Her daughter might hesitate and choose her, or she might advise her not to get a divorce, or she might even choose her father. But she never expected that her daughter would choose her without hesitation, without even thinking about it.

Cheng Jinxiang asked subconsciously, "Big Goose, is everything you said true? You're not just saying these things to make me happy, are you?"

Zhao Da'e shook her head and said seriously, "No, I'm not serious. I'm serious about everything I said. My mom raised me from childhood to adulthood, so naturally I'm closer to her. What's so good about being with my dad? My aunt pulls my ears all the time, and my grandma beats and scolds me all the time. Being with my dad means I'll be bullied. I don't want to be with my dad, I want to be with my mom!"

Upon hearing Zhao Da'e's reply, Cheng Jinxiang couldn't help but tear up, her eyes welling up with tears. She hugged Zhao Da'e tightly, feeling as if his words were cutting into her heart again and again.

Cheng Jinxiang felt guilty towards the goose, blaming herself for being too cowardly and causing the goose so much suffering.

"It's all Mom's fault. I didn't protect you well, which is why you suffered so much."

Cheng Jinxiang's voice was choked with sobs; she felt sorry for Da'e.

Zhao Da'e smiled helplessly, patted Cheng Jinxiang's shoulder, and said, "I'm okay, Mom. Everything will get better slowly. I'm starting to earn money now. With money, no one will bully us anymore. And when spring comes, I'll find workers to build us a new house so we won't have to live in other people's houses anymore. With a new house, we'll finally have our own home."

Cheng Jinxiang couldn't help but think, "I wish that day could come sooner."

But it's okay. With her around, at least life won't be as hard as before. She's not someone who lets others bully her anymore. If Wang Guixiang is unreasonable, she dares to stand up for herself. She will never let anyone bully her or her daughter again.

Cheng Jinxiang's eyes were firm, and she even tightened her grip on Zhao Da'e.

However, Zhao Da'e really wanted to say... Mom, you're hugging me so tightly, I can't breathe QAQ

However, the next day, Cheng Jinxiang still took Zhao Da'e and Zhao Xiaojuan to the Zhao family to pay New Year's greetings.

Regardless of the circumstances, Zhao Da'e and Zhao Xiaojuan are both granddaughters of the Zhao family, and it is only right and proper for them to pay their respects during the New Year. Otherwise, people will gossip and say that she, as the mother, is not letting the Zhao family's granddaughters come home.

When Cheng Jinxiang carried Zhao Xiaojuan to the Zhao family home, Zhao Yongbo was playing at the door. He looked up and saw Zhao Dage and Cheng Jinxiang. His eyes widened, and he stared blankly for a while before excitedly saying to the people inside, "Second Aunt is back! Second Uncle, Dad, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, Second Aunt has brought my sister back!"

Zhao Yongbo shouted loudly, especially at Zhao Tiesheng, who was still sleeping inside. Upon hearing the sound, Zhao Tiesheng immediately woke up. Ever since Cheng Jinxiang returned to her parents' home, he had been in a daze all day. He had gone to Cheng Jinxiang's parents' home several times to persuade her to return to the Zhao family, but she refused. These last few times, Zhao Tiesheng had become dejected, with dark circles under his eyes and an unshaven beard, looking rather slovenly at first glance.

Before hearing the news of Cheng Jinxiang's return, Zhao Tiesheng's eyes were dull and lifeless, but after hearing the news, his eyes lit up completely.

Before Wang Guixiang could react, Zhao Tiesheng had already pushed open the door, eager to see Cheng Jinxiang.

"Jinxiang, you're finally back!" Zhao Tiesheng exclaimed excitedly, wanting to hug Cheng Jinxiang, but Cheng Jinxiang frowned and avoided Zhao Tiesheng, unwilling to have any contact with him.

She explained, "I've come here to wish everyone a Happy New Year and have a meal. I'll leave with the goose and the cuckoo tonight."

Cheng Jinxiang was reminding Zhao Tiesheng that she was only staying there for one day and did not mean she was coming back. If it weren't for her two daughters, Cheng Jinxiang would not want to return to the Zhao family.

Zhao Yongbo, holding Zhao Dage's hand, said, "Sister, play with me, I haven't seen you in so long."

Zhao Da'e smiled and said, "Okay, okay, I'll play with you."

Zhao Tiesheng was stunned for a while, seemingly still not having reacted, when his eyes suddenly became a little wet, whether from sand blowing into them or from sadness or something else.

Seeing this, Cheng Jinxiang could only sigh. It wasn't that she didn't want to live a good life with Zhao Tiesheng, but this man was cowardly and couldn't give her a good life. Moreover, he wouldn't stand up for her when she was bullied. Cheng Jinxiang was also disheartened by him. But life had to go on. Cheng Jinxiang would not divorce Zhao Tiesheng until she got those tens of thousands of yuan back from Wang Guixiang.

But to ease the tension, Cheng Jinxiang handed Zhao Xiaojuan, whom she was holding, to Zhao Tiesheng, saying, "Hold Xiaojuan, you are her father."

Zhao Tiesheng had just received the baby, who was only a few months old. He was in a daze. The baby in his arms was beautiful, with fair and tender skin. As soon as the baby saw Zhao Tiesheng, it started to smile non-stop. The baby had big eyes that looked a lot like Cheng Jinxiang, but the eyebrows and nose and the mouth looked like his own.

Zhao Xiaojuan waved her hand wildly, grabbed Zhao Tiesheng's thumb, and started giggling incessantly. Zhao Tiesheng could feel a very strange sensation; the effect of blood dissolving in water was vividly demonstrated at this moment.

Zhao Da'e said from the side, "Dad, you have to be careful when you hold her, don't drop your little sister."

"You're blaming me now. I don't even know how many times I held you when you were little." Zhao Tiesheng said this, but he still couldn't help but hold Zhao Xiaojuan carefully, afraid of making her uncomfortable. He hadn't properly held his little daughter since she was born.

This feeling was extraordinary; looking at the smile on the little person's face in his arms, Zhao Tiesheng's heart melted.

Wang Guixiang came over upon hearing the noise, and frowned as soon as she saw Cheng Jinxiang. She was clearly disgusted. "You still have the nerve to come back? Our Zhao family doesn't welcome you back. Get as far away as you can!"

Zhao Tiesheng was immediately displeased upon hearing this. Jinxiang had finally come back on her own initiative, so why was his mother chasing her away? Did she really have the heart to watch her son remain a bachelor for the rest of his life?

"Mom, please say less. Jinxiang has had a hard time taking care of Xiaojuan at her parents' home. Now that she's brought the children over, please stop saying these things. Jinxiang is still your daughter-in-law," Zhao Tiesheng advised.

Wang Guixiang had thought her second son would side with her, but to her surprise, he started siding with the woman again. Wang Guixiang immediately complained, "I don't have a daughter-in-law who would disobey her mother-in-law. You have no idea how she bullied this old woman when you weren't around. I was wearing my bracelet perfectly fine, and she insisted on giving it back to her in front of so many people, making us a laughingstock. I was so ashamed that I couldn't bear it anymore. When I got back to the Zhao family, I started crying. I thought you would help me, but you said it was my fault. People say that sons are born to help their mothers, but I think he just forgot his mother after getting a wife. My heart is broken!"

Wang Guixiang clutched her chest, feigning discomfort. Zhao Tiesheng panicked at the sight, carrying Zhao Xiaojuan while simultaneously reaching out to support Wang Guixiang. "Mom, what are you doing? Why are you arguing with Jinxiang about this? She gave birth to Xiaojuan just over a month ago and is very tired. It's normal for her to be a little irritable. Besides, this bracelet originally belonged to Jinxiang, so it's perfectly normal for her to take it. If you had returned the bracelet back then, you wouldn't have faced so much gossip."

Wang Guixiang found it unbelievable. She had already said all that, yet he was still pretending to be so upset, and this guy was still siding with Cheng Jinxiang. She immediately got angry.

Just as Wang Guixiang was about to lash out and curse, Cheng Jinxiang spoke up, "Since Mom doesn't want me to come back, I'll leave with Xiaojuan and the goose."

Cheng Jinxiang didn't want to put up with Wang Guixiang's temper, so leaving would be easier. After all, she had already brought Da'e and Xiao Juan to the Zhao family before, and she left because she had been wronged there. When outsiders talked about it, they would definitely say that Wang Guixiang, as the mother-in-law, was at fault, not that she was at fault.

Cheng Jinxiang wanted to take Zhao Xiaojuan from Zhao Tiesheng and leave, but Zhao Tiesheng immediately became agitated and took several steps back, not wanting Cheng Jinxiang to take her away.

When Zhao Yongbo heard that Cheng Jinxiang was going to take Zhao Da'e away, he immediately became unhappy and grabbed Zhao Da'e's hand, pleading, "Sister, you haven't played with me yet, please don't go."

Zhao Da'e was on Cheng Jinxiang's side, so naturally she spoke up for Cheng Jinxiang in everything she said, "Good little brother, we can play together again next time."

When Wang Guixiang heard Zhao Dage say these words, she mocked, "Pah, you ungrateful wretch! Our Zhao family raised you for seven years, and you still side with outsiders. I think you should just give up your surname Zhao and change it to Cheng, take your mother's surname, and stop being Zhao."

Wang Guixiang's sharp tongue annoyed Zhao Da'e. She pretended not to understand and asked in confusion, "Grandma, you are surnamed Wang and are an outsider. Why doesn't anyone speak up for you? Besides, I'm speaking up for Mom. Mom raised me for seven years, so it's only right that I speak up for her."

The child's innocent and childlike words left Wang Guixiang speechless, and her anger flared up instantly. Even Zhao Da'e knew to help her mother, but what about her good son? Instead of helping her, he sided with outsiders!

Zhao Tiesheng held Zhao Xiaojuan tightly in his arms, not wanting her to be taken away. Moreover, his wife had finally come home, only to be driven away by his own mother. What kind of behavior was this? If this continued, his little family would fall apart!

Zhao Tiesheng said to Wang Guixiang, "Mom, please say less. Jinxiang doesn't like hearing these things."

Seeing that Wang Guixiang was about to get angry and start yelling, Zhao Tiesheng quickly showed Zhao Xiaojuan, whom he was holding, to Wang Guixiang and said hurriedly, "Mom, please say less for Xiaojuan's sake. Look how cute your little granddaughter is."

When Zhao Tiesheng showed Zhao Xiaojuan to Wang Guixiang, Cheng Jinxiang's heart clenched. She was worried that Wang Guixiang might do something to Zhao Xiaojuan. After all, Wang Guixiang had given Xiaojuan away when she was just born. Since then, Cheng Jinxiang had been wary of Wang Guixiang.

But since she was the child's grandmother, it was only right and proper to let her see it, so Cheng Jinxiang didn't say anything.

Wang Guixiang looked at Zhao Xiaojuan, who was being handed the gift, and just then the child laughed. She looked so happy, giggling and waving her little hands around. She looked extremely cute.

Moreover, her eyebrows and nose clearly resembled her son's. For a moment, Wang Guixiang thought she saw a younger version of her second son, they were practically identical. But Zhao Xiaojuan was undeniably beautiful, and even the usually harsh Wang Guixiang softened her expression.

Although Cheng Jinxiang wasn't exactly a good woman, the child she gave birth to was quite adorable, and looked remarkably like Zhao Tiesheng when he was a child.

Because of Zhao Xiaojuan, Wang Guixiang's expression softened considerably. She glanced at Cheng Jinxiang and said irritably, "Now that you're back, you should fulfill your responsibilities as a daughter-in-law of the Zhao family. Hurry up and go to the kitchen to cook dinner. I'm waiting for dinner."

Wang Guixiang ordered Cheng Jinxiang around as before, but this time Cheng Jinxiang obviously wouldn't listen to Wang Guixiang. She said directly, "I just finished my postpartum confinement period, and my back is still sore. I can't touch water or do housework yet. Mom, you should cook the meals first."

When Wang Guixiang heard this, she almost vomited with anger. What did she mean by not being able to touch water or do housework? This was clearly just a way of saying she didn't want to do it! She had heard that Cheng Jinxiang cooked and stir-fried dishes every day at her parents' home, and she could walk and carry things. She was nothing like the person she was talking about who couldn't do housework.

Just as Wang Guixiang was about to say something, Zhao Tiesheng said directly, "Mom, Jinxiang has come all this way to the Zhao family and she must be tired. You can ask the third son's wife to do it. Don't make Jinxiang do it. I'll help her into the house first. It's windy outside, and Jinxiang has just finished her postpartum period. I'm worried that she won't be able to handle it, and I'm even more worried that the baby will catch a cold."