Reborn in a small village in the 1990s

Chapter 284

Cheng Jinxiao felt wronged. She hadn't planned to get married again this year, so it was good to have some money on her. Therefore, she could only lend Cheng Jinxi a few hundred yuan; she couldn't give any more.

Unable to borrow the money, Cheng Jinxi was in a bad mood, and even her tone became distant. "Then I'll ask for less, a thousand yuan, Jinxiao. I'm asking you whether you'll lend it to me or not."

Cheng Jinxiao's face was also very ugly. A thousand yuan! That's a thousand yuan! She wasn't sure how much the gold necklace she was wearing could sell for, but she knew it would definitely be worth several thousand yuan. According to the recent gold price, it would definitely be worth more than two thousand yuan. But deep down, she didn't want to give Cheng Jinxi that much money. Borrowing money is easy, but repaying it is hard. Cheng Jinxiao knew this all too well. Besides, she also needed money herself. She didn't plan to stay at her parents' house permanently. She would definitely move out and find a job in the future.

Having some money on hand would give her more time to prepare and make things easier, but Cheng Jinxiao was unwilling to borrow so much money from Cheng Jinxi all at once.

Not wanting to deal with Cheng Jinxi any longer, Cheng Jinxiao said directly, "Big sister, let me put this to you, I can only lend you a maximum of five hundred yuan, and I can't come up with any more than that."

Seeing that Cheng Jinxiao was really unwilling to contribute more money, Cheng Jinxi's eyes reddened with anger. Seeing Cheng Jinxiao's firm stance, Cheng Jinxi retorted angrily, "Cheng Jinxiao, do you still consider Tianfu your nephew? You have money but are unwilling to contribute. You could have easily helped me raise the dowry money. It's a shame Tianfu has been so attached to you all these years. Besides, it's not like I won't pay you back. At most two years, I'll definitely be able to pay it all back. Alright, if you're unwilling, I won't force you."

After saying that, Cheng Jinxi left angrily, not wanting to look at Cheng Jinxiao again.

I was so happy, but this is the result. I was even thinking about how to find a good family for Cheng Jinxiao. Now that I think about it, Cheng Jinxiao is really not worthy of my efforts.

Cheng Jinxi was dissatisfied. Her first thought was not to go back to the Zhou family, but to go back to her parents' home to complain to her mother, Wang.

Cheng Jinxiao was somewhat at a loss as she watched Cheng Jinxi's departing figure. It wasn't that she was unwilling to help, but the amount was too large. Honestly, Cheng Jinxiao felt that she didn't owe Cheng Jinxi anything.

Cheng Jinxi said she would help her find a good family after the New Year, but the key point is that she hasn't found anyone yet, and she's already putting a hat on her head and complaining about how hard things are for her. Cheng Jinxiao was also unhappy to hear this.

Moreover, when they came to pick her up, it wasn't just Tianfu who came; Da'e also came to pick her up. Da'e didn't ask for any compensation, but Cheng Jinxi came over to play the victim.

This made Cheng Jinxiao feel very uncomfortable.

Feeling depressed, she finds fault with everything, and even going back to her parents' home brings a host of troubles.

The truth is that you shouldn't flaunt your wealth. When you have no money, everyone looks down on you. But when you have money, everyone covets your wealth.

Besides, this is all the money I have left. I don't even know how I'll survive in the future. And this lady is making such a huge demand. Does she think everyone else is going to refuse her son's marriage proposal?

Cheng Jinxiao also felt a bit disheartened. She had originally planned to go out for a walk to clear her head, but now her mood had only worsened.

Cheng Jinxiao touched the gold necklace around her neck again. She hadn't taken it off since she put it on, even when it was inconvenient to sleep, just in case someone saw it or coveted it. Now look what happened, someone is after her.

Cheng Jinxiao was worried that if too many people found out, someone would steal her gold necklace, which wouldn't do. She thought it would be better to go to the county now and sell the gold necklace, then put the money into a savings account in her own name, so she could feel more at ease.

Thinking of this, Cheng Jinxiao immediately set off for the county. She had a lot of change on her, about a hundred yuan, from selling boxed lunches. Zhao Da'e had stuffed the money into her pockets, just in case she lost it. It was very convenient to take it out whenever she wanted to use it.

In a bad mood, Cheng Jinxi turned around and went into her parents' house. She went straight to Wang's room without even closing the door and woke up Wang, who was sleeping soundly in bed.

Cheng Jinxi's eyes were still red. She was furious with Cheng Jinxiao. She had treated Cheng Jinxiao well, but how did he repay her? He didn't want to help her when she needed it, even though she had often thought about Cheng Jinxiao and how to find her a good family after the New Year.

Wang was woken up by someone pushing her. Before she could react, she heard Cheng Jinxi complaining.

"Mom, Jinxiao is such an ingrate! You know, I've been busy with Jinxiao's affairs these past few days. I even had my eldest son go to such a far place to pick her up, and I helped her arrange her second marriage. I've been thinking of her in every way, but when I need help, she turns a blind eye. She's clearly capable, but she just doesn't want to help me. I'm so angry with her. She's really wasted all my good intentions."

Wang was still in a daze. Feeling a little dizzy, she asked, "What exactly happened? Tell me slowly. What do you mean Jin Xiao is capable but didn't come to help you? The more I listen, the more confused I get."

Cheng Jinxi sighed and then sat down to explain the situation. "Mom, you don't know, Jinxiao isn't as miserable as we think. There's no such thing as a divorce or being bullied. Besides, she has a gold necklace on her, a heavy and big gold necklace. She could probably sell it for several thousand yuan!"

“These past few days I’ve been so busy and stressed about Tianfu’s matter, right? We’re short a few thousand yuan for the bride price, and I was thinking of borrowing it from Jinxiao. It’s not like I don’t want to pay her back. When my eldest daughter gets married and we have the bride price, I can pay her back. It’s only a few years, right? But that ingrate Jinxiao immediately puts on a sour face as soon as she hears that I want to borrow money and refuses to lend it to me. Tell me, I’ve helped her so much these past few days, and she’s even her older sister. If she won’t lend it to me, do you think I’ll lend it to an outsider?”

Upon hearing Cheng Jinxi's words, Wang's first reaction was relief. She was relieved that her youngest daughter had a few thousand yuan to live on, so that her life wouldn't be too difficult and she wouldn't be looked down upon by others. However, she had some reservations about what Cheng Jinxi had said.

“You’re the eldest sister, don’t you understand your own family? Your sister has never had a good day in that Li family, she’s suffered so much. She finally has a little money, but you’re after her money and want her to lend you all of it. What are you going to do with your sister? What if she’s bullied when she has no money?” Wang said from Cheng Jinxiao’s perspective, giving Cheng Jinxi a good scolding.

Seeing that her mother wasn't on her side, Cheng Jinxi's pent-up grievances exploded instantly. She stood up and said aggrievedly, "Mom! You've spoiled Jinxiao since she was little. Who could possibly bully her? She lives at her parents' house, where we take care of her and protect her. We treat her to the best food and drink. When I hear outsiders saying things about her or cursing her, I always stand up for her. But when I encounter difficulties, she doesn't help me at all. Mom, I feel so bitter and wronged!"

Wang couldn't stand it anymore. She yelled at Cheng Jinxi, "You're not allowed to lay a finger on your little sister! Your little sister has had a hard life, and you want to take all her money? Do you have any conscience? You call your little sister an ingrate, but I don't think you're any better. You lent her money only for your son, hoping he'd get married soon so you could have a grandson. But have you thought about your little sister? You'll have your son to rely on in the future, but your little sister has no children. Who can she rely on? Can she rely on you? All you can think about is how to get money from your little sister! I think it's right for your little sister to keep this money. Maybe you'll take this gold necklace and never pay it back."

Cheng Jinxi was enraged by what she was said. "Mom, how could you think of me like that! Do you think I'm that kind of person? I know Jinxiao has no children, so I tried my best to find her a good family so she would have someone to rely on. Besides, I'm not someone who doesn't pay back money I owe. Mom, do you think I'm that awful? How bad do you think I am? These past few years, you've been bedridden and in poor health, and I've come to take care of you from time to time. And what has Jinxiao done for you? You haven't seen any of my efforts over the years. In your eyes, I'm just a villain!"

"Cheng Jinxiao has only been taking care of you for a short time. She didn't even think of coming to see you when she knew you were unwell and bedridden. Now that things are bad for her, she's come back in a sorry state. Only when she sees you're failing do she think of doing her filial duty and taking care of you. If she had known this would happen, why didn't she come back to see you in the first place? I think she's just a hypocrite!"

Before she could finish speaking, Wang's eyes reddened, and she scolded him with a mixture of anger, annoyance, and heartache, "Shut up! Don't talk about your sister's money; even my money is only lent if I'm willing to lend it. If I'm not willing, then forget it. Is it okay to force someone to lend money?"

Wang was also so moved by Cheng Jinxi's words that she choked up and her eyes reddened.

She was old and frail, unable to command or educate her children. She never imagined that all the children she raised would be selfish and self-centered, lacking any sense of unity. She feared that after she died, the family would fall apart.

Cheng Jinxi was completely stunned by the shout. She looked at Wang Shi in disbelief and choked out, "Mom, you actually yelled at me for Jinxiao's sake? All these years, all the kindness I've shown you is less than that of an ungrateful wretch who hasn't come back for five years!"

Wang couldn't stand the word "ungrateful wretch." With all her might, she threw the pillow at Cheng Jinxi, her finger trembling as she pointed at him and said, "Get out! Get out of here!"

Cheng Jinxi's heart turned completely cold. Wang's favoritism made Cheng Jinxi sneer, "Fine, I'm leaving!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Cheng Jinxi left without the slightest hesitation.

Wang leaned helplessly against the side, trembling with anger. She felt terrible, distressed, helpless, heartbroken, and regretful. She murmured to herself, "What a tragedy, what a tragedy!"

Little did they know, Zhu Yufeng had overheard everything from outside the door. Upon hearing that Cheng Jinxiao had an expensive gold necklace, Zhu Yufeng's expression changed, and she couldn't help but have some ulterior motives.

If she can get this gold necklace, then she can have an extra two thousand yuan, right?

But despite her thoughts, Zhu Yufeng wasn't shameless enough to directly snatch Cheng Jinxiao's gold necklace.

Cheng Jinxi was so angry that she ran straight back to the Zhou family. Zhu Yufeng had no appetite for cooking dinner and kept thinking about the gold necklace. Cheng Jinxiang, on the other hand, was completely confused. She didn't know where her younger sister Cheng Jinxiao had gone, nor did she know why her older sister Cheng Jinxi had left the Cheng family so angrily. She called her, but Cheng Jinxiang didn't respond.

Inside the room, Wang was furious, her eyes red with anger. A pillow had fallen to the floor. Cheng Jinxiang asked Wang a question, but Wang didn't say anything. She just lay on the bed and cried silently.

Helpless, Cheng Jinxiang could only wash a towel and wipe Wang's red eyes and body.

"Mom, although I don't know what happened between you and my eldest sister, please don't hold it against her. She's been very good to you. She often comes back to her parents' home to take care of you, and she always thinks of you first when she gets something good to eat. I know she shouldn't be angry with you. Although we don't know what happened, we've all seen how good she's been to you. Mom, please don't be angry with her."

What Cheng Jinxiang didn't know was that her actions not only failed to persuade Wang Shi, but also made Wang Shi cry even harder. Cheng Jinxiang suddenly felt a little helpless and didn't know what to do.

"What do you know?" Wang scolded, "If your eldest sister were half as filial as you, that would be good. Of all you sisters, your youngest sister is decisive and bold. You're timid and a bit spineless. As for your eldest sister, she has the worst temper. She has good intentions, but I doubt it. You can't see it, but I saw that your eldest sister's family is in dire straits just from building that new house. This isn't about borrowing money; she's forcing it on them."

"Your sister will be all alone and destitute after I'm gone. How dare she shamelessly ask her for money? Isn't that just robbing your sister?"

Cheng Jinxiang also sighed, but she was helpless.

Meanwhile, Cheng Rongguo had finished his work and returned to the Cheng family home. As soon as he got back, Zhu Yufeng pulled him into the room. Seeing Zhu Yufeng acting so mysteriously, Cheng Rongguo asked in confusion, "What's wrong with you? Why did you pull me into the room to talk?"

Zhu Yufeng said, "You blockhead, do you even know that something big has happened in the family?"

Cheng Rongguo was completely bewildered. Big news? What big news? He had just returned and knew nothing about it.

Seeing Cheng Rongguo like this, Zhu Yufeng had no choice but to slowly explain, "Let me tell you, Jinxi and Mom had a fight today. Jinxi got so angry that her eyes turned red and she ran away from us."

Cheng Rongguo immediately thought, "Impossible, absolutely impossible. Don't I know Jinxi's personality? She's usually very filial to Mom, how could she have a fight with her?"

When Zhu Yufeng saw Cheng Rongguo retort, she retorted angrily, "What else could they be arguing about? Of course, it's because of your little sister who just came back not long ago."

Cheng Rongguo was shocked. He said seriously, "Are you telling the truth? Did Mom really argue with Jinxi because of Jinxiao? But why? Didn't Jinxi agree with Jinxiao coming back? And Jinxiao is living in our house. How did Jinxi and Mom argue about Jinxiao? Is it because Jinxi wants to find Jinxiao a good family?"

After thinking it over, Cheng Rongguo felt that this was the most likely reason, but he also felt that it shouldn't be. In any case, his mind was in a mess.