Reborn in a small village in the 1990s

But Cheng Jinxi heard something else entirely. She knew very well how Wang Guixiang treated the geese. She was incredibly harsh, and the geese were often left with scars from her beatings. If she hadn't protected them, the beatings would probably have been even more severe.

Zhao Tiesheng kept saying that he would protect the women and prevent Wang Guixiang from bullying them after he returned, but now, as soon as Da'e told the truth, Zhao Tiesheng denied it and spoke up for Wang Guixiang.

What about all the suffering I endured before? Did Zhao Tiesheng think I deserved it?

Zhao Tiesheng wanted to hold Cheng Jinxiang's hand to show his sincerity, but Cheng Jinxiang turned her head away with a cold look.

Zhao Tiesheng took Cheng Jinxiang's hand, but Cheng Jinxiang pulled her hand away the next second and said directly to Cheng Jinxi, "Big sister, Xiaojuan is almost awake now and needs me to go back and coax her. I'm leaving now."

Cheng Jinxiang used her youngest daughter as an excuse to leave, not wanting to stay with Zhao Tiesheng.

Cheng Jinxi understood the meaning behind Cheng Jinxiang's words and quickly nodded in agreement, "Then you should go back quickly. Your brother-in-law and I are fine here."

After receiving a response, Cheng Jinxiang left. When Zhao Tiesheng saw Cheng Jinxiang get up and leave, his deep drunkenness instantly sobered up. What didn't he know? Cheng Jinxiang just wanted to avoid him and didn't want to go back to the Zhao family with him.

Seeing Cheng Jinxiang leave, Zhao Tiesheng took the opportunity to follow her. At the door, he grabbed Cheng Jinxiang's sleeve and said hurriedly, "Jinxiang, no matter how angry you are, it's been more than a month, so you should have calmed down by now. Come back with me."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Jinxiang immediately shook off Zhao Tiesheng's hand. "Angry? Then tell me why I'm angry?"

Zhao Tiesheng scratched his head and honestly replied, "Didn't you go back to your parents' home because you didn't get to live in a tiled house after your confinement period? I know it's Mom's fault. How could she let you live in that storage room while you were confinementing? But I asked Mom, and she said she'll build us a new house later, so we can live there for now. Besides, you lived in a storage room when you gave birth to the goose, didn't you? Why are you making a fuss about living in a tiled house now that you're having a baby? Jinxiang, you've become a bit spoiled. This won't do."

Just as Zhao Tiesheng was about to lecture her, Cheng Jinxiang's expression changed, and she shouted, "You've said enough! No matter what, this mistake can't be blamed on you. Do you think I went back to my parents' home because of my mother-in-law? You're wrong. The main reason I went back to my parents' home is you, Zhao Tiesheng!"

This was the first time Zhao Tiesheng had seen Cheng Jinxiang so angry. He was at a loss and even felt a little aggrieved. "No, Jinxiang, what are you talking about? How could this be my fault? I've always been very good to you. I've never hit or scolded you."

Cheng Jinxiang was disappointed in Zhao Tiesheng. Her eyes were red as she looked at him and slowly said, "Yes, when I was in confinement after giving birth to Da'e, I stayed in the storeroom. I could still manage then, but your mother often made me go out to help with chores. I didn't recover properly, and even now, my lower back and cervical spine still hurt when I bend over to do chores. It's because I didn't take good care of myself during my confinement. I told you back then that I asked your mother not to torture me like that, that I couldn't take it. But what did you say? You said that your mother had always been like this, and that I couldn't endure hardship?"

"Look around, which wife has to do housework during her postpartum period? Besides, when the goose was born, my mom brought over a few pounds of eggs, and you, you took them all to your mom. You're really something. Even so, I didn't hold it against you. This time, everything was fine at the hospital, and after I was discharged, the old couple said they'd move me out of the hospital to a different place for my postpartum period. They could have even said they'd move me out later, but look at how your family handled it!"

"And you never think you're wrong. I say one thing, and you always have a follow-up. I don't even know where those follow-ups come from. And today, my older sister's son is going on a family reunion, and you had the nerve to ask about it? Why couldn't you say something later? Why did you have to say it today? Besides, what do you have to say? You've been married for seven or eight years, and life has gotten harder and harder. You've reached the end of your rope. Your Zhao family has no house, no yard, and no money. We told you to go out and work, but you only learned to be a bricklayer, and you only earned a little less than others. You can only stay at home and farm, and your parents even have to spend the money from farming. When we say something to you, you're still not convinced. If you're so capable, then live your own life."

Zhao Tiesheng was stunned by what he heard, and he resisted Cheng Jinxiang's statement from the bottom of his heart.

Wrong? What did he do wrong?

Is he wrong simply because he didn't consider her feelings?

What kind of mistake is this?

Zhao Tiesheng felt terrible, but he didn't know how to respond to Cheng Jinxiang. His face was already showing some impatience. "Fine, go back to this house if you want, or don't. Do you really think I'm begging you to come back?"

"You're so dramatic. You cry and whine over a little hardship. My mom had it even harder than you, but she never said a word and still raised six children. Look at you, you've only suffered a little and you're already staying at your parents' house and not coming back. Which married woman in the village is like you, staying at her parents' house for more than a month at a time? Do you know what people in the village have been saying about me lately?"

Before Zhao Tiesheng could finish speaking, Cheng Jinxiang interrupted him, shoving him and saying angrily, "Then don't come looking for me. If you don't like me, then let's get a divorce. I can raise our two daughters myself!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Cheng Jinxiang left without looking back.

Besides harboring resentment towards Wang Guixiang, she also held grudges against the man she was with. She used to be weak, but after her brush with death in the hospital and that incredibly vivid dream, the thought of Xiaojuan being given away and disappearing, and Da'e being bullied by her in-laws in the Zhao family, made Cheng Jinxiang stronger.

Even her eyes had become much firmer. A mother's love makes her strong. Whether for herself or for her two daughters, she could not be weak. She had to be strong when she needed to be.

Seeing Cheng Jinxiang leave like that, Zhao Tiesheng was also very annoyed. He kicked a pebble in front of him and said irritably, "Go back or don't go, do you really think I'm begging you to come back?"

Cheng Jinxiang's words made Zhao Tiesheng feel embarrassed and uncomfortable.

Of course, Zhao Tiesheng also ignored Cheng Jinxiang's mention of "divorce." No matter what, he would not get a divorce. The two of them already had two daughters and had been together for almost ten years. Divorce is not that simple, and many things cannot be explained by divorce.

But now Zhao Tiesheng's patience is almost worn out by Cheng Jinxiang.

Zhou Yuren stood at the gate of the courtyard. He had heard Cheng Jinxiang and Zhao Tiesheng's conversation clearly. He sighed and shook his head.

He chased after them because he was afraid they would argue, and it turned out just as he thought. They did argue, and his sister-in-law, Cheng Jinxiang, was so angry that she left.

Upon seeing Zhou Yuren, Zhao Tiesheng couldn't help but complain, "Brother-in-law, tell me, what did I do wrong? I've never hit her or scolded her. I'm out working and earning money every day. I don't have any bad friends, and I don't spend money recklessly. But just because I didn't speak up for Jinxiang when she had a conflict with my mother, she got angry. Tell me, is that reasonable?"

“I’m a grown man, and I’ve come to her parents’ house time and time again to beg her to come back, but I’ve been turned away every time. Do you know what people in the village are saying about me? They say I’m a useless man who can’t even control my own wife. How can I save face like this?”

Thinking of this, Zhao Tiesheng couldn't help but blame his mother. If his mother hadn't bullied Jinxiang all day and made her stay in the storeroom for her postpartum confinement, would Jinxiang have thrown a tantrum and gone back to her parents' home? Also, when Jinxiang was in confinement after giving birth to the goose, it was Wang Guixiang who made Cheng Jinxiang do it, which is why she developed many health problems. In the end, it was all Wang Guixiang's fault. She could have asked her younger brother and sister-in-law Cuilan to do these things, but Wang Guixiang insisted on making Cheng Jinxiang do them.

This made Zhao Tiesheng feel very uncomfortable. His mother only favored his third son and his sister-in-law, and treated his wife and his sister-in-law with completely different attitudes.

Zhao Tiesheng still remembers how Wang Guixiang treated Zhang Cuilan during her postpartum confinement, serving her tea and water and taking good care of her inside and out. Cheng Jinxiang was the one doing all the work. In contrast, the difference between Wang Guixiang's attitude during Zhang Cuilan's confinement was like heaven and earth.

Zhao Tiesheng's resentment towards his mother intensified.

After listening to Zhao Tiesheng's complaints, Zhou Yuren patted Zhao Tiesheng on the shoulder and advised, "Tiesheng, Jinxiang has had a hard time too. Look at her, she hasn't had a good life since marrying into the Zhao family. She's often mistreated by your mother. It's normal for her to have grievances. Be more patient and tolerant with her."

“The couple doesn’t have such deep conflicts. Life goes on. If you apologize, admit your mistake, and be nicer, Jinxiang might go back with you.”

Hearing Zhou Yuren say this, Zhao Tiesheng retorted angrily, "Brother-in-law, haven't I done enough? I've come several times, begging Cheng Jinxiang to come home with me, but I've been humiliated every time. After so many times, I've lost my temper. Do you know what outsiders think of me now? I..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Yuren interrupted him, "Alright, no matter what, Jinxiang is still my sister-in-law. Tiesheng, this time I'm on Jinxiang's side. If you want Jinxiang to go back with you, you need to show your attitude. If you think saving face is more important, then don't come looking for Jinxiang to go back to the Zhao family. I'll stop here and go back inside. Old Ma is waiting to have a drinking contest with me."

At this point, Zhou Yuren paused for a moment.

"Do you know how difficult it is to find a wife these days? Jinxiang is capable and virtuous, and even her daughter, Da'e, is well-behaved and obedient. She helps with chores at a young age. Marrying Jinxiang is your blessing. If you don't cherish her, there's nothing I can do if she runs away."

Having said that, Zhou Yuren didn't care how much Zhao Tiesheng would take in; he had a lot of things to deal with today.

Zhou Yuren left, leaving Zhao Tiesheng sulking. After hearing what Zhou Yuren said, Zhao Tiesheng felt even more agitated. He paced back and forth in the yard, his mind in turmoil, unsure of what to do.

"Why is it so hard to get Jinxiang back?" Zhao Tiesheng muttered to himself. After thinking for a long time, he came to a conclusion: "It's all my mother's fault. If it weren't for her, Jinxiang wouldn't have had any conflicts with me. I must have a good talk with her when I get back."

the other side

Xu Meihua also knew some things about Cheng Jinxiang. A few days ago, she saw Cheng Jinxiang arguing with her wicked mother-in-law. Seeing that Cheng Jinxiang didn't want to talk to Zhao Tiesheng, she subconsciously thought that Zhao Tiesheng must have done something to wrong Cheng Jinxiang.

Xu Meihua was also somewhat hesitant. She glanced at Zhou Tianfu, who was currently drinking with Old Ma. He seemed reliable, but she wondered if he would treat his wife badly like Zhao Tiesheng had. After all, Zhao Tiesheng seemed honest and steady, yet he still managed to drive his wife back to her parents' home.

Cheng Jinxi was also observant. Seeing Xu Meihua looking at Zhou Tianfu as if she wanted to ask but was unsure whether to, Cheng Jinxi said directly, "Aunt Xu, do you have any questions for Tianfu?"

Cheng Jinxi was a little nervous, afraid that the woman's family might not be satisfied with his son. It was better to speak up if there were any problems, otherwise, if they kept it to themselves and were dissatisfied with his son, the marriage would fall through.

Xu Meihua was also very straightforward, and she asked Zhou Tianfu directly, "Tianfu, what do you think of your third aunt's husband?"

When Zhou Tianfu heard this question, he breathed a sigh of relief. He had been wondering if the woman was dissatisfied with him, but he didn't expect her to ask this question.

Without thinking, Zhou Tianfu replied, "Of course it's not good to say that."

Xu Meihua's eyes lit up, and she pressed, "Then tell me, what's wrong with it, and what would you do if you were in her shoes?"

Zhou Tianfu replied, "Although my third aunt's husband is honest and capable, he doesn't protect his wife. My third aunt was bullied by her mother-in-law in the Zhao family, but my third aunt's husband didn't say anything or even speak up for her. If it were me, I would never let anyone bully my wife. If someone hits or insults my wife, I would definitely retaliate, even if that person is my mother."

Hearing her son say that, Cheng Jinxi felt both angry and helpless. "You little rascal, do I look that vicious? I don't have time to bully your future wife."

Ma Huaihua's eyes lit up, and she felt even more favorably disposed towards Zhou Tianfu. She thought that marrying Zhou Tianfu in the future would not be bad, as he was not only good-looking and ambitious, but also knew how to protect his wife.

But Ma Huaihua blushed and didn't dare to look Zhou Tianfu in the eye.

After hearing Zhou Tianfu's words, Xu Meihua felt relieved and became even more satisfied with him. She thought that if her granddaughter married him in the future, at least her granddaughter would not suffer any grievances.

"But you can't be unfilial either. You can't be filial indiscriminately either. Although it's said that even an upright official can't settle family disputes, life is like a two-way street; if one side isn't enthusiastic, then it won't work."

Zhou Puren also chimed in, "Tianfu, I think you'll not only be a family man in the future, but also someone who will pamper his wife."

Zhou Tianfu felt a little embarrassed after hearing this. He looked down at Ma Huaihua and couldn't help but smile. "Uncle, what are you saying? I haven't even gotten married yet. If you want to know if I'm family-oriented and will pamper my wife, you'll have to wait until I have a wife."