Reborn in a small village in the 1990s

Chapter 116

"Then I don't know what happened, but your grandpa just exploded. That guy's voice was so loud, he jumped up and down, trying to kill your dad and third uncle. What did he say again? Let me think... I remember now, your grandpa said: 'I can spend my money however I want! You two bastards, you've gone too far, lecturing your old man! If I don't kill you two beasts today, I'm not Zhao Tingxu!' Then they started fighting, it was such a commotion, some were fighting, some were cursing, it alarmed the whole village. Let me tell you, it was a real scene of wives crying and children screaming, it was incredibly lively..."

"Hehehehe, cousin, you need to watch your words first. We girls should be more refined. You can't be like me. I'm young, so even if I swear, people will just laugh it off. But you're almost old enough to get married, so don't be so unrefined when you go out." Zhao Da'e chuckled. "I just want to know if my grandfather didn't kill my dad and my third uncle. Should my grandfather change his name?"

"Hahaha! I don't know then." Zhou Chunwen said with a laugh. "Later, with so many people trying to stop the fight, it naturally didn't break out. Then another group of people went to mediate, and it was quite a lively scene. Big Goose, your idea was really good. Let Zhao Yongbo cause trouble. Children speak without thinking. After he said it, I don't know how, but they all believed your family's wealth and had your grandparents buy an apartment for your aunt."

Zhao Da'e gave a sly smile: "It's not that I'm so great. It's just that my dad and his two brothers had already guessed it. Complaining about being poor and being truly poor are not the same thing."

Look at those wealthy nouveau riche, like the family on the east side of our backyard. They always wear tattered clothes, and that mink hat they still wear is from the Qing Dynasty. But let me tell you, they're very rich. When their son got married, his future daughter-in-law needed to build a house, and they not only didn't have a penny to spare, but they also easily provided for their son's wedding. The new house was quite nice, and afterwards, they even found their son a job at a supply and marketing cooperative. And just a few years later, they built a new house for their second son and got him married. They usually eat simple, everyday meals, sometimes not even as well as we do, saving wherever they can, but when it matters, they have money. That's what it means to feign poverty. On the other hand, our family is truly poor. Except for the old folks who eat a little better, and my third uncle and his family who eat haphazardly, my mother and I are practically eating coarse grains and wild vegetables.

Forget about a new house, we don't even have a courtyard wall. Sister, you can't afford to build a house, so a courtyard wall isn't unreasonable, is it? It's just going to the quarry in the mountains, getting some stones, adding some red clay, and the wall is done, right? It's tiring work, but it doesn't cost much. My family members are either lazy or afraid of spending money on a courtyard wall.

Because nowadays people use bricks and cement for the top of their walls, but the base is still made of stone or adobe. The top is all set up for better rain protection. The only problem is the cost of cement and sand, plus the money for hiring help and meals; they just can't afford it. That's real poverty. My dad, though not the best guy, isn't stupid. He's had a feeling his money was gone for a long time, but he didn't dare ask. My third uncle, on the other hand, is very smart; otherwise, how could he have gotten into high school? My third uncle eats with my grandparents every day, lives so close, he must know about any trouble. But he wasn't sure, and he didn't dare say anything. Now that his wife has run away, what's there to be afraid of?"