This was the first time Zhang Liunian had spoken to Wu Gudi in such a tone.
Not only was Wu Gudi stunned, but Jiang Qingqing was also taken aback. At the same time, she wondered if her elder sister-in-law's words had been overheard, otherwise why would he be so angry.
"Zhang Liunian, your wings have grown tough! Daring to speak to your elder sister-in-law like this, you heartless wretch, don't you remember who supported you through school and agreed to let you take the college entrance exam?"
"When I graduated from elementary school, my elder sister-in-law hadn't even come to Zhangjia Village yet. It was Qingqing who supported my college entrance exam, it had nothing to do with you."
"."
Zhang Liunian didn't mention it, and Wu Gudi almost forgot that Zhang Liunian had only graduated from elementary school, and it was indeed Jiang Qingqing who had encouraged him to take the exam after they got married.
No one in the Zhang family had exerted any effort, as they all believed Zhang Liunian lacked the ability. As expected, he still hadn't passed after four years.
"Heh, thankfully it wasn't us, otherwise we would have been angered to death. You couldn't even pass in four years, do you expect to pass when you're old and gray?"
Wu Gudi felt she had found Zhang Liunian's weakness and attacked him fiercely.
If it were the Zhang Liunian of his past life, he might indeed have been upset, but Zhang Liunian, having weathered storms, had long since let go.
"Whether I pass the college entrance exam or not, are you going to give me money? What business is it of yours? Don't try to find a sense of presence here. We will repay the money we owe you." Zhang Liunian knew that this elder sister-in-law was no easier to deal with than Tu Meili; she was incredibly troublesome.
"If you're going to repay, then repay now."
Hearing this, Zhang Liunian's intention to repay faltered slightly. "My elder brother lent me the money. If you have him come, I will repay it."
"After a few days apart, your tone has grown increasingly audacious. A penniless slacker actually has the nerve to say he can repay me ten yuan, it's enough to make one laugh their head off."
"Believe it or not, if you don't believe it, then leave." Zhang Liunian didn't want to speak to this elder sister-in-law for another minute.
"Why should I leave? I'm here to have you repay the money. If you don't, you'll give me this house."
"You're dreaming. This house was divided to me by Mom and Dad; it has nothing to do with you, Wu Gudi."
"You owe me ten yuan and you're being unreasonable? Do you really need me to call your elder brother before you'll repay the money?"
"If I can't repay it, I'll call your grandmother. If I can, you'll call me grandfather."
"Those are your words. I'm going to call your elder brother right now." Wu Gudi became extremely agitated when Zhang Liunian made such a statement. After speaking, she turned and went to call her husband.
Seeing her leave, Zhang Liunian's somber expression vanished, and he turned his concern to his wife. "Qingqing, are you alright!"
Jiang Qingqing shook her head, clasped Zhang Liunian's arm with her hands, and said earnestly, "Liunian, if you still want to take the college entrance exam, I will definitely support you."
"No need. There are many paths to the shore of happiness; there's no need to take the college entrance exam." Besides, he wasn't cut out for it. If he were, he would have passed long ago.
"But don't you..."
"I'm not upset. As long as our family is happy, that's all that matters."
"Liunian..."
"Qingqing..."
They looked at each other, as if sparks of love were flashing between them.
Tu Meili, standing outside the courtyard, felt as though she had been force-fed dog food. She curled her lips, turned her head, and sneered, "When Zhang Liushui arrives, let's see how Zhang Liunian manages to produce ten yuan."
As she thought this, Zhang Liushui's voice carried over. "Third brother, don't rush to repay the money. Big brother's family doesn't need it urgently right now. Don't listen to your sister-in-law; she doesn't understand anything."
"I may not understand, but you do. Anyway, I don't care; I want my brother to repay the money today." Wu Gudi finished speaking and sat down on the ground, rolling around.
Seeing her like this, Zhang Liunian was accustomed to it. He stepped forward to his elder brother's side, looked at the young elder brother, and his eyes reddened slightly. It was good, his elder brother hadn't gotten sick and died yet; everything could still be changed.
"Brother, here's a 'Da Tuanjie' (a ten-yuan note). Take it." After steadying his emotions, Zhang Liunian didn't hesitate. He nimbly took a 'Da Tuanjie' from his pocket and handed it over.
"..." Zhang Liushui.
"..." Wu Gudi.
Tu Meili was also stunned. She looked at the ten-yuan note in Zhang Liunian's hand in disbelief, inwardly shouting, Impossible! How could Zhang Liunian, the poorest man in the village, possibly have ten yuan? Where did this money come from?
"Impossible, how could you have ten yuan to repay me?" Wu Gudi shrieked and lunged forward, trying to snatch the 'Da Tuanjie'. Zhang Liunian moved up, making her attempt futile, then solemnly placed the money into his now dumbfounded elder brother's hand.
"Brother, take it!" After speaking, Zhang Liunian looked at Wu Gudi. "You can call them now."
"This must be a counterfeit bill. You couldn't possibly have ten yuan, impossible!" Wu Gudi refused to believe it was a real bill. She snatched the 'Da Tuanjie' and examined it inside and out. Finally, as she was about to say something, Zhang Liushui slapped her.
"Get home, don't embarrass me." Zhang Liushui looked at his third brother apologetically, then turned and left.
Zhang Liunian looked at his elder brother, extended his hand, and then let it fall.
"Zhang Liushui, you bastard, you actually hit me?" Wu Gudi was stunned by Zhang Liushui's blow and only reacted after a while.
Zhang Liunian reminded her, "Hurry up and call!"
Wu Gudi was speechless. At this moment, he still wanted her to call him grandfather. It infuriated her. She lifted her leg to leave, but the next instant, Zhang Liunian's tall figure blocked her path, making it impossible for her to move.
With no other choice, Wu Gudi could only call out "Grandfather" before she could break free.
With Wu Gudi and the others gone, the courtyard quickly became empty. Zhang Liunian put his arm around his wife's shoulder and returned to the house, handing the money to her. "This is today's earnings. Thirty-five yuan is from selling shrimp, and twenty-three yuan is from people insisting on repaying me for doing a good deed."
Jiang Qingqing, without a doubt, excitedly put the money away. "Liunian, you're so amazing, getting paid for doing good deeds. If things continue like this, we'll be able to pay off our debts in less than half a month."
"If you want to, we'll pay off the debt first." Zhang Liunian realized that this debt couldn't be avoided any longer. Yesterday it was Tu Meili, today it was his elder sister-in-law. Tomorrow, perhaps everyone would come. Therefore, he really needed to make money faster. Thinking of making money quickly, Zhang Liunian couldn't help but consider increasing their efforts.
"Qingqing, how about we hire more people, sell more, and earn more? That way, we can pay off the debt sooner." Zhang Liunian looked at Jiang Qingqing's joyous little face and a smile involuntarily appeared on his own.
"I'll listen to you about these things from now on." Jiang Qingqing had never been involved in individual business and decided to defer to her husband.
"After I finish setting up my stall, I'll go call my little sister and Dumb Dumb to help." His little sister was Zhang Liunian's younger sister. Because she fell in love with a sent-down youth, their parents separated them, and she was married off to Tiedingzi. Just six months after their marriage, Tiedingzi died in an accident.