Xi Chun was unaware of their plans; she was currently receiving Wang Shi and Xiao Feng.
"I heard you were back, so I came to see you. You've been away from home for so long, I imagine you've been busy with a lot of things. You can look after Xiaofeng, I'll take care of the rest." Wang seemed to be in much better spirits, and with the family's life improving, they were living a more comfortable life.
"It's alright, it's not a big deal. I'm eating alone, so there's no need to prepare too much. You can sit and take care of Xiaofeng."
“He’s very well-behaved. As long as we keep an eye on him so he doesn’t fall off the bed, it’ll be fine. We can work together and it’ll be faster.” Wang didn’t agree. Instead, she picked up a handkerchief and started wiping him.
“Your Uncle Ma has earned quite a bit this year, and things are even better for the family than before. You don’t need to worry about us. Just live your own life. I’m so happy that my daughter is so capable.” Wang looked at Xichun with eyes full of satisfaction.
"As long as you work hard, life will always get better and better."
"Yes, but you'll be fifteen after the New Year, so you should hurry up with your marriage. You mentioned a son-in-law who would move in with his wife's family, but I think that's unlikely. I heard that Qiangzi from Zhang's family was going to become a son-in-law. Just look at how your Uncle Zhang and Aunt Zhang were. Who would want to become a son-in-law in a good, hardworking family?"
I think you should give up on this idea and find a hardworking young man instead.
Wang's words made Xichun look at her sideways. She thought for a moment before asking, "Mother, could it be that you have taken a fancy to someone from another family?"
"Hey, it's your decision. I'm just offering a suggestion. But I do think that since Qiangzi is planning to meet someone, and the two families live close by, he can take care of you in the future. We're all from the same village, and your Aunt Zhang isn't the type to cause trouble. How about I find someone to act as a matchmaker and introduce you two?"
Xi Chun was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this. She had initially thought that Old Madam Ma was up to something again and wanted Wang Shi to take the lead, but she never expected that she was genuinely thinking of her best interests.
"Mom, don't worry about this. Qiangzi and I are just like brother and sister. We have no other intentions. Besides, business people can't have too many emotional entanglements, otherwise the business might go wrong. I think the current way of cooperating is pretty good."
"I know what I'm doing, so don't worry. As for whether or not we'll find a son-in-law to live with us, that's a matter of fate. But I'm still thinking that one of our children will take my father's surname." Xi Chun felt that once a promise was made, it should be kept, especially since something like time travel had happened; she still needed to respect nature.
"It's good that you think this way. Although your father regretted not having a son, he treated you very well. He always gave you his food first before eating it himself. If he knew this in the afterlife, he would be very happy."
Upon hearing this, Wang knew that Xichun had no feelings for Qiangzi. Her daughter was a very opinionated person, and she didn't want to interfere too much, otherwise she was afraid that even this little bit of mother-daughter affection would be lost.
"Bang bang bang, open the door, open the door quickly!" Just as Wang was about to continue speaking, there was a loud knocking sound from outside, along with a man's voice.
"Who is it? Why are they shouting so loudly?" Wang frowned.
"Mother, don't go out yet. Hold your little brother tight. I'll go check at the door." Xichun was also a little puzzled. If it were someone from the village, they wouldn't be so rude, would they?
As soon as Xichun reached the courtyard gate, she heard a loud knocking.
"Who are you? What are you doing in our village? Who are you looking for?" Xi Chun was about to observe who it was when she heard Uncle Zhang's voice.
"We're here to collect a debt. This family owes us money. If they don't open the door, we brothers won't be polite. People inside, hurry up!" one of the men shouted.
"Debt collectors? Why would these people come looking for you, Xichun? You haven't borrowed money from anyone, have you?" Wang asked suspiciously, holding Xiaofeng in her arms.
“I haven’t borrowed any money. I’m afraid it’s something to do with Old Chen’s family, and they’re trying to drag me into it.” Xi Chun’s face darkened as she thought of what the village chief had said last night.
"Then, what should we do? What does the Chen family's business have to do with you? They want to protect their precious grandson, yet they want to cause trouble for you. They deserve to die. The whole family is no good!" As soon as Wang heard this, she understood. She had been gloating for a long time after hearing about the Chen family's situation.
"It's alright, let's wait a bit. Someone should go and inform the village chief." Xi Chun didn't know how many people they had, so she didn't dare to open the door rashly. She wanted Wang Shi to leave first, but she was worried that the back door would also be blocked.
"If you don't open the door, we'll smash it down! Open the door! Open the door!" Someone was banging on the door from outside.
“The family you’re knocking on has no debts. You’ve come to the wrong place. If you don’t leave now, we’ll call for help.” Uncle Zhang said, while telling Qiangzi to go and call the village chief and other villagers to come and support him.
"Hmph, it's only right to pay back debts. It was Chen Lizhong's family who sent us here. Do you think you can just say you don't owe us anything? We've already investigated and found out that this is Chen Lizhong's second uncle's house. He's the one who sent us here."
The person outside seemed determined to tear the door down. Xi Chun was worried that since it was almost New Year's Day, they might smash the door. So she let Wang Shi into the house and opened the door herself.
“Chen Lizhong’s family has severed ties with me, everyone in the village knows that. If you come to my house again, don’t blame me for reporting you to the authorities.” After opening the door, Xi Chun saw seven or eight big men standing at the door and immediately explained the situation.
"Sever ties? Who are you trying to fool? You think you can just cut ties like that? Chen Lizhong already said you're all family. You'll pay back his debts for him." The leader glared at him and was about to step forward to question him.
“We don’t care whether you’re related or not, that’s your own business. Chen Lizhong owes us money at exorbitant interest rates. You’re all family. If you don’t pay back the money, then we’ll have no choice but to move our things. Young lady, you’re in business yourself. You know that we business people leave once we’ve paid and won’t bother you again.”
“If Chen Lizhong owes you money, you should go to Chen Lizhong to ask for it. Besides, his house and land are still there. It makes no sense for you to come to me. My father has been gone for a long time, and I have no dealings with his family for a long time. Even if you want to collect the debt, you can't get it from me. Do you think you can just go to whoever he tells you to ask? Would you dare to go to the county magistrate if he told you to?”
Xi Chun was speechless at this behavior of not understanding human language.
"Anyway, we don't care, we just want money. Little girl, if you know what's good for you, hurry up and hand over the money. It's the New Year, and we brothers don't want to shed blood. We all want to have a good time." The man seemed not to understand and insisted on getting money from Xichun.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
