Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 41 - Pay back the money

Yang Peiying cautiously observed her older sister, worried she might lose her temper.

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At Yang Peimin’s table, all the sisters-in-law were seated with their daughters, each curious about her response after Yang Peiyan’s remark.

Zhang Minghua also feared her daughter might grow angry, so she chimed in with a light-hearted tone, “Stop teasing Minmin; she’s sensitive.

You all need to hurry up too,” her last words carrying a hint of vindication.

Yang Peiyan pouted, “Aunt, we’re not the type who can’t get married, no need to rush it.”

“How can you talk like that, Yanzi?” Yang Peiqiong scolded her sister, then turned apologetically to Zhang Minghua, “Aunt, Yanzi’s words are unfiltered; don’t mind her.”

Zhang Minghua wasn’t bothered, instead making light of it, “You and Qiongzi have to work harder then.

Between the siblings, you two are the most educated; when it comes to finding partners, choose someone with a good education.”

“That’s right, not just picking a good one, but in the future, we’ll also seek respectable jobs.

Even if we don’t work at our in-laws’, we’ll still earn their respect,” Yang Peiyan said, eyes full of provocation looking at Yang Peimin.

What was there to be proud of about marrying a soldier?

Considered useless like trash if unable to do household chores, just hope not to be divorced by the in-laws.

But now Zhang Minghua’s mood had soured a bit; her smile had faded as she said, “Oh, then aunt will be watching.”

Yang Peimin also nodded at her, noticing that although Yang Peiyan was still in her second-to-last year of high school, she certainly seemed ambitious.

“Good, being ambitious is fine.

Marrying into a family with many brothers might even outdo your sisters-in-law, enough to boast for a lifetime.”

Enraged, Yang Peiyan couldn’t control her words, “We all know you’re great, seeing two men fight over a girl yesterday must have really pleased you, didn’t it?”

“Yanzi!” Yang Peiqiong and Zhang Minghua shouted in unison.

“Why can she speak her mind and I can’t?

Because this isn’t my house?

I won’t even eat this meal,” Yang Peiyan threw down her chopsticks and stormed off.

“Yanzi!” Yang Peiqiong called after her twice but couldn’t stop her; she was visibly sorry.

“I’m sorry, Aunt.”

This commotion drew the attention of the men at the neighboring two tables, inquiring what had happened.

Zhang Minghua gestured dismissively, “Just kids bickering, let’s all continue eating.” She also told Yang Peiqiong, “It’s not your fault, no need to apologize.”

Yang Peiqiong skillfully shifted the topic away.

Yang Peimin was not affected at all, he even ate a few more bites of rice.

It was Shen Yiguang who secretly glanced at her twice, and she caught him.

She blinked twice, confused, and Shen Yiguang smiled at her signaling that it was nothing.

“Big sister, when will your family return the money borrowed last night?

Qiongzi is waiting to use that money for college.” Sun Mei, who had been quietly eating, suddenly said while looking at Zhang Minghua.

The table fell silent instantly; everyone looked at each other somewhat helplessly.

What was this all about?

It was supposed to be a festive New Year’s reunion dinner.

Even if there was an urgent need for money, she could have asked privately after dinner.

There was no need to embarrass others like this; Sun Mei was clearly taking out her frustration for her younger daughter.

Zhang Minghua’s face turned cold.

This was happening in front of the younger generation; wasn’t this a slap in the face?

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to pay back the money.

Their family had been dealing with a lot recently, and she and Yang Dahai had used up their savings.

Even their daughter’s dowry had been diverted into these expenses, which left her no choice but to reach out to Yang Dajiang.

Last night, she had borrowed fifty yuan from Yang Dajiang and spent over twelve yuan in town today.

There was some money left, and she had planned to gather a bit more to pay back tonight, but before she could proceed, Sun Mei, unable to contain herself, had brought it up, which really angered her.

“Alright, I’m aware of this matter.

I’ll return it to you right after dinner, and I must thank you and my second brother for your help.”

“You just need to remember that,” Sun Mei added coldly, her expressionless face making the large, dark birthmark on her face look even more frightening.

Sisters-in-law Chen Zhaodi and Jiang Erni were not very sociable, and Bai Hehua, being in confinement, had her dinner in her room, so neither stepped in to smooth things over.

Instead, the well had gone even deeper, making the atmosphere fall silent once more.

Zhang Minghua was so annoyed she was lost for words.

Was this the first time they had borrowed money, and now it seemed she was taking advantage of them?

Yang Peimin soothed her back and turned to Sun Mei, “Don’t worry, aunt.

We are not the type to dodge debts.

If mother has money, I’ll go get it for my aunt right away, so she doesn’t have to wait anxiously.” After saying this, she stood up.

People at the next table looked over again.

“It’s alright; I’m getting the money for my aunt.

She’s in a hurry.”

Yang Peiqiong wanted to intervene, but it was too late; Yang Peimin had already crisply finished speaking.

Zhang Minghua slightly pulled at her, shaking her head gently at her daughter.

Borrowing money and repaying debts is honorable.

Although the second sister-in-law’s manner was a bit harsh, it wasn’t necessary to make a big deal out of it.

They were all relatives, so would they stop interacting in the future?

Besides, they might get complaints from the men for causing discord among the brothers.

“Minmin, there’s no rush about this.

We’re in the midst of the New Year’s celebration, let’s not talk about this; please sit down.

The uncles and everyone else are fine; just eat,” Yang Peiqiong said with a smile as she pulled Yang Peimin back down.

Seeing that the situation didn’t escalate, the men were happy to play dumb, “You kids are another year older, why act childish?

Even eating a meal becomes a stumbling block.”

Yang Peimin understood Zhang Minghua’s intentions and sat back down.

“Aunt Minmin, there’s no need to rush.

We haven’t even finished eating yet.

Look how flavorful this chicken is, everyone have a couple more pieces,” she said, adding two pieces of chicken to the bowls of Zhang Minghua and herself.

She didn’t forget her own mother, Sun Mei, “Mother, you eat too.

Let’s not talk about those serious matters while eating, let’s talk about something happy instead.”

With her daughter’s soothing, Sun Mei finally refrained from making further mood-damaging remarks, but this meal still ended somewhat joylessly.