Reborn in the 60s, I hunt to support my family and even seduce the village beauty.

Chang Kun persuaded the old man repeatedly before he finally got him to accept the hundred yuan.

Fan Degui stuffed the money into his inner jacket pocket, patted it, and muttered, "I'm so grateful for my daughter's help, so grateful for my daughter's help..."

Chang Kun felt a little more at ease after seeing that he had accepted the gift.

If the elderly couple are in better health, it will save their aunt from worrying and their uncle from having to think about them.

Fan Degui kept sighing, "Erxiao is much better than her brother, that rascal..."

Upon hearing this, Chang Kun sensed there was more to the story, and after pressing for details, the old man continued speaking.

Or perhaps they've been holding it in for too long with no one to talk to, and now that a relative has finally come, they can't stop talking once they start.

"My son got married." When the old man said this, the expression on his face was not one of happiness, but rather like that of someone who had swallowed a bitter melon.

"I didn't dare tell your aunt about what happened last year, because I was afraid she would send money again if she found out, and she's not having an easy time herself."

Fan Degui recounted his son's marriage from beginning to end. To raise the dowry, the elderly couple borrowed money from all their neighbors and bought a nearly new bicycle.

They added eighteen yuan to the bride price and made two new quilts.

The old lady has poor eyesight and had to stay up all night to get her stitches done.

"Our family wasn't well-off to begin with, and this has left us with a huge debt."

"We figured we had to pay back the debt. I dragged my legs to the mine to guard the gate, and even though her eyesight was failing, she still refused to rest and went out to embroider for people."

Chang Kun felt a lump in his throat as he listened.

The elderly couple and their son, a family of three, only had enough of Fan Degui's salary to eat.

Since my son got married, I have to take a portion of my salary to pay off debts every month, and now there's another mouth to feed in the family.

The daughter-in-law does have a job at some small factory nearby, but she never contributes a single penny to the household income, and the elderly couple even feed themselves.

"Where's your son? Doesn't he go to work?" Chang Kun asked.

Fan Degui gave a wry smile: "Go to work? He stays at home idly, spending his days walking the cat and playing with the dog, hanging out with a bunch of shady characters. He won't listen to anything you say. If you get angry, he'll slam the door and leave."

The courtyard fell silent.

Chang Kun frowned. What kind of son and daughter-in-law are they? It's outrageous.

He himself was foolish in his previous life, but not to this extent. He was incapable of making money and even dragged his elderly parents down with him.

Even after getting married, his parents still suffer from hunger, and his daughter-in-law, despite having a job, doesn't contribute a single penny to the household.

This isn't like getting married; it's like inviting two Buddha statues back to worship.

It can only be said that children are always a debt to their parents.

Chang Kun suppressed his anger and calmed his voice.

"Grandpa Fan, now that my aunt is doing better, let's use the money she brought to pay off our debts. You and Grandma, don't work so hard, take a break when you need to, and things will definitely get better and better."

Fan Degui sighed again.

"Xiao Kun, to be honest, this money... I'm afraid we won't be able to keep it."

Chang Kun was taken aback: "Grandpa Fan, what do you mean by that?"

One hundred yuan is not a small amount these days. Even if a family of four eats their fill, it's enough to last until the New Year.

If used to pay off debts, it could clear up almost all the hunger and hardship owed to the neighbors.

Fan Degui raised his head and looked at Chang Kun, his eyes filled with a hint of helplessness.

"I got this brat a job at the mine through connections. The manager asked for 88 yuan right off the bat, saying it was for 'bribing officials'..."

Chang Kun listened in silence, and sighed inwardly.

This is something you can't do anywhere.

Paying money to get a job is part of traditional culture.

I can't help in this area, and I can't exactly beat up some leader, even if I did, they might not want this kid.

He thought for a moment and then comforted him, "Grandpa Fan, men will get better once they have a family and a job. Things will gradually improve. Once you get a job and have a big, healthy son, things will be on the right track."

Fan Degui hummed in agreement, and the wrinkles on his face relaxed a little.

"That's what I think too. When I start working at the mine, I'll get a dormitory room, and he and his wife can move in there, then I won't have to take care of them anymore."

The old man spoke with a hint of ease in his voice.

Chang Kun smiled; the old man had thought things through.

A son and daughter-in-law like that are a burden to keep around. It would be better if they moved out, out of sight and out of mind, and the old couple could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

He thought for a moment, then reached into his pocket and pulled out another wad of cash from his storage space—ten large ten-dollar bills, just like the previous one.

"Grandpa Fan, I still have a hundred here..."

"No, no, no!" Fan Degui cried out in a panic, pressing down on Chang Kun's hands with both of his, his voice trembling.

"That won't do! The money was from Erxiao, and I accepted it, but you can't take your money!"

Chang Kun tried to pull his hand away, but the old man held it firmly. Despite his bad legs, he had a lot of strength.

The two argued back and forth for a while, but Fan Degui was adamant and refused to take it no matter what.

It's perfectly normal for an old man like him to accept money from his daughter, but what's wrong with him accepting money from his son-in-law and nephew?

No matter how difficult things are for your own family, that's your own business, and you shouldn't drag down distant relatives.

When Chang Kun realized that a direct approach wouldn't work, he changed his tune.

"Grandpa Fan, this money isn't for you, it's a loan. I'll have my uncle and aunt pay me back later, so don't worry about it."

"You wouldn't want your aunt to be so pregnant and still worry about you two every day, would you? What if she gets really worried one day and buys a ticket to come see you? What if something happens to her on the way..."

Fan Degui's hand loosened, and the expression on his face wavered.

Chang Kun pressed his advantage: "Besides, if she finds out about the situation at home, she'll definitely have to make another trip to bring money. Why bother? It'll just cause you two more trouble."

Xiao Shui ran back from the doorway at some point.

Shiliu had finished eating, her chin still smeared with juice. Standing next to her grandfather, she reached out her little hand, grabbed Fan Degui's wrist, and gently shook it.

"Grandpa, take this." The little girl looked up, her voice clear and bright. "My dad and mom can earn money. When I grow up, I will take care of you."

Chang Kun couldn't help but laugh when he saw her serious expression.

This little girl may not have learned many words in school, but she understands quite a lot of principles.

I don't know if I heard my aunt talking about it at home, or if I learned it from Cheng Min.

Fan Degui's eyes reddened. He looked down at Xiao Shui and reached out to pat her little head.

In that instant, he may have been reminded of his daughter when she was little.

"Xiao Kun, consider this money... a loan. I'll definitely pay it back once I've recovered."

Chang Kun didn't respond to that. He knew that whether or not the money was repaid, his aunt would definitely pay it back herself once she found out.

Fan Degui, that old man, is too stubborn. He drags his ailing leg to guard the gate, and even though his wife's eyes are in such bad shape, he still refuses to rest. It's all because of that bastard son and daughter-in-law.

But there are some things that outsiders shouldn't say too much about.

This is a family matter; he's just a son-in-law's nephew, so he can simply pass on the message.

Just as the three were talking, a man with a hoarse voice came from outside the door.

"Dad! Have you cooked yet?"

"Hurry up, I'm hungry!"