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

"I heard it all outside, saying I wasn't bringing money home?"

"With Chang Kun here today, I'll make things clear so that it doesn't get back to my sister's ears. How will I, as her sister-in-law, face the world then?"

Tao Hong's voice was stiff, and she looked coldly at everyone in the room.

Fan Laibao's expression changed instantly. He stood up abruptly and reached out to grab Tao Hong's arm.

"Alright, alright, stop talking. We can talk about it later."

Tao Hong flung his hand away, her eyes reddening.

"Why are you pulling me? Am I wrong? If the neighbors hear what Dad said, how can I face them as a daughter-in-law? They'll be gossiping about me behind my back, and you'll take the blame for me?"

Fan Degui held the bowl, his face flushing red and then turning pale, his lips trembling as he couldn't speak.

The old lady was so anxious that she kept rubbing her hands, looking at Tao Hong, Fan Degui, and Fan Laibao, muttering to herself.

"Alright, alright, stop arguing. The old man is confused and talking nonsense."

Fan Laibao was sweating profusely with anxiety. He lowered his voice and yelled at Tao Hong, "There are outsiders here today, can't you just say less?"

Peach Blossom tossed her braid back, her neck stiffened, and her voice became even louder.

"Outsiders? Who are the outsiders? Is my eldest sister's nephew an outsider? Perfect, let Chang Kun hear it and judge!"

"If you don't let me tell you, then this isn't the end of the world!"

The old lady quickly grabbed Tao Hong's hand and squeezed it tightly.

"Your dad is just confused; he can't keep his mouth shut. Don't take it to heart."

"I started working right after I came to Bao. Once I have a salary, things will get better. Your sister sent money back again, so things have calmed down at home. Everything will be alright."

Tao Hong ignored her, pulled her hand away, turned it to the side, and glared at Fan Degui with red eyes.

Chang Kun sat beside him, his mind starting to wander.

This woman refuses to pay and is even making a fuss?

Judging from her posture, it seemed as if she had truly suffered a great injustice.

Fan Degui blushed, slammed the bowl down on the table, and the bottom of the bowl hit the table with a thud.

He glanced at Chang Kun, his expression a mixture of shame and embarrassment, as if he were about to throw caution to the wind.

Chang Kun is here watching. The people who were going to be lost have already been lost. If they lose any more, that's all that matters.

He leaned back in his chair, let out a long sigh, and said in a muffled voice, "Fine, go ahead and tell me everything."

Peach Blossom took a deep breath.

"When I married into your Fan family, the bride price was eighteen yuan, a half-new bicycle, and two new quilts."

"This is nothing compared to anyone else's. You all know how much your neighbors spend on getting married."

The old lady nodded and opened her mouth to say something, but Tao Hong stopped her with a raised hand.

"But what about my dowry? Eighty-eight yuan. Cash. My mother kept it at the bottom of my trunk, not a penny less, I brought it all with me."

She held up one finger and tapped it on the table.

"I gave the money to Laibao that same day, and told him to give it to his family to help pay off his debts."

As Tao Hong finished speaking, she turned to look at Chang Kun, then turned back to look at Fan Degui.

"The bicycle was something Lai Bao was determined to buy. He said he would need to ride it to work and couldn't be without it. I said okay, then I bought it."

"I know exactly how much your family paid for that car. The rest of the money came from my dowry."

Fan Degui's eyes widened, his mouth gaped open, and his face was full of disbelief.

"I know you two were short of money to pay for the bride price. After I get married, I will give my salary to Laibao every month so that he can help support the family."

"Chang Kun, you can ask around how much I earn in a month. The wages of female factory workers in Tangshan are at most that much. I keep a few yuan for pocket money, and he takes the rest back."

Her voice began to tremble.

"But how have you two treated me? Every day it's cornmeal porridge, so thin you can't even see your reflection, and you won't even cut me an extra piece of pickled vegetable."

"I ate it for a month and lost a lot of weight."

A tear finally fell from her eye and rolled down her face without being wiped away.

"I thought you were saving money to buy medicine for your mother-in-law, thinking that you were just trying to make ends meet since you were struggling financially."

"My mother-in-law has poor eyesight, and I feel sorry for her, but have you ever felt sorry for me?"

Tao Hong wiped away her tears, turned to look at Chang Kun, and her voice carried a hint of firmness.

"Chang Kun, since you're here today, go back and tell your eldest sister about these things, and let her judge. What did my sister-in-law do wrong to deserve this kind of slander from the old couple?"

She finished speaking, her chest heaving violently, her braid askew to one side.

Chang Kun was stunned and turned to look at Fan Laibao.

Fan Laibao buried his head in his chest, not daring to utter a sound, his hands resting on his knees like a turtle hiding its head.

The elderly couple were also stunned. Fan Degui frowned, looking at Tao Hong, then at his son: "Tao Hong, is what you're saying true?"

Tao Hong wiped away her tears, her voice still trembling with sobs.

"Dad, why would I lie to you? The dowry was eighty-eight, and I gave it to Laibao the day I got married."

"Every month, I give him all my salary, except for a few dollars for pocket money. If you haven't seen this money, where did I give it to?"

Fan Degui's face darkened inch by inch. He turned his head and stared at Fan Laibao, his words filled with barely suppressed anger.

"Laibao, what's going on? Where's your wife's money? Did you give it to the family?"

Fan Laibao suddenly raised his head, his lips trembled twice, his face turned red, and his eyes darted around, but he didn't dare to look at his father.

"I gave it to...I gave it to my family..."

Tao Hong finally realized what had happened; she had been so focused on feeling wronged that she hadn't thought things through.

Hearing Fan Degui's question, she suddenly turned her head to look at Fan Laibao, her eyes wide open.

"Laibao, you...you didn't give the money to your parents?"

Her voice suddenly changed tone, from a sob to disbelief.

Fan Degui slammed his hand on the table, causing the enamel mug to jump and make a loud clatter. The old lady jumped in fright, dropping her chopsticks to the floor.

"Speak!" Fan Degui's voice changed.

Startled by the shout, Fan Laibao shrank back and finally spoke, his voice urgent and panicked.

"Dad, I... about the money... you all know about the bicycle. Tao Hong said she wanted a bicycle, and I said she wouldn't marry me without one..."

He became more and more incoherent as he spoke, and suddenly stood up, rushed to the old lady's side, grabbed her hands tightly with both of his, and held them firmly.

"Mom, I've given you all the money, haven't I?"

"Do you remember? I gave you money. Say something, Mother!"

"If you don't admit to this, Tao Hong definitely won't stay with me anymore!"

He grabbed the old lady's hand and shook it hard, desperately trying to wink at her with his eyes.

"Fan Laibao! You bastard!"

The truth is crystal clear; by now, Tao Hong understands it perfectly well.