Reborn in the 1980s: Nine Stunning Beauties Get Pregnant Before Marriage

Chen Yongqiang pulled the sled back to Wang Guixiang's courtyard: "Sister Guixiang, leave these fish here for now, we'll come back to collect them tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll keep an eye on things for you. Why don't you eat here before you go back?" Wang Guixiang replied.

Liang Meie interjected, "No, I have to rush back to cook for the children."

She looked around the yard again: "Guixiang, is your yard safe?"

Liang Meie was very worried that the big fish would be stolen, as it was worth a lot of money.

"It should be fine. I haven't lost anything since I moved to town," Wang Guixiang said calmly.

Chen Yongqiang had already thought it through: "I'll leave Tianlang here to watch the fish, so you can sleep peacefully tonight."

As he spoke, he tossed a fish to Sirius.

Actually, storing it in a spatial dimension would be the safest option, but now this fish is out in the open.

After settling in, Chen Yongqiang went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some things before heading to the village with Liang Meie.

On the way back, Liang Meie couldn't hide her smile: "Yongqiang, you're so clever and resourceful. Today's price increase has made us a lot more money."

She had a clear understanding of the situation. Usually, after a day's work, she only earned hard-earned pocket money. But today, she made a real profit of over three hundred yuan.

Not counting the big fish, Chen Yongqiang's income from ice fishing for more than a month was equivalent to He Jun's income for a year, which made Liang Meie sincerely admire him.

Chen Yongqiang walked beside her: "When doing business, you have to know how to seize opportunities."

Liang Meie turned her head to look at him: "When we get back to my place later, let's calculate the money we made from selling fish today?"

"No rush, let's wait until all the fish are sold." Chen Yongqiang wasn't in a hurry for money; he wanted to focus on bigger things.

When the two arrived at the gate of Liang Meie's house, Liang Meie turned to Chen Yongqiang and said, "Come in and have some water. You've been walking all this way."

"No, I'm almost home." Chen Yongqiang wasn't particularly thirsty.

Before Liang Meie could say anything more, the curtain to the main room was lifted.

Her father-in-law, Old Li, came out, his face ashen. Without even glancing at Chen Yongqiang, he went straight to Liang Meie: "So you know how to come back? The child's starving, go cook something!"

The smile on Liang Meie's face vanished instantly, her lips pressed into a thin line, and she didn't respond.

Seeing this, Chen Yongqiang simply nodded to Liang Meie and said, "I'll head back now."

After Chen Yongqiang had walked away, Liang Meie went to the kitchen and said, "If you're hungry, why don't you find something to eat first? Why do you have to wait for me?"

Old Li followed her to the kitchen door: "How many times have I told you to watch your step! A widow's family, always hanging out with a man, what kind of behavior is that!"

"What are you talking about? Who did I hang out with? We went to the market together to sell fish, doing legitimate business. Who did it bother?" Liang Meie's temper flared up.

"Selling fish? Does selling fish require standing so close together? And chatting and laughing like that?" Old Li's beard twitched.

"People are talking behind my back! You have no shame, but I still have my pride. My two children still need to hold their heads high in the village!"

"Who's talking behind my back? Tell me their name!" Liang Meie got even angrier when she heard that.

Old Li's eyes darted away, but he didn't say a word.

Liang Meie remembered He Jun's face at the fish stall earlier that day and slunk away. It turned out he was waiting here for revenge.

"Ha, who do we have here?" She sneered, her tone becoming calm instead.

"Chen Yongqiang and I are just partners to make some money. Today, we sold over 300 yuan worth of goods, which is more than I made in a whole winter in previous years! This money isn't dirty; I earned it penny by penny!"

Old Li was taken aback by her words; three hundred yuan was no small sum, but he remained firm: "Money, money, money! All you care about is money! Once your reputation is ruined, no amount of money can buy it back!"

"Reputation?" Liang Meie's eyes were a little red, but more than that, they were filled with resentment.

"My husband has been gone for years, and I've been taking care of this family and raising two children. I've done everything myself, from the fields to the stove."

She took a breath and looked at Old Li's astonished face: "If you think I'm a disgrace and don't want to see me, fine. I'll take Da Bao and Er Ya with me and leave tomorrow."

If Wang Guixiang can move to the town, so can she.

These words hit Old Li like a ton of bricks, leaving him completely stunned.

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out for a long time. Take his grandchildren away? That would be the death of him. His son was gone; his grandchildren were his only hope.

"You...you dare!" Old Li's voice trembled.

"You'll see if I dare!" Liang Meie said without backing down.

"I've never enjoyed any happiness since I married into the Li family; I've only suffered. Now that I can earn money on my own and provide for my children, why can't I? Just because of a few idle words from those people, am I supposed to cower in this courtyard waiting to starve to death?"

Looking into his daughter-in-law's stubborn eyes, Old Li knew she was serious.

She's really had a tough time these past few years, and her temper has hardened. If we really drive her away, she'll definitely take her grandchildren with her, and this family will be completely broken up.

After a long pause, Old Li waved his hand and said, "Whatever... Do whatever you want. I'm too old to manage... Go cook for the kids." With that, he turned and went back into the main room, his back hunched over.

Liang Meie stood there, her chest still heaving.

Despite winning this round, she felt little joy, but rather a complex mix of sadness. She wiped her eyes and began washing the pot to cook.

When Chen Yongqiang returned to his courtyard, it was already dark.

A dim light shone from the kitchen, where Lin Xiulian was picking steamed buns out of a large pot: "You're back? How did the fish sell?"

"It's alright." Chen Yongqiang walked to the stove, picked up the enamel mug that was warming on the stove, and took a big gulp of hot water.

He breathed a satisfied sigh of relief, "It's just that I have to go back to town tomorrow to continue selling them; the big fish are still sitting there."

"Then let's go, since it's a quiet winter anyway." Lin Xiulian placed the steamed buns she had picked out on the table.

"Mm," Chen Yongqiang replied. This simple question and answer, along with the steaming hot meal, was the most comforting solace for him after a long day.

"Brother Yongqiang is back!" Qin Liping's voice preceded her arrival.

Lin Xiulian greeted them with a smile, "Have you eaten yet? If not, have something to eat here."

"I've already eaten!" Qin Liping's target was clear: her eyes fell on the worn-out military green backpack hanging on the door hook, which Chen Yongqiang usually used to carry odds and ends.

"Brother Yongqiang, you must have bought some delicious food when you went to town, right?" she said with a smile, already reaching out to take off her schoolbag.

"Let me see what interesting things you have..." He reached inside and pulled out two packages wrapped in old newspapers.

"Oh, it's sunflower seeds and peanuts! My favorites."

"Brother Yongqiang, you bought so many, can you finish them all by yourself? Let me taste them for you!" Qin Liping grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and started cracking them open.

Chen Yongqiang looked at her overly familiar manner with a sense of helplessness.

He bought these snacks at the supply and marketing cooperative today to cheer Lin Xiulian up.

"You're quick with your hands, girl." Chen Yongqiang shook his head.

"Hehe, everyone gets a share!" Qin Liping cracked some melon seeds and turned on the TV again.