Cheng Loanloan's mouth twitched.
The original owner's bad reputation had its advantages; at least people weren't rushing to play matchmaker.
She said firmly, "I appreciate everyone's good intentions, but I truly don't want to remarry. Not in this lifetime."
Zhao Dashan raised his fist. "Who dares to play matchmaker for my mother? Be careful, our four brothers will come knocking on your door."
Zhao Ergou stood in front of Cheng Loanloan. "My mother will not remarry her entire life. Remember that clearly. Don't violate my mother's taboo in the future!"
"That's easy to say..." Aunt Fugui scoffed. "Who doesn't know that you and Zhao Youjin argued every day? You never cared about him when he was alive, so why pretend to be so devoted after he's dead? Whether you remarry or not, I'm not interested, but if you dare to seduce my husband, be careful, I'll scratch your face to pieces..."
"Fugui's wife, do you even have the face to talk about others?" Old Madam Zhao walked out from the crowd. "When Zhao Fugui was just a teenager, he already liked to flirt. Our Zhao family basically finds shameless people like him an eyesore! If you have the time to pick a fight with Dashan's mother, you'd be better off keeping an eye on your own man, don't let him out to disgust others."
The onlookers began to list all the bad things Zhao Fugui had done.
Zhao Fugui's face turned greener than a banana leaf. He turned and walked through the crowd.
Aunt Fugui also quickly followed, cursing loudly, "You deserve a thousand cuts! Everyone has seen how many bad things you've done. You still dare to go talk to a widow. Your bad deeds make the whole village laugh at me. What do you take me for? I've worked like an ox and a horse for your family..."
"Shut up!" Zhao Fugui's expression was terrifying. "You've completely ruined my reputation. Don't block my way!"
Aunt Fugui stood on the edge of the field, raging and scolding for half an hour before she felt a little better.
Zhao Fugui left the field and walked straight into a dilapidated shack. A woman's arm pulled him inside. Not long after, heavy panting sounds came from the room...
The crowd gradually dispersed.
The men who had been working for more than two days went home to rest, while the women went to fetch water for irrigation, preparing to plant some vegetables.
Cheng Loanloan walked towards Old Madam Zhao and said with a smile, "Mother, I want to ask for your help."
Old Madam Zhao immediately became alert. Here it comes, here it comes. The eldest daughter-in-law is about to start talking about serious matters.
Considering that the eldest daughter-in-law had been well-behaved during this time, and out of respect for her deceased eldest son, if the eldest daughter-in-law wanted to move back to her old room, she would try her best to agree...
How could Cheng Loanloan know that the old madam was thinking so much? She considered her words and said, "Mother, I plan to start a business..."
Old Madam Zhao's eyes widened.
Starting a business means she needs capital.
Does the eldest daughter-in-law want to borrow money?!
Last year there was a locust plague, and this year there's a drought. All the money in the house had been exchanged for grain. To guard against illness and sickness, she only had five hundred *wen* left in her hand.
These five hundred *wen* were life-saving money for medical treatment for the whole family; they absolutely could not be lent out.
But looking into Cheng Loanloan's clear eyes, Old Madam Zhao had to compromise. She sighed, *Alright, I'll lend her a hundred *wen*. Otherwise, if this daughter-in-law keeps pestering me endlessly...*
"Mother, this business I'm doing is related to food. It's my first time, so I don't know if it will suit everyone's taste."
Old Madam Zhao asked in surprise, "You mean the help you need is for me to taste the food you cook?"
"It's not just for Mother to taste. I also want Second Uncle, Third Uncle, Second Aunt, and Third Aunt to all try it once, and then everyone can offer some feedback." Cheng Loanloan said with a smile, "It should be delivered in about two hours."
After she finished speaking, she turned and went back into the house, taking advantage of the remaining daylight to finish her work.