Chapter 94

Cheng Lao Han is a man who values his reputation. He has lived in the village all his life, and although his life has been hard, he has always been a man of dignity. The few words from his second uncle made him so embarrassed that he wished he could hide his head between his legs.

Jie Min, this boy, though he has seen the world, is still young and inexperienced. If the eldest son were to marry Tian Hua, Cheng Lao Han would be more than satisfied. Although Tian Jia Xing is cold and unfeeling, Tian Hua is a good girl, well-known in the surrounding areas. For the eldest son to marry her would be a blessing for the Cheng family. But thinking of Tian Jia Xing, Cheng Lao Han felt a chill. How could he, a poor man, dare to aspire so high? Even those who were better off than him couldn't match up to Tian Hua!

Tian Jia Xing's suggestion to build a house was clearly a way to make him back off. It was also because of his deep love for his daughter that he didn't want to force a reluctant union, so he came up with this plan.

He had already discussed it with the eldest son, and they agreed to find a rural wife, have a child, and live a simple life. He never expected the second son to speak so boldly, suggesting that the house be built after careful consideration.

Isn't this typical of someone who wants to eat and run, not taking responsibility for anything? This boy has really disgraced the family!

The words of his second uncle made him restless. He took a sip of water, about to speak, when the second son, Er Wa, loudly said, "Uncle Jia Xing, you misunderstood my father's meaning!"

"Tian Hua grew up with us, like a sister. Not only you, but our Cheng family would never let Tian Hua suffer."

Tian Hua hadn't gone far; she had come out of the hall and was hiding outside, listening to the adults. Cheng Jie Min's words made her feel warm, as if all the hardships of the past years had been worth it.

Compared to his daughter Tian Hua, Tian Jia Xing felt a bit depressed. He felt the situation was getting out of his control, and this was not a scene he enjoyed.

"So, what is your family's stance?" Tian Jia Xing asked, clearly displeased. The second son had lived in the city and was more cunning than his brother, who was more straightforward.

Cheng Xi Gui's hands trembled. The Cheng family had always been upright, and he couldn't let a few careless words from the second son ruin the family's reputation! Once a man's reputation is ruined, he can't even find a blind or lame wife, and everyone will look down on him, unwilling to associate with his family. This foolish boy, you can leave, but your brother still has to live in the village. How can you be so thoughtless?

"My father means that the house should be built, but not in the county town," Cheng Jie Min said with a smile, as if he didn't notice his father's reaction.

Tian Jia Xing, furious, laughed sarcastically, "Brother Xi Gui, does the second son's words represent the Cheng family's stance?"

Cheng Xi Gui felt his face turn red and stammered, "Well..."

The people present began to whisper, and those who were close to Tian Jia Xing criticized the Cheng family's response as untrustworthy.

"Uncle Tian, my father isn't against building a house in the city, but it's a waste of money!" Cheng Jie Min, seeing his father's veins bulging, stopped teasing Tian Jia Xing and spoke seriously.

Tian Jia Xing's eyes blazed, and he pointed at Cheng Jie Min, "Building a house in the county town is a waste, huh? Then where do you suggest we build it, in the corner of your bed?"

"After the New Year, my brother will go to Tian Yuan City with me, and Tian Hua will go with us. Building a house in the county town would be a waste!"

Cheng Jie Min's voice was not loud, but it was like a stone thrown into a pond, making everyone look at each other in shock.

"What did you say? Your brother is going with you? And Tian Hua is going to Tian Yuan City?" Tian Jia Xing's voice trembled.

Cheng Xi Gui couldn't believe his second son, but then he felt a cold sweat on his back. This second son really talks nonsense. You can take your brother to work, but why drag Tian Hua along? She has a government job, how can she go to work in the city?

"Uncle Jia Xing, I and some friends have invested in a business in Tian Yuan City. After the New Year, my brother will go with me."

Tian Jia Xing snorted, "Your brother will help with the business, but why should my daughter go?"

"Of course not, Uncle Tian. Tian Hua is a teacher, and we respect her wishes. My plan is to have my brother go to Tian Yuan City and then find a way to transfer Tian Hua there." Cheng Jie Min spoke with confidence and determination.

Transferring from the county to Tian Yuan City was like a fairy tale to those who had spent their lives working the land. This second son of the Cheng family was truly capable!

Tian Jia Xing was both shocked and delighted. If his daughter could go to Tian Yuan City, he would be very proud. But then he had doubts. Was Cheng Jie Min just bluffing? Once the girl left, it would be a done deal, and he wouldn't be able to refuse.

He looked at Cheng Jie Min and said loudly, "Jie Min, transferring Tian Hua to Tian Yuan City is not an easy task!"

"Yes, it's not easy. But my brother will settle in Tian Yuan City, and I can't let them be apart." Cheng Jie Min smiled, "Actually, Uncle Tian's suggestion isn't bad. My father has prepared the money to build a house in the county town. But I need my brother, so let's go to Tian Yuan City!"

Cheng Xi Gui, in a panic, tried to stop his second son. How could this boy, who had just graduated, talk so big? Even though he had an education, he was still a rural boy, and rural boys should be down-to-earth, not talk big and fall hard!

"Uncle Tian, I calculated that building three rooms in the city would cost about 20,000 yuan. Tian Hua is well-known for her kindness and character. Here, I have 40,000 yuan. The Cheng family can't let Tian Hua suffer!" Cheng Jie Min took out a small bag and slammed it on the table.

This action made Tian Jia Xing's heart tremble. Cheng Jie Min's hand went into the bag again, and another thick stack of money was slapped on the table.

Four stacks of money, four slaps. These four slaps were like four thunderclaps, echoing in Tian Jia Xing's room.

Almost everyone's eyes were on the four stacks of money, and the suspicion and disbelief in their eyes disappeared.

40,000 yuan!

Tian Jia Xing's heart ached. Tian Hua's annual income was only about 2,000 to 3,000 yuan, so 40,000 yuan was almost twenty years' worth of her income.

When did the Cheng family become so rich?

Cheng Xi Gui couldn't believe his eyes. Was he seeing things? Where did the second son get this money?

"Jie Min... Is this money really for your brother's house?" Tian Jia Xing's voice was trembling.

"Yes, but Uncle, I only want to fix the house at home now. Building a house in the county town is really a waste."

When Cheng Jie Min first spoke, many people doubted him. But now, with 40,000 yuan on the table, no one dared to doubt his capability.

Building a house in the county town would cost about 20,000 yuan. If the Cheng family could come up with this money, the marriage between Tian Hua and Cheng Jie Guo would be settled, and the Cheng family wouldn't need to waste more effort.

"Jie Min, what kind of business are you planning in Tian Yuan City?" a villager in his forties asked curiously.

Cheng Jie Min looked at the man and decided to call him Uncle. "Uncle, it's not a big business. I and some friends have leased a trade center to open a supermarket."

"Is it the trade center near the bus station?" The villager's surprise grew.

"Yes, that one." Cheng Jie Min was surprised that someone in the village knew about the trade center.

The villager took a deep breath. "Jie Min, you're really something! Leasing a trade center, that's impressive. I passed by there a few years ago, and it was really grand, wow!"

"Brother Xi Gui, your second son is really something!"

Cheng Xi Gui's face was a mix of humility and confusion. His son, who had just graduated, not only had money he never dreamed of but was also doing business! But... wasn't he working for the government?

Tian Jia Xing's mind was racing. At this moment, he felt like he had picked up a stone and dropped it on his own foot. But he also had another thought: if the Cheng family was really that rich, marrying his daughter to Cheng Jie Guo and having them live in Tian Yuan City wasn't impossible. However, saying it out loud would be awkward.

The second uncle, a shrewd old man, had a drop of water trembling on his nose, about to fall. He ignored it and looked at Cheng Jie Min, who looked so confident. He couldn't afford to offend this second son of the Cheng family. "Jia Xing, I think the second son's suggestion is good. If the two kids can go to the provincial capital, it's better than staying in the county. Building a house in the county would be a waste. I think we should agree to this!"

Tian Yu, who had been following her sister, was happy for her. Seeing her sister's happy face, she playfully tickled her, but her sister didn't react.

PS: Thank you to all the readers and friends in the forum. Every effort you make for Xiao Mao moves me to tears! The surge in votes made me feel frustrated, but I'm not afraid because readers have sharp eyes. As long as I have your support, I'm fine! The spring breeze and the drumbeat of war, who can be afraid of such data? If we can counter the surge, I will update ten times after the book goes live to thank everyone!