Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 501: The Sequel

"I have no idea what kind of plot she fell into, but Zhang Peiqiong just said she was framed by someone and that none of it was true. Your second uncle’s family also kept it tightly under wraps, not telling others a thing. It was only a slip of the tongue on his part, and he only mentioned so little — the rest I figured out by myself... When Zhang Peiqiong suddenly came back, she just told everyone that it was because she had graduated from school. Us folks from the countryside don’t understand how many years one is supposed to study in college, so no one doubted her. Everyone just wondered why her fiancé didn’t come back with her..."

That was the backstory to Zhang Peiqiong’s situation, and Yang PeiMin had probably figured out why she had manipulated Yang Peidi. It was nothing more than not being able to stand herself, feeling that she was creating a stark contrast to herself, blinded by jealousy.

"Everyone knows about this now?" Yang PeiMin asked Zhang Minghua.

"No one knows about what Zhang Peiqiong did back at school. What they do know is that she had Yang Peidi come and give you grief. That was why your second uncle’s family knelt down and begged your dad. Even Grandma Yang was there crying. Even if your dad could ignore your second uncle, he couldn’t just stand by when it came to Grandma Yang. Whatever Zhang Peiqiong did in school doesn’t concern us; it’s all her own doing. We don’t need to bring up those matters. But for this incident, we can’t forgive her. Your dad also said that from now on, there won’t be any contact with those two nieces. If in the future they come asking for help, we have every reason to simply stand by and watch..."

Yang PeiMin nodded in understanding. Zhang Peiqiong hadn’t caused her any real harm, and given the situation with Grandma Yang, all they could do was give a verbal reprimand.

But it wasn’t entirely without consequence. The reputation of sisters Zhang Peiqiong and Yang Peiyan had been thoroughly tarnished. Whether it was for work or marriage, it would affect them as long as they continued living here.

The whispers weren’t limited to them either, but also extended to the Yang Dajiang family, and Zhang Peiqiong’s two sisters-in-law were very clear about their stance.

However, later that night, the Zhang sisters left Xiahe Village. It was said they went to live with their maternal grandmother, for they couldn’t even leave their house here anymore.

Afterward, Yang PeiMin seldom saw them, only hearing about them occasionally during visits home for the New Year. Zhang Peiqiong ended up marrying a man on his second marriage, a cadre position at the grain bureau, which seemed quite decent. Of course, that was just the surface. No one really knew what their life was like. In the first few years of her new marriage, she came back to her parents’ house each year during the New Year, but later she hardly appeared.

As for Yang Peiyan, she married a fake rich second-generation—a con man she couldn’t seem to get rid of, but not necessarily of bad character. He was just lazy and liked living off women. Yang Peiyan often had to take things from her parents’ house to support him, which caused quite a stir among the two sisters-in-law.

Yang Peidi ended up in the hospital because of this ordeal, got six stitches on her forehead, and Yang Peiyan’s family paid for the medical expenses and nutritional fees, which amounted to a few hundred yuan. This effectively silenced both her in-laws’ and her own family’s complaints. After that, whenever Yang PeiMin visited her parents’ home, Yang Peidi and her mother attempted to cozy up to her, but Yang PeiMin simply ignored them.

Yang PeiMin’s family of five stayed at the Yang Family home for two days, planning to visit the Shen family for another couple of days before preparing to return to T city.

Before they left, Bai Hehua took Yang Peihua aside and approached Yang PeiMin with a smile full of eagerness, "Minmin, I heard you’ll be going back soon. You’ll be returning to T city in a few days, right?" 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Yang PeiMin nodded, looking at her with puzzlement, "Is there something you need, sister-in-law?"

Bai Hehua’s smile brightened as she nudged Yang Peihua, "Here’s the thing, Minmin. Your second brother isn’t busy with anything at home, and I’m pregnant again. The brothers and sister in our family are all successful, except us. Xiao Bao is also growing up. We’re thinking about providing him with good schooling conditions. Could you see if your place has any opportunities, maybe help your second brother out a bit? We’re not asking for much, just something akin to an average worker’s wages."

Yang PeiMin didn’t expect her to bring this up, but it was in line with Bai Hehua’s character. Yang Peihua also seemed swayed by her, barely managing to move his lips, indicating he was listening to Bai Hehua.

Yang PeiMin knew that Bai Hehua wasn’t content. After all, Yang Peijun and Yang Peiying both had found their niches, and they seemed to be doing quite well.

On this matter, Yang PeiMin had discussed it with Yang Dahai and Yang Peiguo at the beginning of the year, now that policies had become more favorable, and they could take more initiative. Yang Dahai was reluctant to leave his hometown, and Yang Peiguo seemed rather conservative.

Even before coming here, Yang PeiMin and Shen Yiguang had talked about letting Yang Peiguo manage some farmland or orchards at home, to develop fruit farming or animal husbandry. These were local specialties in some nearby villages, including chestnuts and dried fruits, which could be collected for processing. These were all potential options.

During this visit, Yang PeiMin brought up these ideas to Yang Dahai and his family.

Yang Dahai and Yang Peiguo were very receptive. After all, farming and husbandry were within their capabilities, areas where they were strong. Being in a familiar environment, of course, provided a sense of security and confidence.

When discussing these matters, Yang Peihua and his wife were also present, with the hopes that they too could get involved.

But Bai Hehua was crafty. She didn’t believe that farming and raising pigs at home would pave a way for them. In her eyes, making big moves and wearing flashy clothes like Yang Peijun was the way to succeed.

Yang PeiMin sighed helplessly, Bai Hehua and her husband were only focused on the immediate gains, the kind that wanted a share of the good others had, "I’m not sure what you and second brother have in mind? If you’re thinking about factory work, there are opportunities here too, you don’t need to go to T city. When our third brother took that step, I only mentioned it in passing, he made it there on his own. Everything he achieved was due to his own efforts, and I’m hardly somebody influential. Yingzi also relied on her own skills; if she couldn’t cook, my help would have been pointless. Of course, if the two of you have any ideas, I, as your younger sister, will do what I can to help. Let me know your thoughts."

Bai Hehua and Yang Peihua exchanged glances, and Bai Hehua spoke up, "I understand, I understand. No matter what, our little sister is a college graduate, your perspective must be so much broader than us country folks. So we were thinking you could give us some advice on small business opportunities. We can’t always rely on our parents, can we?"