Reborn in 1981, the first to get rich start with dairy cows.

Shen Dong has witnessed firsthand the shamelessness of rural women; they are truly thick-skinned!

They were just making baseless accusations and wearing tinted glasses, but they can immediately change their attitude and even have a fawning look in their eyes.

"Look at our eyes! You don't recognize a person as important as you. Don't hold it against us. We're just talking nonsense." Another auntie immediately came over and tried to grab Shen Dong's arm without any hesitation.

Shen Min's eyes were fixed on them, and she immediately pulled Shen Dong aside.

The older woman wasn't angry at all; she still smiled and said, "Director Shen is so young yet he's managed to run the factory so successfully. He's definitely number one in our commune!"

The others chimed in, "No wonder I look so energetic! I was just wondering why there were magpies calling at your door, Xiaojun. Turns out we have some important guests!"

The group of people chimed in with flattery, their voices full of obsequiousness. Shen Min, who was used to the rapid changes of attitude from rural people, felt embarrassed to hear this. Some of the older women even steered the conversation toward her, showering her with compliments.

Seeing how quickly their expressions changed, Shen Dong could only sigh helplessly, though he wanted to say something.

Arguing with them would only make you look foolish.

He waved his hand and explained, "I heard what you were saying. Li Tong has nothing to do with Qiu Xiaoqin. I've already explained it to Factory Director Li Zelin. I'd like to tell everyone today, and I hope you can all explain as well. The young girl's reputation is very important. As her neighbors, let's not spread rumors about her."

"Okay, okay."

Shen Min stood to the side, watching the women's drastically different demeanor before and after, and snorted angrily, muttering under her breath, "What snobs!"

Qiu Xiaojun glared at the group before forcing a smile. "Brother Shen, it's cold outside. Come in and sit down."

He then stepped forward to help carry the New Year's goods and led them inside.

Several middle-aged women greeted him warmly from behind: "Director Shen, come in and have a seat at home later." "Director Shen, come over for a cup of tea later."

Shen Dong walked into the house and saw Qiu Xiaoqin wearing an apron and cleaning the house. When she saw Shen Dong looking over, she looked away and awkwardly tucked her bangs behind her ears.

She heard the argument at the alley entrance earlier, including the gossip of the older women and the explanations from Shen Min and Shen Dong.

Seeing Shen Dong now, I felt a little embarrassed.

Upon seeing Qiu Xiaoqin, Shen Min immediately forgot her earlier unpleasantness, skipped over, grabbed her hand, and with a sweet smile on her face, deliberately dragged out her words, shouting loudly, "Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law! My brother has come to see you! He brought you so many New Year's goods. Oh, and," she said, taking out the scarf she had just bought, "look, this is what my brother just bought."

"Cough!" Shen Dong quickly spoke up.

Shen Min then realized what was happening, quickly put the scarf in Shen Dong's hand, and nudged him.

Shen Dong was extremely embarrassed by his sister's actions, but he still mustered up his courage and walked up to Qiu Xiaoqin.

"Here, this is something I specially picked out for you!"

Qiu Xiaoqin is usually very poised and elegant when managing the household affairs, but now her cheeks are so red they're almost bleeding, and her ears are bright red. She's waving her hands frantically.

Shen Min chuckled, stepped forward, and placed the scarf in Qiu Xiaoqin's hands: "Sister-in-law, keep it!"

"No, no, no, I... I'm not your sister-in-law, don't be ridiculous, you can't just call me that."

Shen Min blinked and teased, "I'm not kidding. It's not now, but it will be later. I'm just getting used to it in advance." As she spoke, she glanced back at Shen Dong, winked, and gave him a "I'll help you out" look.

Shen Dong was also a little embarrassed, so he quickly stepped forward and pulled Shen Min behind him, trying to smooth things over by saying, "Stop fooling around, apologize to Sister Xiaoqin."

"No need, no need, please sit down!" Qiu Xiaoqin hurriedly waved her hand.

Qiu Xiaojun stood at the door and saw this scene. He lowered his head and secretly laughed. He never expected that after being disciplined by his sister for so many years, he would still see his sister like this.

Thinking about it, I went over to help Qiu Xiaoqin get a cup, put in some brown sugar, and made brown sugar water.

"Xiaoqin, did someone come to visit?" While we were chatting, Qiu Xiaoqin's mother, Wang Li, asked from inside the room, "Where's your father?"

"Uh...it's alright, Mom. Dad's entertaining guests." Qiu Xiaoqin hurriedly walked to the door and said to Wang Li, who was sitting inside.

Seeing that the cup on the table was empty, she went inside and said, "Mom, are you thirsty? Let me pour you some water."

After settling Wang Li in, Qiu Xiaoqin sat down at the table. Qiu Xiaojun felt the atmosphere was awkward, so he took the initiative to start a conversation, and the group began to chat.

Shen Min found it amusing and would occasionally lean close to Qiu Xiaoqin and whisper "sister-in-law," making Qiu Xiaoqin blush again.

Just then, a middle-aged woman with a fierce appearance and pockmarked face walked in, followed by a simple-minded little boy.

As soon as she entered, the woman stared intently at the things Shen Dong had brought on the counter. When she saw a bag of pork, she swallowed hard.

"Mom, there's meat! I want to eat meat!"

The little boy's eyes lit up as he shook the woman's arm and chanted.

"Okay, okay!" The woman calmed the boy down, then looked up and said in a commanding tone, "Xiaoqin, I'll take this pork with me later! There are only three of you, so it's too much for you to finish. Your grandfather hasn't had it in a long time either. I'll take it back for everyone to have a nice meal."

Qiu Xiaoqin bit her lip, just about to speak, when Qiu Xiaojun stood up angrily, clenched his teeth, and said, word by word.

"These are my things!"

"You silly child, what do you mean 'your family' and 'my family'? Aren't we all family? You're young, so I won't hold it against you. Xiaoqin, take this pork butcher with you."

The middle-aged woman was Qiu Xiaoqin's aunt, Sang Wen. She lived not far away and had come over to check on her niece after hearing that she had guests.

As if suddenly noticing Shen Dong and Shen Min, she deliberately asked, "You have guests at home? No offense, but Station Chief Li already made arrangements, and you still brought a man home. Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

Before anyone else could speak, Shen Min had already spoken up.

"Hey, who is this grandma of yours? My sister Xiaoqin has nothing to do with Li Tong, so don't talk nonsense."

Sang Wen raised an eyebrow, about to reply, when Qiu Xiaoqin said loudly, "Auntie, we have guests at home and don't have time to entertain you. If there's nothing else, you can go home!"

Upon hearing this, Sang Wen immediately exploded.

With hands on hips and pointing at Qiu Xiaoqin with her right hand, she said, "Is this how your mother raised you? Didn't your mother tell you to respect your elders?"

"And you," she said, pointing at Shen Min and scolding, "At such a young age, you have no manners at all! Why are you interrupting when adults are talking? If your mother doesn't know how to teach you, I will!"

"Snapped!"

Sang Wen covered his right cheek with both hands, staring at Shen Dong in disbelief, his eyes practically spitting fire, and roared.

"You dare hit me?!"