Chapter 193: “family Division”
Following Third Aunt’s words, before going to sleep, Li Bao told his parents about how Gu Xing’er had snatched his egg cake and threatened him.
Gu Yuanshan and Huang Xiulan were both furious.
The latter immediately wanted to go find Gu Xing’er, but was held back by Gu Yuanshan.
“Daughter-in-law, it’s late at night, parents are asleep, don’t be impulsive. You calm down first, I’ll go talk to parents about this.”
Hearing her husband’s words, Huang Xiulan was still very angry, her chest heaving violently, her teeth clenched together, making creaking sounds.
She wanted to tear Gu Xing’er’s face apart!
Gu Yuanshan gave his two sons a look, signaling them to comfort their mother, and went straight to Gu Fu and Gu Mu’s room.
The old couple learned about Li Bao being wronged, and their faces became extremely ugly.
The old master’s face was as black as ink, and after a good while, he said: “Separate households.”
Gu Mu was shocked, “Old man?”
“Qingzhou isn’t married yet.”
Here, they at least wait until all sons are married and daughters are married off before separating households.
Gu Fu impulsively said the words about separating households, but didn’t regret it, and instead felt that separating was good.
After separating, at least on the surface, Gu Xing’er could only mess with the old couple.
Then let the sons move out, build a new house, or build a wall in the home, so the grandsons probably wouldn’t be wronged anymore.
“Separate.” In just a few breaths, he made up his mind.
Gu Yuanshan’s heart suddenly beat faster, his eyes full of reluctance, “Dad, I don’t want to separate households.”
“You don’t want to, but your wife does.” Gu Mu said.
She had also come as a daughter-in-law, and after separating households, she could be the one in charge, which woman wouldn’t want that?
“Mom…” Gu Yuanshan called.
“Separate, tomorrow. I’m old, it’s time to rest. Managing such a big family is really tiring. After separating, your dad and I will live alone.” Thinking differently, Gu Mu actually felt her shoulders lighten, like moving a big stone away.
“Mom.” Gu Yuanshan wanted to persuade more, but was pushed out by Gu Mu and locked outside the door, “Don’t nag, separate tomorrow.”
“…”
Huang Xiulan learned about separating households tomorrow morning, her eyes widened, shocked to the point of stuttering, “Separate, separate households? Real or fake?”
“Real.” Gu Yuanshan looked worried and gloomy, “Dad and Mom both said it, how could it be fake.”
Huang Xiulan, Huang Xiulan’s heart pounded, eyes shining, wild joy bubbling up inside.
She wanted to laugh, but seeing her husband’s face not looking good, she held it back, tried hard to hold it, but the curve of her mouth couldn’t be suppressed no matter what.
Gu Yuanshan looked at his wife, “Laugh if you want, holding it in isn’t uncomfortable.”
“Pfft—” Huang Xiulan couldn’t hold it and laughed out loud, the laughter a bit loud, she quickly covered her mouth, but the laughter in her eyes couldn’t be hidden.
Gu Yuanshan: “…”
Tie Dan excitedly asked: “After separating households, our family can eat meat all the time?”
The smile disappeared from Huang Xiulan’s face, she gave her son a white look, “Dream on! Eat meat all the time, where do the meat tickets come from?”
Tie Dan instantly wasn’t excited, muttering: “Yu Baoheng Bao can eat meat all the time, we can’t eat meat all the time… what’s the point of separating households.”
“…”
Suddenly felt like it wasn’t anything special.
Tie Chui had no reaction, obediently climbed onto the small bed, pulled the blanket over his belly, closed his eyes and went to sleep.
His brother knew his younger brother could often eat meat at Third Aunt’s, casting an envious look.
Squeezed onto the bed, elbowed him, sincerely negotiating with his brother, “If Third Aunt gives you meat again, leave a piece for brother?”
Thinking of the meat jerky eaten before, his throat rolled a few times.
“No.” Li Bao didn’t open his eyes, just kept shaking his head, he didn’t have enough to eat himself.
“Brother will pick sweet fruits for you?” Tie Dan shook his brother’s body.
“Don’t shake me, I want to sleep. Third Aunt asked me to come over for a meal tomorrow morning, I need to get up early.” Li Bao said expectantly, he liked Third Aunt’s days off the most.
Tie Dan was about to cry, “Why is Third Aunt so good to you?”
His brother silly smiled, “Third Aunt says I’m good.”
“I’m good too…” Tie Dan hurriedly said.
“You’re not, Mom says you’re a monkey, skinnier than Xiao Jin.” Li Bao finally opened his eyes, his gaze full of seriousness.
Tie Dan: “…”
Tie Dan accusatorily looked at his mom.
“Mom, it’s all your fault, all your fault, you ruined my reputation.” He angrily turned his back.
Huang Xiulan laughed in anger, patted Tie Dan’s head.
“Who ruined your reputation, aren’t you naughty? I ask you to do something, which time can I find you! Yu Baoheng Bao both know to help your Third Aunt with work, you’re older than them, why don’t you know to lighten my burden a bit.”
“I do work too, I pick firewood, dig wild vegetables, fish, and work in the field, if you don’t believe me ask Dad…” Tie Dan argued, turned to look at the watching Gu Yuanshan, “Dad, say something, right?”
Gu Yuanshan nodded, “Yes.”
Tie Dan’s little black face relaxed, seriously looking at his mom, “Mom, don’t badmouth me in front of Third Aunt anymore, I already can’t eat meat, if you say more I won’t even smell the fragrance.”
After speaking, he feeling aggrieved went to sleep, mouth pouted enough to hang an IV bottle.
Li Bao saw his brother’s low pressure all over, his short little finger poked Tie Dan’s shoulder, half reluctant half coaxing: “Third Aunt said she’ll make oily cakes tomorrow, I’ll leave half for you.”
Eh?
Eh!!
Tie Dan was instantly coaxed, turned over, surprised looking at his brother, “Really?”
“I don’t lie.” Li Bao puffed his cheeks.
Tie Dan tickled his brother’s armpit, his sun-blackened face full of brilliant smile, “Brother will leave good things for you too.”
Li Bao dodged his brother’s claws, thinking of the sparrow meat his brother left, the reluctance in his heart lessened a bit.
The next morning, after eating breakfast, Gu Fu announced the separating households matter.
The second branch couple stood stunned in place.
Looked at each other, full head of question marks.
Gu Yucheng slowly turned his head, looked at his biological father, “Dad, why separate households?”
“Your mom and I are old, want to live comfortably, your kids can all hit soy sauce now, us two old ones should let go.” Gu Fu said.
He couldn’t say the real reason directly, otherwise Gu Xing’er would definitely make a fuss, just thinking about it gave him a headache.
Gu Yucheng moved his mouth, “Dad, I don’t want to separate households.”
It’s good now, they just need to work, eating and drinking uniformly managed by parents, after separating he’ll be the head of the household, all family matters come to him, hasn’t even separated and already feels tired.
Gu Fu felt secretly pleased inside, but didn’t show it on his face.
Son reluctant to separate households shows he and his wife managed the family well, for them who worked hard half a lifetime, it’s the highest praise.
Gu Yucheng said again: “Qingzhou hasn’t gotten engaged yet, why separate now, wait till he marries then separate.”
Hearing second brother words inside and out only mentioning Gu Qingzhou, not herself, Gu Xing’er jumped in anger, voice sharp, “Second brother, what about me? I haven’t married either, aren’t I your sister, why don’t you think of me.”
Gu Yucheng: “…”
Said a heartfelt words, “You have such high demands, good if you can marry before twenty. Qingzhou is different from you, he’s steady, good at learning, diligent, after high school graduation can find a match.”
Gu Qingzhou: “?”
Gu Xing’er didn’t dare provoke the rogue second brother, bully the soft fear the hard, used her eyes to glare at Gu Qingzhou.
Gu Qingzhou ignored her, only said: “Separating households doesn’t affect my marriage. If Dad and Mom want to separate, separate, I have no opinion.”
Has arms and legs, won’t starve. Even after separating, Dad and Mom won’t treat him badly.
Gu Mu feeling sorry looked at her youngest son, no matter what, it wronged Qingzhou after all.
Zhao Liuniang also wanted to be in charge, a trace of joy appeared on her face.
After the brigade leader and village leaders came, Gu Family started separating households.
Over so many years, subtracting what’s already spent, home only saved nearly three hundred yuan, three sons each got fifty, old couple kept fifty, the rest left for Gu Qingzhou and Gu Xing’er’s marriage. Tickets not many, divided a few sheets per family. Then pots bowls pans etc., only one set, not easy to divide evenly, the one who takes it pays money.
Brigade leader nodding, very fair.
Gu Xing’er dissatisfied, “What about me, my brothers each got fifty, why no share for me.”
Brigade leader long knew Gu Family little daughter’s reputation, heard she’s a troublemaker, seeing this, well-deserved.
“Ten li eight villages all this rule, daughters don’t get family property.” Seeing Gu Family old couple faces black, he explained.
Gu Xing’er: “Am I not Gu Family’s? Wasn’t I born by Mom? I and Gu Qingzhou born at the same time, why does he get fifty more than me? Dad, Mom, you favor boys over girls, leaders all say gender equality, you heavy male light female!”
Gu Mu tried to explain, “Qingzhou later needs to marry a wife, needs to prepare betrothal gifts, if home not enough to live needs to build house, the remaining money enough to prepare a nice dowry for you…”
“You’re just favoring.” Gu Xing’er wouldn’t listen, “I don’t care, I want too, if not give… I disagree with separating households.”
Huang Xiulan long guessed, separating households not that simple, see, the troublemaker started stirring again.
“Whether you agree or not doesn’t affect separating households.” Gu Fu said in a deep voice.
After speaking looked at brigade leader and others, “…trouble you to come over.”
“No trouble.”
Brigade leader and a few didn’t stay long, got up and left Gu Family.
“Don’t go, divided unfair, I disagree!” Gu Xing’er shouted loudly.
Several village cadres walked even faster.
Other families’ family matters, they never dared meddle much, who knows if they’ll get splashed with dirty water.
In a breath, brigade cadres disappeared at the door.
Gu Mu looked at Huang Xiulan, “Eldest daughter-in-law, does first branch want to live in old house, or build new house?”
Among grandsons and granddaughters, she worried most about Tie Chui and Yu Yu, former honest, latter young, both easy to bully.
But.
Comparing the two little ones, Tie Chui more likely to be bullied, he’s a boy, likes running everywhere, easy to be grabbed by his little aunt, unlike Yu Yu, always with second brother’s wife.
Huang Xiulan stunned.
Brain spinning fast, knew mother-in-law thinking for youngest son, heart inclined to build new house.
She looked at Gu Yuanshan.
“I’m the eldest son, need to provide elder care for Dad and Mom, I’ll stay.” Gu Yuanshan said.
Gu Mu waved hand, “No need, stay or go as you wish, your dad and I are healthy, can work a few more years.”
She looked at eldest son, “You have two sons, Alan also grown, home house not enough to live, better go build new house.”
Tie Dan spoke up, “…I also want my own room. Yu Baoheng Bao smaller than me, they all have their own houses.”
Li Bao not there, couldn’t express opinion.
Gu Mu said again: “Don’t hesitate, all one village, few steps back, you build new house… doesn’t affect you being filial to me and your dad.”
Gu Yuanshan thought for a moment, “Alright, we’ll build new.”
He looked at Gu Yucheng, “Second brother, you?”
“You’re going out, we definitely stay.” Gu Yucheng said, “Big brother, give me your two rooms.”
Give, also pay money.
Gu Yuanshan no objection, “Fine.”
Finally transacted for twenty yuan.
Twenty yuan enough for first branch to build three adobe houses, Huang Xiulan didn’t feel at a loss.
After separating households, Gu Family men and women went to work.
Gu Xing’er found Gu Qingzhou.
Reached out, righteously: “Give me twenty-five yuan.”
“Not giving.”
Gu Xing’er widened eyes, angry from shame, “Why?”
“Why you?”
Didn’t want to waste words with Gu Xing’er, pushed her away with palm, grabbed grass hat and small ran out the door.
Gu Xing’er body staggered back, arm against wall, barely steadied, fiercely glared at direction Gu Qingzhou disappeared, angry stomped foot.
Turned head wanted to enter Gu Qingzhou’s room to rummage, only saw iron lock on door.
Irritably patted door twice, heavy steps back to own room.
…
Lin Zhao learned from Li Bao’s mouth about old house planning to separate households.
“Separating households is good.” She said, “Does your home lack pot, I have one here, if want let your mom come get.”
Li Bao eyes shining, “Third Aunt, I’ll go say now.”
Saying, rushed to old house.
Still holding oily cake he was eating in hand.
Seeing this, twins afraid little aunt snatch Li Bao’s oily cake again, shouted at Da Huang, hurriedly chased.
Li Bao ran to old house, at home door saw Huang Xiulan, “Mom, Third Aunt asks if you want pot?”
“Pot? Yes.” Shoved farm tools into Gu Yuanshan’s hands, Huang Xiulan hurried to third branch.
Afraid one step late the pot would fly away.
Wanting to get a pot is hard.
Tie Dan hooked by oily cake in brother’s hand, before reacting, arrived at third branch front door.
“Younger brother’s wife, younger brother’s wife, you have pot?” Huang Xiulan’s excited voice rang.
Lin Zhao was eating with the children.
Raised eyes, glimpsed eldest brother’s wife and Tie Dan following behind.
“Have, under kitchen counter in stove room, big sister go flip.” After replying, she beckoned Tie Dan, “Zhixing, come in, standing at door doing what, come eat oily cake.”
Tie Dan face showed surprise, walked in.
“Yu Bao, take your Zhixing brother to wash hands.” Lin Zhao instructed, conveniently added a bowl of white porridge.
Tie Dan washed hands clean, happily sat down, embarrassed: “Thank you Third Aunt.”
Lin Zhao lightly smiled, “Eat, lots more in kitchen, eat as much as you want.”
After men left, she didn’t lack supplies. Lots of fruit in storage ring, couldn’t finish eating.
Tie Dan felt Third Aunt really good, really generous, more generous than all third aunts in village.
He just started eating, Huang Xiulan carrying double-eared iron pot out of kitchen, face full of joy, “Younger brother’s wife, this pot? This is good pot, you really willing to give me?”
Lin Zhao expression indifferent, looking not caring, “Giving you, as your family’s separating households congratulatory gift.”
“Second branch also has, big sister no need to feel bad.” She added.
Huang Xiulan both happy and embarrassed, “How can this be, one pot several yuan, needs industrial coupons too, I’ll give you money.”
“No problem, I can get better than you.” Lin Zhao really didn’t think much of it, she had lucky draw system, easy to get anything.
“If big sister feels bad, help me make a few quilts.” Words ambiguous, she continued: “I provide cotton and fabric, big sister help make.”
Huang Xiulan immediately agreed, “Fine!”
Looking at pot, mouth corners to back of head.
This way when new house built, home would have pot to cook.
Glanced at Gu Zhixing eating oily cake big bites, she blackened face, “Gu Zhixing, why eating again, didn’t you just eat…”
Tie Dan mouth stuffed full, mumbled: “…not full.”
