On the other hand, Qian Juhua quickly gave in on this matter. She knew that while Tian Youfu was present, she needed to get the key points settled. If she waited until the other elders from the clan came, she might not be able to achieve her goal.
“I don’t want the house.”
When she said this, even Tian Dazhu, who was sitting on the ground, let out a sigh of relief.
To Wang Ying, it was clear she had just despised him.
“I don’t want the house, but I want the money.”
Qian Juhua had it figured out. The four of them could manage with their living situation for now. The village wouldn’t let them starve. Worst case, they would live in a dilapidated house like the others who had been relocated.
But the youngest’s health couldn’t be delayed any longer.
“Half of the house’s value should be given to me. I just want the money.”
Tian Dazhu’s mother was furious: “You little shameless thing, how dare you ask for the house? What’s the house got to do with you! You’re asking for half, do you even have any shame?”
Qian Juhua replied, “Yes, I didn’t contribute to building the house, but when your son married me, he owed several hundred yuan! It was for building the house! I helped pay it back for years before we cleared it. Why can’t I take half?”
Tian Youfu stopped Tian Dazhu’s mother from speaking: “It’s fine.”
Qian Juhua’s request wasn’t excessive. Tian Youfu knew full well how the house was built. Back then, Tian Dazhu had borrowed money from him, and it was Qian Juhua who had paid it back. Giving her half was not unreasonable.
Tian Erzhu’s wife’s eyes shifted: “Well, we have to agree on this. You can’t take all three daughters with you. Leave the eldest here, and neither side needs to pay support or work points.”
Qian Juhua didn’t expect this sister-in-law to be so persistent, trying to hold onto the eldest daughter who could work.
“You shouldn’t think about it. All three daughters belong to me.”
Qian Juhua became anxious. How could she leave her eldest daughter with this family?
Tian Erzhu’s wife was about to say something, but Wang Ying spoke first: “When Juhua was giving birth, your son almost caused problems. I can testify to that.”
Tian Erzhu’s wife immediately fell silent. Wang Ying was clearly warning her that if Qian Juhua took all three daughters, then Wang Ying could persuade Qian Juhua to bring up the previous incident and file a complaint.
Tian Dazhu’s mother was about to speak, but Tian Youfu was done listening. He thought this old woman was unreasonable.
The family separation was clearly a loss for Qian Juhua. They didn’t even manage to get the support fees for the three daughters. If they had asked for it, Tian Dazhu’s work points would have to be split in half.
Tian Erzhu’s wife knew that their family would benefit. She tugged at her mother-in-law’s sleeve.
If Tian Dazhu had to give money to Juhua, at least 200 yuan would be required, and Tian Dazhu definitely couldn’t come up with that amount. If it came from their own family, Tian Erzhu’s wife would certainly be unhappy.
But if the house fell into their hands, then giving the 200 yuan would be much easier.
Tian Erzhu’s wife thought that when they returned, she would discuss with her husband and contribute 100 yuan, then ask Tian Dazhu to borrow work points from the village to make up the difference for Qian Juhua. After Qian Juhua left, the house would be theirs.
Moreover, they’d gained a good worker in Tian Dazhu.
They wouldn’t have to take care of the younger children, and the 100 yuan they lent would be returned in less than two years.
Tian Erzhu’s wife had a well-planned scheme, while Tian Dazhu wiped his face and packed up to go live with his brother. Before leaving, neither of his two daughters even looked at him.
Tian Dazhu felt bitter inside, but he thought to himself that he had his reasons.
Tian Dazhu’s mother nagged and cursed Qian Juhua all the way, and when they arrived home, Tian Dazhu was arranged to stay in the stove room.
“There’s no room in the house, so you’ll have to make do for a while.”
Tian Dazhu didn’t say a word but suddenly asked, “Mother… after the New Year, can you help me find Aunt Xi?”
Aunt Xi was a well-known matchmaker in the village.
When Tian Dazhu’s mother heard this, she was furious. She was about to say that her eldest son was not destined for a happy life, and it was pointless to find a match for him. At that moment, the younger daughter-in-law came in.
The younger daughter-in-law pulled her mother-in-law aside and said, “Mother, this is a good thing. Big Brother has a house, and one is easy to find.”
Tian Erzhu’s wife patted her chest and confidently promised, “Brother, don’t worry. I’ll arrange it for you. Once Juhua leaves, I’ll find someone for you.”
Tian Dazhu immediately felt at ease.
However, Tian Erzhu’s wife was rather dismissive. A matchmaker? She thought it was unrealistic. Even if they did arrange a match, it would take years before they realized he couldn’t have children, and then they would find him a widow to pair with.
Otherwise, how could their family’s life improve?
Tian Erzhu’s wife thought that Qian Juhua’s divorce was a good thing. Now that she was gone, their family wouldn’t have to waste words on her.
After Tian Dazhu left, Tian Youfu also left, and Xu Shuang went home to cook.
Qian Juhua thanked Wang Ying, who quickly helped her onto the bed: “Let’s not talk about that now. Just focus on recovering.”
Qian Juhua looked somewhat melancholic: “I used to think being alone was very scary, but after what happened, I suddenly feel much lighter.”
The eldest daughter had a worried expression, while the second daughter was quite happy: “Dad’s gone, now we can live with Mom!”
Qian Juhua gently touched her daughters’ faces: “It might be hard for us, living with me.”
The second daughter cheerfully replied, “I’m not afraid!”
As long as they didn’t make her go outside, she was fine!
Wang Ying tucked Qian Juhua in and joked, “Maybe the future will be full of good days!”
Qian Juhua laughed lightly, clearly not fully believing it.
Wang Ying placed the baby in Qian Juhua’s arms and said, “You’re malnourished, and your leg injury is still bad. Try not to move around too much these next few days. I’ll come back tomorrow to give you acupuncture. Ask Da Ya to come with me to get some medicine.”
Qian Juhua immediately tried to give Wang Ying money, but Wang Ying refused: “I know you don’t like owing people, but this is different. Wait until after the New Year and give it to me then. Just focus on resting for now.”
The eldest daughter, Da Ya, also understood and went with Wang Ying to get the medicine. When she returned, she looked a bit nervous: “Wang Ying insisted on giving me this.”
In her hands were five or six eggs and a small packet of sugar.
Qian Juhua gently patted her daughter’s head: “Go ahead, make one egg for you and your sister, and make a bowl of egg drop soup. We’ll drink it together.”
Wang Ying sent Da Ya off and hummed a happy tune.
Xu Shuang asked, “Are you really that happy?”
Wang Ying replied, “Of course.”
Nothing made her happier than seeing someone courageously leave a wrong relationship behind.
Qian Juhua had broken free from her old struggles and would surely have a good life moving forward.
As they were talking, Wang Ying suddenly exclaimed, “Ah!” and rushed to the kitchen. The hotpot she had prepared was left uneaten, and the chili peppers in the pot had frozen into clumps.
Wang Ying comforted herself, thinking that at least it was still a hotpot, and since the ingredients hadn’t been cooked yet, they could just eat it tomorrow.
The next day, they finally reached noon, and as usual, the three of them gathered around to eat hotpot.
Xu Shuang had not only prepared frozen tofu but also vermicelli, napa cabbage, sliced white radish, sliced potatoes, fish slices, and rabbit meat slices.
Wang Ying dipped the rabbit meat, which had been in the spicy broth, into the oil dip, and when she tasted it, the flavor was incredibly tender and fresh.
The frozen tofu soaked up the soup, making it both fragrant and spicy! The vermicelli and napa cabbage were also especially delicious.
Old Lady Xu complained, “It’s not as good as what your father used to make.”
Xu Shuang sighed, “…Well, of course, back then he cooked for a wealthy family, using beef fat.”
Now, where could he get beef fat?
Wang Ying, on the other hand, was impressed but regretted not having sesame paste.
Xu Shuang said, “Maybe next year.”
Before next winter, he would make sure to prepare well—sesame paste, seafood, vegetables, and everything else.
After finishing the fragrant and spicy hotpot, they didn’t want to throw away the broth. Old Lady Xu took half, and Xu Shuang kept the other half, preparing to make spicy fish for dinner.
Wang Ying suddenly realized that tomorrow was New Year’s Eve.
Xu Shuang asked, “Then we should prepare earlier tomorrow.”
The dishes for New Year’s Eve had to be specific—at least a fish, rabbit meat, the leftover pork from last time, and even the half chicken Xu Shuang had saved.
Wang Ying was already salivating at the thought, feeling that life was really good.
On New Year’s Eve morning, people were coming and going to exchange New Year’s greetings, which was a tradition in the mountain village. From the 30th day of the New Year, it was considered the start of the festivities. On New Year’s Eve, people would visit each other to exchange greetings, and on the morning of the first day of the New Year, people would visit those of higher seniority.
Wang Ying still had the leftover candies from her wedding, and regardless of whether the children visiting knew her or not, she gave each one two pieces. In no time, her home became a popular stop, and every child came to get their share.
Wang Ying didn’t have her own children, and the Xu family was from a different clan, so this time she didn’t give out New Year’s money but instead gave candies fairly.
After handing out candies to everyone, Wang Ying went to Cheng Shufen’s house. In addition to giving Cheng Yu some candies, she also told this kind-hearted little girl about Qian Juhua’s situation.
Cheng Yu’s eyes sparkled: “That’s great!”
Although the woman from that family got divorced, Cheng Yu thought that throwing away a man who had contributed nothing was definitely a good deal.
“Will she have nowhere to live and come stay here?”
The area where Cheng Yu and Cheng Shufen lived used to be a settlement for villagers, and there were more than one run-down houses. If Qian Juhua had no place to stay, it was very likely that Tian Youfu would arrange for her to live here.
Wang Ying: “I don’t know either.”
Moreover, Qian Juhua had to consider more than just the housing issue. Wang Ying was aware of her health condition. Even if she recovered well, she probably wouldn’t be able to do the heavy fieldwork in the future.
Thinking about this, Wang Ying couldn’t help but feel worried for the unfortunate mother and her four daughters.
However, Cheng Yu expressed regret: “I wanted to raise rabbits. There are so many rabbits here. It would be great if we could catch them and raise them for meat.”
Wang Ying suddenly had an idea.
Rabbits couldn’t be raised easily because wild rabbits were too ferocious, and the chances of successfully taming them were very low.
But…
What if they raised pigs instead?
Wang Ying had previously tested her golden finger, which greatly improved the efficiency of pig farming.
If the pigs were raised together as part of the village’s task, could Qian Juhua be in charge of managing the pig farming in the future?
I am just a novice translator and Chinese is not my native language. I try my best to translate the chapters as accurate as possible.
If there are any mistakes then kindly comment and remind me. Your support means a lot.
