RYEY -Chapter 343 The Severance Letter

In about ten minutes, Village Chief Cheng carried out a large stack of files from a neighboring room. He found the notebook belonging to Old Third Cheng’s family and flipped it open. Inside, not only was the severance letter Cheng Ligou had signed with them, but also the family division documents.

“After your father died, your mother really had it hard. When she could still move about, your younger siblings at least made sure she had enough to eat and wear. But once she got old and couldn’t work anymore, she was forced to split households. Now she lives alone at the eastern end, in that pig… house. Looks like her days are numbered.”

Cheng Ligou did not reply. He had Li Huan take photos, photographing the severance document. Then he prepared to leave. The village chief wanted to say something—his lips moved twice—but in the end, he couldn’t say a word.

They had barely walked a few steps out of the village committee when several people blocked their path. Without even looking, Cheng Ligou knew who it was—his second younger brother, Cheng Limin, and the others.

“Big brother, you’re back.”

Cheng Ligou said nothing, only looked coldly at Cheng Limin. That distant gaze made Cheng Limin uncomfortable—after all, it had been him who had incited their parents to sever ties with this eldest brother back then.

“Big brother, since you’re back, why not come sit at home for a bit?”

“Who’s your big brother?”

Li Huan shot Cheng Limin a glance. He had already photographed the severance letter. Once they returned to the capital, he could have the photos developed—however many copies he wanted. There was no need to waste words here.

“Big brother, you might not acknowledge me, but Mother is about to die. You should at least go see her.”

Cheng Limin’s voice was loud and clear. At some point, onlookers had already gathered around to watch the spectacle. They also felt Cheng Limin had a point—though ties had been severed, the blood bond between mother and son could never truly be cut.

Cheng Ligou thought for a moment. Forcing his way out clearly wouldn’t work. He waved his hand.

“Lead the way.”

Cheng Limin was delighted. As long as his elder brother was willing to see their mother, he could say a few more emotional words later. He wasn’t afraid this guy wouldn’t cough up some money.

Cheng Ligou and Li Huan followed Cheng Limin to a small building. The moment Cheng Ligou saw it, a surge of anger shot through him. This building—it had once been their family’s pigsty.

Perhaps because they had no money to raise pigs, they had expanded and raised the pigsty, even added a door. Cheng Ligou lowered his head and walked in. Opposite the door, there was a tiny window.

Beneath the window was a wooden plank bed. Lying on it was a frail, dying old woman. Cheng Ligou’s heart suddenly felt sour. How had that once vicious woman become like this?

“Mother, big brother is here. Say a few words to him.”

The old woman opened her eyes. Dazed, she saw several people standing before her. Her gaze finally fixed on Cheng Ligou.

“You unfilial son—why aren’t you dead yet?”

Cheng Limin sucked in a cold breath. His mother truly hadn’t changed at all. He hadn’t brought his big brother here to scold him—he wanted money from him!

“Mother, your health is bad. Let big brother take you to the hospital. You know we don’t have any money, but your life is important.”

The old woman seemed to understand. Her thin lips moved again.

“Give me a thousand yuan first. I need to see a doctor.”

Cheng Ligou laughed.

“Old lady, I joined the army at fifteen. Every month, without fail, I sent you ten yuan—eight full years.

When I got married, you gave me nothing. Instead, you said the house was too shabby and needed renovating, that you had no money, and you shamelessly swindled five hundred yuan from my wife.

After my daughter was born, you said she was a money-losing burden. You secretly stole her milk powder and clothes, even took the cash and grain coupons from our drawer, nearly starving her to death.

Your sons and daughters would come to my house from time to time to freeload, and my wife wasn’t allowed to resist—otherwise you’d suppress her with ‘filial piety.’

When I was wounded and demobilized, you worried I’d become a burden to you and insisted on splitting households.

When my father-in-law fell out with my wife, you got wind of it and fell out with me too, demanding that I pay you five hundred yuan at once as upbringing fees, to buy out all kinship, and sign a severance letter.

And now you ask me for a thousand yuan to see a doctor. Tell me, old lady—are your other two sons and two daughters all dead?”

The old woman’s face changed from red to white, then from white to black. In the end, she glared viciously at Cheng Ligou and barked in a hard tone:

“Fine, forget the money. But your youngest brother has been arrested by the police. Go get him out right now! Otherwise, even if I die, I’ll drag you down with me!”

“Your youngest son was arrested. Tell me, old lady—what crime did he commit?”

The old woman choked. In truth, she didn’t know exactly what her youngest son had done. She’d only heard from Limin that he was facing execution, which was why she’d been so anxious she fell ill.

Her youngest son, Cheng Libao, was her most cherished child. If anything happened to him, she didn’t want to live either. She’d originally wanted Cheng Limin to save him, but Cheng Limin had refused outright.

When she placed her hopes on her two married daughters, the two seemed to have agreed in advance—neither came back to their natal home again. Even when someone was sent to call them, they all claimed to be busy.

Knowing there was no hope of saving her youngest son, the old woman caused scenes at home day after day. But her husband had long since died, and Cheng Limin grew impatient and split households with her as well.

Who would have thought the situation would suddenly turn around—her eldest son, with whom she had severed ties, had returned. Like a fish returned to water after being stranded, she instantly came back to life.

“I don’t know. Isn’t it just some petty theft? Spend some money and it’ll be settled.”

“Cheng Limin,” Cheng Ligou said coldly, “tell your own mother—what crime did your own brother commit?”

Cheng Limin fell silent. This kind of crime—if spoken aloud—would make it impossible for him to hold his head up in the village. But Li Huan didn’t care and spoke in a mocking tone:

“Nothing much—just human trafficking. He was caught by the police. Old lady, your Cheng Libao is impressive—he trafficked more than a dozen children in one go.”

Boom—

The old woman felt as if a thunderbolt had exploded in her head. Human trafficking—once that charge was established, it was surely a death sentence.

The villagers watching were also shaken. Children had gone missing in the village before, but they could never find them. Reporting to the police hadn’t helped—once a child was taken away from the area, it was almost impossible to recover them.

The villagers’ feelings shifted instantly—from sympathy for Cheng Limin and his mother to disgust. This sudden change made Cheng Limin’s heart race in panic.

“Eldest brother, Mother begs you—no matter what, save your youngest brother’s life. He… he’s still your full blood brother.”

The old woman seemed not to have noticed the villagers’ change at all. Her heart was entirely focused on saving her youngest son, and her gaze toward Cheng Ligou softened.

“Heh. Full blood brother? Do you know whom he trafficked? He trafficked my grandson—and you still want me to save him.”

The moment these words fell, everyone was stunned. The village chief who had rushed over wore a face full of shock. No wonder Cheng Ligou had come to retrieve the severance letter—this kinship truly had to be cut clean.