RYEY -Chapter 365 Division of Property

“I wanted to divorce her several times, but she just wouldn’t agree. I had no choice.”

“But that’s no reason for you to pursue Widow Liu.”

“I like Widow Liu. At least she’s like a real woman.”

“What if your wife reports you to the authorities? You’ll end up in prison.”

“Let her report me. If I have to go to prison, so be it. I don’t care anymore.”

Zhaodi, standing outside listening at the corner, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and stepped into the living room. “Chen Weimin, I understand now. Forced love never tastes sweet. Let’s get a divorce—but I have one condition.”

“What condition?”

“This house may be your Chen family ancestral home, but I’ve lived here most of my life. I bore your children and supported this family. I’m not leaving—you can leave if you want.”

“Fine.”

Li Huan looked at Chen Weimin in surprise. Even at his age, a man could have love—he was willing to give up the ancestral home for another woman.

Chen Chunli and Chen Chunjian were finally called out by Wang Xiangyang. “Your parents are going their separate ways, so stop playing dead. Who do you want to stay with? Decide quickly.”

Before the two could respond, Zhaodi spoke up: “I don’t want these two ungrateful brats. I’ll live on my own.”

“Mom, our household registration is here. You can’t just be greedy and take up this entire yard by yourself.”

“Exactly. You have no money, yet you’re still so greedy.”

Chen Chunli and Chen Chunjian were unhappy. This is their Chen family home. If anyone should leave, it should be this damn woman, not them.

Zhaodi didn’t lose her temper, nor did she look at her two sons. She smiled instead, resolutely turning to Wang Xiangyang. “Village chief, please help me divide the property.”

Wang Xiangyang glanced at Li Huan. Seeing him nod, he silently nodded as well. This was the first family in Xiangyang Village to divide their property, though there would likely be more in the future.

In reality, most households in Xiangyang Village were similar: a front and back yard, a main bedroom, and two side rooms—just five rooms in total.

If the property was to be divided, it had to be allocated properly. Zhaodi pointed to the room formerly occupied by Chen Chunhua and said calmly:

“My demands aren’t high. Half of the front yard, half of the back yard, Chunhua’s courtyard goes to me, and also Chen Chunli’s room.”

Chen Chunli quickly nodded. His room was next to Chunhua’s. Ever since Chunhua ate the peanuts, he preferred to squeeze in with Chen Chunjian rather than return to his own room.

Li Huan nodded. Chunhua’s room, on the west side of the house, was the best room in the family: large, bright, and furnished better than Zhaodi’s own room.

“Then we’ll start with the living room. Zhaodi will get two rooms and half of the front and back yards. Chen Weimin and your second son will get three rooms, with each also taking half of the front and back yards.”

Chen Weimin, eager to divorce, agreed without hesitation. The two brothers didn’t have to leave their home and also agreed. Wang Xiangyang took out paper and pen and began drafting the property division document.

To divide the property, the house would need to be split in two, the back yard fenced off, and the front yard walled, creating two separate households. Village workers would need to be hired for the work.

Chen Weimin paid most of the expenses for labor and materials. Since the couple had never officially registered their marriage, Wang Xiangyang simply issued a divorce certificate for them.

Cuìhua watched her husband’s brother’s family split into two and felt a pang of frustration. She and Chen Weidang were affectionate, yet this ungrateful son forced them apart.

Chen Weimin, who had someone like Zhaodi devoted to him—forgetting herself for the family—was now entangled with an outside woman. When he got older, he would realize his mistakes.

“Xiangyang, this year I want to raise four pigs—no, five pigs. I also want to keep a few chickens and a dog.”

“Aunt Zhaodi, why do you want a dog?”

“For protection against thieves. Oh, Xiangyang, I also have one hundred yuan here. Please help me hire people to wall off the back yard and build a big pigpen.”

“Alright, I’ll have it done tomorrow.”

One hundred yuan would be enough, but Wang Xiangyang took it anyway—it also covered getting piglets and raising chicks in one go.

Li Huan said nothing. In truth, one hundred yuan was probably not enough for all this, but judging by Wang Xiangyang’s attitude, he would likely cover the difference.

After all, Zhaodi had made such a fine shroud for the grandmother, and Xuhui even called her “aunt.” Helping each other is just human nature: you help me, I help you.

In early August, at first light, Xuhui arranged everything for the Chen family and packed his bags to head to the capital. No one knew when they would meet again.

Little Cheng Li clutched Xuhui, crying loudly. Their brotherly bond was deep, but now they would be separated—far apart, with no idea when they could reunite.

“Big brother, take care of yourself. Don’t be afraid of anything. And don’t save too much—if you run out of money, write to me. I’ll figure something out.”

Tears blurred Xuhui’s eyes. He knelt and whispered in Cheng Li’s ear. Cheng Li’s eyes widened in surprise, then he looked at Cheng Qiao with admiration—Mom really has money.

“Big brother, don’t be too outstanding at school.”

“Why not?”

Xuhui didn’t understand. Isn’t being outstanding a good thing?

Cheng Li sighed. He didn’t mean not to excel, just not to be too outstanding.

Seeing Xuhui still confused, Cheng Qiao patted his shoulder. “Just protect yourself. People are complicated. Don’t be too naive.”

Xuhui finally understood. His parents were forced apart because they were too outstanding. He looked at Cheng Li with a complex expression—his mother’s first child truly was remarkable.

“Wife, get ready at home. I’m going to see Xuhui off first.”

“Mm, after sending him to the station, wait a bit longer and pick up my uncle as well.”

A few days earlier, Zhao Hui had received a call from Cheng Qiao and immediately agreed to invest in several villages under Xiangyang Commune. After arranging the schedule, he boarded the train.

Xuhui had deliberately waited for this day to leave, so Li Huan wouldn’t have to make two trips. The road was long and rough—no need to exhaust himself.

Tractor hadn’t been learned yet, so Li Huan simply pushed two bicycles, loaded with luggage front and back, and headed to the county town.

They parked the bicycles at the station, loaded all their bags onto the long-distance bus, and eventually arrived at Spring City Train Station.

“Xuhui, you’re already a university student now. Take care of yourself. Don’t be afraid, and remember—you have a strong support behind you.”