RIRW – Chapter 30

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“Mom, you need to take charge of this. My sister-in-law causes such a ruckus every day that I don’t even want to go home anymore. Look at our family—where else is it like this? Anything good ends up in her room. If this keeps up, how am I supposed to get married? Besides, Mom, we’ve already divided the family, so why is everything still so unclear? With the way she acts, if I start earning money in the future, she’ll probably demand to merge households again. I won’t agree to that. The money I make in the future will be for you to live comfortably in your old age. I won’t let my sister-in-law squander it.”

Zuo Chengcai wore a face full of discontent, as if blaming his sister-in-law for turning him into an older bachelor.

Grandmother Zuo tapped her rice bowl with irritation. “So, now that the family’s divided, you’re behaving yourself? You little rascal, how did I end up raising someone like you?”

“Hmph, I don’t care. I’m insisting on building a separate gate. That way, when I build my big house in the future, no one can take advantage of me. Mom, if you don’t agree, I just won’t come home anymore. The house is noisy and chaotic anyway—what’s the point of coming back? I’m a grown man, and I don’t want to quarrel with women. I also don’t want you to suffer every day and hurt your health. Once we’re separated, I’ll bring my wife home, and you’ll still be in charge of the family.”

Grandmother Zuo sat silently, her face stern. She thought her son was spouting nonsense.

Count on him? She might as well prepare to starve!

Seeing Grandmother Zuo remain quiet, Zuo Chengcai became so frustrated his face twisted. Finally, he gritted his teeth and pulled out ten yuan from his pocket. “Mom, look! I haven’t been home for the past few days because I’ve been earning money.” He handed over the money, clearly reluctant to part with it.

Grandmother Zuo’s eyes widened as she looked at the money. “You really earned this? How?”

Zuo Chengcai wasn’t about to admit it came from reselling grain—a clear case of illegal speculation. The old lady would break his legs and never let him leave the house again.

He said, “It’s from a truck driver I know who hauls goods long-distance. I reconnected with him recently. This time, he changed routes, which is much safer than before. I only made two trips and earned ten yuan.”

Hearing this, Grandmother Zuo quickly stuffed the money into her pocket, her heart warming. “Earning money is so easy? You’ve only been out for a few days.”

“Mom, that’s because I’ve got the connections. Not everyone can do this.”

“Then can you bring your older brothers in on it?” Grandmother Zuo asked. Earning so much in just a few days could really brighten the Zuo family’s future. Suddenly, even the rascal seemed more pleasing to her.

“Mom, do you think my older brothers can handle this? You need quick thinking for this kind of work. Besides, the driver doesn’t need more people.” Hearing her suggestion, Zuo Chengcai became even more determined to keep things separate. Otherwise, his mom would surely make him share benefits with his eldest brother’s family.

Grandmother Zuo looked disappointed.

Quickly, Zuo Chengcai said, “Mom, now that I can earn money, you’ll have a good life with me in the future. Why argue with my sister-in-law? If we don’t sort things out now, it’ll cause bigger problems when I start making more money. If you don’t agree to separate completely, I won’t get married or earn money anymore.” By the end, he was outright sulking.

Grandmother Zuo stared at him for a long time without speaking, her mind racing. Her youngest son was undoubtedly her favorite. He was born late in her life and had grown up without a father’s love. How could she not dote on him? She used to worry about his lack of ability and wanted his brothers to help him out. But now that her youngest son had proven capable, it was her eldest son’s family causing trouble. This couldn’t go on.

The next morning, for the first time since the family split, Grandmother Zuo made breakfast for everyone.

The fields had already been planted or harvested, so there wasn’t much farmwork to do, and no one needed to head out early. It was rare for the whole family to sit together for breakfast.

But no one seemed particularly interested in the meal—except for Zuo Chengcai and his niece, Zuo Dan, who were quietly excited. They sat obediently, ready to hear what Grandmother Zuo had to say.

Looking at everyone, Grandmother Zuo felt that her decision was wise. They were no longer united, so why keep them tied together? It was time to split everything cleanly. After all, wasn’t this how their ancestors had managed things, leading to generations of prosperity in Zuo Village?

“I’ve been thinking recently. Since the family is already divided, it doesn’t make sense to keep cooking in the same pot. I’ve noticed that other families in the village each manage their own household. We should do the same. This main house is the ancestral home, so it’ll go to the eldest. I’ll move into the house your family is currently living in.”

Hearing this, Xu Fengxia’s face lit up with joy. The Zuo family’s ancestral home was the most spacious, with enough room to divide it into two smaller sections. Zuo Huan was also delighted—if they could create two rooms, she could have her own space.

Early in the morning, Grandmother Zuo kept her eyes on Xu Fengxia. Seeing her joy upon hearing the news, Grandmother Zuo silently ground her teeth in frustration. Taking advantage of the elderly—what a disgrace! But there was no other way to divide things. When the house was built, the main house stood alone, with the other houses built around it. To create separate courtyards, they had to divide the property like this. Anyway, her third son had promised to build her a big house to live in.

Having made up her mind, she felt relieved and continued, “The east wing will go to the eldest family, and the kitchen will go to the third family.”

Hearing this, Xu Fengxia’s expression darkened, and so did Zuo Hongjun’s. But it was Xu Fengxia who spoke up, “Mom, where am I supposed to cook?”

“The second family hasn’t even said a word yet. Why are you in such a hurry?”

Zuo Dacheng replied, “Hui and I have no problem. I’ll just build one myself.” After all, his mother would be living with the third family. He couldn’t fight with his mom over kitchen use.

With Zuo Dacheng’s agreement, Grandmother Zuo gained confidence. “That settles it. As for the main hall, I think we should tear it down. Since we’re no longer eating together, the materials can be used to build kitchens for the eldest and second families.” She felt this was a fair solution.

Zuo Dan, hearing that everything was being divided clearly, perked up, sensing the real show was about to begin. She looked at Grandmother Zuo with shining eyes.

Grandmother Zuo cleared her throat and announced, “From now on, I’ll be living with the third family. The third son needs to start his own family. I think we should seal off this door and open a new one, so he can have his own household.”

Zuo Dacheng glanced at his daughter upon hearing this. Incredible—his daughter had predicted this arrangement exactly.

Zuo Hongjun, on the other hand, began to panic. For some reason, hearing that his mother was planning to create a new courtyard made him feel as though he wasn’t being left in the ancestral home but was instead being cast out.

But Grandmother Zuo didn’t have time to care what they thought. Her decision was final, and the necessary separations had been made. “Alright, go to work now. Don’t delay.” With that, she went inside to pack her things. She didn’t need to work anymore; her third son had promised to let her enjoy her retirement and manage all the money he earned.

“Third Uncle, you’re amazing.” Once outside, Zuo Dan caught up with Zuo Chengcai, excitedly patting his shoulder and giving him a thumbs-up.

Praised by his niece, Zuo Chengcai was delighted. “Of course! Your Grandma is my own mother. Who knows her better than I do?” It wasn’t about keeping the family together; she was just worried no one would take care of her in old age. Now that she’d have a comfortable life, let’s see how happy she gets.

“Uncle, we need to act quickly and get this done early so we can focus on earning money,” Zuo Dan urged.

“Don’t worry. We’ll start tomorrow,” Zuo Chengcai replied confidently. If he lacked work points, he’d just make up for it with money at the end of the year. What was there to fear?

After finalizing things with Zuo Chengcai, Zuo Dan went to discuss the matter with Zuo Dacheng and his wife. “Third Uncle said we’ll start construction tomorrow. I think it’s better to do it all at once. That way, it’s more convenient for everyone.”

Zuo Dacheng and Li Hui agreed. It was better to handle it all together since Grandmother Zuo wouldn’t be living in the main house anymore. They didn’t want constant interactions with the eldest family.

Later, during work, Zuo Dacheng requested leave from Zuo Shuisheng. The latter was surprised since Zuo Dacheng hadn’t taken a single day off in years. But upon hearing the reason, he immediately approved it. “Your family’s matriarch finally figured it out. This should have been done long ago. The kids are all grown. Why keep living together?”

Zuo Dacheng chuckled awkwardly. Zuo Shuisheng could criticize his mom, but he certainly couldn’t.

With the Zuo family now set to divide cleanly, Zuo Dan was in a great mood and even showed a bit more kindness to Li Chenliang.

Li Chenliang, however, was not pleased. He kept glaring at her as if she owed him money.

Oh, right—she did owe him fine grain. Earlier, Zuo Dan had promised him fine grain, but it hadn’t materialized. Instead, she’d slipped him a receipt from the post office that morning: proof of shipment for 400 jin of fine grain, all sent away.

As Zuo Dan carried her hoe to the ditch, Li Chenliang followed her.

Seeing this, Su Xue clenched her teeth in frustration.

In a low voice, Zuo Dan said, “Why are you so anxious? If you suddenly had that much fine grain, wouldn’t people get suspicious? It’s better if your family sends it to you. No one would question that.” She didn’t mention that her third uncle had been so eager to finish the work and collect the money that he’d forgotten about this.

Hearing this, Li Chenliang’s expression relaxed, and a smile appeared on his face. She was right—this way, he could enjoy the fine grain openly.

Still, he felt somewhat annoyed that his rural cousin seemed to think faster than he did. With a huff, he picked up his hoe and walked away.

Not far off, Xu Dapeng and Shen Yiming were cutting pig grass for the farm. Shen Yiming, now considered promising by the old team leader, no longer worked in the fields all day. Instead, he spent his time at the farm as a semi-livestock keeper.

Xu Dapeng had been idle for the past couple of days since confirming his position at the commune coal yard, spending his time hanging out with Shen Yiming. During a break, he had been observing the group on Zuo Dan’s side and quickly concluded, “Li Chenliang and that girl are at odds.”

Lately, his favorite pastime was keeping an eye on Li Chenliang and Zuo Dan. He suspected that Zuo Dan, who was close to both Li Chenliang and Shen Yiming, might be infiltrating their circle on Li Chenliang’s behalf. Xu Dapeng often fancied himself a natural scout, skilled at uncovering enemy movements, so he wasn’t about to let any clue slip past him.

Shen Yiming didn’t even look up. “Enough. You’re leaving soon. Why do you care so much?”

Only then did Xu Dapeng tear his gaze away. “Still, it’s strange. You let me take such a good opportunity alone. Why didn’t you go instead?” Shen Yiming had given a valuable suggestion to the commune but didn’t ask for any rewards other than securing Xu Dapeng a technical position at the coal yard. Xu Dapeng felt like he was taking advantage of him.

Shen Yiming replied indifferently, “I don’t have the skills. Even if I went, I’d be useless. Remember to keep in touch with your uncle once you’re there. Get his help with technical matters at the coal yard. That way, you’ll have an easier time.”

“Don’t worry. My uncle would do that without me asking. He might even come down to offer guidance himself,” Xu Dapeng said confidently. Not being able to join the army was disappointing, but landing a good job made up for it. Still, he couldn’t help but warn Shen Yiming, “Watch out for yourself while you’re here. Don’t let that girl fool you.”

“Mm.” Shen Yiming’s eyes briefly flicked toward Zuo Dan’s group, and a faint smile played on his lips.

Meanwhile, Zuo Dan glanced in Shen Yiming’s direction—not out of curiosity but because she was pondering how relaxing cutting pig grass seemed. Perhaps she could butter up the old team leader and secure a spot at the farm. But not in winter—it was too cold. She’d wait until spring.

As for the new gates being installed at home, both Zuo Dacheng and Zuo Chengcai were highly motivated. They took leave from work, and the very next day, construction began.

That’s when Zuo Dacheng’s and his wife’s good relationships in the village came into play. After work, a group of kind neighbors came to help out.

Since they were helping Zuo Dacheng, they figured they might as well lend Zuo Chengcai a hand too. By the end of the day, the old gates of both households were sealed off, and new ones were installed. Previously, their houses faced each other; now, their backs were turned, with Zuo Hongjun’s home sandwiched in the middle.

Zuo Dacheng’s kitchen was also completed, leaving only the courtyard to be finished gradually after work hours.

When the kitchen was ready, Zuo Shuisheng lent the couple an old iron pot from the team’s communal kitchen.

“We still need to buy our own pot, but we’re short on industrial coupons,” Zuo Dacheng said while scrubbing the large pot.

Zuo Dan, busy planting trees in front of their new gate, immediately chimed in, “Dad, don’t worry. Last time I was in town, I ran into Xiaocong. He mentioned that someone at the supply cooperative was willing to exchange industrial coupons for grain. I’ll go to town tomorrow and swap for a pot.” She conveniently had a new pot stashed away at the orchard.

“Really?” Zuo Dacheng asked, delighted.

“Of course! But, Dad, don’t tell anyone. We can’t get that supply cooperative lady in trouble.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t say a word. Our Dandan is so capable,” Zuo Dacheng said, beaming with pride. His daughter not only ventured into town but also got along well with city folks, even managing to procure industrial coupons!

Li Hui, chopping vegetables in the kitchen, couldn’t help but smile as she overheard them. Life truly was getting better.

Yet thoughts of her parents weighed on her mind. She wondered when they might leave their current situation. Once the fieldwork was done, she planned to visit them. She’d also talk to her eldest brother about Xiaoxue—her stubborn nature made her hard to guide, and perhaps her brother would have some advice.

“Not even a kitchen set up—how are we supposed to cook meals?”

Xu Fengxia’s voice drifted over from the other side of the wall. Zuo Dacheng and Zuo Dan froze for a moment before pretending not to hear.

During the kitchen renovations earlier, their mother had sealed off the original kitchen door and opened a new one, effectively barring Xu Fengxia from entering.

Because of Xu Fengxia’s poor reputation, no one had helped Zuo Hongjun’s household with their kitchen. As a result, they had to make do with a makeshift stove—but they didn’t even have a pot. Xu Fengxia hoped to stir up some drama and see if the second household would lend them a pot.

But Zuo Dacheng didn’t respond at all. Instead, their mother shouted from behind the wall, “What are you yelling for? Can’t a person get some peace? We’ve split households; if you’re so unhappy, just move out!”

Xu Fengxia had no choice but to send her daughter to borrow a pot. But Zuo Huan outright refused. After being slighted by Shen Yiming, her resentment toward Zuo Dan had deepened. She blamed Zuo Dan for not finishing her tasks earlier, which led to her being assigned dirty and exhausting work. She now refused to ask Zuo Dan for anything.

With Zuo Huan unwilling, they had to send Zuo Qing, the more docile child, who usually got along well with Li Hui.

“Aunt, please take pity on me. If I don’t come back with a pot, my mom will definitely beat me,” Zuo Qing sobbed, her eyes red, nearly dropping to her knees before Li Hui.

Both Zuo Dacheng and Li Hui hesitated. They didn’t trust Xu Fengxia, who might never return the pot.

Yet seeing the child cry tugged at their hearts.

Zuo Dan, however, remained indifferent. Whether it was her original self or now, she’d had little interaction with Zuo Qing and felt no emotional attachment.

“Qingqing, what if Aunt doesn’t return it?” she asked bluntly.

Zuo Qing was stunned. “She’ll return it. She definitely will.”

“If they don’t return it, then what? And if your mom beats you for asking for it back, what will you do?” Zuo Dan said, feigning concern. Then, turning to her parents, she added, “Dad, Mom, whether or not we lend the pot, it won’t change much for Qingqing. If we don’t lend it, she might just get a small beating. But if we lend it and later ask for it back, she’ll probably get a worse one. I don’t think we should lend it.”

Zuo Dacheng nodded in agreement. He wasn’t keen on lending the pot either. They had just managed to distance themselves from these issues and didn’t want to stir up trouble again.

“Qingqing, tell your parents this pot is borrowed from the old team leader, and we can’t lend it out so casually.”

Zuo Qing’s face fell with disappointment.

Zuo Dan added, “Sister Qingqing, why don’t you go ask Grandma to lend you one? Or, when your mom hits you, stand up to her a little. If you push back once or twice, she probably won’t dare hit you as often in the future.” This advice came from a genuine place—Zuo Dan believed in self-reliance and standing up for oneself.

Unfortunately, Zuo Qing didn’t take her words to heart. Seeing that Zuo Dacheng and Zuo Dan were firm in their refusal, she turned to Li Hui and pleaded, “Second Aunt, you know how hard things are for me…”

Li Hui glanced at their newly renovated kitchen and lowered her head. She really didn’t want to get into any more arguments.

Seeing this, Zuo Qing wiped her tears and ran off.

“Dad, Mom, let’s eat. I have to go to the town tomorrow,” Zuo Dan urged.

The mention of eating brightened everyone’s mood, and they headed to the kitchen for dinner. This was the first meal cooked in their new kitchen.

As they ate happily, loud arguing and chaotic noises erupted from the neighboring house. They could hear Xu Fengxia yelling and Zuo Qing crying.

“Useless girl! Can’t even borrow a pot! What’s the point of having you?”

Zuo Dacheng and Li Hui fell silent for a moment. Li Hui sighed, “Things will be better once she’s married.”

Zuo Dan, however, shook her head. If she didn’t stand up for herself now, how could things possibly improve after marriage? With Zuo Qing’s submissive personality, marrying someone would likely just mean stepping into another abusive situation.

Later that evening, Zuo Dan went to the orchard to pick a few dozen pounds of fruit to sell in town the next day.

The following morning, Zuo Dacheng packed ten pounds of fine grains for her to trade for industrial coupons and buy a cast-iron pot. He also set aside money for the pot itself. Though he felt a twinge of pain parting with the grain, he was excited about finally owning their own large cast-iron pot.

Zuo Dacheng planned to take Zuo Dan to the town bus stop, but just outside the village, they ran into Zuo Mugen’s horse cart. Onboard were Shen Yiming and Xu Dapeng, along with bedding and some personal belongings.

It seemed like they were heading back to town. Zuo Dan was surprised.

Hearing that Zuo Dacheng wanted to take Zuo Dan to town, Zuo Mugen grinned. “Perfect timing! I’m heading to the commune to drop these two off. Dandan can ride along. No need for you to go and miss work.”

“That’s great, Uncle Mugen. Thanks for the trouble,” Zuo Dacheng said cheerfully, loading the grain onto the cart and greeting Shen Yiming.

He noticed the luggage on the cart but didn’t pry about Shen Yiming’s destination. If they were leaving so early, it was probably meant to be discreet.

Once Zuo Dan climbed aboard, Zuo Dacheng headed home, relieved.

Zuo Mugen gently urged the old horse forward, and the cart creaked into motion.

“Lucky me,” Zuo Dan said cheerfully. “Every time I go to town, I manage to catch a ride.” Then, as if casually, she asked, “Where are you guys heading so early in the morning?”

Xu Dapeng shot a cautious look at Zuo Dan.