Male Lead's Canon Fodder Wife
Chapter 1484 - 1484: Separation ( 1 )

As soon as the elders said this, Li Chenze let out a chuckle that drew all attention in the room toward him.

The team leader knew about the Li family's contributions, so he said nothing and continued observing.

Unlike him, the village elders didn't know much about the Li family and only saw him as the Zhang family's eldest son-in-law. So, when they heard him laughing, they were displeased.

"This nephew, what's so funny?" one of the elders asked with a frown.

Li Chenze smiled and replied, "Uncle, don't you think it's funny that these comrades treated the guests with such respect, but didn't even pour a cup of water for their own parents?"

After he said this, everyone turned their gaze to the small table between Father Zhang and Mother Zhang's chairs. Indeed, there was nothing on the table.

Seeing this, their good impressions of the Zhang brothers and their wives were instantly shattered. The elders now stared at them with suspicion and scrutiny.

Realizing that their efforts to curry favor with the elders to gain more during the division were ruined, Zhang Silang finally asked, "Eldest brother-in-law, why are you throwing dirty water on us? We have never had any enmity with you, so why are you trying to harm us?"

When Li Chenze heard this, he raised his eyebrows and asked in return, "Fourth brother-in-law, when did I throw dirty water on you? I'm simply voicing my confusion."

"From the moment I arrived, I didn't see any of you or your wives show even a bit of respect to my father-in-law and mother-in-law. Third sister-in-law even said that as a son-in-law, I have no say in the Zhang family," he added with a sigh.

As soon as he said this, the elders frowned deeper and asked, "Old Zhang, is what your son-in-law said true?"

Before Father Zhang could reply, Mother Zhang had already lowered her head and started to sob. Seeing this, what more needed to be said?

Understanding the situation, the team leader finally brought the conversation back to the main issue and said, "Uncle Zhang, you said you want to divide the family. So, how do you want to divide it?"

The moment he finished speaking, Zhang Dalang said, "Team leader, my parents are old and can't work anymore. So, as the eldest son, I will be the one to take care of them after we separate. Therefore, I should receive two extra portions when the family's properties are divided."

When he said this, Mother Zhang and Father Zhang were stunned, while the rest of the Zhang family refused immediately.

"Impossible!"

"Eldest brother, how can you take so many? We don't agree!"

One after another, they voiced their disagreement; only Li Chenze sat there and calmly watched them.

After a long time, their bickering became more intense, and the team leader finally said, "Alright, everyone, that's enough. If you continue bickering, when will this matter be solved? I still have lots of work to do and can't waste my time listening to your bickering."

As soon as he said this, the room finally turned silent, but the Zhang brothers continued to glare at each other.

After a moment, Father Zhang finally said, "Team leader, I want to divide all my family property equally based on person. Either adults or children, all will get the same portion."

When he said this, Zhang Dalang and his wife were delighted. Out of the brothers, he had the most children, while Zhang Silang only had a newborn baby. From this alone, they could see how their parents treated the eldest son differently.

"Father, are you muddled by your old age? How can you give a child the same portion as an adult? No matter what, adults work more, so children should get half of the portion," Zhang Erlang said with a frown.

The moment he said those words, Father Zhang replied, "Don't think I don't know what you are thinking. Your mother and I never planned to be partial towards Dalang."

"Then why did you do this, Father?" Zhang Silang asked.

"That's because I know how you treat your children. The four of you prefer sons to daughters and rarely give your daughters enough food. If I only gave them half a portion, wouldn't you starve them to death?" Father Zhang asked angrily.

Being exposed by their father like this, the Zhang brothers were unhappy and still wanted to argue. But before they could say a word, Father Zhang said, "Enough! If you continue to argue, we won't separate the household!"

The moment their wives heard this, they quickly pulled at their husbands' arms and stopped them. Even though their mother-in-law was easy to control, the sisters-in-law were another matter.

They were tired of competing with each other every day just for an extra bite of food. So, unlike usual, where they continued to argue, this time, they all had the same thoughts.

It's better to separate the households and take care of their own family food and money!

"Father, we won't argue anymore," Zhang Sanlang's wife said.

Hearing this, Father Zhang looked at his wife and nodded. Seeing this, Mother Zhang stood up and went to their bedroom. When she returned, she was holding a wooden box.

The moment her sons and daughters-in-law saw the box, their eyes lit up. That was where their mother stored the money and coupons.

Mother Zhang sat down and opened the lid. Taking out the money, she counted it there.

Afterward, she took out all the coupons and said, "The total of our family's money is 52 yuan and 20 cents. As for the coupons, we have 5 kilograms of meat, 90 kilograms of flour, 25 kilograms of grains, 1 kilogram of sugar, half a kilogram of salt, and 1 liter of oil coupon."

When they heard this, they exchanged glances, and Zhang Dalang's wife asked, "Mother, is that it? I remember we gave you everything. How can our family only have that much?"