Witty Wife, Better Life
Chapter 163 - 157 Dividing the Family (Part 1)

Chapter 163: Chapter 157 Dividing the Family (Part 1)

Shen Yunfang hugged the firewood as she entered the house, lit the brazier, placed the steamed buns on top to slowly roast, and then she shared with Li Hongjun the words his older sister-in-law had just spoken.

"What was your mom thinking? I only took two yuan from her, and the pork I bought for the house yesterday, I didn’t ask her for the money, I paid for it all myself. These past few days, I’ve basically taken care of all the kitchen chores, what is she still unsatisfied about? Why does it have to escalate to the point of splitting the family?" Shen Yunfang really didn’t understand.

Li Hongjun kept his eyes closed and didn’t say a word.

"Could it really be because your leg still needs to go to the hospital for treatment? Is she afraid you’ll be a burden on the entire family? That makes sense, the thing she mentions most often is, ’my oldest son’s family has so many difficulties, my younger son still needs to go to school and take the university entrance exams, my little daughter isn’t married yet.’" Shen Yunfang pinched her throat and imitated Qiu Shuping’s tone.

After imitating her, she couldn’t help but snort with laughter first.

The corners of Li Hongjun’s lips, which had been pursed, also curled up slightly.

"Ah, this is good too. She thinks the two of us are a burden, and I don’t want to be mixed up in the same pot with her anyway. If we really do split the family, it will be even better. Your mom won’t be able to control me anymore, and I’ll be free, and spare the day-to-day irritation. Don’t you think so?" Shen Yunfang passed over a roasted bun with a piece of meat.

"Mhm." Li Hongjun took it and bit into it.

"Don’t get upset, whether we split the family or not, your parents are still your parents. When you want to be filial, I won’t stop you, but we agreed, whatever we do, we have to act according to our ability. You always have to remember that you’re married now, and in the future, you’ll still have to provide for your wife and children."

"Mhm." This time, Li Hongjun responded even louder.

The two of them stayed in the room, roasting steamed buns and eating meat. Shen Yunfang, worried Li Hongjun would be heartbroken (being scorned by one’s own mother is not something anyone can simply ignore), kept pulling her into conversation, dreaming about the future.

That night, the western room wasn’t quiet; every once in a while, one could faintly hear Qiu Shuping’s shrill voice.

Early the next morning, Shen Yunfang got up early, ready to make breakfast.

They had not had a proper dinner the night before, and today they couldn’t just make do anymore.

Just as she finished getting dressed, she heard the older sister-in-law knocking on their door.

"Sister-in-law, are you guys up? Dad wants us all to go to the western room, he has something to tell us, hurry up," the voice had an air of cheerfulness to it.

By the time Li Hongjun and his wife were done getting ready and arrived at the western room, all the adults in the family were already there.

Li Wangcai sat on the kang bed, smoking and with bloodshot eyes all over, from a night without sleep.

Then there was Qiu Shuping, who had cried all night, yet her hair was combed without a single strand out of place, sitting on the kang bed full of vigor.

"Dad, just say what you have to say, we’re all here," Wang Dan hurried them, seeing that everyone was present.

Li Hongjun and his wife exchanged a glance without leaving a trace, it seemed the older sister-in-law was the one who most hoped the family would split.

"I don’t have much to say," Li Wangcai spoke, closing his eyes. As the head of the family, it was not his wish to divide the household until he passed away, but with a wife who was so headstrong, he couldn’t do much about it.

Ah, strong-willed! Let her be! He wondered how well it would end up for her.

Li Hongxing and Li Hongjun were silent. Li Hongqi didn’t care at all—he would live with his parents regardless of whether the family divided or not.

"Oh my, logically speaking, you parents are still hale and hearty. It’s time for us as children to show our filial piety. However, what Mom said is also valid. She has toiled for the children for so many years, it is time for her to enjoy some peace and quiet. Sister-in-law, you agree, right?" Wang Dan promptly chimed in.

"I’m okay with anything, no objections. Whatever Mom and Dad decide is fine by me," Shen Yunfang said with a smile.

Li Wangcai looked at his two sons, hoping they would express disagreement, which would give the situation a chance to turn around.

But his two sons were like blocks of wood. "Hongjun, what’s your take on this?" Li Wangcai asked, filled with hope.

Li Hongjun glanced at his father and then at his mother. "Dad, as Yunfang just said, we have no objections. Mom and Dad, please make the decision," he replied.

A shadow fell across Li Wangcai’s eyes.

Shen Yunfang pursed her lips in secret. If he himself couldn’t withstand the pressure, how could he expect others to?

Li Wangcai fell silent. Then Qiu Shuping continued, "Alright, since both of you have no objections, let’s settle it then. Hongxing, go call the team leader over. For such a big matter, we need to have him present."

After eight o’clock, the western room of the Li Family home was filled with people again.

"Dad, Team Leader Li is here. Please tell us," Wang Dan said eagerly.

Old Li took a drag of his cigarette and let out a sigh before saying, "I really don’t have anything else to say. As the tree grows, it sprouts branches. All of you have grown up and started your own little families. If you want to live separately, then so be it. Nevertheless, the three of you brothers are still blood. Dividing the family should not tear apart your kinship. In the future, if any of you encounter disasters or hardships, help out if you’re capable. In this world, other than us parents, it is you siblings who are closest to each other."

"Team Leader Li, you must think this is quite the spectacle," Old Li said, turning to the only outsider in the room. This was the person invited to oversee the division of the family.

"Haha, not at all. There are not many who can be as open-minded and clear-headed as Old Brother Li. When the children grow up, they should be allowed to make their own way. They won’t understand how hard it is for us as parents unless they face some difficulties themselves," said Team Leader Li from Taoshu Village, sighing again, "What your father just said is right. Brothers are like limbs; even if bones break, the sinews still hold them together. Whether you divide the family or not, it should not affect the relationship between you."

Once Team Leader Li saw the children nodding, he expressed his satisfaction to Old Li, "Old Brother Li, since you’ve already decided, what are your thoughts? How should we divide the family?"

"Ah, speaking of dividing the family, we don’t really have much to divide," Li Wangcai took another drag of his cigarette, "We have just the three sons in our family. Your younger brother is still small, and will continue living with us until he becomes an adult and marries. He will take care of us in our old age." This set the main tone that they would live with their youngest son, and the eldest and second sons would move out.

"Over the years, your mother hasn’t been able to save much money in her hands. Your brother still needs to go to school, so we won’t divide the money."

Shen Yunfang had anticipated this, so she was neither surprised nor dissatisfied. However, Wang Dan was different. She had worked tirelessly at home for years, and apart from a few privately saved dollars, the rest was in her mother-in-law’s hands. Now that the family was dividing, her father-in-law actually said they wouldn’t divide the money, which meant she and her husband had worked all these years for nothing. What would they use to live on after the division?

"Dad, this isn’t right. Our family’s labor force has earned a decent amount of money for the production team over the years. Hongxing and the eldest sister-in-law married early, and the second brother didn’t spend much for his wedding, so how come there’s no money left in the family? Where did all that money go?" Wang Dan was unwilling to accept this outcome without a

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