Hearing her eldest daughter-in-law's words, Mother Zhang replied, "Last year, we received less grains, so we had to buy it from the store. That's why this year, our family's money and coupons are not as much as before."
Before she could ask again, Father Zhang said, "Now, we will split the money and coupons equally. The total of adults in our family is 10 people, and the total of the children is 13. Everyone will get 2 yuan and 20 cents. As for coupons, we will split it into five parts."
"The pots and pans at ho are not enough to divide with everyone, so they will beco public property. We will share the kitchen tools. But the firewood, you have to go find it yourself."
Hearing this, they nodded and said nothing.
Then, Father Zhang added, "Since I have raised you for so many years, it's your responsibility to raise and your mother in our old age."
After a mont of pause, he added, "The four of you should give your mother and 10 yuan, 20 kilograms of grains, 20 kilograms of flour, 5 kilograms of at, half a kilogram of sugar, half a kilogram of salt, and a liter of oil every year."
When the village elders heard this, one of them asked, "Old Zhang, will the amount be enough for you and your wife to survive for a year?"
"Old Wu, you see it yourself today. I only hope that after the separation, they still at least have so filial piety and are willing to give this much," Father Zhang said with a sigh.
Due to the elder's words, the Zhang brothers and their wives couldn't say a word to refuse. After all, if they refused or asked to give less, they would be labeled as cruel or unfilial.
Not to ntion surviving for a whole year, the amount asked by their father and mother was only enough for at most two or three months.
After considering the pros and cons, Zhang Dalang finally said, "Father, Mother, we will definitely give you that much. Even after separation, we won't ignore your well-being."
When everyone heard his words, they nodded and no longer criticized them in their hearts.
No matter how bad the relationship was between parents and children, they were still family. Unless there was deep hatred or an unsolved grudge, children would never abandon their parents, and vice versa.
"Since there are no problems, we can draft the separation letter and sign it. After that, we can divide the property," the team leader said as he placed his cup down.
"I will go fetch the paper and pen," Zhang Sanlang quickly said and went to his room to get the things.
Although he didn't know many words, he could write and read basic words used daily. That's why he bought so paper and a pen from the town before.
After he returned, the team leader wrote the separation letter and read it out loud for everyone to hear. When they found no problem with the letter, they stamped their nas on the letter with red thumbprints.
They made several copies of the separation letters. Each of the Zhang brothers and Father Zhang kept one, and another two were kept by the village elder and the production team. This way, if one of them wanted to go back on their word, everyone could show the letter.
"Father, we have signed the letter. Now, let's divide the properties. I still have to go cook for my son," Zhang Sanlang's wife said eagerly.
Father Zhang was no longer angry after the separation. Now, he only felt disappointed with his children and no longer wanted to hear them talking so much nonsense.
With the help of the team leader, they divided the money, coupons, and their food supplies. They even borrowed a scale from the production team to weigh their food supplies before they divided them evenly.
When everyone was done, it was almost noon. Noticing the ti was no longer early, the Zhang brothers and their wives quickly moved their things, fearing that others would snatch them away, and went back to their own hos.
Mother Zhang let out a long sigh and returned to her room in a dejected mood while Father Zhang sent off the village elders and the team leader.
Standing at the gate, he said, "Everyone, thank you for your help today. I will visit you another ti to thank you personally."
Hearing this, one of the village elders said, "Old Zhang, when a tree grows tall and has many branches, it's indeed ti to prune them. Don't feel too sad."
Father Zhang smiled and said, "Old Wu, don't worry about . When you have ti, let's play chess together."
"Sure."
After sending them off, Father Zhang closed the gate and returned to the main house. When he planned to move the supplies owned by him and his wife, he saw his eldest son-in-law had already moved them into one of the empty rooms.
The main house had four rooms and one living room. After the children married, he built a house for them. While they had their own houses now, they were all built on one plot of land, so they still had to share the kitchen and bathroom.
Now, besides his eldest daughter's room and his own room, the other rooms were empty. He didn't leave his second daughter's room intact since she had moved out all of her furniture and belongings on the day of her marriage and never ca back.
When Father Zhang saw Li Chenze moving so many things into the empty room, he walked over and asked, "Son-in-law, why are there so many things?"
Hearing this, Li Chenze put down two sacks of rice in the corner of the room before he replied, "Father-in-law, I ca today to send you so supplies and money."
"You just sent them over not long ago. Why are you sending more today? We have enough to eat, you should keep it for the children," Father Zhang said.
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