Chapter 27 – The Zhang Family Farce

“Exactly! Why should we be the ones kicked out?” Tie Dan’s father looked utterly incredulous. Is this even human talk?

“What have you contributed to the family all these years? Perfectly able-bodied, yet all you do is laze around. I’m telling you now: if you don’t move out within three days, don’t expect to get a single thing from me,” Zhang Fugui said, looking disappointedly at his youngest son.

“But Dad, we have nothing! How are we supposed to live?” Goudan’s father protested reluctantly, knowing his father still had valuable possessions.

“Go talk to the team leader yourself. There are plenty of empty houses in the village—go rent one,” Zhang Fugui snapped impatiently.

“But…” Tie Dan’s father wanted to argue, but his wife tugged his sleeve.

“If there’s nothing else, go see the team leader and find a place to rent.”

Left with no choice, Tie Dan’s father begrudgingly left with his wife to find the team leader, while Tie Dan’s mother cursed under her breath.

“Dad, what about Tie Niu? He must be terrified,” Tieniu’s mother cried, covering her face. While she was glad her second brother-in-law’s family was kicked out, she still worried for her son.

“Cry, cry, cry—that’s all you know how to do! It’s bad enough you’re lazy and useless, but you can’t even take care of a child. What use are you?” Furious, Zhang Fugui slammed the table, scolding his eldest daughter-in-law and wife.

“How did our lives end up like this!” Zhang Daya wailed loudly.

“Enough! All of you shut up. We need to find that wretched girl—her husband’s a battalion commander. Even the police would show some respect,” Zhang Fugui muttered.

“That girl definitely won’t help us. Ever since she got married, she thinks she’s above everyone!” Tie Niu’s father cursed.

“Just go find her and try to sweet-talk her. If you piss her off, no one will save Tie Niu,” Zhang Fugui warned.

“Got it,” Zhang Daya replied disdainfully. Sweet-talk that brat? Just wait until Tie Niu’s released—then she’d show that girl what’s what.

The family hurried toward the train station.

“What? ¥2.57 for one person? That’s outrageous! Comrade, can’t we stand for a cheaper fare?” Zhang Daya whined, pained by the price.

“Are you buying or not? If not, move along,” the ticket seller, used to these complaints, simply rolled her eyes.

“We’ll take two tickets,” Zhang Fugui finally said, unwilling to spend too much, deciding to leave his eldest son and his wife at home.

Zhang Daya kept complaining about the cost. “This could’ve bought us so much grain.”

“You two stay home and see if you can find another way. Your mom and I will go to the army base,” Zhang Fugui instructed, then boarded the train with Zhang Daya.

The elderly pair were anxious, desperate to reach the base as soon as possible.

“Old man, where do we even go?” Zhang Daya looked flustered as they stepped off the train and into the massive station.

“Don’t you have a mouth? Ask someone!” Zhang Fugui snapped, irritated by her cluelessness.

Frightened, Zhang Daya quickly went to ask for directions. After much asking and wandering, they finally arrived at the family housing area.

“Comrade, we’d like to speak with Battalion Commander Zhong Youliang. We’re his in-laws,” Zhang Fugui said carefully to the young soldier at the gate.

“Do you have an introduction letter?” the soldier asked politely after hearing they were Zhong’s in-laws.

“Yes, yes!” Zhang Fugui pulled it out—but the letter stated they were here to handle an issue, not for a family visit.

“Sir, this letter won’t get you into the base. You’ll need to wait here—I’ll go see if anyone from the commander’s household is around,” the soldier said firmly.

“Sure, sure. Thank you so much.” Zhang Fugui, who was fierce at home but timid outside, forced himself to smile despite his frustration.

It was all the team leader’s fault for issuing that severance letter with that wretched girl. Zhang Fugui hadn’t even dared to say they were visiting the base when he asked for the letter. Now, all they could do was wait.