Chapter 9

Fan Mu immediately burst into tears, lamenting, “It’s all my fault. We sold a lot of land to raise you and your brother, and now there’s barely enough food for gruel. If it weren’t for you earning money to help out, we wouldn’t even have that! How will this family manage without your contributions in the future?”

Fan Jin seemed deeply troubled and sighed, “Well, since we’re splitting up, we’ll live our own lives. I’ll take less food, but I won’t be able to give you any money from now on.”

Sun Jinhua was overjoyed to hear that her younger brother-in-law was taking less food.

Fan Mu felt discontented upon hearing that her son would no longer contribute money, but she couldn’t say anything. After all, he was taking less food and would need his earnings to buy more.

Fan Mu and Sun Jinhua’s group were delighted to have gained the upper hand in the grain division, making the subsequent division of household items much smoother.

Iron was a precious metal, and the family had an iron pot, a kitchen knife, a pair of scissors, and several hoes and shovels. The hoes and shovels were divided by number. The iron pot, fixed into the stove with clay, stayed with Fan Mu, while the knife and scissors went to Fan Jin and Shuiqing.

The bowls were rough pottery, divided by the number of people. They split two plates for holding food and one basin for gruel. Without a pot, they took a clay jar for soup as a temporary measure.

They took their share of clothes and bedding, but when it came to beds, Sun Jinhua had already planned for the empty rooms. She wasn’t about to spend money on wood and a carpenter for new beds, so she only agreed to give them bamboo beds.

“Sister-in-law, it’s not like I’m being unkind, but you’re really thoughtless for wanting to split up. Without money or a house, you’ll be living a hard life. Having a bed or not makes no difference.”

Shuiqing pretended not to hear.

She had seen the bamboo beds, which were light and cool, perfect for summer. She nodded to Fan Jin.

Fan Jin smiled warmly at Sun Jinhua, “Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. We make our own fortune.”

Sun Jinhua’s lips turned down in disbelief.

Farming was never easy. The second house had the weak and the young, without even a shelter from the elements. How could they survive on just a few sacks of grain?

“Silly brother-in-law, remember to ask us first if you ever need to sell your land. We should keep it in the family.”

Fan Jin remained unruffled, replying gently, “I hope Sister-in-law remembers this too.”

Sun Jinhua huffed, thinking he implied they might end up selling their land. Ridiculous! With four sons, their life would only get better.

Fan Mu, lifting her eyelids, advised, “Here’s a sack of ground wheat bran. Mix it into the gruel for the girls. Don’t waste it.”

Fan Jin’s previously cheerful expression darkened slightly.

Seeing her son’s silence, Fan Mu grew angrier, “What? Your girls can’t eat bran? They’re so precious to you, but what use is it? They’ll just get married and leave you. Will they take care of you in your old age?”

“Parents and children are bound by fate. As a father, I’m just fulfilling my duty, not seeking any return.” Fan Jin bowed slightly, his voice calm and steady.

Fan Mu choked with anger, breathing heavily, and pointed at her son, “Are you suggesting I seek return? No wonder you’re still a scholar at twenty-eight, not even a xiucai! You’re useless!”

Shuiqing and the five children bristled at Fan Mu’s words. Shuiqing stepped forward to argue, but a strong arm stopped her.

Looking up, she saw Fan Jin’s downcast eyes, hiding his emotions, and his alabaster face slightly shaking.

“If you knew anything about social customs and scholarly matters, you’d have been a xiucai by now! What a waste of tuition! It’s like feeding a dog!” Fan Mu continued to scold.

“It’s my fault,” Fan Jin said quietly.

“Dad is the best dad!” Daya shouted.

“Yes, Dad is the best!”

“We think Dad is the most capable!”

…

Fan Jin stopped his children from defending him and blocked Fan Mu’s hand from hitting them. He spoke coldly, “Mother, now that we’re separated, I’ll handle my children.”

Fan Mu, fuming, cursed, “Fine! Spoil them, and see if they don’t end up begging! Just don’t come begging at my door.”

Fan Jin didn’t respond. He turned to Shuiqing and asked gently, “Shall we go?”

Shuiqing nodded emphatically.

She realized that Fan Jin tolerated his mother’s harsh words but would defend his daughters even at the cost of more scolding.

They were better off living separately.

·

With the division contract signed and each taking their land deeds, they packed up their belongings. Borrowing a cart from a neighbor, they loaded everything onto it. Fan Jin pulled the cart, with Shuiqing and the children helping from the sides and rear.

“Brother-in-law, as a scholar, you earn money easily. It’s not as hard as farming, so don’t blame Mother for not giving you money.”

“Little Uncle, Grandma has no money left. Otherwise, she’d give you some. You should understand her.”

Humph, Grandma insists she has no money. Little Uncle can’t do anything about it.

“Don’t be angry. Come back often to visit,” Sun Jinhua laughed, victorious.

Shuiqing turned back, quickly grabbing six of the fattest hens from the coop. She called out to the stunned group, “I almost forgot. We didn’t get the ducks and geese, so we’ll take these hens instead. Don’t see us out.”

Fan Jin, seeing Shuiqing with six fat hens, smiled broadly.

As they approached, he whispered, “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For agreeing to separate.” Fan Jin added shyly, “Don’t worry, our days might be tough for a while, but not for long.”

Shuiqing: … So it was me who didn’t want to separate?

Back at the Fan household, Fan Mu and Sun Jinhua stared at the nearly empty coop, heartbroken.

“Don’t worry, they have no shelter and little grain. When it rains, they’ll suffer.”

“In less than two months, they’ll run out of food. Without money, they’ll come begging.”

“Just wait until they come asking for food.”

“They might not even have enough to eat, let alone feed those precious girls.”

An empty stomach is no joke. With seven mouths to feed and no money, how could Little Uncle’s family avoid hardship?