Chapter 3: Conflict

Although Grandpa Qiao Jiuwang was the head of the household, he was taciturn and uninvolved.

His eldest son was single but strong and capable, and Qiao Youcai and his wife were equally hardworking.

Sixteen-year-old Qiao Jiangxin was also known for her diligence.  Even during the collective era, Lei Honghua prevented the family from splitting up, keeping all the work points together.  At the end of the year, she controlled the distribution of grain and the money it was exchanged for.

Now that land was privately owned, Lei Honghua was even more unwilling to split the family. The old man was getting older, and she, at her age, no longer worked in the fields.

Her eldest son, Qiao Jianhua, was 25 years old and had married the daughter of a veteran bricklayer from the neighboring brigade.  They had been married for only two years, and now the son, along with his pregnant wife, was learning the trade from his father-in-law and working elsewhere.

Her eldest daughter, Qiao Fangfang, was 22 and had been married for only six months.  Her youngest son, Qiao Jianguo, was only 19 and was spoiled rotten, spending his days loafing around.

The family’s fields were basically managed by Qiao Youfu and Qiao Youcai.  Dividing the family would mean dividing the land, houses, money, and power.  Her youngest son hadn’t even married yet, so she couldn’t possibly let go of Qiao Youcai and Qiao Youfu, her two “old workhorses.”

There weren’t many families like the Qiao family in the village large families still living together and eating from one pot.

In her previous life, Qiao Youfu remained a bachelor, Qiao Youcai and his wife only had one daughter, Qiao Jiangxin, and Liu Afang was deemed infertile. Qiao Youcai’s brothers had argued about splitting the family several times.

Each time, Lei Honghua would say, “Not splitting up is for your brothers’ benefit. Look at you two, you don’t even have sons. When you get old, you won’t even have anyone to take care of you. It’s better for brothers to live together.

Mom is planning for your future. When Jianhua gets married, his wife should have two sons. Then one can be adopted by Youfu, so Youfu will have someone to look after him in the future.  Therefore, you brothers must work together…”

Qiao Youfu and Qiao Youcai were honest farmers. Although they had been treated unfairly since childhood, they couldn’t muster a single yuan, and were easily tricked.

Furthermore, in the countryside, a man without a son couldn’t stand tall. So, over the years, even if the brothers had many grievances, they couldn’t do anything, completely controlled by Lei Honghua.

Until Qiao Youcai’s youngest son, Qiao Jiangmu, was born, the brothers gained a little confidence. But Qiao Jiangmu was sickly, and Liu Afang didn’t have enough milk. Lei Honghua still refused to pay a dime, and even set her sights on Qiao Jiangxin.

She wanted to marry Qiao Jiangxin off to her youngest son, Qiao Jianguo. Qiao Youcai’s brothers then created a huge commotion and split from the old Qiao family. They only received two dilapidated houses and their share of land, nothing else.

Qiao Jiangxin pulled herself back from her thoughts and went outside.

Lei Honghua was directing Liu Afang to pour the hot porridge into aluminum basins and place them on the table in the yard to cool.

“Oh, the precious young lady is finally willing to get up? The elders are all working in the fields, and you can bear to watch them work so hard,” Lei Honghua looked at Qiao Jiangxin with a sideways glance, speaking sarcastically.

Qiao Jiangxin said coldly, “Grandma is right.  Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle, and Little Aunt are heartless beasts. One is like someone who lost their parents, fawning over their father-in-law.

The other is like someone who lost their mother since childhood and lacks manners, wandering around everywhere.  The village aunties are all talking about them. If they were their children, they would have been drowned in a chamber pot at birth.”

“That third uncle knows how to act like a dog at his in-laws’ house, and that little aunt doesn’t even bring her husband back to help.  She’s truly a useless burden.

Your own father is almost sixty and still working in the fields under the scorching sun, and those ungrateful brats just watch.  No one else skips work during the harvest, and even I, your niece, have gotten sick from overwork. They are truly cold-blooded and heartless. They don’t work when they should, but they eat more than pigs. Such beasts should be scolded severely, no, they should be beaten severely!”

Lei Honghua glared at Qiao Jiangxin like a ghost, “You, you useless thing, what nonsense are you talking about, I…”

Qiao Jiangxin immediately appeased her, “Grandma, don’t be angry. I know you’re upset. You’ve worked so hard your whole life, only to raise three ungrateful children…”

“Qiao Jiangxin, have you gone mad? You’re a useless thing. What right do you have to scold your third and fourth uncles? This is outrageous! Liu Afang, is this the daughter you raised!!!”

Lei Honghua cursed, her eyes scanning the surroundings, as if looking for a weapon.

“What’s going on?  I heard the commotion from outside,” Qiao Jiuwang entered with his two sons.

Before Lei Honghua could speak, Qiao Jiangxin immediately said, “Grandpa, Grandma feels sorry for you.  She said it’s such a hot day, and you’re still working in the fields at your age.  I’m even sick from exhaustion. Third Uncle, that ungrateful wretch, only knows how to act like a grandson at his in-laws’ house. I don’t know whose son he really is.

And Fourth Uncle, that unfilial son, Grandma says even a dog is better than him.  Little Aunt too, she doesn’t even bring her husband back to help. Grandma is scolding them for being unfilial.”

Lei Honghua jumped up, “Qiao Jiangxin, you’re lying! When did I ever say such things? Your third uncle is learning a trade from his father-in-law, and your fourth uncle is still young and playful. What nonsense are you talking about? You’re simply lawless! What have your third and fourth uncles done to you that you have to slander them like this?”

Saying this, Lei Honghua raised the bamboo pole she used to chase chickens and was about to hit Qiao Jiangxin.  Seeing this, Qiao Youfu grabbed the pole and said with pursed lips, “Mom, let’s talk things over. Why are you arguing with a child?”

Liu Afang quickly pulled Qiao Jiangxin back.

Lei Honghua tugged twice but couldn’t pull it free, and shouted at Qiao Jiuwang, “Qiao Jiuwang, are you just going to watch them bully me?”

Turning to Qiao Youfu, she shouted, “Ungrateful things, don’t forget who raised you!!!”

Qiao Youfu, at a loss, let go of the pole. Lei Honghua raised the bamboo pole and swung it at Qiao Jiangxin’s head.  Qiao Jiangxin, seizing the opportunity, dodged to the side of Qiao Jiuwang, and the pole hit Qiao Jiuwang in the face.

Lei Honghua was dumbfounded, and Qiao Youfu and Qiao Youcai also widened their eyes.

Qiao Jiuwang, already exhausted, was also furious. He snatched the bamboo pole from Lei Honghua’s hand and slammed it heavily on the table, “Is this never going to end?  All day long it’s chaos. Can’t we have some peace? Since you all have the energy to make a fuss, come with me to the fields this afternoon!!”

Qiao Jiangxin ignored him, but Lei Honghua couldn’t take it anymore. Being yelled at by the old man in front of the children, she covered her chest and sobbed and went into the house.

Qiao Jiuwang watched Lei Honghua leave, glared at Qiao Jiangxin, and went to wash his face and hands.

Liu Afang quickly pulled Qiao Jiangxin into the kitchen, “Jiangxin, my child, why did you provoke her? In the end, you’re the one who suffers.”