Chapter 41: Separation

“Let’s not talk about the past. We were always struggling with hunger. Conditions improved when you started working, but we didn’t have any money left over then. It was only after Lao Si went to the army and started sending money back that our family truly became comfortable. So, let’s start counting from that year.”

“Lao Si has been in the army for six years. The first two years, he received five yuan a month. The next two years, he received twenty yuan a month. The last two years, he received thirty yuan a month. A total of 1320 yuan.”

“Lao Da, Lao Er, and Lao San, you’ve all been very good. You always worked full shifts, earning ten work points each. Each of you earned over a hundred yuan a year after deducting the cost of buying grain from the brigade. Over six years, you’ve saved 2500 yuan.”

“Your three wives are also good. They can earn seven or eight work points every day, and they can also get a few dozen yuan every year. Lao Da’s wife has been married for five years and earned 260 yuan. Lao Er’s wife has been married for four years and earned 250 yuan. Lao San’s wife has been married for two years and earned 120 yuan. That’s a total of 630 yuan.”

After Gu Changshun finished speaking, Hu Guifen immediately chimed in, “All three of your wives are very good. Don’t think that you’re not capable just because you haven’t earned much. You have to consider the time you spend giving birth, raising children, and doing housework. So, don’t compare yourselves in this regard.”

The three sisters-in-law nodded. Qian Xiaolan also nodded. It was true. Giving birth was such a time-consuming process. The eldest family had three children, the second family had two, and the third family had one. Ten months of pregnancy, then raising them, where was there time to work?

“Now, let’s calculate our family’s income. Your mother and I have earned a total of 1150 yuan from our work points over the years.”

“The total income is 5600 yuan.”

“Next, let’s talk about the expenses. When Lao Da got married, we gave 100 yuan for the dowry, bought a bicycle for everyone to use for 158 yuan, and built two mud brick houses for 70 yuan. When Lao Er got married, we gave 110 yuan for the dowry, bought a sewing machine for everyone to use for 158 yuan, built two mud brick houses for 75 yuan, and gave 4 yuan for the “改口费”. When Lao San got married, we gave 130 yuan for the dowry, built mud brick houses for 80 yuan, and gave 4 yuan for the “改口费”.”

“Your three wedding banquets cost 50, 60, and 70 yuan respectively, and the “改口费” was 4 yuan each.”

“We also sewed a quilt for each of your families and bought some household items, which cost a total of 150 yuan.”

“In addition, Yujiao’s education, the family’s clothes over the years, plus medical expenses, food, oil, salt, and social interactions, cost a total of 2100 yuan.”

“When Lao Si got married, we gave 100 yuan for the dowry. Lao Si paid for the big items himself. We only paid 90 yuan for the small items and 30 yuan for some of the wine and dishes for the banquet. Lao Si got the meat and vegetables himself. We also gave 20 yuan for the “改口费” for Xiaolan.”

“The total expenses are 3563 yuan. The remaining money in our family is: 5600 – 3563 = 2037 yuan.”

After Hu Guifen announced the total, she looked up and saw that the three sisters-in-law had a strange expression on their faces. She snorted coldly, “Don’t be jealous that your “改口费” is less. Xiaolan’s elders gave Lao Si three hundred yuan and a house. If your parents could give your husbands so many things, I’d give you a hundred yuan for the “改口费”!”

The three sisters-in-law immediately looked embarrassed. Their families were all patriarchal. When they got married, their families didn’t even sew a quilt for them. They only brought two porcelain basins and a spittoon.

Seeing that no one was causing trouble, Hu Guifen was satisfied. She gestured for her old man to continue.

“2037 yuan. Divide it into five parts. Each of you four brothers gets one part, and your mother and I, along with Yujiao, get one part. That’s an average of 407 yuan and four cents per part. As for the tickets, I only have two three-foot cloth tickets here, so I won’t divide them.”

“As for the houses, you each get the room you live in. The old house will stay with your mother and me, and your sister. As for Lao Si and Xiaolan, since you’ve decided to move to Xiaolan’s courtyard, the new house that’s been kept for you will be yours. If you want to come back and live here, you can. After we’re gone, the old house will still belong to Lao Si.”

“Lao Da, Lao Er, Lao San, Lao Si, do you have any objections?”

Gu Yanqing didn’t say anything. The other three brothers shook their heads vigorously.

Hu Guifen snorted coldly, “If you have any objections, go call your uncle over to be a witness. If you don’t have any objections, then we’ll divide it among ourselves.”

Gu Da immediately said, “Mom and Dad, we really have no objections. Lao Si has contributed the most to this family, but he’s also suffered the most. We all know that.” The other two brothers nodded in agreement.

Hu Guifen scanned the three daughters-in-law. Seeing that they didn’t seem dissatisfied, her expression softened, “It’s good that you still have some conscience. Alright, let’s talk about the distribution of the household items.”

“There are only two bicycles and one sewing machine. They’ll stay in the old house. If any of you need to use them, you can take them. The rice, flour, and coarse grains will be divided equally into five parts. You can buy your own bowls and chopsticks. If you take them all, we won’t even have any to use when we have guests. There are two iron pots, one big and one small. You can all use them together for the next few days. When you buy new ones, you can separate them. As for the farm tools, take the ones you use.”

“Okay, that’s all. If you have no objections, come and get your money. Take the money and live a good life. As long as you’re united as a husband and wife, are willing to work hard, and don’t be lazy, good days will come soon.”

Gu Da looked at his three silent brothers and suddenly asked, “Mom and Dad, how do we calculate the money for your retirement?”

The three brothers simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief. Big Brother finally asked that question.

Gu Changshun waved his hand, “Your mother and I are only fifty years old. We don’t need you to take care of us yet.”

Gu Da frowned, “You’re both fifty years old. You can’t keep working so hard. You occasionally need to take medicine, and Yujiao still needs to go to school. The expenses every year are not small.”

“No, no, we still have some money, it’s enough. Besides, there are no universities to go to now. Your sister will graduate after another year of school.” Hu Guifen refused again with a smile in her eyes.

Gu Yanqing directly said, “Then let’s give Mom and Dad ten yuan a year. What do you three brothers think?”

The three brothers exchanged glances and nodded. Then, everyone took their money and went back to their rooms.

Qian Xiaolan saw that it was getting late, so she casually put the money in her pocket and went to the kitchen to cook. Gu Yanqing followed her into the kitchen and smiled at her.

Qian Xiaolan rolled her eyes at him and gave him fifty yuan.

Gu Yanqing immediately grinned, “You’re really my wife, you understand me so well.”

“Hmm…” He hugged Qian Xiaolan’s face and covered it with saliva.

Qian Xiaolan pushed him away in disgust, “Why don’t you quickly take the money to Mom and Dad? Don’t let the brothers and sisters-in-law see it later. It’ll make them feel awkward.”

Gu Yanqing stole another kiss before running off. He handed the fifty yuan to Hu Guifen, who was surprised, “What’s Lao Si doing?”

“Mom and Dad, this is the retirement money Xiaolan and I are giving you. Before, the brothers were burdened, so I didn’t dare to give you too much, for fear of making them uncomfortable.”

“Don’t refuse so quickly. We really don’t need money now. I have a savings book in the army, and there are a few hundred yuan in mission subsidies on it. As for Xiaolan, she doesn’t need to worry about money at all. Her family gave her enough.” — “Hey?”

Gu Yanqing had only finished speaking when he felt his mother’s heavy love on his head.