Chapter 63

In a normal situation, a family wouldn’t go to the brigade leader to settle a family dispute, especially one involving money.

Money matters have always been kept private, no matter the era.

Besides, the brigade leader is just a village official and doesn’t have the authority to meddle in family affairs.

However, Lin Xiaoshan’s mother was desperate and went to the brigade leader, who couldn’t ignore her plea.

Also, Lin Xiaoshan’s grandmother was eager to split the family.

If the brigade leader didn’t intervene, Lin Xiaoshan’s mother wouldn’t agree to the split.

In this situation, Lin Xiaoshan’s grandmother had no choice but to seek the brigade leader’s help in settling the family dispute.

Initially, everything seemed to be going well with the split.

They divided things fairly, from pots and pans to food.

Lin Xiaoshan’s family only had three people, so there weren’t many pots and pans to divide.

Also, by the end of the year, everyone’s food supply was almost the same, so there wasn’t much leftover food.

Lin Xiaoshan’s grandmother didn’t mind giving some of the remaining food to Lin Xiaoshan’s mother and her two siblings.

So, in this aspect, Lin Xiaoshan’s grandmother wasn’t acting unreasonably.

However, when it came to dividing the money, things took a turn.

No one knew how much money their family had except for her.

According to a fair division, Lin Xiaoshan’s family should have received 20 yuan. But when it was time to give the 20 yuan to Lin Xiaoshan’s mother, Lin Xiaoshan’s grandmother used the excuse that Lin Xiaoshan had stolen 20 yuan from her a few days ago and withheld the money.

In other words, from the beginning, she had no intention of giving any money to Lin Xiaoshan’s family.

“This grandmother’s behavior is ugly. Even if Xiaoshan did take the 20 yuan, even if Xiaoshan was wrong, the money should have been used for Xiaoshan’s mother’s medical treatment. After all, the money for Xiaoshan’s mother’s illness should have come from the family funds. How could she withhold it?” The brigade leader’s wife explained the situation to Ning Shu.

To be honest, when Xiaoshan said that the money was borrowed from Ning Shu, no one believed him.

Not even his grandmother’s family believed him.

But when Xiaoshan said so, his grandfather asked her to call Ning Shu.

Now it seems that the truth has come out. It’s really unexpected that Guodong’s wife is actually kind-hearted.

In the past, everyone had misunderstood her.

“It’s true that I lent him the money,” Ning Shu said as she followed the brigade leader’s wife to Xiaoshan’s house.

“Ning Qing is here.”

“Yibao’s mother is here…” Several children in the yard shouted when they saw Ning Shu.

There was no way around it—Ning Shu knew all by the children in the brigade.

This situation made Ning Shu feel a bit embarrassed, and she smiled at the children.

Lin Xiaoshan heard the voices outside and came out of the house. Originally, as a child, he shouldn’t have been present during the family division.

However, in their family, he was the eldest brother, so he was there. Moreover, the matter also involved the 20 yuan.

“Auntie…” Lin Xiaoshan looked at her with a hint of apology.

He hadn’t planned to mention the matter of Auntie lending him money, but he hadn’t expected his grandmother to try to withhold the 20 yuan under the guise of a debt from him. So, he had to bring it up.

Ning Shu didn’t blame him.

When he was at the their family house before, he had been willing to endure his grandmother’s beatings rather than reveal the money issue.

If his grandmother hadn’t tried to withhold the 20 yuan this time, he probably wouldn’t have mentioned it either.

Besides, there was nothing shameful about it; it was something that could be said at any time.

“Guodong’s wife, you’re here. Today, the Xiaoshan family is dividing their belongings, and there’s a money matter I need to ask you about. Xiaoshan said he borrowed the money he used for his mother’s medical treatment from you, 20 yuan. Is this true?” The brigade leader, seeing Ning Shu, asked directly.

Before Ning Shu could respond, Xiaoshan’s grandmother spoke up, “Ning Qing, we are all honest people here. You must not help this little brat deceive us.”

Ignoring her, Ning Shu simply said to the brigade leader, “Yes, it was borrowed on the day his mother had an accident. I went with them to the health center that day and saw Xiaoshan’s grandmother chasing and hitting him. Hongfa, you and a few others took Xiaoshan’s mother to the health hospital in town.”

The brigade leader nodded, “Since you lent it, there’s no problem. The 20 yuan for the family division cannot be withheld and must be given to Xiaoshan. Also…” His expression turned cold, “In theory, since Xiaoshan’s mother had the accident before the family divided, the medical expenses should have come from your family, not Xiaoshan shouldering the debt. So if you continue like this, Guodong’s wife can demand the 20 yuan from you.”

What? Not only do they have to divide out the 20 yuan, but they also have to pay back Guodong’s wife 20 yuan? Xiaoshan’s grandmother refused to accept this. “Why should we return 20 yuan? It wasn’t borrowed from us; Ning Qing willingly lent it to Xiaoshan. Whoever lent it should ask for it back.”

“We can go ask the police comrades whether, since you haven’t divided your belongings yet, Xiaoshan’s borrowed money should be counted against you,” Ning Shu interjected.

At the mention of asking the police, Xiaoshan’s grandmother hesitated, “Well… it’s just 20 yuan borrowed. There’s no need to trouble the police comrades.”

It was then that Lin Xiaoshan’s mother spoke up, “I’ve seen through this family. We can divide the belongings, but we’ll repay this 20 yuan ourselves. However, our family is dealing with illnesses and small children. We can’t even work now. If we wait to repay this 20 yuan, how can we survive? We should divide the belongings fair and the debt we owe on Ning Shu must be paid before the split. “

“That’s not how it works. Who split their belongings fair with just three people? You eat less since the two are just a child” Xiaoshan’s grandmother disagreed.

Lin Xiaoshan’s mother continued, “If that’s the case, then we won’t divide the belongings. Who should be responsible for debts incurred before the division? We don’t have the money. Ning Qing, you go to the police.”

Xiaoshan’s aunt said, “But they received 20 yuan. They can repay Ning Qing.”

Lin Xiaoshan’s mother replied, “If we repay it now, how will we survive? What if something else happens and we can’t afford to go to the hospital?”

Shan’s aunt said, “Then just borrow again when the time comes.”

Lin Xiaoshan’s mother said, “I’d rather not divide the belongings.”

“Enough…” The brigade leader didn’t want to hear them argue anymore. “Are you going to work or not? From now on, Xiaoshan’s family will pay their debts. The grain Xiaoshan’s mother earned this year will belong to their own family…”

“But…”

“Shut up. If you keep this up, not only will you not divide the belongings, but Xiaoshan’s mother will continue to seek death. Don’t come to me for anything in the future.” The brigade leader interrupted Xiaoshan’s grandmother.

After some calculations, Xiaoshan’s grandmother realized that all of Xiaoshan’s mother’s work points for the year would only amount to about 200 pounds of coarse grain, which wasn’t even enough to cover the 20 yuan.

So she said, “Let’s listen to the brigade leader.” It wouldn’t be good to offend him any further.

“That’s settled then. Retirement will be according to the village’s usual rules. Xiaoshan’s family will repay the 20 yuan borrowed from Guodong’s wife. But all of Xiaoshan’s mother’s work points for this year will go to them. Finally, the room they currently live in will be theirs, and the self-owned land will be divided and the crops in the field will be theirs,” the brigade leader concluded.

“We don’t plan to keep the room we’re living in. Do you want to buy it, mother? If not, after we move out, I’ll use it to raise pigs.” Lin Xiaoshan’s mother surprised everyone again.

After all, the room they lived in was not a good one, made of thatched grass that leaked when it rained.

“I’ll buy it,” Xiaoshan’s aunt said. “For 10 yuan, are you selling?”

“The land isn’t even worth 10 yuan, let alone the room. Sister-in-law, you’re really thinking ahead. It’s 30 yuan, no less. I’ll have to borrow the money from the brigade to pay for the land.” Lin Xiaoshan’s mother, who had just shown weakness, changed her tone.

In the end, Xiaoshan’s grandmother paid 25 yuan for the room, which Xiaoshan’s mother immediately gave it to the brigade leader, indicating that they wanted to buy land.

They hadn’t chosen the land yet, but the money was given first.

At the same time, Xiaoshan’s mother gave the 20 yuan from the division to Ning Shu in front of everyone.

She knew that if they didn’t give out this 45 yuan now, they might not be able to hide it later.

So, Xiaoshan’s family was divided like this.

The family of three packed up their belongings and moved to an empty house in the village, a house without an owner because everyone in the family had passed away.

Therefore, the remaining houses belonged to the village.

However, because no one had lived in it for years, the house was drafty and leaked, needing repairs, not as good as the thatched house they used to live in.

But even so, Xiaoshan’s family was happy.

Ning Shu returned home and took a clay pot from the cupboard.

She had bought three of them at the county’s supply and marketing cooperative yesterday to use as pots for cooking rice or stewing soup.

Since Xiaoshan’s family didn’t get any iron pots during the division, she planned to take one of the clay pots to them.

After some thought, she also took out 5 kilograms of rice and 10 eggs to celebrate Xiaoshan’s family’s division.

After all, she had earned tens of thousands of yuan from the app through Xiaoshan, so she was willing to give these things for the move.

After the division, her cooperation with Xiaoshan would be more convenient. However, now that Lin Guodong was at home, their cooperation would have to pause until he left.

Carrying a basket, Ning Shu arrived at Xiaoshan’s new home and saw Xiaoshan’s mother tidying up with her two sons.

Although the house was dilapidated, there’s no place like home.

“Ning Qing, you’re here?” Xiaoshan’s mother’s pale face lit up with a smile, a mix of gratitude and anticipation for the new life ahead.

“Please, have a seat… There’s no place to sit here. Let me entertain you properly when we’ve finished tidying up.”

In fact, she had thought about splitting up before.

Even though she didn’t have a husband, she could work, and Xiaoshan was obedient.

She could take her sons to dig wild vegetables and bamboo shoots.

Even if they couldn’t eat their fill, life wouldn’t be worse than it is now.

But she also knew that her in-laws wouldn’t agree to a split when she could still work and earn work points.

Fortunately, this illness was an opportunity. Although she spent a lot of money on the illness, Ning Shu’s extra income was the main source of her confidence.

Ning Shu didn’t refuse to buy bamboo shoots, which meant she would continue to buy them.

So even after the split, relying on the grains exchanged from Ning Shu, she could ensure her sons would have enough to eat. Plus, with what Ning Shu said to her sons, she gathered the courage to go through with the split.

And they successfully split up.

Even though Xiaoshan’s mother knew that her mother-in-law had hidden more money than just the 20 yuan, she was content. Money could be earned, but having a family together was the most important thing.

“I understand. When your family is settled, I’ll definitely come over as a guest.” Ning Shu handed her the basket.

“This is a small token, for your health. There’s also a clay pot. I thought you might not have a pot, and buying one can be expensive. The clay pot can be a substitute. I bought it at the county’s supply and marketing cooperative. It’s cheap.”

After hearing Ning Shu’s words, Xiaoshan’s mother’s eyes turned slightly red. “Ning Qing, you’re so considerate. Indeed, not having a pot is inconvenient. The clay pot is really timely. I… I’ll give you the money for the clay pot.” Saying that, she tried to take out money.

In fact, she didn’t have any money; the only ten yuan she had was what Ning Shu had given to Xiaoshan before.

Ning Shu pressed her hand, “No need, consider it a celebration for your new home.”

Then, she whispered in Xiaoshan’s mother’s ear, “I also put the 20 yuan in the clay pot.” Xiaoshan’s debt to her had already been settled with 150 kilograms of rice.

Taking the 20 yuan was just for show; both she and Xiaoshan’s family knew this.

Xiaoshan’s mother nodded.

She wasn’t a stubborn person, and she remembered Ning Qing’s kindness.

“I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll take my leave. If you need anything, just call Xiaoshan. Oh, and…” Ning Shu remembered her main purpose for coming, “I won’t be collecting fresh bamboo shoots before the new year, but you can make dried bamboo shoots. After the new year, when Guodong leaves, I’ll collect them again.”

The price of dried bamboo shoots was higher on the app, but she had been short of money before, so she collected fresh bamboo shoots for quicker cash.

Now, to avoid Lin Guodong, not collecting bamboo shoots would allow them to turn into bamboo, so making dried bamboo shoots was the most suitable option.

Xiaoshan’s mother understood Ning Shu’s words.

Lin Guodong didn’t know about this, and it was a way of reminding them not to mention it to him.

“I understand. I’ll make dried bamboo shoots after Xiaoshan and I dig them up.”

Ning Shu returned home to find it lively.

The three children had returned and were playing in the study room, chatting incessantly.

It turned out that the friends from yesterday had come over again.

Ning Shu didn’t disturb them and, feeling bored at home, she packed a basket with a basket inside and carried a hoe, heading out to the mountain to take a walk, dig some bamboo shoots, and pick wild vegetables.

When she returned, the basket contained winter bamboo shoots and wild vegetables, while the basket held blueberries she had just taken out from the app.

Blueberries and cherries were suitable as wild fruits in the mountains.

She had taken out 8 boxes of blueberries from the app, each box weighing 125g, totaling 1000g or two catties. It sounded like a lot, but blueberries were not very filling.

She could eat a catty at a time.

Back home, the children were playing games in the yard, a game from a picture book, and they were having a great time. Seeing so many children, Ning Shu was also happy.

In this era without entertainment, watching the children play was also a form of entertainment.

“Mom, you’re back.” Yi Bao saw his mother and told the other children to play by themselves as he helped with the things.

Ning Shu smiled and said, “You go and play. They are all your friends, so as the little host, you should entertain them. I can manage by myself.”

Every time she heard “little host,” Yi Bao was especially happy.

He nodded and went to play with the other children.

Ning Shu put the hoe in the utility room and turned to see San Bao following behind.

San Bao was too young to play the games with the other children, so no one paid much attention to him.

Seeing him, Ning Shu picked out the biggest blueberry from the basket and said, “San Bao…”

San Bao opened his mouth, and his mother put the fruit in it. He stirred it around and then smiled.

The juice of the blueberry was sweet and refreshing, liked by both adults and children.

“Is it delicious, San Bao?” Ning Shu asked with a smile, eating one herself.

“Delicious, Mom… more.” San Bao opened his mouth again.

Ning Shu fed him another one, then took his hand and said, “Let’s go wash up before we eat more.”

In the kitchen, Ning Shu divided the blueberries into two halves, putting one half in the cupboard and washing the other half in two plates.

Then, she and San Bao sat down to eat from one of the plates.

Yi Bao, worried that his brother had been in the kitchen for too long and might disturb their mother, came in.

He was surprised to see Ning Shu and San Bao there.

Ning Shu put a finger to her lips and made a gesture for him to come over.

Yi Bao entered the kitchen, still a bit nervous, and looked behind him.

Ning Shu “Quick, eat up. We’ll save this plate for after the little friends leave.”

“What about Er Bao?” Yi Bao picked up a blueberry and put it in his mouth, his eyes lighting up. “Mom, this fruit is really delicious.”

“Er Bao can have the other plate later.” Ning Shu said, “We’re lucky today. I saw this fruit while digging bamboo shoots. I’ve eaten it before when I was in the city. Someone picked these fruits from the mountains and sold them.”

Naturally, Yi Bao didn’t doubt his mother’s words.

The three of them quickly finished the plate of blueberries, about 250g.

Ning Shu wasn’t sure if Yi Bao enjoyed it, but they didn’t continue eating.

Yi Bao took San Bao outside to play, and Ning Shu took the opportunity to order another 8 boxes of blueberries on the app.

She then went to peel the winter bamboo shoots she had just dug up.