Chapter 104

Chapter 104

It's been years since she last saw them. They only sent back one photo, but photos from this era aren't as realistic as the ones that came later.

Bai Xiuxiu hoped to see her mother and elder sister soon. If they didn't come back, she would consider taking her family to visit them!

In the courtyard.

Zhao Guifen failed again to provoke Bai Xiuxiu and was left bewildered. This wasn't how she had imagined it.

Why didn't the eldest daughter-in-law hit her?

Seeing another failure, Wang Shoucheng felt frustrated too. He gave his wife a meaningful look, signaling her to go inside first.

Then he assigned the work to his two sons at home before following her into the house.

Wang Laosan, who was working, felt miserable: "What kind of situation is this? We're expanding the house for Second Brother because Old Fifth got married and Second Brother gave him his room. But neither of them is even here.

Making us do all the work and treating us like this?"

Wang Laosi also felt uncomfortable but had no choice.

They weren't in charge of the household: "Third Brother, think about it positively. Eventually, Second Brother and Little Wu will move to the city with their wives. This house will be ours."

"Are you dreaming?" Wang Laosan was shocked. How could Fourth be so naive?

"This job is just at the commune factory; going to the city? Even if it were the commune, they can't afford houses there. The factory housing allocation hasn't reached the old employees yet, let alone them?

In the end, they'll still live here.

We're just doing their work!"

The more Wang Laosan spoke, the angrier he became. Ever since Little Wu got married, the household had become chaotic. Although they had received some benefits, it was clear that Little Wu had gained more.

"I wonder when we'll get the chance to buy jobs. Alright, let's keep working." Wang Laosan grumbled and continued his work.

Inside the house.

Wang Shoucheng looked at his wife, displeased: "What's wrong with you? Can't you even provoke someone properly? Why are you so good at provoking me?"

"The eldest daughter-in-law was clearly angry; she just didn't act on it. Do you think she couldn't beat me or figured something out?" Zhao Guifen was worried.

"That's impossible. She doesn't have the brains. No one knows about our plan to separate the eldest. With him working for the family, who would think we'd separate him? I think she wasn't angry enough. If we touch her children, she'll definitely react."

Wang Shoucheng pondered over the eldest's two children.

"She watches them closely, always taking them out. When did you ever see her go to the brigade without them?" Zhao Guifen found Bai Xiuxiu increasingly cunning.

Wang Shoucheng grew more determined: "She can't watch them all the time. Children need to play and use the toilet. Watch them closely today. If those kids come out, give them a beating. I don't believe she won't react."

Zhao Guifen agreed: "Alright, let's do it your way."

She didn't believe the children could stay inside all day.

Zhao Guifen waited from morning until night, straining her neck, but saw nothing.

Even after Wang Qinghe returned from the mountains, his children hadn't come out.

Seeing him return, Wang Shoucheng checked the basket first, confirming it was empty as usual.

"Eldest, how many days has it been now?" Wang Shoucheng felt frustrated.

They hadn't managed to separate the household, and the eldest still brought nothing back. They were still relying on the family!

Wang Qinghe remained calm and patiently explained: "Dad, I told you before, with more people hunting in the mountains, there are fewer prey. Maybe you should try hunting too?"

Wang Shoucheng was speechless.

But he wasn't willing to give up: "Since you can't bring back any game, we need to separate the food distribution. That's not acceptable."

"Then, Dad, will you separate the household?" Wang Qinghe countered.

Wang Shoucheng immediately fell silent. Separating the household meant dividing assets, which required them to make mistakes first, so he wouldn't have to give them anything.

Keeping them alive was already the biggest mistake of the Wang family; he wouldn't give them money.

Wang Shoucheng said nothing, and Wang Qinghe didn't want to see them either. He put down the basket and went inside.

Upon entering, he saw his wife weaving clothes and their children playing happily.

Seeing him return, Bai Xiuxiu stopped her work.

"Xiuxiu, was everything alright today?" Wang Qinghe asked, concerned about the events of the morning.

As he spoke, he started lighting the stove skillfully.

Sitting by the bed, Bai Xiuxiu recounted the day's events.

"I think she might have that idea," Bai Xiuxiu shared her suspicions with her husband.

Wang Qinghe paused while adding wood, thinking: "Xiuxiu, starting tomorrow, I won't go out. This matter will be resolved in a couple of days. I don't want anything to happen to you and the children during this time."

Bai Xiuxiu thought for a moment and agreed.

"Alright. It's time to make them hate us even more. You staying home and not going out will infuriate them." Bai Xiuxiu felt relieved imagining their anger.

Not long after Wang Qinghe returned, the others came back too. Zhou Jiaojiao entered with red eyes, accompanied by Wang Qingqi and Wang Qingfu, who had gone to the city.

As soon as they entered the yard, Wang Qingqi started shouting: "Where are Eldest Sister-in-Law and Third Sister-in-Law? Mom and Dad, you need to call them out; they've gone too far! My wife works so hard for this family, and they don't even help. When my wife tried to explain herself,

they undermined her.

Now she has to write some kind of self-criticism. This is practically killing her!

This matter isn't over yet!"

"What happened?" Wang Shoucheng felt something was amiss.

Wang Qingqi was about to speak when the village broadcast interrupted: "Attention villagers of Xiahe Village. Tomorrow at noon, there will be a distribution of grain and money. Everyone, please bring those who can work and line up tomorrow at noon."

After repeating the announcement twice, another message followed: "The day after tomorrow, early in the morning, villagers from Shanghe Village, Xiahe Village, and Zhonghe Village will collectively fish. Come to the village granary the day after tomorrow to collect fishing nets; each household must send at least one person."

Once the announcements ended, Wang Shoucheng asked Wang Qingqi again: "Old Fifth, what happened?"

Zhou Jiaojiao recounted the incident while crying. After listening, Zhao Guifen angrily shouted: "Eldest Sister-in-Law, Third Sister-in-Law, both of you get out here right now."