Chapter 7: Separating the Family
The village chief turned to the old madam and Liu, asking in a grave voice, "What do you have to say?"
Of all the times to separate the family, they had to pick the moment right after paying out a pile of silver!
"Give me my silver back first!" The old madam’s heart was bleeding. Doctor Lu was long gone, meaning she would probably never get the silver back. She was furious. "Return the money, and then you and your daughter can get out of the Bai Family!"
Hearing this, Liu grew anxious. She pulled her mother-in-law aside by the sleeve and whispered, "Mother, you can’t let them leave! If the family splits, who will do the work in the fields? Who will wash the clothes? Who will cook the meals? Zhao Lan may be a woman, but she’s a top hand at fieldwork—strong enough for any heavy lifting. In all these years, Bai Dazhu and Bai Erzhu together haven’t outworked her. And that girl, Bai Zhi, she might be young, but she’s quick and nimble. She does all the cooking and laundry! If that mother-daughter pair leaves to live on their own, who will do all this work? We’ll have lost both them and the money!"
The old madam shot her a glare and snapped, "What about you? Don’t you have hands and feet? Can’t you do the work?"
The old madam now hated Bai Zhi and Mrs. Zhao with a passion. She couldn’t stand the sight of them for another second. Their demand to separate was exactly what she wanted.
"Then... then how do you plan to handle the separation?" Seeing her mother-in-law’s heart was set, Liu knew there was no changing her mind and gave up trying.
The old madam snorted. "Separate? They won’t get a single thing that belongs to the Bai Family. If they want to leave, fine. They can get out completely empty-handed!"
The courtyard wasn’t large. Even though the two had intentionally lowered their voices, the others standing not far away heard every word crystal clear.
Bai Zhi shook her head. ’It’s not easy for people to be this wicked.’
The village chief, too, couldn’t help but shake his head. The viciousness and shamelessness of those two women were truly an eye-opener.
Zhao Lan was heartbroken. In this family, aside from Zhi’er, she had never felt a shred of human warmth. Everyone treated her like a beast of burden, yet she had always considered this place her home. That was why no matter how difficult the labor or how much she was wronged, she had never once complained.
But today, she had finally woken up completely. There was no place for her and Zhi’er in this family. Leaving... perhaps that would be a new beginning.
The village chief turned to the old madam. "Da Zhu’s mother, you must act with a conscience. Don’t go too far. Even though Sanzhu is dead, his wife is still part of the Bai Family, which means she is entitled to a share of the family property."
The old madam, displeased, shot the village chief a glare. "Village Chief," she snapped, "this separation is a proper family matter. It’s none of your business. I’m in charge of the Bai Family now, and I’ll handle the separation however I see fit."
The village chief was about to speak again, but Zhao Lan hurriedly stopped him. "Village Chief, I understand your kind intentions, but there’s no need to say anything more. Let her handle the separation however she wants. As long as we can sever ties with them, as long as my Zhi’er no longer has to suffer at their hands, I’ll be content."
The village chief sighed, then nodded to Zhao Lan. "Alright. You’re a strong one!"
The old madam sneered. "You’re the one who said it. Now, you and your daughter can get the hell out of my sight! The belongings of the Bai Family have nothing to do with you. Don’t even think about getting the house, the land, or so much as a single copper coin!"
Zhao Lan had expected this outcome, so she wasn’t surprised. She turned and took Bai Zhi by the hand, ready to leave.
But Bai Zhi pulled Zhao Lan to a stop. "Mother, we can go, but a verbal agreement means nothing. We need a written contract. Otherwise, if we become prosperous in the future, they’ll shamelessly try to reclaim us as kin. Today, we’re not just separating the family—we’re writing a document that severs all ties."