Chapter 160: The Little Fool in the Group Favorite Story – Part 3

Xie Hui sat there with an indifferent attitude, which only strengthened Grandpa Xie’s resolve to split the family.

Spring was already exhausting with all the farming, and coming home to worry about whether the water or food was poisoned made life feel utterly hopeless.

“There’s an old house on the east side of the village. With some repairs, it could be livable.”

“Today, we’ll split the family. Xie Hui, pack up your and your son’s belongings and move there.”

Whether in ancient or modern times, Xie Hui had never seen a family split like this.

Moreover, not everything in the house belonged solely to the old couple.

The Client was honest and didn’t know how to argue with others.

When his wife was alive, things were better. After she passed, everyone became even more convinced that offending Xie Kangli would bring bad luck.

His elder brother and younger brother liked to slack off when working.

Whenever they complained about some pain or discomfort, the Client would finish the work for them.

When not busy, the Client would even go to the county to find odd jobs.

His elder brother and younger brother were sent to school for two years, but the Client was made to work in the fields as soon as he was old enough.

During his growth years, he worked as a porter for a bit of silver, and even as an adult, he wasn’t taller than Grandpa Xie.

The silver for his elder brother’s wedding mostly came from the Client.

Now that the family was splitting, they only gave him and his son a house with a few mud walls.

“Father, do I look like a fool to you? If that’s how you split it, I’d rather stay home, have my sister-in-law prepare meals every day, and not worry about anything. If anyone annoys me, I’ll just buy some poison in town.”

Grandpa Xie realized his distribution wasn’t fair, but with so many mouths to feed, he had to ignore his conscience.

He thought his youngest son’s honest nature would mean he wouldn’t complain, even if it was unfair.

But now, being called out, his face burned with embarrassment. After a pause, he scolded:

“You’re not satisfied with what you’re given?”

“Father, should I remind you? When you sent my brothers to school and made me work in the fields and earn money…”

Xie Hui hadn’t finished when Grandpa Xie interrupted.

“Why split everything so clearly among family?”

After speaking, he couldn’t meet Xie Hui’s gaze. Clearly, despite his bold words, he felt guilty.

“If you considered me family, would I need to argue with you?”

In the end, Grandpa Xie relented, giving him a few bowls and a pot.

Iron pots were rare, with each family having at most two. When Grandpa Xie said this, Old Madam Xie was heartbroken.

But seeing Xie Hui unwilling to compromise, Grandpa Xie grew angry.

“Xie Hui! What do you want?”

“What do I dare want? Just to stay home, do nothing, and have meals provided.”

If this family treated the Client well, Xie Hui wouldn’t have made such a fuss.

But knowing they treated the Client like a workhorse and seeing their stingy faces now, Xie Hui felt it was better to throw away the things the Client earned than give them to these ingrates.

Grandpa Xie said he’d give Xie Hui a pot, and everyone thought it was too much. Now Xie Hui wanted more.

But because of Xie Hui’s earlier threats, they were scared. In the end, they had to ask the village chief to intervene.

“Old Man Xie, there’s no family splitting like this in our village.”

“Look at yourself, does this make sense?”

To these people, the village chief was like an official. Grandpa Xie dared to be bold with Xie Hui but only nodded submissively in front of the chief.

“Since your family has two pots, you should give them one. The house is too dilapidated to live in. Seeing that none of your children can really help, give them two taels of silver.”

Even in front of the chief, Old Madam Xie protested:

“No! I disagree! Absolutely not!”

Though they had saved some silver, Old Madam Xie intended it for her granddaughter’s dowry and was unwilling to spend a penny.

Especially not on this disobedient second son.

“Don’t forget, anyone who offends our Lili ends up unlucky!”

Others believed the Xie Family’s words, but the old village chief didn’t. If she were truly blessed, why would she be born into the Xie Family?

She should at least be a noble lady if not a princess in the palace.

“Old Madam Xie, even if I die right after leaving your house, it would still be a happy occasion.”

Hearing this, Grandpa Xie glared at his wife.

Offending the village chief would make life difficult in the village.

“If you listen to me, follow this plan. If not, and you think my distribution is unfair, I’ll call the Xie Clan Elder to decide.”

Grandpa Xie had poor relations with the clan and didn’t dare involve the Elder.

“Village chief, we trust you.”

In the end, following the chief’s distribution, the family gave Xie Hui two of their seven chickens. He also received an iron pot, five bowls, a wooden basin, a table, a bed, and all their clothes and bedding.

What pained Old Madam Xie most was the ten taels of silver and a plot of land.

Thanks to the current emperor, they had land, whereas before, they only worked the landlord’s fields for a small share at year’s end.

Two taels were for repairing the house, and eight were for the family split. Afterward, Old Madam Xie sat on the ground, heartbroken.

Hugging her granddaughter, she muttered curses.

Originally, there was to be more, but Old Madam Xie insisted they wouldn’t rely on Xie Hui in old age. After writing and stamping an agreement, this was the final sum.

That day, Xie Hui took his belongings to the new place.

He tied a rope around the chickens’ feet and handed the other end to Ning Ning.

Ning Ning was initially afraid of the fierce Rooster, but seeing it was his father handing him the rope, he took it.

With Ning Ning holding the chickens, Xie Hui made several trips to move everything.

To prevent any changes after he left, the village chief stayed until Xie Hui moved everything and Old Madam Xie handed over the silver.

“Xie Hui, your house is unlivable. Stay at my place for a few days until it’s repaired. We just built a house for my youngest son’s wedding.”

Xie Hui instinctively wanted to refuse.

Though the house was just four mud walls, weathered by sun and wind, he couldn’t bring himself to live in someone else’s newly built home.

The old village chief, seeing Xie Hui’s reluctance, took Ning Ning’s hand.

Ning Ning stood there, hand held, curiously watching her father.

“Why be polite with me? If not for you, grass would be growing on my grave.”

Reminded by the chief, Xie Hui recalled the Client’s memory of this.

After a heavy rain, while searching for the chief’s grandson, the anxious chief joined him on the mountain.

The mountain was slippery after the rain. The Client found the child in a hunter’s trap.

When a part of the mountain showed signs of collapsing, he carried the chief and led the child to safety. They barely caught their breath when the area collapsed.

No wonder the old village chief seemed biased during the distribution.

In the end, Xie Hui couldn’t refuse the persistent chief and, fearing the old man’s age, agreed to stay but not in the new house.

“Alright, I’ll have my youngest share with his nephew. You can take his room.”

Xie Hui thought any shelter, even just under the eaves, would do, but seeing the chief’s unease, he didn’t decline further.

The village chief’s family was much warmer than the Xie Family, welcoming Xie Hui and his son.

The chief had two sons, and the household was still run by the Old Madam.

Though Xie Hui and his son looked unkempt, the Old Madam warmly greeted them, offering Ning Ning some pastries her daughter had brought.

If not for Xie Hui, her grandson might not have been found, and her husband might not have returned.

Hearing her husband’s recount, she was deeply moved.

Now, with Xie Hui in need, she was eager to help, even sending her son to cut meat after finishing his fieldwork.

That night, lying in bed, Ning Ning fell asleep early, his gentle breathing clear in the quiet night.

Xie Hui held his small hand, recalling how he shared his pastry with him, a smile playing on his lips.