“Mother, you can’t drive the Elder Brother’s family out! A thatched hut isn’t fit for people to live in!”
Song Beihai spoke anxiously, trying to plead on behalf of his elder brother.
Ever since they were children, Song Beichen had always protected him. Whenever he was lazy, ran off, or failed to finish his work, Song Beichen would quietly clean up the mess for him. Whenever he got into trouble outside, it was Song Beichen who stepped in to solve it.
Deep down, he truly did not want to see the first branch leave the family.
Turning toward Song Beichen, he tried once more to persuade him.
“Eldest Brother, why not just lower your head and give in to Mother? Even if you don’t care about freezing or starving, if you separate from the family, Eldest Sister-in-law, your sons, and Xiaoyu will have to suffer alongside you.”
Hearing this, Old Madam Wu turned her face away, a vicious glint flashing in her eyes.
“Brother Beihai, stop speaking up for that unfilial wretch!
“Since the first branch insists on separating from the family, then let them get out and fend for themselves!”
She simply refused to believe they could survive.
Without a single grain of food, living in a broken thatched hut while relying on the cold northern wind to fill their stomachs, she was certain that within three days they would come crawling back and beg for forgiveness.
“Brother Beishan, go invite the village chief and the clan elders. We’ll settle the family separation today!”
The moment the order was given, Song Beishan rushed out the door without hesitation.
His thoughts matched Old Madam Wu’s perfectly.
As long as the first branch was pushed into a desperate corner, they would eventually hand Song Xiaoyu over to the Liu family for the ghost marriage.
When that happened, the fifty taels of silver would naturally fall into his hands.
Song Xiaoyu remained silent.
To her, separating from this family was exactly what she wanted.
Rather than living under the same roof as a pack of selfish wolves and seeing their faces every day, it would be far better to live independently.
Before long, Village Chief Wang arrived with two elders of the Song clan.
Behind them followed a large crowd of villagers.
Family separations were rare events.
Most families wished for their children to remain united, helping one another and weathering hardships together.
Yet the Song family was doing the exact opposite.
They were driving away the most hardworking branch of the family.
As a result, the villagers of Tianshui Village eagerly abandoned their work and hurried over to watch.
When they arrived, they found the courtyard in complete chaos.
Old Madam Wu had already thrown all of the first branch’s belongings into the yard as though they were worthless trash.
“Song Dawang, do you really not care whether your eldest son’s family lives or dies?”
Village Chief Wang looked at Old Master Song coldly.
In the corner of the courtyard sat Song Beichen’s family.
Song Beichen himself lay on a wooden board, both legs wrapped tightly in bandages.
Anyone who saw him could not help feeling sympathy.
Old Master Song forced a hypocritical smile onto his face.
“Village Chief, you know how it is. The old woman manages the household. There’s nothing I can do.”
Village Chief Wang knew exactly what kind of family the Songs were.
Ignoring Old Master Song’s excuses, he turned to Old Madam Wu.
“How many mu of land do you intend to give Beichen’s family?”
“Land?”
Old Madam Wu spat onto the ground.
“Those ungrateful, disobedient wolves think they deserve land after growing a pair of wings? They won’t get a single inch!”
The saliva nearly landed on Village Chief Wang.
Disgusted, he stepped back two paces.
“Village Chief, Elders.”
Song Beichen struggled to speak from his wooden board.
“I am willing to separate from the family. Please help draw up the separation agreement. Afterward, I will personally come and thank you.”
The village chief and the elders felt only pity.
They had watched Song Beichen grow up.
No one understood his character better than they did.
In truth, separating from the family might be the only way for him, his wife, and his children to survive.
If he stayed, he would only continue being exploited by his parents and brothers.
After exchanging glances, the elders silently agreed.
Village Chief Wang immediately had someone bring ink and paper.
Soon, two copies of the separation agreement were written.
Before anyone else could move, Song Xiaoyu stepped forward and picked up the document.
The villagers stared at her.
“Can that girl even read?”
“A former fool checking a contract?”
Whispers immediately spread through the crowd.
Ignoring them, Song Xiaoyu carefully examined the contents before carrying the document to her father.
Leaning close, she whispered quietly:
“Father, everything written here is fine. Sign it.
“But add one more condition.”
Song Beichen looked at her in confusion.
“A complete severance of family ties.”
Although he still did not know his daughter had recovered completely, he trusted her.
Gathering his courage, he spoke aloud.
“Since Father and Mother no longer wish to acknowledge me as their son, then let us sever all family ties entirely.
“From this day forward, we shall have nothing to do with one another in life or death. That way, Father and Mother will no longer be troubled by the sight of us.”
The moment the words left his mouth, Old Master Song exploded with rage.
He grabbed his smoking pipe and struck Song Beichen across the back.
The burning pipe left several blistering marks through his clothes.
“You unfilial bastard!”
“You won’t even acknowledge your own father anymore?”
“Your mother was only speaking in anger, and yet you dare act like this?”
“If I beat an unfilial son like you to death today, it would only be cleaning up the Song family!”
Song Wen and Song Wu immediately threw themselves in front of their father.
The pipe narrowly missed striking him again.
At the mention of severing ties, Old Madam Wu became even more furious.
“Fine!”
“Sever ties then!”
“I’d like to see how many days you people can survive after leaving the Song family!”
Without hesitation, she pressed her thumbprint onto the document.
Neither Old Master Song nor Song Beihai could stop her.
Just like that, the severance agreement became official.
When it was Song Beichen’s turn, he pressed his thumbprint down firmly.
Not a trace of hesitation remained.
The clan elders sighed deeply.
It seemed his heart had truly gone cold.
With the matter settled, Village Chief Wang dismissed the crowd and sent the villagers back to their work.
The first branch received absolutely nothing from the separation.
All they possessed were three old gray quilts and a few sets of heavily patched clothing.
Carrying their meager belongings, they followed Village Chief Wang toward the back hills of the village.
Along the way, he patiently explained the situation.
“Beichen, there are two abandoned thatched huts near the back hill. They’ve been empty for years.
“You can stay there for now. Later, when life improves, you can slowly build a proper house.”
“Thank you, Uncle Wang.”
Song Beichen’s eyes reddened with gratitude.
Village Chief Wang waved his hand dismissively.
“Why thank me?
“In the past, whenever you hunted wild-caught meat, you never forgot to send a share to my family. I remember those favors.
“Life may be difficult after separating from the family. If you run into trouble, come find me.”
After showing them the location and offering a few more words of advice, Village Chief Wang hurried back to his own work.
Song Wen had carried his father the entire journey and was drenched in sweat.
Finding a flat stone, he carefully set him down.
The moment Zhou Rong noticed fresh blood seeping through the bandages, she slapped her eldest son on the back.
“Look what you’ve done! You’ve shaken your father’s leg again!”
Then she quickly turned to her husband.
“How is your leg? What did the doctors in town say?”
Song Beichen laughed bitterly.
“The doctor said there’s no cure here.
“He suggested I travel to the capital and find a renowned physician. Only then might there be a slim chance.”
As he spoke, he pounded his own useless leg in frustration.
“I’m afraid I’ll only become a burden to you and the children from now on.”
Song Wu immediately puffed out his chest.
“Father, what nonsense are you talking about?
“In the past, you supported this family and shielded us from every storm.
“Now your sons are grown. We can hold up the sky for this family too!”
Without saying a word, Song Xiaoyu knelt beside her father and began unwrapping the bandages around his injured leg.
After examining the injury, her brows furrowed slightly.
“You’ll be able to stand and walk again.
“It’ll take about a month.”
Song Beichen froze.
His entire body trembled.
“Xiaoyu…”
His voice shook.
“What did you just say?
“I can stand again?”
At last, Zhou Rong could no longer contain her excitement.
She smiled brightly.
“I haven’t told you yet. Our Xiaoyu has completely recovered!”
Song Beichen stared blankly.
Then his eyes slowly widened.
“She’s cured?”
Song Wen immediately rushed over.
“Little Sister, you can recognize your eldest brother now?”
His face was filled with delight.
Song Wu pushed his way forward as well.
“Xiaoyu, I’m your second brother!
“When we were little, I used to take you up trees to steal bird nests. Do you still remember?”