“Severing family ties?” Captain Gao furrowed his brow.
No matter what, they were blood relatives. Living together as a large family inevitably led to conflicts and arguments—they could simply separate. But severing ties completely…
Had it really come to this?
Was it necessary?
Captain Gao still wanted to persuade Xing Zhaozhao to reconsider.
Beside them, Gao Old Lady couldn’t wait and began shouting: “Cut them off if you want! Do you think you’re the only one who wants this? I’d be delighted! Anyone who refuses is a son of a bitch!”
Captain Gao’s face darkened upon hearing this. He turned and glared at her fiercely, scolding angrily: “Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting?”
After saying this, Captain Gao looked at Gao Old Man, who was shrinking to the side, and asked: “Gao Dahe, what’s your opinion?”
Gao Old Man avoided his gaze, stammering and unable to articulate a clear response.
Captain Gao could easily see through his petty calculations—clearly wanting to sever ties but unwilling to bear the blame. He nearly laughed in frustration: “You better think carefully. The Troops haven’t reached a conclusion yet. You’ve raised this son with so much effort, and there are two grandsons too. Are you really going to abandon them just like that?”
Upon hearing this, Gao Old Man hesitated again: “I…”
Seeing this, Gao Old Lady grew anxious and cried out: “Old man, you need to think clearly! The Troops have already come to our door asking questions—that means this is serious. It’s almost certain. If we don’t take this chance to quickly cut ties with that traitor and draw a clear line now, it’ll be too late once the charges are officially confirmed. Who knows, our whole family might end up in a labor camp!”
There was one more thought Gao Old Lady kept to herself:
After all, he’s our own son. If it turns out nothing’s wrong, we can always acknowledge him again. What lasting grudge could there be between parents and their own child?
It had to be said, after decades of marriage, the old couple could read each other’s thoughts with just a glance.
Gao Old Man hesitated no longer and looked seriously at Captain Gao: “Then let’s sever the ties.”
Captain Gao: “…”
Since they themselves had agreed, what was the point of him saying anything more?
“Then it’s settled,” Captain Gao declared decisively.
After saying this, he looked coldly at Gao Old Man: “You’ll regret this.”
Gao Old Man already felt a twinge of regret at Captain Gao’s words, but it was too late to say anything now.
“Since you’re severing ties, how do you plan to divide the household?” Captain Gao asked.
Gao Old Lady immediately objected: “Divide what? Since we’re cutting ties, they’re no longer part of our family. Why should they get a share?”
Captain Gao rolled his eyes, too annoyed to engage with her, and turned directly to Xing Zhaozhao: “What do you think, Mingcheng’s wife?”
Xing Zhaozhao patted the large bundle beside her: “No need. I’ll just take my own belongings.”
Gao Old Lady’s eyes turned red with urgency: “Those are all mine! You stole them from my room!”
Xing Zhaozhao looked earnestly at Captain Gao: “They’re all mine. They took them from my room while I was at the hospital giving birth. I’m just reclaiming what’s mine. If you don’t believe me, you can check my room yourself—it’s still in disarray.”
Captain Gao certainly believed her, but for fairness’ sake, he went to her room to take a look. He had nothing to say after seeing the condition.
“I’ve never seen anyone as shameless as you.” Captain Gao looked at Old Man Gao’s family with disdain. “If it weren’t for Mingcheng’s wife choosing not to pursue this matter, your entire family would’ve been sent to the labor camp already, without waiting for Mingcheng’s case to be resolved.”
Old Lady Gao, who had been wailing loudly moments before, instantly fell silent.
Under Captain Gao’s supervision, with nearly half the village as witnesses, Xing Zhaozhao formally severed all family ties with Old Man Gao’s family on behalf of Gao Mingcheng. They signed an agreement and pressed their fingerprints, bringing everything to a final conclusion.
Finally having rid the household of these troublemakers, Old Lady Gao breathed a sigh of relief while eyeing Xing Zhaozhao’s large bundle with intense envy. “Don’t get too cocky. Let’s see how you, a woman branded as a traitor’s wife, can possibly survive while raising three children alone.”
Xing Zhaozhao’s heart tightened.
This had been one of the reasons she remained trapped in the Gao family in her previous life.
But not in this lifetime.
Xing Zhaozhao cast a cold glance at Old Lady Gao. “That’s none of your concern. Although Mingcheng didn’t leave much money, I have strength enough. Supporting three children won’t be a problem. Furthermore, as long as the troops haven’t convicted Mingcheng, he is not a traitor. If you keep falsely accusing my Mingcheng, I’ll report you to the troop commanders for slandering a soldier and have you sent to the labor camp.”
She then turned to the other villagers gathered outside the Gao residence. “This applies to everyone else too. If I hear anyone utter the word ‘traitor’ again, I won’t hesitate to have a proper ‘discussion’ with you.”
When she said “discussion,” Xing Zhaozhao deliberately lifted the large bundle she had placed nearby and gave it a slight shake.
Those who had been planning to confront Xing Zhaozhao about their children being beaten up by Hongfei and Hongyu shuddered at the sight and immediately backed down, instead turning to scold their own children again.
Beaten by two kids despite outnumbering them—utterly useless.
“I never knew Mingcheng’s wife had such strength,” Captain Gao remarked in amazement. “Why haven’t we seen you use it before?”
“It’s innate,” Xing Zhaozhao replied with a smile. “Besides, Mingcheng handled almost all the household chores, so I never needed to use it.”
The village women: “…”
Envy and resentment simmered among them.
But then they reconsidered: Not only was Gao Mingcheng’s fate currently unknown, but even if he were alive, with that accusation hanging over him, his family would face hardships ahead. Moreover, she was just a woman trying to raise three children alone, including a premature baby whose survival was uncertain. Suddenly, they all felt somewhat pleased.
“Captain, Zhaozhao and the three children have nowhere to live now. Could you arrange a room for them?” Aunt Hao asked Captain Gao with concern.
Captain Gao frowned in difficulty. “Where would we find an empty room in the village? Even if we allocated land for building, it would take time to construct…”
“Maybe they could squeeze into the educated youth settlement? They should be able to spare a room there,” Aunt Hao suggested.
“That might actually work,” Captain Gao mused thoughtfully.
Xing Zhaozhao suddenly remembered the empty house she had unintentionally spotted halfway up the mountain while taking her two children for a walk. She asked Captain Gao, “Brigade leader, isn’t there an empty house on the mountainside? Why not assign that place to me?”
“That place…” Captain Gao and Aunt Hao exchanged glances, their expressions turning troubled.