“Absolutely not!” Old Madam Wen refused outright.
“Isn’t all this trouble just for that? I’d rather die than let them get their way.”
Luo Shi said, “But they’re only eating and not working! Today they dared to eat our chicken, tomorrow they’ll dare to slaughter our pig!”
Just thinking about the fat chicken outside made her both heartache and anxious.
Fang Shi nodded. “Sister-in-law is right. At this rate, the third branch will ruin the whole household.”
“No way!”
“Stop arguing…” Second Uncle Wen hissed in pain through clenched teeth. “Can you at least treat our injuries first?”
That fall earlier had been solid. The two brothers were in so much pain they could barely stand.
“Mother, let’s bandage the men first,” Fang Shi said as she began issuing instructions.
“Eldest sister-in-law, go bandage eldest brother and my husband. Mei girl, clean up here. I’ll help Mother back to her room.”
Luo Shi disliked Fang Shi’s tone, but she didn’t dare object.
……
Fang Shi helped Old Madam Wen back to her room. As soon as she sat on the bed, the old woman started cursing again.
“Second daughter-in-law, what nonsense were you saying earlier? I will never agree to a split!”
“Don’t worry, Mother. I was only speaking to ease the situation,” Fang Shi said softly. Then she leaned close and whispered something into Old Madam Wen’s ear.
The more Old Madam Wen listened, the brighter her eyes became.
“Why didn’t you say you had such a good plan earlier?”
Fang Shi’s eyes carried a hint of disdain. “Doesn’t Mother know Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law? They’re loud and reckless. If they knew, they’d ruin everything.”
Old Madam Wen nodded. “You’re right. We’ll do as you say.”
The two continued talking for a while until Wen Mei entered.
“Grandma, Second Aunt, the food is ready.”
The earlier meal had been overturned by Wen Ye. Wen Mei only managed to salvage some fried cured meat, washing it until only about half a bowl remained. The eggs and tofu were completely ruined.
Seeing everyone in no mood to eat, she quickly stir-fried some pumpkin to make do.
“Go tell that cursed third branch—your wish is granted! We’ll split the family! As if we can’t live without them!” Old Madam Wen said coldly.
……
In the third branch’s small hut, the five members sat together.
A large plate of stir-fried chicken sat on the table, filling the room with rich aroma.
“Slurp…” Wen Chuizi was drooling. “Such a big plate… an entire chicken… and only five of us eating it?”
“Of course,” Wen Ye nodded.
It was just a plate of chicken, yet they looked so moved.
She shook her head, then quickly added two chicken drumsticks to Lin Shi and Third Uncle Wen’s bowls.
But the couple looked worried and didn’t dare eat. The chicken had been “taken” by their daughter—they were afraid it would cause trouble.
Just then—
Bang!
Wen Mei suddenly pushed the door open.
Everyone in the third branch was startled.
Wen Mei’s gaze landed on the chicken with obvious resentment. But wary of Wen Ye’s brutality, she did not dare to scold them.
“Hmph. Grandmother has already been heartbroken by you all. She agreed. If you want to split the family, then split it! As if anyone can’t live without anyone else!”
The third branch froze—then joy slowly surfaced.
But after the joy, Third Uncle Wen again felt a wave of guilt at the words “heartbroken.”
Wen Mei turned to leave, still cursing as she walked.
“You lot eat big fish and meat so happily, while we had everything overturned and can only eat coarse food and plain vegetables with Grandmother!”
Third Uncle Wen felt even worse and looked toward Lin Shi.
“Wife…”
Lin Shi quickly brought out a large bowl and started scooping chicken into it.
“Mother…” Wen Chuizi’s heart ached as he watched most of the chicken disappear.
“Since your grandmother agreed to split the family, we should at least do something proper,” Lin Shi said timidly, looking at Wen Ye.
Wen Ye just smiled lightly. “Whatever Mother says.”
Lin Shi sighed in relief—but holding that huge bowl of chicken, she still didn’t dare send it over.
“I-I’ll go!” Third Uncle Wen quickly took the bowl and went out.
……
He arrived at the main hall nervously and expectantly.
Old Madam Wen and the others were sitting at the table. Eldest and Second Uncle Wen were both injured, their faces bruised.
On the table was only half a bowl of washed-out cured meat and stir-fried pumpkin.
Everyone had dark expressions as they stared at Third Uncle Wen.
Seeing the large bowl of chicken in his hands, Third Uncle Wen grew even more guilty.
“Mother… uh… your son… brought you chicken.”
Old Madam Wen looked at him like she wanted to eat him alive.
“So after smashing my meal, stealing my chicken, and forcing me to agree to a split—you now pretend to be filial by bringing a few pieces of meat? I must have been cursed for eight lifetimes to end up with children like you!”
Third Uncle Wen’s face flushed red.
“N-no… Mother… I—”
Before he could finish, Fang Shi pressed down Old Madam Wen’s hand and sighed.
“As the saying goes, children grow and cannot be controlled by their parents. Since Third Brother has made up his mind, Mother should just fulfill him.”
“Hmph!” Old Madam Wen turned away.
“Third Brother, just leave the meat,” Fang Shi said.
Relieved, Third Uncle Wen hurriedly placed the bowl on the table.
Fang Shi continued, “Go tell your wife that since the family is splitting, we should sit down and properly discuss it. After dinner, come to the main hall.”
“Alright, alright.” Third Uncle Wen nodded quickly and left.
Watching his back, Old Madam Wen snorted and immediately pulled the chicken toward herself.
Wen Mei swallowed her saliva but didn’t dare touch it.
……
When Third Uncle Wen returned to the hut, he relayed the message.
“After dinner, we’ll all go to the main hall to discuss the family split.”
Hearing it was really happening, Wen Lan and Wen Chuizi couldn’t believe it.
Lin Shi’s heart pounded. She quickly served everyone food.
“Eat quickly. Don’t keep your grandmother waiting.”
Third Uncle Wen also sat down. The chicken on the table had barely been touched—they had all been waiting for him.
Wen Ye’s eyes flickered.
This… feels too easy.
Even though she expected this outcome, in her estimation it should have taken at least three to five days.
Well—whatever. If soldiers come, she’ll block them; if water comes, she’ll cover it.
She wasn’t afraid of them.
With that thought, Wen Ye picked up a big chicken drumstick and bit into it with a satisfied “ahm,” filling her mouth with rich flavor.