Old Madam Chen’s ferocious expression froze on her face and instantly turned into a pleasant smile.
That condition she’d just added was something she thought of on the spot.
Never mind lasting until New Year — with just that bit of rice bran, they wouldn’t survive five days.
By then, wouldn’t they come crawling back to beg her?
“Fine, that’s settled then.”
Seeing no further objections, Wu Bao’an continued,“Zhan, Qing girl, you two know what the times are like now — no one’s life is easy. Based on headcount, your family only gets half a sack of rice bran and two cowsheds. Each year, you must also give Old Man Chen and his wife one tael of silver as filial money. If you think that’s fair, I’ll write the separation deed right away. Once you stamp your handprints, it takes effect immediately.”
Chen Qingqing was about to agree when she suddenly heard a series of “cluck-cluck-cluck!” coming from the chicken coop.
Her heart leapt with joy.
Lifting her chin, she said, “The separation must be done clearly and properly. Those four big hens in the coop — my brother and I have been the ones catching bugs to feed them. Two of them should go to our family.”
Old Madam Chen glared at her, snorting coldly in disdain. “You insolent girl, don’t push your luck! Having a roof over your head should already be enough for you. You think you can take my property? Dream on! Those four hens are for my youngest son to build up his strength. Don’t you even think about touching them!”
Little Chen Han licked his lips, eyes watery.“Grandma, you’re being unfair! Those four hens were raised by me and my sister. Why should my third uncle get to eat all the eggs?”
“You little brat! You want to eat eggs? You’re not even fit to eat shit!”
Seeing her little brother’s wronged expression, Chen Qingqing’s heart tightened.
Every time her brother said he had never eaten an egg, Old Madam Chen would always reply,“When your third uncle becomes a scholar and we have money, then you’ll get to taste what eggs are like.”
Four hens — that meant four eggs a day — yet that tiny wish was never fulfilled.
What an utterly wicked old woman.
She glanced at the half sack of rice bran.
Fine, tonight she’d make sure her family had a real meal.
Without another word, she dashed into the kitchen, grabbed a kitchen knife, and charged straight to the chicken coop.
The blade flashed — two chickens lost their heads in one stroke.
They didn’t even have time to flutter before meeting the King of Hell.
“Here,” she said, handing the chickens to her brother. “Tonight, your sister will cook meat for you.”
Chen Han took the hens, eyes full of awe. “Sis, you’re amazing!”
Chen Qingqing smirked proudly. “Of course. Stick with your sister, and I guarantee you’ll eat meat every day from now on.”
“Really?”
“Of course it’s real. I never lie.”
The spurting chicken blood splashed across Old Madam Chen’s face, making her tremble all over. Pointing a shaking finger, she stammered, “Y-you—you wicked girl! Are you trying to die? Those were laying hens!”
Chen Qingqing, unbothered by her outburst, blew the blood off the knife and said coldly,“So what if they lay eggs? I didn’t kill all of them — that’s me being generous. But if you think I didn’t kill enough, I don’t mind chopping the other two and stewing them as well.”
“Y-you-you—you wouldn’t dare!”
Everyone was stunned speechless by her sudden action.
No one even thought to stop her.
At that moment, Chen Qingqing’s eyes were icy and terrifying. Everyone present felt a chill run down their spines and fell silent, afraid she might turn that knife on them next.
Chen Qingqing didn’t even glance at Old Madam Chen again.“Alright, Uncle Li Zheng, you can write the deed now.”
“Alright then,” Wu Bao’an sighed heavily and turned to Chen Zhancai.“Zhancai, go get the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.”
“Yes, right away.”
Chen Zhancai quickly brought the prepared writing tools and table out into the courtyard.
Wu Bao’an dictated, and Chen Zhancai wrote:
“By mutual agreement of the parents, the family property shall be divided fairly and equally. From this day forth, the eldest son, Chen Zhanshan, establishes his own household. All is recorded without bias. After division, each shall live their own life and mind their own affairs. No one shall go back on this or cause disputes. This document serves as proof…”
Old Madam Chen stared at the two headless hens, her heart aching so much she thought she’d die on the spot.
Her back teeth ground together in fury.
She shot a venomous look at her eldest son — An unfilial wretch! To defy his parents for the sake of that wretched girl!
A heartless, thankless beast.
If she had known he’d turn out like this, she should’ve strangled him at birth and spared herself this anger!
The more she thought about it, the more stifled she felt, and the more her rage grew.
Her eyes flared with fire as she suddenly stood up.
“Hold it, Li Zheng(Village Head) — you can’t write it like that!”
Everyone was stunned.
Wu Bao’an frowned, puzzled. “Auntie, do you have something to add?”
“I don’t have anything to add. I just thought it over again — this division is too generous to them. Since the eldest is unfilial and disobedient, I’ll just pretend I never gave birth to such a son. I want to cut ties completely with him and his family. Li Zheng(Village Head), sorry to trouble you, but write me a letter of severance.”
“Old lady, don’t be foolish,” Wu Bao’an waved his hands. “No one cuts ties with their own son. Think it over carefully.”
“There’s nothing to think about. It’s settled!”
Chen Zhanshan felt as if his heart were being sliced apart.
His own mother despised him so much that she wanted to disown him.
The pain was so sharp he couldn’t utter a single word.
Chen Zhancai, bewildered, hurried to persuade her. “Mother, what are you doing? Why would you go so far as to cut ties?”
“Mother, you must be too angry to think straight. Please reconsider,” said Liu Fengjiao anxiously, stamping her feet. “If you cut ties, how can we still arrange to sell the eldest’s daughter?”
“You two, shut your mouths. I know what I’m doing.”
Old Madam Chen shot her eldest son a sidelong glare, gritting her teeth.“Eldest, for the sake of our mother-son bond, I’ll give you one more chance. If you agree to marry Qing girl off to Butcher Li, I’ll still acknowledge you as my son. Think carefully — with the way times are now, how long can you survive on your own? If you’re stubborn, it’ll be too late for regrets later.”
Old Man Chen, who had been silent, sighed.“Zhanshan, your mother’s right. Think it through. Our good days are still ahead. Your third brother is clever and talented — he’ll bring glory to the family someday. When he becomes an official, you’ll share in the wealth and prosperity. But if you insist on going your own way, don’t expect your third brother to help you.”
Chen Zhanshan’s heart felt like it was being carved out.“Father, is my brother’s future really more important than my daughter’s life? If he just took a break this year, everything could be solved. Why must you push me like this?”
Old Madam Chen spat on the ground.“Bah! How can your daughter’s life compare to your brother’s future? She’s just a useless money-loser. What’s there to be attached to? A daughter marries out — she’s no longer part of the family. Why can’t you understand that?”
Chen Zhanshan closed his eyes in despair, tears streaming down his cheeks.“Mother, if you want to cut ties, then so be it. As you wish.”
Chen Qingqing’s face darkened as she let out a cold laugh.“Keep your grand future and glory for yourselves. We don’t want any part of it.”