Chapter 8: Agreeing to Separate the Family

"Absolutely not!" Old Madam Wen flatly refused. "Isn't all this chaos exactly what they wanted? I would rather die than give them the satisfaction."

Madam Luo chimed in, "But they eat without working! Today they dare to eat our chicken, tomorrow they’ll dare to slaughter our pig." At the thought of the plump chicken outside, she felt both heartache and anxiety.

Madam Fang nodded, "Sister-in-law is right. If this continues, the third branch will ruin the entire family."

"No!"

"Stop arguing..." Old Man Wen groaned through gritted teeth, "Can someone look after us?" Both brothers had taken a hard fall and were aching all over.

"Mother, let’s get the men’s wounds bandaged first!" Madam Fang directed the others. "Sister-in-law, you tend to the eldest brother and the master. Mei, clean up this mess, and I will help Mother back to her room." Madam Luo disliked Madam Fang’s commanding tone but dared not object.

...

Once in her room, Old Madam Wen sat on the bed and began to curse, "Second daughter-in-law, what were you saying earlier? I will never agree to divide the family."

"Don't worry, Mother. I was just saying that to appease them." Madam Fang leaned in and whispered something into the old woman’s ear.

As the old woman listened, her eyes grew brighter. Excitedly, she asked, "If you had such a good plan, why didn't you say it sooner?"

Madam Fang looked at her with a hint of disdain. "Mother, you know how loud and impulsive the eldest brother and sister-in-law are. If they knew, they would surely ruin everything."

Old Madam Wen nodded, "You are right. We shall proceed as you said."

After they finished talking, Wen Mei entered. "Grandma, Second Aunt, the food has been cleared." The table had been overturned by Wen Ye earlier. Wen Mei had managed to salvage some fried bacon—about half a bowl after washing—but the eggs and tofu were completely ruined. Since no one had the appetite to eat, she had simply stir-fried a plate of pumpkin to make do.

"Go and tell those jinxes in the third branch that we’ve had enough of them. If they want to split, let them!" Old Madam Wen sneered.

...

In the small shack belonging to the third branch, the five members of Wen Ye’s family sat together. A large plate of stir-fried chicken sat on the table, filling the room with a savory aroma.

"Sss-hah..." Wen Chuizi drooled. "Such a huge plate of meat, a whole chicken—just for the five of us?"

"Of course," Wen Ye replied, nodding her head. It was just a plate of chicken; she couldn't believe how moved they were. She shook her head, feeling a pang of sympathy, and quickly placed two chicken drumsticks into the bowls of her mother, Lin, and her father, Third Brother Wen.

However, the couple looked worried. Fearing trouble since their daughter had essentially seized the chicken, they dared not touch it.

"Bang!" The door was suddenly pushed open by Wen Mei. Third Brother Wen and Wen Lan jumped, their faces turning pale, not knowing what to say.

Wen Mei’s gaze landed on the chicken on the table. She was filled with resentment, but fearing Wen Ye’s ferocity, she didn't dare to scold them. She said coldly, "Hmph, Grandma’s heart is broken because of you. She said she’ll give you what you want. If you want to split the family, then go! As if anyone can’t live without you!"

The third branch was stunned, then filled with surprise. But after the initial joy, Third Brother Wen thought of the words "heart is broken" and felt a wave of guilt and helplessness.

As Wen Mei turned to leave, she cursed, "You lot are eating big fish and meat here, while our table of food was overturned. Grandma and the rest of us are left to eat chaff and vegetables."

Third Brother Wen felt worse with every word. He looked at Lin. "Mother of my children..."

Lin quickly grabbed a large bowl and scooped a generous portion of the chicken into it.

"Mother..." Wen Chuizi’s face fell, heartbroken to see the chicken disappearing, and he pouted.

"Grandma and the others have already agreed to the split; we have to do something," Lin said, looking timidly at Wen Ye. "Ye..."

Wen Ye knew she couldn't change their subservient nature overnight, so she just squinted and smiled. "Whatever you say, Mother."

Lin breathed a sigh of relief, but holding the heavy bowl of chicken, she felt too ashamed to face the old woman herself.

"I... I’ll take it," Third Brother Wen said, taking the bowl and heading out.

...

Third Brother Wen arrived at the main room, feeling both anxious and expectant. He saw the old woman and the others sitting around the table. The eldest and second brothers still had injuries on their faces. On the table were only half a bowl of washed-out bacon and stir-fried pumpkin. The others stared at him with gloomy faces.

Feeling even more hollow and guilty as he held the bowl, Third Brother Wen stammered, "Mother... well, I... I brought you some chicken."

Old Madam Wen looked at him as if she wanted to eat him alive. "Hmph, you smash my meals, steal my chicken, force me to agree to a split, and then pretend to be filial by bringing a few pieces of meat? I must have been cursed for eight lifetimes to have children and grandchildren as troublesome as you."

Third Brother Wen was red-faced. "It’s not like that... Mother... I..."

As the old woman prepared to scold him further, Madam Fang pressed her hand down and sighed, "As the saying goes, a grown child is no longer under his mother’s thumb. Since the third brother has made up his mind, Mother, you should just let him be."

"Hmph!" Old Madam Wen turned her head away.

"Third brother, just put the meat down," Madam Fang said.

With her permission, Third Brother Wen quickly stepped forward and placed the bowl on the table.

Madam Fang added, "Go back and tell your wife that since we’ve decided to split, the whole family should sit down and talk properly. Come to the main room after you’ve finished eating."

"Yes, of course," Third Brother Wen agreed hurriedly, not daring to linger, and turned to leave.

Watching his retreating figure, Old Madam Wen snorted and immediately pulled the bowl of chicken toward herself. Wen Mei swallowed hard but didn't dare to touch the meat.

...

Back in the shack, Third Brother Wen relayed the message: "After we eat, we’ll go to the main room to discuss the details of the split."

Wen Lan and Wen Chuizi could hardly believe they would really be able to separate. Lin’s heart hammered in her chest as she urged her children to eat. "Eat quickly, don't keep your grandmother and the others waiting."

Third Brother Wen sat down; the chicken hadn't been touched much, as they had all been waiting for him.

Wen Ye’s eyes flickered. Was this too easy? She knew this chaos would achieve her goal, but she had estimated it would take three to five days!

Never mind. If soldiers come, block them; if water comes, earth covers it. She wasn't afraid of them. With that thought, she picked up a large piece of chicken drumstick, took a big bite, and savored the flavor.