Chapter 63 - Dividing the Family 1 (2/2)

With Xiaolian’s help, Yu Hai stood up after such difficulty and sat on the tall wooden stool that Little Shitou brought over. His gaze turned gentle as he looked at Madam Liu. After they got married, his wife had never had a peaceful day. Not only did she worked hard every day, but she also suffered mental torture. Her originally fit figure become so thin that she was left with nothing but bones.

He had always felt deeply apologetic towards Madam Liu. In the past, for the sake of peace at home, he had always believed that it was also a blessing to be taken advantage of and that everything would be fine if he just took a step back. However, his stepmother, Madam Zhang, and eldest sister-in-law, Madam Li, became increasingly abusive because of his tolerance.

Every year, he had earned over ten taels from hunting alone. Moreover, without him, it was impossible for their fishing boat to catch so many fish every day. He painstakingly worked for this family, yet his wife and children never had enough to eat nor warm clothes to wear. Furthermore, they also had to suffer from verbal and physical abuse…

While he was in a coma these past few days, he wasn’t completely unconscious. He had heard clearly and remembered everything that happened at home. Before he was injured, Madam Zhang had sent his ten year old son to work as an apprentice at a carpentry shop under the pretext that they couldn’t support so many people in the family.

He hadn’t expected that his stepmother and the first branch would scheme against his two cute and sensible daughters when he was still alive! Even if he had to risk his life, he would never allow his own children to be sold!

Xiaocao was correct! There was no place for them in this family. If they continued to stay here, his family would be broken apart sooner or later. Split from the family! No matter how harsh their living conditions were, their whole family still had to stay together!

“Second Son! You’re the one who mentioned splitting from the family. We never forced you!” Madam Zhang suppressed the elation within her heart and immediately exclaimed, afraid that Yu Hai would go back on his words.

Yu Caidie looked at her second brother’s injured leg, pulled on Madam Zhang’s sleeve, and whispered, “Second Brother hasn’t recovered from his injury yet. Isn’t it inappropriate to divide the family right now? Father won’t agree either!”

Madam Li interjected, “What’s inappropriate about it?! Second Brother-in-law was the one who mentioned the separation. As long as he insists, Father can’t do anything about it either! Youngest Sister-in-law, stop being so muddle-headed. With such a family dragging us down, you will also have less dowry in the future!”

Yu Hai looked at this stepmother and eldest sister-in-law disappointedly. They had long been eager to kick them out of the family… This was also good. In the future, his wife wouldn’t be mistreated at home anymore. His children also didn’t need to be worried all day long that they would be scolded or beaten. With his ability, even if one of his legs was crippled, he still wouldn’t let his family suffer from hunger and coldness.

Madam Zhang glared at her daughter and shouted, “It’s decided then! When your father and eldest brother returns, we’ll get the village head and the elders of the Yu Family as witnesses, and then divide the family!”

“Why are you guys quarreling in the morning? What do you mean dividing the family? Who wants to leave? Eldest Son’s family?” Old Yu came in from outside, holding the fish that hadn’t been sold. The eldest son, Yu Dashan, followed him inside with a fishing net in his hands.

Madam Li hastily explained, “It’s not me, Father! Second Brother-in-law was the one who mentioned it!”

“Second Son? It’s impossible for Second Son to make this suggestion when he’s injured. He still hasn’t passed the critical period, so why would he suggest splitting from the family on his own initiative?” Although Old Yu wasn’t good at expressing his emotions, he wasn’t foolish. He looked at all the strangers in the yard and furrowed his sparse brows.

Madam Zhang quietly approached Trafficker Zhuang, stuffed a handful of copper coins into her hands, and quietly asked her to leave. Trafficker Zhuang held contempt for her behavior, so she pushed the money back and left in the ox cart that she came in.

Old Yu usually kept silent and didn’t interfere with the matters at home. But he had the final say in all the important matters in the family. Madam Zhang was still somewhat afraid of him, so she awkwardly explained, “Second Son volunteered to leave the family in fear that he will become a burden to the family. Look, our third son needs to take an important exam next year. I heard that the third part of the county examination will take place in the prefectural city. We need to prepare more money… Also, Heizi is approaching marriage age… there isn’t enough space at home…”

Old Yu frowned and glared at her, while saying, “What do you mean there isn’t enough space at home?! Caidie will get married in a couple years, so won’t we have a vacant room at that time? Second Son’s leg hasn’t recovered yet, but you’re already so anxious to force him out of the house. Aren’t you afraid that people will curse at you behind your back?!”

“How did it become me forcing him out? Second Son was the one who mentioned the separation. Even if they curse, it has nothing to do with me!” Madam Zhang screeched, “Alright! So it turns out that this is how you, Old Yu, really thinks of me in your heart! I worked so hard for this family, but in the end, I’m accused of forcing my stepson out of the family. My God! How am I supposed to live now! It’s better for me to just die than be an eyesore!”

Madam Zhang sat on the ground, while smacking her thighs and lamenting to the heavens. However, she didn’t even manage to squeeze a teardrop out of her eyes for half a day. Yu Xiaocao inwardly rolled her eyes. What a scumbag! Of course, she would go for the clichéd routine of crying, screaming, and killing herself.

Yu Hai shook his drowsy head and looked towards his wife and children. Their faces were wan and thin because of long-term malnutrition. They had been wearing tattered clothes that were covered in patches for who knew how long. After that, he turned to look at the new attires that his stepmother and eldest sister-in-law wore, which were made just before the New Year. He became even more determined on leaving this family. Anyway, they would definitely have a better and more comfortable life than they did right now!