Chapter 24: What a thick skin

"Anyone can act," she thought. She lowered her head and took a deep breath, then looked up with eyes brimming with tears. "Father, is that really what you think too?"

Old Man Liu wore an expression of agonizing indecision, which made the mother and two daughters of the second branch feel nauseated. However, the three of them remained unmoved, refusing to offer him any way out of the situation.

In truth, the eldest son of the Liu family did not want the second branch to split off and live independently. After all, the second son and his wife had previously earned full work points, and since the second son had no son of his own, any extra earnings would ultimately benefit his son anyway.

But given the current scene, he feared he had no choice in the matter.

Old Man Liu knew that the second branch likely already hated the family, so he stopped pretending: "Don't blame the family. At this point, we can only look forward. Since you want to take a gamble, I have no choice but to let you split off. After that, whether your household prospers or fails, do not blame the family."

This was exactly what Mother Liu had been waiting for her father-in-law to say. Even if her husband's leg could not be cured and he became a cripple, and even if their lives became difficult in the future, it would still be better than being subjected to the family's constant sarcasm and passive-aggressiveness.

For years, her parents-in-law had been experts at putting on an act in front of outsiders, appearing to treat their three sons equally. But whenever there was a benefit to be had, they would bring up the fact that certain sons had no male heirs, leaving them with grievances they could not voice.

If it weren't for the fact that both she and her husband were perceptive people, they might have succumbed to depression long ago.

Their only act of rebellion over the years had been regarding their three daughters' education. On that occasion, her husband had made a fierce ultimatum: if the three daughters were not allowed to go to school, he would be just like his eldest and youngest brothers, refusing to work a single extra work point. Only then did the parents-in-law relent.

The children of the first and third branches could all go to school, while her own had to fight for the right.

It was obvious why her father-in-law was relenting so easily now; it was because her husband had lost the ability to earn full work points, and they were afraid the family would be dragged down by them taking on debt for his medical treatment.

Thinking about it now, it was truly laughable.

Old Man Liu was terrified that his second daughter-in-law would change her mind. "Dongzi, forget it. Eldest, go run an errand and invite the Village Chief and the Party Secretary over."

He had wanted to send his second grandson, but considering that what they were doing today was somewhat improper, it was better to let his eldest son handle it.

Liu Shangang hesitated. "Father, is it appropriate to split the second branch off right now?"

Old Man Liu raised an eyebrow and lowered his voice, speaking with irritation, "Do you think if we wait until his leg is incurable, the villagers won't gossip? Besides, didn't you say there's hope for Dongzi's job? As long as things are arranged on that end and the money is in place, he can start working. Who am I doing this for?"

The eldest son naturally understood his father's intention, but once the family split, the second branch would be out of their control. What would happen to the matter he had promised that person?

If the matter wasn't handled successfully, Dongzi's job would be nothing but an empty promise.

But since his father had already made his decision, he could only plan for the future. He didn't believe they wouldn't find an opportunity; after all, if one does not look out for oneself, heaven and earth will destroy them. Compared to his niece's future, his son's career was far more important.

Soon, Village Chief Deng Huaiming, Party Secretary Liu Dagui, and the Women's Federation Director Zhang Ailan, whom they encountered on the way, were invited into the house by the eldest Liu.

As soon as the Secretary entered the main hall, he frowned and asked, "Old Fifth, I heard from your eldest son that you're splitting the family. Have you lost your mind?"

The village custom was that families did not split while the parents were still alive. Of course, this wasn't an absolute rule; there were split families in the village, but they were the minority.

Furthermore, the second son had injured his leg and was still in the hospital. Splitting the family now was something even his third uncle from the same lineage found hard to stomach.

Since things had already reached this point, Old Man Liu adopted the attitude of a "dead pig that doesn't fear boiling water," but he still tried to justify himself: "As the saying goes, a tree grows branches and children grow up to start their own homes. We are old and can no longer manage them; this is to prevent brothers from being disharmonious and affecting family feelings in the future."

*Hah, how pleasant those words sound,* the onlookers thought. *As if splitting the family now won't hurt those feelings. What a thick skin.*

(End of Chapter)