Chapter 3, a sudden turn back

Everyone turned to look at the old woman, who slowly withdrew her hand, which had turned pale from gripping tightly. She gathered her hair from her forehead, neither hurried nor anxious, and calmly gazed at Wang Gui

The silver bell is still too small, causing a shiver of fright

Wang Gui continued to bite his lip, his face reflecting a state of constipation, remaining silent.

The money was not lent out by him, so what use is the promissory note he wrote? ... Such empty words that even ghosts wouldn't believe, only a fool like Wang Gui would buy into them ... . The Hou siblings thought to themselves.

This contrast made Wang Erlang, who had just made grand aspirations, smile wryly. The body is the foundation of everything; if one cannot move, then all is mere empty talk

Indeed, upon hearing the third point, Wang Gui displayed a profound struggle on his face, tightly biting his lip, unsure of what to say.

However, such matters are often not pursued unless the people take action against the authorities. There are many brothers who do not live together, and plenty who have separated; not everyone is without parents. As long as there are no disputes over property division, the authorities will not intervene, unless someone intends to target you.

Hou originally thought he had killed Wang Gui, but to his surprise, this fellow dared to defy him. In a fit of anger, he began to pack his belongings, saying, "You just wait for the authorities to come and arrest you!"

I won't split the family... Wang Gui was indeed so frightened that his face turned pale, yet he still kept his head down, repeatedly uttering those four words, his feet almost wearing through the floor tiles.

"Wang Gui, you can still change your mind now." The brother-in-law, seeing the situation about to collapse, hurriedly remedied the situation: "Once my sister steps out of this door, she will no longer be your wife. Furthermore, the debt your family owes ours has long been due. Initially, we hesitated to ask for it because we are relatives. Now, for the sake of a useless brother, if you are willing to give up your wife, then we need not be courteous. Tomorrow, I will submit a lawsuit to the He * Tu * Shu County, accusing you of failing to repay your debts and of injuring your wife. Your life will be over, do you understand?"

When the mother-in-law became furious, Hou was so frightened that she shrank her neck. However, having come this far, how could she abandon her efforts? She laboriously turned her head, avoiding looking at her mother-in-law and instead focused on Wang Guidao, saying, "If you don't believe me, just try it!"

Wang Gui felt as if struck by lightning, and the old lady's expression changed dramatically. She suddenly stood up, pointing her finger at the Hou family and said: "Very well, I will accompany you! I will expose all the disgraceful things you have done over the years, letting you stink for ten miles in the wind!"

In order for the Hou family to achieve their goals without leaving any future troubles, it is essential to obtain the consent of the mother-in-law, allowing her to issue a certificate of "separation without divorce" before daring to break through the walls.

Alright, I am watching! Hou laughed heartily and left, saying, "Let's see how you continue to bring disaster to this family"

Wang Gui expressed unease: "Now the Hou family is also going to report to the authorities"

This roar stunned everyone, and for a moment, they all turned to look at Wang Gui and Wang Dalang

"What nonsense!" she spat, saying, "You fool, your father was once a magistrate, yet you don't even understand this basic law? A husband beating his wife is only considered if there are serious injuries! She merely has a scratch; it was pointless to hit her!"

The old man at home dotes on your wife the most. As long as you agree to move over, the debt your family owes mine will definitely be written off. " The brother-in-law also said, "If you don't believe me, I can provide a written agreement!"

Wang Gui shook his head and said sadly: "Cui Lian is going back to her family, and I will stay behind."

"Wang Gui, if you do not agree, I will report you to the authorities!" Hou knew that this person was least capable of making decisions, so she had to resort to a strong tactic. She threatened him, saying: "You heard what my brother just said. I can go to the authorities with injuries. If I report you, you will be captured by the officials!"

"Empty talk is of no use." I disdainfully replied, "Show some results before boasting; otherwise, I will consider it mere nonsense."

I will not split the family... Wang Gui had thought it through clearly and finally raised his head to say, "Cuilian has her maternal family to take care of her, so I am at ease."

Hahaha... Hou said, as if he had heard something amusing: "Can you change your nature? A dog cannot change its habit of eating excrement. As long as you are here, the Wang family will never see any improvement!"

"I won't split the family." Wang Gui's voice became even softer, "If you want to leave, then go..."

Mother... for over twenty years of mother-son relationship, how could Wang Gui not discern that his mother was speaking ironically, and he became even more hesitant to speak up

When Wang Gui returned, he saw his mother standing in the courtyard. He lowered his head and said softly: "Mother..."

"Wang Gui, you are right," the woman said with an approving look. "Although your brother is indeed useless, he is still your brother. If you were to abandon him at this moment, I would definitely report you both to the authorities."

"Go take a break." I know that making this decision must be very difficult for him, so I sent Wang Gui back to his room to rest. I then turned to the door of the west wing and glared at my youngest son, saying, "I heard everything you just said!"

"I am also speaking for my mother to hear." Wang Xian and his mother exchanged glances, their eyes equally distinct in black and white, their gazes sharp.

Upon reaching the courtyard, she was filled with a mix of shame, anger, and resentment. She then walked into the west wing, where she saw her younger uncle, Wang Xian, calmly gazing at her. His distinctly black-and-white eyes were bright and unsettling, even more terrifying than her mother's.

Thus, the Hou family can assert so emphatically that they do not want anything from the Wang family; moreover, they deliberately avoid using the term "separation" and instead use "living apart" as a substitute, which is, in fact, a case of self-deception.

After a while, the Hou brothers finally came to their senses. The younger brother-in-law chuckled awkwardly and asked, "What do you mean?"

... ...

The neighbors were quite surprised and couldn't help but cast admiring glances at Wang Gui, indicating that the Hou family had a rather poor reputation in front of the community

A resounding vow exchanged for a grimy rag, I struck with precision, landing squarely on his face

"Do not yell at my sister!" Wang Gui's eyes were red as he scanned his elder brother-in-law and younger brother-in-law, finally resting on Mrs. Hou, and gradually losing his bravado, he murmured, "I will not split the family..."

Wang Xian remained as calm as water, yet finally spoke up:

"Your mother has said this, what are you still hesitating for?" Hou Shi could no longer pretend to be dead, leaping up from the bed with a spindle-shaped head and said, "You have exhausted your family fortune, spent half a year treating Xiao Er, and now he has finally awakened. As his older brother, you have done enough! What can the neighbors say about you?" She appealed to his emotions and then to his interests, saying, "Wang Gui, haven't you always dreamed of being a boss? After we part ways, I will take out my dowry to help you start a paper-making workshop, so you can also experience the taste of being a boss!" What can the neighbors say about you?" She appealed to his emotions and then to his interests, saying, "Wang Gui, haven't you always dreamed of being a boss? After we part ways, I will take out my dowry to help you start a paper-making workshop, so you can also experience the taste of being a boss!"

"Just watch it." Wang Xianming knew she was using provocation, yet he raised an eyebrow and said in a deep voice: "I, Wang Xian, am different now... Oh..."

"Wang Gui, stop dawdling and answer quickly," the Hou brothers urged impatiently, as they had plans to go out for drinks that evening and had no time to waste here. The younger brother, feeling irritated, lifted his head and saw Xiao Yinling peering outside the door. He blurted out angrily, "What are you looking at? Go back inside!"

"Um, um, first take away the cloth, I can hardly breathe..." Wang Xian's hand could not even be lifted. It was still Yinling who saved his life.

Oh... Wang Gui nodded gloomily, yet felt relieved.

You can just watch..." Wang Xian sighed softly and fell silent.

A neighbor couldn't help but ask: "Wang Gui, are you planning to move out?"

"Pah!" Hou spat a thick phlegm that nearly landed on Wang Gui's face, picked up his bundle, and stormed out the door, "Wang, you will regret it to the core and kneel down to beg me on that day!"

Looking at her son, she then said to the Hou family: "I have had enough of this greedy, lazy, and malicious woman..." Just as the Hou family was about to explode in anger, they heard her change her tone: "Aren't you just looking for a separation agreement? As long as Wang Gui agrees, I will leave!"

"Well, you need not worry about where to stay." The brother-in-law, well aware of his sister-in-law's thoughts, replied, "I have a two-courtyard house in the county town that is currently vacant. You can move in today! There is also an old maid there, so you will have someone to take care of your meals and clothing. Isn't that a thousand times better than your current situation of toiling like a beast?"

"Please..." Wang Gui pleaded pitifully with the Hou family, "The little one is still sick, my sister is still young, and my mother is in poor health. How can we manage? If we separate at this time, we will be ridiculed behind our backs."

You need not worry. "I scoffed, saying, 'Having endured such difficult days, can I not manage without Wang the butcher? Can I not eat a pig with hair on it?!'"

This has left the neighbors puzzled. They had heard the Wang family arguing fiercely, so how is it that Wang Gui is now helping the Hou family and moving the bridal dowry boxes? Is it possible that they are planning to split the family?

The Hou siblings have left, naturally taking with them their family's dowry. Wang Gui, that fool, even helped them call a taxi and move their boxes, what a busybody.

"Could you say that again?" The Hou family members were astonished

The reason why the Hou family is considering a division is that their arrogance immediately diminishes by a third, due to the existence of laws in this era. As long as the parents are alive, the family cannot be divided or the property divided! Otherwise, the children would face imprisonment! Every month, the authorities announce this in front of the proclamation pavilion, and even a three-year-old child knows about it

Cursing herself for having a damaged head today, she thought, what is there to be afraid of for this useless, sickly person? Hou's face twisted in rage as she glared at him, pointing her finger at his nose and scolding, "Useless, your very existence is a disaster for this family! I will watch you bring the Wang family to ruin, leading them to destruction!"

Sister-in-law, I have wronged you in many ways in the past, which has caused you great distress, and I acknowledge my fault. However, I have now turned over a new leaf. If you feel the need to separate from my brother because of me, you may wait a while longer; in just a few months, the Wang family will see improvement! Otherwise, I will leave and will no longer be a burden to you.

The brother-in-law turned around, just about to scold Wang Gui a few more times, when he heard a roar that was ten times louder than his own: "Shut up!"

This roar unexpectedly came from the usually meek Wang Bitong

Wang Gui, have you thought it through? I even advised, "Now even the mute widow on East Street demands a bridal price of five guan. Your mother has no means to help you remarry!"

"Little brat, make sure you can wipe your own bottom first." I clapped my hands and went to prepare dinner

The Hou family was instantly overjoyed and turned to Wang Gui, urging in unison: "What are you dawdling for? Agree!" From their experience, they believed that someone like Wang Gui, who had never dared to say no in his life, would certainly not oppose them.