eurekapd Chapter 6 Economic Independence
Chapter 6 Economic Independence
Wen Dashan's face grew increasingly grim. His wife kept nagging about his parents and his elder brother's family, but he wasn't angry at all, because his parents did indeed favor his elder brother, and his elder brother's family was indeed a bloodsucker.
But she couldn't say anything about the fourth brother, or scold his two orphans. Wen Dashan said in a deep voice, "If you feel you've been taken advantage of by taking care of Daya and Xiaoqi, you don't have to. I'll have the eldest brother bring you to the eldest son's house later."
The family division agreement already stated that the eldest son would take care of them in their old age, and since the old woman was dissatisfied with her current life, she should go to the eldest son's wife's house.
"What? You want to kick me out? You have no conscience... Da Ya, Xiao Qi, eat the steamed egg custard while it's hot!"
Wen Linshi's expression cracked for a moment. Going to the eldest son's house was definitely out of the question. The eldest daughter-in-law was in charge of the eldest son's house. How could she get the grain and send it back to her parents' home? In the end, she tearfully agreed to let Wen Yuxia and her sister eat the bowl of steamed egg custard.
Looking at Wen Linshi, who sometimes acted like a shrew and at other times put on a loving expression, Wen Yuxia secretly praised the original owner of this body for being clever.
When Wen Ziyang and his wife died, the original owner was four years old and Wen Yunhong was two. The original owner knew during the family division that their household registrations would not be the same as Wen Dashan and his wife's, and also knew that the house and land deeds would be in Wen Yunhong's name.
Knowing that the household registration was being kept by Wen Linshi, Wen Yuxia decided to take this opportunity to reclaim it. She didn't care whether she had the two mu of fertile land, the one mu of dry land, or the house and land deeds; what mattered was having the household registration in her own hands.
"Grandpa, Hong'er and I can take care of ourselves now. If Grandma wants to go back to Uncle's, you can come with her!" Wen Yuxia said sincerely as she divided the steamed egg custard into four bowls.
Wen Dashan frowned: "Da Ya, do you want Grandpa to leave?"
"No, it's because Grandma said she'll be wherever you are. Grandma loves my eldest cousin the most. She makes pancakes out of our cornmeal for him. Grandma would definitely prefer to stay at my uncle's house..."
Wen Yuxia spoke in an innocent tone, poking fun at Wen Linshi's lungs.
The dry land in the family was reclaimed by Wen Dashan after the family split up, but Wen Yuxia didn't know whether the land deed was in Wen Dashan's name or Wen Yunhong's name.
Corn was planted in the dry land. Every year, after drying and grinding it into cornmeal, Wen Linshi would send half back to her parents' home, and the rest would be made into steamed buns. Wen Dashan had eaten them, Wen Linshi had eaten them, and all four of her eldest son's cousins had eaten them.
Both cornmeal and dark wheat flour are whole grains. Dark wheat flour is rough on the throat, while cornmeal, made from corn kernels and corn on the cob, is also rough on the throat, but it has a sweet taste.
This was something Wen Yuxia learned from the original owner's memories: Wen Dashan had once shared his cornbread with the original owner and Wen Yunhong.
Wen Dashan's face turned black with anger. He was busy in the fields or looking for work in town every day, and he didn't even know that Wen Linshi, besides taking grain back to her parents' home, was also giving food from the fourth branch of the family to the grandsons of the first branch.
They're all their own grandchildren, so giving them food isn't wrong. However, it's not right that the eldest son's grandchildren are eating the fourth son's food, while the fourth son's grandchildren aren't given any.
Wen Dashan said coldly, "From now on, I will be in charge of the grain in the house. I will scoop out the grain needed for cooking each day and put it on the cupboard in advance."
"Old man, you're in charge of the grain? Isn't this just making me a laughingstock?" Wen Linshi wiped away her tears sadly.
In every household, the man is in charge of external affairs and the woman is in charge of internal affairs. Wen Dashan's management of the grain is a way of taking away her power to manage the household. If he doesn't let her manage the grain today, he might make her hand over the family's money tomorrow.
Wen Zisong's voice came from outside the door: "Dad, Mom, what are you arguing about?"
The other three households had already heard the commotion from Wen Linshi's house in the fourth branch, but they chose to ignore it, thinking it was none of their business.
Now that Wen Linshi's household management has been taken over by Wen Dashan, the eldest branch of the family is getting restless. Wen Linshi is taking food meant for the fourth branch and feeding it to her own children, and Wen Zisong and his wife both know about it.
The management of the fourth branch of the household must remain in the hands of Wen Linshi, as Wen Zisong is still counting on her to continue feeding his four sons.
Wen Yuxia walked a few steps to the door, opened it, and whispered, "Uncle, Grandma wants to live with you. Grandpa is asking Grandma to hand over the key to the grain cabinet."
Wen Zisong glanced at Wen Dashan with disapproval, then turned his gaze to Wen Linshi, earnestly explaining that his father had also advised his mother.
"Father, how could you force Mother to hand over the key to the grain cabinet? In which family doesn't the woman manage the money and grain?"
Mother, what were you thinking, abandoning Father and coming to live with me? Absolutely not! The family division agreement states that you and Father will only come to the eldest son's house when the youngest son turns 15, and then your son will take care of you both in your old age..."
Wen Dashan's heart skipped a beat. The family had separated, and his eldest son had changed too. He used to dote on his wife, but now he wouldn't even let her live with him in her old age.
It seems that registering that acre of wasteland in my name was the right decision. I should cultivate a few more acres when I have time, so that when I'm old, I can have the land deed and let whichever of my sons is most filial live with me.
Madam Wen was equally unhappy. Her eldest son was outwardly speaking up for her, but secretly he was refusing to let her live in the main house.
Hmph, those grandsons of the eldest son won't get any benefits from her anymore. Mother was right, only her own family can tolerate and take her in.
If Wen Zisong knew that because of his words, his father had the idea of clearing wasteland to accumulate wealth, and that his sons would never have the chance to squeeze even half a piece of bread out of their mother, he would probably be filled with remorse.
At that moment, he was still there, pretending to persuade the elderly couple that harmony in the family brings prosperity.
"Boss, if you have nothing to do, go back to your room. Don't get involved in the affairs of the fourth branch," Wen Dashan calmly picked up a piece of shepherd's purse with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth, reminding Wen Zisong not to disturb their meal.
Wen Zisong was a little embarrassed. He hadn't noticed the food on the table when he came in. Now, his father was telling him to leave, and his mother wasn't telling him to sit down and eat. He gave an awkward laugh and said, "Hehe, you haven't eaten yet? You guys eat, I'll go back to my room first."
After Wen Zisong left, Wen Dashan said sarcastically, "This is your favorite son? Ha, you want to live with him but he doesn't want to!"
Wen Linshi didn't speak, silently picking at the steamed egg custard and brown rice porridge in her bowl.
"Fine, you can take care of the grain," Wen Dashan sighed. His wife's tantrums annoyed him, but her submissive appearance was also pitiful.
Turning to Wen Yuxia, he said, "Da Ya, as you've seen, your uncle might not be able to support us in our old age. So, all the reclaimed wasteland will be registered in my name. That way, your grandma and I will have security when we get old."
Wen Yuxia smiled faintly and said, "Grandpa, I understand what you're saying. After Hong'er gets married, we'll continue living together as long as there are no conflicts."
If there are any conflicts, Grandpa can rely on the land deeds to live on his own or with my eldest, second, or third uncles with confidence. However, I hope Grandpa will allow me to keep my and Hong'er's household registrations.