Rebirth in Famine: She Thrives by Lucky Space-Chapter 950: Resolution

"Nonsense, how did your brothers take advantage of you?"

"Then take out my share of the grain and receipts. Of course, I don’t want it all; I’ll leave half for you and my dad.

It’s survival grain, and I can give half of it to you."

Shuanzi’s dad saw that this wasn’t going to work either. He coughed and said, "Enough, stop saying useless things. Shuanzi, there’s no place for you in this family anymore. If you have what it takes, start your own family; your mom and I don’t have the skills."

"The other three sons can start their families, but when it comes to me, it’s all about being useless?"

"Do you have more skills than your fourth brother?"

"Sure, I don’t have his skills. I used to be good at studying, but I couldn’t continue school. If I had, I wouldn’t be worse off than him."

Every word from Shuanzi stabbed at the old man’s heart.

"Enough, don’t say anymore. Our bond is shallow. In the future, if you have skills and wish to show us filial piety, you can come and visit. We won’t need you for our life and death."

"Dad, that’s not right. Third is also your son; why wouldn’t he be responsible for elder care?" The eldest son’s wife came in from the main room, knowing it would be too late if she didn’t speak up.

"Fine, whatever. I am my parents’ son, and caring for them is my duty. But give me what’s mine, right? I’m already twenty-three. Isn’t it time I start looking to marry?"

No one spoke up this time. The eldest son’s wife rolled her eyes, "Mom and Dad are old and don’t have the ability."

"Didn’t we split the family? When you got married, you lived collectively. Now that I’m marrying the fourth brother, you as siblings-in-law won’t contribute money?"

"What money do I have to give? You’re not my son."

Shuanzi’s parents were infuriated, "Enough with the talk! Does my word not hold anymore?"

"Dad, have you decided? Am I now a discarded son?"

"We don’t have the ability; raising you to this age is already enough."

"Fine, I agree. Plus, I’ll continue giving my grain ration to you two, but let’s put this agreement on paper. Otherwise, I’ll collect my grain and receipts myself every month."

The eldest and second son’s wives heard that the third son was giving the grain and were pleased but said nothing.

Shuanzi thought to himself, if they cared, they wouldn’t be taking the grain.

"Third, is this what you’ve decided? Fourth, go get paper and pen, let’s write it out for him." Shuanzi’s mom quickly agreed, afraid that the old man might refuse.

Shuanzi sat to the side and waited. He watched his fourth brother write, then took a look himself; everything was documented, fearing he might backtrack.

"Alright, mom and dad, put your fingerprint here, brothers, sign it."

No one in the family was unwilling; everyone feared Shuanzi might change his mind.

Finally, Shuanzi packed up the paper, grabbed his bag, turned to look at the family, said nothing, and left directly.

He knew Big Biao was going to stay at the hostel, so he headed there to find him. Others couldn’t stay without an introduction letter, but he could because the person working there was his friend’s wife, and they had stayed there before.

He definitely felt sad, but mostly relieved, knowing he was on his own now, with no other concerns. His grain ration equated to supporting his parents, which left nothing for others to say.

He left, and none of his family members cared how he was going to spend that winter night.

He reached the hostel, asked about Big Biao’s room, and went in with his bag.

"Shuanzi? What’s up?"

"Same as you, it’s just me now."

"There’s really nothing wrong with that."

The room had two beds, but it was too cold during winter.

Big Biao spent money for a stove. Although it only provided one iron sieve of coal per night, the small room warmed up reasonably.

"You’re out of bread, right? I still have some; let’s make do with it."

Shuanzhu gave a bitter smile, and they drank hot water and ate bread.

"Are you going home tomorrow?"

"I’ll first go to the neighborhood committee, handle the introduction letter, then make a trip back."

"I have as much hope as I now have disappointment."

"I got used to it early on," Big Biao said without fear.

"Let’s hope others have better lives than us."

"How much better could it be?"

That night neither of them took off their clothes; it was too cold, but at least the room wasn’t like an ice cellar."

Next morning, they went out and had fried dough sticks. After eating, they visited the supply and marketing cooperative, bought two packs of cigarettes and half a pound of fruit candy, and took some gifts to the neighborhood committee, making things easier.

They divided the gifts. They weren’t from the same neighborhood committee, so they parted ways.

Handling everything was very smooth; their introduction letters didn’t take long. This saved them from future trips, a tip from Brother Wei.

With relief, Shuanzi returned to the hostel to wait for Big Biao.

Big Biao returned home at this time; only his parents were there, as the other brothers went to work.

"What brings you back here?"

"I came back to see you."

"We’re fine. Did you cause any trouble outside?"

Big Biao noticed his mother’s disdainful look but quickly let go of the discomfort.

"Even if I did cause trouble, I wouldn’t drag you into it. Since you don’t want to see me, I’ll leave."

"This feels better. Once, a sir told me my family ties were shallow; guess he was right."

Standing near the next door, hearing nothing, he decided not to disturb Er Hong, and left, knowing they’d expect him back today. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

At the supply and marketing cooperative, they bought two pounds of snacks, filled their thermoses with hot water, and set off.

"We’ll get home by midnight."

"No worries, not scared of the dark. With snow brightening things, we can see the road; we just have to follow the footprints."

"Shuanzi, if you aren’t joining us to the Capital, why did you get an introduction letter?"

"I’ll eventually go out to get raw materials. Seizing this chance to get the letter will save me future trips back."

"Do you know how long we’ll be staying there?"

"How would I know? But it should be a few years."

"Are we lucky then?" Big Biao asked Shuanzhu with a smile.

"Indeed, we’re lucky. Without Brother Yang, we wouldn’t be who we are now."

"Absolutely, sticking with Brother Yang was right."

"Our good days are ahead. I’ve thought about settling my residence in Li Family Village."

"I have the same idea. Life in the village is nice."

Talking as they walked briskly, eager to return, they’ve already made Li Family Village their home. Here, there’s fairness, no exclusion, no scheming; it’s a life they both enjoy.

"We’ll spend New Year together, and Master Lu will definitely celebrate at Brother Wei’s place," Big Biao said.