CHAPTER 26: CHAPTER 16: THE FIRST DISCUSSION OF SEPARATION

Mother Zhang looked at the bag in her son’s hand and said nothing more, took out the pig’s trotter, and placed the bag in the main room. Seeing that it was getting late, she instructed Zhang Guoqing to go to the kitchen to light the fire, while she went to the backyard to pick some vegetables. In the Zhang Family, it was only Zhang Guoqing who would enter the kitchen to help with lighting the fire, as the men believed these chores were women’s work. In the late autumn backyard, there weren’t many other vegetables; in the field, aside from some cabbage, there were some small greens covered with straw, as well as some unharvested white radishes and sweet potatoes. Checking the chicken coop for any unexpected finds, she picked some wilted greens.

Mother Zhang, holding the greens, came in to see him striking matchsticks one by one, clumsily, feeling distressed. Not sure whether she felt bad for him or the matches? Matches cost money; usually, there’s embers buried in the stove, and with a strong blow they can be used again. Only Zhang Guoqing wasted them; she couldn’t bear to scold him. If it were someone else, she’d unleash a torrent of reprimands. She herself wished she could stretch a penny into two, unable to stand any waste.

Busy in the kitchen, Zhang Guoqing kept helping her with lighting the fire, chatting idly with Mother Zhang. The mother and son had just finished preparing lunch. The staple was still cornbread, typically made with coarse grain flour, water, and wild vegetables, but this time it was corn grits cornbread. In the Zhang Family, cornbread was the most familiar and common food, and to ensure everyone ate their fill, the cornbread was made large.

Different from the wild vegetable cornbread in the morning, they cooked corn grits porridge, and made four dishes without any oil, just boiled in plain water. Mother Zhang couldn’t afford to have rich dishes; if it could be stewed, it must be stewed—a bowl of dark salty vegetables, a bowl of plain cabbage, a bowl of long beans, and another bowl of potatoes with no oil.

In the village, the horn sounded, signaling the end of work, and the people in the fields headed home. Mother Zhang poured hot water, ready for them to drink and relieve their fatigue when they got back.

Mr. Zhang, with his two sons, quickly entered the kitchen to drink some water, then went to the well to wash up, patting off the dirt and dust before finally catching their breath and returning to the main room, taking out a long pipe and smoking tobacco.

The eldest sister-in-law, Huang Cuilan, and the second sister-in-law, Lin Juhua, wearing patched clothes, led their daughters Mai Miao and Mai Sui through the gate, talking occasionally about village matters. Women didn’t have the same privileges as men, so they washed their hands first with their children before quickly helping to serve the dishes and set the table.

Four-year-old Mai Miao, wearing a faded and patched floral cotton coat, knew how to tidy herself up using the hot water her mother had washed with. Once done, she pulled two-year-old Mai Sui into the main room to wait for the meal.

Second daughter Mai Sui was so skinny her head seemed too big for her body, resembling a child from Africa, but everyone was used to it. Often, looking around the village, none of the children were chubby. Zhang Guoqing was also worried her neck couldn’t support her head, secretly considering giving them some milk powder later.

When the dishes were served, once Mr. Zhang picked up his chopsticks, everyone busily tucked into their meals without a word. Eating cornbread with the dishes devoid of oil, Zhang Guoqing thought the scratchy corn grits and cornbread would go uneaten, but today, with the farm work idle, everyone finished everything.

He tried hard to ignore the pain in his throat, finally finishing one, and gulped down a mouthful of corn grits porridge, wanting to spit it out. But he dared not; if he dared to waste food, he’d certainly be beaten so hard by his father even his mother wouldn’t recognize him. Quickly drinking the porridge, he resolved not to eat any more, causing Mr. Zhang to repeatedly ask him if he had enough and trying to give him his own cornbread, almost making him cry.

All four bowls of food, even the overly salty vegetables, were consumed completely. Watching everyone eat with relish, poverty and the issue of enough food were no longer felt or seen; being able to eat one’s fill was already rare among the village’s families.

The only proper meal since arriving here was last night’s sweet potato rice, which, in modern times, he and Zhou Jiao often had as pastries and coarse grains. Despite being full of sweet potatoes, which weren’t as tasty as those in the present day, at least it didn’t scratch the throat. He wondered what kind of cornbread they’d have tomorrow; in the Zhang Family, cornbread varied throughout the year, every day always different except on New Year’s Eve with white flour cornbread topped with white dumplings. It’s intolerable even for one meal, let alone for a year; it’s almost like eating grass.

He wondered if Jiao Jiao missed the cornbread; Zhang Guoqing finally understood why her face looked so waxy yellow—probably she couldn’t eat and went hungry. As a new bride, she wouldn’t dare be picky, but thankfully they had stock now.

Finally finishing lunch, watching the women at home busy clearing the dishes, Mr. Zhang, the head of the family, didn’t speak up, and the three brothers, led by Zhang Guofu, didn’t leave, sensing Mr. Zhang had something to say, they all sat waiting. Mr. Zhang took out his tobacco pipe, lit it, smoked a few puffs, glanced at his three sons, then at his old wife beside him, wearing a hesitant expression.

Zhang Guofu, the eldest, looked at his brothers and then, breaking the silence, looked at his father and said, "Dad, if you have something troubling you, just say it, the three of us won’t hesitate."

Mr. Zhang nodded and looked at the three of them, saying wistfully, "It’s not a big deal, it’s just that seeing you all grown up and us getting old. This family, like a big tree, branches out. The last time I mentioned separating after the New Year, I thought we should fix the house before winter, otherwise, if we separate and still live together, there will be conflicts, and the affection between brothers will fade. I don’t care what other families do, but when your grandfather was alive, he said that the elderly don’t like their children staying together after separation, as it only weakens the bond between brothers, and with so many people, it’s never peaceful."

"But even if you separate, you brothers must support each other. Look at your uncle and younger uncle, no one in Zhang Family Village dares to bully our family."

Second brother, Zhang Guoqiang, looked at his parents and then at his brothers. He wasn’t too keen on separating the family.

He had two young children, and he knew the nature of his wife. After the separation, no one would take care of the kids, and it would be tough for him alone to support the whole family.

Moreover, his elder brother and sister-in-law were kind people who never quarreled with him. Even when his wife was being lazy, his sister-in-law would just smile; not to mention that the kids were usually looked after by their nephews and nieces. Now, his son Little Stone is staying at Sister-in-law’s mother’s place with Xi Zi and the others.

Even his generous little brother who is always considerate; even if they didn’t get along, they still shared a deep bond. Whenever there was an issue, his little brother would be the first to hold him back. If they separate, he would have to live on his own.

As for how to divide the property, he was clear about the family’s assets, all saved by their parents and eldest brother and sister. He had no opinions on sharing more or less, especially since his father was fair, and his mother, even if partial to his little brother, would not forget him.

Even though in later years, his mother had privately returned the money his little brother earned from hunting to him, this silly boy made it up by buying things frantically. He was not really dissatisfied with his mother’s actions or this family.

Thinking it over, he still felt it was better not to separate. His brothers’ wives got along well, and he was the one working hard to support the whole family alone.

"Mom and Dad, why not just keep the family together? The three of us brothers get along well, and the sisters-in-law, Zhou Jiao, are also on good terms. Our family doesn’t quarrel like those in the village do. Having everyone under your watchful eyes allows you to see us whenever you want. Suddenly separating the family, I have no confidence."

Mr. Zhang shook his head. He understood the second brother’s thoughts, which was why he wanted to separate. "No need to persuade; the village already knows about the separation. Do you want your mother and me to go back on our word? How can we do that? Look at your eldest uncle’s family; his sons separated long ago without affecting their relationships. When needed, your eldest uncle just calls out, and everyone helps."

"Enough said, once your dad decides something, it won’t change. The foundations for the second brother and Xiao Wu have been approved and are just next door. The proximity makes it easy to call for help. Besides, your children are growing, whether now or later, the family needs to separate, and that’s the decision. Let’s talk about building the houses. Your dad and I plan to give each family 150 yuan. We’ve spoken to others about the green stones, tiles, and wood. Once you go back, you can decide how to construct your courtyards, have a discussion with your wife. This time we’re building two courtyards; tonight, your dad will go talk to your eldest uncle and younger uncle to arrange for some help. Let’s aim to finish before winter. Once spring comes, you can move in as soon as possible."

Mr. Zhang also nodded in agreement with his wife’s suggestion, "What your mom says reflects my thoughts. The house is for the eldest, and we’ll follow the village tradition of living with the eldest son. I reckon with such a big courtyard, 150 yuan should be enough. Mainly, there isn’t enough time. Otherwise, if we did it ourselves, it would only cost for tiles and labor. So, based on this 150 yuan standard, go back and discuss with your wives. If you want something nicer, make up the difference yourself; no need to return any surplus. I’ll talk to your eldest uncle and the others tonight. Let’s aim to finish before winter, or else everyone will be too busy after spring."

The three brothers had no objections. Once their father made a decision, it was futile to persuade him, given his stubbornness. Eldest brother, as the firstborn, always knew deep down he would live with his parents in the old house.

As for Zhang Guoqing, he preferred to have his own separated life, as his lifestyle and personal preferences differed. Separating sooner would be better. Like his father said, even after separating, brothers remain brothers, and they’re close enough to hear a shout. Initially, he wanted to discuss matters regarding the Zhou Family with his father, but now it’s best to give the elders some time to rest on their own. Separation is not a pleasant topic as it involves witnessing one’s children, raised before their eyes, break apart and create their own small families, distancing themselves from their parents. No matter how understanding, parents inevitably have their concerns, and their hearts feel a certain ache.