Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 796 Dividing the Family

Xiao Hong smiled and patted Huang Yuting's face, saying, "Yes, you didn't see it? It's on the balcony, on the roof. You need a pole to reach it. Go look for it when you get home later."

The cafeteria staff started serving the dishes, and everyone began to eat. Director Qin and Director Lu sat next to each other, and Director Lu said, "Hey? This food tastes almost the same as what you get at Anji Cafe. This is too extravagant. This bowl would probably cost several hundred yuan there. Is this just for staff meals here?"

Xiao Wei said, "It's still different. It's just that some old broth was added to the stew, so it's not as refined."

Director Qin said, "Xiao Wei and the other two are all generous; they're good bosses. These days, even restaurant staff meals rarely include meat every day; it's mostly potato slices, fermented bean curd, and cabbage."

Xiao Wei said, "We also have vegetarian dishes. How can we include meat in every dish? Wouldn't it be greasy? Besides, if the employees eat well, they'll be healthier and do their jobs better. We're counting on them to make money for us. Most of the people here are from my hometown. If they stay here for half a year and get thin from hunger, I'll get a beating when I go back."

Xiao Hong kept piling meat onto Huang Yuting's plate, smearing half of the little guy's face with oil, and Xiao Hong just smiled. The Huang brothers, Jianzhong and Jianguo, were a little reserved at first, but later they ate heartily until they were stuffed.

Meat, back then, you had no idea how fragrant and delicious it was.

After finishing their meal, Director Qin shook hands with Grandpa Huang and led his group back. Xiao Wei and the others also parted ways with the Huang family and returned to their courtyard. The Huang family went back to their new home and sat on the sofa in the living room, lost in thought.

After a long pause, Grandpa Huang coughed and said, "The family has moved. From now on, just live well and look forward. Jianzhong and Jianguo, work hard and do your jobs well, don't embarrass your brother. Your eldest daughter-in-law has a job now, so work hard, there's a long road ahead."

We have many children in our family, but Jianzhong and Jianguo were the youngest and are still unmarried, so we've never discussed dividing the family property. I'm not very capable; all these years, the eldest son has been supporting the family. Now that Jianzhong and Jianguo are working, let's just divide the property today.

My eldest son's wife, you've suffered all these years since you came into this family. I've never let you have a good life. Logically speaking, with my eldest son's salary, if it weren't for the four of us, we could be living a pretty good life. I'm not stupid, I know what I'm doing, but there's nothing I can do.

Now that's great, all three of you have jobs and houses, so let's divide the assets. From now on, you can manage your own money and don't need to give it to your mother anymore. Just live your own lives well.

"My dear daughter-in-law, you're only in your early thirties, still young. If you meet the right person, go for it. Your parents have no objections; they'd love to see you. You don't need to have any worries. Yuting will always be my granddaughter, and that won't be out of the picture. No matter what happens in the future, you'll always be part of this family."

Aunt Huang lowered her head and said, "Dad, what are you saying? I'll just stay here with you and raise Yuting well. Don't mention those other things anymore, I don't want to hear them."

The old man sighed. Aunt Huang said, "Isn't Jianzhong going to work at Jianya's place? Perfect, you can stay at that house over there. I'll give you the key later."

Huang Jianzhong said, "No need, sister-in-law. Director Lu told me today that I have one. Although the property certificate won't be issued for another three years, I still have one, and it's allocated to me. Your house is yours. Director Lu said not to overthink it; everyone in the office has one."

The old lady wiped away her tears and said, "Jianya is a good man outside, loyal and kind. This life, four houses, three jobs, and this furniture, these big items, it was all worth it. You must not forget this favor in the future, you must remember that our family owes him."

Jianguo didn't understand and asked, "Who do we owe? Wasn't it given to us by the government?"

The old man said, "Nonsense! That three thousand yuan in compensation was given by the government. You want a house too? Dream on! If they gave us that much, we'd go bankrupt! Jianzhong's job is thanks to the director's favor, and these two houses belong to Zhang Wei. Jianguo, your job and your sister-in-law's job were also given to you by Zhang Wei. Remember that."

"We're all in this together, and this three thousand yuan, plus the house your brother got, is what he rightfully deserves. Even if they don't give it to you, you can't really complain. It's all about relationships, understand?"

Huang Jianguo said, "What does Zhang Wei do? Why is he so close to my brother?"

Aunt Huang said, "He spent a year at the police station last year as a citizen representative. Your brother mentioned it a few times when he came back, saying he's a very capable person, runs a big business, makes a lot of money, and is also smart. The merits your brother and his colleagues received last year were inseparable from him. He has a lot of influence; otherwise, how could your brother have such a big face that the director personally came to our house?"

Grandpa Huang sighed and said, "That's a real man. He's loyal, courageous, and resourceful; even God seems to be on his side. You should all learn from him." He paused, then added, "Being on good terms with people is also an opportunity."

Aunt Huang said, "Dad, I'll pretend I didn't hear what you just said, and don't mention it again. We're family. Jianya is gone, but I'll take care of you in his place. From now on, our lives will definitely get better and better. As long as you two are healthy and the children are healthy, that's more important than anything else."

Grandma Huang put her arm around her daughter-in-law's shoulder, patted her on the back, and said nothing.

Huang Yuting sat obediently to the side, watching her mother, grandmother, and grandfather, not knowing what they were talking about. After watching for a while and seeing that they were not talking, she asked softly, "Mom, Grandma, how do I get to school? I can't find the way."

Aunt Huang sat up abruptly, looked at Huang Yuting, then turned to Uncle Huang and said, "Oh dear, I forgot about Yuting's schooling. How is he going to go to school here?"

The whole family stared at Huang Yuting in disbelief. This place was quite far from the school; they had moved more than ten kilometers away.

Grandpa Huang said, "How about I go and get my household registration sorted out tomorrow, and then I'll go ask the school next door. They should be able to help me there."

Aunt Huang said, "Why wait until tomorrow? I'll go ask about it this afternoon. This is a big deal."

As they were discussing this, there was a knock on the door, and someone asked, "Is anyone home?"

Huang Jianzhong agreed and came out to see a policeman: "Hello, is someone here? What's up? Come in and talk."

The policeman smiled, followed Huang Jianzhong into the house, saluted, and said, "Hello, I'm Wang from Wanliu Police Station. I'm here to deliver your household registration book. You'll have to handle the grain rations and such yourselves, but I'll go with you. Also, about the child's school transfer. Huang Jianya is a good man. If you need anything in this area in the future, just let me know. We're all on the same side, so don't be shy."

Grandpa Huang stood up and said, "Oh dear, thank you so much for coming all this way. Come, sit down, sit down. Jianzhong, pour me a glass of water."

Wang waved his hand and said, "No need to trouble yourself. I don't know what to say, and we can't help with anything else. Just let us know if you need anything at home. This is the household registration booklet; it's a small token of our appreciation from the staff." He placed the household registration booklet and a newspaper package on the table.

(End of this chapter)