"Second daughter-in-law, why are you being so sarcastic? What do you mean it was intentional by your sister-in-law? We seaside folk, who doesn't serve a plate of dried fish when guests visit?" Grandma Lin suddenly stood up. "You are still a member of the Lin family. When guests arrive, instead of helping out, you're acting like a boss who does no work. What kind of logic is that?"
"My dear sister-in-law, is this how you treat my daughter? My Zhang family is still here, and you're already complaining. It's clear what kind of life my daughter has been living in your home." Little Zhang's mother stepped forward to support her daughter. "Originally, when my bratty son came back yesterday and told me, I didn't believe him. I thought he was just exaggerating things to stir up trouble. Now it seems I wrongly accused my son."
Qi Zhenzhen watched from the side, dumbfounded. Usually, in such matters, even if the Zhang family wanted to support Little Zhang, they wouldn't be so righteous and blatant. Saying it like this shows no respect for the Lin family. How would Little Zhang manage in the Lin family afterward? Grandma would definitely remember these things, and it would be Little Zhang who would suffer.
Grandma Lin was already displeased with Little Zhang. Upon hearing Little Zhang's mother's words, she darkened her face and said, "As for what kind of life your daughter has had in our home, there's no need for others to say it. She knows it very well herself. If she feels it's not good, she can leave the Lin family anytime. I made it clear yesterday, whether she wants to leave on her own or through a divorce letter, it's up to her! As for the dowry, our Lin family will not embezzle it."
"Your Lin family is now wealthy and powerful, but you can't treat people like this," said Little Zhang's mother. "What has my daughter done that your Lin family can no longer tolerate her?"
"What has she done?" Grandma Lin snorted. "The eldest sister-in-law is like a mother. Did she respect her eldest sister-in-law? She causes trouble, disrupts family harmony, argues with the second son, and leaves for her maiden home without any regard. Are these considered nothing in your family's eyes? You are also a mother-in-law. If your daughter-in-law behaved like this, would you, as a mother-in-law, have to tolerate it?"
Little Zhang's sister-in-law immediately became uneasy. "Auntie, you can't say that. I haven't done any of the things you mentioned."
"You say you haven't done them? My daughter has always been filial," Little Zhang's mother refused to admit it.
"Yes, your daughter is filial. She's like a soldier in Cao's camp but with her heart in Han. While being a daughter-in-law of the Lin family, she still thinks of the Zhang family and wants to seek benefits for them," Grandma Lin snorted.
Little Zhang's mother's arrogance diminished, and she said sheepishly, "Our two families are relatives. It's natural to help each other. Being too calculating will hurt our relationship."
Grandma Lin's face was stern, and she didn't respond.
"May I say a few words?" Little Zhang's father stood up, looking at Grandpa Lin and then at Grandma Lin.
Grandpa Lin quickly stood up with him. "Of course, you can. Let's sit down and talk."
"My bratty son told me yesterday that he wanted to divide the family. At first, I thought it was impossible since the parents are still alive. But upon deeper thought, living together in a large family always leads to various conflicts. Over time, it hurts relationships. In our village, there are also families with many children. After getting married, they divide the family and live separately. The parents usually live with the eldest son. The younger ones live on their own, gathering during festivals and visiting each other regularly, maintaining good relationships," said Little Zhang's father. "My daughter means well, but she doesn't understand how to get along with people and doesn't appreciate the kindness of her in-laws. So, why don't we just let them divide and live separately? Let them realize how good life was with their elder brother and sister-in-law, and let her regret it. Then she'll naturally know how to be a good daughter-in-law."
At first glance, it sounded like he was scolding Little Zhang, but in reality, he was still blaming the Lin family for treating Little Zhang poorly.
Grandma Lin sneered, "Second son, do you still want to live with your wife?"
Lin Ruixia hesitated and nodded. "We've been together for so many years, and we have A'Lin..."
"Alright, you don't need to say more. It's right for you to care for your wife. Our Lin family men are good to their wives. Do you still insist on dividing the family?" Grandma Lin asked again.
"Mother, it's my filial impiety." This meant he was determined to divide the family.
Grandma Lin nodded. "Good, very good. Since the in-laws are here today, let's divide the family. Eldest son, go invite the village head and a few respected elders. Eldest daughter-in-law, go prepare some food. We need to host a meal tonight."
The people were quickly summoned. As soon as the village head entered, he asked, "You're living a good life, why do you suddenly want to divide the family? Which family in the village is living as prosperously as yours? Instead of working together to make life even better, why are you causing trouble?"
Grandma Lin gave a wry smile. "As sons grow, they don't listen to their mothers. They can't get along. Forcing them only leads to resentment. Since the children want to divide and live separately, let them."
The second household was the one moving out. The village head and the clan elders tried to persuade Lin Ruixia, but Lin Ruixia adamantly insisted on dividing the family.
The village head and the clan elders were helpless and agreed to the matter.
Grandpa Lin and Grandma Lin laid out all the family assets. There were two hundred taels of silver, two fishing boats, a mule cart, and nine mu of land. The house was the one they were currently living in.
After discussion, the silver was divided into three parts: the eldest and second households each received seventy taels, and the elderly couple received sixty taels. The fishing boats were divided between the brothers, one for each. The mule cart belonged to the elderly couple and the eldest household, but the second household could also use it. The land was divided into three mu for the eldest and second households each, and three mu for the elderly couple. Each household kept the house they were living in. Additionally, farming tools and equipment were divided, with the eldest and second households each getting a set. The elderly couple would live with the eldest household. The second household would pay one tael of silver annually for their upkeep. If they were well-off, they would provide clothing for the elderly couple; if not, they wouldn't demand it. Furthermore, if the elderly couple fell ill, both households would share the cost of medical treatment and medicine.
The division was very fair and impartial.
The village head asked, "Second son, do you have any objections to this division?"
Lin Ruixia shook his head. "Father and Mother have divided it very fairly."
"Alright, since you agree, then affix your fingerprints to the family division document." The village head took the prepared family division document, made three copies, and handed them to the elderly couple and the eldest and second households.
"Wait a moment, isn't this division unfair?" Little Zhang's mother spoke up.
The village head frowned and patiently asked, "What is unfair about it?"
The matter of dividing the family was an internal affair of the Lin family. Why were the Zhang family being so ignorant, not only bringing the entire family but also wanting to interfere in the division? It seemed there was a hidden agenda behind the Lin family's division. The Lin couple were kind and had a good reputation in the village. They were also very good to their two daughters-in-law. Now, it appeared that Little Zhang's maternal family was instigating this.