"Yes, and regarding the retirent issue," Madam Chen imdiately nodded, having remained silent before. To be honest, she had been quite hurt by her sons.
"For retirent, each family will give five dollars a year, and make a set of clothes for your mother and . If we, the two old folks, fall sick, the dical expenses should be shared equally among you brothers," Old Xu said.
"Forget about the five dollars for this year. Since we just split the family, it’s understandable that your lives won’t be easy. Let’s start this from next year," Old Xu added.
None of the brothers spoke. It was clear that the old man had already made up his mind.
Though Madam Chen was usually quite dominant at ho, when it ca to major decisions, it was still Old Xu who had the final say.
Zhao Guodong quickly wrote down what needed to be docunted, made several copies, and gave them to Old Xu and the Xu Family brothers, having them make handprints to give it legal effect.
"Wife, take the daughters-in-law to make dinner. Guodong, you’ve all worked hard today," Old Xu put away the division agreent.
"Okay," Madam Chen nodded and then led the daughters-in-law to make dinner. This would count as the last farewell al.
Xu Mumu gave so assignnts to the children and then ca out. Madam Chen was busy with the daughters-in-law in the kitchen, and Xu Mumu walked over.
Little aunt Xu Qingxing was stoking the fire, and the aunts were busy picking and cutting vegetables. Xu Mumu could clearly sense that their moods were quite good. Evidently, they were all happy about the family division; who wouldn’t want to be in charge of their own life?
Only Madam Chen and Li Caixia didn’t look pleased.
It was understandable for Grandma to be in a bad mood, but what was wrong with her own mother? Xu Mumu was puzzled. However, now wasn’t the ti to ask, so she didn’t say anything more.
"Grandma, is there anything else I can help with?" Xu Mumu asked.
"No need, go play. We’ll take care of things in the kitchen," Madam Chen’s face imdiately softened upon seeing Xu Mumu.
This scene amazed Xu Qingxing. Every ti she saw her mother dote on this eldest niece, it refreshed her understanding. She knew for sure that her mother was preferential towards sons over daughters. It was said that when Xu Mumu was born, a fortune teller predicted she would have a lucky life, which is why her grandparents treated her specially.
"Go play; it’s smoky here. Don’t get your clothes dirty," Li Caixia said with a smile, not intending to let Xu Mumu help. How could her daughter do such work?
Being ushered out of the kitchen by Li Caixia, Xu Mumu felt a bit helpless and decided to go back to checking on the children doing their howork.
The kids were seriously doing their howork, all striving for those two pieces of candy cake.
In the kitchen, Xu Qingxing brought up her niece, "Mom, sister-in-law, Mumu is sixteen this year, right?"
"Yes, what about it?" Madam Chen asked calmly.
"Mumu is not young anymore. In a few years, she’ll be of marriageable age. Right now, she doesn’t do anything; she can’t even cook. Once she marries into another family, they won’t dote on her like we do," Xu Qingxing said earnestly, sincerely concerned for her niece.
"What are you saying, little sister? Our Mumu is going to marry into the city and enjoy life. She won’t have to do any work," Li Caixia looked displeased at her sister-in-law. Why did she always say things that were hard to listen to? Her daughter was born to enjoy a good life.
"Big sister-in-law, even after I married Qin Liang, I still do all the housework, right? No matter even if we marry into the city, the city folks don’t look favorably on girls from the countryside. My big sister-in-law and mother think too simply. Things aren’t that easy," Xu Qingxing said, feeling a bit helpless.
While correcting Xu Jiaojiao’s howork, Xu Mumu heard her aunt’s heartfelt words in the kitchen. She felt touched, knowing her aunt truly ant well, while her grandmother and mother only knew how to spoil her.
Still, she could cook, wash clothes, and do all those chores. Her aunt’s worries weren’t necessary. As for marrying into the city, that was still too early to consider.
"Big sister, what are you thinking about?" Xu Jiaojiao asked, puzzled as she looked at Xu Mumu. She really liked her elder sister these days since she no longer bullied them, nor did she order them around, and she patiently taught them.
"Nothing much. Jiaojiao, you’ve done everything correctly. Very good; you’ve learned everything I’ve taught," Xu Mumu said with a smile. Among the kids, this little girl seed to have the most aptitude for studying; she always rembered everything Xu Mumu taught.
"Sister, can you check mine too? Did I get them all right?" Xu Minglei also brought his howork to Xu Mumu. Occasionally, Xu Mumu would give him so special tutoring, which made him very confident.
"Bring it here," Xu Mumu said with a smile. It seed like Xu Jiaojiao’s presence was quite motivating to her little brother, which she thought was a good thing. She hoped her brother would study hard.
Xu Mumu took her brother’s howork and carefully checked it over. To her surprise, Xu Minglei got everything right this ti.
"All correct. Well done," Xu Mumu said, feeling very satisfied. Her little brother was indeed quite smart.
"Of course, I worked really hard," the little guy relaxed imdiately, saying proudly.
"Yes, yes, yes. Keep it up, and if you get into the top ten in your final exam, I’ll reward you with fifty cents, alright?" Xu Mumu gently patted the little guy’s head. She had so pocket money now, and she had so small incos this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon.
"Really?" Xu Minglei’s eyes lit up; he had never had any money of his own.
"Have I ever lied to you?" Xu Mumu raised an eyebrow.
"No, no, sister, I knew you were the best. I like you the most," Xu Minglei said, clinging to Xu Mumu’s hand.
Both Xu Jiaojiao and the other kids were extrely envious, as was Tiedan. Although he had several cousins, none of them looked after him.
Xu Minglei felt extrely happy, thoroughly enjoying the envy from the others.
"But you’ll only get the money if you make it into the top ten," Xu Mumu poked the little guy’s forehead.
"I definitely will," the little guy looked at Xu Mumu with determination; he was set on earning that fifty cents.
"If you don’t make it, I won’t give you any snacks in the future," Xu Mumu said with a smile, knowing it was necessary to give the little guy so pressure.
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