Chapter 54 Director Yan

Wang Qinghong couldn't help but interrupt, "What you're talking about is a division of the family. Actually, Qingli and I were kicked out."

Her tone was complicated.

Xie Yun felt that this mentality was a bit like those people who feel they didn't perform well after an argument. Wang Qinghong probably also felt that she hadn't performed well before and hadn't divided the family well.

Wang Qingli was a little surprised when she heard her say that. "Sister, the fact that you can say that is a huge improvement. It proves that you no longer think that everything your parents do is right and that you no longer accept everything as your own. You no longer speak well of your parents in every way. After all, they're not that good. No! They're terrible!"

Wang Qinghong was a little puzzled. Did she have such a strong intention in what she had just said? It seemed a little bit like that, but of course, there was also a hint of complaint and regret. A family, just like that, was torn apart.

But, the separation has happened. Her sister has done so much for her and tried hard to pull her out of the fire pit. She is not an ungrateful person. From now on, the two sisters will depend on each other and live a good life together.

If it weren't for her, her sister wouldn't have mentioned splitting up the family business. She wouldn't have to be separated along with her. She would do more work in the future and not hold her sister back. She wanted to let her sister know that she was someone worth helping.

Thinking of this, Wang Qinghong also smiled and said, "I was just telling the truth."

Xie Yun asked, "Then how is it divided?"

Wang Qingli said: "My sister and I had our food rations divided. At the end of the year, we sold the pigs and gave us one-third of them. We also divided our chickens. At the end of the year, our work points were calculated separately, and after deducting our food rations, any surplus was given directly to us.

But we don’t have a share of the house. We originally lived in the west wing, and we still live there temporarily. We pay one dollar in rent every month to the family.

Didn’t I ask Director Yan to make the decision for us? Director Yan said that she would help us apply for a residential plot. When we have saved enough money in the future, we can build our own house and move in. Then we won’t have to pay rent anymore.

My parents didn't even want to give us bowls. I was just about to make a fuss when Director Yan said, 'Don't make a fuss. We have a lot of good people in Liushu Village. I'll lend you the brigade's gong. You can walk around the team while beating the gong and explain your situation. Your parents won't give you bowls, but other families may have extra ones. Please ask everyone if anyone has an extra set of bowls and chopsticks to give you. It's a new society now. How can our members not even have bowls to eat with?'

I immediately thought this was a great idea and was about to run out when my parents stopped me. They had some dignity and felt they couldn't afford to lose face, so they gave us the dishes.

Director Yan said that my sister and I were the first unmarried girls in our brigade to separate from their parents, so we were the first to do so. She went to help us negotiate the homestead.

Xie Yun praised: "Director Yan is such a good person."

"Of course! When I went to ask Director Yan, I was a little worried that she would accuse me of being unfilial and give both of us a slap on the wrist and then ask us to reconcile. Unexpectedly, after I explained the situation, Director Yan asked what my sister and I thought, and then she sided with us."

Xie Yun smiled and said, "The right and wrong in your case are very clear. Director Yan won't try to smooth things over and will definitely stand on your side. Sister Qinghong and you are the victims. And you did the right thing by not fighting alone and finding some outside help."

Wang Qingli smiled and said, "Yes. My foreign aid is really powerful. Director Yan talked about the marriage law and told my parents that marriage requires the consent of both men and women, and no one can interfere, not even biological parents. If my parents dare to force my sister, she will selflessly send them to labor camp. My parents were so scared that their faces turned pale."

Xie Yun then asked, "Has the issue of retirement been mentioned?"

"Yes. My parents said that since my sister and I are not getting married, they won't get any betrothal money and won't be able to enjoy the filial piety of their daughter and son-in-law in the future. So they can't support us for nothing and let my sister and I take care of them in their old age.

Director Yan said, "The son-in-law gives the bride price, and you as parents have to give the dowry. These two things can actually offset each other."

My parents' faces turned green when they heard this, which made me laugh to death. They only wanted to collect the betrothal gifts and had no intention of giving us a dowry. But I was too embarrassed to say it in front of Director Yan. Wouldn't it be like selling their daughter?

These two are bullies at home, acting like scoundrels behind closed doors, but acting like decent people outside. They're capable of bad things, but they can't say anything. If they do, they'll be embarrassed.

Director Yan also said, "If you want your two daughters to take care of you in your old age, then your house must be divided fairly among the three children. In addition to this wing room, you must also give them a main room, and they don't have to pay any rent, right? It's their house."

She also said, "You should give them a share of your family savings. That way, they will have to provide for your retirement just like Qingxiang. If you two need anything in the future, the three of them should each contribute. If they don't agree, I, the director of the women's department, will not agree. While I'm still here, you two should take out your family savings and I'll help you divide it up. If you don't trust me, I'll call the team leader, the director of public security, and the accountant to be witnesses."

Wang Qingli laughed as she spoke, and Xie Yun also laughed along. From the commune to Liushutun Brigade, the whole way was filled with their barbell-like laughter.

Xie Yun said, "Director Yan has a way. This experience in struggle is worth learning from. He easily defeated the enemy without any chance of fighting back."

Wang Qingli was very clear-headed. "It's true that Director Yan has extensive experience in struggle, but there's another crucial point: she's the director of the Women's Committee, a position of authority. My parents are intimidated by this. So, I've decided that when Director Yan steps down, I'll run for the position of director of the Women's Committee of Liushu Village!"

Xie Yun cheered loudly for her, "Sister Qingli, I support you. You can also talk to Director Yan about this idea. When she steps down, she should be able to recommend the next director of women's affairs. With her recommendation, it should be easier."

Wang Qingli nodded and said, "I'll find a chance to talk to Director Yan about this."

Then, she went on to talk about support for their parents. "My parents didn't want to share our house or money, so Director Yan said, 'Since that's the case, don't even mention support for your parents. Of course, as their daughters, it's their duty to respect you. Even though it's a division of the family, just treat them as if they're married. From now on, they can just send you food and drinks during the holidays.'"

Xie Yun smiled and said, "That's fine. You and Sister Qinghong are both capable. You can save up money for two or three years and build two houses and move out. You can earn your own money and spend it yourself without any extra burden. It's relaxing just thinking about it."

"Exactly! I feel so light even when I walk now."

As she spoke, she simply started running. Xie Yun chased after her, holding her basket from behind.

Wang Qingli said, "Don't pull me!"

Xie Yun smiled and said, "If I don't hold on tight, I'm afraid you'll float away."

Wang Qingli laughed out loud.

She stopped and looked around. Seeing that no one was around, she unbuttoned two buttons and took out a neatly folded piece of paper from the inner pocket of her cotton-padded jacket. "Let me show you. This is our separation agreement."