"Enough!" Li Haoran slapped Zhou Yingying across the face.
"Li Haoran, how dare you hit me! I'll fight you to the death!" Zhou Yingying was stunned at first, then went berserk and charged straight at Li Haoran.
“I can give up this house.” Li Youran, who had been silent all along, suddenly said, “I can give it to anyone but you, Zhou Yingying.”
She remained silent because she didn't want to put Li Haoran in a difficult position, but that didn't mean Li Youran was someone who could be easily bullied.
“Eldest daughter-in-law, this is where you are wrong.” Li Niangzi, who rarely found fault with her daughter-in-law, said, “Ever since You Ran started selling fish soup at the entrance of the academy, she has decided that a portion of the money she earns will go to Zhong Gong, and the rest will be hers.”
As Li Niangzi spoke, she took a box from the cabinet by the bedside. Inside were a few pieces of silver and some scattered copper coins.
“This ten taels of silver is the money You Ran has given to the family these days.” As she spoke, Madam Li divided the money in two. “You and the second son’s family each get half of this money.”
“The house we live in is our own, but the crispy cake shop is rented. That’s all we have,” Li Dazhu said, chewing on his pipe. “Over the years, your mother and I have saved up twenty-seven taels of silver.”
Li Dazhu's meaning was that if he wanted the house, he would have to give up the pancake shop and the twenty-seven taels of silver; if he didn't want the house, he could continue running the pancake shop and receive twenty-seven coins.
“Your mother and I are getting old, and we need a place to live. Whoever needs a house, we will go with them.”
Seeing that her father-in-law was serious, Zhou Yingying was afraid that if she continued to make a fuss, she would not get any good stuff, so she held back.
"We want a house!" Zhou Yingying said first. "Our parents will live with us, and the second son's family will receive alimony."
"Father, Mother, we'll do whatever you want."
Hearing his younger brother's words, Li Haoran blushed with embarrassment. Brothers should be considerate of each other, especially the eldest brother who should yield to his younger brother, but his wife…
Li Haoran began to regret bringing his wife back. It was an undeniable fact that the child needed his mother, but was such a mother worth it?
"This is a matter for men, what right do you have to interfere!" Li Haoran snapped at Zhou Yingying. "Aren't you ashamed of yourself!"
Seeing that Li Haoran was no longer as accommodating as before, Zhou Yingying felt a little scared, afraid that Li Haoran would really divorce her in a fit of anger.
Although I'm hesitant, some things are innate and can't be changed overnight.
"We're the eldest, so naturally we get to choose first. Why should we let the second oldest go first!" Zhou Yingying shrieked. "Besides, we have a child with us. Where are we going to live if we don't have a place to stay?"
"Quiet down, everyone, and listen to me!" Li Dazhu slammed his hand heavily on the table. "Since the distribution is unfair, then I'll decide."
“The eldest son’s family wants both the house and child support. How can they have it all? If they want the house, they won’t get child support, or your mother and I won’t live with you.”
"Father, Mother, where are you going?"
"Brother, don't worry, I will never let Mom and Dad suffer any grievances." Li Tairan said to Li Haoran, "Although the crispy pancake shop doesn't earn much, it's definitely enough to support the family. We can rent a cheap house and make ends meet."
“Since the second son’s family wants to live with their parents, let’s listen to them!” Zhou Yingying interjected.
Li Niangzi, who had been packing her things the whole time, sighed, looked at her two sons and daughters-in-law, and then at her daughter.
“You Ran, you are a woman all alone, without even a husband…” Madam Li said, choking back tears, “How can I, as your mother, rest easy about you…”
"Father and Mother, as long as you don't mind, please come and live with me!" The house has already been bought, and she will find some time to register the household as a daughter. Li Youran is capable of supporting her parents.
Li Tairan felt something was amiss. How could parents not live with their son in their old age, but instead live with their daughter?
He was about to speak when Zhao Lanzhi stopped him and shook her head, signaling him not to interrupt.
"Anyway, Youran is about to start a family with a daughter, so the two of us old folks will just live with her." Rather than saying that Li Dazhu's thinking was ahead of its time, it would be more accurate to say that Li Dazhu really doted on Li Youran.
“Although we’ve separated, we’re still one family.” Madam Li looked at Niu Niu and continued, “If you’re ever busy, just send the child over, and I’ll take care of her.”
Because they were mindful of the eldest child's feelings, the family was exceptionally lenient towards Zhou Yingying, which led to a complicated and difficult family division.
In any case, the matter of dividing the family property has come to an end, and at least we can have some peace and quiet for a while.
The second son's family was slightly disadvantaged, so Li Dazhu planned to go to the pancake shop more often in the future to help the couple with their work, as a way of making up for it.
That afternoon, Li Youran, along with her parents, elder brother, and second sister-in-law, packed their things and left the house.
A house isn't something you can just rent whenever you want, so the second brother and sister-in-law are temporarily staying at Li Youran's place.
"Second sister-in-law, there's no rush about the house. There's enough room for both of you."
Li Youran, while tending the fire, said to Zhao Lanzhi, who was stir-frying vegetables, "Besides, this place is close to the pancake shop."
"I'll do whatever you say, little sister," Zhao Lanzhi said with a smile.
Zhao Lanzhi thought that if she really couldn't find a suitable place to live right away, she would stay at her younger sister's place for the time being. She wouldn't stay for free; she would pay her younger sister rent.
"Little sister, I see your shop isn't very big. What are you planning to sell?" Zhao Lanzhi's shop is too small; there are many businesses that are not suitable for her to run.
"Second Sister-in-law, I plan to sell steamed buns in the morning and cooked food in the evening." Li Youran added some firewood, looked up at Zhao Lanzhi, and said, "Most of the steamed buns sold are taken away. If someone stays to eat, we can have a few tables inside the shop. If that's not enough, we can add a few more tables outside."
Unlike wontons and noodles, steamed buns are very convenient to carry. Even if you're in a hurry, you can buy a couple to take with you, making them a great choice for breakfast.
After a busy and tiring day outside, you can buy some cooked food on your way home to make snacks to go with your drinks.
"My little sister has a brilliant mind." Zhao Lanzhi nodded thoughtfully and said, "Our pancake shop can also sell some braised meat or other dishes on the side."
"Second sister-in-law. You can also add braised meat and vegetables to the steamed bun, so it can be both a meal and a side dish." The food that Li Youran was talking about is called roujiamo, also known as caijiamo.
"That's a great idea!" Li Tairan had just entered the kitchen when he heard Li Youran say, "My little sister is so clever."
"This idea came from my second sister-in-law," Li Youran said with a smile, looking at her second brother and sister-in-law.
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