Ni Wangshi felt a little embarrassed, but she still stubbornly spoke up.
“My family is poor, we only have one bag of grain, and those five taels of silver are our retirement money, we can’t lose them.”
The village chief was furious; he had never seen such heartless parents.
"Brother Ni, is that what you mean too?"
Ni Yuanshan glanced at his simple-minded son, feeling a pang of pity. He thought of what the doctor had said about his son and daughter-in-law's near death, and how the five taels of silver might be lost forever.
"Then... let's do it the way the village does."
The village chief breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright, Dazhuang will get an acre of land, a pot, and the daily necessities they usually use."
As for retirement, it's three gifts during festivals and 300 catties of grain a year—that's all.
Ni Wangshi stared wide-eyed at Ni Yuanshan. Didn't we agree that we would get money?
Ni Yuanshan rolled his eyes at her. She really has long hair but short wits. She's about to die, so she should at least leave behind a good reputation.
Ni Wangshi realized what was happening too late and dared not speak again.
Ni Dazhuang finally understood: his parents didn't want him anymore and were going to kick them both out.
He looked at Xiaoli, unsure of what to do.
Xiao Li coughed a few times, "Uncle Village Chief, how can one bag of grain be enough? Da Zhuang will only have enough for a few meals..."
The village chief looked at Ni Yuanshan.
"Give me 100 jin, is that alright?"
Ni Yuanshan was thinking of bringing back the grain after the two men died, but the most urgent thing now was to distribute the two men away as soon as possible.
Xiao Li nodded and pressed her fingerprint on the family division document.
Xiao Li tidied up the things in the room, and Madam Ni did not stop her. Even if she didn't take these things with her, she wouldn't dare to use them.
Ni Dazhuang carried the grain and bundles. He looked at his parents, wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
Seeing Xiaoli walk away, he quickly ran over and followed her out of the Ni family.
Xiao Li originally just wanted to take a few days off, but who knew that Ni's parents would split up the family property.
That's good, so that it won't be difficult to separate the family when things get better later.
She secretly had the phantom spirit change its appearance again, so at least it didn't look so scary anymore.
The thatched hut at the foot of the mountain was about to collapse, and Xiaoli didn't plan to repair it, so she simply built a makeshift shack next to it.
“Uncle Village Chief, this house is uninhabitable and may collapse at any time. I want to rebuild two rooms. Could you ask the villagers to help us?”
The village chief nodded, saying that the old man from the Ni family was being unfair, as his two children received nothing after the division of property. He suggested that the village chief should help out if he could.
"I'll have someone in the village who has time come and build the house. We can use the extra timber in the village for now, and Dazhuang can return it later."
You'll need to cook some meals for everyone these next few days.
Xiao Li agreed, which was only right.
"I understand, Uncle Village Chief. We'll go prepare the meal right away."
The village chief went to do his work, so Xiaoli took Ni Dazhuang to the mountain.
This big, clumsy guy is incredibly strong; he must be a skilled hunter.
Xiao Li decided to train him properly, lest the two of them starve to death when the original owner returned.
Soon, Xiao Li taught Ni Dazhuang how to set traps and even dug two snares, so all they had to do was wait for their prey to take the bait.
Ni Dazhuang dragged a tree that was so big that three people could hug it down the mountain.
Many villagers had already gathered next to the thatched hut.
"Dazhuang, it's good that you two are separated. Work hard from now on, and things will gradually get better."
"yes……"
Ni Dazhuang chuckled foolishly, knowing only that his wife had just fed him another huge, delicious wild fruit.
Xiao Li thanked the villagers and waved the pheasants and rabbits in her hand.
"I'll leave this house to everyone. Could you please send a few of you ladies to help with the cooking? We'll be eating here for the next few days."
She then instructed Ni Dazhuang to help with the work before she and several other enthusiastic women went to the shack to prepare food.
They traded a pheasant with the village chief for some seasonings and side dishes, and only then were the dishes ready.
The house was built very quickly, in just a few days.
The Ni family didn't come to help, but Ni Yuanshan was still happy, planning to come and collect the house after his mentally challenged son and his wife died.
To everyone's surprise, the couple's life got better and better, and the acne on their faces disappeared.
He was so angry that his face turned ashen, and he sulked inwardly.
"Why aren't you feeding the chickens? You're so lazy, you're not even as good as a stupid wife."
Pu Guixiang's eyes were brimming with tears; she finally understood the suffering Pu Xiaoli had endured.
Now that Ni Wangshi has no one to vent her anger on, she can only curse this outsider.
"Mom, can you just give me a break? Guixiang hasn't stopped all day. Can't you help with the clothes? Look at your hands, they're all blistered."
Ni Jiarong is not like Ni Dazhuang; he can talk back and openly protect his wife.
Madam Ni felt aggrieved again. Ever since her mentally challenged son was separated from his family, she felt that her position was unstable.
Even Pu Guixiang, an outsider, can ride roughshod over her. Didn't you see the smug look on her face? It infuriates her.
"My God, my son is all grown up now and he's not filial at all. He always sides with his wife. Is there any place for me in this family? I can't live anymore."
Ni Jiarong was also very troubled by his mother's tantrum.
He used to be indifferent when he saw his mother scolding his older brother and sister-in-law, thinking it was none of his business. But now he can't stand it when his mother scolds his own wife.
"Alright! What kind of talk is this, making a scene all the time? Even the smallest chores are divided up. The eldest daughter-in-law used to do them all by herself."
"Jiarong's wife, hurry up and finish your work. Everyone come with me to the fields. No food until you're done today."
At the crucial moment, Ni Yuanshan spoke up. As soon as he opened his mouth, Ni Jiarong lost his spirit. With so much land, how long would it take to dig it all?
Pu Guixiang also looked distressed. She didn't want to get out of bed; in just a few days, her well-maintained, fair skin would be tanned.
At this moment, she missed Ni Dazhuang and Pu Xiaoli terribly. If they were here, she wouldn't have to lift a finger in the fields or do housework; she could just focus on embroidery.
Although she didn't sell many coins, her mother-in-law and father-in-law didn't find fault with her.
Xiao Li didn't care about the Ni family's affairs. She moved into a new house and even used the game she had recently hunted to exchange for new furniture with the village carpenter.
Ni Dazhuang also carried back a lot of trees and paid back the timber he owed the village. Xiao Li also dug up some valuable medicinal herbs and sold them for a few copper coins.
Ni Dazhuang spends all his time in the mountains. He has found joy in going into the mountains. The snares his wife taught him are very useful, and he learns something new every day.
When Ni Jiarong returned home that evening, he heard everyone talking about his older brother's new house, so he decided to go and see it.
This sight almost made him jealous.
The house was built with brand-new timber, and the clean yard was surrounded by a fence, making it look extremely comfortable.
The smell of meat emanating from the house made Ni Jiarong extremely envious.
"Dazhuang, come and eat."
"They're here."
Ni Dazhuang walked out of the house next door. His hair was neatly tied up and his clothes were clean. He looked no different from a normal person.
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