Chapter 24 Chapter 24 The family has split up!
Time soon arrived at the Little New Year. Even if the family had not split up, there was already a trend of division. Miao Ying really couldn't stand the food cooked by Zhang Honger, so he instructed Huo Xing to build a small stove. They cooked on this small stove. Miao Ying's cooking skills were good, and the food was delicious. Living under the same roof, Zhang Honger could smell the fragrance of their cooking every day and knew that they had meat for every meal.
Huo San acted like a father-in-law, and with Huo Xing standing in front of Miao Ying, Miao Ying just smiled and said, "If you want to eat, just pay. When Li Hongying was at home, the two of them shared the work. Now Zhang Hong'er does nothing and still wants to open her mouth to eat. How can this be justified?"
Just as Zhang Hong'er was about to say that Miao Ying was unfilial, the door was kicked open. It was Miao Ying's brother, who was said to be as ferocious as a demon, who came to visit. Zhang Hong'er felt like she was going to be killed like a pig in the next second after he looked at her. She could only hold her throat and dared not speak.
She turned around and started crying to Huo San, saying that she couldn't live like this anymore, that Huo Xingmiao and Ying were people she couldn't get along with, that she had a miscarriage, and that she wanted to separate.
Huo San did not agree. He knew what kind of person he was. If Huo Xing and Li Hongying had not subsidized the family over the years, the family might not even be able to make ends meet. Li Hongying was already divorced, and they absolutely could not lose Huo Xing as a laborer. As for Miao Ying, he was just a boy. What kind of waves could he cause?
Zhang Hong'er and Huo San had been getting along very well for a while, but suddenly they had an argument and Zhang Hong'er almost tore the bed sheets in the room.
The person who was happiest when hearing them quarreling was Miao Ying. The harder they quarreled, the faster they could leave this house.
In order to add some fuel, Miao Ying also fried some meat in the evening. This piece of meat was what Miao Dahai asked him to bring back last time. They didn't eat it at that time, so they pickled it with salt and hung it in Miao Ying's room. It was just right to eat it today. They cut the bacon into pieces, added cabbage and radish to cook bacon porridge, and the aroma of the meat drifted straight into Zhang Honger's nose.
Zhang Hong'er looked at them eating in the yard and silently took a step back. She thought that they could keep the family together, but they must drive Miao Ying, the vicious husband, out of the house and marry Huo Xing someone else who could be controlled.
But Huo San still didn't say anything about this opinion. Zhang Honger was furious and returned to the small house she rented in the county town. It was not time to move out of her house yet, so she still had a place to go.
The next day, she became more and more angry and was ready to give Huo Sanxia a strong dose of medicine. When she walked to the clinic, she heard a familiar voice.
"Is it really incurable?" Huo Xing's voice was muffled. "Didn't you say last time that as long as I take good care of myself, I'll be fine?"
"You haven't taken good care of yourself," the doctor said gruffly. "Your arm is useless. You're such a big man, you'll be a cripple in the future. What a sin."
"Is there really no other way?" Huo Xing still didn't give up.
The doctor said, "Prepare forty or fifty taels of silver, and perhaps you can give it a try. But don't try to blackmail us. We've already paid you last time, and even if we take you to the authorities, we'll win."
The clinic was extremely quiet for a long time. It took Huo Xing a while to walk out of the clinic. His usually upright figure had become hunched. Zhang Honger hid aside, her heart pounding. Now there must be a reason to separate!
Huo Xing is a useless person now. We can no longer rely on him to earn money to support the family. Can’t we divide this family?
Zhang Hong'er walked quickly to the village with a burning heart. She had to tell Huo San about this as soon as possible, otherwise they would set their sights on her. They didn't have any extra money to give to Huo Xingzhi.
Watching Zhang Hong'er walk away, Miao Ying came out of an alley and patted Huo Xing's shoulder excitedly: "How did you come up with this idea?"
Huo Xing was helpless: "I know what kind of person he is."
This was the countermeasure the two of them discussed in bed after dark last night. It was Huo Xing who proposed it. They knew that Zhang Honger had gone to the county town, so they came up with this plan.
"Then how do you know she is going to the clinic?" Miao Ying asked again.
Huo Xing shook his head: "I'm just guessing."
They were lucky then.
Miao Ying was in a good mood after finishing his work. As the New Year was approaching, the whole county was bustling with activity. He looked at Huo Xing and asked, "Can we really divide the family before the New Year?"
"should."
Things took a turn for the better much faster than Miao Ying had expected. When they returned home at noon, Huo San was already sitting in the yard.
There was a rare hint of guilt in Miao Ying's eyes, which was seen by Huo San, and it further confirmed Zhang Honger's words.
"Your hand can't be healed?" Huo San's face was gloomy.
Miao Ying immediately said, "Who said his hand can't be healed? It can be healed."
Zhang Honger sneered, "I heard it all. The doctor said his hand can't be healed. If he wants to get better, it will cost fifty or sixty taels of silver!"
"You know the situation at home, and I can't help you. So, why not take this opportunity to divide the family?" Huo San said, without even looking at Huo Xing's expression. "You know the situation at home, and I can't give you anything. I definitely want to live in the house. Last time, I sold the land for 28 taels. I gave 10 taels to your mother, and of the remaining 18 taels, I'll give you 5 taels."
Miao Ying was almost laughing out of anger: "Five taels? Huo Xing and Huo Xiaobao, two brothers, are being sent away with just five taels?"
"Huo Xiaobao is not my son!" Huo San's eyes widened in anger. "Just five taels."
"Grandma lives with me." Huo Xing said, "We still have land at home, so five taels is not enough."
Zhang Hong'er was afraid that Huo San would change his mind, so she tugged at his sleeve and said, "Eight taels."
"Then if anything happens in the future, we will still have to come to you for help. After all, broken bones are connected by tendons, and family members still have to support each other when something happens." Miao Ying obviously accepted the eight taels of silver, but seemed to remember something and hurriedly added.
"How can that be? After the family splits up, each family should live their own lives." Zhang Honger said, "How can you come back and ask for money after the family splits up?"
"It's a separation, not a severance of kinship," Miao Ying said. "Isn't it normal for us to help each other?"
Zhang Hong'er was afraid that they would pester her family. After all, they still had to take care of their grandmother, and Huo Xing was a useless man. After the family split up, they would definitely live better here. "How you live is none of our business."
Huo Xing looked at Huo San, but Huo San avoided his gaze. Zhang Honger had already said everything he wanted to say.
"Then when you divide the family, ask the village chief to write a document clearly stating that from now on, the two families will not interfere with each other. We will support your grandmother on your behalf, so we will no longer be obligated to support you. You must also explain this to the village chief, otherwise we will be unable to separate in the future."
"Write it then," Zhang Hong'er said, "It's best to sever the relationship."
On the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, another incident occurred in Nankouba Village. Huo San wanted to split up the family. After the split, he wrote something similar to a document of severing ties, saying that the two families would have no contact from then on until they died. Huo Xing would support his grandmother and would no longer have to support Huo San.
The division document was written by the village chief himself and was also taken to the government office for stamping. In the future, both parties could not violate the above matters. When he got the document, Miao Ying finally got what he wanted and got rid of Lao Deng.
He was eager to try and could no longer contain his joy. All the money he earned in the future would belong to his family and he would not have to share it with Lao Deng.
After the documents for the separation of the family came down, Miao Ying had already started packing his luggage. Huo Xing didn't have many things, as his grandmother and Xiaobao's things had already been packed. The most were Miao Ying's own things, all of which he brought with him when he got married. Many of them had never been opened or used, and now they were seeing the light of day again.
The Miao family actually prepared quite a lot of dowry, and a lot of it was hidden by the original owner for fear that the Huo family would get involved, so they hid it very deep. Now that they were all moved out, Zhang Honger's eyes widened.
Just when he wanted to ask Huo Sanmei to order something, the door to their yard was kicked open again: "Miao Ying, are you still not feeling well?"
The person who came was Miao Dong. He also brought a car. Miao Ying had given him a message in advance and asked him to come and pick him up.
When Zhang Honger saw Miao Dong, her breathing stopped for a moment. After Miao Dong moved away, there was another person behind him. He looked even stronger than Miao Dong. It was Miao Dahai.
Miao Dahai was worried about Miao Dong coming alone, saying that he was clumsy and would only feel at ease if he went there by himself.
When Huo Xing saw Miao Dong and Miao Dahai, he immediately stopped what he was doing and respectfully called out, "Brother, father-in-law."
Miao Dahai was very satisfied with his son-in-law Huo Xing. He laughed heartily, patted Huo Xing on the shoulder, and went to greet his grandmother first. After all, he was considered a junior. In the end, he didn't even look at Huo San, let alone Zhang Honger. Then he asked Huo Xing: "Are you all packed? Let's go after you've packed."
While they were talking, Miao Dong had already moved all of Miao Ying's boxes onto the ox cart. Miao Dong was quite satisfied as none of Miao Ying's dowry was missing.
They left the Huo family in a grand manner. Miao Ying's grandmother and Huo Xiaobao were in the car, Miao Dahai was driving, and Miao Dong and Huo Xing were walking beside them. Some people were pointing and talking on the road, but a look from Miao Dong made them afraid to speak.
Miao Dong sneered and continued driving.
Miao Dahai was still worried about Miao Ying: "Xiaoying, why don't you go home and stay for a while."
Huo Xing paused and looked at Miao Ying who was sitting in the car.
"No, Dad." Miao Ying stroked Huo Xiaobao's hair, "Our family also wants to get together for the New Year."
Seeing that he couldn't persuade Miao Ying, and also fearing that Liu Qiong would scold him when he got home, he had to give up. The ox cart slowly headed towards the nearby town, and finally arrived at Rongshu Village.
The house that Huo Xing rented for Li Hongying was deep in Rongshu Village, right against the Big Banyan Mountain, making it convenient to go up the mountain.
The house has two bedrooms. Li Hongying had planned that when they came, the three of them would share one bed, and Miao Ying and Huo Xing would share a room. But now it seems that the house is still too small and cannot accommodate three people.
Miao Dahai also frowned when he saw this, and asked Miao Ying if he wanted to go home.
Miao Ying still shook his head: "I can still go up the mountain with Huo Xing. There are cabins in the mountains. I like cabins."
Miao Dahai had no choice but to help them move their things. He then took out some food and meat from the car and said, "These are for emergency use."
Huo Xing really felt embarrassed. How could he rely on his husband's family like this? But he couldn't resist the two big men, so he had to accept it.
Seeing that they were settled, Miao Dong and Miao Dahai also wanted to go home. They still had to do business tomorrow.
Miao Ying sent them to the village entrance. On the way back, many people looked at them curiously, but there was no malice in their eyes. Miao Ying smiled at them.
When they returned to the house, they had already started to clean up happily. Li Hongying had tidied the house and had been waiting for them to come. Now that they really came, Li Hongying could not hide the joy on her face and was smiling happily.
Miao Ying also joined them: "Mom, I will cook tonight, and we can have a good time as a family."
The next day, Miao Ying was at home tidying up the house with Li Hongying and their grandmother. Huo Xiaobao was very happy to be back with his mother, even happier than when Miao Ying was with him before. He was like a little pendant, always hanging on Li Hongying's body.
Miao Ying knew that children were the most sensitive. Although Huo Xiaobao had never expressed it, he was still afraid that he would never see his mother again. This was enough to show that Li Hongying was kind to Huo Xiaobao from the bottom of her heart.
Huo Xing has been running to the home of the village chief of Rongshu Village these past two days. Li Hongying's household registration was completed without much effort. However, it is almost the end of the year and the government has sealed the seal, so their family's household registration cannot be completed yet and they can only wait until spring.
But if they couldn't get their household registration, they would always be worried. After returning empty-handed again, Huo Xing never went out again.
The rented house was not big, with three cramped rooms, two bedrooms and a kitchen. The kitchen was full of things that Li Hongying had bought earlier. Together with the rice, flour and meat sent by the Miao family, they could have a good New Year.
Li Hongying had nothing to do these days, so she made some new clothes. She also made friends with some aunts in the village and is slowly integrating into the village. She still has some fresh vegetables sent by the aunts in the village.
"Compared to the people in Rongshu Village, they're much better off than those in Nankouba." Li Hongying was picking vegetables and gave Huo Xiaobao a piece of cabbage stalk to play with. "And there seems to be a kindergarten in the village. Didn't you want to send him there? Now it's possible."
Miao Ying's eyes lit up: "Really? That's great."
Huo Xiaobao didn't know what he was going to go through yet, and when he saw Miao Yingxiao, he also smiled.
When Huo Xing didn't have to look for the village chief, he went up the mountain and brought back some firewood. He was now sitting aside to sort it out.
Miao Ying turned his head to look at him: "Huo Xing, when will you take me to the mountain to have a look?" The rented house was still too small. The two beds were the same size. He and Huo Xing were squeezed so tightly that they could hardly breathe. He didn't know how the three of them, his mother, managed to squeeze in.
"The mountain road is difficult to travel on." Huo Xing replied.
"I'm fine now." Miao Ying came up to him, picked up a long stick, and knocked it against his leg. "I want to go hiking."
"Take him to see a doctor," Li Hongying said. "He's been spending all day with us two old ladies, and he's getting bored."
Huo moved his arm. The bleeding wound had scabbed over and the bone injury didn't seem too painful. Carrying Miao Ying on his back shouldn't be a problem. "Then let's do it tomorrow."
He also remembered that the bed at home was too small. He and Miao Ying had to stay very close to each other at night. Miao Ying was always awake all night and looked obviously haggard in the past two days. He simply went to the mountains to sleep at night and came down during the day.
"Will there still be prey on the mountain?" Miao Ying was very curious about the difference between the mountains here and the modern mountains. At least it was impossible for them to hunt prey by climbing the mountains in modern times.
"They're all hibernating," Huo Xing said. "No living creatures will appear until April or May."
"Then I can also go and see if there are any medicinal herbs." Miao Ying was full of confidence. His predecessors could find top-quality ginseng when they went up the mountain. He had now completely forgotten his two previous Waterloos and regained his confidence.
The next morning, Li Hongying prepared a water bag and some dry food for Miao Ying, and asked him to go up the mountain with Huo Xing. Miao Ying was so excited that he couldn't sleep, just like a child before a spring outing. He tossed and turned on the narrow bed, and Huo Xing also almost didn't sleep all night.
Miao Ying thought that the amplitude of his movements was very small, but because they were really close, his shoulder blades would touch Huo Xing's chest when he turned over; and his hair would fall between Huo Xing's nostrils when he shook his head.
In short, it was a torturous night.
Miao Ying was ready, but he found that Huo Xing, who was always efficient, was still dawdling in the room. He walked into the room and saw Huo Xing packing his luggage.
"Why are you packing your luggage?" Miao Ying was surprised.
"I'm going to live in the mountains these days." Huo Xing only brought their old quilt and nothing else.
"Did I steal your quilt last night?" Miao Ying reflected for a moment, "That's not the case."
"It's just that my house is a bit crowded. I want to chop some wood and make the bed wider."
"Hey, after the New Year, let's go out and make some money." Miao Ying put down the old quilt in his hand. "Just make do with it. Do you despise me?"
When they went out to play in college, they always squeezed into a large bunk bed. The smell was really bad, but everyone still slept happily.
Huo Xing had no choice but to go out with Miao Ying empty-handed. He put an axe on his waist. Since they were going up the mountain anyway, he might as well chop some firewood.
On the way up the mountain, not far from their home, Huo Xing took the water bag and dry food from Miao Ying's hand so that Miao Ying could travel light.
At first, Miao Ying was looking around, but as they walked further and further, his breathing became heavier, so Huo Xing slowed down his pace and matched Miao Ying's.
"How far is it?" Miao Ying leaned on Huo Xing, breathing heavily.
"It's almost there." Huo Xing's breathing was still steady. "I'll carry you on my back."
Miao Ying shook his head: "I'll just walk slowly, you hold me."
Miao Ying didn't know how fast he had walked before he finally saw the cabin on the mountain. There was finally a light in his dull eyes. He felt even more energetic and quickened his pace to run to the front of the cabin.
Huo Xing followed him and saw him sit down to rest twenty steps away from the wooden house. Huo Xing also sat next to him and took out some dry food and water for him.
Miao Ying felt much better after eating and looked around the cabin.
The trees around are not towering, but they are lush and green. The ecology of the mountain is unique and it is green even in winter. The mountain is not all steep cliffs. This place is very flat and the area is not small. It seems not impossible to build a house here.
There is sunshine today. The sunlight shines through the gaps in the trees and sprinkles on the ground like stars. The green grass is dotted with golden spots, making people forget the hustle and bustle.
"This place is pretty good." Miao Ying twisted his neck and waist, feeling refreshed all over after the exercise. He turned and walked into the wooden house, and saw something that made him so excited that he almost jumped up!
"Huo, Huo Xing!"
Huo Xing thought he was frightened by the snake that hadn't hibernated yet, so he quickly raised his hand and picked him up: "Where is the snake?"
Miao Ying subconsciously hugged his neck: "No, this, do you know what this is?"
Miao Ying pointed at the circle of grass in front of the cabin that he thought was in the way, as if he had discovered some incredible treasure: "Why didn't you tell me there was this here?"
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