Once Auntie and the others had left, well into the afternoon, Mrs. Huang watched them go and then asked, "Er Niu, you really plan to hire Second Cousin to work here? You know what that cousin is like; he's probably not the best."

"I know," Er Niu replied. "That's why I didn't give him an answer today. But after all, they are relatives. They asked very politely about finding work. And since it's the height of the New Year, if I refuse too harshly, it will be awkward for them to save face. I'll tell them after the first lunar month passes."

Mrs. Huang nodded, but Lin He had a better impression of the Eldest Cousin. She asked, "Father, what about Eldest Cousin? How are his family's finances? Did he mention wanting to come work?"

"You mean Eldest Cousin? His family rents the fields they farm, and he has five children at home, so things must be tough. He did ask me today if I’d found anyone yet. I told him we were fully staffed, and he didn't press further. Why, does He'er think Eldest Cousin is a good choice?" Er Niu inquired.

Lin He nodded. "Yes, I think Eldest Cousin is honest and doesn't seem to talk much. I've seen him a few times before. I feel Second Cousin isn't capable, but Eldest Cousin seems quite decent."

Mrs. Huang pondered. "But, that might not be right. They are brothers. If we hire the elder and reject the younger, it might offend people. They are all relatives; it seems difficult to offend either one. What do you think, husband?"

Er Niu agreed with that logic. "Yes, that's the way it is. We'll discuss it later. Anyway, He'er was planning to hire over ten people anyway, so we still have room for a few more. We'll leave those spots open for now and let Eldest Cousin come when the time is right."

Lin He and Mrs. Huang both agreed. They were all family. While they had the right to make decisions for their own household, when considering all angles, they needed to be mindful of appearances.

The next day, the fourth of the New Year, no guests visited. Mrs. Huang took Lin He and the younger children to visit Auntie Xu, bringing many gifts. The return gifts from Auntie Xu's family, however, contained significantly more items. Mrs. Huang initially refused to accept them, but Auntie Xu insisted, saying that their family had relied on them for much support over the past year, and these gifts were only fitting. Mrs. Huang found it hard to refuse further and accepted them.

On the fifth day of the New Year, right after breakfast, Madam Zhao came to call Er Niu and Mrs. Huang over, saying that Zhou Dafat had arrived and was making a scene in the courtyard, demanding that Hongxia hand over the land deed. Hongxia refused, and the commotion was ongoing. Er Niu rushed over immediately.

When they arrived at Madam Zhao's courtyard, Zhou Dafat was indeed sitting there, while Hongxia sat on the opposite side. Hongyun remained inside the house and did not emerge. The young children were standing aside, watching blankly. When Er Niu and his wife arrived, Mrs. Huang sent the children to their own courtyard. Er Niu then asked Madam Zhao to fetch Da Jiang. Soon, everyone in the household had gathered.

Everyone stood in the courtyard. Zhou Dafat spoke first, "Brother-in-law, you said last time to come today to get the land deed. Tell Hongxia to give it to me; I need it urgently to head back."

Er Niu said, "Yes, I said I would give it, but there are some things I need to clarify with you today. Also, we cannot ignore your situation with Hongxia. Don't be in a rush to leave."

"My situation with Hongxia? What situation? Everything is fine, isn't it? But speak quickly if you have something to say; I have urgent matters to attend to back home," Zhou Dafat replied.

Er Niu thought it best to use courtesy before force. He said, "You and Hongxia have been married for quite a few years now, haven't you? You already have two children, and she's pregnant with another. But ever since your parents passed away, you've been living in a haze. Now you're talking about selling your family's land. I need to ask you, what are you doing outside every day when you aren't home? If you sell the land, how do you plan to live with your wife and children?"

Zhou Dafat was momentarily stunned by Er Niu’s words. After a pause, he answered, "Why ask these things? Haven't we always lived like this? Hongxia and the children are doing quite well; they have food and clothes."

What Zhou Dafat said nearly made Er Niu laugh in exasperation. "But over these years, have you ever given them money for food and clothing, or bought anything for them to wear? Don't you know that Hongxia has been borrowing everywhere, swallowing her pride to beg from others? You’ve asked every relative you have, borrowing or begging, and now no one is willing to deal with you, don't you realize that? If relatives stop helping you in the future, how do you plan to provide for your wife and children, especially when you have no land left? Have you thought this through?"

Truthfully, Zhou Dafat had never considered these things. He wasn't entirely clear on the concept of how he should treat his wife and children. Being questioned by Er Niu like this, he didn't feel he was in the wrong in any way; instead, he felt annoyed. If he hadn't come today to get the land deed, he would have left long ago, finding it tiresome to waste words.

Zhou Dafat noticed everyone staring at him and grew impatient. He said, "My purpose today is to get the land deed. Say what you need to say, but don't beat around the bush."

He then turned back to Hongxia. "Give me the deed. Don't think I won't dare do anything to you just because I'm at your parents' house. If you don't give me the deed today, I will issue you a divorce notice. I say what I mean."

"Fine, then write the divorce letter, I’ll wait for you. But you better think carefully about the grounds on which you intend to divorce me," Hongxia replied, a hint of disdain in her tone.

This surprised Zhou Dafat. Hongxia had changed quite a bit during her few days back home; she even dared to speak like that now. Zhou Dafat became angry. "Alright, you insolent woman, you've grown bold, haven't you? Just wait until I get back to deal with you! Hurry up, pack your things and come back with me."

"Dafa, I won't be going back with you this time. I've realized this kind of life is unsustainable. Let's separate. You go live your life, and I'll take the children with me," Hongxia stated without any discernible emotion.

"What? Separate? You wretched woman, you want to divorce me and take the children? The children belong to the Zhou family! You think you can just decide on a separation after saying a few words? I will never agree, not in this lifetime!" Zhou Dafat shouted.

Hearing Zhou Dafat's outburst, Er Niu said, "Dafa, calm down first. Listen to me. You and Hongxia clearly cannot continue together. Think about what's best for your children too. They will be better off with Hongxia than with you. Here's the deal: if you agree to the separation, I will let Hongxia give you the land deed. If you refuse to separate, Hongxia will not give you the deed; it will be left for Yuanbao. Yuanbao is your son, and that's a point that can be argued anywhere. Consider it, is that acceptable?" RS

For more novels, visit storyread.net.