"Old man, don't be mad at the kids." Grandma Liu Sanmei gently patted Xu Zhong's back, helping him to calm down while comforting him, "The kids are grown now, they all want to live on their own, and we as parents can't control them for their whole lives, can we?"
"Qinghe, don't blame your dad, and Nianhua, don't blame your grandpa either. Second uncle and second aunt, this is all my fault as your grandma." Liu Sanmei wiped away the non-existent tears from the corner of her eye, saying, "I'm frail and can't do much around the house, which has forced your mom to take on so much."
"Your second aunt is busy with many things in the village, in this regard, your family has indeed suffered a disadvantage."
Liu Sanmei's tone suddenly changed, saying, "But, your second uncle and second aunt's salaries are also all handed over each month."
"Since Qinghe wants to split the household, then let's split, to spare us elders from being accused of favoritism." Liu Sanmei's words evoked a sense of guilt in Xu Qinghe.
Nianhua's heart rose to his throat, and he inadvertently grabbed hold of Xu Qinghe's sleeve, worried that a moment of soft-heartedness from Xu Qinghe would change his mind about splitting up the household.
"Qinghe, based on what you said, how should the house be divided?" Liu Sanmei kicked the question back to Xu Qinghe.
Xu Qinghe lifted his head in bewilderment; how would he know how to divide it?
In the past, Ji Ying, furious as she was, had mentioned splitting the household, even the eldest, Xu Nianji, had brought up the issue, but Xu Qinghe had always blocked it.
Today's events had caught Xu Qinghe off guard, his mind was still in disarray.
Xu Nianhua tried to speak again, but after holding back twice, she could only glance quietly at Ji Ying, who at that moment also didn't know what to say and simply kept her mouth shut.
"Since Qinghe hasn't thought it through, I think it's best like this, your dad and I will take the second son and live in the old house," as soon as Liu Sanmei finished speaking, it was immediately met with strong rejection.
"Why should I, the father, have to give up the house for him?" Xu Zhong glared harshly at Liu Sanmei.
Xu Qingjiang also disagreed, saying, "Mom, the old house has been deserted for over a decade now, how can anyone live there?"
"Exactly, Mom, aren't we living quite well as it is?" Zhao Juxiang chimed in.
Xu Qinghe added, "Dad, Mom, even if we split the house, we can't let you stay in the old house. If anyone is to stay, it should be us, not you."
"Qinghe, are you really willing to live in the old house?" Liu Sanmei looked at Xu Qinghe and said, "The old house is a bit old, but if we fix it up a bit, it's still livable. However, people in the village will surely say that we're driving you out to the old house, so just stay here."
The more Liu Sanmei said this, the more resolute Xu Qinghe became about living in the old house. Splitting the family was already dishonorable enough, how could he let them live in the old house.
Xu Nianhua's lips couldn't help but twitch; Liu Sanmei was advancing by retreating, her real intention was to make them live in the old house.
"Dad, Mom, after we split the family, we'll live in the old house," Xu Qinghe stated firmly.
Ji Ying frowned and glanced at it, the house that had only been hers for a dozen years when she married into it; she had initially lived in the old house. Later they moved to this new house, and just like that, they had lived here for over a decade, while the old house had been left to grow weeds in the courtyard.
"Mom, I also agree to live in the old house," Xu Nianhua whispered.
"I agree too."
Xu Nian'an couldn't wait to raise both hands in agreement; the old house was better than here anyway. He believed that his elder brother, being here, would rather live in the old house and not want to continue to make money for the second uncle's family like in the old days.