Bringing Good Luck to your Husband in the 70s - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Family Separation Follow-Up

Because of the family separation, everyone had not been in a good mood. The atmosphere at home had suddenly become heavy. Old Lady Han sighed and asked the second daughter-in-law to cook while the others busied themselves with their own tasks. Then she called Han Aiguo and Su Yue into her room for a private talk.

Old Lady Han sat beside Su Yue, held her hand, and gently patted it. She sighed deeply and looked at the two of them with eyes full of guilt.

“Eldest, we had to separate the family. I’m sorry. Don’t blame Mother.”

Han Aiguo frowned slightly. “What are you saying, Mother? Why should I blame you?”

Old Lady Han felt uncomfortable and quickly wiped her eyes, not wanting tears to fall. “It’s not that it was my fault, but all your savings from over the years were shared out by me. The money your second and third brothers received was from what you sent home. Even all the things in this household were earned bit by bit by you. Your second and third brothers grew up relying on you, even their marriages and children depended on you. Logically, everything at home should have been yours. I shouldn’t have given away so much. It was my selfishness to hand so much to your brothers.”

Han Aiguo didn’t loosen his brows. In truth, he didn’t think his mother had done wrong. But before he could say anything else, Old Lady Han waved her hand to stop him.

“Don’t speak. I know you don’t blame me, but I still blame myself. What I did was unfair to you.”

Su Yue gently patted Old Lady Han’s back. “Auntie, what you did made sense. We don’t think you did anything wrong, so please don’t blame yourself.”

Old Lady Han’s eyes turned red. “You’re both good children. In fact, I thought about this for a long time before making the decision. I hope you’ll have a good future. By dividing the family this way and giving your brothers some money, they can build their own houses and live without being too poor to survive. Otherwise, they would eventually still have to rely on you. It’s not like they help much. After this, your kindness to them will be enough. From now on, let them manage on their own. They’re fathers now so it’s time they take responsibility for their own families instead of pointing fingers at their eldest brother.”

After saying this, she glanced at Su Yue with a smile. “But don’t worry. I will see to Han Aiguo’s treatment. Once his leg heals, he still has a bright future. I believe he’ll soon earn back what was given away. From now on, the two of you can live well without needing help from anyone. If anyone dares to disturb you, I’ll give them a piece of my mind!”

This was the first time Old Lady Han had openly acknowledged Su Yue’s relationship with Han Aiguo. Su Yue felt a little embarrassed. She looked up and met Han Aiguo’s gaze, finding a smile in his eyes. She couldn’t help but laugh softly.

Seeing their sweet expressions, Old Lady Han’s mood lightened.

Han Aiguo said firmly, “Mother, don’t blame yourself. I think dividing the family this way was good. The money I earned for the household belonged to everyone; it should be shared equally. As for the future, just like you said, everyone will live their own lives.”

From now on, he would work hard for his own family.

Old Lady Han nodded happily, resolving in her heart that she would do her best to help heal her eldest son’s leg, while no longer concerning herself with the second and third sons.

—-

The next day, Old Lady Han went to the brigade headquarters to find the Party Secretary and asked him to preside over the family separation. In truth, there was little to host. The Han family was harmonious so no quarrels and no disputes. The Party Secretary only had to witness, and the process was done in less than half an hour.

He sighed inwardly. If only all the families in the brigade could separate so smoothly, it would save him much trouble.

Afterward, Old Lady Han sent Han Lao-san to Dahe Village to bring back his wife and Maomao.

Han Lao-san had been angry and unwilling, but his mother insisted, so he suppressed his temper and went. This time, however, he brought nothing with him to her house, he went empty-handed.

Old Man Zhao and Old Madam Zhao still looked sour, but this time their daughter wasn’t as arrogant as before. Instead, her eyes were red, and she looked pitiful.

Han Lao-san ignored her expression and said coldly, “Our family has been divided. From now on, we’ll live separately. I came to ask if you still want to live with me. If not, then let’s get a divorce.”

“I won’t divorce! I won’t divorce!” his wife cried instantly, terrified he would cast her aside.

Her parents, however, focused only on the separation. Their eyes lit with greed.

“You’re separated? Why weren’t we notified of such a big matter? How was it divided? What did you get?” they demanded.

Han Lao-san clenched his fists and said coldly, “Family division is our business. There was no need to notify you. As for how it was divided, that’s for our family to know.”

His words left the Zhaos embarrassed, their expressions darkening.

“What nonsense! Do you still see us as your elders? Gu Ming is our daughter. Her affairs are our family’s affairs. How could you separate without telling us?”

Too lazy to argue, Han Lao-san simply picked up Maomao and left, ignoring his wife.

Panicked, his wife grabbed her luggage and chased after him, begging, “Husband, wait for me!”

The Zhaos were furious but powerless. Old Madam Zhao slapped the table and declared, “No, I must see how the Han family divided. I can’t let Gu Ming suffer! And that cake recipe must be ours!”

At the Han home, before Han Lao-san had even set Maomao down, Old Madam Zhao barged in, panting and sitting heavily at the table.

Old Lady Han wasn’t surprised. She already knew her in-law’s nature. Sitting down calmly, she said, “In-laws, our family has separated. The Party Secretary witnessed it. If you want to discuss separation, you should go back.”

Old Madam Zhao bit back her temper but spoke harshly, “For something as big as separation, shouldn’t our family have been notified? Didn’t you even ask my Gu Ming’s opinion? She bore a grandson for your Han family!”

Before Old Lady Han could reply, the frightened third daughter-in-law spoke up quickly, “Mother, don’t talk anymore. I have no objection to the separation. Mother divided things fairly. The reason I wasn’t told beforehand was because I refused to come back. It has nothing to do with them.”

Old Madam Zhao glared furiously at her daughter, but the younger woman shrank back, afraid her mother’s meddling would truly cause her husband to divorce her.

Old Madam Zhao then shifted to her real goal. “In-laws, the eldest’s leg treatment costs three hundred yuan a month. Isn’t it unfair to spend so much of the family’s money on just him?”

Old Lady Han’s face darkened. She knew at once what the woman truly wanted: the cake-making recipe.

Snorting coldly, she said, “Don’t beat around the bush. You want my cake-making skills, don’t you?”

Old Madam Zhao feigned a smile. “It’s just that Gu Ming and her husband don’t have any way to earn money. I thought you might teach them.”

Old Lady Han cut her off sharply. “I only call you my in-laws to give you face. But don’t overstep. This is the Han family’s business. Outsiders like you have no say. If you keep pressing, don’t blame us for being rude!”

“You—!” Old Madam Zhao nearly choked with rage. She clenched her fists and threatened, “Fine! If you won’t give me face, I’ll expose your secret cake-selling and have you arrested!”

“You dare!” Old Lady Han slammed her bowl to the ground.

“Watch me!” Old Madam Zhao sneered.

Han Lao-san glared at his wife. “This is your doing! You went running to your parents, and now they’ll report us. Are you satisfied? I can’t keep you as my wife. Go back with your mother!”

Panicked, his wife clung to his arm. “Husband, please, I didn’t mean it. Mother won’t report us!” Then she turned on her mother in desperation. “Mother, how could you harm me like this? What will I do if you report them? Are you still my mother?”

The quarrel escalated until, in anger and fear, the third daughter-in-law dragged her mother out of the Han household, shutting the door in her face despite Old Madam Zhao’s curses.

Inside, Old Lady Han and Han Aiguo exchanged stunned glances.

The third daughter-in-law forced a smile. “Mother, don’t argue with her. She’s just confused.”

Old Lady Han said nothing, simply returning to the kitchen.

Later, with tears brimming, the third daughter-in-law begged her husband, “I was wrong. Please forgive me.”

Seeing her pitiful look and remembering how she had just driven her mother away, Han Lao-san’s anger cooled. Without a word, he returned to his room. She quickly followed, determined to coax him.

—

Even after Old Madam Zhao was driven off, Old Lady Han still worried. The Zhao family clearly coveted her cake-making skills, and if refused, they might truly report them. But there was no way she could hand over the recipe as it had come from Su Yue, not the Han family.

Anxiously, she turned to Han Aiguo. “Eldest, what should we do?”

Han Aiguo’s expression was grave. “It depends on Yue’er. I’ll ask her opinion after dinner.”

Old Lady Han agreed and reminded herself that from now on, her two daughters-in-law must be kept separate in business matters.

That evening, Han Aiguo went to the Educated Youth Point. Wu Xiaoxiao opened the door, surprised to see him.

“I’m looking for Su Yue,” he said politely.

Wu Xiaoxiao called her, and soon Su Yue appeared from the kitchen, apron tied around her waist. She was startled, then happy. “Come in quickly! I’m cooking something delicious.”

Han Aiguo stepped into the kitchen.

When Su Yue noticed he wasn’t using a cane, her eyes lit up. “You don’t need a cane anymore?”

He smiled. “Yeah.”

Excited, she washed her hands and bent to roll up his trouser leg. Together they examined it. The purple swelling had nearly faded, the skin returning to a healthy red.

Su Yue’s face glowed. “Your leg is getting better!”

Han Aiguo bent down, pulled her to her feet, and kissed her forehead gently. “It’s healing, Yue’er.”

Hearing the unconcealed joy in his voice, Su Yue poked his chest playfully. “So, now that you’ve come straight to my door, you won’t have to sneak me into the woods anymore, right?”

Han Aiguo’s face flushed slightly. Before, he had always tried to keep their meetings secret. But now, with his leg healing, he no longer wanted to hide. He wanted everyone to know that she was his.