Chapter 59: Cutting Ties

The clan leader was at home, helping his son with his homework. 

The little rascal had been working on a single line of character for an hour and still hadn't finished. 

The clan leader was so angry he nearly broke three rattan sticks, his temper nearly causing his head to explode.

Seeing the Old Zhou and his son arriving, the clan leader irritably smacked his son's head.

"Get back to writing. If you don't finish, I won't feed you for three days!"

The clan leader's son, clutching his paper and brush, sulking.

"You're here, Bingde."

Having dealt with several troubles involving the Zhou family recently, the clan leader now had a reflexive headache at the sight of the Old Zhou. 

In the past, the Old Zhou had avoided the clan leader’s gaze. 

This time, however, Old Zhou stood straight and cheerfully said, "There’s a matter I need to trouble the clan leader with."

Zhou Huaihai then brought up the issue of cutting ties.

The clan leader was stunned.

"Cutting ties?"

In Qingyang Village, no family had ever completely severed ties before. 

In the worst cases, they would split the family.

Seeing the clan leader’s shocked expression, Zhou Huaihai smiled and said, "Since things have reached this point between us and the second and third brothers, it doesn’t really make much difference whether we cut ties or not. But it’s better to do so to avoid dragging down the second brother’s future if he ever achieves something."

It was clear that Zhou Huaihai’s words were just a pretext. The clan leader could tell.

But looking at Zhou Bingde’s face, he seemed quite willing.

Didn’t Zhou Bingde always value family unity? He had been distressed about the previous separation, even starting to lose hair, and now they were talking about cutting ties. 

Though the clan leader was puzzled, it wasn't his business to meddle in other people's family affairs.

"If that’s the case, then we need to call the second and third sons over."

Zhou Huaihai quickly replied, "As you know, things are very tense right now."

The clan leader glanced at Zhou Huaihai and then shouted to his grandson, "Run, go call your Uncle Huaishan and Uncle Huailin over."

Run, who was wielding a large fork in the yard, left immediately.

The county exam for the scholar was set to start the day after tomorrow. 

To ensure Zhou Huaishan had a good preparation state, after lunch today, Shen Li took Zhou Huaishan to the county town. Zhou Qing did not go due to accommodation issues.

Upon hearing Run’s message, the uncle and niece walked suspiciously to the clan leader’s house.

At the clan leader’s house.

Zhou Huailin stared in disbelief at Old Zhou and Zhou Huaihai. "Cutting ties?"

The Old Zhou remained silent.

Zhou Huaihai said, "You don’t even recognize your own parents. You were willing to sign those handprints, so from now on, you enjoy your luxurious food while our parents eat gruel. Our ancestors of the Zhou family will have nothing to do with you."

Zhou Huaihai was twisting the facts.

Zhou Huailin was so angered his chest hurt.

"Why did we sign those handprints that day? How can you still bring it up, big brother?"

Zhou Huailin put on a righteous face and coldly snorted, "This is the clan leader’s house. Why bring up such messy matters here!"

"Why bring it up? Wasn’t it you who brought it up?"

As Zhou Huailin spoke, Zhou Qing, standing by, silently observed Zhou Huaihai. 

In the past, Zhou Huaihai’s eyes would flare with anger upon seeing them. Today, however, there was a glimmer of joy in his eyes.

Hmm... There’s something going on.

"My father isn’t here. I’ll speak for him. If you want to cut ties, then the pig we’ve been raising at home belongs to us."

Qing, you’re comparing a pig to this serious matter?

After a moment of reflection, the clan leader realized and then looked at Zhou Qing with increased appreciation.

He turned to look at Zhou Huaihai and Old Zhou. It was clear they hadn’t expected Zhou Qing to ask for a pig.

Just as Old Zhou was about to speak, Zhou Huaihai pulled him back and sneered at Zhou Qing, "Fine, take it."

The sneer was filled with disdain.

As long as he could get rid of the second and third brothers, he would gladly give away a pig or even ten.

Zhou Huaihai agreed so quickly that Zhou Qing added, "Also, I need to be clear. Is it us cutting ties with the ancestors or you?"

"Of course it's you!"

"Alright, I want twenty taels of silver each as a mental compensation for me and my third uncle."

Zhou Qing’s request made the corners of Zhou Huailin’s eyes twitch.

Qing, what are you saying!

The clan leader stroked his beard, acknowledging Zhou Qing as a clever child.

Old Zhou’s face turned dark suddenly. "Are you crazy? Why not just rob us!"

Zhou Qing crossed her arms and smiled. "I am robbing. Twenty taels each, plus the pig and all the chickens from your main house. If you give them to us, we’ll cut ties. If not, I won’t sign. After all, I’m not the one wanting to cut ties."

Zhou Qing paused and then looked at Old Zhou with a hint of aloofness. "Or, you can cut ties with the ancestors, and we'll compensate you."

Old Zhou’s face darkened, and he raised his hand to slap Zhou Qing.

The clan leader was quick and stopped him.

"Qing’s request isn’t too excessive. After all, they will have no roots or ancestors from now on. It’s only right to offer some compensation."

Zhou Huaihai pulled Old Zhou and gave him a look. 

They had a thousand taels of silver at home. 

They were about to move to the county town. 

What use were pigs and chickens now? 

Give them to her! 

As long as they didn't stick around like leeches.

"Fine! We’ll do as you say, but let me be clear—from now on, you have nothing to do with Old Zhou family!"

Zhou Qing nodded, "Okay."

Then she held out her hand, "I'll collect the pig and chickens after I sign. Give me the silver now, and I'll sign."

"Are you fixated on the money?" Old Zhou said irritably.

Zhou Qing replied, "Yes."

Zhou Huaihai said, "Who carries so much silver when going out? After you sign..."

"No way. Go back and get it. I won’t sign until I see the silver," Zhou Qing insisted firmly, her expression non-negotiable.

She then suddenly smiled.

"My father has gone to take the exam. Or, Uncle, you can wait for my father to return before discussing this."

Fearing Zhou Qing and Zhou Huailin might suddenly change their minds, Zhou Huaihai didn’t wait. He pointed at Zhou Qing, "You wait here!"

He hurriedly walked back home.

Seeing Zhou Huaihai’s impatient departure, the clan leader shook his head.

While Zhou Huaihai went to fetch the money, Old Zhou and the clan leader drafted the severance document.

When Zhou Huaihai returned with the silver, he handed over the silver and pressed the handprints.

After the documents were signed, the group bid farewell to the clan leader’s house.

As they left the clan leader’s house, Zhou Huailin’s head was spinning, unable to process what had just happened. 

Cutting ties? It seemed like a joke.

When Zhou Qing and Zhou Huailin went to Old Zhou family’s house to fetch the pig and chickens, Zhou Huailin expected a major uproar from Sun and Wang. Instead, they never showed up.

Leading the fat pig, Zhou Huailin felt his life was a joke.

"Qing, why didn’t your grandma and aunt come out to make a fuss?"

Zhou Qing, chasing after the chickens, replied with a smile, "Third uncle, now that the ties are severed, where would my grandma and aunt come in?"

Zhou Huailin felt a dull pain in his heart.

He was genuinely disheartened by the first branch's bullying, but now he also felt a true sense of loss.

From now on, he, Zhou Huailin, truly had no parents or ancestors.

Had he gone too far before?

Seeing Zhou Huailin’s melancholy expression, Zhou Qing sighed.

"Third uncle, it’s probably because older cousin has some good opportunity. They’re afraid we might benefit from it, which is why they were so eager to cut ties."

Zhou Huailin was taken aback and turned to look at Zhou Qing.

"Opportunity?"