This is to prevent theft. An'an jumped out of bed, grabbed a pastry for Dongdong, and put on his slippers. "Dongdong, let's go, hurry back home, Dad is back."

  "Ban Xia, I've given you all the leftover mantou!"

  Bàn Xià was eating with a hum and a murmur, when she heard ān ān's words, she raised her head, "I'll leave two pieces for Dōng Dōng, you guys hurry back, remember to come over at noon to eat!" From her dad's tone, there will be delicious dishes at noon.

  Gu An'an's mind was preoccupied with something, and she dragged her little brother home in a hurry.

  By the time she arrives, the family will have dispersed.

  Inside the main house, the first one sitting on top was the elder of the Gu family, whom Gu Weiqiang called "Uncle".

  Further down were Mr. Gu and Zhou Aiju.

  Gu's four sons sat on either side of him. As dividing the family property was a big matter, Gu Wei-qiang specially called back his son Gu Weimin from the county town.

  Although Lao San became the son-in-law of Lao Li's family, he is still considered a member of the Gu family and has his share in the family property.

  This was Gu Anan's first time seeing her third uncle. Unlike her own father, who was tall and majestic, her third uncle looked somewhat bookish instead.

  She was spotless and clean, if you said she was a schoolteacher rather than a carpenter, she would also believe it. To be precise, Gu Shu's appearance was the one that made San Shu look like they were carved out of the same mold.

  Gu An'an pulled her younger brother's hand, and they rushed back from outside. As soon as the cop saw Gu Weiqiang, he pounced on him like a little swallow, shouting "Dad" in a soft voice, and tears fell down. Gu Weiqiang was no longer fierce, his whole demeanor softened instantly, "You're all grown up, but still crying like a child."

  "Why didn't you have dinner at your maternal uncle's house?"

  "Waiting for Dad, we'll have dinner together as a family."

  "Yes, Dongdong also misses Daddy."

  Gu Wei Qiang coaxed his two children, then turned around and looked at the first elder of the clan. "Seventh Uncle, let's do it as we previously discussed. This house will be divided among us four brothers, one room per person." It was only right that he should get this much, not a single cent would he willingly give up. He had figured it out clearly - while he considered them his brothers, they treated him like an outsider.

  Seventh Uncle took a puff of his dry tobacco, tapped the tobacco pouch on the table a few times, nodded and said, "Gen Sheng, do you have anything to say? You two old folks are going to follow which child?"

  Gu Gen Sheng is Gu Lao Ye Zi, he's now completely out of energy, he finally understood that when children grow up, they don't listen to their parents. Among the four sons in his family, only the second son has a heart that matches his. As soon as he opened his mouth, he said, "I'll live with Er Ge."

  Gu Weifu's face finally looked a bit better, and the old man followed him, which meant that the things his brothers had been filial to him were still his. Moreover, the old man was still young and could work for several more years... Cop Zhou Aijuan seemed to have understood that now all the children had left, following whoever would make someone uncomfortable in their heart.

  "She simply waved her hand, 'When dividing the house, leave me one room, I won't follow anyone, just live alone from now on! Each child will give us five yuan a month to show their filial piety, four sons, that's twenty yuan in total. My husband and I will each take ten yuan, we'll live our own lives separately. If you want to follow the second son, then go with him, it's up to you.' Her heart had turned cold by now."

  Old Master Gu heard this and his neck stiffened. "You old woman, what nonsense are you spouting? If you're not following Old Two, then what do you want to do?"

  "Depend on Erniang? With Erniang's stinginess, she only does things that benefit herself. Do you think she'll serve you tea and water? Support you? You're dreaming." Zhou Aijuan thought to herself, "I can still move around now, I support myself, but if one day I'm unable to move, Si, I'll ask you, are you willing to support this useless old woman?"

  Gu Wei Qiang forced a smile, "Mom, you can follow me now, An An and Dong Dong don't have a mom, so it's up to grandma to take care of them more."

  Gu An'an and Gu Dongdong also hugged Zhou Aijuan's thigh, opening their mouths together, "Mom, we'll support you."

  "This, Zhou Aijuan heard in her heart is comfortable, but still shook her head,"If I were to follow you Lao Si, who knows if someone would think that I'm taking advantage of Lao Si's family and feel it's unfair. It's better for me to be alone, you all have time come visit me often."

  Who is this kind-hearted person referring to? It's naturally Wang Da Ying.

  Wang Da Ying stood by, also silent, letting everyone watch.

  Gu Weimin, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up, "Since mom wants to live alone, I voluntarily give up my share of the house, let her live there." Behind him, Li Yue'e pinched his waist, Gu Weimin turned back and glared at her, after all, he was the head of the household. Li Yue'e didn't say a word, she just hugged their young son tightly.

  "Ancestor, 'no regrets'?"

  Gu Weimin shook his head, "I was already a live-in son-in-law, this is what my mother deserved."

  The old man stood up, "Alright, since everyone agrees, let's do it this way! The house will be divided into four parts. Guo Gen Sheng and his branch will give up their share automatically. Zhou Ai Ju, Guo Wei Min, Guo Wei Guo, and Guo Wei Qiang will each get one room. As for the elderly, Guo Gen Sheng will live with the second brother, while Zhou Ai Ju will live alone. From now on, Guo Wei Qiang will be responsible for taking care of Zhou Ai Ju's old age. Each child must give their parents five yuan every month."

  "After taking care of the family, the five mu of mountain land behind the house, how will you divide it?"

  Gu Weiqiang and Gu Weimin shook their heads at the same time, "We don't need it, give it to big brother." Big brother naturally referred to Gu Weiguo.

  The two younger brothers have expressed their opinions, so Gu Weifu naturally cannot compete with the eldest for this land. Even if he were to get it, considering their household, Wang Da Ying is lazy and gluttonous, and his three sons are not suitable for farming either. As for himself, why would a good team leader like him bother with farming?

  "Let it go, big brother."

  Gu Weiguo thanked his brother with gratitude, if he had separated from the family and didn't even have land, what would he use to support his wife and children? Unlike his three brothers, Gu Weiguo was a farmer who had been digging in the ground since childhood.

  The old man nodded and continued, "There's still some savings at home, let's take it all out and divide it up."

  The family's savings were kept by Zhou Aiju, who hurriedly ran to the inner room, took out a cloth package, and poured out more than 200 pieces of money onto the table.

  "Old Master Gu spoke first, 'How can there be so little?'"

  Zhou Ai-ju sneered, pulling out a small notebook from her bundle and starting to read: "Let's calculate from the past three years. The new house that was built last year cost 1,300 yuan. Gu Shu went to the city to study for three years of junior high school and took 400 yuan from me. Last year, he attended high school for a year and spent 280 yuan. He repeated a grade for half a year and spent 120 yuan on tuition fees. He also spent 100 yuan on supplementary lessons. When Old Second's sister-in-law's brother got married, he gave 20 yuan as a gift. When Old Second's mother-in-law fell ill, he spent a total of 63 yuan. Old Second entertained his superiors and spent around 10 yuan per meal for a total of eight meals. During festivals and holidays, he spent nearly 300 yuan on gifts. Gu Dan went to the county town last year to learn carpentry and spent five yuan per month on living expenses. This year, Gu Shuang fell ill and was hospitalized in the county town, spending a total of 130 yuan. Our family's daily expenses are around 0.5 to 1 yuan per person, which adds up to over 20 yuan per month. And this doesn't even include the grain we grow ourselves."