The village chief opened his dry mouth, "I know your family's situation, so the patriarch and I discussed it. We're prepared to lend you the thatched cottage at the east end of the village to live in. It's a bit run-down, but it's still livable. But don't worry, no one will force you out if you don't move."
Hearing this, Zhao Jiaqi understood everything. Their path was clearly blocked, and those in the old house couldn't stand them.
This matter had nothing to do with the village chief, so she didn't make things difficult for him. After all, he had already found them a place to stay, which was good enough.
"Uncle Village Chief, don't worry. I'll go to the thatched cottage to tidy it up in a moment. While the sun is high, we'll move. It's just..."
Li Wencai, tense, quickly interjected, "Just what? Please speak freely!"
"It's just that the old house is really pushing us to the brink. I've compromised today, but what about tomorrow? So, I still ask the village chief to act as an intermediary, draw up a deed, and clearly spell out all the matters of the family division to avoid future disputes."
So, that was the issue. Li Wencai secretly breathed a sigh of relief and immediately said, "No problem. I'll go home and write it now. I'll find the patriarch to come and witness it for you then."
After finishing the matter, he ran as if his backside were on fire, as if Zhao Jiaqi would take his life the next moment.
Moving meant packing things. She had to endure this or not. The events happened before she married into the family, so what could she do?
Once the deed was established, it would be in black and white, providing an extra layer of security. Who knew what would happen next!
Thinking this, she gave a self-deprecating laugh. What did they have besides people?
While packing, she heard a whimpering sound from the courtyard. Without even trying, she knew it was her mother-in-law.
She got up and walked out. Seeing Fan Zehao bruised and swollen, and then looking at her mother-in-law's disheveled clothes and hair, she sighed silently.
"Mother, husband, the village chief said we can live in the thatched cottage at the east end of the village. Let's move there today."
Zhang Cuihua wiped her tears haphazardly, trying to explain something to her, but Zhao Jiaqi stopped her. "Mother, I don't blame you. We can build another house if this one is gone. But I hope you can be a bit tougher and not be afraid of them. We've already reached this point, what else is there to fear?"
Zhang Cuihua nodded tearfully and returned to her room to pack.
Fan Zehao, who was working behind Zhao Jiaqi, said after a long while, "The people in the old house are not human. I beat up Fan Zhang and Fan Fu. They threatened to expel our family from the clan. I agreed. You... won't be angry, will you!"
He was truly a silent thunderclap!
He had actually beaten his grandfather and uncle, and agreed to be expelled from the clan. This was the best news she had heard in the past two days. Why would she be angry!
She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. "Well done. You did what I dared not do. After being expelled from the clan, we won't have to look at their faces anymore, and Mother won't have to live in constant fear. I support you."
Her enthusiasm confused Fan Zehao. He asked foolishly, "You... you're not angry? If we're expelled from the clan, it means we're no longer part of the Fan clan."
"The Fan clan? When you were down and in trouble, did you see any members of the Fan clan step in to help you?"
Fan Zehao thought seriously. Not to mention helping, not a single person had even spoken a word of fairness. He understood why his wife was happy.