Volume One: From a Peasant in the Morning Chapter 20: My Elder Uncle and My Younger Uncle Are Both My Uncles

The twenty-sixth day of the twelfth lunar month was the day for slaughtering pigs and preparing meat for the New Year. The butcher, busy with carving bones and chopping meat, watched as Chuliu directed a group of children outside, playing "volleyball."

A rope tied between two trees became their court, and a pig's bladder, blown up round and tied off, served as a makeshift ball. Chuliu originally wanted to play soccer, but shoes were too precious, and he didn't want the children to be punished at home for ruining them, so he switched to volleyball instead.

"Hit it over, the ball can't touch the ground. If it does, you lose," he instructed. "Only three touches before it must go over the rope," he continued. "Don't fight over it—go to your own spot," he explained as he played, but the kids paid no mind. Wherever the ball went, they followed, laughter trailing in its wake.

Six years had passed since Chuliu arrived in this world, and at last, he indulged in a long-missed physical education class. What joy!

Just as he was immersed in the game, Fifteen came out to call, "Chuliu, come tidy up. Father wants to take you to your grandfather’s house."

"Alright!" Chuliu dashed home, grabbed some clay to rub between his palms, then washed in hot water, scrubbing the pig bladder’s greasy residue away.

Xie Dazhu, who was helping with the pig slaughter, praised, "Doumiao, your Chuliu is really clever and capable. Who would guess these two fat pigs were raised by a child if you hadn’t said so?"

Doumiao grinned, "Chuliu said next year we’ll raise more pigs—sows, too. You know how stubborn he is; we can only let him have his way..."

"Go on, deliver the meat to your father-in-law. If you brag any more, your mouth will rot," Xie Dazhu joked, half amused, and went to lend the butcher a hand.

That day, two pigs were slaughtered: some meat sold, the rest kept for the family’s New Year feast. With plenty left, Xie Gensheng planned to deliver a portion to his father-in-law, Zheng Quan, along with some tofu.

Xie Gensheng and his in-law got along well. When the Zheng family and relatives opposed Doumei marrying Doumiao, Zheng Quan stood against all odds to give his daughter to Doumiao. Xie Gensheng never forgot this kindness; every year, he sent something to his in-law, no matter what. Though his wife’s parents had passed away, the habit remained unchanged.

This year, with pork in abundance and two sets of pig offal at home, Xie Gensheng instructed his son to bring extra gifts.

Zheng Quan lived in Zheng Family Village in Ruifeng Town, not far from their own. Doumiao and his father quickly arrived by donkey cart.

Upon entering, the atmosphere felt off. The yard was empty, but quarrels echoed from the main house.

"Father-in-law, mother-in-law!" Doumiao called. Out stepped his third brother-in-law, Zheng Xiaoshi, from the hall. He glanced at them, then turned and shouted, "Dad, eldest brother-in-law is here!"

Mother-in-law Zhou emerged, her face stern, about to speak, but seeing her son-in-law bearing ten pounds of meat and tofu, she changed her tone: "Why bring so much? Times are hard for everyone... Is this Chuliu? He’s grown so much..."

"Mother-in-law, we slaughtered two big pigs. Father sent me to bring you some..." Doumiao, despite Zhou being his father-in-law's second wife and never particularly fond of him, always addressed her respectfully, never once overstepping.

He carried the gifts into the kitchen. The Zhengs left the hall, and Chuliu greeted each one with proper ceremony, earning praise for his manners.

Once Doumiao entered the hall, the others dispersed. Zhou called out, "Don’t go! Since the eldest son-in-law is here, let him judge."

Eldest brother-in-law Zheng Daniu’s face darkened immediately. "Mother, it’s said family shame shouldn’t be aired. Don’t involve my brother-in-law in our affairs."

Zhou retorted, "A son-in-law is half a son. We're all kin—why shouldn’t he hear?"

Zheng Quan coughed, but Zhou ignored him, so he could only smile apologetically. "No need to trouble the son-in-law with family business..."

First marriage tending sheep, second marriage as mother—Zheng Quan could do nothing with his wife, so he always indulged her.

Zhou glared, and Zheng Quan relented, "Let him listen, no harm done... Doumiao, your mother wants to split the family, have the eldest start his own household..."

The room fell silent.

Doumiao felt awkward but had already decided; he would just drink water and keep silent. Let things unfold as they would.

Zhou was not ready to let it go. She scowled, "A big family lives tightly. That's why our ancestors made the rule to pool money. But the eldest made money and kept some for his wife and children..."

Zheng Daniu couldn't hold back, tears in his eyes as he defended, "Mother, I only bought a little for the kids to eat. Is it necessary to make such a fuss? Besides, the rule is three to seven—I gave you the bigger share, kept just a bit, and you won't let it go... It’s nearly New Year. Is this really necessary?"

Zhou replied coldly, "Yes, you earned it, but everyone else works too. The money should all go to the family pool."

"Mother, you can’t say that. The days I earned, others..." Zheng Daniu started to argue but stopped himself. Only he and his brother could take side jobs, so speaking up would target his brother Zheng Erniu, and then his brother would support splitting the family.

"Mother, the eldest is right. That’s always been the rule..." Zheng Quan began, but Zhou interrupted, "You’re just biased!"

Before he could finish, Zhou unleashed her lion’s roar, "This life is unbearable! Young and old all target me. I’m an old woman, working all day, yet treated like a villain, despised by pigs and dogs..."

"The eldest knows the rules, but I don’t. Might as well die... Oh heavens, why did I come to the Zheng family to suffer such humiliation..."

She sobbed, nose running, tears streaming, as aggrieved as Dou E.

Zheng Quan said nothing, his head nearly buried in his lap.

"What does mother mean by this? If word spreads, how can a daughter-in-law hold her head high?" Daniu’s wife, Feng Zhaodi, teared up. "If people talk, they’ll say I incited the split. If my parents hear, how can I return home?"

"I’ll bear the name of wicked mother-in-law, then?" Zhou wailed, "Now you’re strong enough to go your own way. Try bearing the household’s burdens. Live your carefree life; I won’t envy you, no more suffering your looks every day."

"Split now, there’s still affection. Wait longer, and we’ll only be enemies."

Doumiao fidgeted, feeling as if he were roasting over flames, yet dared not speak a word. Even a just official cannot judge family disputes—if he opened his mouth, he’d be blamed from all sides.

Chuliu calmly watched the drama unfold. He understood better than anyone: Zhou was doing this on purpose, deliberately pushing the eldest brother out.

Nine-year-old Zheng Jin, seeing Zhou in tears, went to wipe her eyes. "Mother, big brother bullies you, doesn’t listen. When I grow up, I’ll teach him a lesson."

Chuliu cursed inwardly, "Damn brat, dare to hit my eldest uncle, I’ll make you pay." Then he paused, realizing something—Zheng Jin was Zhou’s son, and also his uncle.