Ye Father listened to Ye Mother’s scolding and felt quite pleased in his heart. After all, it was his most cherished son who thought of him first when he got something good, although Ye Father conveniently overlooked the fact that the first person it was meant for was his wife.
“I’m thrilled that my son is not only filial but also makes delicious food!” Ye Father replied happily.
Ye’s Mother proudly said, “I added eggs and fried dough to this, how could it not taste good!”
Little Hua nodded enthusiastically while munching on the fried pancake.
“You happened to be here just in time; we were about to discuss something with you. The third one wants to take the family to sell fried pancakes in town. What do you think?” Although Ye’s Mother asked, her expression suggested that if Ye’s Father disagreed, it probably wouldn’t happen.
Ye Father asked worriedly, “But if we sell it too cheaply, we won’t make any money. That Wang Mazi in the village sells baked buns in town and only makes just enough to cover his expenses after a whole day of hard work.”
“What if we sell it at a higher price? Will anyone buy it?”
“Dad, don’t worry. It will definitely sell. We’ll charge three coins each, which is about the same as two sticks of fried dough. Our fried pancakes have eggs and fried fruit in them; they will definitely be better than theirs!” Ye Qiu analyzed, noticing Ye Father’s concern.
“Moreover, I’ve asked the educated youth, and they all said it’s better than what they have in town!”
Hearing what Ye Qiu said, Ye Father felt it was worth a try. If it didn’t sell, they could just take them home for the family to eat, so he agreed to the suggestions.
With Ye Father’s approval, everyone felt relieved and set to work frying the remaining bird eggs to make pancakes, saving the extra bird eggs to sell in town.
“Eldest Brother, don’t you have any objections to how biased Mom is towards the third one? Ye Qiu isn’t even married yet, and your Little Hua is reaching the right age. Aren’t you worried that the third one will take an interest in her?” Ye Third, with a concerned expression, was actually mocking.
Ye Da looked at his scheming younger brother and replied, “Third, since you are calling me elder brother, let me give you some advice. We are all family; don’t always go against the third one. If he becomes successful in the future, it brings us all some glory!”
Ye Third looked at his wooden-headed elder brother, feeling frustrated, “Elder Brother, I’m not trying to say this to you, but Mom is entirely focused on the third one now. What about us two sons? Don’t you understand that?”
Not seeing Ye Da bite his bait, Ye Third felt that he had been brainwashed by their parents and Ye Qiu, and angrily left.
Now that the third one was approaching marriageable age, dividing the family could still yield some money. If they waited until after he got married, there wouldn’t be anything left to split. It was better to divide sooner rather than later.
Ye Third’s family hadn’t divided yet, and they had a very sour expression at meal times.
Seeing the fried pancakes on the table, their expressions darkened even more. “What does this mean? My Chengtai can’t even have an egg anymore?”
“Hmph, didn’t you say I’m unfair? Now I’m dividing them equally for you,” Ye Mother said, looking at Ye Third’s wife sarcastically.
Ye Mother handed four pieces of pancakes to Ye Da and Ye Third’s family, one for each of them. Ye Da felt a little awkward, holding his piece and then splitting it into two to share with his wife and daughter.
Ye Da’s wife felt embarrassed watching Ye Da’s actions and nudged him to eat it himself.
Little Hua swallowed silently and mimicked Ye Da’s wife by offering her pancake to Ye Da, “Dad, you eat it. We already had some in the kitchen a while ago. Uncle taught Mom to make them, and they taste exceptionally good!”
Ye Third’s wife, who had initially been pleased to see her family splitting the pancakes into three pieces, suddenly went pale at Little Hua’s words.
“What does this mean, Mom? Since when has it been known in the village that a mother would secretly eat with her children in the kitchen? All those good eggs are ruined!”
“The third one has been at home every day; who knows how many things he has ruined?”
Ye Third’s words were like daggers to Ye Mother. Although she normally cared for Ye Qiu, she was fair among all three sons. When she had Ye San, the family was in a difficult position, and he didn’t get the best nutrition, which made Ye Qiu weaker from a young age. Therefore, she favoured him a bit more. Yet, every son was sent to school when the time came; Ye Da didn’t like studying and didn’t go, so he got a bit more land. Ye Third was clever and got sent to school, and after graduating, he was even given money to enter a factory. They had all shown heartfelt care towards each son.
“Did you lose a piece for not eating? Ye Qiu brought these eggs from outside for you. It’s already generous for you to eat them. When have you and Ye Third treated us to a bite?”
“What work have you two done at home? Why don’t you tell me, since you gave birth, have you even swept the floor for a day or cooked for a day?”
Ye Xia, hearing Zhou Caiyan’s words, felt there was nothing wrong, “Mom, why do you say this? Isn’t it always like this at home?”
“Mom, since sister-in-law wants to divide the family, why don’t we just do as she wishes?”
Ye Qiu wasn’t overly worried about the division; it was originally Ye Er’s family that insisted on dividing, leading to success. They were more anxious than him, and he only needed to say a few nice words to Ye Father and Ye Mother.
Ye’s Mother was already angry; hearing her favourite youngest son say he wanted to divide the family as well, she stormed out in fury.
Ye Qiu hurriedly followed her outside, “Mom, look at your angry face; you don’t look well!”
Ye Mother shot Ye Qiu a glare, “And you are siding with Ye Third to anger me, are you trying to give me a heart attack?”
Ye Qiu grabbed Ye Mother’s arm and acted spoiled, “Mom, I couldn’t stand to see you so upset. Just agree to divide the family, and your son will definitely let you live a good life in the future. Even if we don’t divide today, tomorrow Ye Third still won’t be satisfied.”
Ye Qiu’s words persuaded Ye Mother, and she nodded, going into the room.
After Ye Mother entered, she grabbed Ye Father and spoke to him for a moment. Ye’s Father pondered it over and agreed to let Ye Third divide the family.
Ye Third and his wife found it hard to believe the news of the division being finalized the next day. They rushed to discuss enthusiastically with their son without having dinner.
The next day, the whole family changed into their best clothes and went to visit the brigade leader.
Ye Mother took the women and children out, leaving only Ye Father and the three sons in the house.
Ye Father took a puff from his dry tobacco, “Have you all thought it through? Are you sure about the division? No regrets?”
Ye Xia glanced at Ye Father, rubbed his hands, and forcefully contained his excitement as he spoke: “Dad, don’t think too much; after the division, we are still a family. We will never neglect our filial piety towards you. Besides, the third one is getting married soon; we will have to divide the family sooner or later.”