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The Lucky Star Control Corporation in the 70s (24)
The Captain frowned, but did not want to dwell on it. He insisted that Grandma Chu catch another chicken and a rabbit out, plus two bowls of rice, two bowls of millet, a small bag of groundnuts and potatoes, and a field belonging to Chu Xiang. Then this would be the end of it.
With both agreement from the Chu family and Chu Xiang, the Captain immediately wrote three copies of a family separation document. The Chu family, Chu Xiang and he kept a copy respectively. When writing the document, Chu Xiang mentioned, “Captain, can it be written in the document that it was the Chu family who drove me out of the house and no longer recognize me? I hope to make it clear that the Chu family and I have nothing to do with each other from now on.”
It was normal for her to react like this when her relatives treated her poorly. Everyone present understood, except for the Chu family, who was furious. Chu Weiguo scolded her sternly, “You are a white-eyed wolf. You have forgotten the goodness of your elders. Who are you holding a grudge against?”
Chu Xiang didn’t even look at him, and just waited for the Captain’s reply. The Captain was very dissatisfied with the Chu family’s actions, so he nodded in agreement after brief contemplation, and directly wrote these two points into the document. It was also stated that everyone in the Chu family would not need Chu Xiang’s support in the future.
All that the Chu family hoped was to get rid of Chu Xiang as soon as possible. It was even better for them to draw a clear line in this manner, for fear of getting implicated in the future, so they all agreed to press their fingerprints after issuing a series of criticisms. Grandma Chu urged Chu Weiguo to get the household register. Afterward, she coldly said to Chu Xiang with furrowed brows, “You have no conscience. Hurry up! Get out and never come back!”
Chu Xiang stopped at the door and looked back at them. “I will never come back.”
She left the Chu residence without looking back. The Captain called for someone to help her push her things over on the cart. Some people were eager to help, but they were all held back by their elders or wives, but Shou Hou’er responded. The captain also asked his wife to accompany them.
The Captain’s wife did not lift her brows when they arrived at the old house. The house was really a ruin, and she was worried that it would collapse. Shou Hou’er didn’t expect the house to be so battered either. He remembered that Chu Xiang was his future sister-in-law. If Yin Xu knew that he had arranged everything for his sister-in-law like this, he would definitely castigate him.
Shou Hou’er hurriedly said jokingly, “It’s like a wasteland. Do you think it’s safe at night? There have been rumors in our brigade recently. If an accident happens again, things will get ugly, right?”
The Captain’s wife was taken aback. “What rumors are going around? What have you heard?”
“It’s just all these hideous messes, ah. People in the county have become aware of it. I heard some when I sent Brother Xu to the hospital. Alas, there’s no way out, ah. What can we do?” Shou Hou’er replied as if he was speaking of the truth. However, the gossip that was being spread all over the village would soon become widespread sooner or later. It was certain that several brigades nearby would poke fun at them, just not at the present yet.
No matter what the Captain’s wife thought, she felt disturbed. When she scanned the surroundings, she didn’t spot a single shadow. Chu Xiang might have an accident here, so she simply offered, “I see. Chu Xiang, you should temporarily live in our house. It’s just as well that a room will be vacant after my daughter gets married.”
Chu Xiang coughed twice, smiled and said, “Thank you, Aunt. Then I won’t refuse. I’ll find a place to move when I get better in two days.” She pointed to the stuff in the cart and said, “I don’t have anything right now, so I’ll give these things to you. There’s but a few of them, but please count it as a small token of appreciation.”
The Captain’s wife was a little concerned about her being a broom star, but after hearing her offer, a wave of sympathy struck her. She felt that Chu Xiang was sensible. Unfortunately, she was too miserable. She sighed and pulled her back. “We don’t lack these things. You should take good care of yourself, and put off the discussion for other things for later.”
The Captain’s wife was worried deep inside. Chu Xiang’s food was enough to last for seven to eight days. Besides, Chu Xiang still had to rest. What should she do after taking her home? It was easier to invite a God than to send him away. They couldn’t just keep Chu Xiang forever, right? Besides, what if Chu Xiang was indeed unlucky?
The more she thought about it, the more troubled she became. However, she couldn’t come up with any plan, so she could only bite the bullet and bring Chu Xiang home. The Captain was a little surprised, but after hearing about the condition of the old house, he didn’t say anything and nodded to let Chu Xiang live in the wing. The Captain’s wife was very unhappy. She was particularly afraid that Chu Xiang would bring them misfortune, but on the surface, she didn’t say anything. Instead, she only made an excuse that she would take their children back to her parents’ home temporarily.
Chu Weiguo settled the matter of the household register. He didn’t look at Chu Xiang nor asked anything further. He fled afterwards, as if Chu Xiang was some kind of beast.
The Captain’s wife reluctantly gave Chu Xiang the household register and said to her, “You are now a household of your own. You have no house, and you only have a piece of land. It is not big, but it’s your collective household property. How are you going to live alone? Listen to my advice. Wait for a few days, go back to your house and humble yourself. Apologize, and everyone will forget about this matter. Otherwise, you can find a partner and get married. You are alone, and your safety is not guaranteed. You will know once you’ll experience it that life is tough everywhere.”
Chu Xiang chose not to argue with her. She merely showed her gratitude and nodded. “Thank you, I will think about it.”
Meanwhile, the Chu family was also talking about her. Grandma Chu complained that the Captain was too meddlesome. He actually sheltered Chu Xiang, causing her plans to fail. Now she could no longer retrieve their stuff back.
When all was said and done, Li Yuezhen was still Chu Xiang’s mother. She was terribly upset deep inside, and she couldn’t resist speaking up, “Chu Xiang was not much of a problem before. Maybe she is not a broom star. She still has to go to university, right?”
Grandma Chu snorted and said, “Has she been admitted to university? Do you think it will be hard to recognize her on her return if she really got in?”