Zhu Shunyao paused briefly before nodding. "Supporting our parents is my duty. Since Father wants to live with Xiangyao, I have no objection. I agree to the five yuan and fifteen jin of grain per month. However, how should it be paid? Monthly, quarterly, or annually?" Zhu Shunyao asked. It was better to clarify some terms.
"Once a year," Zhu Guifu said after a moment of thought.
Zhu Shunyao nodded. "Fine. Let it be so. I have no further objections."
Zhu Guifu turned to Zhu Enfu. "Brother, what do you think of this?"
Zhu Enfu glanced at Zhu Guifu. "Guifu, generally, I have no objection. But there is one point regarding your final arrangements that I must address. You understand what I mean." He looked steadily at Zhu Guifu. "If no unexpected events occur, this arrangement stands. But if special circumstances arise, we must renegotiate. This clause must be added."
A hint of embarrassment flashed in Zhu Guifu’s eyes. "Very well. We will follow your lead, eldest brother."
Zhu Enfu nodded and turned to Zhu Chanyao. "A Chan, draft the separation agreement. Clearly list the previously divided assets and the obligations for supporting the elders. Add a clause stating that unless special, family-shaking emergencies occur, this agreement remains valid. If such emergencies happen, the elders’ final arrangements will be decided anew. Routine accidents do not count; it must be an event that shakes the entire Zhu family."
This clause seemed somewhat out of place, but since Zhu Enfu insisted, there must be a reason. Zhu Chanyao drafted the agreement accordingly. He read it aloud once to ensure all parties agreed. Satisfied, he prepared four copies—one for each household—and kept one for Zhu Enfu.
Zhu Shunyao hadn’t expected the separation to be so smooth. Although he received less property, he had been disadvantaged for years and no longer cared. However, Zhu Xiangyao felt uneasy seeing the disparity between his share and Zhu Shunyao’s. As a former soldier, his sense of justice remained strong. He felt Zhu Shunyao had been wronged. But seeing Zhu Shunyao’s calm, accustomed expression, he realized this had been his life for a long time. This made Zhu Xiangyao feel even more conflicted. Remembering his wife’s letters, he sighed self-deprecatingly. Family matters were indeed complex.
Zhu Shunyao returned home with the agreement and told Xie Xinlian about the separation. Xie Xinlian clasped her hands together. "Thank goodness. Now we can build our house openly without worrying about them causing trouble."
Zhu Shunyao smiled. "I was planning to find a chance to separate properly. I didn’t expect them to propose it. This is truly good news. I can finally rest easy." Though curious about Zhu Enfu’s specific wording, he wasn’t overly inquisitive and filed it away without dwelling.
The next day, after Zhu Shunyao went to work, preparations for building materials began. Bricks, tiles, and stones arrived tractor load after tractor load. Everyone saw that Zhu Shunyao’s life would improve significantly after the separation.
Gan Juhua watched this with bitterness. "He wouldn’t buy bricks or tiles before the separation. He was clearly guarding against us. What an ungrateful wolf."