Chapter 102: Coming to Sever Ties

When Xiao Ding returned to the new house with Fan Sanpang and Zhao Hu, the guests were already eating and drinking. More than twenty tables had been set up in the open space in front of the new home, forming quite a sizable gathering.

What puzzled Xiao Ding was that, although everyone was eating heartily with gusto, there was no raucous noise. Instead, people whispered quietly to each other. When they saw Xiao Ding and his group approach, they fell silent, keeping their heads down as they gobbled their food and sipped their wine. They ate their own portions without sharing cups or exchanging drinks.

What was going on?

Xiao Ding couldn’t make sense of it. Could it be that they were frightened by the burly man from earlier?

Trying to ease the tension, Xiao Ding spoke up: "Dear elders and neighbors, that man has left—it was all a misunderstanding and has nothing to do with us. Please, don’t mind it. Today, everyone must eat and drink well. The food and wine will satisfy you all. Please enjoy yourselves!"

Usually, such words would elicit some response, even if not applause, then at least a few affirming words. But...

There was nothing. The place grew even quieter than before, the only sound being the soft clinking of dishes and quiet eating. Not a single person raised their eyes to meet Xiao Ding’s.

His confusion deepened.

By then, Fan Sanpang had gone into the kitchen, and Zhao Hu and the others followed to help with serving dishes. Xiao Ding was left alone, dazed.

In this strange atmosphere, Xiao Ding’s banquet finally came to an end.

After everyone had eaten their fill, they quietly greeted Tian Dabao or Zhao Laixi and then slipped away to their homes. Even Tian Caishen, Mrs. Zhou, and Tian Erhua left like thieves after the meal. No one brought up requests to divide horses or stay in the new house any longer.

Village Chief He had arranged for some young men from the village to help return the borrowed tables, chairs, and benches to their owners. Xiao Ding’s home gradually returned to calm.

That afternoon, Tian Dabao and his family busied themselves cleaning up. They moved the remaining items from the old house into the new one. There wasn’t much—mostly clothing, bedding, and kitchen utensils like pots, pans, and condiments.

The eight rooms were assigned according to the earlier plan.

The central main room was for Tian Dabao and Mrs. Li. The side rooms were given to the others. Zhao Laixi and Xiao Ya shared one; Ping Gen and Ou Muyun another. Originally, Xiao Zhu’er and Xiao E were to share a room, but Xiao Zhu’er insisted on living with Ou Mulin, so everyone agreed. Xiao Ding wanted Er Niu to live with Xiao E, but Er Niu refused adamantly and insisted on staying with Xiao Ding. After much pleading, Er Niu cried, and Xiao Ding had no choice but to agree. Xiao E ended up with her own room.

One bedroom and the kitchen remained. The bedroom, originally intended as a livestock room, was larger than the others and had a heated kang bed built for living quarters. Fan Sanpang, Zhao Hu, and the others took that room.

As for the livestock, they planned to build a wooden shed at the foot of the small hill later. Now, there were more horses behind the mountain, unlike before when they had only a single donkey.

After a busy afternoon, everything was finally in order. From the old house, everything useful or not had been moved to the new place.

Looking at the bright, spacious new home, Tian Dabao couldn’t help but grin. After all the years of poverty since splitting the family, he never imagined such a day—living in a wide, well-lit brick house even better than Village Chief He’s. It was all thanks to his foolish son!

Thinking of Xiao Ding, Tian Dabao was puzzled. How could such a fool have such good fortune? Perhaps there was some truth to the old saying that fools sometimes have lucky breaks. He recalled a Taoist who once told him that Xiao Ding would grow up to be a man of wealth and honor, and the family would benefit as well. But after Xiao Ding was kicked in the head by a donkey and became simple-minded, no one believed it anymore. Today, remembering this, Tian Dabao found himself wondering again.

It wasn’t just Tian Dabao who was happy—everyone at home was jubilant. Especially Xiao Zhu’er, who cheerfully ran about after helping Ou Mulin settle their room.

Xiao Ya and Zhao Laixi’s room held only bedding for now. They planned to return to Luoyun Village the next day and use the horses behind the mountain to bring over all their belongings.

Fan Sanpang and Zhao Hu were equally delighted. The weather had turned cold in recent days, and living in the crude grass shack had been bitterly uncomfortable. But from now on, they wouldn’t have to endure the cold any longer. Feeling the warm kang and the cozy house, smiles brightened their faces. Moreover, having many people under one roof meant endless lively chatter from all corners—pure joy.

As evening fell, Tian Caishen and Village Chief He arrived at Tian Dabao’s new home. Xiao Ding was surprised. He knew that after Tian Caishen had driven Tian Dabao’s family out of the old estate years ago, visits had become rare. For Tian Caishen to come now, especially with Village Chief He in tow, surely meant something serious.

Sure enough, as Xiao Ding suspected, Tian Caishen had come to sign the severance documents.

Earlier that day at the banquet, Tian Caishen and Mrs. Zhou had overheard villagers whispering that Xiao Ding was in league with bandits. They were frightened, fearing that if trouble arose, it would implicate the old estate. Especially after hearing rumors that colluding with bandits could bring the death penalty or even the extermination of nine clans, Tian Caishen and Mrs. Zhou were deeply alarmed. After consulting with Er Bao, San Bao, and others, they decided to sever ties.

In those times, signing a severance agreement was tantamount to cutting all kinship ties. Whatever happened afterward, each side was considered unrelated.

When Tian Dabao and Tian Caishen split the family years ago, Village Chief He had served as witness. This time, Tian Caishen had again specially invited Village Chief He to act as witness. The severance documents were drafted with his help. Tian Caishen had already stamped his seal and was waiting for Tian Dabao’s consent.

Upon understanding Tian Caishen’s purpose, Tian Dabao’s face clouded with sorrow. He wanted to persuade his father not to be so heartless, but his tongue was clumsy and his words fell on deaf ears.

Village Chief He, uncertain at first whether those at Xiao Ding’s house were truly bandits, had asked Xiao Ding directly and was shocked by the confirmation. He silently marveled at how bold this fool was, befriending anyone without fear.

Watching from the side, Xiao Ding saw that Tian Caishen was resolute and said nothing. He thought severing ties might not be a bad thing. His family had already bought land and built a house here; life would only get better. Being cut off meant the old estate wouldn’t be involved anymore, sparing them from envy over their wealth.

After repeated insistence from Tian Caishen, Tian Dabao reluctantly signed the severance documents.

Like the earlier family split documents, these were made in triplicate: one copy each for Tian Caishen and Tian Dabao, and one held by Village Chief He.

Tian Caishen tucked his copy into his chest, finally breathing a sigh of relief. He thought to himself that if Xiao Ding were ever arrested by the authorities, it wouldn’t affect the old estate.

Casting a displeased glance at Xiao Ding, he muttered, “This fool is always up to nonsense. If you have free time, why not befriend someone decent instead of bandits? Let’s see what you’ll do when trouble comes.”

With the matter settled, they didn’t linger. Tian Caishen and Village Chief He left Tian Dabao’s home together.