Secretary Mo was still arguing with Mo Guoqiang and Mo Laoer, occasionally roaring to assert his authority, but it had little effect. Grandpa Mo walked over and said to Secretary Mo,
"Thank you for the concern from the leadership, and thank you, Secretary and Captain, for standing up for the two of us! The old saying goes, 'Don't air your dirty laundry in public,' but today the Mo family has certainly given everyone a show! In front of all our friends and neighbors, I'm not afraid to speak the truth: Mo Guoqiang himself is the one who kicked this hut down! This afternoon, Boss Mo's wife made egg-fried rice. Everyone in their little family got a share, but they deliberately left out Mo Xiaoman. It never even crossed their minds to offer a single bite to us elders out of respect! When Xiao Man came home, she saw the egg-fried rice. The child was hungry! She ate half and saved the other half, bringing it to her Grandma! And just for that, the boss's wife stood outside this hut and cursed for half the day. When Boss Mo came back, he kicked the door in! Everyone, you be the judge. What kind of behavior is this?"
The surrounding crowd began to murmur, their words all condemning Mo Guoqiang and his wife.
Secretary Mo patted Grandpa Mo's shoulder and sighed.
Grandpa Mo continued, "And then there's Mo Laoer's family. My wife and I live with Mo Laoer. Our work points and food rations are all counted as part of his household. The grain we're allotted and the year-end dividends all go to him and his wife. But today, Mo Laoer's wife also made minced pork pancakes and didn't give a single one to my wife! I guard the reservoir at night and patrol the area during the day, using my meal times to gather some medicinal herbs, so I don't come home for days at a time. The moment I got back, my wife told me that she only gets one bowl of rice water to drink each day! Everyone, you be the judge: for them to do this, have they no conscience?"
The courtyard erupted as the crowd grew furious. The older women could no longer hold back and started shouting curses. "Worse than animals! If we'd known it would come to this, we never should have wasted grain raising them. Better to have let them starve to death!"
"Exactly! They may not be their birth parents, but at the very least, they're their own aunt and uncle! Look at that young couple in the east village. Their aunt and uncle have their own daughter, but they still took them in and care for them like their own parents-in-law! 'An elder in the home is a treasure.' Don't they even understand that?"
"In your dreams. These Mo family sisters-in-law, one is more vicious than the other. How could they possibly compare to people like that? Comparing people will just drive you mad!"
Grandpa Mo raised a hand and said, "Having our neighbors here as witnesses, knowing that my wife and I are honest people, is enough! We raised them, so we've done right by my brother and sister-in-law! Since they're unwilling to care for us in our old age and see us to our graves, we won't force them. We want to separate from Mo Laoer's household and start our own kitchen!"
"That's right, Grandpa Mo! You should do just that! You'll be better off on your own!" one of the women shouted in support, immediately drawing a chorus of agreement.
Secretary Mo thought for a moment, then nodded. "I think that's a good idea, Second Brother. Let the two elders live by themselves. If you have any difficulties, the team will help you!"
Captain Guan made his position clear. "Don't worry, Uncle Mo. You get fixed work points for guarding the reservoir. We'll also section off a private plot for you and your wife. Since your wife's eyesight isn't good, the team should lend a hand. The plot will produce corn, soybeans, and sweet potatoes. With that and your food rations, it'll be enough for the two of you to live on!"
Grandpa Mo said, "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
He then turned to Mo Guoqiang and Mo Laoer. "Laoer, and you, Laoer's wife, weigh out the food rations for me and my wife for the second half of the year. And portion out the private plot for two people! The captain is here, so don't even think about going back on your word. We two old folks won't be taken advantage of by you anymore!"
Second Aunt Mo sneered, "Who needs you? I'm the one getting the short end of the stick! Those autumn beans I planted in the private plot… I worked so hard on them, and they're growing better than anyone else's. Now I have to just give them to you for free? Just you watch, I'll rip them all out…"
Captain Guan grunted. "Laoer's wife, if you dare try any funny business or sabotage, the militia battalion commander is right here. What, do you want to take a trip to the commune headquarters?!"
Second Aunt Mo rolled her eyes and fell silent.
Grandpa Mo pointed at Mo Guoqiang. "Boss Mo, you kicked down my grass hut. So, you will empty out the room behind the incense hall. My wife and I will be living there!"
Liu Fengying leaped to her feet. "In your dreams! That room belongs to our branch of the family! You think we have to give it to you just because you want it?"
"Belongs to your branch of the family? What proof do you have? I happen to have the document from when your household was separated, and it's filed with the production brigade! Of the five tiled-roof rooms, you brothers each got two. The remaining room behind the incense hall was for the two of us! It's in black and white. You have a copy yourselves. If you want a clear look, go get it!"
Liu Fengying was out of options. She yelled at Mo Guoqiang, "Are you a corpse? The fortune teller said that in this courtyard, the room behind the incense hall has the best feng shui! Xiaoqiang has been sleeping there for over a year, and his asthma hasn't acted up once!"