Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

In an instant, the courtyard split into two groups of people who started fighting each other.

They made quite a commotion, which drew the neighbors who were already watching the commotion outside the gate into the yard.

The old lady with bound feet inside the house was also helped out by Xu Dajiang's wife, Yu Xiufang.

Seeing her second son siding with Zhao Fengying, her beloved youngest daughter was slapped twice more.

He was furious that his eldest son and two grandsons couldn't even beat Xu Bei.

"This is outrageous! They're divorced and still so arrogant! Eldest daughter-in-law, you come with me and tear this jinx apart!"

Yu Xiufang did not obediently do as instructed.

After all, although there had been some minor frictions between him and his sister-in-law Zhao Fengying over the years, they had generally gotten along well.

They're divorced now, so there's no need to make things worse.

Seeing her three men, though strong, fighting without any strategy or discipline like Xu Bei, grimacing in pain, she quickly went over to break them up, shouting, "Stop fighting! Stop fighting! Why are you all fighting like this?!"

Xu Dajiang rubbed his aching stomach and angrily cursed, "Of course I'm helping the second son teach this unfilial son a lesson!"

Xu Bei glanced coldly at this old man who always acted like a superior, "I don't need your lectures. You should take care of your own children first!"

Xu Wei and Xu Yong, who had been punched in the face, were also pulled back by Yu Xiufang and immediately shouted defiantly, "What did we do? We wouldn't be as unfilial as you!" "That's right, we wouldn't lay a hand on my dad!"

Xu Bei ignored their words and went straight to his mother Zhao Fengying, blocking the old lady with bound feet who was about to attack him.

Because he had been watching this area beforehand and knew that with Xu Dashan's help, his mother hadn't suffered any losses and had even beaten Xu Dahong quite well, he didn't join the fray.

But things were different when the old lady appeared.

We absolutely cannot let her touch a single finger of her mother.

Looking at the tall, upright figure standing in front of her, Zhao Fengying felt a warmth in her heart, but also asked with worry and concern, "Son, are you alright?"

Xu Bei, with his arm around the old lady's bound feet, said without turning his head, "Don't worry, Mom, your son is very good at fighting."

The old woman struggled and cursed, "You little bastard! If you've got the guts, you can beat up my old arms and legs too! Let everyone see how heartless and cruel you are!"

Xu Bei knew all too well that these rural old ladies were skilled at crying, making a scene, threatening suicide, framing others, and feigning innocence. He simply restrained her and didn't fall for her provocations.

"Say whatever you want, I'm not falling for it!"

Just then, Xu Dashan, unable to bear it any longer, pushed Xu Dahong, who was cursing and disheveled, to the ground and completely exploded!

"Enough! Xu Dahong, are you ever going to stop?! You've already ruined our divorce! And now, even bringing the household registration book here is causing a fight because of you! I'm issuing you a ticket tomorrow, so get the hell back to your hometown!"

Xu Dahong never expected that when she fought Zhao Fengying to the death, her second brother Xu Dashan would not only not help her, but would also blame her and even try to kick her out. She immediately sat down on the frozen snow and refused to get up, slapping her thighs and crying.

"I'm not going back to my hometown! Honestly, I didn't interfere in your divorce; you two wanted it yourselves! Besides, how was I supposed to come back to deliver the household registration book? I thought..."

The old lady originally wanted to pretend that she had been beaten by Xu Bei or Zhao Fengying in order to occupy the moral high ground and get her family members and onlookers to side with her.

Seeing this, he hurriedly shouted, "Second brother, your sister was just trying to help you get revenge! How can you not appreciate such kindness!"

"I don't need her kindness!"

After shouting this, Xu Dashan looked at the old lady with a complicated expression. "Mother! Do you think I'm really stupid? You came and broke up my perfectly good family, got us divorced, and then you sent a telegram to my older brother and the others without informing them first. Isn't it obvious why?"

Today, in front of everyone, I might as well say this: even if we're divorced, my son will still take over my factory work!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Fengying subconsciously exchanged a glance with Xu Bei, inwardly cursing that the old bastard at least had some sense of decency, and her resentment towards Xu Dashan lessened somewhat.

Xu Bei could probably guess what his mother was thinking.

Although he won't be taking over in the future, he's not going to be foolish enough to reveal anything now.

And seeing the old lady and the rest of the Xu family looking frustrated and embarrassed, they had to explain that they had never had such thoughts, but just thought it would be interesting to come here and spend the New Year together.

Even more indignantly, Xu Dahong accused him of fighting with Xu Dashan.

Before Xu Bei could say anything, Xu Dashan, the father, personally refuted the rumors in front of the neighbors, saying that the father and son hadn't actually fought, but had just exchanged a few blows in the heat of the moment.

After watching the commotion for a while, Xu Bei finally spoke up, "We've delivered the household registration book and grain ration book as agreed. Mom, let's go!"

Zhao Fengying nodded vigorously, then looked at Xu Dashan and said, "I hope you, a grown man, can keep your word."

"Don't worry, I will definitely do what I say I will do."

Xu Dashan took a deep look at his only son. Although the boy was not on good terms with him now, he would eventually have his blood in his veins, which was different from his nephew.

Xu Bei didn't care what his father thought. Under the watchful eyes of the neighbors, he pushed his bicycle and left with his mother.

As for what happens after they leave, that's none of their business.

On the way, Zhao Fengying, sitting on the back of the car, talked non-stop.

"...Your dad is still somewhat sensible; he knows who's close and who's distant. In any case, you'll get the worker's job title, otherwise he'll regret it when he's old."

As Xu Bei rode his bicycle steadily, he patiently chatted with him, "Mom, I think he looks like he's about to cry right now. You took such good care of him before, and now he has a scruffy beard and his clothes are all wrinkled."

"He brought it on himself, he deserved it!" Zhao Fengying changed the subject, "But when Xu Dahong and I were fighting, your dad was pretty good, because he helped pull me away, which allowed me to hit him. It felt so satisfying! I felt like a lot of the pent-up frustration I'd been holding in for so many years finally came out..."

Xu Bei was also happy and relieved that his mother was able to beat Xu Dahong herself. "Mom, if you want to hit her again, we'll find another opportunity later."

Zhao Fengying quickly said, "Let's forget about it. We're already divorced, and we're not family anymore. As long as they don't come knocking on our door to cause trouble, I can't be bothered with them. There's nothing better to do with that time."

When the mother and son returned to the shop, Xu Li and Xu Juan heard the whole story. They felt a little relieved, but also regretted not going with them.

Xu Bei watched the mother and her two children chatting for a while, and when she saw that it was almost time, she got dressed again and went to the private photo studio to pick up the photos.

He had actually gone there yesterday, but because he was too busy before the New Year, Mr. Huang hadn't developed both rolls of film yet, so it was rescheduled for this afternoon...