Colorful years

Before the lingering effects of the 1954 Spring Festival had faded, subtle signs of family division began to emerge, and by the time of the Spring Equinox, the issue was finally brought to the table for family discussions.

Time flies, like a fleeting moment.

In the spring of 1955, it quietly descended upon the peaceful and tranquil Diaolan Village in northwestern Hunan with a unique charm.

It is no longer as hurried or flamboyant as before, but rather carries a gentle and delicate grace, as if nature has specially draped this ancient mountain village in a light veil, allowing all things to awaken leisurely in the soft glow.

This spring seems more tender and lingering than in previous years. Its steps are light yet hesitant, lingering between the lingering charm of winter and the prelude to spring, reluctant to make a decision.

Although the trees in the mountains have vaguely sensed the call of spring, they are still tightly bound by the lingering cold of winter. The tender green buds on the branches shyly peek out, but then quickly retreat, as if they are making a timid exploration with the world.

The winter wind seemed to be making a final stand, howling and sweeping through the valleys with a biting chill, forcing the villagers to continue wearing heavy cotton-padded clothes to ward off this untimely cold invasion.

Scarves and masks have become essential items for people going out, leaving only pairs of curious and expectant eyes peeking through these coverings at the belated spring scenery, their hearts filled with endless longing and anticipation.

After retiring from the army and returning to his hometown, Zhang Zhong has been working diligently in the fields of his hometown for three years.

The sweat and effort of these three years have nourished this land like sweet rain, giving it unprecedented vitality and making Zhang Zhong full of boundless hope and aspirations for the future.

Thanks to his brother's humility, Zhang Hou was able to secure a job at the credit union and steadily establish himself as an accountant. These three years witnessed his growth and transformation, making him cherish this hard-won job even more.

For the Zhang family, this spring was not just a change of season, but also a continuation of life and the budding of hope.

In the past three years, Zhang Zhong and his wife Shi Damei have welcomed two daughters, Zhang Feng and Zhang Fang, and their eldest son, Zhang Ming. These three children are like three bright stars, illuminating their world and filling them with endless hope and anticipation for the future.

At the same time, Zhang Hou and his wife Xiang Yaogu also had a son and a daughter—Zhang Jie and Zhang Lian.

Although the children from these two families are about the same age, their personalities are quite different. When they play together, there is laughter and joy, as well as arguments and conflicts, but more often than not, there is mutual companionship and shared growth.

These precious childhood memories will become their most valuable treasure and recollections throughout their lives.

However, fate always seems to love to play tricks on people.

Before Zhang Feng could fully enjoy the joys and wonders of childhood, a sudden smallpox epidemic struck. This calamity not only cruelly robbed her of her hearing and speech, but also left her right hand disabled due to treatment.

This cruel reality struck like a bolt from the blue, instantly shattering the beautiful vision in the hearts of Zhang Zhong and his wife.

They couldn't accept this cruel reality, and they couldn't imagine what kind of hardships and challenges their daughter would face in the future.

However, faced with the cruel twists and turns of fate, they could only choose to confront and endure them with strength. They provided their daughter with boundless love and companionship, creating a safe haven for her so that she could feel the warmth and strength of home even in adversity.

Zhang Zhong and Zhang Hou, brothers, have always lived with their parents and have never considered separating from the family.

But now, the situation at home has changed significantly.

First, the number of family members has increased rapidly, from just a few people to a large family.

Secondly, both brothers had found their own jobs and livelihoods: one farmed at home earning work points, while the other worked at the credit union and received a salary. Their living conditions and income levels were obvious, and the gap between them became increasingly apparent.

Thirdly, my brother's family now has another mouth to feed.

Although Auntie Xiangyao didn't say much or complain on the surface, she had already harbored a lot of dissatisfaction and resentment in her heart.

The astute in-laws, Xiong Qiao'er, were even more aware of the hardships and difficulties involved.

She knew that only by dividing the family could she alleviate the heavy family burden and conflicts, allowing the two families to go their own way, develop independently, and pursue their own futures.

Thus, the proposal to separate the family quietly arose within the Zhang family, sparking in-depth discussion and attention.

Faced with the decision to separate the family property, Zhang Zhong and his wife were filled with reluctance and helplessness, but they also understood that it was for the sake of the family's future and long-term development.

They eventually accepted this reality and demonstrated the importance and significance of brotherhood and family responsibility through their actions.

During the division of the family property, Zhang Zhong demonstrated his magnanimity and tolerance.

Because of the large number of family members and the tight financial situation, we basically couldn't make ends meet every month and had no money or rice to save.

Therefore, the division of a family property mainly involves the distribution of real estate, furniture, and other assets.

Zhang Zhong took the initiative to let his younger brother Zhang Hou choose the property, furniture and other valuables first, while he silently accepted the remaining items and arrangements without uttering a single complaint or dissatisfaction.

The question of who should belong to the grandparents became a minor episode and point of contention during the division of the family property.

After the family split up, Zhang Hou's family was significantly better off financially than his brother Zhang Zhong's family.

After careful consideration, Grandma firmly chose to spend the rest of her life with Zhang Hou's family and enjoy her old age in peace.

With his open-mindedness and understanding, the grandfather chose to rely on Zhang Zhong's family and weather the storms together.

Then, something amazing happened.

In that simple and dimly lit room, the light flickered and swayed, and Grandpa and Grandma stood by the bed, with three thick quilts in front of them.

Grandma said firmly, "To show that it's fair and reasonable, this third quilt should be divided in half between everyone."

As she spoke, she took out the large pair of scissors she used to use when she ran a tailor shop from the corner and cut the quilt in half without hesitation.

Grandpa looked at the half-cut quilt in his hand, his face showing a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

He muttered to himself, "You old woman are really heartless. Not only did you rob Wu'er (referring to Zhang Hou), you won't even leave me half a quilt."