Chapter 19: The Shameless Old Ji Family
“The Ji family is reactionary; the Ji family is heartless; the Ji family is shameless.”
Early in the morning, Aunt Hua Er was going around the village, banging drums and shouting loudly.
“The Ji family is reactionary; the Ji family is heartless; the Ji family is shameless.”
“What are you shouting about? What did the Ji family ever do to you?” Some nosy villagers, already holding their breakfast bowls, stood at doorsteps asking.
“Hmph, it’s you all who treat them like good people. Especially that daughter of theirs—she’s no good.” Aunt Hua Er rolled her eyes and spat forcefully onto the ground.
“Hey, if you want to speak, just say it—why insult people? What’s wrong with Ji Ling?”
“Exactly! She’s been helping the village develop. If you’re ungrateful and still curse her, what kind of person are you?”
The moment Aunt Hua Er started cursing Ji Ling, many men, women, and children in the village immediately stepped forward to refute her. Ji Ling now held a status equal to the village chief in their hearts.
“Haha, you’ve really been fooled by that little minx. You don’t know, last night—just last night—I saw her laughing and chatting with that shady kid on the road. And guess what? Do you know where those two went together?”
Aunt Hua Er spoke proudly as she recounted how she had secretly followed Ji Ling and Shen Yi the previous night, suspecting something was up, and indeed, she had uncovered something.
Pfft, I told you, that girl isn’t a good one.
“Where did they go? Don’t just say half of it! Did your tongue get bitten off by your husband or what?” someone teased, clearly unimpressed.
“Hahaha, yeah, that’s right! Aunt Hua Er and her husband really know how to stir up trouble. You better stop running your mouth.”
“Don’t expect to spew nonsense from dog’s mouths. If you don’t believe me, fine—I'll tell you: last night, I saw them go to see that rotten official. Don’t forget why that corrupt official came here in the first place. So, tell me, isn’t she suspicious? Isn’t she reactionary? Isn’t she heartless and deceiving everyone?”
Aunt Hua Er’s words immediately silenced a large crowd. At such a moment, who dared to speak recklessly? Those who had spoken up earlier quickly backed away.
Sensing this, Aunt Hua Er grew even more arrogant, hands on hips, shouting so loudly it seemed the entire village could hear, “If I’m lying, let that little girl come and hit me! Let’s see if she dares!”
“Smack! Smack! Smack!”
Just then, Ji Ling arrived and heard this challenge. With a kind heart, she granted Aunt Hua Er’s wish.
Aunt Hua Er was stunned, standing dumbfounded, unable to react. The others all shrank back. Ever since Aunt Hua Er caused trouble last time, Ji Ling was no longer the naive scholar everyone imagined—ignorant of the world beyond books.
“Aunt Hua Er, I respected you as an elder last time and spared you out of respect for the village chief. Hah, my fault—I should have said that evil people are never to be forgiven. If I had reported you to the police then, you wouldn’t have had the chance to spread lies about me today.”
“Also, Aunt Hua Er, have you been living under a rock? Our great idol once said that so-called ‘black five categories’ can be reformed and educated to help them improve. This philosophy hopes they will integrate their thoughts and more into building the new society.”
“Aunt Hua Er, you’re not wrong—I did go with Shen Yi to see Professor Lian yesterday, but it was about our mural. The mural was finished, but if it rains, the paint will wash away. The higher-ups don’t know when they’ll come, so Shen Yi wanted to get some waterproof paint and asked Professor Lian for help.”
“Aunt Hua Er, the cadres keep telling us the people must be united. What you are doing today—what is that? It’s undoubtedly destroying unity and obstructing Professor Lian’s efforts to promote reform and progress. Everyone, do you agree with me?”