Chapter 20: Aunt Hua Er Finally Faces Justice

“You—you’re talking nonsense!” Aunt Hua Er was left speechless by Ji Ling’s rebuttal, only able to think up some crude words to curse him like a paper tiger.

“I’m not as good at it as you are. After all, you’re so many years older than me and always looking for trouble. I’m just taking on a thankless task, so forget it. Let’s not mention the preparations we made earlier. From now on, I’ll be counting on all of you uncles and elders to bear with me.”

At these words, everyone was stunned. Ji Ling was clearly throwing in the towel.

“Ling girl, don’t listen to her nonsense! It’s the second family again. Why is it always you? Are you trying to get me to punish you by making you haul winter ditches?” Village Chief Hua was furious. He had been dreaming all morning of receiving high praise from above, but now he heard the second family was causing trouble again.

“Girl, don’t be angry. This matter needs you to handle it,” Village Chief Hua said, glaring fiercely at Aunt Hua Er while trying to soothe Ji Ling.

“I’m not angry. It’s just that school is about to start, and I plan to prepare my lessons first. So, from now on, I’ll still need your help, Chief Hua,” Ji Ling smiled, but the coldness in her words was unmistakable.

Village Chief Hua was momentarily taken aback. Looking around at the disgruntled crowd and then back at Ji Ling, he knew there was no way to avoid giving this girl a proper answer today. After all, no one could stand the chaos caused by the second family.

Village Chief Hua took a deep breath. “Second family, go back and tell them that both you and the second brother will be hauling winter ditches this winter. If he didn’t supervise you well, that’s his fault too. If you two still don’t know where you went wrong, then stay there for good.”

Everyone was shocked. They hadn’t expected Village Chief Hua to be serious. Hauling winter ditches was a grueling task—freezing cold, insufficient food and clothing, and the frozen ground so hard that any laziness was met with punishment. Thinking of this, everyone instinctively took a step back, secretly relieved they hadn’t offended Ji Ling by standing up for Aunt Hua Er earlier.

After speaking, Village Chief Hua turned kindly to Ji Ling. “Girl, as you said, we can’t stop Old Lian’s reform and progress. As long as he learns well, he’s a good comrade to us. I plan to clear out a room in the warehouse for him to focus on his transformation and contribute to the village. What do you think?”

Ji Ling looked at Village Chief Hua’s seemingly sincere face and relaxed slightly. “We should ask Professor Lian’s opinion.”

“No need to ask, I agree.” Professor Lian and Shen Yi had just arrived in a hurry after hearing the situation. Shen Yi wanted to rush forward but was held back by Professor Lian, who smiled and said, “Take a look first. You’ve got a good match here. Boy, I don’t know what blessings you earned in your past life to be favored by this girl.”

Shen Yi saw Ji Ling had silenced Aunt Hua Er and felt reassured. He looked at Professor Lian and joked, “Old man, my luck’s definitely better than yours—I’m still hopelessly pining for her.”

“You!” Professor Lian laughed in anger, pointed at Shen Yi, and just happened to hear Village Chief Hua’s words. Although he had been demoted and his health wasn’t great, that was precisely why he needed to heed the village chief’s advice. It would also ease Shen Yi’s worries, and he wanted to use his skills to help that girl.

If that thing was successfully developed, it would surely bring additional income to Shixi Village.

Thinking that, Professor Lian gave Shen Yi a disdainful glance and spat, “You little wolf cub.”

“All right, that’s settled. Ji Ling, since Professor Lian agrees, you must stick to this reception work. It’ll be tough on you, but it’s necessary,” Village Chief Hua said, smoothing things over.

Ji Ling glanced at the elders and nodded. Seeing this, Village Chief Hua and the others breathed a collective sigh of relief. Somehow, Ji Ling’s status in their hearts had quietly surpassed even the village chief’s.