Chapter 44 Rebuke

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Ji Ling dug at her ear, showing not an ounce of politeness in her words. "I show you respect by calling you Great-Aunt, but since you refuse to act like a decent human being, don't blame me for dropping all pleasantries."

"You came here today purely to sponge off us. My home is neither a charity station nor do I have so much idle cash to fund your entertainment. And talking about bringing our families closer through marriage—what an absolute joke! You have no shame regarding what kind of person your grandson is: gluttonous, lazy, good-for-nothing, and a hopeless gambler. You have the nerve to force this connection onto me without even fearing becoming the laughingstock of others."

"I am rushed off my feet every day and have no time to play out these social-climbing charades with you. If you know what's good for you, get the hell out of my sight right now and stop wasting my time."

Having vented her grievances, the tightness in Ji Ling's chest finally eased somewhat. She turned her gaze to her parents and issued an ultimatum: "Mom and Dad, if you are incapable of vetting these people properly, I will rent a place outside from now on. I'll come back to drop off some gifts during major holidays, but don't expect anything else."

She was utterly exhausted and simply lacked the energy to deal with these people any longer.

Village Chief Hua stood hesitantly by the doorway. He had already returned the food bowl, and thinking of the truckload of sheep and the job opportunities in Wang Village, he took a few steps forward.

"Ling, my girl, I, old Hua, apologize to you." With a face full of guilt, Village Chief Hua bowed deeply to Ji Ling.

Ji Ling hastily stepped aside. "Uncle, what are you doing?"

"I know that last incident broke your heart, and none of us should have stayed silent instead of speaking up for you. But this village is truly too backward; I beg you to be the bigger person and help them out," Village Chief Hua pleaded with a heavy sigh.

Ji Ling's expression remained indifferent, her tone calm yet laced with alienation. Did they really take her for a pushover made of clay? "Uncle, don't put me on the spot. Since Deputy Director Ma has taken charge of this matter, if you want your lives to improve, go find him. Don't talk to me about his high position; even a mighty dragon cannot crush a snake in its native swamp."

Without lingering for even a glance, Ji Ling walked out of the village and headed toward Wang Village.

Village Chief Hua stood rooted to the spot, looking at Ji Ling's parents. Indeed, when Ji Ling lost her temper, she didn't care about the feelings of her own parents, let alone an outsider like him. He clutched his hair in distress, suddenly recalling the joke the Party Secretary Li had once made. Confound it, he should have taken some men and cornered that useless Deputy Director Ma.

Village Chief Hua spat on the ground in self-disgust, rubbed his hands together, and went off to find someone.

Meanwhile, as Ji Ling arrived at Wang Village following the cargo truck, she was met with a chorus of welcomes. Party Secretary Li took the lead and guided Ji Ling toward the newly constructed site.

"Uncle Li, I heard something while I was in the city—word has it that there might be an earthquake in the southwest. I figured that half a month before a major earthquake, there are usually foreshocks. Although the higher-ups haven't issued any formal notice yet, we should still seize the time to make emergency preparations. The sheep pen was previously built close to the river, so we need to move it back further inland, otherwise the losses will be catastrophic."

Upon hearing this, Party Secretary Li's face grew grave. "Alright, we'll keep them enclosed here for today, and I'll have someone relocate the pen before moving them over."

"Thank you, Uncle." Ji Ling was truly grateful. Since she was already locked in a battle of wits with Deputy Director Ma, she felt genuinely bad about having to borrow land from Wang Village. "Uncle Li, I've compiled a checklist. Have everyone in the village make preparations according to it, and over the next couple of days, we should also run an earthquake emergency drill."

Party Secretary Li unfolded the slip of paper. Clearly listed upon it were: easily storable and portable meat jerky, drinking water, whistles, lighting equipment, medicine, and warm blankets.

"Uncle Li, I bought some whistles and lighting gear at the city's supply and marketing cooperative. The quantity is limited, so let's aim for one set per household. If that's not possible, a few households can share. I'll have to trouble you to go to the village clinic for the medicine. As for the meat jerky, we can process it into mutton jerky—it's high in protein and can quickly replenish energy."

"Understood, we'll follow your lead," Party Secretary Li said, furrowing his brow. "I'll also have them inspect their houses and reinforce them."

"Good. Also—" Ji Ling paused mid-sentence. Though anger still simmered within her, she ultimately couldn't bring herself to stand by and watch the people of her own village perish. "Uncle Li, if our village chief comes looking for you, drop a hint to him."

Party Secretary Li chuckled and tapped Ji Ling on the forehead. "You, girl. I understand the gravity of this situation; rest assured."

Ji Ling and Party Secretary Li wanted to invite the truck drivers to stay for a meal, but the drivers insisted on leaving immediately after unloading the sheep, saying they needed to rush home and make preparations for the earthquake as well. A deep sense of gratitude filled Ji Ling's heart, and she resolved to make amends with a proper token of appreciation next time.

Everyone she had encountered along this journey truly consisted of good people.