"Old man, this is watermelon," Tuoba Yan said, putting down the crossbeam and walking over.
"Wa-watermelon?" Grandpa Niu scratched his head, looking troubled, as if he had long forgotten such a thing.
"Yes, watermelon." Ah Jiu carried it into the east room. The two children and Mao Junlan gathered around to touch the large watermelon.
Grandpa Niu slapped his thigh, turned, and went back to the main hall. He lit the only oil lamp he had been reluctant to use and walked towards the east room, shielding it with one hand.
Instantly, the room lit up.
Grandpa Niu stared blankly, as if stunned, and shuffled forward step by step. His trembling hand touched the large watermelon, and tears welled in his old eyes.
"It really is watermelon... this truly is watermelon, heavens above..."
He fell to his knees, the oil lamp in his hand swaying precariously. Fortunately, Ah Jiu quickly caught it and placed it on the windowsill.
"I, I haven't seen watermelon for many years. This means the heavens have not turned a blind eye."
Saying this, Grandpa Niu knelt and clasped his hands in prayer, bowing in all directions.
"Sister Jiu'er," Hammer looked nervously from the watermelon to Jiu'er.
Six-year-old Iron Egg, unaware of the significance, only had eyes for the sweet and delicious watermelon, and shouted, "Sister Jiu'er, cut the watermelon, Iron Egg wants to eat watermelon."
"Okay, we'll cut it now. Little Yan Yan, the knife." Ah Jiu handed the ox-horn knife at her waist to Tuoba Yan.
Tuoba Yan mimicked the old farmers on the road, spitting a mouthful of saliva into his palm and rubbing it.
"Alright."
He cut it open with a crack, making Iron Egg jump with joy and clap his hands.
"Grandpa Niu, if you don't mind, please join us. It's also our way of thanking you for your hospitality."
Ah Jiu helped up Grandpa Niu, who was weeping with emotion. He was at least sixty-five, if not seventy.
"Good, good, good!"
He trembled as he took a piece of watermelon from Ah Jiu. He stared at it for a long time, then wiped the tears from his eyes with his sleeve before cautiously taking a small bite.
Perhaps it had been so long since he had tasted such a sweet and delicious melon, the old man's tears flowed again. He ate, mingling tears with his food.
"The weather is not favorable now. If heaven had opened its eyes and brought a rain, I wouldn't have lost my composure like this. Please excuse my rudeness."
After finishing the watermelon, the old man spat the seeds into his palm, took out a worn handkerchief, and carefully wrapped them.
"I must keep these watermelon seeds. When the heavens finally open their eyes, I will plant them."
These words seemed directed at Ah Jiu and the others, but he was actually looking at the watermelon seeds in his hand throughout the process, as if talking to himself.
"Keep them, Grandpa. Perhaps one day, when heaven is merciful, it will truly rain."
Ah Jiu sighed, recalling what her paternal grandmother had said. How wonderful it would be if what she said wasn't mere gossip.
"Old man, our Sister Ah Jiu is not a thief. You believe us now, right? Even if she were to steal, where would my sister find such a rare treasure? Right?"
Tuoba Yan still remembered how the old man had accused Sister Ah Jiu of being a thief just now.
"Yes, yes, it was my poor eyesight that wronged the girl."
Grandpa Niu smiled wryly and glanced again at the watermelon seeds in his hand.
Ah Jiu placed the watermelon seeds she had left into his handkerchief.
Grandpa Niu, deeply moved, held them in his hands. "Such dark and large seeds."
"Grandpa Niu, Jiu'er has a presumptuous request."
Ah Jiu finally got to the main point.
"What is it? Girl, please speak freely." Grandpa Niu looked at Ah Jiu with gratitude.
"Tomorrow, I will go into the city with you to queue for water." Ah Jiu took out a pomegranate and handed it to Mao Junlan.
"Distribute it to the children."
Each pomegranate was larger than a fist, some even bursting open.
Ah Jiu gave the remaining one to Grandpa Niu.
Unexpectedly, he waved his hands repeatedly. "This is not allowed. You are refugees and cannot enter the city."
"..." Ah Jiu was taken aback and exchanged a glance with Tuoba Yan. "Grandpa Niu, why is this? Can't you just say I'm your granddaughter?"