"Grandma!" Ajiu quickly went to support Wang Shi, then turned to the village head.
"Although we are refugees from the north, I at least have local household registration. You can't bully my grandma like this. She's so old and her legs are not good. Do you have any conscience?"
Ajiu hugged Wang Shi tightly.
"This... Zhang Da, apologize to the old lady," the village head was also flustered.
This evening, the girl promised the government that if the granaries weren't opened, she would find a way to solve the seed problem. Now, this Zhang Da has actually bullied an old lady.
"Zhang Da, hurry up and apologize. If you don't farm, we still have to," someone shouted.
"Exactly!"
Suddenly, voices of complaint rose from the crowd.
"You..." Zhang Da stumbled back in fear.
In this year of famine, who wouldn't want to be organized and have support? It was clear that if he didn't apologize, he would be isolated.
"Zhang Da, you'd better behave yourself and apologize quickly, or if I, your humble village head, go to the city yamen, the first thing I'll do is remove your name from the grain distribution list."
The village head turned his back, his hands clasped behind him.
"Oh... my granddaughter, your grandma is probably not going to live anymore," Wang Shi seized the opportune moment, crying as if she were truly dying.
As she continued her performance, even Ajiu felt it was becoming increasingly fake.
"I'm sorry, old auntie. I, Zhang Da, was wrong. Please forgive me, old auntie." Zhang Da gritted his teeth and stomped his foot as he apologized.
"Sister-in-law, please don't be angry. I'll have Zhang Da invite a doctor to see you later. If you're sick, we'll treat it. If it's nothing serious, let's just forget it, what do you say?"
The village head stepped forward to help Wang Shi up.
"Oh my... my old back, slow, slow down."
Wang Shi clutched her waist and wailed.
Ajiu thought her grandma might be getting too into character, and if she continued, she might run out of lines.
"Grandma, if you... if you're alright, I'll help you home."
"Yes, hurry home and lie down. Zhang Da..." The village head turned to look at Zhang Da.
He gnashed his teeth in anger, his hands clenched tightly. "Village head, you say."
"Tomorrow you were supposed to be chosen as a representative to go to the city, but you won't be going. Instead, you'll go directly to the city to fetch a doctor."
As soon as the village head said this, Zhang Da glanced at Ajiu and the supported Wang Shi.
"Understood, village head. I will definitely find the best doctor in Nanming City to take a good look at this old auntie."
"That's good. It's getting late, everyone, disperse."
As soon as the village head spoke, he turned and walked away first.
A few villagers chatted for a bit and then dispersed.
"Old woman, whether I hit you or not, you know in your heart," Zhang Da deliberately walked last, glaring at Wang Shi through gritted teeth.
"Oh..."
Wang Shi's wail made Zhang Da flee in fright. "You just wait! I will definitely find a doctor to give you a good check-up."
Watching everyone return to their own homes, the air suddenly became quiet.
"Granddaughter, have the fruits ripened yet?" Wang Shi pushed away her granddaughter's arm that was supporting her.
"They have."
With that, Wang Shi strode purposefully towards the place where the fruits and melons had been planted, her legs moving with surprising agility.
Seeing this, Ajiu chuckled and quickly covered her mouth, trying not to laugh out loud.
"I won't do this kind of thing again next time," Wang Shi knew that she, a Golden Core cultivator, had to roll on the ground in this world. Her old face could be tucked into her pants from now on, lest she take it out and be ashamed to see people.
"Grandma, just this once, just this once." Ajiu followed her grandmother cheerfully, catching up and playfully tapping Wang Shi's shoulder with her small fist, as if to loosen her grandma's muscles.
"Don't try that trick," Wang Shi felt she had lost all face today. "Just tell me directly, where are the fruits?"