Chapter 87: The Turmoil of Second Aunt Jing Zhao Demanding Grain

"Wei Chang grabbed Aunt Jing tightly, his hands sweating from the pain. 'A few days ago, I used all my connections and could only get a little alcohol. Even after wiping the wound, it still turned purulent. It’s getting worse, so I had to call and say goodbye... Jing Shu, thank you all so much! Uncle, remember this favor.'"

"With no medicine available, such a large wound that's inflamed and oozing rotten flesh—what else can we do but wait to die?"

Aunt Jing looked down embarrassedly. "Quick, bring some apples for everyone to eat."

Wei Chang went to the cellar and brought out some slightly dried apples. "They’ve been stored for a while; eat them as best as you can."

Jing Shu had become picky with her taste buds and couldn't stand these dry apples anymore. She hid in a corner, peeling and eating Brazil nuts one by one. Meanwhile, Second Aunt Jing Zhao hurriedly grabbed a few apples and took bites, and Li Yun wolfed them down in just a couple of crunches, clearly starving.

"Where’s my grandson Wei Zheng?" Jing’s grandmother looked around but couldn't find him.

"He's digging a well in the apple orchard. We're severely lacking water right now. The soldiers are only providing one bucket of water per household, which isn't enough to irrigate the vegetable fields. Many apple trees have died. We've already dug two wells, and they were producing water a while ago, but now they've all dried up. The town is suffering from both water and food shortages," Wei Chang sighed.

He then recounted the recent robberies. In a town where half the population knew each other, borrowing grain from one person often meant approaching another acquaintance. When familiar faces knocked on doors, they didn't hesitate to bring knives and seize the food, leading to violent confrontations.

As expected, Wei Chang didn't elaborate on the outcomes—everyone knew that only the survivors could speak, and Aunt Jing Pan was among those who got injured.

"Half a year ago, our family exchanged a thousand jin of wheat. We processed the wheat ourselves and still have seven hundred jin of white flour left. Mom will take half for you this time. You and Jing An can live together with more mouths to feed and more food. Next year, we might not be able to grow anything. If the government doesn't distribute food, many people will starve," Wei Chang explained.

Second Aunt Jing Zhao's eyes lit up. "Brother-in-law, can you also lend us some?"

The conversation shifted back to Second Aunt’s side.

Jing’s grandmother glared fiercely at her disheveled second daughter. "What are you doing? How did you end up in jail?"

Second Aunt Jing Zhao sniffling replied, "It's just that we were short on money a while back. I sold some tobacco and alcohol at high prices and got arrested. They confiscated all the tobacco and alcohol from the shop, losing us tens of thousands worth of goods." As she spoke, she began to cry again.

"You’re short on money? Among the three sisters, your family is the best off. Running a tobacco and alcohol shop brings in over a hundred thousand a year. What more do you need?" Jing’s grandmother scolded, shaking Second Aunt Jing Zhao's head vigorously. Years ago in the countryside, it was common for mothers to pull their daughters’ hair and lecture them.

"In Wucheng, we bought a villa, and just finished renovating it. The property value collapsed; it's practically worthless now. Wuwuwu..." Second Aunt Jing Zhao cried, her overweight hands clutching her eyes. Her lips were cracked from crying, and she couldn't even resist collapsing off the chair without putting up a fight.

"..."

Wei Chang hesitated, looking towards Aunt Jing Pan.

Aunt Jing Pan sighed, "Wei Zheng has been a bachelor for thirty years before finally settling down. But the bride's family demanded two hundred jin of white flour as dowry. We gave the dowry and kept some for ourselves, adding another person to the family, leaving us with barely anything. At most, we can only give you twenty jin."

Li Yun, munching on an apple, couldn't stand it any longer. "My dad is waiting for food in prison. Now, the prison isn't providing meals, and there's a lot of work to do every day. People without food are just waiting to starve to death. Grandma..."

Jing’s grandmother glared silently at Second Aunt Jing Zhao. This daughter had always been cunning since childhood. As soon as she saw an opportunity, she knew she’d try to manipulate things, and her scheming plans for her son were just her own ideas.

"Enough. Jing An and I don't need any grain. Take my portion of one hundred jin and give it to Jing Zhao. Keep the rest for yourselves. We're adding another member to the family; maybe next year I'll be holding a new grandson." Remembering this, Jing’s grandmother smiled broadly. Elderly people always loved the arrival of new life.

"You can’t keep trying to take advantage of your own family," Jing’s grandmother continued, poking Second Aunt Jing Zhao’s head firmly. "Last year, I called each of you to stock up on grain. All the sisters have been diligently storing food, afraid it wouldn’t be enough. But you, even buying a house! This is the last time I’ll help you. Don’t shamelessly call out for help again. Go talk to your pretty-talking grandmother who disappears as soon as something happens."

Jing Shu covered her mouth, trying not to burst into laughter. The saying, "Back in my younger days, my temper was such and such..."—this catchphrase really existed.

As the elderly lady spoke, the whole family listened attentively, and the matter was settled.

At that moment, the sound of pigs crying out echoed from outside. Jing Shu exclaimed, momentarily forgetting the serious discussion. The whole family rushed out, only to find someone had thrown stones at the pigs.

Jing Shu and Jing’s father hurriedly unloaded the three hundred jin of black pigs from the car roof.

"What are these pigs?" Wei Chang was genuinely startled. He hadn't noticed them on the roof when they first entered.

"Find a cool place to tie them and give them some water," Jing Shu instructed.

Wei Chang tied the black pigs in the cellar and fed them the three hundred jin of wheat bran they had, just enough for the pigs.

Back at the house, Jing Shu explained how they had borrowed money and were now repaying the debt with black pigs. When Aunt Jing Pan and Wei Chang realized that the black pigs were a gift from Jing Shu’s family, they were deeply moved.

"This sow is still pregnant. I felt around and there are at least six or seven piglets inside," Wei Chang said.

"We have enough food. This pregnant pig is too precious for us to keep. With the current food shortage, it's tough enough to raise the elderly. You might as well slaughter her to get more piglets. Besides, we're family. I didn't expect you to repay us with money. Think of it as our three sisters helping you out."

"Alright, since they've been brought over, and it's Jing Shu who arranged this, I'll leave this pig to you as debt repayment. Take good care of your injuries." Jing’s grandmother was proud. Jing Shu was indeed a clever girl, always considerate in everything she did, and her grandmother's love for her was well-deserved.

"Then let her have piglets. This pig is precious, and we still have wheat bran at home. Jing Shu, Aunt, Auntie, I don’t know how to thank you. Not only did you save Aunt’s life, but you also gave us something so valuable. Rest assured, if you ever need anything, our family will help without hesitation."

Now receiving so much attention, Jing Shu chuckled softly. She didn’t expect much from helping out, just ensuring that people weren’t deceitful. She didn’t want to repeat past mistakes—truly bitten by a snake once, forever wary of wells. She always observed everything with cautious and defensive eyes.

Second Aunt Jing Zhao couldn’t tear her eyes away from the dark pigs. Hearing that the family had more, she excitedly said, "Jing An, I also contributed money earlier. Doesn’t your family have a few pigs? Just give me one too."

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Author's Note:

Thanks to *Mingzhililuo*, *Yunshan Youyo*, and *Tian Jiujiu* for the support! Additional updates will be available on Sunday at midnight, with regular updates at 12 PM and 7 PM. Please support by voting—thank you! Seeing the vote count rise makes me as happy as if I were receiving them! 😄