Lin Lao’er and Lin Changhong were equally puzzled. Such complicated arithmetic he couldn’t make sense of it at all. How did the eldest niece figure it out?
He didn’t believe you could just learn that after going to the city for a short trip.
Several elderly women watching the scene had long been displeased with the Lin family elders. They were from the same generation as Old Man Lin and often seized opportunities to gossip about them, as if they wished to trample the Lin family’s reputation into the ground.
“The Lin old couple only gives their granddaughters a little grain each year. That’s too heartless,” one old woman said.
“I heard they’re even giving out old grain. Everyone else barely has enough to eat most families don’t have surplus at all. Yet the Lin family still has old grain stored away. Just tell me, isn’t that greed?”
“I wonder how much they’ve embezzled. I think they’re just bullying those kids because they don’t have parents. Even if they’re their own grandchildren, they’re still doing this. Aren’t they afraid Old Man Lin’s eldest son will crawl out of his grave at night to settle the score?”
“The Lin family is one of the better-off families in our village. Their youngest son is a factory team leader. Who would believe they don’t have money?”
“The Lin family really has no conscience. Asking for a hundred jin of grain that’s basically forcing the kids to death. Back when there was famine, everyone struggled equally and was poor together. Now they’re living better than us, yet they treat their own grandchildren like this. Aren’t they afraid of divine punishment?”
The older generation had endured far more hardship than the younger one.
They had lived through famine years themselves. Seeing that the Lin family lived relatively well now while still treating their grandchildren badly only fueled their resentment.
Lin Lao’er was completely confused.
Weren’t they here to demand compensation? How did it suddenly turn into everyone calling them black-hearted and talking about grain distribution?
Seeing that Lin Qimo had shifted the topic with just a few words and was still controlling the situation, Qin Wenying calmly started cracking sunflower seeds from the side.
To maintain appearances, Village Head Lin Changhong had no choice but to agree to Lin Qimo’s request. He never expected that Lin Qimo would suddenly take out a piece of paper.
“Village head, take a look. This is the account I calculated myself. Please check if the numbers are correct.”
Lin Changhong opened it and was shocked. “How did you learn accounting? Weren’t you only in school for three years and unable to even write properly?”
Lin Qimo thought to herself.
I practiced penmanship for ten years if I still couldn’t do this, I’d be beyond stupid.
“I fell and hit my head before. After that, I became smarter and learned everything.”
Lin Changhong didn’t believe it. “Really?”
“If you don’t believe me, you can try it yourself. Just fall flat on your head.”
She didn’t forget the main point and continued, “I calculated it. After taxes, my family’s grain would be about 1,000 jin. Split between two households, that’s 500 jin each per year. Over two years, that’s 1,000 jin. My grandparents only gave us 200 jin, so they still owe us 800 jin. I understand they helped us farm, so I’ll even let go of the extra few dozen jin. But we still have three younger sisters to raise every grain we are owed must be returned.”
One thousand jin of grain sounded like a lot, but for a household of five or six people, it wasn’t enough to last until the next harvest. It would usually only last seven or eight months.
And some families had seven or eight children alone, plus working adults who also needed food. Consumption was even higher.
Living conditions had improved overall, but rural families still rarely ate meat, only having a bit during festivals.
Most of the time, they relied entirely on the year’s harvest to survive.
Village Head Lin Changhong looked at her suspiciously. “The numbers are correct. Since I’m the witness, this must be handled fairly.”
“Then please help me talk to my grandparents. We don’t even have enough grain to cook when guests come,” Lin Qimo urged.
The village head agreed solemnly. “This is your grandparents’ fault. I’ll go back and criticize and educate them.”
“And you, Lin Lao’er you’re corrupting the village atmosphere.”
Lin Lao’er was immediately unhappy. “Village head, my leg was cut by Lin Qimo! You can’t just ignore this!”
Lin Qimo smiled faintly and repeated the same line. “What proof do you have? Who can testify for you?”
Lin Lao’er looked at the crowd. None of them helped him; instead, they all gave him disdainful looks.
“I can testify! I can testify!” someone suddenly shouted.
It was Zhang Chunhua, who squeezed out from the crowd and moved toward Lin Lao’er.
“Village head, I can testify for Lin Lao’er.”
Lin Changhong frowned. “You saw it happen?”
“I didn’t see it, but I believe Lin Lao’er. He never lies.”
Goudan felt a tightness in his chest hearing this. If he hadn’t been paying attention, his mother would’ve embarrassed herself again.
“Village head, my mother took too much medicine today and isn’t thinking clearly. Don’t listen to her nonsense,” Goudan said quickly, dragging his mother away before she caused more trouble.
“Village head, you must also help us with my second uncle kidnapping my cousin. My little sister Doudou still hasn’t come back,” Lin Qimo continued, seizing the opportunity since there were many people present.
“Doudou was clearly taken by your aunt. Why are you blaming me? I didn’t do anything,” Lin Lao’er blurted out.
“So it was your aunt who took her?” Lin Qimo pretended to be surprised. “Doudou has been gone for several days and still hasn’t come home. I was worried she might’ve been kidnapped. Lately, human traffickers have been rampant in the city police are actively arresting criminals. If caught, they’ll be sent straight to jail.”
Lin Lao’er frowned. “What jail? Your aunt just took her to the county to help cook. She just needed someone to make food!”
“My Doudou is only five years old. She may be smart and capable and can cook a bit, but forcing her to work is child labor abuse. I heard our village is applying to become a ‘civilized village.’ If news spreads that we have child labor and trafficking here, that won’t look good.”
Hearing this, Village Head Lin Changhong immediately darkened his face.
If higher authorities investigated this, his position as village head would be finished.
“Go with me immediately and bring the child back. If even a hair is missing, you’ll be criticized and sent for labor reform,” he said sternly to Lin Lao’er.
Then he turned to Lin Qimo and spoke more gently.
“Qimo, don’t worry. Uncle will personally go to the county town. I’ll make sure your sister is brought back safely.”