The village head flicked his sleeves, "So you're scared now, but what were you doing when you were bullying others? You kept saying you were from Xinghua Village, and when the Yun family brought their children to buy a house and settle here, they also became people of Xinghua Village. You, so viciously bullying an orphan and her mother, I can't manage you, let the law manage you, so you know how to behave in the future."
Although he was scolding Erhei's mother, he was also giving her a reminder. This matter today could be considered a big deal or not a big deal, depending entirely on the attitude of the Qi family girl.
Erhei's mother finally wasn't so foolish at this moment. Although unwilling in her heart, she knew she couldn't do anything to the Qi family girl right now.
And she had to apologize properly.
"Zhenzhen, it was all our son's fault today. I'll have him apologize to you. You're generous, don't take it to heart," Erhei's mother said ingratiatingly. "Don't worry, I'll discipline this boy well when I get back. This kind of thing won't happen again."
"What if it happens again?" Qi Zhenzhen asked slowly.
"If it happens again, I'll break his legs," Erhei's mother quickly said. "With so many people present today, it can serve as a witness."
Qi Zhenzhen nodded, "You kicked down our door. My mother spent two hundred wen to repair it back then."
"We'll pay, we'll pay," Erhei's mother said hastily. As long as she didn't have to go to the county office, she would admit it.
"Don't forget it's ten times compensation," Qi Zhenzhen reminded her.
Ten times compensation meant two taels of silver. Erhei's mother's heart bled. This two taels of silver couldn't come from the family's funds. She had saved her private stash for many years, and it hadn't even reached three taels. Now, more than half of it was gone… She had no choice but to pay, it was truly vexing. Da Feng Novel Network
"I, I'll give it," Erhei's mother said, pained.
"Since we're doing good, I'll go with Erhei's mother to help Qi Zhenzhen collect the money later," Zhang Xiaoniu quickly added.
What if Erhei's mother didn't come to deliver it? What if Qi Zhenzhen went to demand it and she refused? It was better for him to go and get it, which would be more convenient.
Qi Zhenzhen nodded, "Then thank you, young master Zhang."
Zhang Xiaoniu felt a little flattered. Zhenzhen's voice was soft and delicate, so pleasant to hear.
"Village head grandpa, we are all from the same village. Erhei's mother knows she was wrong. I can't keep holding onto it. Let's just let this matter go," Qi Zhenzhen said softly. "We can't make village head grandpa too difficult."
The village head was indeed in a difficult position. If this matter were to go to the county office today, naturally, Erhei's mother and Erhei would not fare well. He, as the village head, would also not fare well. Such a matter occurring under his jurisdiction in Xinghua Village would indicate that he was not a capable village head. Now that Qi Zhenzhen had relented, the village head breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ding Cheng's wife, you must remember Qi family girl's kindness. If she hadn't let you off, I wouldn't have let you off so easily," the village head admonished sternly. "You should also tell each other in the future, the Yun family and their three children have settled in our Xinghua Village, so they are people of Xinghua Village. No one is allowed to bully them."
With the village head's words laid out, who would dare to disagree?
Qi Zhenzhen spoke at the opportune moment, "I apologize to all the uncles and aunts for the trouble."
With the village head taking the lead, who would dare to say anything? Moreover, if they were to seriously investigate, the Yun family and their three children had not done anything to offend anyone. If they insisted on pursuing it, they would gain nothing, and it would be better to get along well.
The village head signaled for everyone to disperse. Zhang Xiaoniu, after saying he was going to get the money, trotted after Erhei's mother and left.
"When your mother brought you to Xinghua Village, she didn't explain your past, you..." The village head felt it was better to clarify some things. Once spoken, everyone would be clear in their hearts.
"Village head grandpa, please rest assured. We haven't stolen or robbed. We are clean and will not bring any trouble to the village. As for our identity, since we have settled here, we are naturally people of Xinghua Village. In all matters, we will prioritize the honor and disgrace of Xinghua Village and will never do anything that harms Xinghua Village's reputation," Qi Zhenzhen expressed her intentions.
Her words were orderly and neither humble nor arrogant, truly not the demeanor expected of a country girl.
But if the girl didn't say anything, the village head had no way to investigate. He could only plan in his heart to be more polite to the mother and daughter in the future, which would be considered building good karma.
"Why are you so serious, girl? At your age, it's a time for innocence and joy. If you keep a straight face, you'll become an old lady," the village head teased Qi Zhenzhen.
Qi Zhenzhen intended to build a good relationship with the village head. Integrating into Xinghua Village was not something that could be achieved with just a few words. However, if she befriended the village head, things would be much easier.
"My mother is ill, and my younger brother is still young. If I'm not serious, how can I keep people in line?" Qi Zhenzhen stuck out her tongue, playfully saying.
The village head stroked his beard, "When I first arrived, you looked like you had been severely bullied."
"Heh heh..." Qi Zhenzhen was a little embarrassed. "One must show weakness when it's time to show weakness."
The village head laughed heartily. This girl had a lot of wit, she was truly interesting. Why hadn't he noticed her before?
"Alright, Qi family girl, this matter is now past. Since you've settled in the village, if there's anything difficult to resolve in the future, you can come to this old man," the village head said. "I won't let you suffer any losses."
Qi Zhenzhen thanked him and saw the village head off, then turned to walk into the house.
Before she even entered, she heard Zhang Xiaoniu running back with a happy expression, "Qi Zhenzhen, I got the money for you. When I left, Erhei's father was scolding Erhei's mother, saying she was a spendthrift."
Qi Zhenzhen weighed the silver and happily put it into her purse. Two taels of silver could accomplish many things.
"Hey, Qi Zhenzhen, why aren't you curious at all?" Zhang Xiaoniu was prepared to talk about his experiences at the Ding family, but the listener was not cooperating at all.
Qi Zhenzhen pursed her lips and smiled, "What's there to be curious about? Erhei's mother has always been shrewish. How could she be obediently disciplined? The Ding family must be in chaos now, very lively."
After saying that, she entered the house.
Zhang Xiaoniu was stunned. She hadn't gone with him, so why was she so clear?
Zhang Xiaoniu really wanted to follow her in and ask, but Qi Zhenzhen hadn't invited him. If he followed her in, would it be trespassing? He'd better be careful about getting beaten.
He turned to go back. After a few steps, Zhang Xiaoniu remembered that he had something to do at the Qi family's. His second brother had asked him to build a shed, why did he leave?
As soon as Qi Zhenzhen entered the house, she called Yun Shi to her side and examined her thoroughly, left and right, to confirm Qi Zhenzhen was alright, and then breathed a sigh of relief.
"Mother, things will get better in the future," Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile. "At least those people will be polite to us on the surface. As we interact more over time, they will naturally get to know our character, and we will integrate into Xinghua Village and become a part of it."
Yun Shi wiped her eyes. These were things she had never thought of. Now that her daughter had resolved them smoothly, it was truly good.