Chapter 18

The next day there was no rain but the ground was completely wet. Ji Ji went to inspect the medicinal plant first. It was found that the herbs were safe from the previous time when she had tied them to a wooden pole to prevent them from falling. Then she went to feed her little chickens. Today, the chickens are starting to look better after raising them for three days. It was considered that they all survived and it made her feel good.

 Ji Jiu went into the kitchen to warm up food and ate happily. What should she do today? Oh, dry the leaves of the tiger? She almost forgot because it was raining heavily in a row. After eating, Ji Jiu took the leaves to wash and clean. When finished, take it to dry in the front yard. Now the tray has enough for her to dry. No need to dry in her wooden box anymore.

 In the past several days, no one had come to see Ji Jiu, and she had not walked through the village, so she did not know any news. It turned out that the families who had migrated earlier, who had been struggling to rely on others in the past, had returned. But most of them settled in a new place. As the families who had migrated had already sold their homes and land back to the authorities, they had gone to a place that had not experienced drought for several months and were unwilling to return.

 These returning families were extremely stingy, selling their land and houses and taking the money to live with relatives. Probably because of disagreements, they were definitely driven back. Now the village headman has been having a headache for the four families who have returned. They refuse to buy back the house and land but plan to stay for free. The village headman and villagers who had always endured drought did not agree.

"Ji Jiu, are you there?" Aunt Jiang's voice called from the front of the house.

"There you are, Aunt Jiang. Wait a moment, I will open the door for you."

 Ji Jiu hurriedly ran out and opened the door. Good thing she had finished drying the herbs and was still free.

"Is there something wrong, Auntie?"

"The village headman called for a vote. Ban Yao, Ban Wei, Ban Gao, and Ban Lou refused to buy back their land and houses but will stay for free. The aunts wouldn't accept it. What happened when you left the village and took the money? I'm fine and I'll come back to stay but I don't think I'll pay for it. The village headman gave them a vote on whether to let them stay or not."

"Oh, is there such a thing, Auntie? I don't know. Please wait for me. I would like to close on the house first."

"Yes, yes, Auntie is waiting with you."

 Ji Jiu hurriedly closed the house and walked to the village square with Aunt Zhang.

 The village headman saw that all the villagers had arrived and then had a representative come out to the front to vote. He explained his reasons in detail to everyone, and also said that if the score is settled, no one should cause trouble. Otherwise, he will inform the authorities immediately.

 The village headman had a vote on paying for his original house and land before he could move in first. The results showed that all the people in the village who were fighting the drought here all raised their hands. Only the problem families did not raise the issue and shouted loudly and refused.

 The village headman couldn't bear to listen so he told his son to inform the authorities at the district immediately because this was something that the authorities had announced since the drought began. Anyone who violates this must be punished according to law.

 Ji Jiu saw that the village chief looked even more tired than during the drought. She could only pity that the elder uncle had to suffer with these selfish people. But what can she do to help? If she opened her mouth, they would definitely scold and hurt her like before. Ji Jiu remembered that these families were the ones who bullied her the most. Sometimes they even brazenly steal the wild vegetables.