Chapter Nine

That day was the same. The two children held their heads high, leading the ox home under the envious gazes of their peers. They even imitated their grandfather’s dignified stride, pacing along proudly with the animal.

But just as they were passing by Third Uncle Bi’s house, an accident happened. The ox suddenly acted like it had eaten something bad and—plop, plop—dropped three or four piles of fresh dung right in front of the gate. Normally, the ox only relieved itself once or twice early in the morning. Seeing this unusual situation, the two herders stopped in alarm. They even began discussing whether they should fetch an adult to check the ox’s health. After all, losing an ox would be a huge blow, and if adults blamed them for not taking care of it, they might lose the privilege of herding altogether.

While the siblings were still staring at the steaming piles, wondering what to do, the Bi family’s door suddenly burst open. Out shot Third Aunt Bi with a shovel in hand. One swift scoop—shlick!—and the dung was lifted. With a neat twist of her wrist, she swung it into her own yard. Before the children could react, she snapped the door shut with a loud bang.

The two kids stood frozen in shock.

And then—disaster. Another child, eager to replace them as the village ox herder, had been watching.

“Ha! Niu Dan and Xiao Ya didn’t guard the ox dung! Third Granny Bi stole it with a shovel! I’m going to tell my dad—then they won’t be allowed to herd anymore, and I’ll get to ride the ox!” The child whooped with glee and dashed off.

Soon, other children who had heard the commotion came running. They saw the patch of earth where the dung had been scooped, and two of them, pretending to be as knowledgeable as grown‑ups, squatted to poke the ground. “Mm, still warm—yep, fresh ox dung all right.” Without waiting to see if they’d be chosen as the next herders, they too sprinted off to find adults. Who knew—maybe they’d get lucky and be the next ox‑riders? After all, their mothers always said if the brigade leader weren’t so biased toward his own grandchildren, it would’ve been their turn already!

The current herders—Niu Dan and Xiao Ya—looked at each other in panic.
Ahhh! We’re doomed!

Flustered, they hurriedly banged on the Bi family’s door. But Third Aunt Bi refused to open up. Worse, she shouted from inside that anything dropped at her doorstep was hers by right. If they kept pounding and pestering, she’d come out and beat them!

Terrified and wronged, the two children wiped their tears, sobbing as they tugged the ox home.

Inside her courtyard, Third Aunt Bi snorted proudly. Who do they think they’re messing with? Something that lands in my yard—how could I possibly give it back? Who do they take me for?!

Meanwhile, at the home of Wang Laosan—the brigade leader’s younger brother and grandfather of the two herders—the scene was very different.

Since they’d taken on the ox‑herding job, the children had always returned cheerful. But this time they came home in tears. The adults were startled. Hadn’t they left in high spirits just that morning? Were they quarreling?

Once they managed to cry out the whole story, Wang Laosan’s wife and daughter‑in‑law exchanged a sharp look, their earlier mother‑in‑law/daughter‑in‑law spat instantly forgotten.

The grandmother pulled the children close, heart aching. She quickly sent her daughter‑in‑law to make them a sweet egg custard to calm their nerves. But in her own heart, one thought burned: That Cai woman is no good! How dare she bully children—her grandchildren at that! Think I’m soft? Ha! Let’s see who’s really tougher!

She comforted them for a long time, until their sobs quieted and they began spooning down the egg custard between hiccups. Then she instructed her daughter‑in‑law to stay with the children, to have some millet porridge ready, and to coax them gently once she got back from her errand.

Finally, she called her co‑sister—the wife of the brigade leader’s second brother—and the two of them stormed off together toward the Bi household, ready to demand justice.