“Oh my lord! My family has only a thatched house, with no crops in the fields, the landlord chasing debt with a knife, forcing me to sell my old ox. With a seriously ill elderly mother at home and a virtuous husband cooking vegetables, I till the land and thank heaven and earth, yet still kowtow and beg, but the master refuses to spare me, taking my land and my husband.”
My old mother dies, the chicken dies, I come out to perform arts and get robbed, now penniless and seeking refuge. I only hope you’ll grant me a silver coin and let me stay here for a few days…
I finished speaking, and everyone’s heads were moving to my rhythm. It seemed this performance was powerful. Scanning the crowd with a pitiful look, I twirled the chopsticks and started tapping on cups and bowls in a Cantonese opera tone: “Aiya, my lord~~ Lord~~”
An elderly man’s eyebrows twitched severely, waving his hand, “You can stop now, or we’ll start vomiting blood.” Hearing this, I tossed the chopsticks and ran to him, massaging his legs, acting submissive, “Grandpa, will you let me stay here for a few days?”
My big, watery eyes looked at the grandfather, who blinked hard. Finally, he nodded vigorously, “Fine, fine, just stop looking at me like that.” I jumped three zhang high, hugging his waist and rubbing his belly, “Grandpa! You’re the best!”
An elderly woman then spoke up, “Yue Lao, I saw this girl first, you can’t compete with me.”
“Wife, you never told me you saw her first. I’m taking this girl,” the old man replied.
“Yue Lao! You’ve always only accepted male disciples, how can you fight me for her?” The old lady stood up, and the grandfather also stood, with me hanging on him like a wooden chicken.
“Why can’t I make an exception? Don’t think I’ll give in just because we’re married!”
“You’re simply…” As the old lady was about to rant, I shouted: “Stop!!!” The scene fell silent; even Qingping paused, looking at me expectantly. I released my hands from the grandfather’s neck and asked, “Grandpa, are you Yue Buqun, the sect leader?”
