Digging Your Own Grave

When Zhang Zian relayed the situation of insects and plagues to Grandma Gu, he tried to keep his voice down so that Deputy Director Yan would not hear it. He often sneaked a peek at her, fearing that she would jump up from her seat, come over, and oppose the idea.

Alas, what he was afraid of had come. He'd merely mentioned the word "pesticide." Deputy Director Yan was like a cat that had just had its tail stepped on.

"Spray pesticides on the street? No! No! No! No!" She shook her head vigorously. Without reason, she rattled off her four nos.

"It's not spraying on the street, it's spraying the trees next to the street..." Zhang Zian tried to explain.

"No!" she said. "There are so many pregnant women, old people, and children on this street. Their physiques will not be as strong as those of young men. How can you spray pesticides? Are you trying to harm people and make a fortune off this?"