Just as Aunt Big Mouth was at the Wang Family home recommending Wang Xiaoqiang as a matchmaker, Wang Xiaoqiang had already arrived at the fields.
Wang Xiaoqiang paced along the edge of his own field, observing the growth of the crops. He noted that the cornfield, which had been "irrigated" with Water Element Spiritual Qi the day before, was lush and green. Each corn leaf was stretching out fully, looking so vibrant and full of life, seeming even better than the Huang Family's corn sprouts, which had just been watered the day before,
Little did he know, until he made the comparison, Wang Xiaoqiang discovered that the corn sprouts in his field were generally taller than those in the Huang Family's.
Considering that he had sown seeds in this cornfield two days later than the Huang Family did, logically, the Huang Family's corn should have been taller. Yet, before Wang Xiaoqiang had "irrigated" his corn sprouts yesterday, his were indeed not as tall as Huang Chunsheng's. Unexpectedly, just overnight, they had surpassed the Huang Family's.
Looking at the pleasing sight before him, Wang Xiaoqiang felt a surge of joy.
After inspecting the cornfield, Wang Xiaoqiang went on to check the soybeans and sesame. Just like the corn sprouts, the other two autumn crops were also thriving.
While inspecting his own crops, Wang Xiaoqiang noticed that people from the village were gradually coming to their fields to irrigate, which wasn't surprising. Not only were the crops clearly parched, but the weather forecast last night had indicated that not only would there be no rain in the coming days, but there was also a possibility of a severe drought. Since a drought was inevitable, it was better to irrigate sooner rather than later.
Watching other families busily watering their fields while he leisurely strolled, Wang Xiaoqiang felt a sense of superiority rising within him.
Along the way, people continually greeted Wang Xiaoqiang, asking him why he wasn't irrigating. Wang Xiaoqiang nonchalantly replied that he would wait another two days, leading those people to just smile wryly and shake their heads… Ha! Wait another two days… In another two days, the crop sprouts would turn yellow!
Scholars are just scholars; they know nothing about farming, yet he had leased over fifty acres, and he would eventually lose it all!
Seeing that people were disdainful, Wang Xiaoqiang did not take it to heart. Instead, he held his head high, straightened his back, clasped his hands behind him, and slowed his steps, appearing like a leisurely tourist.
Wang Xiaoqiang's relaxed demeanor only increased the scorn and amusement in people's eyes, as if they were looking at someone neglectful of his duties. At the same time, everyone was even more eager to see Wang Xiaoqiang's crops die in the field due to the drought.
Moving on, Wang Xiaoqiang heard the rumbling noise of a water pump. Looking in that direction, he saw that it was Xia Guifang's family irrigating. At that moment, only Xia Guifang and Xia Guifang's mother were seen watering the field.
Seeing this scene, Wang Xiaoqiang shook his head and muttered indignantly, Xia Sanwa must have gone gambling again.
Xia Sanwa, Xia Guifang's father, was a chronic gambler, lazy and neglectful of the farm, spending his days at gambling venues. Whenever he ran out of money, he would ask Xia Guifang's mother for more.
Not only was Xia Sanwa a gambler, but he also loved his liquor, treating it as essential as life itself. He carried a liquor bottle with him every day, drinking only strong spirits. Even in such sweltering heat, he would drink it as if it were water.
With a gambler and a drunkard at home, it's no wonder they were poor.
Xia Guifang, who had always excelled academically, dropped out of school because of her gambler father. This had deeply saddened Wang Xiaoqiang, although he too had dropped out later.
Irrigating the fields was tiring and usually a man's job. Seeing the mother and daughter in the field, wearing rubber shoes and sweating under the increasingly scorching sun — especially the seemingly fragile Xia Guifang, who had to handle a large, spraying water hose — Wang Xiaoqiang felt a twinge of heartache. He really wanted to use the Water Element Spiritual Qi to help them irrigate their land, but then he thought they didn't know about his superpower, and he couldn't reveal it. Even if he was willing to help, they wouldn't believe him. Besides, he feared becoming exhausted like yesterday.
With no other choice, Wang Xiaoqiang decided to personally help irrigate the Xia Family's fields. Since there was also nothing urgent to do at his own fields and he was just idle, he might as well help Xia Guifang, his old classmate.
With that thought, Wang Xiaoqiang walked to the Xia Family's field and came up behind Xia Guifang. At that moment, he noticed that Xia Guifang's face and head were wet from the water spraying out of the hose, her fine bangs clinging to her smooth forehead, and strands of hair by her ears sticking to her beautiful temples, giving her a delicate and charming appearance. A long, braided ponytail hung down to her waist.
In today's society, braiding hair is no longer fashionable; it is considered quite old-fashioned. However, the seemingly old-fashioned braided hairstyle, complemented by Xia Guifang's delicate and charming face, made her appear even more fresh and refined. Looking at Xia Guifang's braids, Wang Xiaoqiang was reminded of an old song "There is a girl named Little Fang in the village."
A large part of Xia Guifang's body was also wet, the thin, indeed good-quality cotton shirt clinging wetly to her body, accentuating her shapely figure.
Xia Guifang was busy watering the fields and didn't notice Wang Xiaoqiang. Crouching down to handle the hose, Xia Guifang's mother spotted Wang Xiaoqiang and expressed slight surprise, "Ah, Little Qiang is here. Have you watered your family's fields yet...."
Wang Xiaoqiang evasively replied, "Our fields aren't very dry, I'll water them later."
Upon hearing their conversation, Xia Guifang turned around somewhat surprised, and upon seeing Wang Xiaoqiang, she flashed him a smile.
Wang Xiaoqiang also smiled and nodded at Xia Guifang, just about to offer to help her with the watering when he heard Xia Guifang's mother already chuckling, "Oh, that so? Then come help your aunt water the fields, I'll find you a wife. How about that?"
Seeing her say this, Wang Xiaoqiang appeared a bit embarrassed and grinned broadly, stepping behind Xia Guifang and snatching the hose from her hands, "You rest for a while. I'll help you."
Xia Guifang glared at Wang Xiaoqiang disapprovingly and whispered in a lowered voice, "Are you silly? My mom is just fooling you, and you really think she is going to find you a wife?"
Wang Xiaoqiang chuckled lightly and countered, "Do I look that desperate for a wife?"
Xia Guifang burst out laughing and gave Wang Xiaoqiang a look, her eyes showing a hint of tenderness. Although she understood, she couldn't help but ask, "Then why are you doing this?"
"No reason!" Wang Xiaoqiang laughed. "Just helping an old classmate; it's the right thing to do!"
Though Wang Xiaoqiang spoke nonchalantly, his thoughts were not so pure and carried a mix of different elements.
Xia Guifang was recognized as the beauty of the village, and Wang Xiaoqiang had always been fond of her. Helping her water the fields was partly out of pity and partly to have a conversation with her.
While he did have a fondness for her, Wang Xiaoqiang had never entertained the notion of marrying Xia Guifang, as it was too impractical. There were many younger and more promising men in the village, none of whom dared to pursue Xia Guifang because she had a father who was a gambler and a mother who was materialistic. Her parents only had this one daughter upon whom they were counting for their future. In fact, Xia Sanwa had already picked out a son-in-law for her, a son of a wealthy businessman from the county seat with the surname Guo. It was said that the Guo family owned several properties in the county seat and ran a big business, rich to the point of being wealthy, and moreover, had a relative who was a chief at a local police station in the county seat, boasting both wealth and influence. Reportedly, they had even offered a dowry of a hundred thousand, but the marriage was stalled due to Xia Guifang's refusal.
Wang Xiaoqiang held the hose and watered for a while. When he felt a bit of soreness and fatigue in his hands, the Five Elements Spirit Spring at his heart traveled to his arms, first to the right arm and then to the left, like an energetic helper moving back and forth on Wang Xiaoqiang's arms, continuously emitting bursts of cool sensations. Not only did this coolness relieve the soreness in Wang Xiaoqiang's arms, but it also dispelled the fatigue.
Xia Guifang of course couldn't see the changes inside Wang Xiaoqiang's body; she remembered him as a physically weak young man who surely couldn't handle holding the hose for an extended period, so she came up to take over from Wang Xiaoqiang.
However, Wang Xiaoqiang was unwilling to hand over the hose, merely smiling at her, "I'm not tired."
"Don't be stubborn, I can't afford it if you wear yourself out..." Xia Guifang joked, yet she tried to snatch the hose from Wang Xiaoqiang's hands. Wang Xiaoqiang was adamant about not giving it up and as they struggled, their bodies inevitably bumped into each other, causing both to blush slightly.