Chapter 4: The First Trial
The morning arrived with the gentle light of dawn breaking over the fields. Lin Yuer was up early, her mind already racing with the tasks she had set for herself. Today would be the first test of her methods, and she could feel the weight of expectation pressing down on her. She had no idea whether the villagers would accept her ideas or if they would fail completely, but she had no choice but to try.
Grandma Liu had been kind enough to gather a few of the village's younger workers to help her with the trial. They were skeptical, but they were also curious—after all, it wasn't every day that a stranger arrived with promises of change. Lin Yuer had spent the previous evening explaining her methods in more detail to the small group, using simple terms to describe crop rotation and irrigation, concepts that were entirely foreign to them. But today, she would show them, not just tell them.
As she walked through the village toward the fields, Lin Yuer couldn't help but notice how different the world was here. The simplicity of life, the close-knit community, and the lack of advanced tools made everything seem like it was stuck in time. But she had seen something else in this village—an untapped potential. If they could learn to work with the land in a more efficient way, they could begin to move beyond the cycle of hardship they were trapped in.
"Good morning, Miss Lin," one of the young workers, a boy named Wei, greeted her as she approached the field.
"Good morning, Wei," Lin Yuer replied, offering a small smile. "Are you ready to begin?"
"We'll follow your lead," Wei said, though there was a clear note of doubt in his voice. The others who had gathered were murmuring among themselves, clearly unsure of what was about to unfold.
Lin Yuer took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. This was it. She had to prove her worth. If this failed, she would be forced to leave Yunshui Village and return to an unknown fate. If it succeeded, she would have a chance to change everything.
"We'll start with irrigation," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "I see that the water in these fields runs unevenly, and many of the crops do not get enough water. We will set up a small channel to direct the water to the most needed areas. It will help the crops grow stronger and more evenly."
The workers watched her, some with raised eyebrows and others with skepticism, but no one interrupted. Lin Yuer motioned for them to follow her as she demonstrated the method. She began by digging a small trench in the field, carefully guiding it along the rows of crops. The earth was hard and dry, but she persisted, determined to make this work.
"We will use the natural slope of the land to create the irrigation channel," she explained as she worked. "It doesn't require much—just a small shift in how we move the water."
Wei crouched beside her, his hands eager to help, though his eyes still held uncertainty. He reached into the soil, following Lin Yuer's guidance, and began carving out the trench. Slowly, the others joined in, their doubts beginning to fade as they saw the method in action.
After some time, they had set up several small channels to guide the water where it was needed most. Lin Yuer stood back and surveyed the work. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start. Now, it was time to test it.
"Now, we wait," Lin Yuer said, wiping her brow. "The water should flow through the channels we've created. If the crops get watered more evenly, we'll know it's working."
The villagers stood quietly, watching as the water began to flow down the channels. At first, nothing seemed to change. But then, slowly, the ground began to soak in the water, the crops in the rows of earth responding as they had never done before. Lin Yuer smiled softly, but her heart was pounding. The real test would be the results. Would the crops grow stronger, more vibrant?
As the day went on, Lin Yuer continued to explain more of her ideas to the villagers. She spoke about crop rotation—planting different types of crops in different seasons to prevent the soil from becoming depleted. She also taught them about composting, using natural waste to fertilize the soil instead of relying solely on animal manure.
By midday, the villagers were beginning to see the logic in what she was doing. Some of them, like Wei, had begun to ask questions, their interest piqued. But it wasn't until the evening, when the sun began to set, that the true impact of her work became apparent.
The crops, which had previously been wilting in certain areas, were now standing taller and greener, their leaves rich in color. The irrigation channels had worked, and the soil had absorbed the water in a more controlled way. The transformation was subtle, but it was undeniable.
As Lin Yuer stood in the middle of the field, her heart swelling with pride, Chief Li arrived with Grandma Liu. The chief's eyes scanned the field, his expression unreadable. He walked slowly, observing the changes before turning to Lin Yuer.
"This... this is remarkable," Chief Li said, his voice low but filled with awe. "I can see the difference. The crops are healthier already. But we must be sure this works over time."
"I understand, Chief Li," Lin Yuer replied, her voice steady. "This is only the first step. I believe that with continued care and using these methods, we will see even greater results."
The chief was silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the fields. The other villagers, who had been watching from the edges of the field, began to murmur among themselves. It was clear that the success of the trial had begun to win them over.
Chief Li turned to Lin Yuer, his face softening. "You have shown us that there is a better way. I will allow you to teach these methods to others. But remember, it will take time for everyone to believe in them."
Lin Yuer bowed her head respectfully. "Thank you, Chief Li. I will work hard to prove that these methods can help everyone in the village."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow over the village, Lin Yuer felt a quiet sense of triumph. She had taken the first step, and it was a success. The road ahead would not be easy, and the challenges would only grow, but for the first time since her arrival in this strange world, she felt a deep connection to it. She wasn't just a foreigner anymore. She was someone who could help shape the future of Yunshui Village.
And this was just the beginning.