FID – Chapter 1111

Chapter 1111: Oh, My!

“How’s your harvest this year? Do you think it’ll be more than last year?”

“Of course it won’t be less! What kind of village do you think we’re in? We’re blessed! Let me tell you, our rice this year will definitely not be worse than yours.”

“Stop bragging. When your rice was being snapped up like crazy, ours was still at rock bottom. How is that even comparable? Be realistic!”

“Ha! You still don’t believe us? Fine, let’s swap some rice and see whose tastes better!”

“Come on, you just want our rice!”

On both sides of the river, people were shouting at the top of their lungs. The sound mingled with the murmur of the river and the rising sun. Even when their throats went hoarse, their enthusiasm couldn’t be dampened.

For nearly two decades, the quality of Xinghua Village’s rice had never declined, and its yield consistently exceeded that of other villages by ten to twenty percent per acre. The rice harvest was the liveliest time of the year, even more festive than when the distillery handed out New Year bonuses.

Land was the backbone of a farmer’s life, and the joy of harvesting what one had planted by hand was incomparable to any other reward.

Over the past few years, Xiapo Village across the river had begun catching up to Xinghua Village.

As the Xinghua winery opened branch shops and allowed Xiapo villagers to participate, changes began to take shape: receiving monthly allowances, improving living conditions, saving money, rebuilding houses. 

With a future to look forward to, their work became more earnest and energetic. The villagers hadn’t lost their mischievous nature and scoundrel ways, but their attitude toward life had undergone a revolutionary change.

Frequent interactions between the two villages gradually built a stronger sense of harmony.

The Liu family had now become part of this lively scene.

All the men and women of the Liu family were present. Even the laziest, Xue Qinglian, couldn’t escape the bustle. Dressed in a short jacket with his pants rolled up, he swung a sickle in hand, sweating profusely, looking thoroughly miserable yet working diligently.

Feng Qingbai had also shed his embroidered robe, changing into coarse cloth suited for hard labor. Unlike Xue Qinglian, he didn’t roll his pants up to his knees or push his sleeves above his wrists—his long sleeves still covered his hands. Yet even working in the fields, his aristocratic aura remained intact, like a young noble who had wandered into the wrong place. And when he blended in with the surroundings, it didn’t look out of place at all.

With the two strong young men working alongside, although they weren’t as skilled at farming as the local peasants, their youth and energy made up for it, significantly speeding up the work.

The purpose of the harvest frenzy was efficiency—the faster, the better.

During the busy season, Liu Yusheng’s responsibility was to deliver water to those working in the fields, a relatively easy task. And she did this alongside Qian Yi and Muqiu, making it feel even lighter.

The three young women wanted to help more, but it wasn’t permitted.

It would go against the Liu family rules.

Sitting in the shade by the roadside, Liu Yusheng looked up at the sun, which was climbing higher and starting to blaze down, and then at the men working furiously in the fields, their foreheads glistening with sweat. She picked up a sweat cloth from her bamboo basket, carried a jug of water, and walked toward them. 

“Everyone, take a break first, wipe the sweat, have some water. The sun is getting high. After a while, we’ll head home for lunch.”

“No rush. It’s not so hot in the morning; we can work a little longer. Once the sun is at its peak around noon, we’ll stay inside,” Grandpa Liu said cheerfully. He grabbed the sweat cloth hanging around his neck, wiped his face casually, and took the water bag from his little granddaughter, tilting his head back to take a few long drinks.

When he finished, he handed the water bag to the others so they could drink in turn.

While the family quenched their thirst, Liu Yusheng went over to Feng Qingbai and carefully wiped the sweat from his forehead. “You take a break too. If you’re really tired, you can sit on the ridge of the field for a while.”

“Mm,” Feng Qingbai replied.

Harvesting rice required squatting, so he kept that posture while tilting his head slightly, letting her wipe his sweat. His narrow eyes lifted, watching her concentrate as she cleaned his brow. Tiny flecks of gold shimmered in his gaze.

It was as if sunlight had fallen from the heavens, filtered of its intensity, and now reflected as warm gentleness.

Within that golden light in his eyes was her figure. Liu Yusheng looked straight into his gaze, and before she realized it, the corners of her mouth lifted into a smile.

Seizing the moment, he lifted his hand to brush his forehead, letting it pass over the back of her hand.

He was teasing her in plain view of everyone.

Liu Yusheng felt her cheeks flush with two soft rose-colored streaks but didn’t want to turn away. She subconsciously let the cloth linger longer on his face.

“In the blink of an eye, Nannan has become a mother of two. I remember the first time she came to the fields to deliver water with the family. How old was she then? Six, I think?”

From the fields nearby came the exclamations of the village women. Liu Yusheng, as if suddenly awakened, quickly pulled back her hand, her cheeks flushed as she walked back to the roadside. “Aunties, I may be a mother of two now, but I still deliver water for you all. If anyone wants a drink, just shout!”

Laughter immediately rang out from the fields. “Haha, right! Nannan hasn’t changed a bit since she was little. The one who’s changed the most is Axiu. He used to ignore everyone when he was a kid, but now he’s much better. Whenever he’s around, he joins us for drinks at the Liu family courtyard.”

“With your little drinking capacity? That’s nothing compared to our Axiu. At night, when you come to my house, you’ll all take turns drinking. We’ll send Axiu, Qinglian, and Zhiqiu. Let’s see if you dare face the Dragon Gate Formation!” Liu Erlin shouted.

“Dragon Gate Formation? Bring it on, we’re not afraid!” Someone nearby immediately responded, then called out to Feng Qingbai and Xue Qinglian, “Axiu, Qinglian, Zhiqiu—don’t rush so much tonight when drinking, let us have a chance, I’m your uncle-in-law.”

“Hahaha! Using family rank to beg for mercy, look at you!”

“Get lost! If I really get drunk, the woman at home won’t let me in!”

The laughter carried all the way across the river.

Meanwhile, the three young people in the field exchanged a glance and raised their eyebrows.

Dragon Gate Formation? The elders in the village could easily field fifty of them.

By the ridge, the only one worried about the drinking challenge was Qian Yi. Seeing Liu Yusheng and Liu Muqiu smiling so casually without a care, she asked earnestly, “Uncle Liu is calling people over for drinks, and a Dragon Gate Formation drinking contest is common in our Saintess Village. Every time, a full line-up has at least twenty people. We only have three. Aren’t you at all worried?”

Liu Yusheng smiled without answering, playing mysterious, which piqued Qian Yi’s curiosity and made her fidget like a cat. In the end, it was Liu Muqiu who explained.

“Our men are the least afraid of drinking contests.”

“Why?”

“Secret family technique—hangover pills. Take one before drinking, and you won’t fall no matter how many cups you drink.”

“Aiyo! Then I can relax!”

Both Liu Yusheng and Liu Muqiu froze for a moment, then burst out laughing, wobbling with amusement.

‘Aiyo’ was the old lady’s catchphrase; she would always start big or small matters with it. Qian Yi had clearly picked up the old lady’s habit.