“You few, go dig the pond!” Nan Feng called out.
Mo Wenxuan, Liu Chang, Tie Dan, and others glanced at one another, just arrived and barely greeted, only to be sent to work right away?
They couldn’t blame Nan Feng. At that moment, she was overwhelmed with work, directing everyone that came her way. She didn’t even clearly notice that it was Mo Wenxuan before her. With the sun shining brightly, she just wanted to finish the morning’s work before noon.
Having directed Mo Wenxuan, she proceeded to instruct the other villagers, “The pit must be dug evenly. It can’t be deeper at one end than the other, otherwise, the bamboo will be in disarray…”
Mo Wenxuan stood there dazed for a moment.
Liu Chang and Tie Dan lingered on the side, scoffing. Liu Chang said, “Long time no see, this ugly girl seems to have grown more capable.”
Tie Dan added, “She’s really getting ahead of herself!”
As the village chief’s son, Mo Wenxuan wouldn’t accept being put in the same work as the rest of the villagers. He thought he ought to be controlling something.
He put down his shovel and walked towards Nan Feng.
Nan Feng didn’t notice Mo Wenxuan until she finished instructing those digging the canal and turned around.
It took her a while to realize that the person in front of her was Mo Wenxuan. She wiped her sweat and asked, “You have come to help too?”
“Yes,” he answered.
“That’s good, you have set a great example,” said Nan Feng.
Mo Wenxuan glanced at the blueprint in her hand, “Can I have a look at your blueprint?”
Being the village chief’s son, Nan Feng handed him the blueprints.
Mo Wenxuan paused as he opened the blueprint, then he asked, “Did you draw this?”
The drawing was akin to a typical construction plan, showing the underground pipeline route and marking the approximate dimensions. However, it was clear that the creator was logical and clear-minded.
Nan Feng responded, “Yes, I drew it.”
Mo Wenxuan examined the blueprint for a second time, then voiced a suggestion or two from his perspective, “I think the corners need more specific markings, such as the degree of curvature…”
Just then, a villager named Nan Feng, “Young Feng, come and have a look here, seems like there’s a problem!”
Without thinking, Nan Feng snatched the blueprint right out of Mo Wenxuan’s hand. She threw out a quick “Excuse me, I have to get back to work” and then darted towards the villager.
She hadn’t heard what Mo Wenxuan said to her or considered his suggestions.
Mo Wenxuan stood startled on the spot, watching as Nan Feng disappeared into the distance. A sour feeling churned within him.
Watching Nan Feng busy herself in the field, he felt as if she had become a completely different person. Even when he took the initiative to approach her, it seemed like she wouldn’t pay him any attention.
Everyone in the field was working. Feeling a bit ashamed to stand idle, Mo Wenxuan picked up his shovel again, turning to Liu Chang and Tie Dan, “Let’s go, it’s time to work!”
…
With everyone’s help, the construction work in the vegetable field was soon completed.
The day the work ended, the village was bustling. To thank everyone for their hard work, the village chief even dug into his own pockets to distribute pastries to everyone.
These pastries shouldn’t be underestimated. They were considered scarce commodities at that time, especially popular among the villagers.
Nan Feng and the labourers were resting in the shade near the water pool while Mo Wenxuan and mother Wenxuan handed out the pastries.
It was Nan Feng’s turn to receive the pastries from Mo Wenxuan. Most villagers didn’t have the chance to eat pastries very often. As soon as they got one, they took a few bites and swallowed it, chewing enthusiastically, while those who hadn’t received any watched longingly at Mo Wenxuan’s tray.
For some reason, he felt a small urge to give Nan Feng two pieces instead of one like everyone else.
It wasn’t because he liked Nan Feng, but because he believed that doing so would make him feel superior in front of her.