Ji You left gracefully, and Zhong Qing, along with her seven teammates, under the envious gazes of their famished classmates, shared the remaining half-bucket of biscuit gruel till there was none left.
Not a drop was spared.
With their stomachs finally somewhat filled, Zhong Qing exclaimed, "Let’s go! Everyone, time to fetch water!"
The group of seven, as if injected with chicken blood, was full of energy and in no time, they hauled dozens of buckets of water for Ji You.
After setting down the water, Zhong Qing, full of spirit, patted her chest towards Ji You and said, "Ji You, if it’s not enough, just command us anytime! And if you need any other help, just give us a shout."
Ji You smiled and replied, "That’s enough, but I actually do need your help to distribute the water, I really can’t handle it on my own."
What’s difficult about that?
Zhong Qing was already planning to help, so she immediately lifted the water and began proficiently directing her teammates to distribute it.
Eventually, they didn’t even need Ji You to purify the water; Zhong Qing’s team took over the task entirely.
Ji You felt very happy inside:
Such obedient and pleasant talkers, and so reliable at work... truly perfect labor!
Yue Qiyuan, Chu Jiaojiao, Shen Changqing, Sheng Qingyan, Yue Qiguang, and others saw it all and were speechless.
Yue Qiguang grabbed a bunch of his hair, saying, "Compared to these naïve sweethearts, dad feels pretty smart."
"Cough..." Yue Qiyuan scolded, "Shut your mouth!"
Yue Qiguang retorted aggressively, "Yue Qiyuan, are you asking for a beating?"
Yue Qiyuan ominously said, "Pocket money..."
Yue Qiguang’s lips twitched, and he prudently clamped them shut.
Meanwhile, Zhong Qing continued working hard for Ji You, becoming livelier, her eyes and mouth full of admiration and gratitude for Ji You...
For instance:
Zhong Qing: "Ah! The method Ji You taught me just now, I tried it, and it really doubled the outcome. Ji You is so amazing!"
Ji You: "Not at all, not at all, you’re also amazing, getting it in one go!"
Zhong Qing: "Ji You... you... you’re really too good."
Ji You: "Don’t be like that, we’re classmates! Comrades! We should naturally communicate more and progress together!"
"Ji You..." Zhong Qing opened her mouth, her eyes sparkling with countless twinkles.
Sheng Qingyan glanced at Ji You’s face, which was evidently overjoyed yet artificially stern, and couldn’t help but sigh deeply, saying, "Alas~ They had no fate, all fueled by her daydreaming..."
Chu Jiaojiao clutching her chest: "I also think Ji You is amazing! Not just a pretty face!"
Sheng Qingyan: "..."
The others seized the time to rest, not joining the conversation.
Thus—
When Mu Jianling came out from the new luxurious tent and saw Ji You leisurely recharging while Zhong Qing and a few other drudges were hard at work, Mu Jianling’s face twitched again!
She quickly grasped the full context.
Mu Jianling’s palms began to itch again:
This little rascal, always full of tricks.
Assigned to provide water to over 900 students as a punishment during her rest period, she turned around and sweet-talked a bunch of people to help her...
Unbelievable little scamp!
Mu Jianling muttered a curse under her breath, then raised her hand to rub her brow and loudly declared, "Break time’s over, assemble!"
With her command, the students immediately gathered together!
Mu Jianling instructed, "Everyone to your positions, proceed to your assigned tasks according to the schedule!"
The planting area and the breeding area were about 100 kilometers apart, and the camp where the students were stationed was situated right between them.
The students assigned to the two areas immediately split off and set out on their own.
Ji You led her team at the forefront, everyone feeling a bit anxious, as before setting out, Ji You had shamelessly asked Teacher Mu which animals they were responsible for, but Teacher Mu didn’t reveal anything.
It wasn’t just Ji You’s team that felt nervous, the other nine teams were also apprehensive.
Thus,
Along the way, many in the large group were murmuring under their breath:
"Please, please, I hope we don’t have to raise cattle... I heard they like to kick people."
Everyone: "..."
Everyone: "Shut your mouth!"
"Please, please, let’s not raise Long-legged Chickens. I heard they get crazy when they fight and peck the breeder’s hair!"
Everyone: "What do you mean by that?"
This person: "That explains why most chicken breeders are bald!"
Everyone: "...shut up!"
"Please, please, don’t let it be pigs; they’re stinky, dirty, and you even have to assist them in giving birth."
Everyone: "..."
Everyone took a deep breath, sounding exasperated, "Can’t you guys hope for something good?"
...
Among the ten groups present, breeding wasn’t entirely unfamiliar since, out of these hundred people, except a few, most had been to Taoyuan Space Station for special training where they gained some short-term farming experience.
But!!!
Due to those experiences, which weren’t very pleasant, not many were looking forward to the three days of farm tasks.
Ji You, unusually, started to pep up her nine teammates with motivational words, mentally preparing them before starting:
"Later on, no matter the task, we all need to seriously carry it out and complete it!"
"Because—I think the breeding tasks are meant to train our spiritual power!"
Hearing this, everyone’s eyes lit up, and Chu Jiaojiao couldn’t help but ask, "Really?"
Ji You confidently said, "Almost definitely!"
Shen Changqing pondered for a moment, quite agreeing, he said, "We’ve trained for a semester, constantly focusing on Physical fitness and Mechanical Driving skills, yet there’s very little training for spiritual power. Why? Because there are very few methods available within the Alliance for training spiritual power. Usually, our training in physical fitness and Mecha control also serves as training for spiritual power, so previously the school never specifically designed separate spiritual power training for students."
Yue Qiyuan stroked his chin, contemplating their past punishment of cleaning the stables and rabbit shed due to Ji You’s influence, he couldn’t help saying: "Does this mean—the school has proven that breeding animals and planting crops are effective ways to train spiritual power?"
Yue Qiguang frowned and said, "Why bother so much? When the time comes, just follow the assessment requirements and do as told."
Yue Qiyuan took a deep breath and listened as Ji You surprisingly agreed, "Although we suspect it’s effective for training spiritual power, Yue Qiguang is also right! First, follow the assessment’s requirements. Afterward, we’ll see if the results match our speculation and verify them one by one."
Ji You paused briefly then continued, "Everyone, remember when doing the task, to be serious, diligent, and observant, don’t stop thinking."
After saying that, Ji You swung her hands grandly, spiritedly declaring, "Let’s go! Let’s raise pigs together!"
Where did that crows mouth come from?
Yue Qiguang, Yue Qiyuan, Chu Jiaojiao, Sheng Qingyan, Zhang Ye, and others immediately opened their mouths: "Tch! Tch! Tch! Kids say the darndest things!"