70s Delicate Girl: A Guide to Being a Rich Woman-Chapter 149: Cai Yuan

With a satisfied heart, Yin Yang walked out of the small yard, having bought plenty of practical items. The variety of goods available here was simply too convenient.

"So many things, do you need me to help carry them?" Xu Mumu asked, looking at all the items Yin Yang was holding.

"No worries, these things aren’t heavy. I can manage," Yin Yang said helplessly, as he knew a bit about Xu Mumu’s strength.

"Suit yourself, just don’t overdo it," Xu Mumu joked, wondering if this guy was refusing help out of concern for his image.

When they arrived home, it was still early. Seeing the braised pork Xu Mumu had bought, Madam Chen couldn’t resist nagging Xu Mumu a bit.

"Mumu, don’t buy braised pork next time; it’s too expensive," Madam Chen said wistfully.

"I just felt like eating it. I’ve got some savings, so don’t worry, Grandma. I’ll let everyone eat meat every day," Xu Mumu said with a smile.

The lunch table was lively even though a person was missing, thanks to the braised pork. Xu Mumu saved a portion, especially for Xu Hai.

In the afternoon, after assigning study tasks to Xu Wan, Xu Mumu took some kids to the reservoir.

The reservoir was over ten miles from the Red River Team where Xu Mumu and they were located, and it was already an hour later when they arrived.

"Big sister, look, the fields over there are flooded, and water is still flowing out," Xu Jiaojiao said, pulling Xu Mumu to see the breach. They stood on a small hill where many others were observing.

"Yes, even the houses in lower areas are flooded," Xu Mumu frowned. This breach was more severe than she’d anticipated.

People were already being directed to repair the embankment, but part of the reservoir water needed to be drained before fixing the breach.

"Sis, lots of people are catching fish. We should go catch fish too," Xu Minghui exclaimed upon spotting the fish catchers.

"Don’t go. The water is too strong there; you guys are so short, you’d be swept away if you go in," Xu Mumu said blandly, as she didn’t plan to let the kids into the water. Watching from the hill was enough.

The embankment repair team focused on strengthening the undamaged areas first. Xu Mumu noticed government officials overseeing this, and the caught fish seemed intended for public use. Only adults were catching fish, and the catches were all grouped together.

This reservoir was indeed large; they drained it overnight and through the morning, yet the water remained high. Proper embankment repairs would likely start tomorrow.

"Big sister, can we go closer? I wonder where Dad is," Xu Jiaojiao looked hopefully at Xu Mumu.

"Sure, let’s go along this hillside. The main road was washed out by the water," Xu Mumu nodded and led the kids closer to the reservoir’s edge.

Quite a crowd had gathered to watch, and it was half an hour later when Xu Mumu and the kids reached the embankment. A path had been trodden out on the hill by the onlookers.

At the embankment, the people weren’t from Zhao Guodong’s team but another group, and Xu Mumu didn’t recognize anyone.

For the kids, this was their first time seeing an embankment breach, and the water flow was impressive.

"Big sister, where will all this water go?" Xu Jiaojiao pointed to the water flowing from the reservoir, which supplied several surrounding counties. Water for spring planting was released from the reservoir yearly, but this sudden release made next year’s water levels uncertain, hoping for heavier rain to come.

"It’ll flow into the rivers, eventually making its way to larger rivers," Xu Mumu said with a smile.

Looking around, she saw some people’s worried faces, knowing how hard it was to maintain such a large body of water in the reservoir.

The teams nearest to the embankment suffered the greatest losses; fields and soil were flooded, ruining crops, leaving only mountain crops intact.

Xu Mumu sighed softly, wondering how the locals would cope next year and if the county’s grain station might offer relief.

"I want to catch fish too," Xu Minglei said, eyeing the fish catchers eagerly.

"Kids, you can’t go into the water; it’s deep, and people have drowned here before," a middle-aged man approached, dressed smartly in a Zhongshan suit, his face showing concern.

"Uncle, I can swim," Xu Minglei stated earnestly.

Outside the team, a large river ran, so most boys here could swim, though typically only dog-paddle.

"Over the years, those who drowned near this reservoir weren’t poor swimmers," Cai Yuan said helplessly.

"Second brother, big sister said we mustn’t catch fish," Xu Jiaojiao said solemnly.

"Hmph, then I won’t," the little boy replied with his head held high, acting nonchalant.

"Your sister’s right," Cai Yuan chuckled. These kids were well looked after, unlike other skinny ones he’d seen, resembling bamboo sticks.

"I’ll keep an eye on my younger siblings, so you don’t have to worry, sir," Xu Mumu smiled warmly, recognizing this man as likely a government official. People in the countryside wouldn’t dress so formally, nor carry themselves that way.

"You’re a good girl, don’t get too close. The embankment isn’t totally stable; the water has loosened the stones," Cai Yuan said seriously to Xu Mumu.

"I will keep them back; we’re just watching briefly and then we’ll head home," Xu Mumu nodded seriously, knowing a good impression here could be favorable.

"Young lady, are you from the city?" Cai Yuan looked at Xu Mumu curiously; she had an intellectual air, distinctly uncountry-like.

"No, we’re from the Red River Team," Xu Mumu laughed.

"I see. Are you still in school?" Cai Yuan was somewhat surprised.

"I study in the county, starting senior year soon," Xu Mumu replied.

"Yes, my sister is really amazing, always first in class," Xu Minglei boasted.

"Big sister teaches us too," Xu Jiaojiao quickly praised her sister.

"Big sister is the best."

Cai Yuan’s mouth twitched. He’d never seen people praise so openly; usually, they were more modest and reserved.

Yet this girl seemed quite exceptional, with a good sense of understanding.

"You should learn from your big sister, and study hard, alright?" Cai Yuan patted Xu Jiaojiao’s head. This little girl looked healthy, suggesting a family mindset not leaning toward traditional gender biases. He’d inquire more about them later, as finding people with high awareness was rare, warranting commendation.