Attention Sir, I Have Your Heart Handcuffed!-Chapter 566 - 413. Mo Ya, Mo Ya, what matter is endless (2nd update)
Digging for lotus roots is a laborious task. The roots are deeply buried in the mud, and by September, the mud becomes chilly; those who dig must stand in this muddy water, leaving their limbs prone to rheumatism.
Yet, no matter how difficult it is, it must be done to sustain life.
Shi Nian would always bring a thermos of hot soup when she came. When the villagers took a break from work, she would call them over for a drink. She would sit by the pond with the villagers, drinking and chatting.
In truth, when digging lotus roots, the area around the pond can be quite dirty, and there’s a smell in the mud. Huangfu Huazhang didn’t approve of them watching. But Shi Nian didn’t mind, saying that she grew up in the north and had never seen lotus roots being dug, so she was curious; even more surprisingly, Jieyou was not squeamish and wanted to join the villagers in transporting the lotus roots by boat, so Huangfu Huazhang reluctantly agreed.
He often accompanied Shi Nian and her daughter, but his legs couldn’t endure the damp cold for too long, so he didn’t stay for long.
She urged him to go back, gently pushing his shoulder and whispering with a smile in his ear: "Why are you so uneasy about going back? Worried that I’ll meet another man here? Why don’t you look at the people in this pond? How many of them are under 50? And more importantly, who among them can match your graceful demeanor?"
He could only smile helplessly, patting her hand: "I’m not that petty. It’s just that you’ve forgotten a lot of things, and I worry they might ask questions that trouble you."
She shook her head with a smile: "I’m not afraid, besides, our Jieyou is about to start school, she needs to live among people and can’t see too few faces."
This was always a sore point for Huangfu Huazhang.
He could arrange everything, but he couldn’t stop time. Jieyou was growing up and she would need to go to school, and engage with people, something he couldn’t refuse.
Raising his eyes, he saw Jieyou among the older villagers, not minding the mud on her, smiling brightly. His heart couldn’t harden.
He could only sigh with a smile: "Alright, I’ll go back first. You and Jieyou come back early."
Huangfu Huazhang left, and Shi Nian felt freer to chat with the villagers. Through these conversations, Mo Ya Village slowly became clearer in her mind.
This was an isolated village in China, surrounded by mountains with little arable land, so young villagers have always had to venture out into the world. At thirteen, boys are given a couple of cakes and sent off to do business. Some return home gloriously after twenty years with a fortune to build a house. So although the village is isolated and poor, every Huizhou-style old house is exquisite. Others leave and never return, their fate unknown.
Later, when new China was established, the land didn’t increase, so young people continued to leave. They traveled further, some smuggling themselves to Hong Kong, others abroad. Those who did well brought their families out; those left in the village were the elderly or children of those who hadn’t done well, or were lost without a trace.
They held fast to the small fields and lotus ponds, pointing at the beautiful old houses, speaking of which family’s sons brought glory to the clan and in what year.
While many ancient villages in China have developed tourism, Mo Ya Village remains remote, with no transport links, and roads often destroyed by landslides and floods, hindering connection to the outside world. Links beyond the village are made by ancient pack trains, led by people navigating arduous mountain paths with horses.
Conditions have only improved in recent years with helicopters and other means, allowing outsiders to buy old houses in the village, fulfilling their desire for tranquility.
Villagers understand that those capable of coming to the village can at least afford helicopters or have rich outdoor survival skills, indicating they are prominent, either wealthy or noble.
The villagers are simple, understanding that outsiders would be discrete about their identities, so they open their hearts and live peacefully, without prying into their origins or identities.
The villagers are grateful for the benefits these people bring. Old houses, though beautiful, fell into disrepair when they were empty. After being bought, they were revitalized, bringing peace of mind to the villagers.
These people also improved living conditions, such as designing drainage systems, which Mr. Huangfu helped plan, completed with everyone’s help.
They brought external products, filling supermarket shelves in the village.
Mo Ya Village’s new look is thanks to these outsiders, so the villagers are deeply grateful to them.
As Shi Nian is Mr. Huangfu’s wife, they treat her kindly, showing gratitude towards Mr. Huangfu through her.
Shi Nian listened with a smile: "Do we outsiders live in the village all year round?"
An elderly villager smiled, shaking his head: "Of course not. Though we never asked, we know you have other business outside, so you come to stay for a while, like a vacation, the length varies."
.
Jieyou, tired from playing, returned home joyfully with Shi Nian.
She coaxed Jieyou to take a nap, then transferred the photos from her camera to her laptop.
Huangfu Huazhang came in, gently touching her shoulder: "You don’t rest even after returning, what are you busy with?"
Shi Nian smiled back: "I took lots of beautiful photos and am sorting them out."
Huangfu Huazhang frowned at the laptop screen: "Are you writing a blog?"
The village’s communications system, thanks to Huangfu Huazhang’s people, allows cell signal and Internet access. Though the mountainous terrain makes the signal unstable, perseverance allows internet enjoyment.
Shi Nian nodded with a smile: "Mo Ya Village is such a beautiful place, and the people are so simple, yet hidden in the mountains, it’s a pity. I want to introduce this little village to the world."
This was her journalistic instinct, acting almost automatically without a detailed plan.
Huangfu Huazhang frowned: "I know your intention is good. But do you know why we came here? For the tranquility, free from disturbance. Once the village is known, damage to the environment isn’t far behind."
Shi Nian agreed, opening a blog: "Look, this is a photography blog, where the blogger posts beautiful, tranquil pictures, highlighting below, ’Don’t ask me where this is, I won’t tell, otherwise, this place will vanish.’"
Modern civilization and ancient tranquility seem to always be an irreconcilable contradiction.
Huangfu Huazhang breathed a silent sigh of relief: "That’s why I don’t support what you’re doing."
Shi Nian laughed: "Then I’ll learn from this blogger, only posting photos without specifying where. Those meant to see will understand; those not meant won’t find it."
Huangfu Huazhang could only nod slowly: "Alright."
Shi Nian pushed him playfully: "Go have tea or play chess with someone, let me do this myself. I’m afraid I won’t do well and make you laugh."
.
Huangfu Huazhang smiled as he walked out the door, but the smile slowly vanished as he stepped over the threshold.
In this ancient village, he felt he could finally achieve his desires. Yet, there was an indefinable feeling that this fulfillment wasn’t as he imagined.
Like the development of the times, making true isolation impossible. Even this seemingly secluded village could easily be breached by the Internet.
Just as he could somewhat hypnotize her memories, he couldn’t control her thoughts and actions once she awoke.
Li Le Wen entered silently, glanced inside, then they left the yard together.
Li Le Wen said: "Rest assured, Mr. Xia and Senmu are watching over George, who is wholeheartedly playing the role of the gentleman in the castle surveillance footage."
Huangfu Huazhang nodded: "I must return quickly. Borrowing his presence for diversion can only ease my mind for a day or two. If George slips even slightly, the police will spot it."
Li Le Wen sighed softly: "Are you leaving so hastily again?"
For 17 months, he had only been able to visit like a dragonfly touching the water, leaving quickly each time.
Huangfu Huazhang, reluctant at heart, nodded: "Only one more thing remains. Once Tang Yanqing is dead, I’ll be free."
