Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 54: Who outdoes whom in behind-the-scenes scheming

Feng Xuxu slowly opened the letter, revealing that the seeds were left by a modern-day scientist who, after developing high-yield seeds, exuberantly drove straight to the Shijin Base. Unexpectedly, the moment the car reached the base, it was attracted by a mysterious new force and was pulled into this place. When he woke up again, he decisively abandoned the car, took his seeds, and initially planned to continue his endeavor in this different world. However, due to a stroke of fate, he received a space and was overjoyed. He planned to make a big impact but did not anticipate, being drawn into the conflict of the Three Kingdoms because of his beloved, who tragically died after being struck by an arrow. Unwilling to live on alone, he wrote this letter before his death, hoping that someone with the heart would fulfill his last wish and let these seeds shine. "Zhang Wenbin’s final written words."

As Feng Xuxu read the last sentence, her hands trembled, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Seeing a letter handwritten by her mentor filled her with profound sadness. Her mentor had ended up here after his disappearance; she resolved to fulfill his last wishes.

With her emotions in check, she held a small sealed bag and began cultivating watermelon seeds using the Spiritual Spring.

"Xuxu, I’m back." Feng Xi entered the courtyard and saw his sister working with a pot, his curiosity piqued.

"Sister, what is this?" Feng Xi squatted down to look at the black seeds in the pot.

"Big brother, these are watermelon seeds, a type of fruit." Feng Xuxu looked up at her brother who had just returned, then lowered her head again to stir the seeds in the pot.

"Are these from your place too?"

"Well, watermelons actually originate from the Western Regions and were later introduced to our country, that’s why there’s a ’west’ character in their name," Feng Xuxu briefly explained.

"Are you planning to plant these seeds tomorrow along with the chili peppers?" Feng Xi listened, not fully understanding.

"Yes, besides chili peppers and watermelons, I plan to grow some long cowpeas."

"Long cowpeas? Every household grows them." Feng Xi asked, puzzled, as these were common in every household, some having an excess of them. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Big brother, I’m working on improving the existing long cowpeas, making them into a kind of pickled cowpea. It’s really appetizing to eat in the summer," Feng Xuxu explained, seeing Feng Xi’s baffled expression.

"Pickled cowpeas? Can you still eat them if the cowpeas are sour?" Feng Xi, like a child eager for knowledge, wanted to know more.

"Of course, you can eat sour cowpeas. They’re specially treated using fresh cowpeas and, after a few days of fermentation, become sour cowpeas,"

"Haha, your place really is full of novelties."

"Hahaha, of course, it’s a civilization with a history of over five thousand years."

"I heard you laughing before I even entered the courtyard," the village chief said as he strolled into the courtyard, picked up a stool from the ground, and sat down.

"Uncle Tiemu, why do you look so troubled?" Feng Xuxu curiously looked at the village head, wondering what could possibly trouble him.

"Ah, Feng Xi was at my place this morning talking about you planting tomorrow. I went to tell them, but, ah," the village chief sighed heavily without finishing his sentence, his head lowered.

Feng Xi and Feng Xuxu exchanged glances, sensing trouble. Feng Xi anxiously asked, "Uncle Tiemu, what’s wrong?"

The village chief looked at Feng Xi then Feng Xuxu and finally said through gritted teeth, "Today, when I went to notify them, they unanimously thought you were raising the wages."

Feng Xuxu inwardly scoffed. This was clearly a move to undermine her, the uniformity of their response too classic; it seemed like a premeditated scheme likely instigated by someone, well then, very well indeed.

With a sarcastic smile, Feng Xuxu said, "Uncle Tiemu, if they are unwilling, I cannot force them. I have done all I can, and if they still refuse, there are surely others who will be willing." Thinking she could be easily demeaned, overestimating themselves or underestimating her? Without them, would the earth stop spinning? Ridiculous.

"Village chief, no need to feel troubled. I will still farm tomorrow, let’s see if it’s them who can’t make it without me, or if I can’t make it without them," she thought to never show her might as if she were merely a meek cat. People take kindness for weakness, and horses good for riding. Never again shall I be merciful to them, for that mercy turns to cruelty against myself—they dared to trample on me so easily.

"Ah, Xuxu, I didn’t expect this to happen," the village chief said, ashamed, his head bowed. He had secured this task by sacrificing his dignity, and it still turned out this way.

"Uncle Tiemu, it’s fine. I don’t believe we can’t find labor with silver. As long as it can be solved by money, it’s not a problem," Feng Xuxu said very composedly.

"Feng Xi, Xuxu, no matter what, I’m still always supportive of you." After saying this, he sighed, feeling too embarrassed to stay longer and got up to leave.

Feng Xi and Feng Xuxu tried to detain him thrice, but the village chief still obstinately left.

After sending off the village chief, a puzzled Feng Xi asked Feng Xuxu, "Could it be that someone is scheming behind our backs?"

"As obvious as lice on a bald head," replied Feng Xuxu indifferently.

"Who could it be? Are we still going to farm tomorrow?" Feng Xi, seeing Feng Xuxu’s calm demeanor, also calmed down and began analyzing the situation.

"We will farm. Why not? Humph, I want to see if they can keep their composure or if I, Feng Xuxu, am better."

"Big brother, I’m going out now, don’t worry, just farm as planned tomorrow." Feng Xuxu rhythmically tapped her fingers on the table. She had already thought of a plan.

"Going out? I’m worried, I’ll accompany you!" Feng Xi, hearing Feng Xuxu wanted to go out alone at this time, grew even more concerned.

Feng Xuxu considered it; Feng Xi was more familiar with the area and being male, had more persuasive power. "Alright, let’s harness the ox cart and go."

Feng Xi turned, walked to the ox shed below, and harnessed the leisurely old yellow ox. They moved out the ox, locked the gate, boarded the ox cart, and set off.

Feng Xi, driving the ox cart, asked his sister sitting in the cart, "Sister, where are we going?"

"Big brother, which village is close by?"

"The closest would be Luojia Village," Feng Xi thought for a moment.

"Then let’s go to Luojia Village and find the village head there," she stated unexpectedly.

Hearing his sister mention going to Luojia Village, Feng Xi’s eyes brightened. Yes, with over ten days till the sowing season, many from Luojia Village were idly at home. Employing them would mean they had wages and didn’t need to go far. This plan was perfect. Excited, Feng Xi vigorously cracked his whip, driving the ox cart straight towards Luojia Village.

Feng Xuxu looked towards Luojia Village, which wasn’t far from their thousand acres of land. From their land to Luojia Village was just over half an hour.