Aunt broke off an ear, Wen Ran still seriously seeking mature corn.
Aunt broke off five ears, Wen Ran finally picked one.
Aunt put seven ears into the basket, Wen Ran picked one.
With ten ears in her basket, Aunt triumphantly watched Wen Ran, who struggled fiercely before finally kicking down the corn stalk.
Aunt: "..."
Brows furrowed, she turned her head away, telling herself that ignorance is bliss. As long as she doesn’t ss things up, it’s okay if she works slowly.
If it really doesn’t work out, just give her two work points!
Nothing more, no way!!!
Everyone was working hard, puffing away.
The corn stalks were tall, standing densely, almost impenetrable, working for a while, sweat soaked through her thin clothes.
While working, Aunt kept an eye on the three of them, concluding that the handso one and the chubby one couldn’t work well but had a good attitude.
The one who always kept his head down and rarely spoke was quite good at being lazy.
She knew but didn’t say anything.
After half a day of toil, Wen Ran beca more adept, yet felt the heat and the sharp edges of corn leaves scratched her face, leaving two new marks.
It stung, causing a dull pain.
She knew if things didn’t go well, this would be her life henceforth, but she bit her tongue and kept silent.
Aunt noticed and sighed, "Take a break if you’re tired."
"I’m okay," Wen Ran smiled, "just too hot."
"Still feeling hot now?" Aunt asked, but kept working, "Young corn only lasts three to five days, once the town doesn’t want them anymore, we’ll wait ten days and start harvesting for autumn."
Harvesting would start in August.
First, corn is harvested, then spring wheat, once both are done, it’s nonstop plowing until the winter wheat is planted, marking the year’s end.
Aunt chuckled, "Once autumn harvesting begins, you’ll know what real heat is."
Well, those words chilled Wen Ran’s spirit.
After a tiring morning, Wen Ran felt her waist would break. Turning her head, only three baskets of corn were done.
Bao Wenxuan was as red as a tomato, cheeks flushed, glancing at her own results, feeling deflated, "I don’t have as much as you."
Of course, most ridiculous was Li Gaolian’s effort; after puffing a whole morning, she produced one basket.
Looking weak, "So tired."
Aunt glanced at the three, smiled but said nothing, "Rest a little, when the corn’s taken, we can go ho for lunch."
Three burly n ca to pick up the corn, eyeballing the field in surprise, yet the team-leading Aunt remained silent, prompting them to hold their tongues.
Carrying their load.
"Let’s go."
Wen Ran hesitated, wanting to leave but unsure where to head.
"Why are you standing still?" Aunt drank water, "What, did you start liking the field?"
Wen Ran embarrassed, "Aunt, I don’t know how to get back."
"Hahaha, are you staying at the Xiao Family?"
"Yes," Wen Ran looked at her, "What should I call you, Aunt?"
Aunt laughed heartily, tapping her head, "See , busy working, call Aunt Xiao Lan in the future."
As soon as they spoke, Xiao Chenye arrived carrying a water flask.
"Hey?" A young man asked surprised, "Chenye, what brings you here?"
He put down the basket, grabbed his neck towel to wipe his face, "You brought water, let have a sip."
Xiao Chenye dodged, frowned, "Tian Mancang, what are you doing?"
"Hey, you’re grown up, when will you kick that habit?" Tian Mancang grumbled, "We wore crotchless pants together growing up, can’t even drink your water."
Xiao Chenye’s gaze passed lightly over Tian Mancang’s face, resting on Wen Ran, "Don’t say such gross things, I moved the truck and put it by the field’s edge, don’t get lost."
"Alright!"
Tian Mancang carried the basket, not forgetting to complain, "Buddy, no offense, but those educated youths working, tsk tsk tsk, beyond words."
Xiao Chenye: "Talking behind others’ backs, you sure are beyond words."
With that, he turned and left, leaving Tian Mancang dumbfounded.
No way!
Previously the most derisive of educated youths, wasn’t he Xiao Chenye?
Why so morally outraged today?
Quite odd indeed.
"Tian Mancang, hurry up or we’re leaving you behind!"
"Coming, coming!"
Aunt Xiao Lan was about to escort Wen Ran back when they ran into Xiao Chenye.
"Yo," Aunt Xiao Lan smiling, "What brings you here?"
"Mom worried Xiao Wen wouldn’t recognize the way, sent to fetch them."
Xiao Chenye explained while handing the water flask to Wen Ran, "Have so water."
Wen Ran surprised, Xiao Chenye murmured, "Still the one you used earlier."
"Thank you."
Having no experience, Wen Ran didn’t think to bring water to the field, burying herself in work hadn’t felt it until now, realizing the dryness.
She drank half at once, handing the rest to the longing Bao Wenxuan.
Aunt Xiao Lan missed the young folks’ subtle exchanges.
Only praised Mrs. Xiao, "True, your mom’s great at handling matters."
She worried aloud, "Heard your sister was brought ho yesterday, what happened? Was she bullied?"
"Yes," Xiao Chenye didn’t evade, "My sister isn’t living with him anymore."
Aunt Xiao Lan paused, instinctively advised, "Young couples bicker sotis, didn’t Xiao Yue just have a baby?
But, what about the child?"
"I’ll take care of it," Xiao Chenye spoke firmly, inviting Wen Ran to follow, "The Li Family are terrible, living there ans tornt for my sister and her child.
Returning ho, if the village folks don’t gossip, my sister and child can live comfortably."
With that, Xiao Chenye courteously said, "Aunt, I won’t say more, mom’s waiting for us for lunch."
"Oh, oh, oh," The shocking news left Aunt Xiao Lan speechless, only nodding twice.
Watching their figures fade as they walked side by side, she muttered, "The Xiao Family is truly different."
"Different how?"
Bao Wenxuan didn’t leave; earlier Xiao Chenye spoke coldly, making her apprehensive, opting to walk with Aunt Xiao Lan.
"Hey, why so curious?"
Bao Wenxuan straightforwardly, "Nothing much to do anyway, why not chit-chat?"
"True..."
.
On the field path, Xiao Chenye walked briskly, Wen Ran followed silently.
"Xiao Wen," he abruptly spoke, Wen Ran paused, softly asked: "What’s wrong?"
Xiao Chenye slightly lost, "Is what I’m doing right?"
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