CHAPTER 611: 611 HARVEST

Sister-in-law Liu came over to deliver lunch, giving Wei Kaiyun a chance to take a break. His arms don’t hurt as much as they did yesterday, though they’re still sore. But there’s hope; the work might be finished by tomorrow noon at the latest.

Today’s lunch is white rice and braised pork. He was truly hungry, ate an entire lunchbox full of rice, a sausage, and a bowl of braised pork.

Sister-in-law Liu watched Wei Kaiyun finish eating and immediately took out some ointment, "Xiao Wei, Xiao Jiang said if your arms are sore, apply some ointment."

"No need, you take it back. I’ll deal with it when I get home tonight."

After drinking a bowl of sugar water, he rested for ten minutes and then got back to work. The sooner he finishes, the sooner he’ll be free from worry.

Old Yang said he’d come over, but why hasn’t he shown up? Could there be something going on?

Wei Kaiyun was preoccupied with this concern and almost forgot to add seeds until Shang Zhenkun reminded him.

Only when it got dark did he head home.

Seeing a car parked at the entrance made him feel at ease.

For dinner, there was rice, braised pork, stir-fried bean sprouts, dried radish and shrimp stew, and a large platter of sausage.

"I was thinking of looking for you, but Xiao Jiang said you’d be back soon. How are things?"

"Unexpectedly well. We’ll see how effective it is once the seedlings come out." Wei Kaiyun was in a great mood. Influenced by his wife, he’s become especially keen on cleanliness, so he went for a bath first. After coming out, sitting on the warm kang and eating a hearty dinner, he felt incredibly happy.

The family just finished eating when they heard a knock at the door.

Old Yang went to open the door, warmly greeting the six or seven people who came in.

The house was still filled with the aroma of meat. The newcomers thought to themselves, life here is truly good.

However, because Old Yang had come, they naturally assumed he brought over something nice.

Jiang Xinyu warmly invited everyone to sit down while Sister-in-law Liu went to brew sugar water.

"Xiao Wei, Xiao Jiang, Old Yang. Don’t worry about us, we came over today as a bold move."

"Village Chief Li, please don’t be so formal. We’re part of the village now, so if there’s anything we can do, just say the word." Wei Kaiyun said with a smile.

"Xiao Wei, Old Yang, we’re mainly here today to discuss the tractor situation. You see, our brigade doesn’t have the money to buy a tractor. Can we pay you back over three years?"

"Sure, no problem."

"Xiao Wei. Rest assured, during these three years, the tractor will still be yours, and the collective use will cover the diesel costs."

This was what they had discussed all afternoon, afraid that he would decline.

"Sounds good to me, I’m fine with that." Wei Kaiyun continued to smile.

Old Yang nodded in agreement. This arrangement was already very considerate, even though the tractor would belong to Wei Kaiyun for three years, but it wouldn’t be used much privately while the collective would benefit more. Still, it’s about the principle.

Jiang Xinyu suddenly spoke up, "Village Chief Li, here’s the thing. After we finish planting our fields tomorrow, Wei Kaiyun can teach a few people how to operate the tractor. It’s really hard work, and his arms are still swollen.

Teaching a few more people would allow them to relieve Old Wei. We wouldn’t want to delay the spring planting."

Hearing this, the seven felt truly touched; clearly, there’s not a hint of selfishness here.

"Alright, I’ll find a couple of clever young men to learn, and we’ll gradually teach everyone until the whole village knows how to operate the tractor."

For the villagers, this was definitely exciting news.

"Xiao Wei, Old Yang, how about we write an IOU for you?"

This is where Old Yang had to step in. "Village Chief Li, there’s no need for that. To be honest with you, even if you didn’t acknowledge it, I wouldn’t be afraid. It’s just a matter of a bit of money, but it’s also about integrity, right?

After all, smart people wouldn’t do something as shortsighted as killing the goose that lays the golden egg."

This statement made clear their trust in them.

"Alright then, Xiao Wei’s been tired all day; let’s head back. Tomorrow noon, Yun Qiang and I will bring the seeds over." Li Yungui said with a smile.

The old village chief spoke up, "Xiao Wei, I noticed your corn seeds are quite good. Do you have any more?"

Wei Kaiyun shook his head with a smile, "Elder, there are three types of corn seeds: those prepared by Old Yang, ones I brought back from C City, and others from our hometown. So, we don’t know which is the best.

Once we have the autumn harvest, if they prove to be good, we can save the seeds from them."

"Alright, you’re truly forthright; let’s settle this then." They mentioned three types of seeds, meaning not one would be in surplus.

After courteously seeing people off, the family went to rest. Old Yang didn’t leave today, as tomorrow he wanted to see how the planting goes.

Jiang Xinyu helped Wei Kaiyun apply ointment, "Hurry and teach a few more people; that way you won’t have to suffer."

"Exactly, my wife is quite the diplomat; it’s different if we propose it rather than wait for them."

"I really didn’t think much of it, just concerned for you."

Jiang Xinyu decided to make a new towel, cutting it in half. After steaming it, she quickly wrung it out, then used it for a warm compress on Wei Kaiyun’s arms. This should be more effective.

"What should we plant in our own field?"

"Vegetables. We can get grain but vegetables are too scarce, let’s plant lots of vegetables in our plot and whatever’s left will be peanuts and soybeans."

"Great, you have expertise in this?" Jiang Xinyu teased Wei Kaiyun.

"Haha, I’m no expert, but I’ve lived in the countryside for several years now. Plus, I think it fits our family’s situation."

"Hmm, I’ve got some carrot seeds. For the rest of the vegetables, go to the city and buy whatever you find, especially cilantro; I want to make cilantro and egg pies."

Jiang Xinyu was practically salivating as she said this.

"Alright, I’ll go check, see what they’ve got." Wei Kaiyun really hadn’t paid much attention before.

"Also, chili peppers, definitely buy more of those; cucumbers, winter melons, zucchini, eggplants, scallions, garlic, ginger, beans, and tomatoes, which are actually tomato seeds, I have the seeds here.

The rest I can’t think of right now, but you’ll find out, buy some of everything. If you can get cilantro, that would be great, I’m craving that flavor."

"Sure, after finishing the planting, I’ll probably spend another couple of days teaching them. Then I’ll ride into the city to the seed station. If there’s watermelon, sweet melon, or honey melon, that’d be even better."

"Exactly, I’ve been wanting watermelon. By the time I give birth, I should be able to eat some. If you can’t buy any, I do have a bit here."