The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 307: Snatching Water

Chapter 307: Chapter 307: Snatching Water

Wang Yongzhu hesitated for a moment, considering his own divine strength and whether he should show off his abilities. Just then, he heard Xiao Tiantian’s voice echo in his mind again, "Reputation quest released: Host, please establish your prestige during this great water-stealing battle between villages, gain the villagers’ recognition, and increase your reputation. Complete the mission and receive 20 points as a reward."

Without further ado, Wang Yongzhu accepted the mission and then volunteered to follow Wang Yongping to the upstream dam to fight for water.

Upon hearing that Wang Yongzhu was also going, the Wang Family Patriarch nearly popped his eyes out.

Honestly speaking, these water-stealing skirmishes between villages happened every few years, and in serious cases, they could be fatal!

Even in less severe instances, there were always young men who ended the year with cracked heads, broken arms, or legs.

Fighting for their own fields and harvests, fueled by the vigor of youth, altercations could escalate into blind rage. True fury didn’t subside until blood was drawn.

What girl wouldn’t turn pale at the thought of such violence? Yet why was Wang Laozhu’s daughter so courageous?

But then again, the girl had fought wolves on the mountain. Wasn’t that fierce?

With this in mind, the Patriarch agreed, but not without issuing several extra cautions, "Stick close behind your brother, and if things look bad, there’s no shame for a girl to hide away!"

Wang Yongzhu obediently nodded her head.

As soon as the Clan Leader left, Old Granny Zhang blew up, twisting Wang Yongzhu’s ear and dragging her inside, "You come inside with me!"

The Wang Family looked on in admiration at Old Granny Zhang. Sure enough, the highest-ranking person in the home dared to twist the ears of the daughter/younger sister/maiden aunt!

Once inside, tears poured down Old Granny Zhang’s face, "My precious ancestor, do you think water-stealing is a game? One careless move and you could be bleeding or break an arm or leg! What are you, a young lady, doing mixing with those smelly men? If you so much as scrape your skin, your mother would be heartbroken!"

Wang Yongzhu touched her ear; it was throbbing with heat from being pulled so hard. She knew Old Granny Zhang must be furious, so she quickly went over, took her hand, and started acting coquettishly, "Mom, you’ve hurt my ear by pulling it. Check it for me, please. Don’t tell me it’s broken, right?"

When Old Granny Zhang heard this, she immediately forgot about crying and hurried to check. Looking at her daughter’s white steamed-bun-like earlobes, the two lobes indeed looked red.

Feeling distressed, she alternated between blowing air on them and cooing to comfort, "There, Mommy will blow on it, and it won’t hurt anymore!"

Wang Yongzhu smiled and leaned in to enjoy Old Granny Zhang’s tender caresses while whispering to her, "Mom, don’t you trust me? I’m not even afraid of wolves, let alone people. And it’s not as if I’ll be going alone; with so many people there, I might not even need to lift a finger!"

"Besides, our family is the envy of the village. If we don’t pull our weight in this water fight, anyone who takes a disliking to us could cause trouble later on, speak ill of us, and that could really hurt our future business prospects."

"If I go tonight, no matter what, we’ve shown the Wang Family’s stance, and no one can say anything! Don’t worry, Mom, I know what I’m doing. Besides, isn’t Fourth Brother there? He won’t let anything happen to me, right?" she said, bringing up Wang Yongping at the critical moment to draw off the fire.

Old Granny Zhang wasn’t ignorant of social etiquette or logic; she was just distressed for her daughter, having to shoulder everything for the family while other girls could be pampered at home, waiting for their parents and in-laws to arrange their dowry.

Her own daughter had it tough, being so small yet carrying the weight of the family, worrying about everything without seeing much benefit. The only upside was that whatever the daughter said went unopposed!

And for Old Granny Zhang, that was the benefit of being daughter-whipped; whatever her daughter said, was the final word. Despite her internal reluctance, she endured and indulged her every whim.

So although still unhappy about it, she didn’t object further.

After some thought, she also called in Wang Yongping, giving him a barrage of instructions: Their primary goal wasn’t to steal water, but to ensure the safety of his sister. If Wang Yongzhu so much as got a scratch, he could expect a shoe-beating when he returned!

Wang Yongping was coerced into making a host of promises before Old Granny Zhang let him go.

As evening approached, everyone had their fill of food and drink, especially those who were going to snatch water from the dam at night; every household steamed buns to ensure they were well-fed and had energy for the night’s work.

As the sky darkened, Song Chongjin arrived. The moment Old Granny Zhang saw him, her eyes lit up—wasn’t this like having protection for her daughter delivered right to her door?

She immediately put on a smiling face, "Chongjin is here, have you eaten?"

Song Chongjin shook his head candidly, "No!"

Old Granny Zhang’s face stiffened for a moment, but then she quickly turned to Lady Jiang, "Quick, bring out those buns that were left over from dinner."

Turning back, she asked, "The buns might not be enough, what else would you like to eat?"

"That cold mixed noodles from last time were good," replied Song Chongjin without any hesitation, directly placing his order.

Since Old Granny Zhang was counting on Song Chongjin to protect her daughter later, she did not skimp and instructed Lady Jiang to make the cold mixed noodles.

Luckily, knowing that the water raid usually happened after midnight, Lady Jiang had prepared the dough in advance, ready for a late-night snack.

Upon Grandmother’s order, with swift movements, she cut the noodles and threw them into the pot, then chilled them in water; by the time Song Chongjin had finished his two buns, the cold noodles were ready.

As Song Chongjin ate, Old Granny Zhang asked, "Are you also going to snatch water later?"

Song Chongjin nodded.

The look Old Granny Zhang gave Song Chongjin then grew more sympathetic—those going to snatch water at night were compensated by the village with one kilogram of kneaded dough per household, as a reward.

Even the stingiest of families wouldn’t skimp at a time like this, as it related to the entire village’s harvest—without a full belly, where would the strength to snatch water come from?

But seeing Song Chongjin like this, she suspected that Mother Song, whose brain was perhaps stuck in a door, might have sent the dough to her own family, again.

She really hadn’t seen such a mother before.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yongzhu gave Song Chongjin another look, taking in his travel-worn appearance—had he just rushed back from outside?

By the time Song Chongjin finished eating, the sky had already turned dark, and the main group was about to set out.

Each person carried either a shovel or a hoe—these were not only tools for snatching water but also weapons should a fight break out.

Nearly every family had one strong laborer slowly gathering at the edge of the village, led by the eldest son of Lizheng’s house, moving stealthily upstream.

The night was dark, and the path was narrow.

Fearing alerting others, they couldn’t light torches or make noise.

Although Wang Yongzhu was mentally prepared and her eyesight had improved since taking the Genetic Liquid, she still couldn’t see perfectly in the dark; however, with a bit of starlight, she could just barely make out the path.

Wang Yongping led the way, whispering back from time to time with warnings about any pits or stones ahead.