The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 258 - 257: Coquettishly Asking (1700+) _1

Chapter 258: Chapter 257: Coquettishly Asking (1700+) _1

Village Chief Qi’s words made a lot of sense.

Niu Peng was a smart man and understood the point. He nodded and agreed, "What you’ve said makes a lot of sense, and our unit has fully considered your difficulties. This time it’s really different from before, but it’s not about asking Qijia Village to give up the water source. Instead, we want to organize manpower to drill another spring in Qijia Village, so that people from other villages can get water from these springs, and your village can still draw water from your pond for irrigation!"

Last year, the unit was already in debt to Village Chief Qi and Qijia Village for a favor.

This time, it wouldn’t be good to sacrifice the interests of Qijia Village again. Matters concerning food and life — the people of Qijia Village wouldn’t budge. This could lead to even greater conflicts and troubles.

Village Chief Qi felt somewhat relieved upon hearing Niu Peng’s words and nodded, "That’s possible! I’ve also been considering this and I know a place where there is a spring, but those waters flow towards the mountains and it’s tough to work on."

"Tough work isn’t the problem. The most crucial thing is to have water," said Niu Peng. "The day after tomorrow, there will be well-drilling experts sent from Huai City and the province. At that time, let them search thoroughly! If we can find a Dark River, that would be even better."

"Alright then," agreed Village Chief Qi. "Tomorrow after Dajun takes Xiao Yan to the county town, we’ll have a mobilization meeting in the village."

"Sure, after the meeting, I’ll go to the other villages and negotiate with them so that they can contribute manpower and effort," Niu Peng said. To get the water source as quickly as possible, the people from other villages would also come to help.

The next morning, Qi Xiaoyan left home carrying a small parcel and bid farewell to her parents.

He Tiantian had prepared a gift for Qi Xiaoyan: inside the small package were two new-style vests that fit snugly, with adjustable straps on the sides. Since Qi Xiaoyan was beginning to develop, she would make good use of these two garments.

Under everyone’s watchful eye, Qi Xiaoyan mounted Niu Dajun’s bicycle and set off for the county town.

As she was leaving, Qi Xiaoyan’s eyes were red, but she knew that she was now her parents’ pride, and in the future, she wanted to be an honorable soldier.

After a simple breakfast, Village Chief Qi and Niu Peng started mobilizing everyone for the meeting.

In recent times, the people of Qijia Village have been troubled a lot because of the water issue. Now that the unit leaders had come, they thought they were here to take their water, and their expressions were not pretty.

This wasn’t about stealing water; it was about stealing food, stealing life!

In times of disaster, too many people starved to death. The people with memories were frightened awake at the thought.

However, upon hearing that Niu Peng suggested looking for water or springs in the village or the back mountain, everyone felt a bit relieved.

This was a better approach, at least their water was secure.

The truth was they were all fellow villagers. Many daughters of Qijia Village were married off to other villages, and daughters-in-law were brought in from elsewhere. They didn’t want to sever relations entirely and lose the chance to be relatives in the future.

After praising the awareness of Qijia Village, Niu Peng hurried off with his secretary to the other villages to persuade them not to seize the water of Qijia Village.

He Tiantian returned from the mobilization meeting and went to the cave in the back mountain that very night.

He Tiantian, Snake King, and Rotating Turtle, a trio — one person and two beasts — held a symposium.

He Tiantian sat on a large rock, Snake King stood in midair, and Rotating Turtle lay in the pond. The triad of land, air, and sea were all present.

"Rotating Turtle, you said that most of the water here flows into the Dark River, right?" asked He Tiantian excitedly. "If we can divert the water from the Dark River, the drought in TY County could be resolved."

"Yes, but the Dark River is very deep underground," nodded Rotating Turtle. "Excavating it will be very laborious."

"Don’t worry, many hands make light work!" He Tiantian smiled. As long as they found the right location, the rest were minor details.

Hearing He Tiantian say this, Rotating Turtle shivered and responded, "That’s right, you humans are the cleverest. When there’s many of you, there’s great power, and you’ll make conditions even if they don’t exist."

He Tiantian chuckled awkwardly, feeling a bit embarrassed, as humans sometimes behaved too eagerly.

"Could you please help look for the place closest to the Dark River?" He Tiantian asked, "Getting the water out a day earlier could alleviate the drought a bit sooner..."

Rotating Turtle didn’t speak but turned to look at the imposing Snake King.

The Snake King turned its head and said, "This is your strong suit, why are you looking at me?"

"My abilities are limited; I need the Snake King’s help." Rotating Turtle smiled naively, and with Tiantian present, it had to take on the task, but how could it let itself, a stone turtle, handle such tiring work alone!

He Tiantian looked at the Snake King with a beaming smile, "Snake King, without affecting your cultivation, please help the people of TY County!"

The Snake King still didn’t speak, absolutely refusing to admit that it enjoyed seeing He Tiantian plead with it.

"Snake King, please..." came He Tiantian’s coquettish voice.

Rotating Turtle’s eyes spun between He Tiantian and the Snake King, stealthily snickering.

"The great me will take care of it," the Snake King agreed, for it was indeed a good deed to be done.

"So when do we start?" He Tiantian asked eagerly, "What do I need to do?"

"You don’t need to do anything," the Snake King replied lazily, "Just wait here for us."

He Tiantian nodded repeatedly, "Thank you so much, Snake King!"

Rotating Turtle was discontent, raising its little claw and saying, "But I’m the main one doing the work..."

Rotating Turtle felt a pang of regret; it was like carrying a rock only to drop it on its own foot. It wanted to drag the Snake King into the labor, but it had forgotten that working with the Snake King meant the Snake King was the leader and it was just a soldier. If there was any credit to be claimed, most of it would go to the Snake King.

What a bummer!

"Stop blabbering and get to work!" chided the Snake King as it hopped onto Rotating Turtle’s back, giving it a poke with the tip of its tail.

He Tiantian patted Rotating Turtle’s back, "Rotating Turtle is also amazing! Thank you for your hard work!"

Rotating Turtle wanted to say more, but the Snake King grew impatient, "Stop babbling or I’ll seal your mouth..."

Rotating Turtle quickly covered its mouth with one big claw, walking on three legs, trailing behind the Snake King in a stumbling, comical manner.

A snake and a turtle went down the exit of the water pool.

He Tiantian waited anxiously by the water, hoping they would return soon.

Reflecting on the changes to her life since the appearance of the Snake King, He Tiantian felt like everything had been turned upside down. She not only had a new life but had also picked herself up in the remote mountain village, right where she’d fallen in her previous life.

With the Snake King around, Qi Jianguo’s schemes and deceptions couldn’t fool her!

With the Snake King, she changed the fortunes of her dear friend!

Her parents were healthy and well, her friends were happy, and she herself was living a fulfilling life.

Now with Little Rotating Turtle, things were even more interesting than before.

The reason He Tiantian was so keen on enlisting Little Rotating Turtle was partly to utilize its talents to relieve TY County’s disaster and partly to find a companion for the Snake King.