"The people are arguing over there by the greenhouses!"
Chen Zhenhai pointed angrily in the direction of the fields. A group of people were gathered there, on the verge of a fight.
A gust of wind blew, carrying with it all kinds of gossips.
"We put in so much effort to build the greenhouses, but a single gust of wind destroyed them all."
"If you didn't build the greenhouses, the wind would have destroyed everything too. You might even be worse off than if you had them!"
"You're only saying that because your family's losses are small."
As the speaker said this, they stomped on the ground twice, crushing a healthy seedling to pieces.
Natural disasters are unpredictable, but man - made disasters are even harder to guard against.
When the two of them arrived, Shen Rong was holding the crushed seedling and crying softly.
As a widow raising a child on her own, she had finally managed to install the greenhouses, hoping that next year's good harvest would improve their lives. Who would have thought that although the strong wind last night didn't destroy her crops, those jealous people had damaged most of them.
Ye Zhinan took Shen Rong's hand and whispered, "Don't worry. It can still be saved!"
Shen Rong's eyes lit up, and she immediately regained her vitality.
"Are you serious?"
Ye Zhinan patted her hand, walked forward, and glared at the person who had stomped on the seedling.
"The weather in the Northern Border changes so quickly. Do you really have the time to argue here? Do you really want to go hungry next year?"
"We listened to you and built the greenhouses, but look at what happened after one night. The greenhouses were useless!"
The speaker was Sister Li, Shen Rong's neighbor. She couldn't stand the fact that the neighbor next door, separated by only a wall, had suffered fewer losses than her own family.
Once people feel unbalanced in their hearts, they will try to cause trouble for others. They can't stand to see others do well, especially those who are less fortunate than them but end up being luckier.
"The fallen greenhouses have crushed a lot of crops. It would have been better if we hadn't built them at all."
Several people in the crowd echoed. Ye Zhinan looked around but couldn't identify them, so she gave up and continued talking to Sister Li.
"I took a look at your field on my way here. Although the greenhouses have fallen, the field isn't completely destroyed. If you go back now to repair and reinforce them, it's still not too late. Coupled with my fertilizer, it will surely get twice the result with half the effort!"
Sister Li's eyes lit up.
"Is there still hope?"
"If you don't believe me, just wait here and starve to death next year."
After saying that, Ye Zhinan ignored her.
There's no point arguing with fools. Instead of wasting time arguing, it's better to seize the time to repair the greenhouses.
"Building the greenhouses was definitely for everyone's good. As you all know, the weather in the Northern Border is unpredictable, so the repair work is urgent. The government will also help everyone rebuild. If you need anything, just go to the supply depot."
Qin Yihuai's words were firm. After he said that, no one dared to say anything more.
Everyone knew how to weigh the pros and cons. After venting their anger, they still had to face reality.
The reality was that they had the fertilizer and the government's support.
After the crowd dispersed, Shen Rong pulled her son and thanked Ye Zhinan repeatedly.
"You've helped our mother and son again. I really don't know how to repay you."
Although her life had been full of hardships, her heart was as pure as snow.
She knew that she was a pure beneficiary of the weaving business, and now Ye Zhinan had contributed the fertilizer. She felt even more guilty.
"I was going to tell everyone about the fertilizer sooner or later."
Ye Zhinan saw through her thoughts. After saying that, she lifted her skirt and helped clean up the mess.
Seeing this, Shen Rong didn't decline anymore. There was no need to rush to repay the kindness, but she would always keep it in mind.
By the time they finished the work in the fields, the sun had already set. Ye Zhinan's stomach was growling with hunger.
"You've worked hard with me for another day. Come home and have a simple meal. It's just a small token of my appreciation!"
"Great! I've been thinking about Aunt Ye's cooking for a long time!"
Before Qin Yihuai could say anything, Chen Zhenhai was already drooling and running towards Ye's house.
Qin Yihuai followed suit, his heart filled with joy.
She said "come home".
What a wonderful word! What kind of people could go home together!
When they arrived at Ye's house, Han Xiangmei had already prepared the meal.
Since Ye Zhinan started farming, although their life wasn't as good as before, they no longer had to worry about food.
"Auntie's cooking is always so delicious. I could eat dozens of bowls. I really want to come here every day!"
Chen Zhenhai was eating and praising at the same time. He was really noisy.
"Don't forget to leave the money for the meal when you leave!"
Qin Yihuai gave him a cold look. Chen Zhenhai broke out in a cold sweat and silently protected his money bag.
After the meal, Qin Yihuai left. Ye Zhinan watched him leave and then ran into her mother's room.
"Mom, can I borrow your needle and thread?"
"Old man, our daughter has changed. She's going to start learning female handicrafts!"
Ye Shenyan smiled but said nothing. He already understood.
It was late at night. There was no wind. She would surely have a good dream tonight.
There were three knocks on the window. Ye Zhinan opened the window and handed out a piece of malt candy.
"Stand up!"
Qin Yihuai didn't suspect anything and stood up quietly. Suddenly, his clothes were tugged. Looking down, he saw a small head sewing under the moonlight.
"Okay. It's not perfect, but it'll do!"
Ye Zhinan let go of her hands. A plum blossom was about to bloom under the moonlight.
The fragrance of plum blossoms comes from the bitter cold!
"Thank you for believing in me and protecting me!"
Watching Qin Yihuai's figure fade into the distance, Ye Zhinan's words dissipated in the night air.
She had a good night's sleep, without wind or rain.
On the day of removing the stitches, everyone came to Liu Donghang's house.
"Miss Ye, please be gentle. Ruonan is afraid of pain!"
Wang Zhilan had never been so nervous. Her hands were almost rubbed raw.
Although Ruonan had a tomboyish personality, she was still a girl after all. What she was worried about was not just the pain.
"Don't worry at all. I guarantee that her calf will be fairer than before."
Ye Zhinan had changed the dressing herself every time, so she was very confident.
"Is it done? How is it?"
Liu Ruonan covered her face with both hands, anxious and worried.
"Look!"
Ye Zhinan suddenly pulled her hands away, revealing a fair and clean calf.
"Really, there's not a single scar!"
Liu Ruonan opened her eyes wide and felt her calf up and down.
"You're not just as beautiful as a fairy. You're a real goddess!"
There was a cheer in the room, but those outside knew nothing about it.
"Girl, how is it?"
Liu Donghang was waiting anxiously at the door. Hearing the voices of the three women in the room rising and falling, his heart became more and more anxious.
"Her father, I'll take care of the farm work from now on. You just focus on weaving for Miss Ye!"
Compared to Liu Donghang's stunned expression, Qin Yihuai seemed to have known it all along.
After saying goodbye to the Liu family, Ye Zhinan bounced around happily, like a lively rabbit.
"I didn't expect such a pleasant surprise! Did you know that Wang Zhilan would say that?"
Qin Yihuai smiled and nodded silently: "Her family is trustworthy."
"I'll pay them according to the rules."
Ye Zhinan and he looked at each other and smiled.
They had the same thought again.
Kindness alone can't last long. Only by tying in non - emotional interests can a relationship be long - lasting.
So Wang Zhilan's choice was not just to repay the kindness. It also contained her expectation for the future. She believed that Ye Zhinan could lead them out of their difficulties.
The repair and planting work was progressing in an orderly manner, but Ye Zhinan always felt that something was missing in her heart.
Everything had come too easily, which made people feel an uneasy sense that a storm was coming.