My Super Farming System

C6 – Too Extravagant!

After a three-minute explanation, Zhao Yuegu finally clarified the program team’s purpose for visiting to the elderly villagers.

“So, they’re from Mother’s family, here to help us out of poverty.”

Zhao Yuegu’s eyebrows arched slightly.

Clearly, the elders understood what the program team was really there for.

But why the act? Why continue to refer to them as Mother’s family?

Upon reflection, Zhao Yuegu felt a surge of emotion.

They were doing this for him!

In a village as impoverished as theirs, it wasn’t easy for young men to find brides.

Seeing how young Lin Luqin was, the elders wanted to play matchmaker.

How wealthy Lin Luqin and her group were didn’t really matter.

They were certainly wealthier than anyone in the village!

Missing this chance would be a mistake; who knew when another opportunity would come?

Following the explanation, the elders’ warmth only intensified.

Meanwhile, Lin Luqin clung to Zhao Yuegu, reluctant to leave his side.

“Why are you sticking so close to me?”

“I don’t want them crowding around me again.”

“Isn’t the program team helping you out?”

“With their age, who would have the heart to stop them?”

“We don’t have any con artists in the village.”

Zhao Yuegu looked stern. Walden might be a bit isolated, but its residents were honest and straightforward, unfamiliar with deceitful tricks.

The old men here, accustomed to hard work, would simply dust themselves off after a fall and get back up.

Those who weren’t as sturdy had long since passed on.

Lin Luqin’s cheeks flushed.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have been so suspicious.”

She muttered under her breath, not caring whether Zhao Yuegu heard her or not.

But her reluctance to part drew the grandmothers’ attention.

“Look how shy the Lin family’s little daughter-in-law is, hiding behind Zhao and not coming out.”

Hearing this, Lin Luqin’s grip on Zhao Yuegu’s pants tightened nervously.

With a bit more strength, she might have pulled them right off!

I’m not the Lin family’s daughter-in-law!

Yet, she didn’t have the courage to step away from Zhao Yuegu’s side.

Those grandparents were terrifying!

Zhao Yuegu, noticing her panic, let the matter go.

Instead, he turned to the elders with a question.

“Have you seen Xueman?”

Xueman was his sister, without a formal name because she was the village’s fifth child, and that’s what she had always been called.

The villagers had found her, and because she only stopped crying in Zhao Yuegu’s presence as a child, she became his sister.

In a way, Zhao Yuegu had raised her from a young age.

Grandma Eight was the one who answered.

“She didn’t come out; she’s probably still at home.”

“I’ll go check on her.”

With that, Zhao Yuegu, carrying a watermelon, headed home.

His house was the last one in the village, nestled against a mountain with a breathtaking view.

The yard was also much larger than most, allowing for a variety of vegetables to be grown.

The wooden gate bore scorch marks and holes but was still functional.

As he approached the gate, Zhao Yuegu heard crying from inside the courtyard.

It was unmistakably Zhao Xueman’s voice!

His heart clenched, and he rushed inside.

“Is something wrong?”

Lin Luqin, trailing behind him, saw Zhao Yuegu’s sudden burst of speed and felt a wave of panic.

Glancing fearfully behind her, she followed him into the courtyard.

The cameraman, considerate as ever, turned off his equipment and trailed behind.

“What’s happened to Xueman?”

Zhao Yuegu moved quickly, shoving open the creaky wooden door to find Xueman sitting on the ground, sobbing.

Zhao Xueman, just over nine years old and not very tall, was remarkably sensible.

She could cook and mend, taking care of many household tasks.

Though she hadn’t been to school, she possessed a natural charm and grace.

He scooped Xueman up off the ground, her slight frame nestling into his embrace.

“Brother, we’ve run out of rice!”

Zhao Xueman pointed to the empty rice jar, her sadness palpable.

Hearing this, Zhao Yuegu’s tension eased.

“Oh, that’s all? It’s nothing to worry about.”

Approaching the rice jar, he discovered a plump rat trapped inside, frantically trying to scale the walls but failing to escape. The last of the rice had been devoured by the rodent, leaving Zhao Xueman in tears.

“I’ve brought back two watermelons; let’s have some to tide us over,” Zhao Yuegu said, comforting Zhao Xueman while slicing open a watermelon.

Lin Luqin witnessed the entire scene, her heart swelling with compassion. She hadn’t realized the dire straits of Zhao Yuegu’s household—they were even struggling for rice.

Observing Zhao Xueman again, she noted the girl’s beauty and vivacity, yet her slender frame spoke of malnutrition. Her hands, which should have been soft and supple, were wrinkled and coarse.

Moved by the sight of her crying so heartbreakingly, Lin Luqin offered chocolate from her pocket, stepping forward.

“Don’t cry, Xueman. Here’s some chocolate for you,” she said gently.

But Zhao Xueman remained nestled in Zhao Yuegu’s embrace, her head buried against him, indifferent to the awkwardly proffered chocolate from Lin Luqin.

“She’s shy around strangers; she hasn’t seen many outsiders since she was little,” Zhao Yuegu explained, defusing the tension.

Lin Luqin extended two more pieces of chocolate.

“Something to fill your bellies first?”

Zhao Yuegu politely declined. “No, thank you. Such sweets aren’t good for children’s teeth.”

Zhao Xueman agreed with a nod, adding, “Watermelon tastes better!”

Before long, Lin Luqin watched as they each held half a watermelon, sitting under the eaves, basking in the sun, and scooping out bites with wooden spoons. They chatted sporadically about family affairs, leaving Lin Luqin feeling somewhat wistful.

Envy crept in. Her own life, consumed by the demands of filming, had kept her from home for far too long. The simple, carefree lifestyle before her was tempting—embracing a watermelon without a care for appearances, eating joyfully.

Regrettably, Zhao Yuegu showed no inclination to share his watermelon with her.

She wasn’t even the slightest bit courteous.

But upon reflecting on the brother and sister’s present circumstances, she found herself coming to terms with it.

Her indulgence in watermelon was merely to quench her cravings.

For the siblings, it was a matter of staving off hunger.

As she was about to avert her gaze to save herself from the embarrassment of drooling, a panting big yellow dog bounded up to her, capturing her full attention.