Chapter 13: Staying to Farm

“What? You’re not going out?” Ling Hongshan’s eyes widened instantly. “No way! What kind of future is there for you in this backwater mountain area? Although our family has money now, you’re a college graduate. Your future should be in a big city, not stuck in these mountains.”

Ling Mo smiled helplessly. He knew his parents would disagree once he voiced his plans. In their eyes, these mountains were backward. Only cities represented success, the proper choice for successful people.

“Dad, don’t get worked up. Listen to me. I’ve seriously considered this matter over and over. The country now encourages the construction of new rural areas and supports the development of new agriculture. Staying home might not be worse than being outside. Besides, city pollution is severe, the food and drinks are terrible, and the quality of life might not be as good as at home. Many wealthy people even specifically buy houses in the countryside to live in.”

Ling Mo tried to persuade his parents. If he hadn’t returned from the Canglan Continent, if he didn’t have the abilities of a psychic, he would definitely have returned to the city to develop his career. But now that he had psychic abilities, developing in the countryside would only be better than in the city.

Moreover, he knew that even if he settled down in the city, his parents would never follow him. So his choice was simple.

Besides, with his current strength, he would be in his element in the mountains. He could completely rely on his power to change his hometown.

“But… but you’re a college graduate. The conditions in the mountains are so poor. How much hardship will you have to endure if you stay?” Yang Shulan also chimed in, trying to dissuade him.

Ling Mo smiled. “Mom, the conditions were even worse back then, and you still persevered. While I can’t compare to you and Dad, I still have some confidence. I’m not just being foolish. Just trust me. I have the ability to make money in the mountains. I’ll definitely make our family better.”

“Ah, Mo’er, you’ve grown up and have your own ideas, which is a good thing. But Dashan Village is too poor. What will others think of you if you stay here? Can you handle the gossip?” Ling Hongshan’s tone softened a bit, but he was still considering things from Ling Mo’s perspective.

Ling Mo smiled. “Dad, we’ll live our lives, and they can say what they want. No matter what they say, I’ll follow my plans. Don’t worry; it won’t be long before I shock everyone who’s ever talked about us.”

Seeing Ling Mo’s determined expression, Ling Hongshan and Yang Shulan finally shook their heads and stopped trying to persuade him. “Alright, since you’ve already decided, then do as you see fit.”

Actually, in their hearts, Ling Hongshan and Yang Shulan were overjoyed that their son would stay, and the family could be together.

They were just more concerned about Ling Mo’s future. As long as Ling Mo had a promising future, they would be willing to pay any price.

Ling Hongshan and Yang Shulan were not optimistic about Ling Mo’s development at home. They knew better than anyone how poor the mountains were and didn’t think their son could make any money relying on them.

However, the Ling family wasn’t short of money now. Their son had made so much money selling flowers that it would be enough for the rest of his life even if he didn’t do anything else. So they weren’t in a hurry and would just let their son do as he pleased.

“Thank you, Dad! Thank you, Mom! I won’t let you down,” Ling Mo said happily, relieved that his parents had finally agreed.

After packing his things, Ling Mo began preparing to cook, but when he entered the kitchen, he discovered that there was no water in the house.

He picked up a carrying pole, took two buckets, and excitedly went out.

In June, the sun relentlessly scorched the ground.

After only a few steps, Ling Mo’s forehead had already begun to sweat.

Dashan Village was located on the southeast side of Ghost House Mountain. It stretched eleven li from east to west and three li from north to south, with a height difference of nearly six hundred meters.

The entire village had ten production teams, totaling more than 1,600 people, making it the second-largest village in Jinping Township.

There were only three wells in the entire village, but they had to supply water for more than 1,000 people. Among them, the seventh, eighth, and ninth production teams, where Ling Mo’s family was located, shared one well.

The well water was spring water that emerged from the mountains, clear and sweet. No matter how dry it was, the well never dried up.

However, apart from the two households closest to the well, everyone else had to carry buckets of water along mountain roads that were hundreds or even thousands of meters long each time they fetched water, and the farthest even had to cross a mountain.

It was okay when the weather was clear, but when it rained, fetching water became the most painful thing for every household. Villagers often fell because of this.

Looking at the buckets, Ling Mo felt the backwardness of the mountain village even more.

The current Dashan Village was still in an era where transportation relied on walking, communication relied on shouting, heating relied on shivering, and security relied on dogs.

A joke in the village used to be that if a thief came, they would have to beg for food to get back. Why? Because they couldn’t steal anything of value.

Ling Mo believed that even now, many villagers probably hadn’t even heard of tap water.

Crossing the long ridges, Ling Mo arrived at the field above the well. At the end of the distant fields, a graceful figure walked slowly.

A floral shirt, faded jeans, and a thick, black braid. Ling Mo recognized the person as Zhang Chunqiao, the young widow next door. She had just gotten married the year before, but before the new year arrived, her husband, Wang Dashun, had an accident at the construction site, leaving a young widow in her early twenties.

Because of this, Zhang Chunqiao’s mother-in-law, Luo Yufang, disliked her very much, believing that she had a cursed life and that she had killed Wang Dashun.

Ling Mo’s gaze unconsciously fell on her. At this time, Zhang Chunqiao was carrying water, and sweat had soaked most of her clothes, outlining a perfect curve.

Because she was carrying water, her body was slightly bent, and with each step, the two large mounds in front of her chest rose and fell with her steps, her waist swaying slowly, and her beautiful buttocks swinging gently, as if performing a moving melody.

“Ling Mo.”

Seeing him, Zhang Chunqiao put down her water bucket, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and revealed a shy smile.

Ling Mo averted his gaze and laughed. “Hi, have you had lunch?”

Zhang Chunqiao smiled. “I’ll make it when I get back. By the way, is your father’s illness better?”

Ling Mo smiled. “Thank you for your concern. He’s already better.”

“Oh, that’s good.” Zhang Chunqiao breathed a sigh of relief and patted her chest, instantly attracting Ling Mo’s attention again.

“Chunqiao, what are you doing? Are you still going to cook? Do you want to starve me to death?” Suddenly, Zhang Chunqiao’s mother-in-law, Luo Yufang, walked out of the distant fields with a vegetable basket and shouted coldly at Zhang Chunqiao.

Zhang Chunqiao’s face changed drastically. She hurriedly bent down to pick up the water bucket and said in a low voice, “I’ll go first, goodbye.” With that, she ran off with the water.

Ling Mo looked at Zhang Chunqiao’s mother-in-law, only to see Luo Yufang walking over with a dark face.

Ling Mo greeted her with a smile. “Aunt Luo, good afternoon.”

“Hmph!” Luo Yufang glared at him fiercely, then snorted coldly and left with her basket.

Ling Mo touched his nose in astonishment. Had he offended her?

Carrying the water buckets, he continued forward. Soon, Ling Mo arrived at the well. But he froze again. Before his eyes was another vivid and fragrant scene of rural beauty.