Chapter 18: The Village Chief Arrives

Life in the countryside is always bustling with activity.

As midsummer approaches, the temperature rises steadily, and various fruits are nearing ripeness. The weeds in the fields grow rapidly, and everywhere you look, farmers are busy at work.

Ling Mo took the initiative to take on all the farm work at home—weeding, watering—as if he had truly become a genuine farmer.

At the same time, he conducted Spirit Connection experiments on the vegetables and fruits available at home.

With his current strength as a first-level Spirit Warrior, he could only manipulate small plants like vegetables on a large scale. For larger plants like fruit trees, the number was limited, and he could Spirit Connect with a maximum of ten trees at a time.

Every day, he chatted with his father and sought advice on managing vegetables and fruit trees.

With his solid foundation as a Soul Conduit from the Azurewave Continent, Ling Mo could grasp everything after just one explanation from Ling Hongshan.

“Ling Hongshan, Ling Hongshan.”

Just as Ling Mo finished breakfast with his parents, he heard someone calling from outside.

“Director Zhou, what brings you here? Have you had breakfast yet?”

The three of them stepped out of the house and saw Zhou Zhi Shu standing at the entrance of the courtyard. Beside him was a graceful young woman dressed in white.

Ling Mo was momentarily stunned. Wasn’t this Zhao Qingxue, the girl he had saved in the city? What was she doing here?

“Yes, yes. Let me introduce you. This is Comrade Zhao Qingxue, the newly appointed Township Chief of Jinping Township, who is also temporarily serving as the village chief of Dashan Village. Township Chief Zhao, this is Ling Mo and his parents,” Zhou Zhi Shu introduced both parties.

“Township Chief Zhao?” Ling Hongshan and Yang Shulan looked at the stunningly beautiful girl before them, their eyes lighting up. However, upon hearing her title, they couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous and respectful. “Township Chief Zhao, please come inside and have a seat. Xiao Mo, go fetch a chair.”

“Uncle Ling, Auntie Yang, please don’t stand on ceremony. My name is Zhao Qingxue, you can call me Xiao Xue. Actually, I came here for two reasons. First, I wanted to conduct an inspection of Dashan Village and hoped Ling Mo could guide me. Second, I wanted to thank Ling Mo for his help in the past. I heard Uncle Ling was unwell, so I brought a small gift as a token of my gratitude. Please accept it,” Zhao Qingxue said with a sweet smile that felt like a warm breeze.

“Township Chief Zhao,” Ling Hongshan and Yang Shulan exchanged glances. Their son actually had a connection with such a beautiful Township Chief?

“Uncle Ling, please call me Xiao Xue,” Zhao Qingxue said.

“Alright, alright,” Ling Hongshan quickly responded. “Xiao Xue, you didn’t have to bring all these things. My illness has already recovered, thank you for your concern. If there’s anything you need in Dashan Village, just let Xiao Mo handle it.”

“That’s right, Xiao Xue, come sit down, have some water. Have you eaten? You must be tired after such a long journey. Let me make you something to eat. Leave all the errands to Xiao Mo,” Yang Shulan said with boundless enthusiasm.

Ling Mo looked helplessly at his parents’ glowing expressions and said, “Dad, Mom, the Township Chief has important work to do in the village. We shouldn’t delay her.”

Yang Shulan retorted, “Delay what? Precisely because Xiao Xue has come all the way to our remote village to inspect the work, we should treat her even better. Listen, today you’re dropping everything and focusing on accompanying Xiao Xue during her inspection. If you slack off in any way, I won’t let you off the hook, understand?”

Zhao Qingxue smiled as she looked at Ling Mo’s family. Taking advantage of the moment when Yang Shulan and the others weren’t paying attention, she playfully winked at Ling Mo and then said with a smile, “Auntie, please don’t trouble yourself. I’ve already eaten. Since it’s still early, why don’t you let Ling Mo take me around the village?”

“Alright, alright. When you get tired from walking, remember to come back to our house to rest,” Yang Shulan replied, her face practically blooming with joy. Then, her tone shifted as she turned to Ling Mo, “You brat, hurry up and go!”

Zhou Zhi Shu stared blankly at the conversation between Zhao Qingxue and Ling Mo’s family. It took him a while to process what was happening. Something was off. Why was Township Chief Zhao being so polite to Ling Mo’s family? He knew Zhao Qingxue’s reputation in the township government—she was aloof, extremely aloof!

Could it be that this beautiful township chief actually had feelings for Ling Mo?

It was possible! Ling Mo was a college graduate and a handsome young man. Perhaps the two of them already had a relationship, and that was why Zhao Qingxue had come to Jinping Township to serve as the township chief. Moreover, she had eagerly taken on the additional role of village chief for Dashan Village. This was shaping up to be a classic case of a woman pursuing a man!

In an instant, Zhou Zhi Shu’s mind raced with countless possibilities, and his gaze toward Ling Mo grew intense. If Zhao Qingxue could become Dashan Village’s daughter-in-law, wouldn’t the village prosper?

This was absolutely a great opportunity!

Support—this was something he had to support. Even if there was no chance, he would create the conditions to make it possible for Ling Mo.

Zhou Zhi Shu chuckled and said, “That’s right, Xiao Mo. I’m getting old, and climbing hills leaves me breathless. Township Chief Zhao has shown exceptional concern for our Dashan Village and wants to help us escape poverty and become prosperous. You represent Dashan Village, so make sure to accompany the township chief properly. By the way, didn’t you want to develop your hometown? Share your plans with the township chief. If you can get her support, success is guaranteed.”

Ling Mo was practically pushed out of the house by his parents, and the two of them walked along the village path.

Zhao Qingxue smiled and said, “Your parents are such kind people.”

Seeing the mischievous smile on Zhao Qingxue’s face, Ling Mo felt a playful urge and said, “Of course they are. My parents have eyes for their future daughter-in-law and have completely forgotten about their son. Ah, I really have no status left now.”

Zhao Qingxue’s cheeks flushed slightly. “What nonsense are you spouting? Ha, Ling Mo, I always thought you were a gentleman, but it turns out you’re just a rogue.”

Ling Mo looked up at the sky and suddenly said, “Remember to wear more clothes in a couple of days.”

Zhao Qingxue asked, “Why?”

Ling Mo sighed softly. “It’s going to snow.”

Zhao Qingxue was puzzled. “It’s June. How could it snow?”

Ling Mo replied with a profound expression, “Have you heard of ‘snow in June’? Whenever there’s a great injustice in the world, even the heavens can’t bear to watch.”

Zhao Qingxue finally caught on and couldn’t help but laugh. This guy had taken such a roundabout way to say that he had been wronged.

“I’m even more convinced now that you’re a bad guy,” Zhao Qingxue said with a serious tone, though the corners of her eyes betrayed her amusement.

“But I still don’t understand. Why would a young lady like you come to such a remote and impoverished place to be a township chief? It couldn’t really be for me, could it?” Ling Mo teased.

Zhao Qingxue’s eyelid twitched as she turned her gaze toward the distance. It was true that after obtaining Ling Mo’s information, she had ultimately chosen to come to Jinping Township. But to her, what difference did it make between Jinping Township and Yushan County?

To be more precise, she had subconsciously fled here.

Sensing Zhao Qingxue’s low spirits, Ling Mo shrugged and smiled, “What plans do you have for this inspection trip to Dashan Village? Is the township really preparing to carry out poverty alleviation work there?”

Zhao Qingxue collected her thoughts and replied, “Yes. When I first arrived at Cuiping Township, I couldn’t believe that there are still such impoverished villages in the country. And your Dashan Village, being the second largest in Cuiping Township, is actually the one with the worst conditions. So I wanted to come and see for myself. Since I’m here, I should at least do something before leaving.”

Ling Mo nodded, “Indeed, this place is so poor that change is absolutely necessary.”