Chapter 21: The Soldier Brother, a Top-Notch Tea Connoisseur

Ruan Xiaotang, resting in the shade, became the object of collective envy for all the married and unmarried women standing under the scorching sun.

Envious glances were cast from time to time, followed by silent sighs, lamenting their lack of such good fortune!

What good is envy? If you don’t do your work, how will you eat?

Ruan Xiaotang sat proudly on a large stone under the shade of the trees.

She didn’t care about being the center of attention.

She didn’t care about the envious looks others gave her.

As long as she could annoy Ruan Xiaomei.

She would be happy enough to fly.

Didn’t she always try to suppress her in the past?

From now on, things won’t always go your way.

Doesn’t she love to play petty tricks?

With her, Ruan Xiaotang, around, she’ll definitely end up shooting herself in the foot.

She curled her lips in disdain.

Her gaze shifted.

Landing on her soldier brother.

With the innocent and carefree romance unique to a young girl, her watery eyes were glistening, clinging to the young man with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a strong physique.

Her tender hands cupped her collagen-filled cheeks.

She gazed adoringly at her soldier brother.

He wields the shovel so handsomely!

His movements are so manly!

In the sunlight, he seemed bathed in a golden halo.

Adding a touch of youthful vitality.

Passionate and unrestrained.

What’s most captivating is his face.

His facial lines are sharp, with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, and a high nose bridge.

From the side.

His superior facial structure is highly recognizable.

Tsk tsk!

It’s a shame he didn’t become a male model.

………………

The affectionate interaction between the young couple, exchanging sweet glances, infuriated Ruan Xiaomei.

A bellyful of frustration, with nowhere to vent, was unleashed on the iron shovel.

“You must be thirsty. Stop and have some water.”

Ruan Xiaotang opened the army green water bottle and handed it to Zhou Xingze.

She quickly took off the blue scarf from her head, crouched down, and with one slender hand resting on his broad shoulders, used the other to hold up the scarf and wipe his sweat.

Her soft and delicate fingertips brushed against his earlobe.

A surge of uncontrollable electricity coursed through his skin, rapidly spreading throughout his body.

His heart pounded wildly.

The close contact, the girl’s fragrance, gently wafted towards him.

Fragrant, sweet.

He wanted to take a bite.

“Gulp gulp”

His Adam’s apple moved down thirstily.

He cooperated as she wiped his sweat.

Zhou Xingze turned his head to hide his embarrassment.

He picked up the water bottle with one hand, tilted his head back, and drank.

Only this could help him regain his composure.

“Oh dear, I twisted my ankle, sister, please help me, okay?”

Ruan Xiaomei used the same old trick again, feigning weakness and illness to arouse the strong protective instincts of men.

Seeing that Ruan Xiaotang didn’t respond.

Her gaze shifted to Zhou Xingze.

“You’re my future brother-in-law, right? My sister is in trouble, brother-in-law, you won’t just stand by and watch, will you?”

Sitting by the ditch, Ruan Xiaomei puffed out her enviable chest, her eyes holding a seductive, vixen-like allure.

Her voice was both delicate and affected.

All to attract Zhou Xingze’s attention.

Confidently tilting her chin, no man had ever escaped her tender trap.

Ruan Xiaotang, what do you have?

It’s just that you’ve earned a reputation in the village for being diligent, capable, and virtuous.

But that empty title is useless.

Didn’t your former fiancé get charmed by me with just a few words?

The joke about you only died down a few days ago.

Here comes a new laughingstock, and you’re going to be the star again.

Don’t be too smug in front of me.

Her seductive and fiery gaze swept over Ruan Xiaotang with sarcasm.

Full of confident anticipation.

“Xiaotang, your sister has hurt her leg, go and call the foreman, ask someone to do it for her, just give the work points to that person, after all, they did the work, don’t be petty.”

He’s the man she likes, his ability to discern people’s true nature is top-notch.

Give him a big thumbs up.

“My work points, why should I give them to someone else? I don’t want to, if you don’t help, I’ll do it myself.”

Ruan Xiaomei’s eyes remained fixed on the man who had been facing away from her the whole time.

Is he blind?

I’m such a living person, right here, doesn’t he see me, or is it because Ruan Xiaotang is here, that it’s inconvenient?

I’m such a beauty, I don’t believe I can’t charm him!

Just wait and see.

“Gousheng, your Sister Mei has sprained her foot, hurry up and help.”

Ruan Xiaotang had a mischievous plan in mind, knowing that Gousheng, the simple-minded man in the village, had a crush on Ruan Xiaomei.

He might not be very bright, but he had endless energy.

He’s always been a hard worker in the village.

Hearing the three words “Sister Mei,” Gousheng, like a wound-up puppet, immediately jumped up, ignoring his own work, rushed over in a flash.

Panting, he looked at Ruan Xiaomei in the ditch, “I have plenty of strength, I’ll do the rest for you.”

“No… no need…”

Before she could refuse.

He jumped into the ditch.

Followed by a wave of foul-smelling sweat and stinky feet.

Nauseating.

Ruan Xiaomei didn’t want to be tainted by the stench, and quickly climbed out.

This fool, he sent himself to the door, why not use him?

Free work points, it would be foolish not to use him.

Wang Qiang, at the far west end, could see everything that happened, even from a distance.

He clenched the shovel handle angrily.

Good for you, Gousheng, you’ve got guts, daring to steal his wife.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

Ruan Xiaotang watched like it was a play.

Ruan Xiaomei having her cake and eating it too isn’t a good idea.

Let’s see how you explain yourself to your old lover!

………………

By noon.

The irrigation ditch, extending from east to west, was 80 meters long, 50 centimeters wide, and 40 centimeters deep. Thanks to everyone’s hard work and dedication, it was finally completed.

After a strict and professional inspection by the foreman.

Ruan Xiaotang won first place: full work points and a pound of pork belly.

After the foreman announced the results, everyone scattered like a swarm of bees.

Some had joyful faces.

Others were full of gloom and displeasure.

The sun became more intense at noon.

To escape the heat, people hurried back to the village.

“What do you want to eat for lunch?”

Ruan Xiaotang wore her blue scarf on her head to shield herself from the sun.

Zhou Xingze, carrying his iron hoe, wiped the sweat from his forehead and silently walked to her right.

His tall figure temporarily blocked the scorching sun, providing a small patch of shade.

Instantly, half the heat on her body was gone.

Such a small gesture, and her heart was captured again.

Ruan Xiaotang’s lips curved into a sweet smile.

This was only their second meeting, and he was already so considerate.

Then in the future…

Thinking about the future, a beautiful blush bloomed on her face.

“Anything you make, I’ll eat it.”