Chapter 51: Pushing for a Deal Is Not Business

Under the leadership of Village Head Lin, Qiu Yinuo saw the tractor parked at the rice mill.

Although the exterior had a few scratches, the surface was shiny, showing just how well the people of Taolin Village cared for it.

She asked for a few common tools and then began to remove the engine cover and the telescopic joint cover, unscrewing all the bolts.

The moment she reached out her hand, Qiu Qianjin instinctively stepped forward to catch the removed parts.

Qiu Yinuo raised an eyebrow, impressed. “You’ve got potential. Keep those screws safe. Come over here, and I’ll explain the tractor’s structure to you.”

Qiu Qianjin wasn’t particularly interested. “What, are you going to teach me how to fix a tractor?”

Qiu Yinuo gave him a cold, piercing look. “You don’t want to learn?”

“…No, I really want to learn. Totally.” He replied, now a bit more eager.

Qiu Yinuo nodded in satisfaction and began pointing to different parts of the tractor, starting her lesson. “The tractor consists of three main parts: the engine, the rear axle, and the wheel hub. The engine is the most important part…”

The others, including Qiu Qianjin, leaned in, listening closely. Most of them had only ever heard such technical terms from the mechanics who usually came to repair things.

Qiu Yinuo didn’t hold anything back. She explained patiently and thoroughly, answering any questions they had.

Although they could understand what the engine problems were, they still had no idea how to fix them.

Seeing her start to disassemble the tractor, a few people wanted to stop her, afraid she might break something.

Village Head Lin gave a subtle look, signaling them to hold off.

Qiu Yinuo worked quickly, and soon she had disassembled the cylinder liner, piston, piston rings, piston pin, and valves, all in a flash.

“This exhaust valve is the worst. It’s got a deep pit. The intake is larger than the exhaust…” she explained as she worked, stepping backward and accidentally stepping on someone’s foot.

“Sorry.”

“No worries, we were too close,” the man replied.

It was only then that Qiu Yinuo realized she was surrounded by a circle of people. Village Head Lin gave an awkward smile. “Sorry, you were explaining so thoroughly that we got a little too absorbed. Did we startle you earlier?”

“It’s fine. Village Head Lin, do you see the parts I’ve laid out on the ground?”

“These are…”

“Take the old parts and check the current market price. If you replace all of them with new ones, it’s essentially like getting a new engine.”

“Really?”

“Yes, but it depends on whether your village can afford it.” Glancing at the sun, Qiu Yinuo realized it was getting late. She suggested they wrap up. “Have someone look into the prices. If it’s within your budget, buy the parts and send someone to Ping’an Village to find me. I can come install them anytime.”

Village Head Lin had hoped to invite Qiu Yinuo to stay for lunch. “You’ve come all this way—at least stay and eat.”

“No need. The tractor isn’t fixed yet. Let’s talk about lunch after it’s running.”

“At least take a break…”

“Village Head Lin, we really won’t stand on ceremony. My mom is already making lunch at home. If I don’t go back, she’ll be mad.”

 On the way back to the village, Qiu Qianjin was confused. “Sis, if they’re making lunch, why don’t we just stay and eat? That way, we can save some food at home.”

“How can you eat there when the tractor’s not even fixed? Do you want people in Taolin Village to think we’ve never seen the world?” Qiu Yinuo replied.

“What’s wrong with that? They invited us, didn’t they?” Qiu Qianjin said, not seeing the issue.

Qiu Yinuo sighed inwardly. With that level of emotional intelligence and common sense, no wonder he couldn’t catch the attention of Qian Zhiqing.

“By the way, sis, why do you want me to learn how to fix a tractor?”

“You want to pursue Qian Zhiqing, right?”

Qiu Qianjin frowned. “How does learning how to fix tractors have anything to do with pursuing Qian Zhiqing?”

Qiu Yinuo raised an eyebrow. “Jinzi, what is it that you like about Qian Zhiqing?”

“She’s tall, fair-skinned, and really good-looking.”

Qiu Yinuo couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “You’re so shallow, can you only see those surface-level things?”

“Well, there’s more. Last time, Village Head’s grandson fell down, and she gently helped him up, even gave him a big White Rabbit candy. I thought she was so kind.”

Qiu Qianjin felt this wasn’t enough, so he added, “I also heard from the people at the educated youth quarters that she’s really good at needlework. She even sewed a beautiful schoolbag for the little girl at the timekeeper’s house.”

“And when they were distributing grain, she’d even help with the bookkeeping. The Village Head offered her work points, but she turned them down.”

Qiu Yinuo didn’t comment on that. She just nodded. “Since Qian Zhiqing is kind-hearted, loving, and selfless, such a good girl, why would she look at you, a lazy, unambitious little good-for-nothing?”

Qiu Qianjin: “…”

“I’m your brother! Is this how you talk about your own brother?”

“I’m just stating the facts. Tell me, what does someone like you have that would make Qian Zhiqing like you?”

Qiu Qianjin fell silent, unable to come up with a rebuttal.

“Jinzi, do you remember what I told you last time about how ‘the flowers attract butterflies’?”

He shook his head, looking a bit disheartened. “Flowers attract butterflies naturally, but how does that relate to whether Qian Zhiqing will like me?”

“Only when you become excellent will you attract people who are equally excellent. Jinzi, don’t keep being lazy and clueless. You’re only eighteen after the new year, so try to figure out what you’re good at.”

“I’ve spent over a decade trying to figure out what I like, and still haven’t found it.”

“If you really don’t know, I’ll give you a suggestion. Learn more, listen more, and read more. Find what you like in books.”

With two more years until the college entrance exams, working hard to get into a university shouldn’t be too difficult.

At the mention of studying, Qiu Qianjin immediately sulked.

That little expression was exactly the same as Dabao’s. No wonder they say nephews resemble uncles.

“I’ll give you a way to make Qian Zhiqing take a second look at you. Once you see results, you can decide whether to listen to me.”

“What’s the method?”

Qiu Yinuo whispered in his ear, earning a suspicious glance from him. “Are you sure?”

“Of course!”

Qiu Qianjin was doubtful, feeling like his sister might be playing him.

As they approached the village entrance, they saw Qian Zhiqing walking towards them. Qiu Yinuo immediately tugged at his sleeve. “Here’s your chance, make sure you grab it.”

“No, I don’t want to!” he said nervously, afraid his sister was setting him up.

But then she twisted his waist hard, causing him so much pain that he almost jumped up on the spot.

In the end, under his sister’s stern gaze, he reluctantly complied, forcing himself not to glance at Qian Zhiqing. He walked past her, keeping his eyes straight ahead. His heart was pounding in his chest.

Qiu Yinuo ground her teeth. “If you dare look back, I’ll twist your neck.”

Qiu Qianjin: “…Can you stop being so violent?”

They turned another corner, finally shaking off the suspicious gaze that had been trailing them.

“Sis, why was Comrade Qian staring at me the whole time? She used to ignore me like I didn’t exist.”

“That’s because the roles have reversed now. She’s not used to it. Do you know what that’s called?”

“What?”

“Desperation doesn’t make a good deal.”