Chapter 19 – A Request

Aunt Zhong had already taken off her basket and picked up a shovel to start digging. Unlike yesterday, the soil she dug up was damp, and the deeper she went, the wetter it became.

She turned her head and laughed loudly. “Yingzi, come take a look! Doesn’t this look just like the spot you discovered the first time?”

Qin Ying couldn’t hold back her joy. “Yes! It’s even better than that one!”

She dug up all the wild vegetables, shook off the dirt, and packed them into the basket.

Aunt Zhong then ran off to call others over.

Before long, Zhou Yu and the others had all gathered. Seeing the situation, smiles broke out on their faces—there was a high chance of water here!

They had never seen such tender wild vegetables here before.

Under Zhou Yu’s direction, the group worked in an orderly manner. They first marked the general area, then began roughly digging out a shape. After compacting the soil with stones, they built a well platform. Soon after, more than ten people were called over to assist.

Zhou Yu said to Qin Ying, “I’ve seen the well in Tongshu Village. Honestly, it’s not very sturdy.”

“That’s because we lacked manpower,” Qin Ying lowered her gaze. “And we weren’t even sure water would come out at the time.”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Zhou Yu quickly explained, fearing she misunderstood. “I just think that it’s really impressive that you all managed to dig such a large well by yourselves.

“Now that we have more people and better preparation, we should naturally do an even better job.”

He looked at An’an, who was sleeping in Qin Ying’s arms. After a moment of hesitation, he asked, “Would you like me to hold her for a while?”

The little one’s face had grown rounder, and she was clearly much bigger than when he first saw her—she must be quite heavy.

Qin Ying stepped back a little and flatly refused, “No need. You should go attend to your work, Master Zhou.”

“Alright,” Zhou Yu looked at the group who had already set up the well-frame and spoke softly, “Miss Qin, you really don’t need to be so guarded with me.

“I said from the start—I mean you no harm.”

“I know,” Qin Ying remained distant. “You are a respectable and honorable official.”

Zhou Yu blinked. “You figured it out?”

Qin Ying tugged at the corners of her lips. “Master Chen didn’t hide it from me or my mother.”

After a pause, she continued, “It’s precisely because you are a high-ranking official and we’re just commoners that we dare not get too close.

“Otherwise, even if you didn’t mind, it would stir up gossip and trouble on our end.

“We humble folk can’t afford any turmoil.”

Zhou Yu sighed lightly. “To live in this world with too much clarity is tiresome; yet to live in ignorance is a pity.

“In any case, you all helped us greatly this time, and we’ll still need your help later on.

“So, I owe you a big favor. If you ever need anything, just ask.”

Qin Ying hesitated for a moment, biting her lip. Though she was reluctant, she still said, “Master Zhou, I do have a request. Could you help investigate An’an’s background?

“If her biological parents are trustworthy people, we shouldn’t keep her from them.

“But if they’re cold-hearted and indifferent, please don’t let them know anything about An’an.”

“Alright,” Zhou Yu agreed without hesitation. “I will do my utmost.”

Since it wasn’t proper for a man and woman to be alone together for too long, Zhou Yu quickly left, asking Aunt Zhong to take care of Qin Ying and her daughter while he went to help.

Qin Ying looked up and saw that whether it was carrying, lifting, or moving heavy objects, Zhou Yu worked alongside everyone else. For convenience, he had tucked his robe into his waistband and rolled up his sleeves, revealing a muscular arm.

Aunt Zhong wiped sweat from her forehead, took out a water pouch and had a sip, then chuckled, “Our Master never spoils himself. He really can do every kind of work!”

Qin Ying smiled but didn’t respond.

By nightfall, the well frame was set up. After a simple meal, everyone began chiseling the well with palm-leaf fans.

Huzi found it fascinating and stayed nearby watching. After a while, he ran back to Qin Ying and said, “Sis, Brother Zhou and his people really know what they’re doing! Even better than the well-drilling team that came to our village before!”

With machinery to help, it was naturally faster than pure manpower.

By midnight, the soil being dug up was already mixed with muddy water.

Eventually, they had to switch to manpower again. Using a windlass, they lowered a person sitting in a large basket into the well and hauled up the muddy soil with baskets, while constantly reinforcing the well walls.

Soon, news came from the bottom of the well: “Water’s coming out!”

The people at the top quickly turned the windlass and pulled the person up. Though he was covered in mud, he was grinning broadly, “Master! We did it! The water is gushing out strong!”

Zhou Yu was naturally overjoyed and told him to go clean up and change clothes.

But the man waved his hand. “No rush, let’s wait until the water reaches the wellhead!”

Everyone then tossed in all the burned plant ash.

Zhou Yu also ordered two large tree roots to be dug up and burned, to be thrown in later as well.

They didn’t dismantle the well frame yet. Aside from the night watch, everyone went to sleep.

An’an woke up at dawn. Most people were still sleeping. She guessed the well water probably hadn’t cleared up yet, so she used 0.002 units of energy to help.

The moment she woke up, Qin Ying also woke up. She hurried to help her pee and began preparing food.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yu also woke up. He nudged Zhao Hu, who was sleeping nearby, and handed him a small bag of roasted flour. “Take this to your sister.”

Zhao Hu rubbed his eyes and wandered over to Qin Ying.

She was about to cook some millet porridge for An’an.

Zhao Hu shoved the flour bag into her hands and yawned, “Sis, this is from Master Zhou. It’s faster than cooking porridge.”

“Huzi,” Qin Ying returned the bag and frowned. “These days, no one has much food. It’s not like we’re starving. Give it back!”

Zhao Hu gradually woke up and looked around before leaning in close to her ear and whispering, “During the day, Master Zhou told me he received a batch of grain. He’s not short on food anymore.

“Besides, this was specially prepared for An’an.

“Grownups can make do with whatever, but An’an shouldn’t be wronged!”

As he spoke, he picked up An’an and tossed her playfully. “Right?”

An’an giggled cooperatively.

When she woke up, she suddenly gained 0.04 energy units. She didn’t know why, but when the handsome uncle gave her food just now, she clearly felt a boost of 0.01 energy.

Normally, emotional energy from a person only gives a 0.01 increase unless their emotions fluctuate wildly.

But she hadn’t felt any intense emotions from her mother, uncle, or the handsome uncle…

She couldn’t figure it out!

As people gradually got up, Aunt Zhong went to start the fire and cook. Qin Ying went to help her.

She clearly saw the ration bag had gotten heavier.

Aunt Zhong smiled and explained, “Miss Qin, don’t worry. Our Master got a relief grant. This time, even if the whole county has to tighten their belts, we can still make it through the winter.”

Qin Ying smiled back and couldn’t help turning to look at Zhou Yu.

He was already by the well, personally turning the windlass to draw water.