Chapter 72: Taking Her Out

While working in the fields, Zhao Hu shared everything he saw and heard during his recent trip. He emphasized that he had already learned some basic martial arts moves from Xu Xia.

After their midday nap, everyone drank some cool boiled water before returning to the fields to finish the remaining tasks.

The next day, they went to the collective farmland. After finishing their own work, they helped out families who lacked labor ability.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yu went on an inspection tour to nearby villages. He took the opportunity to explain the Zhao family’s method to them. Whether or not others would use it was beyond his control.

However, the new land policy was still widely promoted.

Land is the lifeblood of farmers. When they heard that any newly cultivated wasteland would eventually become their own, the vast majority of farmers, even if they could only sleep one or two hours a night, grabbed their hoes and rushed to open up new land. Even if they didn’t have grain seeds, they would still plant vegetables just to claim the land.

Zhou Yu found time to talk to An’an.

He wanted to discuss with the Zhao family about taking An’an out on a trip. First and foremost, he needed to obtain An’an’s own consent.

An’an didn’t object. After all, she had nothing important to do at home. If she went out, she could earn a large amount of virtue energy points. The higher the energy value, the more functions she could unlock, which would mean more ways to help her family.

So, Zhou Yu brought it up again when the Zhao family was having dinner in the courtyard one evening.

The courtyard gate was open. Zhou Yu brought Zhang Jinzhi along. Anyone passing by could clearly see them, though they couldn’t hear what was being said.

When the Zhao family heard Zhou Yu wanted to take An’an on a long trip, they all stopped eating.

Qin Ying was the first to object. “No way! The child is too young. We’re not comfortable with this!”

“Miss Qin,” Zhou Yu said sincerely, “I will take good care of An’an. I won’t let her suffer the slightest grievance.

“From what I can see, your family is busy with work in both the house and the fields. If someone can help look after An’an, wouldn’t that put your minds at ease?”

Qin Ying lost all appetite, put down her chopsticks, and seriously said, “Lord Zhou, if you were living next door and we left An’an with you for half a day while we worked in the fields, we’d have no worries at all.

“But this trip will take a month or two, and we’ve never been apart from An’an for so long!

“I’m her mother. This child is my life, and you…”

Zhou Yu leaned in closer to the table, making sure to speak softly enough that even Zhang Jinzhi couldn’t hear, and said, “Aunt Zhao, Miss Qin, and Huzi… to be honest, I’ve already discovered that An’an is different.”

The family exchanged shocked looks. Aunt Zhao’s rice bowl slipped from her hands and hit the ground with a clatter. Thankfully it didn’t break, but the half bowl of porridge inside spilled everywhere.

“Don’t worry! Please, don’t worry!” Zhou Yu quickly pressed his hands downward to calm them. “I’m keeping her secret safe as well.

“An’an is not an ordinary child. She’s helped me a lot. I would never repay kindness with betrayal.

“To be completely honest, on both of the recent trips to find water sources, I consulted An’an beforehand.

“She told me her luck only lasts ten days, but the places I’m going often take more than ten days just to reach…

“The areas around Tongshu Tun, including our entire Fengshan Town, have basically recovered from the drought.

“But in more distant places, there are still many, many people suffering the same hardships you once endured.

“As the weather gets hotter, if we can’t find new water sources, the situation will only get worse.

“If I weren’t confident in my ability to protect An’an, I wouldn’t dare make such a bold request today.

“If we can ensure An’an’s safety and also save many others, I believe… you should at least consider it.”

The Zhao family exchanged looks and fell into silence.

An’an, as if unaffected, finished her meal, put away her bowl and chopsticks, then looked up and said seriously to her family, “Grandma, Mama, Uncle… I want to go!”

Aunt Zhao turned away and started wiping her tears. Qin Ying’s eyes were red, and her lips trembled, but she couldn’t speak.

Zhao Hu clenched his fists, finally making a decision. “Mom, sis, I’ll go with her!”

“You’re not going,” said a voice unexpectedly. To everyone’s surprise, it was Zhou Yu who objected first.

Aunt Zhao turned her head back in confusion. “Why not?”

“Summer harvest is coming soon,” Zhou Yu explained patiently. “If Huzi stays, it will be easier on you all.”

Qin Ying lowered her head and thought for a long while. She took a deep breath, looked up, and said, “Then… since An’an has already agreed, please… please take good care of her, Lord Zhou.”

“Don’t worry,” Zhou Yu nodded firmly. “I give you my word.”

Qin Ying sniffled and gently patted An’an’s little head. “When will you leave?”

“The sooner, the better,” Zhou Yu replied.

“Alright,” Qin Ying nodded. “We’ll get her things packed as soon as possible.”

A heavy weight lifted off Zhou Yu’s shoulders. He visibly relaxed and took a small step back, his eyes flashing with a hint of tenderness he didn’t even notice himself. “And thank you again, Miss Qin, for sharing the new planting methods. They’ve helped a lot of people.

“As for the tree-planting efforts, I’ve already verified the numbers with Master Chen Jiu. The rewards will be distributed soon.”

Qin Ying forced a smile. “It’s what we should do.”

Knowing that if he stayed any longer, they wouldn’t be able to finish their meal, Zhou Yu stood up. “You all continue eating. I’ll visit a few other homes.”

He knew how easily rumors spread in rural villages. Even though the Zhao family had done great things for the entire Tongshu Tun, there was still plenty of gossip behind their backs.

If he visited a few more households, it might help reduce unnecessary trouble.

After leaving the Zhao house, Zhang Jinzhi came up quietly and asked, “My lord, are you insisting on taking An’an with you because you discovered she’s different?”

Zhou Yu’s pupils quivered slightly, but his expression remained calm. He simply asked, “What makes you say that?”

“My lord,” Zhang Jinzhi said softly, “I may not be very clever, but I’m not stupid either. I’ve spent a lot of time around An’an recently, and of course I’ve noticed things.

“An’an has unusually good luck. Whether it’s planting crops or raising chickens and rabbits, everything goes exceptionally well.

“I’ve heard that rabbits, especially wild ones, are very hard to raise and have a high mortality rate.

“But all the rabbits An’an is raising have survived and are thriving. One of the mother rabbits is even about to give birth.

“I used the same method as An’an with the rabbits I got from her, but they didn’t do nearly as well as the ones she personally raised.

“People with extraordinary luck are not uncommon. There are even written records about them, but this is the first time I’ve seen it with my own eyes.

“I know the saying ‘a treasured jade invites trouble.’ If word about this got out, it would surely bring disaster to the child. That’s why I’ve done my best to keep it hidden.

“I just wanted to confirm—did you already know?”