Chapter 14: Overthinking

The sun was scorching. Song Yuntang bypassed the village entrance and saw Song Jinbao and his sons working in the distance, as well as her uncle’s family.

Their fields were adjacent, and they often worked together.

Song Jinsheng, sharp-eyed, spotted her emerging from behind the banyan tree. “Tang’er, why are you here?”

“Came to take a look.”

Song Yuntang walked towards them along the narrow field ridge.

Song Jinbao wiped the sweat from his face and frowned at his daughter approaching from afar. “The sun is intense. You’ll peel your skin if you stay out too long. Go back.”

Song Yuntang didn’t respond and continued walking.

She first checked the location of their family’s farmland. Although not the best land, the father and sons worked diligently, and the fields were well-maintained.

After checking the fields, she followed the route where they fetched water to the Jing Shui River flowing at the foot of the mountain.

Because it was near the mountains, the Jing Shui River was slightly higher than the farmland. One side was the mountain, and the other was a riverbank reinforced annually by the villagers.

Fetching water daily to irrigate the farmland was too laborious and inefficient.

More than a month remained before harvest. Currently, the river’s flow was gentle, and there was no wind, but human-powered waterwheels could be used.

Although waterwheels require manpower, they are much more efficient.

Song Yuntang didn’t delay. After checking the terrain, she immediately turned back.

The Song family’s men stopped their work and looked at Song Yuntang, who left without a word, with puzzled expressions.

“Father, do you understand what Tang’er is doing?” Song Jinyuan asked.

Song Jinbao shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

Song Jinsheng recalled Song Yuntang’s suicidal attempt the day before and her conversation with him yesterday, and his heart pounded.

“She wouldn’t be checking the depth of the river, would she?”

“Checking the river’s depth to…” Song Jinyuan was puzzled at first, but quickly realized. “No way!”

“Even though she broke off the engagement, Huang Heyu made a scene today, and the villagers are gossiping about her. Tang’er always cares about her reputation. If she gets discouraged again…”

Song Jinsheng hesitated to continue.

Hearing their conversation, Song Jinbao broke out in a cold sweat.

“Hurry and work. Finish and go home.”

Song Jinyuan and Song Jinsheng sighed helplessly.

Sigh!

This sister is really worrisome.

…

Song Yuntang returned home, enduring the villagers’ strange glances.  Fortunately, she had a new core, strong enough to withstand it. The previous Song Yuntang might have spiraled into despair again.

Without further thought, she returned to her room, took out paper and pen, and began to draw, sketching a waterwheel based on what she remembered from her past life.

Fortunately, during her past studies of medicinal herbs, she had traveled to many remote mountains and forests and seen many waterwheels. After wasting two sheets of draft paper, she finally completed the drawing.

Looking at her masterpiece, Song Yuntang’s eyes and eyebrows were full of smiles.

Now, she could put this to use.

Although her drawing skills were good, she didn’t know carpentry. To realize her drawing, she needed a professional carpenter.

She remembered Song Ma Zi, a carpenter living near the village entrance. Song Ma Zi was a bachelor, despised for his pockmarked face, and had never married in his youth.

Now twenty-five or six years old, he was too old to find a wife.

In previous years, carpenters had work, but this year’s harvest was poor, and there was less work. Song Ma Zi should be free.

Putting away the drawing, Song Yuntang drank a glass of water and leaned against the bed to rest.

The weather was scorching, and she was constantly sweating. Her hair and clothes were damp and sticky, making her feel uncomfortable.