Chapter 15 The Person Who Fell into the Water

Shen Nian was already very familiar with the villagers. She would greet everyone with a smile, and no matter how old or young they were, as long as she had met them, she wouldn’t call them by the wrong name.

Seeing Shen Nian carrying a small hoe with a bunch of brothers behind her, Wang Pozi and the others couldn’t help but tease her with a smile.

“Nian Nian, are you taking your brothers to clear land again?”

“Yes, yes, that’s right. Clearing land means we have land to plant.”

“But no one recognizes the things you plant! If they grow too well and cover the whole field, wouldn’t you be working for nothing?”

“If these things really grow so well that they cover the whole field I cleared, then it means the land I cleared is good! I can just re-cultivate it and plant something else!”

“Hahaha, you little girl are so bold! It’s only because your father and grandparents spoil you that you can play around on the mountain like this.”

“Come on, the stones in this area have been moved by Uncle Niu. It’s easy to dig. You and your brothers can clear this area. It’s right next to the land you’re clearing. You can do whatever you want.”

Shen Cai was speechless, “Grandma Wang, you’re saying that my father and grandparents spoil my sister. Don’t you spoil her too?”

Shen Ang also said, “And Uncle Zhao, he spoils my sister too. He even helped her move big stones last time.”

Shen Xuan, “Village Head Grandpa also helped my sister dig the land…”

Wang Pozi laughed and walked over to hug Shen Nian, “There’s no way. Who can resist your sister’s cuteness? Not only is she beautiful, but she’s also very smart, and her little mouth is so sweet. Oh, I just can’t get enough of her. Every time I see Nian Nian carrying a small hoe and working hard, my old bones feel full of energy! Come on, Nian Nian, give Grandma Wang some strength. Let Grandma Wang work harder and finish the work.”

“Okay, I’ll give Grandma Wang strength.” Shen Nian leaned in and kissed Grandma Wang’s dark face full of wrinkles, saying softly, “Grandma Wang, work hard. Next time, I’ll give you more strength. When I grow good things, I’ll give you some to eat. I guarantee you’ll have endless energy and become younger and younger.”

“Oh my! You little girl, your mouth is like it’s coated in honey. Grandma Wang has energy now. I won’t bother you anymore. I’m going to work!”

As soon as Grandma Wang left, Aunt Zhang  came over to tease Shen Nian. Shen Nian gave her a big hug, and Aunt Zhang went back to the field satisfied.

Shen Lao, Shen Dong, and the brothers were already used to this scene. They worked while chatting with Wang Pozi and the others.

The brothers went to dig the area that Wang Pozi had pointed out. Shen Nian took Shen Feng to the cleared land and found a patch where she had planted strawberries.

Huayue Kingdom didn’t have strawberries, so her family and the villagers didn’t recognize the strawberry seedlings. They thought it was a rare weed she found in the mountains.

She had planted two rows of strawberries on the cleared land, a total of 320 seedlings. Each one was growing plump and tender. In about ten days, they would bloom, and then they would bear strawberries.

Thinking that she would be able to eat fresh, juicy strawberries soon, Shen Nian felt a little excited. She had been looking forward to it for years. She hadn’t eaten strawberries since the apocalypse. Thankfully, she had seeds and good fortune.

She hadn’t farmed before, so even though she had agricultural books in her space, she hadn’t read them much or practiced. Therefore, she didn’t know how to farm. The crops on this cleared land were planted using the methods she learned from her family. She just wanted to try it out, but she didn’t expect it to be successful.

She was truly a lucky child!

Shen Nian went to check on the other crops. All of them were growing very well.

Shen Nian was happy by herself, but the others weren’t happy.

“The things that can grow so well on newly cleared land must be weeds!” Shen Dong sighed, “My daughter is destined to work in vain!”

Old Man Shen said, “Shh! Keep your voice down. Don’t let Nian Nian hear you. Don’t discourage her ambition. The child’s intentions are good. She’s working so hard. We, as adults, should support her more.”

Shen Dong nodded, “Yes, yes, I know. I will definitely support her. Father, let’s hurry up and finish the work. Then we’ll go help Nian Nian clear the land.”

No matter whether Nian Nian could grow good things or not, the cleared land wouldn’t run away. It would always be theirs. They could plant it slowly.

Heave ho! Heave ho!

The early spring weather wasn’t hot, but Shen Cai and the others were still sweating profusely. They complained about clearing land being a waste of time, but when they actually started working, they were more enthusiastic than anyone else. They didn’t want to disappoint their sister.

Seeing her brothers working so hard, Shen Nian quickly took the water bag and went to give them water.

Although she was small, she had divine power. As she grew older, her divine power also grew. With her divine power, clearing land was no problem at all. But she couldn’t directly reveal her divine power. She had to reveal it slowly, lest people think a three-year-old child was too powerful and treat her as a monster.

As the sun began to set, Shen Dong and Old Man Shen finished their work. Wang Pozi and the others also finished their work. Then, they all walked towards Shen Nian and helped Shen Dong and the others move the large stones and cut away the bushes, making it easier for the children to continue clearing land tomorrow.

After working for a few more days, Shen Dong calculated the time and went to town to pick up Shen Bo and the other three.

The weather was warm that day. Wei Shi took the dirty clothes to the river to wash. Shen Nian wanted to help and followed her. Her brothers and the six-year-old Shen Feng went to the private school.

The private school officially opened today. Shen Feng had already adapted to Lanhua Village. He had started attending school with his brothers in June last year. He was a top student at the private school with exceptional learning ability. Village Head Zhou valued him highly.

Village Head Zhou and Shen Bei both felt that Shen Feng was too talented to stay at the private school. They wanted him to go to town and study with Shen Bo and the other three. They would pay the tuition, but Shen Feng refused. There was no Shen Nian in town. He wanted to stay in the village. Village Head Zhou and Shen Bei were furious, but they couldn’t force Shen Feng.

There were many village women and girls washing clothes by the river. Some of them brought their children. Shen Nian greeted everyone, calling them “Auntie” and “Sister” one by one. The women and girls smiled brightly. One woman, out of joy, gave Shen Nian the candy she used to coax her son.

Her son, Chen Sanshui, cried with wide eyes, “Mother, that’s the candy Grandma bought for me. How can you give my things to Nian Nian?”

His mother rolled her eyes, “Didn’t you say you were tired of it? Last night, you said you wouldn’t eat this candy and would save it for Nian Nian. What’s wrong? You’re not willing to give it away? You’re such a little miser.”

Chen Sanshui said angrily, “Who said I wasn’t willing to give it away? I was saving it for Nian Nian, but you can’t give it to her. I have to give it to her myself.”

He snatched the candy from Shen Nian’s hand and gave it back to her, “Nian Nian, here you go. Your brothers are all at school. I’ll play with you today.”

Shen Nian didn’t want to eat the candy or play. She wanted to help her mother wash clothes.

Seeing that she didn’t take the candy, Chen Sanshui directly stuffed it into her mouth. Then, seeing Shen Nian helping Wei Shi wash clothes, he also came to help. He also called over the other four children who were playing nearby to help wash clothes, instead of helping their own mothers.

The mothers of those children: “…”

Shen Nian was a fake child. She knew how to wash clothes. But Chen Sanshui and the other six were real children. Washing clothes was just playing for them. They got their sleeves wet in no time.

Shen Nian dared not wash clothes anymore. She quickly took Chen Sanshui and the other six to play on the side. If they continued washing, not only would their clothes get dirtier, but Chen Sanshui and the others would also get soaked.

Being forced to play with children was tiring, but thankfully, Chen Sanshui and the others listened to her and wouldn’t run around randomly.

While dealing with the children, Shen Nian glanced up and saw something being washed down from upstream. Then, it hit the big rock on the bank with a bang.

After seeing what was blocked by the big rock, with half of its body still in the water, Shen Nian shouted, “Mother! Someone fell into the water!”