My village can't be like this

Chapter 700

After Zhang An and his companions picked the cherries and peaches and went down the mountain, the rest of the family had almost rested, so they all went back to the fields.

"Zhang An, where are your leather pants for fishing? Find them and put them on me."

The fat man was scared by leeches in the morning, and when he came back he thought of Zhang An's leather pants for catching fish.

That thing reaches halfway up to the waist and is more useful than waders. There is no need to worry about leeches at all.

"I'm telling you, why bother? You'll be laughed at by others if you go out dressed like this."

Seeing that he was going to be so fully armed, Zhang An didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

No one in the village has ever worn leather pants to go to the fields, not even when ploughing the fields.

If a fat person goes out dressed like this, he will definitely be laughed at by everyone.

"What's the point of saying it's necessary? You're just doing your job. You should have better protection. There's nothing funny about that."

The fat man said seriously that as long as you don’t get bitten by leeches, it doesn’t matter if you are fully armed.

It was just a few jokes from everyone, but to him, it was much better than having several leeches stuck on his legs.

"Then I'll find it for you."

Since the fat man said so, what else could Zhang An say? He could only find the leather pants and give them to him.

But because the fat man was too big, the leather pants Zhang An wore could only reach the base of his thighs and could not even lift his buttocks.

However, the water in the fields was only above the knees, which was enough.

When they arrived at the fields, everyone started laughing when they saw the fat man wearing leather pants and working in the fields.

"You're so good, Fatty. You actually went to get the equipment secretly without telling us."

Looking at the fat man running proudly into the field in his leather pants, Chen Ze didn't know what to say.

He really didn't expect that the fat man would come up with this idea.

"What do you mean I should do it secretly? Zhang An's family still has a few sets. If you want, just go and get them."

The fat man in leather pants walked more casually in the fields.

Unlike in the morning, when I walked barefoot in the field, I had to be very careful with every step, as if I was afraid of stepping on something.

"Oh, only useless people need this stuff, we don't need it. Look at all the people in this field, who is the same as you?"

Chen Ze really hadn't thought about looking for leather pants, because he had also gone to the fields when the rice seedlings were planted last year, so strictly speaking, he was not a greenhand.

In addition, when Zhang An's family was threshing the fields, Zhang An and his son plowed them several times, and each time they plowed the fields very finely. The mud in the fields had long since turned into soft silt.

Moreover, last year this field was planted with garlic, which, unlike the rapeseed fields, would leave hard roots after the harvest.

So even if you walk barefoot in this field, you don't have to worry about stepping on anything.

Although there is a risk of being caught by leeches, he is not as afraid of leeches as the fat man.

"It doesn't matter if it's useful or not, as long as it's comfortable to wear."

The fat man didn't care about Chen Ze's mocking tone, because the leather pants did look much better than they did in the morning.

At two or three o'clock in the afternoon, the sun in the sky is at its hottest.

Although I was standing in a field full of water and there was occasional breeze, it was still very hot when it should be hot.

Everyone in the field brought their own hat to protect themselves from the sun. Even Chen Ze and his two companions got one from Zhang An's house and wore it.

This bamboo hat is a good thing in the countryside. It can block out the sun on sunny days and it is also breathable, so you won’t feel hot at all when wearing it.

When it rains, you can wear it to keep out the rain, even though it is made of bamboo strips and has many gaps.

However, because of the unique technology used, rainwater falling on it will not seep into it at all.

Of course, these bamboo hats were not made by Zhang An himself, but were the masterpieces of the old men in the village.

When Zhang An asked them to weave bamboo baskets, he also asked them to weave some as well.

Up to now, many elderly people in the village have added some patterns and designs on the hats, and then sold them to tourists from outside. It has been regarded as a handicraft just like in later generations.

"There aren't many left. Let's take a break, drink some water and eat something."

After finishing planting the field under his feet, Zhang Jianguo called everyone and said.

Of the several acres of land in Zhang An's family, the two largest ones have already been planted with rice seedlings, and the remaining three are relatively small, approximately a little over one acre in size.

It will take at most another hour to get everything done.

It is the hottest time now and we are not in a hurry to meet the deadline, so we must let everyone take a break. This will be the case for anyone in the village.

"Then take a break."

The people in the field didn't hesitate, they just turned around and went to the ditch to wash.

Especially those from the village. Zhang An's family had called so many of them here today. Needless to say, they understood that they would have to finish planting this field in one day.

If there are many fields that have not been planted, they will actively refuse even if the owner asks them to take a break.

After all, if they still can't finish the work in a day, then when the news gets out, people will think they are lazy and not trying their best.

Once word of mouth gets out, other people won't look for them when they need work.

Now that I see there aren’t many left, I’m no longer worried about not being able to complete the task.

After washing their hands and feet in the ditch, everyone ran to sit under the ridge of the field.

Because the sun is now quite a bit west, the area under the ridge is in the shade, making it a good place to hide in the shade.

Lu Cheng, Chen Ze and the other two didn't care much and just sat on the grass under the ridge like the old ladies in the village, not minding the dirt at all.

After all, compared to the muddy paddy fields, this place is already very clean.

"Come on, everyone, eat something and drink some water. You've worked hard today."

At this time, Wang Fang came over from home, bringing back the cherries and peaches that Zhang An and his friends had picked at noon, as well as a basket of freshly fried scallion pancakes and a bucket of freshly made ice jelly.

In the afternoon, Wang Fang did not go to the fields, but stayed at home to prepare dinner and look after her grandson.

After all, the food for so many people is not simple at all, and it must be prepared by one person alone at home. The old ladies in the village will certainly not be polite. In the village, it is natural to eat the food of the family you work for.

So they all got up, made a bowl of ice jelly sugar water, took two cakes, and some cherries and peaches, then sat back in their own seats and started eating.

Chen Ze and his friends were even less polite. After all, coming here was like returning to a second home.

"This sugar water is more comfortable to drink, and it's cooler than that old popsicle."

After drinking a few sips of the icy ice jelly sugar water, the old ladies couldn't help but sigh.

During this time of year, no matter who they work for, the host will prepare meals for them at noon.

But most families would just make some cakes and bring some tea, while better families might buy some biscuits and popsicles.

However, compared with Zhang An's family, there is still a slight gap. Everyone can tell which is good and which is bad.

Even though Zhang An's family grows their own cherries and peaches, everyone knows that the price they can sell them for is several times higher than that of their own kiwis.

And the sugar water ice jelly is also not bad. After adding ice cubes, it is the most comfortable to drink on a sunny day. It is no exaggeration to say that it is not inferior to the happy water of later generations.

When the town goes to the big market, a bowl of this sweet soup costs 20 cents, and it is not as delicious as the one Wang Fang makes herself.

"Hahaha, if it tastes good, drink more. I made some extra today, and the ice cubes were just frozen last night."

When Wang Fang heard that everyone liked it, she smiled and said.

Although this ice jelly is not difficult to make, it still requires some skills if you want to make it delicious.

And another point is that ice cubes need to be added to make ice jelly. In the whole village, not many people have refrigerators at home to freeze ice cubes by themselves, so this ice jelly has surpassed the popsicles sold by the old man.

Under the ridge of the field, everyone was enjoying the cool breeze and eating their lunch. It was so comfortable, and it felt like all the tiredness and heat from working just now had been swept away.

In fact, Zhang An’s fields were right at the doorstep, so they could go back home to rest and eat something before coming out again, and it wouldn’t take much time.

But sometimes, working in the fields requires an atmosphere. During the rice planting season, taking a break and having lunch in the fields has become a habit for everyone.

After all, home is too comfortable, and everyone is worried that after staying at home for a while, they will be afraid of coming out in the sun.

Little Siqi also came with his grandmother at this time. He was squatting on the ground, holding a scallion pancake and eating it attentively.

Zhang Jianguo next to him was eating with one hand while holding the half-finished ice jelly sugar water for his good grandson with the other hand.

"Hey, there are so many people from Zhang An's family working in the fields today. They must be almost done with the planting."

At this time, Uncle Huang passed by on the road leading their cow, and greeted everyone who was resting.

"Not so fast, there are still two small plots of land left. Don't be in a hurry to leave, come and have something to eat with us."

When he saw Mr. Huang, Zhang An immediately stood up, walked over to help him take the plow off his shoulders, and asked him to come over to eat together.

If it was anyone else, he would just open his mouth and say hello, but for elders like Mr. Huang and Zhang Jianwen, he always invited them sincerely without any verbal courtesy.

Mr. Huang also knew Zhang An's personality and knew that he could never refuse anything, so he didn't bother to be polite.

"Second Master, your family went to re-plow the fields today, so they will plant tomorrow."

Zhang An brought some food to Master Huang Er, and then asked.

Mr. Huang's fields were plowed only a few days later than Zhang An's. Now he was carrying a plow to the fields, probably to plow again in preparation for planting rice.

"The seedlings at home are almost done. Your Second Grandma Huang started to complain when she saw so many families in the village starting to plant. Actually, we can plant them in the evening. But since she said so and we don't have anything else to do, it's better to plant them early."

Mrs. Huang has always been impatient, and Zhang An has known this for a long time.

But it is also because of this that the old man’s life at home has become better and better over the years.

"What about Damingzi? Why didn't he come over to help?"

Zhang An didn't see Huang Ming, so he asked curiously.

Under normal circumstances, whenever Grandpa Huang Erye wants to do any work, Damingzi will definitely rush to do it. He is much more reliable than his father and his second uncle.

"He got up this morning and took the train to the provincial capital to buy goods. Before he left, he told me to wait for him to come back and plow the fields again. But the fields were so small that I finished them in half a day by myself. Why should I wait for him to come back?"

Mr. Huang was extremely satisfied with his grandson who was very filial to his parents.

"He has already said so. If you don't wait for him to come back and go and finish it yourself, you will be scolded when the time comes."

Zhang An smiled and said that he had heard Huang Ming complain more than once or twice about Mr. Huang and his parents always quietly finishing the work in the fields.

"Just don't tell him. Then I'll say you're with me, and he won't say anything."

Mr. Huang smiled and said that he knew that if he said this, Da Mingzi at home would definitely believe it.

If it was about other people in the village, Huang Ming would never believe it, but when it came to Zhang An, he would not have any doubts at all.

Because Zhang An treated Master Huang no less than his own grandson, and he would often start working on things when he saw the two old men doing something without even saying a word.

"You can't do that. It's said that no one should be rewarded without merit. I'm still busy with my own affairs, and you're giving me credit for nothing. How can that be acceptable?"

Zhang An didn't know what to say about the old man's actions.

But no matter what, this person has finished the work himself, it's too late to say anything more.

"Oh, by the way, Master, I have prepared a lot of seedlings in my field today. There will be a lot left after planting. When you plant the seedlings tomorrow, come and take them. Although it is not enough for all the fields, most of it will be enough. Otherwise, it will only be used to feed the sheep and horses, which is a waste."

The seedlings prepared by Zhang An's family this year are growing surprisingly well. Now there is only about one acre of paddy field left to be planted, and half of the seedlings are left in the field.

If it is a normal seedling, then certainly not many people would want it, and basically they would just have to be cut and taken home to feed the livestock.

However, many families wanted their blood rice. If they told others about it, they would definitely be snatched away by other families in the village.

But Zhang An would definitely not tell anyone, otherwise there would be too many people coming to him, and it would be awkward to give it to anyone and not to anyone else.

So I'd better solve it privately, so that if people ask me about it, I can just say that it has been sent out.

After all, compared to other families, he would rather give it to people like Mr. Huang who are closer to him.

"How come there are so many left? I'll pick some from yours tomorrow to plant, and we can use the rest from our rice seeds."

Since there were so many seedlings left at Zhang An's house, Mr. Huang naturally gave up his own seedlings without hesitation.

(End of this chapter)