I awakened the cultivation panel.

Chapter 54 Gossiping (Seeking the latest updates)
It has rained quite a bit during this period, and as the accumulated water flows into the pond, the water level in the pond naturally increases gradually.

The fish inside had all been caught, so it's normal to release another batch now.

With a little effort, Chen Jingle helped push the tricycle out of the mud pit.

His physical abilities are now as strong as Superman's; this weight is nothing to him. Besides, it's just a push, not lifting him up.

"You're really strong, that's quite a lot," Chen Kangzhen said in surprise.

Rural people can't do without strength. Before there were machines, everything was done by hand, with loads of one or two hundred pounds falling on the shoulders of the farmers.

Therefore, he knew very well how much effort it would take for one person to pull the car out of the mud pit with the help of the engine.

Normally, it would take at least three or four people working together.

It's surprising that Chen Jingle, who looks like a refined scholar, has such great strength.

Chen Kangzhen was amazed.

"I do exercise regularly."

Chen Jing chuckled and peered at the large rubber bucket on the tricycle: "What's this? Fish fry?"

Chen Kangzhen parked the car, got out, and went around to the back: "Yes, it's been raining these past few days, so the fishpond is starting to fill up again. We're planning to release some fish fry so we can see if we can make some money for the New Year."

"How many fish fry are in here?" Chen Jingle asked curiously.

Chen Kangzhen grinned and replied, "A thousand!"

Wow, that's a lot!

Chen Jingle was surprised, because the pond was only a little over an acre in size, so he stared at the bucket and asked, "What kind of fish are these?"

It doesn't look like a newly hatched fry, but rather one or two ounces.

Chen Kangzhen said, "Most of them are grass carp, and about a hundred are silver carp."

Both of these are among the four major freshwater fish species and are also common fish in the markets north of the Yangtze River.

In many places north of the Yangtze River and even throughout the Lingnan region, carp are not eaten, and almost no one raises them. Crucian carp are slightly cheaper, so not many people raise them.

……

After Chen Kangzhen set up the unloading platform, he had to move the barrels down.

Chen Jingle quickly reached out to help.

"No need, no need, I'll just take it off. The fishy smell is very strong, be careful not to get it on you." Chen Kangzhen quickly waved his hand.

"It's okay, I can just take a shower later if I get it on me."

Chen Jingle didn't take it seriously.

Such heavy rubber buckets would probably take my great-uncle a long time to work on by himself.

Since I've seen it, I might as well lend a hand.

He usually waters his orchard and vegetable garden by drawing water directly from the pond, except when the pond dries up. Even his parents used to draw water directly from other people's ponds when they grew vegetables.

Chen Kangzhen, however, never said anything.

If someone else had contracted the fishpond, they might not have been so easy to talk to.

Chen Kangzhen is a typical nice guy. He has a good relationship with Chen Jingle's family. Although the two families live a bit far apart, his fishpond is right in front of Chen Jingle's house, so in a sense, they are neighbors.

Some might wonder: "It's just pond water, nothing valuable, why won't they accept this?"

However, that is the reality; human nature is complex.

Not everyone is willing to make things convenient for others.

Another incident occurred at a pond in the village where villagers went to fetch water to irrigate their vegetables, but the contractor refused.

Chen Jingle watched with great interest as Chen Kangzhen poured the fish fry into the pond.

These seedlings, weighing only two ounces each, might not even weigh a pound by the time the Lunar New Year arrives.

If you want the fish to grow quickly, you probably need to feed them.

After finishing his work, Chen Kangzhen straightened his back, let out a long sigh, and smiled at Chen Jingle, saying, "Thank you for your help, Jingle. Otherwise, I probably would have had to work on it by myself until noon."

His dark, aged face resembled the bark of an old tree.

"No problem, no problem. Can you pull the nets by the end of the year? Or is it going to take two years?" Chen Jingle asked curiously.

Chen Kangzhen said, "If we feed them diligently, we should be able to catch a net by the end of the year. Oh, and I'll have to trouble you to keep an eye out for those little brats in the village and make sure they don't come and ruin the fish fry. If you want to eat fish, you can catch a few yourself, but it's best to wait a few months."

Chen Jingle quickly waved his hand: "It's no problem to help look after things when I have time, but there's no need for fish, I don't eat fish."

He felt the fishy smell was too strong, no matter what kind of fish it was.

Of course, to a large extent, the fish he ate was not very tasty. He would be willing to try fish like sweet and sour fish or squirrel fish, which had a crispy fried skin.

As for fishing...

This thing is touted as the last refuge for middle-aged men, and Chen Jingle didn't want to fall into the trap easily. As long as he didn't fall in, he wouldn't end up empty-handed!
"You don't eat fish? Okay."

Chen Kangzhen was about to mention that his father had always accepted the fish they had given his family before. But then he suddenly remembered that things were different now, and he swallowed the words back down.

She sighed inwardly, thinking, "He's a child with a tragic fate."

Fortunately, his grandfather and uncle are still alive.

Humans aren't plants or trees. There are only a few dozen households in the village, all related by blood. Anyone who sees this situation would feel sorry for them.

……

"By the way, did you know that some people in the village are saying that you offended someone and couldn't make it outside, which is why you came back?"

After washing his hands, Chen Kangzhen hesitated for a moment before looking up and speaking.

He wouldn't have said that if Chen Jingle hadn't offered to help.

These rumors circulating in the village, when they reach the ears of the person involved, are not a good thing.

"what?"

Chen Jingle froze, his face scrunched up: "Me? Offended someone? No, it's just that my previous job was too tiring, and I don't want to stay there anymore. I want to go home and rest for a while."

"I knew it," Chen Kangzhen chuckled.

This is all just hearsay and completely unreliable. I don't know which gossipy old woman started it.

Those people are just bored and have nothing better to do than gather together and gossip.

"That's going too far! If I find out who's been talking nonsense behind my back, I'll smash their windows!"

Chen Jingle twitched the corner of his mouth.

This is clearly malicious slander and defamation, as if he's doing terribly outside. Please, he's at least a mid-level manager in the company.

If you tell someone you're delivering food outside, they'll insist you're selling food outside.

It's outrageous!
He believed he hadn't offended anyone in the village. Since returning, he had kept a low profile and had no contact with anyone except his uncle and the others. Who could be talking about him behind his back?
Chen Jingle racked his brains but couldn't come up with an idea.

It can only be attributed to some people who love to gossip and spread rumors behind people's backs!
"No, I need to find out who's talking badly about me behind my back!"

Although this behavior did not cause him any physical harm, it made him feel a little disgusted.

He could tolerate talking about other things, but he can't stand being spread rumors.

It's possible that in a while, it will turn out that he was fired because he harassed the boss's wife.

What people say is scary!

Is there any way to find out the information you want by asking someone else without their knowledge?

All he could think of was to train a flock of birds to help gather intelligence about the village and find out who was talking badly about him behind his back.

After all, birds are not so easily exposed.

If he didn't know, that would be one thing, but now that someone has told him to his face, if he doesn't react at a time like this, people will think he's made of clay!
About a month after he returned, the first thing that bothered him happened.

……

So, everything is good in the countryside, except for the many troubles.

They hate that you have it and laugh at that you don't; they despise your poverty and fear your wealth.

It's a typical case of a small temple with a lot of evil spirits, a shallow pond with many turtles. In such a tiny place, if something happens in someone's house, the news can spread from one end of the village to the other in less than a night.

What Chen Jingle found most repulsive was the inherent short-sighted malice of certain individuals. Even if it was harmful to others and not beneficial to themselves, they would still make things difficult for you in every possible way, as if they could elevate their own status by oppressing others.

The ugliness of human nature is most evident, especially when houses are being built.

Even completely unrelated individuals suddenly jump out to oppose it, eventually leading to a police report and being arrested and detained for a few days before finally behaving themselves.

What kind of logic is that?

Although Chen Jingle is from the countryside, he does not protect his own.

Then, Chen Kangzhen's act of releasing fish fry reminded him.

I'm thinking of raising a few fish.

I originally planned to build a small fish pond in the yard, but considering that my yard is too small and the water in the pond is not flowing, it will easily become a stinky puddle, so I held back.

I really envy those families who have the means to raise koi fish in their villas, turning them into pigs – it's a feast for the eyes!

(Koi)
"How about getting a fish tank?"

Chen Jingle pondered for a moment.

If it's a fish tank, it's much easier to operate; you can just put it on the first floor.

I'll look into that later!
　The revisions are complete. Two chapters have been expanded by 1000 words. Please refresh the page.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)