Dressed as a farmer's widow, she brought her daughter to stock up on food and reached the top

Xiuying accepted the tea from Wang Shufen and thanked her with a smile. She brought the cup to her lips and blew gently. The steam rose, blurring her features for a moment, and then she took a sip.

Xiuying narrowed her eyes slightly, and raised the corners of her mouth: "Hmm, this tea is really fragrant and tastes really good."

Wang Shufen's smile brightened when she heard the compliment, and she quickly said, "If you like it, drink more. There's still some left. You can take some away later."

Xiuying nodded without being polite to Wang Shufen, "Thank you, Sister Shufen." Then she took another sip.

Xiuying gently pushed the ceramic bowl on the table toward the village chief and said with a smile, "Village chief, this is freshly cooked mutton. I brought some for you."

The village chief's gaze shifted from his anger to the pottery bowl, his expression softening slightly as he said, "Xiuying, you're always so polite."

Xiuying quickly waved her hands: "It's nothing. It's not easy for everyone. This is just a small token of my appreciation."

Wang Shufen came over to take a look at the ceramic bowl and exclaimed, "This mutton looks delicious. Xiuying's cooking skills are really good."

Xiuying felt a little embarrassed by the compliment and said with a slightly blushing face, "Sister Shufen, you are too kind."

After Xiuying pushed the pottery bowl over, she paused for a moment and then asked, "Village Chief, what's the matter with you calling me over?"

There was a hint of doubt in her eyes as she glanced at the village chief and others.

The village chief coughed lightly, his expression becoming serious, and he said, "Xiuying, you know about the well digging in the village. It's been over a week and there's still no progress. Everyone is worried.

I thought you were smart and had a lot of ideas, so I asked you to come and discuss this with me."

After saying that, he stared at Xiuying closely, as if expecting her to come up with some good ideas.

Xiuying frowned slightly after hearing what the village chief said, and after thinking for a moment, she said, "Village chief, in my opinion, we can't just dig blindly like this.

We need to first look for old wells nearby, or see where the vegetation is particularly lush; generally, such places may have abundant groundwater sources."

Her eyes were determined and she gestured in the air with her fingers as she spoke.

"Also, we can observe the terrain more carefully. Valleys or low-lying areas may have water storage."

Xiuying paused, looking at everyone's focused expressions, and then said, "Why don't we ask the experienced elders in other nearby villages for advice? Maybe they can give us some pointers."

After saying that, she pursed her lips slightly, her eyes full of anticipation, hoping that her idea would be recognized by everyone.

The village chief listened to Xiuying's words, nodded repeatedly, touched his chin and thought, and said, "Xiuying, your idea is good. Let's try it according to your suggestion."

Li Gang also raised his head, a glimmer of hope in his eyes: "Sister-in-law Xiuying, this is a good idea. It's better than us digging around like headless flies."

Wang Shufen echoed, "Yeah, maybe we can find a water source."

The atmosphere in the room became a little more relaxed because of Xiuying's idea.

Xiuying asked with concern in her eyes, "Village Chief, has anyone been found to guard the spring in the back mountain?"

There was a hint of worry in her eyes and she leaned forward slightly.

The village chief frowned, sighed and said, "Alas, this matter has not been implemented yet. The strong laborers in the village are busy digging wells and no one is available for the time being." After saying that, he shook his head helplessly.

Xiuying's expression became serious and she said, "Village chief, this won't do. There's no one guarding the spring. If someone from another village gets it first or it's destroyed, it will be even more difficult for our village." Her tone was anxious and her hands clenched unconsciously.

Li Gang echoed from the side: "Xiuying is right, this matter can't be delayed." With a serious expression, he looked at his father with a firm gaze.

Wang Shufen also said anxiously: "Yes, Dad, we have to find a way to send someone to guard it." Her face was full of anxiety, and she paced back and forth in the room.

Xiuying's eyes sparkled as she said seriously, "Village Chief, I have an idea.

We can have all the children in the village who are ten years old and above take charge of guarding the spring on the back mountain. Each family in the village will take turns sending a child, in groups of three.

This way we can ensure that there is someone to watch over it, and it won’t delay the adults from digging wells and doing farm work.”

As she spoke, she gestured with her hands, her expression focused and eager.

The village chief narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking about Xiuying's suggestion.

Xiuying continued, "Then each group of children was given a gong. If anything happened, like people from another village trying to steal water or something unusual happened at the spring, they would immediately ring the gong. This way, the adults in the village would rush over to help immediately."

She spoke a little quickly, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead due to excitement.

Li Gang listened and nodded: "This is a good idea. The children are smart and can take on this responsibility."

Wang Shufen agreed: "Yes, and this way every family can participate, so it's fair."

The village chief thought for a moment, then slapped his thigh and said, "Okay, let's do as Xiuying said! Let's make arrangements quickly."

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became positive, as if there was a ray of hope.

Li Gang said indignantly: "Dad, Zhao Cunliang and Zhou Dazhu's families didn't send anyone out to dig the well. It's outrageous!" His face turned red and his hands clenched into fists.

The village chief lowered his eyes, his face gloomy, and said coldly: "Hmph, if we let them do what they want, in a few days, those two families will beg us to dig it up." His eyes were full of determination and majesty.

Li Gang was a little confused and asked, "Dad, why are you so sure?"

The village chief put his hands behind his back, walked slowly, and said firmly: "These days without water are hard to endure. When their own water tanks are empty and the crops in the fields are about to die of drought, they will naturally feel anxious."

Wang Shufen echoed, "That's right, they'll regret it later."

Xiuying also nodded, with a hint of disdain in her eyes: "Let's dig the well first and ignore them."

The atmosphere in the house was a little solemn for a moment, and everyone was secretly thinking about the future predicament of the two families.

After Xiuying left, Wang Shufen walked to the table and reached out to gently remove the coriander sprinkled on the ceramic bowl.

When she saw the ceramic bowl full of mutton, she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise: "Wow, so much mutton!"

The village chief and Li Gang came over when they heard the sound, their eyes fell on the ceramic bowl filled with mutton, and a look of emotion appeared on their faces.

The village chief's eyes were slightly red, and his voice was trembling: "Xiuying is always so kind-hearted. It is a blessing for our village to have such a good person."

Li Gang nodded seriously and said with emotion: "You still think of us at this time. We must never forget this kindness."