A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

"Third brother! What's wrong with you!"

"Of course it's because that brat made him angry! Quickly, pinch his philtrum!"

"Third brother's wife, quickly bring some water!"

Old Gu was probably so shocked and angry that he fainted, and the main room and surrounding area were in complete chaos.

Gu Xixi and Mu Nanzhao didn't even turn their heads.

Once they were outside the courtyard, they felt as if they were being burned and couldn't wait to shake off each other's hands.

Because their movements were so synchronized, both of them were startled and turned to look at each other.

Mu Nanzhao suddenly grabbed Gu Xixi's hand again, ignoring her resistance, and squeezed it tightly in his palm.

Xi Xi was shocked, "What are you doing!"

She tried desperately to pull her hand back, whispering, "You cooperated with me just now, so you know I was acting. Everything I said before was true. Don't worry, I didn't mean anything to you..."

"How are you feeling?" Mu Nanzhao's seemingly inexplicable question startled Xixi.

She stopped struggling, stared at their tightly clasped hands, frowned and pondered for a moment, then looked up and answered truthfully.

"no feelings."

Mu Nanzhao looked directly into Gu Xixi's eyes.

He had seen too many looks from women's eyes—bright, shy, even ingratiating.

But he didn't see any of this complex emotion in Gu Xixi's eyes.

Mu Nanzhao suddenly released his grip, "Wooden head."

Was the voice too low? Xixi didn't hear it clearly. "What?"

“I said…” Mu Nanzhao walked forward with his hands behind his back. “You have self-awareness, that’s good.”

Xi Xi glared at Mu Nanzhao's retreating figure, grinding her teeth.

Does she need a narcissist to remind her?

She could tell which was more important, life or a man, so how could she possibly fall in love with Mu Nanzhao again?

Making a fortune through farming and expanding her agricultural empire! That's Gu Xixi's current life goal.

Xi Xi returned to her own land, and an hour had almost passed.

Aunt Zhang whispered, "I've been watching from here the whole time, and no one is slacking off; they're all willing to put in the effort."

The villagers watching were also busy, some praising this and others commending that.

Another group of men made a bet on which people would be selected and which would be eliminated.

Gu Xixi didn't rush to speak.

She personally went down to the ground and checked each incense stick until it burned out.

"You, you...and you."

"You stay here. The rest of you go to Aunt Zhang's place. Each of you can take two catties of millet and then go home."

A short, stocky man stepped forward defiantly, "Why should I?"

"I've already finished clearing my plot of land, but the people you chose, how many of them haven't even cleared half a plot!"

Gu Xixi said calmly, "They were both weeding, but they dug up the roots of the weeds, and what did you do?"

"You're only focused on speed, and you may seem to have finished a piece of land, but it's completely unusable."

She turned and walked towards plot number three, saying, "Let's take another look at this area."

"Not only did it solve the problem of weeds, but the looseness and depth of the soil were also very suitable for growing millet."

"Uncle Dafu, you must have considered what I should plant, right?"

Chen Dafu was originally standing behind the other employees.

When he heard that he had been called on, he was taken aback and felt quite at a loss.

"Yes, at this time of year, the only thing to plant is millet..."

Gu Xixi nodded in satisfaction and looked at those who were not selected. "I didn't tell you what to do. I just wanted to see who would be willing to think about this aspect when doing farm work."

Seeing that the time was right, Aunt Zhang loudly read aloud the contract in front of everyone, which included the wages and the construction period.

"Signing a contract is a guarantee for both parties. In addition, there are other rules that you need to know and agree to."

"The landlord has arranged everything, from how to fertilize to how to water."

“Please follow along, and you may also discuss it with your employer.”

"If you make decisions without the employer's consent, the employer has the right to settle your wages in advance and let you go."

The employees had no objections and each put their fingerprints on the document.

After all, it was an unprecedentedly high wage, and they were worried that the employer might back out at the last minute!

As for farming, you have to listen to the landlord. Although people don't quite understand it, they just do whatever the landlord says.

Each of the hired workers contracted several acres of land. Thinking that their generous wages would come from the land beneath their feet, they were full of enthusiasm and immediately expressed their willingness to start work.

Xixi readily agreed, as working with her always meant more pay for more work.

When Aunt Zhang saw the large padlock hanging on the front door, she realized that someone was missing. "Where's Chen Fang?"

Xixi was pondering a recipe when she casually replied, "He's already back."

Aunt Zhang asked in confusion, "The door is still locked, and he doesn't have a key."

Gu Xixi looked up, “…”

Aunt Zhang opened the door in a few quick movements and searched the entire family inside and out as fast as she could.

"He wasn't inside, and there was no one in the backyard either!"

Aunt Zhang rushed over and grabbed Xixi's shoulders with both hands, "He didn't run away, did he?!"

Xi Xi pondered, "That's unlikely."

Although she was happy to see the Buddha statue go as soon as possible.

But rationally speaking, given Mu Nanzhao's current situation, it's not easy for him to find a place to hide himself.

He is unlikely to give up on her and leave her voluntarily in the short term.

He is most likely on a secret trip.

Xixi had no intention of delving into the details and said with a smile, "He probably just went out for a stroll, he'll definitely be back."

Aunt Zhang was skeptical. "Really?"

"After all, he bought it from the government office, what if..."

"There won't be any mishaps," Xixi said confidently. "We should just do what we need to do."

"He's a grown man, he won't get lost."

After dismissing Aunt Zhang, Gu Xixi locked herself in her room to continue her experiments.

Seed improvement requires repeated verification over time, and current conditions cannot compare with those of the laboratories of the past.

She was making the most of every moment, fearing there wouldn't be enough time, and had no time to consider Mu Nanzhao's whereabouts.

It wasn't until Aunt Zhang knocked on the door, "Xixi, it's getting late, would you like to have dinner?"

Gu Xixi agreed, and only when she looked up did she realize that it was already completely dark outside the skylight.

Aunt Zhang had prepared dinner half an hour earlier, but not wanting to disturb Xixi, she waited until now.

A small dining table was placed in the courtyard, illuminated by an oil lamp.

Dinner was simple, just a bowl of soup and a bowl of rice.

In early summer, lamb's quarters can be found everywhere in the fields. Chop them up, mix them with wheat flour, add a little salt for flavor, and steam them.

Wheat rice combines the characteristics of both a staple food and a dish, with the fresh and sweet aroma of wild vegetables and the soft and chewy texture of wheat flour.

Drizzle two spoonfuls of fragrant wild garlic oil, and add a few drops of aged vinegar according to personal taste, and it's incredibly appetizing.

Gu Xixi ate half a bowl before picking up the millet and red bean soup.

"Mmm! Delicious! It tastes even better when it's cooled down."

Aunt Zhang ate her meal with a worried expression, glancing at Xixi several times before finally unable to resist tentatively asking:

"It's so late, should I leave the door open for Xiao Chen tonight?"

The villagers of Huachidu work at sunrise and rest at sunset.

Few people go out after dark, and they usually lock their doors from the inside early in the morning.

Just as Xixi was about to speak, she suddenly heard a knock on the door.

"Little Chen is back?" Aunt Zhang ran to open the door in surprise.

A head peered in from the darkness outside, and judging by its large teeth, it was clearly not Mu Nanzhao.

Is Xixi home?