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

Selflessness is a noble word, Gu Xixi acknowledges.

Correspondingly, Gu Xixi did not consider it shameful to encourage villagers to plant fruit trees and to profit herself at the same time.

Seeing that Gu Xixi wasn't buying it, Second Master Gu hurriedly lowered his voice, "Look, listen. What I said represents the will of the entire village. Xixi, are you sure you want to go against everyone?"

Gu Xixi smiled enigmatically, "Everyone? I refuse to believe that no one is on my side."

Master Gu said anxiously, "Then let's not say all of them, but at least more than half, shall we?"

"Most of the villagers don't support you. You've offended so many people at once. Aren't you afraid you won't be able to survive?"

Gu Xixi smiled dismissively, walked past Second Master Gu, and left the Earth God Temple.

As soon as she stepped across the threshold, she saw another familiar figure: Grandpa Gu.

Grandpa Gu walked in the opposite direction, leaning on his cane, his steps appearing somewhat hurried.

Aunt Zhang said, "That old man! He was eavesdropping outside just now."

"He's got a lot of bad intentions; who knows what kind of trouble he'll cause us in the future!"

Ever since Gu Youqing, the youngest son of Grandpa Gu, was exiled, the Gu and Gu Xixi families have completely severed ties and pretend not to know each other when they meet on the street.

Seeing Grandpa Gu now, it's no wonder Aunt Zhang would think the worst.

Aunt Zhang pulled Gu Xixi along for a while, and when they looked around and saw that there was no one else, she said nervously, "That shameless Gu Lao Er is deliberately instigating everyone to pressure you."

"What if these people take it to heart and blame you for not teaching them the secrets of growing crops? Aren't you afraid of causing trouble?"

Gu Xixi laughed and said, "It's not me who should be afraid."

Aunt Zhang was taken aback.

Mu Nanzhao, who had been silent all along, said calmly from the side, "What we need to be afraid of is that in the end, no one in this village will follow Xixi to plant trees."

"It won't be long before they regret it."

That afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Qian, along with Sister-in-law Qin, went to Gu Xixi's house to sign the contract.

In the evening, two more families came, both of whom had previously had their fields burned by fire but had found success growing water spinach.

After the contract was signed, Gu Xixi explained the more detailed plans to each family.

Those who heard it nodded excitedly, as if they could see the path of light about to unfold beneath their feet.

Sister-in-law Qin said, "Or should I use what you just said to persuade them again?"

“If they hear that, they should be able to come to a few more places.”

Gu Xixi refused, "No need. It's also written in the contract that what I tell you after signing must not be divulged within three months."

"We would rather have none than something of poor quality; we don't want people who can't make up their minds."

Sister-in-law Qin pondered for a moment, "What if we achieve good results in the future, and they get envious and want to join us again?"

Gu Xixi took a sip of hot tea. "I'll accept it as I see fit."

"Teaching others may not be effective; only the impact of reality can force them to make a decision and figure things out for themselves."

She paused, a slight smile playing on her lips. "However, the price we'll have to pay then will be much higher than what we're paying now."

Looking at Gu Xixi, Sister-in-law Qin became even more certain that she had made the right decision.

Meanwhile, another undercurrent was brewing in Huachidu Village.

At Master Gu's house, the main room was filled with people sitting on the kang (heated brick bed), and the floor was also crowded with people sitting or standing.

The old bachelor waved his arm indignantly, "Why is Gu Xixi so arrogant? She says she'll do it if she wants, and quit if she doesn't! I think it's because the men in our village are too easy to talk to! They've spoiled her!"

Several people nodded in agreement.

Some clever people sarcastically remarked, "So what if she's arrogant? She's arrogant because she has the resources. Gu Xixi knows perfectly well what the whole village wants right now. She holds the secret to increasing millet production, and we'll be begging her for it!"

Old Gu San was also among them. Hearing Gu Xixi's smugness and thinking of his own family's situation, he clenched his fists in resentment. "What else can you do? Do you dare to rob me?"

"Should we force her at knifepoint to teach us how to farm?"

The old bachelor scoffed, "Old Gu, you're just saying that because you're afraid. Who do you expect us to go?"

The villagers had been gossiping for a while, saying that Gu Laosan and the shrew Liu had been terrified by Gu Xixi.

Even though they hated Gu Xixi to the core, they dared not seek revenge.

So the old bachelor's words were clearly a mockery of Gu Laosan.

Unfortunately, after losing all face and dignity, Gu Laosan had already given up and didn't care about the ridicule at all.

He chuckled calmly. "I wouldn't dare go. People are willing to go to jail for robbery, so why should I be the only one to sacrifice myself while you all reap the benefits?"

"Today I'll see who dares to take the lead. When the time comes, I, Gu Laosan, will fight to the death."

He scanned them one by one with a sarcastic tone, "Do you dare? Do you dare? Or is it you?"

Those who were called upon by Gu Laosan all lowered their heads and remained silent.

Gu Laosan stared at the old bachelor one last time, "Old bachelor, you have no home and no job. As the saying goes, those with nothing to lose are not afraid of those with something to lose. There is no one more suitable than you here. Why don't you go?"

The old bachelor's smile vanished. His lips trembled, and he stammered, "I'm not in good health, I don't have the strength, I can't do this kind of work."

The atmosphere once again reached a stalemate.

As Master Gu frowned and pondered what to say to ease the tension, the curtain was lifted and another person entered.

"Big brother?"

Master Gu stood up, somewhat surprised.

Previously, when Grandpa Gu and Gu Laosan had a falling out, he remained neutral and did not side with Grandpa Gu, which caused Grandpa Gu to become cold towards him, and the two families did not visit each other during the holidays.

Grandpa Gu waved his hand, "Sit down, don't get down."

He looked around and said in a strong voice, "Who said we're the only ones begging Gu Xixi?"

"Her troubles with Gu Xixi are far from over; the time when she'll beg us for help is yet to come!"

These words roused everyone, and they quickly made way for Grandpa Gu to sit on the kang (heated brick bed) so he could explain in detail.

"What is Gu Xixi's contract?"

"Do you think she's giving it away for free? Didn't you hear her say that she'd take a cut by the kilogram after the trees bear fruit? The fruit trees won't belong to us until five years after they start bearing fruit. Isn't that like hiring us to work our lives for her?"

Master Gu chimed in, "Who knows what her fruit trees will look like in five years? Maybe they'll only be good for firewood by the time they fall into our hands."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Some people said, "So we didn't fall for her tricks, did we?"

"Tell me first, what's her problem? Why is she asking us to save her life?"

Grandpa Gu gave a cryptic sneer, "She said at the local temple today that she has already ordered saplings, and they will be delivered to the village in a few days."

"You don't know the ways of those merchants; once you've placed an order, it can't be returned."

The old bachelor reacted very quickly this time, "That's right, if you don't plant, and I don't plant, even if a few blind families follow Gu Xixi's nonsense, what good will it do?"

"Are they going to plant those extra saplings in the sky?"

A burst of laughter erupted, and the men and women, their worries vanished, were overjoyed at the impending misfortune befalling Gu Xixi.