He was strong and worked efficiently, not looking rushed or impatient, but extremely capable in action.
In just one morning, he had ploughed two acres of land—more than even the most experienced farmers in the entire Qing Shui Production Brigade!
Everyone was stunned, and even the brigade leader, Tian Yougen, was so happy he could hardly stop smiling.
After praising the neatly and evenly ploughed fields, Tian Yougen immediately asked Chen Yinghua, who was in charge of assigning work, to give this “difficult and troublesome” land to Lu Shian.
“With someone this capable, since he’s come to our Qing Shui Brigade, of course we should make full use of his abilities—able people should do more.”
“Besides, those plots are a bit difficult, but the work points are high. With higher work points, Comrade Wen’s grain share will also increase!”
Everyone sucked in a breath, feeling that the brigade leader was practically using Lu Shian like a workhorse.
Everyone knew those fields were irregular, full of corners and awkward turns, and every year people had to draw lots to decide who would work them.
The work points were high, but the job was enough to make people curse.
Some worriedly looked at Lu Shian, thinking he might get angry.
After all, Wen Qingnian was a cadre in their brigade, and Lu Shian was basically like the brigade’s “son-in-law.” Who would treat a new son-in-law like this on his first visit?
Unexpectedly, Lu Shian didn’t complain at all. He wiped the sweat off his face, turned around, and went straight to the assigned fields.
He was tall and agile, quickly harnessing the ox and getting to work.
Everyone only saw the plough in his hands moving as if it had come alive—nimble and precise. Even the stubborn old ox in the brigade obeyed him unusually well, going wherever he directed it without resistance.
By the end of the day, Lu Shian had actually earned a full twelve work points!
The brigade erupted again in excitement.
Everyone said Wen Qingnian had really found a treasure of a man. If only their daughters could marry someone like him.
When marrying a man, you marry his ability to provide and care for the family. Who wouldn’t want a husband who is both considerate and capable, with a good temper?
For most of them, there was no hope now, but it would still be good if their daughters could find someone like him.
So just after Lu Shian finished recording his work points, he found himself surrounded.
Old Liu, who raised the oxen, asked him how to make the cattle follow directions so well. Old Zhang, the most skilled farmer in the brigade, came to ask how he made his ploughing so neat and beautiful. The aunts and women also rushed over asking if he had any brothers or relatives…
Everyone was talking at once, and the whole threshing ground was as noisy as a giant chicken coop.
Lu Shian was a bit surprised by the scene, but he quickly adjusted.
“Don’t rush, ask one at a time. I just have more strength than average, but I’m not necessarily better than everyone at farming. We can all discuss and learn together.”
He spoke politely and didn’t hide anything, quickly getting along with everyone. Except for the matchmaking aunts, who left disappointed after learning he only had one sister, everyone else was very happy.
Lu Shian, surrounded by villagers, did not feel annoyed at all—he was just a bit anxious.
At noon, Wen Qianqian had said she would make him a good meal to reward him. He was eager to go to the production team dorms for dinner.
Of course, when he came to help work, he hadn’t expected any reward, nor did he want her to tire herself out cooking for him.
But at that time, Wen Qianqian saw him take out his lunch box and looked very serious.
“You came to help me work—how can you not even get a proper meal? If others find out, what will they think of me?”
“Lu Shian, I know you don’t want me to be tired, but since we’re getting married, within my ability I should share some responsibility with you. Do you think I can’t cook well? Tonight I’ll show you.”
The girl’s expression was serious, and when Lu Shian looked into her eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse.
Besides, being able to eat dinner and talk with her—how could he refuse something like that?
So after finally sending away the villagers asking questions, Lu Shian quickly headed to the dormitory area.
He was excited and nervous, taking big strides forward, but just as he turned a corner, he suddenly heard a loud crash and a scream.
The person who fell was none other than Wang Dafen.
Because she wanted to find a way to sow discord between Wen Qianqian and her military officer fiancé, Wang Dafen had no intention of working properly all day and only earned three work points.
Normally she would have been upset about this, but now she didn’t care. After quickly registering, she hid behind a haystack.
The haystack was near the threshing ground, and anyone leaving the area had to pass by here.
So she waited for Lu Shian, planning to speak badly about Wen Qianqian to him.
But she waited and waited and still didn’t see him. When she went out to check, she found that Lu Shian had been surrounded by the villagers.
She cursed inwardly—these people who could barely read were suddenly acting so eager to learn.
At this rate, when would she get the chance to talk to him?
Unable to push through the crowd, she had to keep waiting.
By the time it got dark, she was bitten all over by mosquitoes, already furious, and finally snapped, wildly slapping at the air.
“You bite! Keep biting! Wen Qianqian and the brigade leader made my son suffer, and now even mosquitoes are bullying me? You want blood? Here, take it!”
While she was flailing around, she lost her balance and tripped over a straw rope, falling heavily to the ground.
Just as she was about to curse, she looked up and saw Lu Shian not far away.
Immediately, she changed her tone and began crying out.
“Is anyone there? Please help me up, I’m in so much pain I can’t stand… I might die…”
Lu Shian originally didn’t want to get involved, but as a soldier, his instinct and responsibility made him unable to ignore it.
So he helped her up.
“It’s dark. It’s not safe to be out alone. You should go home early.”
His tone was cold and routine, but Wang Dafen immediately grabbed his hand and said tearfully:
“Comrade officer, thank you so much. I injured my leg yesterday from a sickle cut, and I didn’t have time to treat it. I didn’t expect it to get worse after falling. Can you take a look? Will it be serious?”
After a night, the wound on her leg was already white and infected, looking quite alarming.
Lu Shian instinctively felt disgust toward the woman in front of him, but he still glanced at it and said in a deep voice:
“If you’re injured by a sickle, you could get tetanus. You should go to the clinic.”
Seeing the conversation start, Wang Dafen was delighted and immediately said with tears:
“It’s too far to the clinic. My only son was sent to the reservoir by the brigade leader because of Wen Qianqian, so no one can take me…”
Hearing this, Lu Shian looked at her thoughtfully and realized she had deliberately waited for him—this was not a coincidence.
Wang Dafen, however, didn’t notice and continued:
“That reservoir work is harsh. Only the poorest families go there. My son just refused to date Wen Qianqian and was targeted, so now he suffers like this…”
“I’m too worried about him to even see a doctor.”
Lu Shian frowned slightly.
“Wen Qianqian wanted to date your son? When did this happen?”
Wang Dafen sneered inwardly.
See? No man can tolerate this kind of thing.
With just a little provocation, this excellent military officer would definitely reject Wen Qianqian.
“I don’t know exactly when, but ever since she came to the village, she’s been unclear with several men. She’s a city girl, can’t handle farm work—it’s normal…”
“Anyway, your choice is already made now, so don’t think too much. Since she chose you, she must be focused on you now.”
She fanned the flames, hoping they would break up immediately.
Just imagining Wen Qianqian being abandoned made her want to laugh.