Before she could finish speaking, her gaze fell on the neatly leveled plot of land, where tiny sprouts had already begun to emerge.
Though they had only just broken through the soil, anyone could tell that such uniform growth indicated excellent development.
Liu Defa immediately crouched beside the seedlings, his eyes lighting up with appreciation.
“These should be radishes, right? That comrade just now said they were carrots—how could that be? The seedlings are coming up very evenly, and they’re growing well.”
“If they really reached this stage in just two days, it means the seeds were treated extremely well, and the sowing was done properly.”
Old Liu gently brushed the tender shoots with his fingers before standing up, looking displeased at Xiao Ya.
“Comrade, if you don’t understand, don’t speak recklessly. You couldn’t even distinguish the variety—how can you criticize others?”
“Take a good look—how is this someone who doesn’t know how to farm? This is clearly a professional!”
With Liu’s firm conclusion, the onlookers all turned their gaze toward Xiao Ya, their eyes carrying a hint of disdain.
Xiao Ya’s face flushed instantly. She bit her lip, preparing to find an excuse to leave.
But Jiang Li had no intention of letting her off so easily.
Did she think she could just stir up trouble and walk away? Not a chance.
Jiang Li slowly turned to the side and directly blocked Xiao Ya’s path.
“Comrade Xiao Ya, the truth is clear now, isn’t it?”
“You said in front of everyone that I didn’t know how to farm. Now that the truth is out, shouldn’t you apologize to me?”
Being called out so directly, Xiao Ya grew even more embarrassed and furious.
She tugged at her sleeve, her voice trembling with tension.
“I—I only said that because I heard it from others! Who knew those things you planted would actually grow? I was just being responsible for everyone!”
“Besides, they’ve only just sprouted—who knows if they’ll make it to the end? Maybe in a few days they’ll wither!”
Seeing Xiao Ya begin to argue irrationally, Jiang Li crossed her arms and looked at her with a half-smile.
“In that case, shall we make another bet? Let’s bet on this patch of radishes—”
“I’m not betting with you! I have something to do—I’m leaving!”
Before Jiang Li could finish, Xiao Ya stomped her foot and interrupted her.
She still remembered that their previous bet hadn’t even been settled.
And seeing Jiang Li’s calm yet confident gaze now made her uneasy—she feared falling into another trap.
Xiao Ya snorted lightly, grabbed her two companions, lowered her head, and hurried away.
Watching her leave, Liu Defa shook his head, then turned to Jiang Li.
“Comrade, don’t let such small matters affect your mood.”
“I can tell you’re capable of doing this job well. If there’s no issue, come to the village entrance tomorrow morning and we’ll begin our work.”
“Of course, if you still have things to handle, I can wait another day.”
Warmth rose in Jiang Li’s heart, and she quickly waved her hand.
“Thank you for your understanding! I’m fine. How about tomorrow at eight in the morning? I’ll be there on time!”
Seeing her full of enthusiasm, Old Liu smiled, gave a few more instructions, and then left.
Early the next morning, Jiang Li arrived punctually at the village entrance to meet Old Liu. The two of them headed together to Li Family Village, the area most severely affected.
Along the way, Liu Defa’s brows remained tightly furrowed.
Holding his notebook, he briefly explained the situation to Jiang Li.
“No matter what, it’s the common people who suffer. This year’s weather is strange—rainfall has been pitifully scarce.”
“The streams in the village have already dried up, and the water level in the old wells has dropped drastically.”
“In the past, we worried about floods. But if this continues, forget irrigating crops—even drinking water for people and livestock will become a problem.”
The more Jiang Li listened, the heavier her heart became. The situation was far worse than she had imagined.
When they arrived at Li Family Village, the scene before them was even more alarming.
Large stretches of cornfields were wilted, the leaves no longer green but yellowing and curling.
Even the soil beneath had cracked open into deep fissures.
Hearing the news, villagers quickly gathered around, speaking all at once.
Liu Defa led Jiang Li into the fields, examining the soil while listening to the villagers’ reports and recording detailed data.
Jiang Li assisted beside him, but her attention was more focused on listening.
She deliberately slowed her steps, appearing to observe the crops, while her fingers lightly touched the yellowed corn leaves.
Immediately, a chaotic and weak set of voices entered her mind.
“So thirsty… my roots are starting to loosen…”
“I want water…”
Feeling the plants’ suffering, Jiang Li felt her throat tighten.
She continued forward with the group, the voices never ceasing.
But when they reached a plot near the foot of the mountain, they noticed something unusual.
Although the corn there was also affected, it was clearly in much better condition than the others.
The leaves were still curved but remained green.
Liu Defa noticed it as well. He quickly crouched down and grabbed a handful of soil to examine.
“Strange… this soil is the same as over there. Why are the crops here doing better?”
Jiang Li touched the corn leaves again. The voices she heard were noticeably healthier, even tinged with relief.
“At least we’re better off than those up on the slope…”
“Yes… those brothers have it much worse…”
“At least we have a bit of moisture. Our roots can still reach downward.”
“There should be water below… but we can’t reach it…”
Groundwater?
The realization struck Jiang Li, making her heart skip a beat.
Plants wouldn’t lie. If that was true, then—
She suddenly straightened, scanning the surrounding terrain.
This area at the foot of the mountain was relatively lower—there was a strong possibility of an underground water reservoir.
But over the years, with crops planted above, it would be difficult for villagers to notice.
That would also explain why this patch of corn was in better condition…
She took a deep breath and continued to act as if she were inspecting the area.
After a while, she walked over to Liu Defa and spoke with a hint of hesitation.
“Sir, I have an idea. Tell me if it makes sense?”
Liu Defa looked up and gestured with his chin.
“Let’s hear it.”
Noticing that many villagers were also watching her, Jiang Li pointed to the ground beneath them and then toward the surrounding drought-stricken land.
“Sir, as we walked here, we noticed something unusual—only this plot is in better condition. When I worked at the seed station, I read some geology books.”
“Look at the plants here, even the weeds—though they’re wilted, there are more varieties than over there, right?”
“Perhaps this evidence suggests there’s a deeper water source underground. I’m wondering… could there really be groundwater beneath us?”