Chapter 36: Have My Skills Grown Rusty?

Beyond the work in the fields, digging a well was a task that could not be delayed. For some time now, she and Xu Jinniang had to go to the village well every morning to fetch water, which was truly exhausting. Now that she had some silver, digging a well of their own was the right course of action.

However, neither she nor Xu Jinniang knew much about digging wells. After much thought, she took twenty eggs and went to ask Tong Shan for help.

When Tong Shan heard their request, he enthusiastically told them that there was a professional well-digging team in the neighboring Wu Family Village, and they had dug the wells for all the surrounding villages. However, he refused to accept a single egg from Tong Chuxue, insisting that it was a small matter and there was no reason to accept payment.

The two sides reached an impasse, which was only resolved when Tong Shan’s wife stepped in to accept the eggs and insisted that the two women stay for a meal.

Tong Shan told them that a well would cost about two taels of silver, the same amount Wu Zhenzhen had mentioned earlier. For Tong Chuxue, two taels of silver was a drop in the bucket and posed no financial pressure.

Soon, Tong Chuxue reached an agreement with Tong Shan to have him invite the team over.

The team agreed quickly but set a condition: since they would be working outside their own village, Tong Chuxue would need to provide them with a place to stay. This was not difficult; the lease for the house she had rented from the Luo family had not yet expired, so it was perfect for housing the well-diggers.

Three days later, the team arrived. The leader was a tall, sturdy, dark-skinned man named Wu Jianbin, who had reportedly inherited the trade from his father. The team consisted of six men in total.

According to Wu Jianbin, every location had different geological conditions, and the most important part of digging a well was finding the right spot where water would flow.

Tong Chuxue was a complete layperson in this regard, so she left all the work to Wu Jianbin and went off to find Wu Zhenzhen.

Although Wu Zhenzhen was Tong Shan’s granddaughter, she was not from Qingshan Village but from the neighboring Wu Family Village. It was said that when a young man from Wu Family Village came to ask for the village head’s daughter’s hand in marriage, the village head was reluctant, but eventually gave in because his daughter was willing.

Wu Zhenzhen was currently staying with her grandfather while her family’s house was being renovated.

Having nothing to do for the next few days, Tong Chuxue brought Wu Zhenzhen along to the mountain behind the village. They were quite lucky that day, gathering plenty of wild vegetables, enough to make some vegetable cakes with flour for dinner.

"Chuxue, how is the well-digging coming along at your place?" Wu Zhenzhen asked.

"I don't know. Uncle Wu and his men are handling it. When I asked, they said they were still looking for the water source, but they've been searching for two days without success," Tong Chuxue replied.

"Two days? That's impossible!" Wu Zhenzhen’s eyes widened in surprise. "When Uncle Wu's team digs a well, they usually find the spot in an hour or two. How could it take two days? This craft has been passed down in their family for generations."

Hearing this, Tong Chuxue felt that something was wrong.

For the past two days, the well-digging team had been pacing around the house, pointing and measuring with a wooden ruler as if they were doing something important. It now seemed they were just killing time. But if their efficiency was so low, wouldn't that hinder them from taking on other jobs?

"Chuxue, you probably don't know this, but there aren't many families in our villages who can afford to dig a well. After all, two taels of silver is not a small amount," Wu Zhenzhen explained.

"If they are intentionally dragging it out, what could their motive be?" Tong Chuxue couldn't figure it out. She certainly wouldn't pay them any extra money.

Suddenly, Wu Zhenzhen slapped her forehead as if remembering something. Her expression turned panicked, and she grabbed Tong Chuxue’s hand, pulling her toward the mountain path.

"What's wrong?" Tong Chuxue asked, confused.

Wu Zhenzhen said anxiously, "I just remembered—Wu Jianbin doesn't have a good reputation in our village. I haven't had much contact with him, but I’ve heard rumors that he is... lecherous."

Lecherous?

Tong Chuxue instantly understood Wu Zhenzhen’s concern. Xu Jinniang was home alone. If something were to happen...

At this thought, Tong Chuxue’s heart sank, and she quickened her pace toward home.

When the two of them arrived at their front door, breathless, they saw Wu Jianbin standing at the entrance of the back kitchen, about to push the door open, while Xu Jinniang was inside cooking.

"What are you doing!"

Wu Jianbin, feeling guilty, jumped at Tong Chuxue’s shout. He then chuckled awkwardly, "It's hot and I'm thirsty, so I came to ask for a bowl of water."

Hearing the commotion, Xu Jinniang opened the door. Hearing his request, she said apologetically, "It was my oversight. It's such a hot day, you must be thirsty. Come in, I'll fetch you a bowl of water."

Wu Jianbin gave a seemingly honest smile, "Thank you, sister."

After saying this, he looked at Tong Chuxue and the others. Upon seeing Wu Zhenzhen, he looked genuinely surprised, "Zhenzhen?"

Wu Zhenzhen nodded, "I'm staying at my grandfather's for a while."

"You... oh, I heard your house collapsed and was being rebuilt. No wonder you're here. But I passed by your house the other day and the new house is already finished. You should be able to go back soon," Wu Jianbin said.

"My house is finished?" Wu Zhenzhen seemed unable to believe it.

Wu Jianbin nodded firmly, "It's finished. We’re in the same village; how could I not know? I passed by that day and saw your younger brother playing in the new courtyard."

Wu Zhenzhen lowered her head upon hearing this. Tong Chuxue clearly saw the glint of tears in her eyes. It seemed she was another child born into a family that favored sons over daughters.

At that moment, Xu Jinniang came out of the house with a bowl of water, "Here's your water."

Seizing the opportunity, Tong Chuxue asked, "Uncle Wu, how is the well coming along? It doesn't seem like you've started digging yet. Is it possible there’s no water on our land?"

Wu Jianbin was truly thirsty and gulped down the water. Hearing her question, he looked slightly guilty, "Girl, it's like this, we..."

"Still looking for the spot, right?" Wu Zhenzhen interrupted, raising her head. "Uncle Wu, have you been out of the game for so long that your skills have rusted? You can't even find the location of a well in two days. It seems I’ll have to help you explain to people later that you didn't delay the work on purpose, but simply lacked the skill. If that’s the case, who would dare ask you to dig a well again?"

"You little girl, what nonsense are you spouting?" Stung by the sarcasm, Wu Jianbin’s face darkened and his tone grew sharp. "Who told you I couldn't find it? I actually found the spot the very first day I arrived!"

As soon as he said this, Wu Jianbin realized he had made a slip of the tongue.

Tong Chuxue looked at him with a faint, knowing smile, "So, you already found it? I wonder when Uncle Wu intends to start the work?"