Others were also surprised by You Rong's choice. Zhou Cheng Nian couldn't help but persuade him, "You Rong, that... we've just started filming, and we've all eaten our fill today. It's not like we're starving to the point of working so hard. How about you and Sister Qinghe pick something else?"
Wen Qian Yi also chimed in, "Yeah, yeah, we can hold out for a bit longer today. When we're really starving later, then we'll work hard."
Facing their persuasion, You Rong said with a serious expression, "I just heard the director explaining the rules. The items available each day are different. Today is the first day of filming, and the production team isn't being too harsh on us. The food corresponding to the labor is relatively good. It will get more difficult later. If we choose to carry manure for fertilization now, we can get ten catties of rice, ten catties of flour, and one catty of preserved meat. These are all easy to store and can be saved for later. This way, we'll have an easier time in the coming days."
You Rong paused, then turned to look at Lin Qing He. "Carrying manure for fertilization is indeed not good for girls. Qing He, why don't you stay here and team up with Qian Yi? You can pick a simpler task. I can do the manure carrying and fertilizing by myself."
What a gentlemanly gesture, thinking of Lin Qing He.
If Lin Qing He didn't know You Rong, she might have almost believed him!
He just wanted to force her to give up teaming up with him!
It was just carrying manure for fertilization!
She didn't believe it could defeat her!
Lin Qing He smiled back and replied, "It's okay! I can do it! I think You Rong is right. We need to think about the coming days. It's good to prepare in advance. Director! I'll team up with You Rong to carry manure for fertilization!"
Seeing Lin Qing He's persistence, others couldn't persuade her further. You Rong was quite surprised by her decision, but deep down, he was still convinced that she wouldn't be able to handle it later.
Finally, Wen Qian Yi chose to feed the chickens, ducks, and geese in the small yard. The five of them divided into groups, chose their respective tasks, and set off. Zhou Cheng Nian and Zheng Yi went to pick corn, while Lin Qing He and You Rong carried buckets to the cesspool.
A foul smell wafted over. Lin Qing He's face stiffened, but she had to maintain her smile.
You Rong glanced at her, seemingly expecting her reaction. He feigned concern and said, "Qing He... why don't you go back to the yard and feed the chickens, ducks, and geese with Qian Yi?"
Lin Qing He saw through the mockery hidden beneath You Rong's feigned concern and gritted her teeth, smiling, "Thank you, but... it's okay! I believe I can do it!"
You Rong curled his lips. "Alright then. Don't fill your buckets too much. I'm afraid you won't be able to carry them. How about this... I'll fill them halfway for you. That way, you should be fine."
Lin Qing He smiled outwardly, "Okay! Thank you."
I really thank your whole family!
You Rong used the manure scoop to ladle the sewage into the buckets. He genuinely filled Lin Qing He's buckets with two-thirds of the smelly liquid. Then, he said solicitously, "Qing He, come here quickly. You definitely won't be able to carry it alone. I'll lift it for you and put it on your shoulders. You just need to carry it like this!" Soudan Novel Network
Lin Qing He's entire body resisted, but her words, once spoken, were like spilled water, impossible to take back. She could only steel herself and go forward.
You Rong placed the manure scoop on Lin Qing He's shoulders. With two large half-full buckets of sewage on either side, he bent down and slowly withdrew, letting Lin Qing He bear the weight. As the weight pressed down, Lin Qing He almost couldn't withstand it. It was only when You Rong reached out to steady her that she managed to stand firm.
You Rong raised his eyebrows slightly and asked with a face full of worry, "How is it? Is it too heavy? If not, put it down, and I'll carry it!"
Lin Qing He, when the camera wasn't looking, glared fiercely at You Rong and said through gritted teeth, "No! I don't need it! I can do it myself!"
You Rong rarely smiled. "Good, then keep up the good work!"
Lin Qing He, still through gritted teeth, replied, "Good! Yes!"
Lin Qing He gritted her teeth and walked towards the fields, carrying the two large half-full buckets of sewage, secretly cursing You Rong from head to toe.
Watching Lin Qing He's slightly swaying figure as she carried the sewage, You Rong's lips curved into an almost imperceptible arc, a smile he himself didn't notice.
You Rong closely followed, also carrying two full buckets of sewage. His family had been farmers, and he often helped with farm work when he was young. These tasks were old hat to him and not difficult.
The two of them carried the sewage to the fields. Just as Lin Qing He was about to breathe a sigh of relief, You Rong added timely, "We need to pour the sewage on the vegetable patches. Remember to pour it on the ground, not on the leaves, otherwise the vegetables will rot. And our task... is to carry the sewage here and fertilize these two vegetable patches."
Lin Qing He: "..."
Oh my god!
How many buckets of sewage would it take for the two of them to fertilize such large vegetable patches!
Lin Qing He regretted it, but there was no turning back. Under You Rong's urging, she listlessly took the manure scoop and fertilized the vegetable patches. After pouring the two buckets of sewage they had carried, she continued to follow You Rong back to fetch more.
After about four or five trips, Lin Qing He had become somewhat immune to the smell, but the tender skin on her shoulders was chafing painfully. She estimated it must have been broken.
In contrast, You Rong remained energetic and showed no signs of fatigue. He was working with enthusiasm. When Lin Qing He occasionally glared at him with resentful eyes, he could still manage a smile for her.
After more than ten trips and over two hours of work, Lin Qing He and You Rong finally finished fertilizing the last small patch of vegetable land. Lin Qing He suddenly came back to life and happily exclaimed, "That's great! We're finally done!!"
The cameras were still filming them. You Rong smiled and said, "Yes, we've finally finished. You worked hard! Shall we head back? Zheng Yi and the others should be almost done and heading back too."
Lin Qing He plopped down on the edge of the field. "Let's wait a moment. We'll rest for a bit before going back. I'm too tired."
You Rong had no choice but to sit down with her on the edge of the field.
Lin Qing He's eyes flickered. Seeing that the cameraman had moved a bit further away, she leaned closer and pouted, asking in a low voice, "You Rong, did you delete my WeChat? Are you still angry about that trending topic incident? I apologize, I really didn't buy that trending topic. My agent bought it without consulting me. I immediately had him take it down when I found out! Do you believe me!"
You Rong reached out to pull weeds from the vegetables, as if he hadn't heard Lin Qing He's words.
Lin Qing He had to call out, "You Rong! Are you listening to me? And about the past, I want to apologize to you, I..."
You Rong suddenly stood up straight, brushed the dirt off his clothes, and said with a smile, "Almost done. Let's head back. We still have to cook dinner ourselves once we get the ingredients."
Looking at You Rong's retreating back, Lin Qing He listlessly lifted her feet to follow.
Forget it, when has anything been easy? She'll take it slow.