Teacher by day, Farmer by passion

Chapter 67 Hua family crisis

The next morning, Lily and Rei returned inside the system space, managing the fields.

Meanwhile, Ace set off toward the river with Liu Mei, Shan Yifeng, and Ruby, their excitement palpable in the crisp morning air.

"You know," Shan Yifeng said, cracking his knuckles, "this is going to be easy. We just dig a few channels, move some dirt, and—boom! Instant irrigation!"

"Instant?" Liu Mei scoffed, tossing him a skeptical glance. "You think this is some simple gardening? If we're doing this, we're doing it properly."

Shan Yifeng, skipping ahead, grinned. "Then I'll dig the most! More than you did!"

Liu Mei smirked. "Good luck with that, junior brother."

Shan Yifeng puffed out his chest. "Meh, I'm still stronger than you."

Liu Mei stuck out her tongue. "Yeah? Well, I'm faster, swifter and better!"

Shan Yifeng narrowed his eyes. "Stronger beats faster!"

Liu Mei crossed her arms. "Not if I finish digging before you even lift a shovel."

Shan Yifeng gasped. "That's never going to happen!"

Liu Mei grinned. "That's exactly what I'm gonna do."

Ace sighed, rubbing his temples. "We're digging irrigation channels, not starting a war."

Their playful bickering continued as they followed the winding dirt path, the earthy scent of damp soil and fresh greenery filling the air.

Morning mist still clung to the riverbanks when they arrived, curling around reeds and rocks like ghostly wisps.

Waiting for them by the water's edge stood Zhao Yun, her arms crossed, her stance relaxed yet commanding.

But she wasn't alone.

A small group of sect members stood beside her, each clad in their sect's signature colors. Among them, one woman immediately stood out.

Zhao Mei.

Ace recognized her instantly. The absolute beauty who had once been at death's door in his home, now standing tall and composed, a far cry from the frail figure he had saved a few months back.

She inclined her head in greeting, her gaze lingering on him a moment longer than necessary. "Master Zhi."

Ace nodded, amused by the contrast from their last meeting. "Zhao Mei. I take it the Spirit Cabbages did their job well?"

Zhao Mei's lips twitched, a rare warmth softening her usually guarded expression. "More than well. I owe you for that."

There was genuine gratitude in her voice—subtle, but unmistakable.

Before Ace could respond, Zhao Yun clapped her hands together, her tone brisk. "Enough chatter. If we're digging, let's get to it. Tell us what to do, though."

Ace rolled up his sleeves, stretching his arms as he spoke.

"Alright, listen up. We're not connecting the channel to the river just yet. First, we dig a proper path. We want smooth water flow, not a chaotic flood."

This was bad.

Hua Hua pressed his fingers against his temples, already feeling a headache coming on. They had given him that mountain because they believed it was a prime farming spot.

No, scratch that—the prime farming spot. The most fertile land in the entire eastern region!

And yet... he left?!

"Why?" Hua Hua muttered, slumping against his chair like a man who had just been informed that his entire life was a joke.

"Why would he leave such a treasure trove of soil?"

Of course, what he didn't know was that Ace himself also had no idea it was fertile land.

Meanwhile, the two brothers—Hua Tiger and Hua Ting—sat in the family courtyard, sipping wine and discussing the matter like two retired generals analyzing a battle.

Hua Tiger, a burly man with a mustache thick enough to house a small bird, rubbed at it thoughtfully.

"Brother, do you think it's because we were harassing the Xiao family?" He squinted, as if deep reflection would suddenly make the answer appear.

Hua Ting, the more refined of the two, elegantly swirled his wine before taking a slow, deliberate sip.

Then, with the air of a man who had just heard a particularly dumb question, he laughed.

"Pfft! No, no—you fool." He shook his head, setting his wine cup down.

"Even their patriarch himself threatened Xiao Zhi in front of everyone. Do you really think he would care what we do to the Xiao family after that?"

Hua Tiger blinked. "...You make a good point."

Encouraged, he tugged at his moustache a little harder, as if that would extract wisdom from it. "Then why did he leave?"

Hua Ting sighed dramatically. "Ah, brother, you must see the bigger picture. Master Zhi is clearly a man of mystery. Perhaps he found an even better land elsewhere."

"Better than our mountain? Impossible!" Hua Tiger clutched his chest as if personally offended.

"Then maybe—" Hua Ting leaned in conspiratorially, eyes narrowing. "Maybe he's testing us."

Hua Tiger gasped. "Testing us?!"

"Yes. Maybe he wants to see if we will chase after him... if we deserve his presence." Hua Ting nodded sagely, stroking his nonexistent beard for extra effect.

Hua Tiger gasped again, more dramatically this time. "Brother, this is dangerous! If we don't act soon, what if he never returns?!"

Hua Ting grimly refilled his cup. "Then we have already lost."

A long, solemn silence stretched between them.

Then Hua Tiger stood up so fast he nearly toppled over the table. "We must go after him!"

"Indeed." Hua Ting finished his wine with a decisive gulp. "But first, let us eat."

"...Right, right. A great chase requires a full stomach."