The rainy season is coming again, and many fields along the river are planted with lush green crops, but the villagers are all on tenterhooks.
I hope the rain will lessen, even less, and that God will be kind to them.
“Datian Village is flooded almost every year. If it could be solved, it would have been solved long ago. What can a little girl like you do? I know you really want to get a divorce agreement for your mother, but you shouldn’t speak nonsense and resort to these deceptive tricks.” Zhao Lizheng criticized her sternly.
"Yes, Song Lian'er, floods are a deep pain for us. You shouldn't joke about this."
One of the villagers who was watching the commotion said.
“We’ve already spoken up for your mother, but the Song family is still making a fuss. There’s nothing more we can do. It’s just that your mother has a hard life. It’s really unethical of you to use the flood to your advantage.”
The Qiao family also felt that Song Lian'er's actions were inappropriate. The eldest Qiao frowned and said, "Lian'er, you are still a child and don't understand anything. Sit down. Let us handle adult matters ourselves. We must fight for justice for our strength no matter what."
Other members of the Qiao family also tried to persuade Song Lian'er.
Song Lian'er looked at Zhao Lizheng and said sincerely, "Uncle Zhao, you are the village head, and I have always respected you. How could I possibly make fun of you?"
Zhao Lizheng's expression softened: "Floods are no small matter. I'll take it as you genuinely wanting to help everyone, and that you just said something inappropriate because you're young. I won't hold it against you."
Song Lian'er immediately raised her hand and swore: "I promise I can do it. If I can't, I'll take back my mother's divorce papers. If I can't do it, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death."
"You still—" Zhao Lizheng's breath hitched again, and his face turned pale with anger.
“Uncle Zhao, I really have an idea. I’ve been paying attention to this matter for three years. In order to solve the flood problem, I audited classes at school and learned some knowledge. When I went to town, I also went to the library to check relevant information and made a plan. Last time I went to the market, I happened to meet an official from the Ministry of Works in the capital. I mustered up the courage to ask him for advice and told him my plan. He also said it was feasible.”
Although the original owner was a girl in ancient times, she was indeed a person who yearned for knowledge. She often went to the village school to eavesdrop, which was seen by many villagers. The original owner was even ridiculed for this, with people saying, "What use is it for a girl to learn knowledge?"
Everyone was stunned, but Zhao Lizheng immediately realized: "So, you can read."
The Qiao family members also gaped in astonishment.
Song Lian'er nodded.
"Then try writing your own name."
Song Lian'er walked to the table, took the pen from Wang Xiucai's hand, and began to write, stroke by stroke. Finally, the three characters "Song Lian'er" appeared on the paper, neat and powerful.
Wang Xiucai had already guessed it, but he was still a little surprised to see that Song Lian'er wrote so well.
He held up the words written by Song Lian'er, and everyone was in an uproar. They never expected that this girl, who was usually quiet, would have such a remarkable side.
Zhao, the village head, was also literate, and he remained silent.
This girl learned so well by listening to others and practicing on her own, which shows that she has a high level of comprehension.
He started to get serious: "Give me a preliminary idea of how you plan to solve the flood problem."
"I've planned a sturdy bridge that can withstand at least fifty years, and at most a thousand years. As for how many years it can last, that depends on the construction team's skill. But if it goes exactly as I envision, there shouldn't be any major problems. As for funding, we can request an allocation from the county government. Uncle Zhao is more savvy than I am."
At least fifty years —
It can last for another thousand years!
The villagers' eyes lit up.
If it were possible, we could even erect a monument to Song Lian'er's merits.
Zhao Lizheng said in a consultative tone, "Then why don't we wait until the bridge is built and we're sure it can withstand floods before giving your mother the divorce papers?"
Song Lian'er's attitude was firm: "The bridge will take a long time to build. The Song family has treated my mother like this. I don't know if they will do something even worse to my mother in the near future. After all, she was only kicked out of the house. My mother is still considered a daughter-in-law of the Song family."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
