Chapter 24 Trust me, I guarantee you won’t go wrong!
Aunt Zhang was talking to several female relatives. She caught a glimpse of Lin Xiyan squatting not far away busying herself, and couldn't help but gather around and move forward.
Their eyes were full of confusion as they all stared at Lin Xiyan.
"Aunt Zhang, come and lend a hand!"
When Lin Xiyan saw everyone coming, she quickly waved and greeted them.
Everyone saw her and Qingying gathering the wood ashes on the ground into gauze bags.
The master and servant worked together to gather the loose wood ash on the ground into the gauze bag.
A cloud of gray dust filled the air around, floating and dancing freely.
"Ahem."
Lin Xiyan's nose suddenly felt itchy, and she raised her hand to rub the tip of her nose.
Seeing this, Qingying hurriedly stopped what she was doing, patted Lin Xiyan's back, and said with a worried look on her face, "Miss, please go slower. This dust is really annoying."
"Oh, this dust is so dirty, Xiao Xier, don't choke yourself."
Aunt Zhang felt distressed when she saw this, and hurried forward to take the cloth bag from Lin Xiyan's hand.
"Aunt Zhang, I'll have to trouble you to help me collect this wood ash."
Lin Xiyan raised her hand and pointed at the red soil not far away, her eyes filled with excitement.
"Then, we'll spread the collected wood ashes on the red soil beneath the hills over there."
"What are you talking about? The red soil is so bare that not even a blade of grass can grow. And you're spreading wood ash on it. I'm afraid it's a waste of effort."
When Aunt Zhang heard this, her face was full of suspicion.
"Aunt Zhang, there's something you guys don't know."
Lin Xiyan raised the corner of her mouth, her face full of pride and complacency.
"Although this wood ash may look insignificant, it is actually very useful!"
"It can neutralize the acid in the red soil and add fertilizer to the soil, making the barren land fertile."
She said excitedly, "This is a piece of land with hidden treasures!"
"Is it really such a miraculous effect?"
Aunt Zhang was skeptical and narrowed her eyes slightly.
The other female relatives also gathered around, their eyes full of curiosity, and they were whispering to each other.
"Aunt Zhang, please trust me this time. I guarantee you won't be wrong!"
Lin Xiyan puffed out his chest, looking determined.
"Once the land is improved, we'll go to town and buy some citrus seedlings and plant them. The oranges they produce will be incredibly sweet. We'll definitely fetch a good price if we sell them!"
"Oh, Xiao Xier, how come you know so much at such a young age?" Aunt Zhang was amazed, her eyes full of admiration.
"I just learned it from reading books on weekdays!" Lin Xiyan smiled and explained patiently.
Qingying standing by was embarrassed. The image of the young lady who loved reading was becoming more and more popular.
"Okay, since you said so, we'll listen to you!"
Aunt Zhang smiled brightly, waved her hand, and took the lead in action.
Seeing this, the women around nodded in agreement, took out gauze, bent down, and followed Lin Xiyan to carefully collect the ashes on the ground.
Several people were busy working when Lin Yiqing happened to stroll over.
Seeing that everyone was covered in gray ash, looking dusty and dirty, with slightly frowned brows and eyes full of disgust.
He pouted and muttered, "It's just a wasteland where nothing grows. Is it really necessary to make such a fuss and toss it around?"
Hearing this, Qingying raised her head, glanced at Lin Yiqing, and replied in a neither humble nor arrogant manner:
"Miss Lin, you don't understand this. My young lady has always been smart. Since she said this place has potential, she must have a point. Let's just wait and see."
Everyone just glanced at Lin Yiqing, then ignored her as if she didn't exist and took the ash to the red soil under the hill.
Lin Yiqing felt angry when she saw that her words were like a stone thrown into a deep pool, without causing any splash. A blush of embarrassment appeared on her face.
"Aunt Zhang, sprinkle more here, right along the ridge, so that the ash can seep evenly into the soil."
Aunt Zhang and the others nodded, and the wood ash fluttered down onto the red soil.
It happened that Lin Muyi, Lin Wuyu and others came back carrying hoes.
Seeing his sister busy directing something at the foot of the hill, he walked over in a few steps.
"What are you doing, little cat?" Lin Muyi joked, wiping the ash off Lin Xiyan's face with his sleeve.
"Brother, you are back." Lin Xiyan was also very happy to see them back.
"We dug out all the larger rocks from the soil, and then left two brothers to plow the rest of the land."
"Okay, then quickly bring your hoes over. I'm going to use the hoe to mix the red soil and wood ash, too."
"Why go to so much trouble on this poor red soil?"
Seeing Lin Muyi's puzzled expression, Lin Xiyan stood up, dusted off her skirt, and told her brother in detail the various benefits of improving the soil.
Lin Muyi nodded as he listened, his eyes full of admiration:
"Xier is the one who came up with the idea. I didn't expect that this red soil combined with wood ash would have such a miraculous effect. I'm afraid our lives will depend on this piece of land to add color to our lives in the future."
"You guys go and rest, and let us men do the heavy work."
After Lin Muyi finished speaking, he led a few men to carefully plow the red soil sprinkled with wood ash.
With each hoe and shovel, the soil and wood ash blend closely, exuding a simple and unique scent.
"Miss, look at this soil. After being mixed with wood ash, it seems to be really different. It is not as hard as before." Qingying said in surprise while busying herself.
Lin Xiyan raised her eyes, a smile on her lips: "Of course, this is just the beginning. With careful care in the future, this red soil will surely be revitalized."
Lin Yiqing felt jealous when she saw everyone praising and admiring Lin Xiyan.
He snorted coldly and turned to leave.
But just as he turned around, his ankle suddenly twisted, and he screamed "Ouch" and fell to the side in a mess.
Everyone looked over when they heard the sound. Lin Mu also frowned, but still quickly stepped forward to help.
Lin Yiqing felt extremely embarrassed. She blushed and shook off his hand. She bit her lip and limped away, muttering to herself.
"It's all because of that cold snap!"
Aunt Zhang looked at her back and shook her head: "Not only did you not help, but you also made things more complicated."
The woman next to her echoed, "She's been resting for two days using the excuse of a cold. The second branch of the Lin family is really shameless."
Lin Xiyan held Aunt Zhang's hand and said, "Aunt Zhang, let's not argue with her."
She touched her belly and said coquettishly, "Auntie, I'm hungry. I want to eat the meal you cooked."
Aunt Zhang immediately responded, "Okay, let's do it now."
By evening, fatigue from a whole day's work washed over everyone like a tide, and their stomachs began to growl.
At this time, the tempting smell of food wafted through the camp.
Aunt Zhang was quick and skillful and had already cooked the wild vegetable rice porridge.
The rice porridge was bubbling in the big pot, with the tender green wild vegetables and the white rice grains embracing each other, exuding a simple and alluring aroma.
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