Chapter 59: Asking Lu Miao to Herd Cattle, What to Do
Before Lu Miao could speak, the second aunt from the Ma family's village stepped forward to stop him and said:
"Tianzao, what are you doing? It's almost time for lunch, stop messing around, finish rolling this little straw and go home for dinner!"
Ma Tianzao stamped her feet angrily, pointing at Lu Miao and retorting:
"She said she didn't dare to compete, but why does she look down on me? How could I possibly lose to her?"
The aunts and young wives never thought it was a big deal, and they all gathered around, whispering to each other and watching the fun.
Aunt Ma was a little embarrassed. It was obvious that Ma Tianzao was still as stubborn as an ox. She said helplessly:
"We are farmers. We have been doing these kinds of work since we were young. It's not honorable if you win, and it's not honorable if you lose. If it gets out, you will be laughed at by others!"
Winning is an unfair victory, and it looks like bullying to outsiders.
If we lose, we will not only lose face ourselves, but also the farmers. Why bother?
Ma Tianzao puffed up his lips and became more and more stubborn. Aunt Ma Er was so upset that she tried to persuade him:
"Lu Zhiqing won't compete with you. This is to give you a way out. Listen to your aunt. Stop messing around. Finish this job quickly and go home."
Ma Tianzao also came to her senses a little, but when she thought about it, her father was the scorer of the team. Even if the team members did not openly curry favor with their family, they never dared to offend them. They were also very kind and caring to her. Who would dare to steal her limelight like Lu Miao?
And mocking her openly or secretly?
Ma Tianzao was afraid of making a fool of herself, but it was the first time she felt so aggrieved. She felt embarrassed both in terms of face and inwardly, and she really couldn't swallow this anger.
She bit her lip and said stiffly:
"This matter...I think it's better for Auntie not to interfere!"
"Sweet dates!"
Aunt Ma sighed in frustration, then turned to look at Lu Miao with a troubled expression:
"Lu Zhiqing, look at this..."
"It's okay." Lu Miao shook his head nonchalantly. "Don't worry, auntie. I won't take it to heart. It's almost time to get off work, so I'll go back first. Aunties, take your time."
Lu Miao picked up the small stool and was about to leave when his left shoulder suddenly sank. "Lu Miao, don't go! You have to give me an explanation..."
Lu Miao was not familiar with Ma Tianzao, and he didn't bother to care about the minor quarrels, but apart from this, Lu Miao himself hated being touched without any sense of boundaries.
The moment her shoulders were pressed, Lu Miao's aura suddenly turned cold, and her good temper disappeared. She tilted her head, and her eyes and expression revealed a sharp and cold look:
"That's enough, Comrade Ma Tianzao. If you keep making trouble, no one will look good."
Ma Tianzao was stunned for a moment, and suddenly shivered for some reason.
She always thought that Lu Miao looked delicate and spoiled, and that he was someone who was easy to bully. But at this moment, Lu Miao seemed like a different person. Not only did he exude an aura of someone who was not easy to mess with, but his eyes were also as gloomy as a snake spitting out its tongue.
Ma Tianzao was so frightened that she was stuck. Before she could react, a child's voice suddenly came from the other side of the threshing ground:
"Lu Zhiqing, Aunt Guifen wants you to go to her place!"
Schools were closed at that time, and the older children in the village usually had to help with the work.
Those younger kids were like wild horses that had broken free from their reins, running around and playing in the production team. Sometimes they would be dragged by adults to serve as strong men, going to various households to deliver messages or call someone.
When Lu Miao heard Chen Guifen's name, he immediately waved his hand and responded:
"I understand. I'll go right away. You guys go home too!"
“Oh, oh oh oh——”
A group of little bald boys were running around barefoot in the hot sun, laughing and joking.
Lu Miao didn't look at Ma Tianzao again. He put on his hat to avoid the sun and quickly went to the captain's house.
On the threshing ground, Ma Tianzao realized what was happening belatedly and stomped his feet in anger.
She was actually frightened by Lu Miao just now! How abominable!
If there is a next time, she will make Lu Miao pay!
After leaving the threshing ground and taking many detours, Lu Miao arrived near the He family. Even from a distance, before he got close, he saw several groups of people coming in and out of the He family. It seemed that they were quite busy today.
Lu Miao stepped over the threshold of the He family's house, just as two uncles came out of the house. She nodded politely, and seeing Chen Guifen following behind, she shouted:
"Aunt, you called me."
"Oh, yes!" Chen Guifen waved to the two farmhands, signaling them to go first, and then pulled Lu Miao into the shade under the eaves. "It's not a big deal, it's just that we're not mowing grass these days..."
Before Chen Guifen finished speaking, a dark-faced uncle suddenly stood at the gate of the courtyard. He raised his voice and asked across the threshold:
"Third Aunt, there are several sickles in the warehouse that have rotted and the saw blades are gone. Can you think of some arrangements? The harvest will start in two days, so don't miss out on the rush."
"Oh, oh, I see. I'll go and see it in a minute."
After sending the sullen-faced man outside the door, Chen Guifen retracted her gaze, patted Lu Miao's hand, and continued what she had just said:
"The team has almost all the straw ropes. We've been busy these past two days fixing the farm tools. In a few days, the production teams in each brigade will officially start the busy farming season."
Lu Miao nodded, still feeling a little confused.
The atmosphere in the team has been fostered for so long that even though she has not done much farm work, she has a rough idea of the timing and importance of the busy farming season.
But with her personality, she can only do the easy work half-heartedly, and she can't do the more important or rigorous work well. What is Chen Guifen's intention in calling her here?
Lu Miao was just beginning to feel suspicious when a hoarse voice came from outside the courtyard door again:
"Hongjin's wife, the plow in the warehouse is infested with termites. We'll need it in a couple of days, so hurry up! Where's Hongjin? Tell him to drive a new stake and fix the plow handle. Don't delay using it!"
There is no problem with the farm tools commonly used in daily life, but it is hard to say for those farm tools that have not been used for a long time or for a season.
Because they were afraid of problems, He Hongjin and Chen Guifen discussed having people move all the things out for inspection before the busy farming season these two days. As expected, they found a lot of problems.
“Hey!”
The person who spoke should be older than Chen Guifen. Chen Guifen took a few steps outside to answer. After finally calming down, she pulled Lu Miao aside and said,
"Look at this, it's really busy and confusing."
"Auntie, I won't say much else. Just one thing. The whole team has been preparing these days. Don't you dislike heavy work? The cows in the cowshed haven't been moved out yet. This job is easy and convenient. You can go and herd the cattle for the next few days!"
Huh? No.
Lu Miao was stunned. Herding cattle?
When she thought of the big black bull with two curved horns, she felt scared.
Lu Miao wanted to discuss with Chen Guifen about changing his job. If he really couldn't do it, he could just follow the production team members to work in the fields.
But before she could finish her words, someone else came to the door. Chen Guifen didn't care about Lu Miao anymore and sent him away:
"It's settled, Lu Zhiqing, you should go back first!"
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