Free Web NovelChapter 453: Chapter 238: Meizi is Pregnant
Liu Sanshun looked over Juhua’s petite build and said seriously, "It’s not that hard. With a small frame like yours, you’d be nimble enough in the tub. I can teach you to paddle near the bank first. Once you get the hang of it, we can go out to the middle of the pond. Even if... Don’t worry. I’ll be in Changxing’s tub, watching over you from right beside you."
He had wanted to say, "Even if you fall in, I can pull you out right away." But then he thought, ’I’d be jinxing it.’ If Juhua fell into the water, it would be a bad scene even if he pulled her right out. The weather was still warm, but a girl like her had never been in the water before. She was nothing like him and Changxing. So, he swallowed the rest of his words.
Before Juhua could even speak, Liu Xiaomei shot her brother a glare. "Third Brother, stop with your lousy ideas! If Juhua accidentally flips the tub, Uncle Zheng will have your hide. You think everyone’s like you, practically raised in the water? Juhua, don’t listen to his nonsense. Once you’re in the middle of the pond, even with my brother watching, you’ll panic and get dizzy when you see nothing but deep water all around you. Let’s not make a fuss. It’s better to let Changxing and my third brother finish picking everything. The sensible thing to do is go home and cook the water bamboo shoots."
Juhua nodded. "I’d better not get in the way. Sanshun, you and Changxing should go down and pick them together."
Li Changxing, who had been joking around with Zhuzi, looked up and said, "Hey, Juhua, it’s better if you don’t. It’s really cramped in the washtub. You can’t move, and it gets uncomfortable. I get it, you want a boat ride. Don’t worry. Once our village builds the workshop and we have money, Sanshun and I will definitely make a few small boats. Then you all can sit in them and watch us fish and harvest water bamboo shoots!"
Juhua asked excitedly, "Really? Wow! It must be true. It’s only because we didn’t have money before. If we have money, we should definitely get a few small boats. Our village is right next to the river and has all these ponds. Boats would make things so much more convenient!"
Zhuzi’s eyes also widened with excitement, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. She looked right at Li Changxing and asked, "You have to keep your word. Don’t back out later because you’re too stingy to spend the money."
Seeing her sparkling eyes fixed on him, Li Changxing’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly thumped his chest. "Would I lie to you? Building a boat would be convenient for me too, so why would I be stingy about it? Right, Sanshun?"
He felt his face flush and didn’t dare look at Zhuzi again, so he quickly turned his head and posed the question to Sanshun.
Seeing Juhua, his own younger sister, and Meizi all looking at him expectantly, Liu Sanshun nodded quickly. "It wouldn’t be that hard. You know, our village has more trees than anyone right now—we haven’t sold a single one to the Fang family’s farm tool workshop. We can cut some down from the mountain, ask Li the carpenter to help, and it’ll only cost us his wages. Once they’re built, the boats can be used by the whole village, so the village chief surely won’t charge us for the lumber."
He was certainly good at crunching the numbers, and everyone laughed at his reasoning.
Li Changming and Big Mouth Zhao agreed it wouldn’t be that difficult. In the past, there had just been no one to take the lead. But now that Changxing and Sanshun were managing the fishponds, they could spearhead the project. Others wouldn’t have to worry about a thing, so everyone would surely be happy to go along with it.
Laughing and chatting, Li Changxing and Liu Sanshun got back into the washtubs and paddled out onto the pond. They worked until the sun was dipping toward the west, finally finishing harvesting all the water bamboo shoots in the round pond.
Everyone present got a share, and a good portion was also given to village families with young children after school let out. As for those who didn’t get any, Liu Xiaomei, Zhuzi, and Changxing promised they would bring some over for them to try later.
As the sun set, the large group started heading home from the fields, laughing and talking all the way. Everyone was carrying something—baskets, hampers, washtubs on their shoulders. Their baskets were filled with either water bamboo shoots or their freshly picked greens. In any case, no one went home empty-handed.
Juhua walked with Little Shitou, helping him carry his basket. As they went, she called out to Meizi up ahead, "Meizi, you and Changming picked so many water bamboo greens. Are you going to pickle them? You’ll never be able to eat all that otherwise."
Meizi, walking up ahead, called back with a laugh, "What do you mean we won’t finish it? My mom couldn’t make it today. And I have two mothers, you know. I have to give some to both of them."
Li Changming gazed at her tenderly. He had been doting on her all afternoon. Her own hands were completely empty, while he had baskets hanging from both arms and a hamper on his back. Even so, he didn’t let Meizi help with a single one.
’This Li Changming really spoils Meizi rotten,’ Juhua thought. Just then, Li Changming suddenly called out, "Be careful! Watch your step." He rushed forward a couple of paces, but the path along the ridge was only wide enough for one. If he tried to walk beside Meizi, he’d probably just knock her into the ditch instead.
