Suddenly, a faint rustling sound came from the sand. Wen Zhimò saw the large silver snake slithering towards him.
Even though this large silver snake was one of Bai Sheng’s tamed beasts, Wen Zhimò was still terrified of it.
In his entire life, this was his first time being so close to such a frightening, slippery wild animal, so he unconsciously took a few steps back.
The large silver snake crawled to the side of the stone that Wen Zhimò hadn’t lifted. It glanced at Wen Zhimò, then coiled the stone with its tail, effortlessly lifting it above its head. It then gently dropped the stone onto the ground. Glancing disdainfully at Wen Zhimò, it proudly slithered to the side and coiled into a pile.
Wen Zhimò: …
Had he stumbled into a menagerie today? Were all these non-humans here to mock him?
"Shoo! Shoo!" Wen Zhimò gestured outwards with his hands, trying to shoo away these two non-humans. But one coiled proudly, its eyes narrowed, looking down on everyone; the other lay on the ground, panting and sticking out its long tongue, its eyes occasionally glancing at him.
Besides, those "shoo shoo" sounds were only enough to scare away a few sparrows, but to drive away a large snake and a big wolf? Did they even care?
Fine, he’d have to postpone lifting stones. Being stared at by these two non-humans put a lot of pressure on him.
Wen Zhimò patted the sand off his hands, preparing to tour Bai Sheng’s planting endeavors.
He had been rushed here by Lu Ye the day before yesterday, and yesterday he had encountered intrusions from the mine workers. He had been busy all day and hadn’t had a chance to properly see the Red Tree Slope.
According to the rather talkative Granny Zhong, this Red Tree Slope was originally a desolate desert. It was only after Bai Sheng and Lu Ye’s family arrived that they built it up with their own hands to what it was now.
Standing on the sand embankment, looking into the distance, there were already large patches of greenery. The greenery wasn’t very dense yet, but it had already adorned the Red Tree Slope with a touch of vitality.
Furthermore, behind the sand embankment, there was a school and several shops.
Wen Zhimò was standing with his hands on his hips, squinting as he gazed at the miracle in the desert, when someone tugged at his clothes.
He looked down and saw a boy about seven or eight years old, who looked a bit like Lu Ye. He must be Lu Ye’s younger brother, named Lu… what was it?
Behind the boy stood several other boys of various appearances, each holding a different small weapon, all staring at him intently.
It seemed that the Lu… who tugged his clothes was their leader.
“Are you called Brother Wen?” Lu Yun asked politely.
Wen Zhimò smiled and nodded, “Um, yes… I suppose.”
Lu Yun understood. He blinked and said, “Brother Wen, I am General of Dung Lu Yun, in charge of our Red Tree Slope’s septic tanks. As you are new here, I want to tell you something. In our Red Tree Slope, you must use the outhouse over there to relieve yourself. Bathwater also needs to be poured into the septic tank, because my sister-in-law needs this manure to fertilize the fields for her trees and crops, so every drop of urine and every bit of feces is precious. You… you cannot waste it in the future.”
After the New Year, Lu Yun turned a year older and spoke very politely. Moreover, his sister-in-law was currently having people fertilize the crops and trees, and they were running short of manure.
Lu Yun and his younger followers had already informed the workers who came to work at Red Tree Slope one by one. If they brought their own household’s excrement and urine to Red Tree Slope every day, they would be paid according to the quantity.
A breeze blew, and Wen Zhimò felt a bit disoriented.
Were children as young as seven or eight so diligent about their manure? It showed how simple the folk customs of Red Tree Slope were. However, it seemed he hadn’t wasted his own manure, had he? This morning, he had endured the stomachache and rushed to the outhouse to take care of business.
Lu Yun shook his head, “Last night, I saw you urinating behind that hill.”
Wen Zhimò: …
After petrifying for a moment, Wen Zhimò adjusted his mindset and said with a refined smile, “General of Dung, what you say is indeed correct. I was too urgent at the time, so… I will never waste my own manure again, not even… a drop.”
The General of Dung was very satisfied with this answer. He wanted to pat Wen Zhimò on the shoulder like a man, but being short, he could only pat his backside.
Wen Zhimò chuckled and stroked the General of Dung’s head, finding him much cuter than his elder brother.
After touring Red Tree Slope, Wen Zhimò specially went to the outhouse next to the septic tank to relieve himself. Since he had promised the General of Dung, he had to keep his word.
Recalling his experiences in Red Tree Slope over the past two days, Wen Zhimò couldn’t help but smile. Everything here was new and interesting to him, and he was starting to not want to leave.
At lunch, a woman at the next table suddenly vomited. Wen Zhimò remembered her husband was called Ma San. That was the easiest name to remember.
Seeing his wife vomit, Ma San’s face turned pale. He immediately called out to Bai Sheng’s table, “Grandma Wu, Madam, my… my little Tiantian vomited.”
Little Tiantian?
Everyone collectively petrified, and the scene fell into silence, with only Lu Yu’s continued chomping sound.
Then, sounds of muffled laughter erupted everywhere.
Hu Da Niu glanced at Ma San: Shameless, to be so old and still giving his wife pet names.
After laughing, everyone clutched their chests and adjusted their moods, adapting. It’s just… Little Tiantian… Hahahahaha…
Liu’s face turned red from vomiting. While vomiting, she didn’t forget to pinch Ma San: Are you trying to die? Calling her that in private is one thing, but doing it in front of so many people, where do I put my old face?
Ma San was anxious, thinking his little Tiantian was pinching him to relieve pain because she was feeling too nauseous.
The children didn’t know what the adults were laughing about. They also often gave nicknames to their little brothers. Uncle Ma San was just giving Aunt Liu the nickname Little Tiantian, what was so funny about that?
Bai Sheng and Grandma Wu exchanged a knowing smile, both having a guess in their hearts.
Tian Guihua and Yang Shi laughed heartily, with a vague premonition forming.
Grandma Wu got up and walked over, taking Ma San’s wife’s hand to feel her pulse.
Ma San looked at Grandma Wu nervously until Grandma Wu’s face broke into a smile, “Little San, your wife—Little Tiantian is pregnant. She’s two months along, you’re going to be a father.”
Hearing her master call Ma San “Little San,” Bai Sheng still took a few seconds to adjust. But in this era, “San” was really simple, just a number. She had to adapt.
Ma San could hardly believe what Grandma Wu told him. His Little Tiantian was really pregnant? He was going to be a father?
Bai Sheng said, “Brother Ma San, the pulse my master felt is never wrong. You are indeed going to be a father.”
“Ah! My wife is pregnant! My Little Tiantian is pregnant! I’m going to be a father!” Ma San danced with joy and ran out of the hall. He knelt in the courtyard in front of the house and roared to the sky, “I, Ma San, am going to be a father!”
Liu’s eyes welled up with tears on the spot.
She had longed for this child for a very long time. She finally had her own child again.
Everyone was immersed in the joy of Liu’s pregnancy.
For some reason, Du Min suddenly felt an urge to vomit too, but the feeling was faint and fleeting, disappearing as soon as she noticed it. She looked at Liu and Ma San, deciding to suppress this feeling for now, as she didn't want to steal their thunder.