Chapter 18
C18 – It Was Raining
“Activate.”
The gift box opened slowly to reveal nothing special inside, just seeds.
“Super rice seeds?”
“Should be enough for an acre.”
Zhao Yuegu stored the seeds in the system space.
The seeds from the cultivation system always had something unique about them.
What exactly made them special would only become clear once they were grown.
This sense of anticipation filled Zhao Yuegu with excitement about farming.
After all, delicious food was the best reward for oneself.
Despite the village’s modest means, the food was pure and natural, free from pollution, and incredibly healthy.
That was one of the reasons Zhao Yuegu was fond of this place.
Leading the oxcart at a leisurely pace, Zhao Yuegu watched as Ma Yabei sat in the cart, her fair legs swinging playfully while she hummed a tune.
She was clearly savoring the moment of relaxation.
Here, she didn’t have to worry about work, others’ judgments, or any of those trivial matters.
This stress-free comfort was just too delightful!
“Zhao Yuegu, why don’t you marry me? I’ll farm rice with you.”
Zhao Yuegu couldn’t quite grasp Ma Yabei’s thoughts.
They had only met a few days ago.
Were they already at the point of discussing marriage?
And besides…
Would her parents even agree?
“Sure, we can have our wedding night this evening,” Zhao Yuegu said with a grin.
Ma Yabei’s cheeks flushed crimson.
“Ah… so soon?”
“I’m not mentally prepared yet.”
“I was only kidding.”
Forced fruit is never sweet, and these matters, especially with a young woman, should unfold gradually.
Consent is key, isn’t it?
A little playful teasing could be quite fun.
Seeing Zhao Yuegu’s smile, Ma Yabei pouted.
She had thought him to be a straightforward man.
But why did he have to be so mischievous?
Every time she tried to playfully tease him, he turned the tables on her.
Yet, looking at him, she couldn’t bring herself to stay mad.
Ma Yabei felt a momentary sulk, then let the thought pass.
“Ever since I was little, my mom said if I didn’t do well in school, I should work the fields. But honestly, I don’t see anything wrong with farming.”
Zhao Yuegu preferred not to comment.
After all, what did she know about working the fields?
Certainly, having a beautiful woman for company while working was a treat.
Even just having her in front of you was a delight to the eyes.
Particularly when Ma Yabei tenderly wiped the sweat from Zhao Yuegu’s brow, the subtle scent of his skin was utterly enchanting.
It was pure bliss!
She didn’t even feel like going home.
After all, there was a tent in the watermelon field.
“Sit tight, it’s about to rain.”
Zhao Yuegu quickened his pace, leading the oxcart.
“Ah? But the sky is clear and bright. How could it rain?”
“It won’t take more than half an hour.”
Zhao Yuegu didn’t want to elaborate.
His knack for predicting the weather was sharper than any forecast.
Ma Yabei pouted.
“Don’t treat me like a kid.”
“How about a wager?”
Zhao Yuegu suggested.
“Fine! If I lose, I’ll give you a kiss! And if you lose?”
“What do you think?”
“Hmm… I won’t take advantage of you. Just agree to do one thing for me.”
“Agreed.”
Zhao Yuegu didn’t hesitate.
He was confident he wouldn’t lose.
They walked for twenty minutes under a still-clear sky, without a cloud in sight.
“Haha! Look at this! Does this seem like rain to you? I need to think about what you’ll do when you lose.”
“I’m not going to lose.”
Zhao Yuegu retorted.
“Quite confident, aren’t you, young man? Want to raise the stakes?”
“Go on.”
“Our clothes are dirty. The loser washes the other’s.”
Zhao Yuegu gave Ma Yabei’s figure a regretful glance.
“Even the ones we’re wearing?”
Ma Yabei froze, then her small fists started flying in indignation.
“Pervert!”
They bantered and laughed, quickly reaching the courtyard. Zhao Yuegu steered the oxcart into the shed.
“You’re about to lose.”
“What’s the rush? It hasn’t been half an hour yet.”
No sooner had Zhao Yuegu spoken than black clouds swarmed the clear sky. A sudden torrential rain drenched the earth, splattering mud everywhere.
Ma Yabei’s mouth hung open in astonishment. She let out a shriek and scurried under the eaves with Zhao Yuegu.
Everything’s soaked!
How did this rain come on so fast?
Through the fabric of his clothes, Zhao Yuegu caught sight of Ma Yabei’s fair skin and found it hard to look away.
“You’ve lost.”
“And what of it if I have?”
Ma Yabei stood her ground defiantly.
“Planning to renege on our deal?”
“What can you do if I do?”
Zhao Yuegu just shook his head.
There wasn’t much he could do, though it was a shame.
But there was no rush.
Just as he was nursing his regret, a sudden warmth spread across his face, and his body tensed.
Ma Yabei had given him a quick peck and dashed off!
Hopefully, no one saw.
That was her first kiss.
Her heart was racing!
Zhao Yuegu touched his right cheek, feeling the dampness.
He couldn’t tell if it was from her lips or the rain.
Ma Yabei’s hasty retreat, however, was amusing.
Soon enough, the rest of the program team made their way back.
“Why did it start raining out of nowhere?”
“We’re all soaked to the bone; let’s hope no one catches a cold.”
“Let’s dry off the equipment quickly so it doesn’t get damaged.”
Back in the courtyard, the program team continued their hustle.
As a guest, Lin Luqin had the luxury of changing into dry clothes and approached Zhao Yuegu.
“Did you finish picking the watermelons?”
“We hurried it up because of the rain.”
“Where’s Ma Yabei? It’s odd not to see her glued to your side.”
Zhao Yuegu sensed a subtle hint of jealousy in the air.
“She’s probably changing her clothes.”
As Ma Yabei wrung out her hair, she pondered over the bet she had made with Zhao Yuegu on the road, growing increasingly perplexed.
“How does he predict the weather with such accuracy?”
“Just says it’ll rain, and it does?”
“Even the timing is spot on?”
“Is this some sort of special ability?”
“Or just luck?”
“Yet, from his assured demeanor, it didn’t seem like mere luck.”
“Could it be…”
Her eyes began to sparkle with realization.
“Could it be that all farmers can read the weather, predict the climate?”
“That would be far more impressive than a weather station!”
Ma Yabei, lacking any rural experience, had let her imagination run wild.
She hadn’t considered that this was Zhao Yuegu’s unique talent.
The sole perk of this ability might be its use during farming to sidestep the brutal heat and sudden downpours—there’s really nowhere to take cover out in the fields.
Zhao Yuegu was oblivious to Ma Yabei’s speculations within the confines of her room.
At least there’s no need for Xueman to deal with these soiled clothes later.
Ma Yabei was not one to shy away from defeat.
Meanwhile, Lin Luqin at his side wore a faint trace of worry on her brow.
“I’m about to leave.”
Ultimately, Lin Luqin spoke up, catching Zhao Yuegu off guard with her revelation.