Ning Shixuan sat by the water pool, utterly unaware of the events unfolding on the distant ridge. She mused aloud, “Though you seem a bit dense, you’re quite entertaining—a hundred times more interesting than those government officials. They never manage to make me this happy; they just shamelessly keep bringing me things. Do I lack flowers and weeds, honestly? Hey, hey, I’m talking to you, why aren’t you answering… Zhao Qian! Zhao Qian! Where did you run off to?”

How could I possibly have the mind to stay and listen to Ning Shixuan’s ‘heartfelt confession’? Even though the woman on the ridge looked utterly filthy and her hair was a mess, my inherently benevolent, helpful, and chivalrous nature meant I absolutely couldn’t stand by and watch someone tumble into that ravine! That gully looked choked with thorns; even if it didn't kill her, it would certainly tear her to shreds!

At that moment, I utterly disregarded any promises I’d made to my wives. I shot forward, lunging behind her, snatching her up just as she began to roll, and gently set the woman on the ground, warning her, “Careful, there’s a deep ditch right below.”

She must have been stunned, though not by my speed, since no one actually saw me move. She was rattled by the few tumbles she’d just taken. She had walked this path thousands of times; she knew exactly where her footing was. Another two steps backward, and she surely would have fallen into the chasm—the consequences of which would have been dire.

“Thank you,” she managed after a long catch of breath. Her voice was quite pleasant; she sounded young, judging by the tone.

I smiled. “Don’t mention it. You happened to roll right to my feet; I couldn't not save you if I tried. Wait here; I’ll go down and help you retrieve the water buckets.”

“You… when did you get behind me?” The girl seemed skeptical of everything. She lowered her head, preparing to descend into the gully. “No need, I can manage it myself.”

Without a word, I was already down in the ditch, gathering the two buckets that had spilled their water, and carrying them up to the ridge. The yoke hadn't fallen in. I helped her hoist the buckets and started down the slope. “I suggest your village pool their resources and buy a water pump. Although the pool at Xiamaquan isn't huge, with a little expansion, you could probably pump water for a couple of hours. Besides, the spring flows continuously; I’m sure it would be enough for irrigation.”

“We have no money. People are starving; how can we even talk about a pump? Thank you again for just now; I’ll take it from here. I shouldn't trouble you further.” The girl insisted.

Carrying the water, I walked ahead. “The only time I’ve ever carried water like this since leaving the army, aside from helping a war widow once, was never. Let me do it. You head to your own plot and wait; I’ll carry the water for you. Irrigation…”

“We’ve never met. How can I let you do such dirty, tiring work…”

Before the girl could finish, I was already sprinting toward the small pool at Xiamaquan. Ning Shixuan exclaimed, startled, “Where did you just go? The moment I looked up, you were on the ridge. You—you didn’t fly over there, did you?”

I plunged the two buckets into the pool, filling them completely. “I was the star sprinter at school. The national track team invited me, but then I considered that someone like Old Liu would bring glory to our nation, so I decided it was better for me to focus on economic matters.”

I walked ahead with Ning Shixuan trailing behind me, chasing. “Why are you carrying water for that person? Weren’t we supposed to take the samples and leave? It’s almost noon; let’s go.”

“Just a moment. That comrade back there was working too hard; I truly couldn't bear to watch. This counts as cadres visiting the countryside, right? If we encounter a situation like this, shouldn't we show some initiative?”

Ning Shixuan chuckled. “Don’t tell me you’ve taken a shine to her? She has quite the figure, I must say.”

I turned back and deliberately cast a lecherous glance toward Ning Shixuan’s chest. “But she’s still far behind you. If I were going to take an interest, I’d come after you. Hurry up and find some shade under a tree to cool off. I’ll leave right after the work is done.”

Despite my words, Ning Shixuan still followed me, panting as she climbed the ridge. The girl couldn't keep up with me, so she naturally returned to her field to wait. Her family was growing a patch of autumn corn, planted right after the wheat harvest. At this time of year, the corn was only knee-high, desperately needing moisture and nutrients. And this year, the rain hadn't come like last year—not a single drop in ages. Seeing the small seedlings wilting in the field, it was no wonder she was rushing desperately to carry water to irrigate.

A gourd ladle lay by the edge of the cornfield. The girl (judging by her voice, ‘girl’ was now the appropriate address) took the water I carried and began scooping it out, ladle by ladle, onto the corn roots. Once the water was gone, she silently went to retrieve the yoke to continue fetching more. I felt a pang of reluctance. Aside from the heat making irrigation questionable, the critical issue was that her thin frame, continuing like this, could lead to disaster. If she truly fell into that ditch, it could cost her life.

I snatched the yoke away. “I’ll carry; you pour.”

Ning Shixuan hesitated. “But we need to go back and treat those people to a meal. What if they start causing trouble if we’re delayed?”

I said coldly, “If they dare cause trouble again, I will make them vanish from this earth! I’ll finish watering her field first.”

With that, I ignored the stunned silence from Ning Shixuan and hoisted the two buckets, swirling away down the ridge like a gust of wind. When I reappeared in another flurry of speed, Ning Shixuan nearly dropped her jaw. “So you really are a sprinter! I doubt even Liu Xiang could match this speed. The key is you’re carrying two buckets! And you’re going uphill! A genius, you are absolutely a sporting genius! I’m going to report you to the State Sports Commission—no, wait, recommend you!”

I handed the buckets to the equally dumbfounded girl, then turned back to Ning Shixuan. “Forget it. If you have that much time, I might as well carry a few more loads for our farmer comrade.”

Ning Shixuan followed the girl, asking, “Do you two know each other?”

The girl shook her head. Ning Shixuan then quietly returned to the field edge, opened her parasol, and sat down. She wanted to help but couldn’t; there was only one ladle.

When the water was depleted, I went down to fetch more. Since I had already shown my speed, there was no need for pretense anymore. I managed essentially one round trip per minute. I dared not attempt half a second or one-thousandth of a second per round trip, or Ning Shixuan would witness something beyond the scope of ‘wife and the Bull Demon King coming to see God.’

The cornfield wasn't vast, perhaps a few mu, which I, as an agricultural illiterate, couldn't accurately estimate. In any case, after about forty minutes, everything had been watered through, and generously so. Satisfied, I glanced at the corn seedlings, now looking vigorous after drinking their fill, and tugged at Ning Shixuan, who was nodding off under the shade of the parasol.

“Let’s go, Xiao Ning. It must be around eleven now. Even if we skip treating those people, it’s time for our own lunch. Let’s head back.”

Ning Shixuan, nearly asleep, jumped at my pull. “Who! Ah, oh, it’s you. Is the watering done? My Chairman Zhao.”