Chapter 817: A Flush of Embarrassment

Editor: Henyee Translations

“Look at all those fish!”

” Really a lot, we hit the jackpot this time!”

“Quick, pull the net up completely.”

Seeing so many fish excited many onlookers. Since the drought, the river hadn’t been fished, and over half a year, all the fish had grown significantly.

Wan Haonan instructed, “Quickly get something to hold them, and ask around the village if anyone wants to buy fish. We’ll sell them cheap!”

Luo Hongping, thrilled, said, “Right away.” He and a few others ran into the village.

Wan Haonan selected ten big carp and ten big grass carp to put in a bucket, “Shang Yong, take these fish to Miss Chu.”

Guo Shangyong immediately responded, “Okay.”

After Luo Hongping’s announcement in the village, everyone aware of their fishing expedition rushed towards the riverbank, craving the taste of fish, which had been absent from their tables for a long while.

Chu Qingzhi, also yearning for fish, was about to go buy some when she saw Guo Shangyong approaching with a bucket of fish, “Miss Chu, these fish ate for you.”

Chu Qingzhi, seeing the quality of the fish, offered, “Fishing isn’t easy. Let me buy them from you.”

Guo Shangyong firmly refused, “That would be like slapping us in the face. A few fish aren’t worth your money, Miss. You don’t need to give us anything, just take them home to eat.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “Then thank you very much.”

“Too formal,” Guo Shangyong said generously. “Miss, shall I carry the fish into your house for you?”

“Sorry to trouble you.”

After dropping off the fish, Guo Shangyong hurried back to the river.

In the kitchen, Chu Qingzhi thought the fish in the family pond should also be ready to eat; she planned to check in a couple of days.

The noon meal was exceptionally lavish, featuring fish, meat, chicken, and duck, surpassing even festival feasts.

Wang Yuanping and the other three were also invited by Chu Qingzhi to join the meal and were introduced to the villagers, facilitating their future work.

Seeing them working under Chu Qingzhi, everyone expressed their welcome and willingness to cooperate, showing warm enthusiasm.

This eased the four newcomers, who greeted everyone with smiles before taking their seats.

The Wang brothers, facing the abundance on the table, felt a tinge of emotion, it had been a long time since they had eaten so well—the last time was probably three years ago?

Qin Yuming thought, although his family was considered affluent, they never indulged to such an extent. This meal felt like a high-end banquet.

Xia Zongxian, looking at the lavish spread, suddenly felt a bit ashamed. He had slacked off all morning, yet here he was, enjoying such a feast, feeling

unworthy.

The same table stirred different thoughts in the four of them.

Except for them, everyone else had genuinely helped and thus ate without any reservations.

Zhang, the butcher, remarked, “I’ve been slaughtering pigs for many years, but this year’s meal is the best I’ve ever had. Other households only cook some pig lungs and blood; none are as generous as this, cooking everything so lavishly. If it weren’t for the timing, I’d think it was New Year’s.”

Zhou, another butcher, agreed, “I’ve encountered similar situations to yours. The more generous ones might cook some pig hearts, but never prepare any chicken, duck, or fish like this. If not for the season, I’d also think we were celebrating New Year.”

A villager added, “Even on New Year’s, I don’t eat this well.”

“Ha, we rarely get such a treat, so let’s eat up and thank our hosts.

“Let’s eat, and thank the household.”

Chu Qingshuang piled Chu Qingzhi’s plate with pig stomach, heart, and tongue, “Fifth Sister, you’ve worked hard. The best is for you.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled. “Okay.”

Everyone joyfully continued their meal.

After lunch, the afternoon was filled with more bustling activities.

Zhang Feng, the manager of the southern road project in Shuiyun County, arrived at Chu Village, “Miss Qingzhi, the southern road is completed. Please come to inspect it.”

“That was quick!” Chu Qingzhi had expected it to take another two days. “Everyone’s eager to receive their wages before the New Year to repair their houses and prepare for the celebrations. So, we worked an extra hour these past few days, and that sped things up.”

“Let’s go then.” Chu Qingzhi mounted Fu Bao and followed Zhang Feng to the southern road.

The southern road was constructed entirely according to Chu Qingzhi’s specifications, with three-meter-wide bluestone slabs laid neatly. Everything that needed filling was filled, and everything that needed digging was dug, resulting in a very smooth road. Milestones were also erected, uniform in size and with clear inscriptions, adding a scenic touch to the roadside.

Riding to the end of the road, Chu Qingzhi was met by four men, each holding a record book, “Miss.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded at them and then reviewed the record books. After half an hour, she signed her name satisfactorily, “Thank you all for your hard work.” Zhang Feng smiled, “Miss, if there’s anything like this in the future, feel free to call onus.”

“Okay.”

Now, only the northern and eastern roads remained.

The eastern road was under Chu Rong’s responsibility. Since it involved repairing all the roads within Chu Qingzhi’s territory, the project was significant and still some time away from completion.

The northern road, leading towards Wan City, was longer and expected to take another two days.

After the inspection, the group returned to Shuiyun County.

Chu Qingzhi placed the record book under the county office’s notice board for public viewing.

News of the southern road’s completion spread quickly, but not everyone was ready to believe in Chu Qingzhi. Some were nitpicking, waiting to see her fail. Upon hearing the news, they were the first to inspect the road.

He Wenyou and Duan Qidao were such skeptics, and good friends at that.

They had also inspected the western road but found no issues. So this time, they were determined to find something wrong with the southern road, unable to believe that Chu Qingzhi was genuinely acting in the public’s interest.

The two arrived at the southern road, each carrying a stick, meticulously tapping each stone slab to check for any movement, which would indicate a problem with the construction.

They planned to widely publicize any issue they found, ensuring everyone knew about the road’s problems.

However, after tapping over two hundred meters of road without finding any faults, He Wenyou grew tired and sat on a nearby stone.

This stone was deliberately placed there for passersby to rest if they grew weary.

Seeing He Wenyou sit, Duan Qidao joined him, “This stone is quite nice. Not too high or low, and very smooth. It’s perfect for sitting.”

Just as He Wenyou was about to respond, something to the left caught his eye, “There seems to be a small pavilion over there. Let’s check it out.

Duan Qidao was also interested, “Alright.”

The pavilion, made of thatch, was simply constructed but sturdy. Inside, there were long stone benches on three sides.

A sign hung in the pavilion read, “Wayfarer’s Pavilion,” implying it was built for travelers.

It was perfect for sheltering from sudden rain or taking a break from the summer heat, especially since there were no villages nearby. Finding shelter in the pavilion was ideal.