The Fantastic Little Farmer

Chapter 12: Chapter 12: A Protective Jade

Although Zhang Fu had been very nervous and worried these past two days, he didn’t blame Xiuxun for dragging them down. Encountering such a situation, one definitely had to stand up. Besides, Li Bing was also beaten for stealing fish.

Aunt Jiu had used the excuse of fixing her Wi-Fi to invite Zhang Yun over for a meal, and even packed chicken legs and other food for him, which made Zhang Fu feel quite gratified. Even though she feared the rumors, she didn’t avoid Zhang Yun like an ungrateful wretch.

Having eaten and drunk his fill, Zhang Yun couldn’t stomach any more lunch, so he headed back to his room for a midday nap.

”Three o’clock, the fish pond.”

This was all that was hastily scribbled on the note Xiuxun had given him. Zhang Yun was a little puzzled. Was she asking to meet him at the fish pond at three o’clock? Three in the afternoon? Or three in the morning?

If it was the afternoon, she could have just whispered it to him earlier. Was there a need to secretly slip him a note? It must be because she was too shy to say it out loud, which meant it definitely had to be three in the morning! Just thinking about it made Zhang Yun a bit excited. Could it be like Sun Wukong secretly imparting skills in the middle of the night? There was definitely going to be some sort of activity!

Of course, this was just his imagination running wild. Xiuxun naturally wasn’t that kind of person, so there was absolutely no way she was asking him out at three in the morning. Perhaps she had just been too embarrassed to say it to his face, and was afraid that if she sent it over WeChat, he would screenshot it to show off.

Zhang Yun had run all the way that morning while carrying that injured beauty, so he was covered in mud and sweat. Normally, he wouldn’t care too much about it. But since he was going to meet Sister-in-law Xiuqin alone later, even though he knew perfectly well that nothing intimate would happen, he still excitedly took a shower and changed his clothes.

Come to think of it, this was the first time a girl had actively asked Zhang Yun out. He couldn’t fall asleep even if he wanted to, so he left early under the excuse of cutting grass to feed the fish.

He waited inside the small wooden cabin by the fish pond in the mountain hollow until three in the afternoon, but Xiuxun didn’t show up!

Zhang Yun was a little disappointed. Did she forget the time? Or was she just joking? Wait! If she didn’t come at three in the afternoon, could it really be three in the morning?

His disappointment instantly turned into anticipation, and his whole body fired up with excitement. In high spirits, he walked out of the cabin and scattered the fish grass into the pond. Just as he stood at the edge of the hillside, he saw someone down by the water. It was none other than Xiuxun, washing herbs.

”Sister-in-law Xiuqin,” Zhang Yun called out in greeting, unsure whether he should be happy or disappointed.

”Ah,” Xiuxun replied. She didn’t say anything else and continued washing her herbs.

She probably hadn’t been out for long, as she hadn’t picked many herbs, and quickly finished washing them. Zhang Yun had also finished feeding the fish and was pondering whether he needed to restock some fish fry.

Xiuxun put the bamboo basket on her back and walked up the slope. Zhang Yun hurriedly went to meet her.

”It’s so hot. Do you want to hide from the sun in the cabin for a bit?”

Xiuxun immediately shook her head. She had been keeping a close eye on her surroundings the whole time to make sure no one passed by. However, she still couldn’t go into the cabin with Zhang Yun. What if someone saw them when they came out?

Zhang Yun didn’t know how to start the conversation. ”Um... you came here to pick herbs again?”

Xiuxun scanned the surroundings once more to ensure no one was there, then immediately got down to business. ”Thank you for saving me yesterday, and for standing up for me by breaking that hooligan’s limbs...”

Zhang Yun chuckled. ”You asked me to come here just to thank me again? This is the third time! Besides, he was stealing my fish.”

A look of worry crossed Xiuxun’s face. ”Haven’t they also caused trouble for you three times? That cement factory boss might still come looking for trouble...”

”Don’t worry! I can handle them!” Zhang Yun patted his chest.

Looking as guilty as a thief, Xiuxun nervously checked her surroundings again before pulling something out of her pocket and swiftly stuffing it into Zhang Yun’s hand. Zhang Yun took it and saw that it was a piece of jade. She had probably kept it close to her body the whole way, as it still carried her body heat.

”This is...?”

Xiuxun hurriedly explained. ”Don’t overthink it, it doesn’t mean anything else. This piece of jade isn’t worth much. A master at a temple gave it to me, saying that our family would face a tribulation, and wearing it could ward off disaster.” At this point, she lowered her eyes. ”I didn’t believe him at the time... You know what happened after that.”

Zhang Yun didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It wasn’t a matter of how much it was worth; this item was originally meant for her husband.

”I’m afraid they’ll seek revenge against you, so I dug out this jade last night. If you wear it, perhaps it can help you ward off disasters.”

Seeing the serious expression on Sister-in-law Xiuqin’s face, Zhang Yun gripped the jade firmly. ”Alright, I’ll keep it on me. I might not wear it around my neck, though, since it’s not very convenient when I’m working.”

Whether it actually worked or not was another matter; it was the thought that counted.

”Mhm.” Xiuxun had been worried he wouldn’t accept it. If he really wore it around his neck, it would be hard to explain if someone asked about it anyway.

Zhang Yun smiled. ”You’ve sent me red envelopes, made soup and boiled eggs for me, and now you’re giving me this Protective Jade... It would be unreasonable if I didn’t give you a gift in return.”

Xiuxun hastily shook her head. ”No need, no need. As long as you’re safe and sound, that’s enough. I-I should get going...”

Giving something like a Protective Jade could easily make someone think of a love token. Xiuxun had been afraid of such a misunderstanding and worried she wouldn’t be able to explain it clearly in just a few words, which was why she had asked him out to explain the context. Afraid that Zhang Yun would read too much into it, she quickly turned around and walked away after finishing her sentence.

”Ah...” Because she was walking away in such a panic, and the ground by the pond was wet, her foot slipped, and she immediately tumbled down into the Shantang!

Zhang Yun reacted rather quickly, hastily reaching out to grab her. However, since his right hand was clutching the jade, he could only stretch out his left hand. He managed to grab her, but he only caught hold of her bamboo basket!

His strength was quite great now, so he yanked the basket firmly. But since Xiuxun was only loosely carrying it, the pull caused her to slip out of the straps and slide down even faster. SPLASH! She fell straight into the Shantang!

Zhang Yun felt a drop of sweat run down his forehead, wondering if Sister-in-law Xiuqin knew how to swim. He hurriedly jumped in after her.

”Ah... Help... Zhang Yun...”

She hadn’t leapt forward, but rather slipped near the bank. In truth, the water wasn’t deep, but falling in so abruptly made her panic. Even though she could touch the bottom, the slippery mud made it hard to stand, leaving her flailing and struggling in the water.

”It’s okay, it’s okay! I’m here!”

Zhang Yun quickly tried to grab her hands, but she was thrashing around so wildly that it was difficult to catch them. Fearing she might swallow water, he had no choice but to step forward, wrap his arms around her, and lift her out of the water.

”GASP... SPLUTTER...” Xiuxun’s head and face were soaked. She spat out the water she had swallowed and gasped for air.

Feeling her intense heartbeat, Zhang Yun quickly comforted her. ”It’s alright, you’re safe now. I’ll help you up.”

Wait? Heavy breathing was easy to see, but how could he feel her intense heartbeat?

Zhang Yun instantly froze in place!

Just now, when he had embraced her and lifted her out of the water in a flurry of panic, he hadn’t had the luxury to think too much. He had simply grabbed onto whatever was easiest to hold. Looking closely now, one of his hands was supporting her armpit, while the other was... Well, either way, he could clearly feel her heartbeat.

Upon realizing the truth, Zhang Yun’s sense of touch suddenly became extremely acute, and his own heart instantly began to pound violently.

”I... I can’t swim. Don’t let go of me...” After taking a few deep breaths, Xiuxun wiped the water off her face with one hand and clutched Zhang Yun’s arm with the other, while attempting to plant her feet firmly on the bottom.

”Don’t be afraid, I’ll take you up!”

Supporting and guiding her, Zhang Yun led her in a half-walk, half-swim toward the edge of the water, bringing her ashore right where she had been washing her herbs.

Although it had only been a short moment, Xiuxun was badly frightened. Her legs were still weak after getting out of the water, and she leaned heavily against Zhang Yun.

Zhang Yun quickly and stealthily moved his hand away, no longer monitoring her heartbeat. However, his own heartbeat only grew more violent!