Chapter 36: Chapter Thirty-Seven

Time flew by; in the blink of an eye the house was built, and the tools for husking rice were also ready. The rice seeds had begun to sprout white shoots. Fortunately, after Zhang Fan taught everyone how to soak the seeds, he started teaching them to dig many terraced fields by the riverbank. He also stored some water in the terraces; now that the rice seeds have sprouted white shoots, it's just the right time to sow. Because the beastmen of the tribe all need to go hunting and defend the tribe, the task of planting rice mostly falls on the females. Although most of the delicate? females are somewhat reluctant to work, seeing that Zhang Fan is a Divine Envoy and that they actually found the rice tasty after eating it, their reluctance lessened. Moreover, Zhang Fan is also a female; if he can do it, why can't I? With this mindset, everyone learned quite earnestly.

Thus, on that day, since Ba Ke Er had to go on patrol defending the tribe, Zhang Fan could only lead everyone themselves, each bringing their own rice seeds that had already sprouted white shoots, to the edge of the terraced fields to teach them how to sow. He had everyone first watch him: he went into the field with a stone hoe, carving out a portion of the paddy's soil, then used the side of the stone hoe to level that plot, and finally scattered the rice seeds evenly over the terraces. While sowing, Zhang Fan also reminded everyone of the key points, then had them try operating on their own. Since most of the people were females, as they worked they also compared and learned from each other, earnestly asking Zhang Fan about anything they didn't understand. This made Zhang Fan happy, and his happiness led him to work while explaining how to make delicious food from rice. As they chatted, an entire morning passed; with many hands and the seed quantity not being large, by morning's end everyone had finished sowing the seeds.

After that, all that was needed was to come by each day to check the situation. In the afternoon after eating, Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er discussed when to move house. After all, the house was now built and the furnishings were all ready, and Ba Ke Er's parents were soon to return; staying here would be inconvenient for them. So they settled on moving in three days, and with the plan set there was no need to waver further. Ba Ke Er set out for guard duty carrying the large bundle of dried meat and the rice balls Zhang Fan had prepared for him, plus a waterskin; he was overjoyed. Recalling the first time he took the food Zhang Fan had prepared for him on patrol and to the guard post, everyone looked at him with eyes full of envy— even Mo De felt the same! Thereafter everyone followed suit, each time going on patrol or to the guard post they also brought food. Unfortunately, what everyone brought couldn't compare to the food Fan Fan made for him. Thinking of this, Ba Ke Er wore a look of smug satisfaction.

Zhang Fan, meanwhile, began at home fetching water to wash dishes and pots, wiping windows and doors, and started gathering the things to take when moving house. Incidentally, he also swept the floor of the house, even cleaning the open space in the yard until it was spotless. At that moment, Nuoya, who lived nearby, also went out; seeing Zhang Fan again begin a thorough cleaning in the courtyard just as he had when he first arrived, she felt curious and asked:

"Zhang Fan, you're starting a big clean‑up again? You've only been back here for a month or two, haven't you? Seeing you busy cleaning every day, the house is already so spotless— why are you now wiping windows and doors and washing this and that?"

Zhang Fan said with a smile: "Isn't this because we're preparing to move into the new house? Besides, Ba Ke Er's parents are due back soon; first we clean the house so that when they return they can rest right away!"

"If you hadn't mentioned it, I really would have forgotten— Lei Ya Uncle and Dier Uncle said when they went traveling that they'd return before the rainy season starts."

Afterward the two chatted about everyday family matters and also exchanged some gossip.

Soon night fell. Ba Ke Er also returned; after the two had dinner and exchanged a few words, they fell asleep in each other's arms.