The Lucky Farmgirl

Before the month had even ended, the tail end of the spring rains started to fall, with the exception of a brief spell of clear weather on the second day of the second month when the Dragon raises its head. Other than that, it was either raining or brewing to rain.

The spring seemed to come exceptionally early this year and with considerable vigor.

After the spring rain and a gust of spring wind, the grass in the fields grew as if it had consumed the nutrients Keke spoke of, shooting up rapidly. The weeds on either side of the path, which barely showed before Manbao went to sleep, were a verdant green by the time she awoke.

Then, Manbao would set off for school with her small book box on her back and carrying an umbrella much too large for her.

The Zhou brothers weren’t so fortunate; though the sky drizzled with fine rain, they also had to go out to the fields.

Donning straw raincoats, they shouldered their hoes and plows and went down to the land.

Even Old Zhou was dressed in a straw raincoat and a straw hat. Naturally, Liulang went too.

The Zhou family’s farmland was extensive. It was difficult to achieve the meticulous cultivation that Keke spoke of, and even the wealthy Landlord Bai’s family couldn’t manage it.

All the fertile lands were planted with rice, slightly less fertile fields were sown with wheat, and beans of various kinds were scattered over the upland fields, which were also where melons and fruits were cultivated.

Such as those winter melons, loofahs, and pumpkins that Manbao very much disliked eating.

The Zhou family had plenty of land but also plenty of laborers.