Song Tan’s Chronicle - Chapter 144.2

Hearing this, everyone sighed. The aunt who had spoken earlier also had a grim expression.

“I regret it now,” she said. “When the government allowed a second child, I insisted that my grandson shouldn’t be an only child… Now, look where we are. With two kids in kindergarten, we’re paying over 30,000 yuan a year in tuition, and that’s just for a so-so school!”

“And then there are all the extracurricular activities. Their parents still have to pay the mortgage while raising kids. Where does the money come from? I don’t even dare to ask.”

“Every year, I go out to work in the second half of the year, and the two or three thousand yuan I earn all goes to them. Even so, their days are still tight…”

Life isn’t easy!

Everyone chatted, sharing their difficulties, and gradually accepted the fact that Tan Tan would stay home and farm.

Yet, their hands were swift and efficient.

The fields had already been tilled by machines. Now, they just had to rake them smooth and use hoes to create ridges for different vegetables…

A few nimble aunts moved some of the seedlings that had already sprouted to the fields. As they worked, they marveled, “Sancheng, I think your Tan Tan really has some luck in farming!”

“Look at these seedlings, they look so vibrant! If there are any extras later, share a few with me. Those pepper seedlings look really good…”

“Sure!” Song Sancheng was generous in this regard. “If we finish transplanting tonight, any extras will be shared among everyone.”

There were still three or four hours before sunset. With twenty to thirty people spread across seven fields, how could they not get the job done?

Everyone laughed, “I’m afraid there won’t be enough seedlings left…”

But the village never lacked seedlings. The person who asked just couldn’t resist after seeing how strong the seedlings looked… In the end, just as everyone had said, once all seven fields were planted, there weren’t enough seedlings!

Song Sancheng glanced around, “Don’t worry about it. Let’s take a break later. I’ll bring some soybeans from home to scatter around.”

By now, the day was already turning dark. The hired workers who were picking tea leaves on the mountain had all come down, and even those digging bamboo shoots had stopped early—the bamboo forest was darker than the open fields.

People gradually finished their work, carrying their water bottles and stools as they leisurely headed home.

At last, this long, laborious day was coming to an end.

When the figures had finally disappeared into the distance, Song Sancheng suddenly remembered something and shouted loudly, “Everyone, come over to help clean up Granduncle’s house tomorrow!”

Someone responded from afar, and Song Youde emerged, strolling out with his hands behind his back. He looked at the sky and said:

“No need to rush to call people. Tomorrow is Qingming Festival. Judging by the weather, it looks like it might rain early in the morning. Let’s see if it clears up after lunch before calling for help.”

Song Tan was nearby, tidying up, and was moved by his words. She glanced at her grandfather, Song Youde—

A lifelong farmer indeed! He could sense the increasing moisture in the air. There was a high chance it would rain tomorrow.

Perfect! Spring rain is as precious as oil. With this rain, there would be no need to worry about the vegetables and peach trees planted today.

Thinking it over, she picked up a bundle of straw. “I’ll add some more straw to the pigsty, just in case it gets chilly tonight.”

And while she was at it, she would go see King and tell him she would be going to the back mountain tonight…