Chapter 5: Gossip

Right after buying the land and the ox, Lie Zhanfeng didn't work the entire afternoon like yesterday. Instead, he decided that maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't hurt to rest a little. The sun was still blazing in the sky, and although he wasn’t one to shy away from hard work, he wasn’t about to work himself into exhaustion again, not without reason.

So, after a short nap on the field with his arms behind his head, watching the clouds lazily drift by, he decided it was time to water the plants. The delicate sprouts he had just put in the ground needed some love and care. He bent down, wiping his face with a handkerchief before pulling out a small watering can. As the cool water splashed on the plants, he smiled contentedly. The plants, like everything else in life, would need time to grow, but he was sure they’d thrive with the right care.

But, truth be told, Lie Zhanfeng knew that he wasn’t fooling himself. The plants weren’t going to grow by sheer willpower alone. As much as he wanted to think that working the land and staying diligent would guarantee success, he wasn’t that naive. He knew the reality of things—this business could easily end up being a losing venture if he didn’t find some way to speed up the process.

“Good thing I’ve got a secret weapon,” Lie Zhanfeng muttered to himself with a grin, looking around to make sure no one was listening. No need to spread rumors yet.

Of course, his "secret weapon" wasn't something he had yet, but he was certain he'd get it soon. And that secret weapon was the Space Bracelet. Inside it, there was something magnificent—something that could speed up his farming business and provide him with the help he desperately needed: the Spiritual Spring.

Lie Zhanfeng wasn’t one for unnecessary scheming or grand designs. He was more the type who would stumble upon a clever idea without really meaning to and just go with it. The Spiritual Spring, once he got his hands on it, would provide pure water that could help his plants grow faster and better. It wasn’t just any water; it was said to have some kind of mystical energy that could revitalize even the most stubborn crops.

For now, though, the thought of the Spring was a distant dream. Lie Zhanfeng didn’t even have the bracelet yet. It wasn’t like he could just magically make it appear. So, he would have to make do with his own two hands.

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A day passed by, Lie Zhanfeng began working on his land early in the morning, making sure to till the soil properly. The ox was still strong, and the plow was surprisingly effective. Lie Zhanfeng grinned, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction as the ox pulled the plow through the soil. It was hard work, sure, but there was something almost therapeutic about it. The repetitive motion, the steady pull of the ox, the scent of the earth—it reminded him of simpler times, of the fights he’d been in as a young man in his previous life. Those were battles that had a clear outcome, one way or another.

But this? This was different. There was no obvious win or loss. It would take patience, and Lie Zhanfeng was still trying to figure out exactly how to make it work. He wasn’t a farmer, after all.

But he wasn’t going to give up just yet. No way. He’d find a way to make this land prosperous. It wasn’t going to be easy, but nothing worth having ever was.

The next day, as Lie Zhanfeng worked the land, a few villagers passed by. As always, gossip traveled faster than a swift horse in this small village.

"You hear about that guy, Lie Zhanfeng?" one villager asked as they walked past, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I heard he's trying to make a go of it, trying to farm," another said with a snort. "Does he even know what he's doing? He’s got a lot of muscle, but farming’s not about brawn."

"Well, he must be ambitious, right? That’s what people are saying. But who knows if it’ll work out."

Lie Zhanfeng, still sweaty from working under the hot sun, overheard the conversation and couldn't help but grin. His first instinct was to laugh. Ambitious? He’d hardly describe it that way. He just had a little land, an ox, and a few plants. It wasn’t exactly a high-stakes venture. Compared to rich people in town, he's just a bumpkin with a huge debt to pay.

But then again, the more he thought about it, the more he realized that maybe they had a point. Ambitious wasn’t a bad word. So what if they thought he was some big-shot? He would make this work, and if he had to put in the work himself, so be it.

With a little chuckle, he waved to the villagers, but they were already gone, off to their own homes.

He stood for a moment, thinking. Yeah, it was about time he went and got that space bracelet. The sooner, the better. He didn’t need to tell anyone his plans, but the time was drawing near. He wasn’t going to just keep at this with his hands alone—he needed something that could give him a real edge.

Lie Zhanfeng didn't forget that there's a ticking time bomb called Zhao Tianyun, who's destined to kill him seven months later.

That night, after a long day’s work, Lie Zhanfeng sat in his small, humble home and looked at the land through the window. It was quiet, peaceful. Maybe things were slow now, but he was sure that once he had the bracelet and the Spiritual Spring, everything would speed up. The crops would grow faster, the business would prosper, and he could sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of his labor.

But until then, he had to keep going. He had to finish preparing everything, keep working with his hands, and—what was it? Oh, right—get the bracelet. That was the next step.

He was in no rush. For now, he hired a local laborer to water the plants. The man was young, eager, and more than willing to help, especially since Lie Zhanfeng promised to pay him well. Lie Zhanfeng gave the man simple instructions, carefully detailing how the plants should be watered. He even added a little threat—nothing too serious, just a playful warning: “If you don’t water them right, I’ll personally make sure you dig every row again, and that’s not fun.”

He wasn’t going to lie—he found it funny. The laborer’s face paled, but Lie Zhanfeng couldn’t help but chuckle. His aura in the village may have shifted, but the mischievous side of him was still very much intact.

The next morning, Lie Zhanfeng prepared for his journey. He knew it was time to go. The space bracelet was waiting, and once he had it, there would be no stopping him. But before he left, he looked at the village one last time. It wasn’t much yet, but it would be. With a smirk, he turned and left, ready for the next step in his adventure.