As everyone stood up, Bai Sheng raised her voice and said, "Everyone, no need to be so polite. As the saying goes, a neighbor is better than a distant relative. We are neighbors, and we should look out for each other. From now on, you can call me Xiao Sheng, and my husband Xiao Ye."
"Alright! Xiao Sheng, Xiao Ye!" Grandma Tie Zhu called out first, and the others followed suit.
Bai Sheng smiled and nodded, continuing, "Our home will soon be digging a water well and building houses, which will require a lot of workers. My husband and I would like to invite all our neighbors to help. We will provide two meals a day and a scoop of drinking water.
To be honest, our family is also quite poor at the moment, so the meals might not be that great, but it will definitely be enough for everyone to survive! At the very least, we can get through the drought together!"
Building houses was normal, but the words "digging a water well" were like a clap of thunder from a clear sky, shocking everyone.
"Miss Xiao Sheng, the desert has been dry for two years, how can you dig a water well? Don't waste your money," Father Tie Zhu, Zhao Dazhuang, kindly reminded her.
"Yes, Miss Xiao Sheng, if water could be found in Tianshui Town, the government would have dug wells long ago," Grandma Tie Zhu also advised.
"We'll definitely help with building the house if you ask. But digging a water well might be like scooping water with a bamboo basket – a complete waste of effort!" a thin man with a full beard said.
...
Bai Sheng waited for everyone to finish speaking, then said with a firm smile, "Your concerns are not unfounded, but we will dig this water well. No matter how deep we have to dig, we will dig, and we must find water!"
"That's right. My wife and I will hire a professional well-digging team. If anyone wants to help at my house, you are always welcome!" Lu Ye called out loudly.
Seeing the determined expressions on the young couple's faces, their tone leaving no room for negotiation, the neighbors no longer tried to dissuade them.
This dark-skinned young girl was likely blessed with good fortune, even a wild camel would seek refuge with her and recognize her as its master. Perhaps she could indeed dig out a water well.
For them, who struggled just to survive, it was best not to worry unnecessarily and to focus on preserving their own lives.
Xiao Ye and Xiao Sheng clearly wanted to help them. This was their only chance to survive, and they had to seize it firmly.
The residents of Hongshu Slope, each having undergone an internal shift, unanimously wished to follow this new family closely.
Du Min and Feng Pingyuan were somewhat worried if their employers could support so many people. However, having already sold themselves into servitude, they could only do as their masters commanded and not voice any objections.
The next day, before dawn, Lu Ye again led his family in morning exercises. As they ran along Hongshu Slope, their neighbors greeted them enthusiastically.
Having only drunk a scoop of the spiritual spring water the previous night, everyone in Hongshu Slope had a significantly improved demeanor. Much of the heavy "aura of death" had been dispelled, and every face was radiant with hope.
After their exercises, they returned to their dwelling, and the three children were astonished to find the little camel, Wuyun, nestled by their doorstep!
"Wuyun! You're back!" Lu Yun immediately ran over and hugged the little camel's head.
Lu Hua also happily squatted beside it, stroking its fur.
Lu Yu, looking at his older siblings' overly excited reactions, was a bit bewildered. Hadn't the little camel always been obediently waiting there?
Last night, he had been fast asleep when his sister suddenly pulled him up to run. He had only seen everyone in a panic, not understanding what was happening. He had fallen asleep again later, and by morning, he remembered nothing.
Bai Sheng and Lu Ye exchanged smiles.
Du Min and Feng Pingyuan had just woken up and were also delighted to see Wuyun return. It seemed their mistress's words were true; Wuyun was indeed intelligent and had found its way back!
Du Min wished she could immediately show those bullies and ruffians from last night that their camel had returned!
It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that the villagers from Huangsha Village, who had gone out searching for the camel all night, began to return one after another.
They had run through the desert all night, each one disheveled and utterly exhausted. One of them had even been bitten by a venomous snake, his leg swollen to twice its normal size.
However, none of them had seen even a single camel hair!
When they saw the little camel leisurely nestled by Lu Ye's doorstep, they were all dumbfounded.
This was too damn weird! How had this wild beast escaped the eyes of so many people and managed to run to Lu Ye's house?
Bai Sheng stepped forward, stroking Wuyun's head with a victor's smile. She addressed the Huangsha Village people loudly, "Everyone, have you seen? This little camel is now ours! From now on, if anyone dares to cause trouble, I'll have my husband break their legs!"
Zhang Jiawang's two sons were covered in dust, their sweat carving streaks on their faces, creating a rather comical sight.
The two brothers glanced back at the equally dusty crowd. The elder, Zhang Chuanfu, said with a grim face, "Let's all go back. There's nothing to see. It's just a wild camel; our Huangsha Village people don't care for it!"
Zhang Chuangui immediately chimed in, "Big brother is right! We really don't care! Their family doesn't have a water well, so all people and livestock will eventually die of thirst!"
"Exactly! Let's see how long they can last! Let them die of thirst!"
"If we don't go back soon, I'm going to die of thirst! It's all the fault of those scoundrels Zhang Yijin and Zhang Youliang! They made us run around for nothing!"
The Zhang brothers, along with the grumbling villagers, left in disarray.
Wuyun stood up and let out a triumphant "Angngn" in the direction they were leaving, then puffed out a cloud of mist from its nostrils to express its utter contempt.
Lu Yun and Lu Yu also imitated Wuyun's "Angngn" sound, and then the two little ones burst into laughter.
Today, they had several important errands to run in town, so the family set off without eating breakfast.
In reality, it was because they had no food at home. Feng Pingyuan and Du Min were accustomed to hunger, and skipping a meal was no issue at all.
Although Wuyun was only a half-grown camel, it was a useful means of transport and naturally had to accompany them to town.
Last night, it had eaten and drunk its fill in the space, and now it was full of energy. It was quite proud to be able to help its masters, constantly letting out "Angngn, Angngn" along the way, full of excitement.
Lu Yu sat between Wuyun's humps, with the wooden bucket also hanging on Wuyun's back, while the others walked.
Although Lu Yun also wanted to ride, Lu Yu was his younger brother, and he had to yield to him. There would be plenty of opportunities to ride in the future.
Upon reaching town, they first went to a pharmacy called "Bai Cao Tang." Bai Sheng planned to sell the Cistanche.
The climate was so dry in those years that medicinal herbs were hard to find, and pharmacies could only increase their purchase prices.
The Cistanche in Bai Sheng's hand was about half a meter long and of excellent quality, so it was sure to fetch a good price.
Despite the high prices of medicine, the pharmacy was not deserted, with five or six people queuing to buy herbs.
Wuyun, carrying Little Yu and the wooden bucket, stood by the entrance, with Lu Hua and Lu Yu responsible for watching them.
Lu Ye and Bai Sheng went inside to sell the herbs.