A dozen or so people tilled the fields, the machines chugging away.
Several hours later, everyone was getting tired. Sweat beaded on their foreheads, and their throats grew increasingly dry.
The villagers were discussing fetching some drinking water when they looked up and saw Yi Chen approaching with a bucket.
He greeted everyone with a smile, then took out a bowl, filled it, and handed it to Auntie Zhou.
"Thank you, dear." Auntie Zhou accepted the water. "Fetching water for us in this heat."
Yi Chen smiled and shook his head, then wiped his sweat with the back of his hand.
Seeing this, Third Aunt quickly offered him a handkerchief, her smile gentle. "Use this. It's been washed."
Yi Chen's hand paused as he glanced at the handkerchief.
It must have been used for years. Even its original color had faded and dulled.
Yi Chen was speechless.
How could she have the nerve to offer someone a handkerchief like that? Country people had no manners.
"It's all right, Auntie. I don't need it." Though Yi Chen was utterly disgusted, none of it showed on his face.
His cheeks were flushed from the heat. He wiped away his sweat, lowered his eyes slightly, and handed Third Aunt some water. "Here you go."
Third Aunt put away her handkerchief and accepted it with a smile. "What a good boy."
Yi Chen smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries before glancing at Ning Shile nearby.
He surveyed the area around Ning Shile and planned his route, then filled a bowl with water and waved at him with a smile. "Brother Le!"
Ning Shile turned at the sound.
"You must be tired. Have some—!" He hurried forward, but his foot suddenly twisted as though he had accidentally tripped over something, and he pitched straight toward