Xia Xiao said, "I’ve rested enough." Then, turning to Gao Jiaxing, he said, "Brother Gao, there’s my water bottle. If you’re thirsty, just help yourself."
"Okay," Gao Jiaxing unabashedly took Xia Xiao’s water bottle, poured so water into his own, and then closed Xia Xiao’s bottle. Holding his own bottle, he drank in small sips. To those unaware, they might think he was sipping on strong sorghum liquor.
He Xuebing wasn’t next to the Gao Family’s area but from where he stood, he could see them clearly. Watching Gao Jiaxing’s antics was a blatant taunt.
"Mom, I’ll rest for a bit," He Xuebing said as he put down his hoe and walked toward Gao Jiaxing.
Gao Jiaxing, seeing He Xuebing approaching, raised his eyebrows only to hear He Xuebing sitting beside him and comnting, "Is it that delicious? Look at that expression on your face."
Gao Jiaxing gave He Xuebing a look that said, "You’ve never tried it, you wouldn’t understand." He Xuebing then snatched Gao Jiaxing’s water bottle and poured it into his mouth, nodding afterward, "It is really good."
Enraged, Gao Jiaxing was about to confront He Xuebing when He Xuebing grabbed Gao Jiaxing’s hoe and shouted, "Educated Youth Xia, I’m coming to help you."
Gao Jiaxing: "..." This kid is too crafty.
Xia Xiao quickly said, "Thank you, Mr. He, but there’s no need."
"It’s okay; I finished my side," He Xuebing said.
Gao Jiazhi said, "Bingzi, you finished so quickly."
He Xuebing nodded, "Yes." After all, he was there to help, and it didn’t matter whose help it was.
Gao Jiaxing headed directly to Li Shengi’s place and picked up He Xuebing’s hoe. Li Shengi said, "That’s Bingzi’s hoe."
"I know, Bingzi asked to co get it," Gao Jiaxing replied and walked away with the hoe.
Li Shengi looked toward Gao Jiaxing’s direction, almost feeling agitated, surprised that she hadn’t been paying attention when He Xuebing had gone to help Xia Xiao.
Li Shengi’s blood rushed to her head, her hoe in hand, ready to fight, but Dong ihua quickly intervened, "Director, don’t be impulsive."
"Don’t stop . If I don’t deal with that fox today, my na isn’t Li anymore," Li Shengi fud.
Dong ihua also wished Li Shengi would make a scene but feared it would only gain Xia Xiao more sympathy from He Xuebing.
Thereupon, Dong ihua said, "Auntie, if you make a big scene, it won’t look good for Second Brother He. He might sympathize with Xia Xiao even more if he thinks Xia Xiao is pitiable."
Upon thinking about it, Li Shengi cald her fury and headed toward the direction of the Gao Family.
Gao Jiaxing, using He Xuebing’s hoe, took a few digs and also helped Xia Xiao. He didn’t stop He Xuebing from showing his power, then he heard Gao Jiazhi say, "Bingzi, your mom’s coming."
He Xuebing paused and looked over to see Li Shengi approaching, her face wearing a smile, though the anger in her eyes was unmistakable.
"Mom, what brings you here?" He Xuebing asked while glancing at Gao Jiaxing and thinking to himself, "This guy is too crafty."
Gao Jiaxing raised his eyebrows at He Xuebing as if to indicate that it was just a friendly exchange.
Li Shengi didn’t even look at Xia Xiao, and said to He Xuebing, "Why have you co over? Our group’s work isn’t finished yet. Hurry up and go help Mom."
He Xuebing’s face turned red, as he hadn’t expected his mother to expose the casual remark he had just made. He couldn’t help but look at Xia Xiao.
Xia Xiao said, "Mr. He, we don’t need help here. You should go finish the work in your group first."
Although grateful for He Xuebing’s help, Xia Xiao also sympathized with him for having a mother like Li Shengi and sympathized with the future daughters-in-law of the He family.
Li Shengi’s personality was already set, and it was hard to change. Even if she was satisfied with Dong ihua now, it was uncertain if she would be once Dong beca her daughter-in-law.
Feeling gloomy, He Xuebing walked away with Li Shengi, suddenly envying Gao Jiaxing. Look how good Zheng Xianghong was to her son, always supporting him, while his own mother was vehently against his romantic prospects.
He Xuebing looked back towards where Xia Xiao was and saw Gao Jiaxing speaking with her, which made his heart even more depressed. It seed he was far behind Gao Jiaxing.
"Dong ihua," He Xuebing grunted unresponsively, not paying any attention to Dong ihua, which greatly disheartened her. Dong ihua wasn’t without suitors in the production team, but she had set her sights on He Xuebing, otherwise, she wouldn’t be trying to get close to the He family.
Li Shengi was nowhere near as affectionate towards Dong ihua as Zheng Xianghong was towards Xia Xiao, not even on the surface. However, just being able to see He Xuebing and speak with him satisfied Dong ihua.
On the other side, Xia Xiao was diligently digging a ditch, feeling as if she was using all her might. The soil was hard and dry, making her wish for rain to moisten the ground and prevent her hoe from breaking.
Xia Xiao swung her hoe several tis but couldn’t break the ground, feeling deflated. It was indeed hard labor and very exhausting.
"You’re not eating well enough if you have so little strength," Gao Jiaxing said while swinging his hoe and struck the ground where Xia Xiao had just been digging, breaking it with a loud clang.
"Thank you, Brother Gao," Xia Xiao chuckled.
Gao Jiaxing said, "You should dig over there; the soil is softer." Saying this, Gao Jiaxing didn’t wait to see if Xia Xiao would move and just started digging on his own.
Xia Xiao had no choice but to dig at the spot Gao Jiaxing had just vacated, which was indeed a bit softer than where she had been trying, but only because Gao Jiaxing had broken through the hard crust.
After a day’s labor, Xia Xiao was dog-tired. It was only due to the nourishnt from the Space Spring Water that she wasn’t completely immobilized.
This labor lasted for three consecutive days, and fortunate was Xia Xiao for Gao Jiaxing’s help and her own hard work; otherwise, she would have clearly been the weak link.
Yang Xuehua and Sun Yuhua, and even Wang Aihua returned to the dormitory groaning from exhaustion, their bodies sore and aching.
Feng Ying and Dong ihua were also exhausted. They thought following Li Shengi would be easier, but it wasn’t at all. Li Shengi did not like dainty girls, and though Dong ihua initially hoped He Xuebing would help, it didn’t happen as she wished. Li Shengi scolded her, but Dong still tried to impress in front of He Xuebing, without much effect.
Seeing Xia Xiao lying in bed reading a book, Dong ihua said enviously, "Xia Xiao, aren’t you tired?"
Xia Xiao lifted her eyelids and replied, "Tired? Don’t you see I’m sprawled out not moving?"
It wasn’t really the case, as Dong ihua saw that Xia Xiao was not as exhausted as they were. She couldn’t help but say, "I really envy you, having both Gao Jiaxing and He Xuebing helping you."
"Don’t you have He Xuebing’s help?" Xia Xiao said in surprise. "I thought with your good relationship with Director Li, she would have He help you."
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