WBSGVS Chapter 120

Qingli was overjoyed, holding her prize—a tea mug—as she walked briskly behind the team leader toward the warehouse.

Over the past two years, she had read extensively and felt she had developed some expertise in such matters. With her knowledge from the modern era and her unique perspective, she figured she might even improve the tools. Unfortunately, resources were scarce, and the team’s farming equipment was stored in the warehouse under lock and key. Those who weren’t working couldn’t access it.

To take matters into her own hands, she’d need woodworking tools, but such items were hard to come by in the current market. Her only hope was the team’s resources.

The team leader himself wasn’t sure what had gotten into him, but he ended up bringing this inexperienced young woman to the warehouse.

The warehouse manager looked puzzled as he opened the door, asking, “Team Leader, what’s going on? Did someone figure out how to fix the waterwheel?”

The team leader cleared his throat, feeling somewhat embarrassed. How could he admit he planned to let Qingli, a young girl, try her hand at fixing it? Maintaining his authority, he said firmly, “Just take it out.”

The warehouse manager nodded obediently. He swung the door open wide, rolled up his sleeves, and with a grunt, lifted the waterwheel out of storage.

Once it was moved into the bright sunlight, Qingli immediately leaned in for a closer look.

This type of waterwheel hadn’t yet been modernized and retained a design resembling a windmill. Many of its wooden panels were broken, though some had been crudely repaired. Rusted nails dotted the structure.

The team leader observed her silently and grew increasingly skeptical. How could a young woman possibly handle such an old contraption? He sighed and said, “What do you think? If it’s beyond you, that’s fine—we’ll just wait for a mechanic next time the tractor needs repairs.”

Qingli smiled at him and said, “I think I can do it. Could you get me some tools?”

The team leader was momentarily dazzled by her smile and immediately responded, “Sure, sure. Come with me.”

The warehouse manager was baffled. He glanced between the team leader and the girl, wondering if the team leader had fallen victim to some charm. Was he seriously letting a young girl tinker with the waterwheel? It sounded absurd!

But he didn’t dare voice his doubts and instead sat nearby, dozing off while occasionally casting curious glances their way.

Once Qingli had the tools in hand, she began carefully inspecting the waterwheel. After confirming everything, she started dismantling it.

The warehouse manager, lulled by the warmth and quiet, soon fell asleep. He was jolted awake when his head slammed into the table. Startled, he glanced at the waterwheel—and froze.

“What the hell?!” he exclaimed, eyes wide as he turned to the equally dumbfounded team leader. “Team Leader, why’d you let her take it apart?”

“Huh?” The team leader seemed to snap out of his daze. He had been squatting but fell back in shock at the sight before him. “Crap!”

The waterwheel, once intact, was now completely dismantled into pieces, leaving only a bare frame.

Sweating profusely, the team leader glared at the warehouse manager. “This is your fault! Why’d you fall asleep and drag me down with you?”

The warehouse manager rubbed his nose sheepishly and coughed. “You’re right, Team Leader. My bad. So, uh, what now?”

Just as the team leader was about to step in, the frame gave a loud creak and collapsed entirely.

“Qingli!” the team leader cried. “What are you doing? How are we supposed to use it now?”

Qingli smiled and replied calmly, “Don’t worry, I can put it back together.”

She picked up one of the wheel’s axles, frowning at a clump of straw lodged inside. The straw, soaked and toughened by water, was firmly stuck. She frowned deeper and said, “Team Leader, could you get me a sharp knife?”

The team leader hesitated but was reassured by Qingli’s composed demeanor. She didn’t seem flustered or unsure—her focused expression inspired a sliver of confidence. Deciding there was no turning back, he went off to find a knife.

The warehouse manager, however, panicked. “Team Leader, what are you doing?!”

“It’s fine. If something goes wrong, I’ll take responsibility—I brought her here,” the team leader said firmly, patting the manager on the shoulder. “Just watch.”

The warehouse manager muttered under his breath, but he complied. Soon after, Qingli called out, “Uncle, can you hold this for me?”

Out of habit, the manager responded, “Sure!” and stepped forward to help.

When he realized what he was doing, it was too late—he was already holding the frame steady. Frustrated, he grumbled, “If you mess this up, you won’t be able to pay for it! Do you even know how much a waterwheel costs?”

“This one’s practically worthless,” Qingli said matter-of-factly. “A scrap dealer might give you a dollar for it.”

The warehouse manager went silent, realizing she wasn’t wrong.

A while later, the team leader returned with a long, sharp knife. Qingli quickly sliced through the tightly packed straw, pulling out clumps piece by piece. She then reassembled the components, applied oil to the chains, and adjusted everything into place.

The warehouse manager and team leader watched in stunned silence as Qingli restored the waterwheel to its original form. It looked as though it had never been taken apart.

“Not bad,” the warehouse manager muttered, still doubtful. “But is it fixed?”

The team leader said nothing, but his skeptical gaze mirrored the manager’s.

Qingli ignored them, finishing her final checks before giving the wheel a spin.

With a loud “clank, clank, clank,” the blades of the waterwheel began to rotate smoothly, creating a soft breeze in the air.

Satisfied, Qingli smiled and looked at the two men, who were still staring at her. “All done!”

The warehouse manager gaped. “What the… it works?!”

The brigade leader looked at Qingli with amazement, as though she were a rare treasure. “Wow! You’re something else, kid. No wonder you’re a high school student—you even know how to fix this! What kind of books do you usually read?”

Qingli beamed. “Just some books about tools and random topics. Brigade leader, if there’s anything else that needs fixing, let me know!”

“Absolutely,” the brigade leader replied, smiling broadly and nodding enthusiastically. “You’re smart. Study hard, and aim for college. Someone as clever as you could make something like an automatic harvester, just like the ones they have overseas.”

Qingli nodded seriously. “I will do my best!”

The waterwheel was quietly repaired. The next day, when someone started using it, they exclaimed in surprise, “Old Zhong fixed it? When did that happen?”

Old Zhong was the village’s repair expert, an old craftsman who only passed his skills to his son and apprentices, never to outsiders.

The brigade leader grinned proudly. “Nope! It was Li family’s granddaughter who fixed it. That little girl is in high school, reads a lot, and she’s something.”

The villagers were stunned. “A little girl?”

Someone else chimed in, “Oh, I know! The same girl who fixed the tractor, right?” When the brigade leader nodded, the man was even more amazed. “Wow, Lan Hua is blessed to have such a capable granddaughter!”

“Hey, what’s going on?” someone who hadn’t heard about it asked.

The others explained, and soon gasps of admiration spread throughout the group. Could high school students really be this impressive? Learning to fix tractors and waterwheels just from reading books?

Suddenly, Qingli and her mother, Li Lanhua—who did not have a great reputation in the village—became famous. Some people started visiting just to meet the “girl who fixes tractors,” while others, thinking ahead, sought out Lanhua for advice on raising their children.

Some even went further, begging Qingli to teach their kids. At the very least, they wanted their children to stop coming home with failing grades.

Qingli found it both amusing and overwhelming, but fortunately, her studies kept her busy. Most of the time, she wasn’t even in the village, and when she was, she rarely went out.

However, after fixing the tractor and waterwheel, any time something in the village broke, Qingli would get called in.

And she happily obliged each time.

Not only did she repair various farm tools and vehicles, but she also began improving some of the equipment using ideas she had picked up from the modern world. Of course, these improvements came later, after she had earned some influence.

Gradually, other brigades began calling on Qingli for help as well.

She was affordable, got the job done, and was happy to accept small tokens of appreciation like eggs or simple gifts. That was far better than paying professionals.

For instance, this time Qingli was invited back to her old brigade to fix a tractor.

As a child who had been relocated out of that brigade, her return drew a curious crowd. Qingli wasn’t shy about it, greeting familiar faces warmly.

Her friendly demeanor made even the more distant elders smile, and they began showering her with praise.

“Such a good kid, so talented. I always said she was clever.”

“Isn’t that right? Dazhun lost out on this one.”

“Tsk, tsk,” someone said with a shake of their head and a scornful laugh. But as they turned, they froze—standing not far away was a familiar figure. The speaker stiffened, caught red-handed gossiping.

The person they had been bad-mouthing didn’t seem to notice, though. Their gaze was fixed on the girl being praised and surrounded by admiration.

Tang Tiantian stared in disbelief. Her eyes burned as she struggled to process what she was seeing.

That scrawny, dark little girl who used to follow her around, even scavenging crumbs she dropped, had somehow turned into this?

How could this be?!

She was supposed to be short, skinny, and ghostly pale, with big, unsettling eyes!

Not this! Not someone tall, fair, and confident, with delicate features and a calm poise. Even in plain clothes, she stood out in the crowd like a shining star.

Tang Tiantian gritted her teeth, tears filling her eyes. Her entire sense of superiority crumbled. She had convinced herself that no matter what, someone else had to have it worse than her.

But now, all her self-deception shattered.

That ugly little girl had grown into this… and she? She was nothing in comparison.

When Qingli finished her work, she casually wiped her hands and gave some instructions to the driver. Then she felt the sharp weight of someone’s gaze. It was different from the curious looks of the crowd—sharper, almost tangible.

She turned her head and locked eyes with Tang Tiantian’s burning, hate-filled stare.

For a moment, they simply looked at each other. Tang Tiantian froze, her expression flickering with panic. Before she could change her face, Qingli smiled—a radiant, starry smile.

Tang Tiantian bit her lip so hard it nearly bled. Tears streamed down her face as she turned and ran, covering her face.

She couldn’t stay there.

That wretched girl must be laughing at her inside!