Chapter 253 - A Crisis Approaches!


    The riverbed was dry, but one could easily envision how, once filled with flowing water, it would serve as the crowning jewel of thendscape. The surrounding kaleidoscope of trees would only enhance the breathtaking view.


    On their previous visit to Clear River Vige, they had felt as though the beautyy just beyond its borders. Now, they sensed that while the vige had not yet matched the splendor of its surroundings, the scenery was gradually merging with and enhancing the small vige.


    From the orchard and market garden to the meandering river, and beyond to the vast farnds, the young wheat seedlings were vibrantly green. The waves of verdant wheat rippled with the wind, a sight so soothing it was beyond words.


    It was as if Clear River Vige, nestled within this enchantingndscape, would exude poetry even in its most dpidated state.


    Or perhaps, the allure of such beauty made the prospect of spending a few days in a humble dwelling seem entirely bearable.


    “Remarkable, truly remarkable,” Wan Tao eximed, giving a thumbs-up. “In just a few days, Mr. Zhang, you''ve transformed this ce. The river''s cement is nothing short of genius. It''s not only the highlight of this rural beauty but also seems to subtly align with the principles of feng shui. You are indeed a sage.”


    Director Wan, you''re too kind. I''m no expert in feng shui. Though the feng shui our ancestors spoke of isn''t entirely deceptive, it''s often misunderstood,” Zhang Xiaolong replied with a smile. “To me, feng shui is about convenience—for others, for oneself, and harmony with nature. This river may seem purely aesthetic, but my ultimate goal is practicality: to efficiently irrigate my orchard and vegetable plot, as well as the neighboring fields. As for the more esoteric aspects, well, I''m just a humble farmer.”


    “Your philosophy of convenience and harmony is profound in its own right,” Wan Taoplimented once more. “No wonder Wenwen spoke so highly of this ce. I used to think it was merely the scenery that captivated her, but now I see that the scenery is just one facet. What''s more significant is the presence of a true master here.”


    “Director Wan is ttering me again,” Zhang Xiaolong said with a heartyugh. “I''m just a simple farmer. No amount of praise will send me soaring to the skies. Eventually, I''llnd back on the earth.”


    Chu Wenwen peered at the river channel and inquired, “Now that the trench is dug, where will we get the water? The concert is just a few days away. I''m not sure if we''ll have enough time.”


    Zhang Xiaolong waved his hand dismissively and reassured her, “Don''t worry. Even if the concert were tomorrow, we''d be ready in time. The only concern is getting your stage set up quickly; otherwise, we might be cutting it close. As for the water in this river channel, we can supply it anytime.”


    Even Wan Tao was puzzled. How could they possibly supply water on demand when there was no visible source? Pumping water into such a long channel wouldn''t be a simple task.


    Zhang Xiaolong simply offered a mysterious smile and stated that some secrets are not meant to be shared.


    Since altering therge river channel was out of the question, Zhang Xiaolong would have to tap into his extraordinary abilities to channel water from beneath the ground. But revealing such a marvel would certainly cause a stir, so it was best to maintain an air of mystery.


    The next day, Wan Tao was utterly amazed to see the river channel brimming with water.


    What baffled him even more was that, despite the water''s initially stagnant appearance, it was gently flowing from north to south, as lively as any natural river.


    This was no trick of machinery; the water was genuinely moving. Wan Tao didn''t know how it was achieved, but it was clear that the water had both a source and a destination, flowing as naturally as any river should.


    He refrained from questioning Zhang Xiaolong further, knowing he would likely receive another cryptic response about the unfathomable ways of the universe.


    Yet this only reinforced the belief that Zhang Xiaolong was indeed a figure shrouded in mystery.


    If the water had remained still, no matter how beautifully it was dressed up, it would have been nothing more than a canal. But now, with its dynamic flow, it had be the crowning touch, breathing life into the verdant banks and fertile fields along the river''s edges.


    After grasping the situation, he had no qualms about the location Zhang Xiaolong had rmended and promptly had a team set up a stage there.


    Three dayster, a massive stage emerged, nestled between the orchard and the riverbank. The orchard served as a natural backdrop, while the riverbank framed the venue''s periphery, creating an ambiance akin to an open-air theater. This setup greatly impressed Wan Tao, who grew to admire Zhang Xiaolong''s vision.


    Yet, Zhang Xiaolong''s choice seemed more serendipitous than deliberate. He might have simply taken a liking to the spot. To assume he had it all figured out would be a misunderstanding.


    The preparations were in full swing. Aside from reinforcing the riverbank with his extraordinary abilities to prevent damage and enhance its beauty, Zhang Xiaolong also beautified the road leading from the city to Clear River Vige. Trees of various hues were nted along the route, mirroring the riverside''s charm.


    This beautification did encroach on some farnd, and even a small patch was precious to the locals. Wang Tiezhu was ready to address any concerns, but surprisingly, no one raised any objections. Everything proceeded without a hitch.


    Wang Tiezhu quickly realized that the vigers were savvy; they understood that Zhang Xiaolong''s efforts weren''t for his own gain but for the collective future benefit.


    While Zhang Xiaolong wasn''t seen as a hero by everyone, his actions were undeniably positive. Any resistance would have been futile and ultimately embarrassing.


    As Wang Tiezhu had previously noted, the people of Clear River Vige were seldom unreasonable, so the matter was left unchallenged. In fact, the vigers took pride in theirnd, now adorned with colorful trees, and they tended to them diligently alongside their crops.


    With the stage ready and the concert on the horizon, anticipation was high. Chu Wenwen may not have been a household name, but her influence was undeniable. Fans from various cities had traveled to this quaint vige just for the chance to witness her debut performance.


    Upon arrival, they were taken aback by the sheer beauty of Clear River Vige. However, their astonishment turned to bewilderment at nightfall when they realized the absence of inns or hotels. Despite the poetic charm of the orchard and riverbank, they couldn''t exactly spend the night under the stars.


    Ultimately, at Zhang Xiaolong''s suggestion, Wang Tiehzhu yed matchmaker and arranged for the visitors to stay with local farmers who had spare rooms.


    Thus, the city dwellers got their first taste of the warm hospitality of the Clear River Vige residents. Even though the bedding was somewhat awkward, it was a vast improvement over sleeping outdoors. With thoughts of the uing concert, they made do for the night.


    Little did they know, the concert they were looking forward to the next day was nearly canceled, as its star performer faced a significant crisis.