Her Cultivation Diary

Chapter 2198: Chapter 1869: Subtle One-Upmanship

Seeing Li Lanhua hesitating to speak, Aunt Zhang Hong impatiently said:

"Serving snacks and fruits is actually a good chance to get noticed, and you don’t even appreciate it. Look at Song Tan’s cousin, he’s her real cousin! Yet he’s still responsible for pouring tea and serving soup, isn’t he?"

Now it was Li Lanhua’s turn to stay silent.

Indeed.

From a logical perspective, the Song Family paid and provided the venue, went to great lengths to organize this matchmaking event, so how could they not take care of their own relatives?

Could there be something more to this?

She couldn’t figure it out, but seeing Zhang Hong already briskly walking into the crowd, she couldn’t pursue it any further, and had to sit back amongst the people with some secret expectations.

...

Meanwhile, the lively gathering of men and women getting acquainted had been captivated by the rural scenery introduced by Aunt Zhang Hong!

Despite a long spell of rain, it was still summer, with high temperature and humidity, making it very suitable for plant growth.

Therefore, Aunt Zhang Hong had plenty of areas to introduce.

"Despite the rain, some vegetables in the field didn’t grow well, but others are quite good. As you walk on the field edges, be careful not to step in the mud. Do you want plastic bags? You can cover your shoes, and for those who love taking photos, it feels perfect."

Everyone looked in the direction she pointed.

There weren’t many vegetables planted, as the field hadn’t been cultivated for many years, and it’s not easy to get it started.

Moreover, Lao Song’s family had been busy previously, and people preferred earning quick money from odd jobs rather than growing vegetables.

But nonetheless, looking along the narrow, grass-covered field edges, young tender cucumbers with prickles; twisted finger-sized okra with remnants of flowers; and ripe bitter gourds.

The bitter gourd was close to orange-red in color, and some, harvested late, had burst open in the field, resembling peeled banana skins.

Also, hastily planted, unmanaged short yardlong beans were now crawling wildly among the weeds. The beans were so abundant that a few handfuls were enough to cook a dish.

A few girls gathered around to take a look, seriously evaluated:

"My mom said the vegetables here are delicious. I’ll buy some when I leave."

"I’ve heard from colleagues too."

But this was just one insignificant part of the scenery.

Although there weren’t many flowers on the mountains, the heavy fruit was equally pleasing to the eye.

Venturing further toward Shitou Slope, the greenery was vibrant, with large swathes of wild chrysanthemums sprawling over the slopes.

With such a vast area, even foxtail grass was worth everyone’s admiration—how could it not be considered scenery?

Following a few more steps ahead, there were uneven patches of sunflowers.

Colors pale and delicate like moonlight, fluffy Teddy Bear petals intricately layered, and tall, imposing Titan Sunflowers, stalks sturdy as hardwood, impossible to break.

Looking from below upwards, there was even a sense of a magical forest.

The pity was that along the way, large tracts of Golden Sakura vines were rapidly growing on the wire mesh, having missed the flowering period, leaving only immature fruits.

After all, a few that matured early had already been swiftly harvested by Doctor Xiaoguo’s request.

But who says the countryside scenery, filled with soothing shades of green, doesn’t refresh one’s mind?

No one felt disappointed; following Aunt Zhang Hong’s introduction excited everyone’s imagination, even waiting by the roadside for the bus felt less tiresome.

Someone even suggested:

"Is the cafeteria on the mountain far? If not, since there’s no sun, why don’t we walk there?"

"How can that be!"

Aunt Zhang Hong paid careful attention; some were wearing sneakers, while others had dressed carefully, wearing small heels.

Moreover, the slow incline from the parking lot to the mountain top would work up a sweat.

Some people liked cleanliness, so they might feel uncomfortable. She had diligently learned how to do this, so she wouldn’t overlook such details!

It’s better to wait till everyone is familiar before sweating together.

Thus she earnestly said, "Let’s conserve our energy; later we’ll give our all in the games and aim to win a big prize, make the visit worthwhile."

A girl burst into laughter: "Aunt, isn’t this a matchmaking event? If we don’t take it seriously and win prizes, take snacks, won’t you feel distressed?"

Oh dear!

Aunt Zhang Hong clapped her hands inwardly: finally someone asked the right question!

"Distressed for what!" She raised her voice: "Let’s say, if some other place organized such an event, would you go?"

Certainly not, even when the workplace offered buffet and fruit plates, they were reluctant to go.

"That’s it!" Aunt Zhang Hong said earnestly:

"Just for meeting once, you all came to support, allowing me to gain a big reputation in the village."

"Our sponsors said, just by your trust, as long as you’re capable, take the prize money freely!"

Making a promise in a WhatsApp group has a completely different level of trust than saying it in a public setting.

Hearing this, everyone was invigorated.

Nothing else, this time there were many game projects!

Not only were there many, but each had first, second, and third prizes allocated. With their numbers, everyone could have a turn, and one person could win up to three prizes!

Let’s say, spending a weekend hiking and chatting for an hour, then striving to win the prize money—

Even without the prize money, would this trip be worthwhile?

Aunt Zhang Hong felt quite pleased.

She thought, to mention the increased prize money again during the games later, everyone wouldn’t love her, their village aunt, to bits!

In any case, amidst all the excitement, at ten thirty, the tourist vehicle on the mountain came down.

The vehicle had been thoroughly cleaned and shined, and the driver, a security guard, was dressed neatly and smartly in uniform.

Everyone chattered excitedly as they boarded the vehicle, oblivious to each surprise that was meticulously arranged by Aunt Zhang Hong!

For instance, halfway through, a row of slightly tan security guards wearing identical uniforms ran along the roadside as the vehicle passed.

"Wow!"

The girls exclaimed: the village security looked so professional! Completely different from their workplace gatekeepers and the pot-bellied colleagues in the security department.

The men felt a bit resentful: why wear such form-fitting clothes during training? With sweat slightly visible, every bit of flesh on the belly was evident.

Despite simply jogging, no expressions, and no wandering eyes, this was still village work.

He couldn’t believe that even security guards could have their hair neatly styled to perfectly suit their face!

The few male colleagues with softer bellies felt very resentful:

Why is the rural matchmaking event even bringing in hidden rivalry like this?

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