Chapter 18

The growth of the fish in the pond was surprisingly fast, even though Lei Huxi had mentally prepared for it, it still exceeded his expectations to some extent.

Early in the morning, after getting up, he went to the pond and found that the fish, which were just fry yesterday, had grown at least twice their size.

If they continued to grow at this rate, it wouldn't be long before the first batch of fish could be released from the pond.

After breakfast, Zhou Yaping's call came. He was not quite at ease about the weekend event and asked Lei Huxi if he needed any help, emphasizing that the two brothers should not be too formal.

Lei Huxi knew that his good brother was worried about him making a fool of himself in front of his classmates, so he did not specify anything, just telling him to be on time.

"Huxi, Huxi." Xu Cunzhang's loud voice sounded outside.

"Coming, coming." Lei Huxi hurriedly opened the door: "Uncle Xu, what are you doing so early in the morning?"

"You're young and quick on your feet, help me run an errand to Yanhu Village." Xu Cunzhang held a stack of documents: "Yesterday at the town meeting, their Secretary Miao didn't attend. The mayor asked me to deliver these materials to him. Go quickly."

"Alright, I'll be the errand boy." Lei Huxi took the documents: "Can I borrow your electric bike?"

"Here, the key. It's parked right outside the door. Remember to charge it when you get to Yanhu Village, or you won't be able to come back, and don't blame me."

Yanhu Village and Xiantao Village have been competitors for a long time. Although Xu Cunzhang and Secretary Miao of Yanhu Village are related, they always argue fiercely at town meetings, sometimes even looking like they might come to blows.

However, in recent years, Yanhu Village's economy has far surpassed Xiantao Village. With the improved economy, Secretary Miao's confidence has grown, and he always acts arrogantly in front of Xu Cunzhang.

This is probably one of the main reasons why Xu Cunzhang asked Lei Huxi to run the errand; he really didn't want to see Secretary Miao.

But Lei Huxi knew that Secretary Miao wasn't a bad person, just had a bad temper. Sometimes he even invited Xu Cunzhang for drinks privately, but Xu Cunzhang always refused.

It had been years since Lei Huxi last visited Yanhu Village. This time, as soon as he entered the village, he was amazed by its rapid development.

The biggest advantage of Yanhu Village is the large Yanhu Lake that flows by the village. Relying on this advantage, Yanhu Village has vigorously developed tourism and related projects. Not only that, they have also heavily advertised on various satellite channels, quickly building a good reputation and entering a virtuous cycle.

In contrast, Xiantao Village is desolate, with young people unwilling to stay, while Yanhu Village is bustling with shops, and now, during the deep autumn season, there are still many tourists coming to admire the reed flowers.

"Hey, residents don't need to buy tickets."

Just as he was about to enter, the security guard at the gate stopped Lei Huxi.

Buy tickets? I'm just here to deliver something, and I need to buy a ticket? Lei Huxi recognized the guard and smiled: "Uncle Baosheng, you're a security guard now."

The guard named Baosheng was taken aback: "You are?"

He didn't remember Lei Huxi, but Lei Huxi remembered him. His wife was from Xiantao Village, not far from Lei Huxi's home, and he often saw her come back during the New Year.

"Uncle Baosheng, don't you recognize me? I'm Lei Huxi."

Baosheng thought for a moment and slapped his thigh: "Lei Huxi from the Lei family, you've grown so much. I thought you were in Yundong, why are you back?"

"Couldn't find a job, so I came back to grow peaches. Uncle Xu asked me to deliver some documents to Secretary Miao."

"Go ahead, go ahead." Baosheng waved his hand: "The village committee is straight ahead, you'll see it."

"Uncle Baosheng, can I charge my electric bike here?"

"Sure, leave it here."

After walking a short distance, he indeed saw the village committee.

Wow, a four-story building, very impressive. "Yanhu Village Committee" was clearly visible from a distance. Compared to this, Xiantao Village's committee looked very shabby.

After asking a staff member, he found Secretary Miao's office. Before he even entered, he heard Secretary Miao's loud voice:

"Pay attention to safety. If there's a problem, the person in charge will be fired. Li Ziqiang, I warn you, patrol the lake 24 hours a day, don't miss any corner."

"Understood, Secretary."

"You don't understand anything! What happened yesterday? The boat capsized, luckily they were all adults and knew how to swim. What if it was a child? What if it affected Yanhu Village's tourism? Who will take responsibility?"

"Secretary, it's the tourists' fault, they like to play and fight on the boat."

"You're a fool. What's wrong with the tourists? They are our cash cows! Li Ziqiang, I warn you, if you ruin my business, I'll be the first to ruin yours."

"Yes, yes, I'll patrol 24 hours a day and strengthen security."

"Get out, get out, seeing you makes me angry."

Secretary Miao's work attitude was not just simple and rough, but here, that's how things are. Sometimes, such an approach is the most effective.

The security chief named "Li Ziqiang" hurriedly left the office.

Lei Huxi gently knocked on the door: "Secretary Miao."

Secretary Miao's face brightened when he saw him: "Huxi, come in. Old Xu just called me, said you were delivering documents. I scolded him over the phone for making a college student run errands. What a waste."

"It's fine, I'm young, running errands is no problem." Lei Huxi placed the documents on the desk.

"Why hasn't Xiantao Village's economy improved? It's largely because of Old Xu." Secretary Miao didn't even look at the documents: "What is talent? Young people like you, with education and ambition, are talent. What can Old Xu do besides growing peaches? Huxi, why don't you come over? I need a secretary, and you can be mine."

Lei Huxi knew why Secretary Miao said this.

Years ago, Secretary Miao's father and Lei Huxi's grandfather were close friends. When Secretary Miao's father was in trouble, only Lei Huxi's grandfather helped him selflessly, so the Miao family always wanted to repay the favor.

"Let's talk about it in a few years." Lei Huxi smiled: "I'm taking care of the peach orchard my grandfather left behind now."

"You, are you all in Xiantao Village crazy?" Secretary Miao was furious: "Peaches, peaches, what else do you know besides peaches? You're a college graduate, why are you still so attached to peaches after all these years in Yundong?"

Lei Huxi laughed: "I've delivered the documents, I'll be going now."

"Going? Have lunch first. I'm not as stingy as Old Xu, not even providing a meal for a visitor."

"No, I have things to do at home."

"Alright, I won't keep you. Huxi, think about what I said. Come to me when you've made up your mind."

"Understood, Secretary Miao, I'll be going."

After leaving the village committee, thinking that the electric bike hadn't charged much, he decided to wander around Yanhu Village, treating it as a free tour and seeing what made Yanhu Village so good.

"Return the environment to nature, let visitors fully appreciate the charm of nature; return the lake to the reeds and egrets, let them become the masters again."

This is Yanhu Village's slogan.

Not bad, not bad. Tourists nowadays love this, especially the most authentic natural scenery.

The crabs from Yanhu Lake are very famous and were the main source of income for the villagers. But Secretary Miao implemented bold reforms, restoring the wetlands and returning some of the fishing areas to the lake.

At first, the villagers opposed it, but the benefits soon became apparent.

Large areas of reeds swayed in the wind, and when a breeze blew, reed flowers filled the sky, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

Many tourists sat on boats, and when the reed flowers started to fly, they screamed with excitement, taking photos and videos with their phones and cameras.

Lei Huxi watched as he walked along the shore.

He often came to Yanhu Lake with his grandfather when he was a child. At that time, the area was undeveloped, and he knew that the best spot to view the reed flowers was on a small hill a few dozen meters ahead.

The small hill was still there, seemingly not specially developed.

He strolled up the hill, and the entire Yanhu Lake came into view.

Reed flowers danced in the wind, and tourists screamed with joy. At a bend in the lake, a boat with two men and two women was rocking violently as they jumped and screamed.

Not good!

Lei Huxi's eyesight had become very sharp, and he immediately saw that the boat was rocking dangerously under their jumping.

"Stop jumping, stop jumping." Lei Huxi shouted loudly.

But the people on the boat couldn't hear him, unaware of the impending danger, and they jumped even more vigorously.

Lei Huxi sprinted down the hill.

It was a blind spot, and if the boat capsized, it would be hard to be noticed. Moreover, although Yanhu Lake looked beautiful, the water was very deep.

With continuous jumping, the small boat could no longer withstand the strain.

A few screams, and all four tourists fell into the water.

The two men could swim, but in a panic, they abandoned their companions and swam desperately toward the shore.

The two women couldn't swim and struggled desperately in the water.

Lei Huxi had already reached the lakeside and, without hesitation, jumped into the lake with his clothes on.

Although he could swim, his swimming skills were average.

But as soon as his body touched the water, something incredible happened.