My 1995 Small Farm.

Chapter 421 Comfortable
Can dogs drink water from this spring?

"It's too cold. It just vomited, so it's better not to give it water. Let it drink the water from the ditch instead."

"Row."

……

Chen Ling looked up at the sun; it was almost noon, so he told everyone to take a break.

The water tower project is small, and with Wang Lixian's assistance, it can be completed in two or three days at most. There's no need to rush it.

“Fugui, now that the water tower has been built, shouldn’t we hurry up and install a tap water system on the farm? With both in place, it will be so convenient to get water.”

"Yes, that's a plan. We'll install a tap here at the water tower, and in the yard, we'll install one near the grape trellis and another near the kitchen..."

While Wang Lixian was feeding the dog water, the two men, Shanmao and his companion, also offered suggestions to Chen Ling.

Before they could exchange more than a few words, two old men started shouting from the front.

"Cat, cat, such a big cat."

As they shouted, the branches and leaves of the nearby trees swayed.

A large cat with yellowish-brown fur, reddish back, and small black spots, carrying a magpie in its beak, hopped down from the tree and slipped into a lush patch of grass in the distance.

There were a few furtive little heads peeking out from the edge of the bushes, but when they saw everyone looking at them, they quickly scurried back into the bushes.

"It's a mountain fox."

Wang Cunye said, "The one I told you about yesterday, Lingzi is raising it here, and she caught it to breed with her cat."

"Ah, so this is the mountain cat. It's much bigger than a house cat, and looks like a half-grown dog, fat and strong."

Zhao Yubao stared blankly, feeling that this mountain fox was just like a little leopard, big, beautiful and majestic.

Old Zhong became even more curious and couldn't resist going over to take a look, muttering to himself, "I think I saw some kittens peeking out just now."

"…Cunye, Cunye, come here for a second. Didn't you say the kittens were just born? How come they've already left the nest?"

"Oh, that's not surprising. Wild cats are just like wild rabbits; they can run away two or three days after they're born."

Wang Cunye said matter-of-factly, "If you don't believe me, ask Lingzi. He often takes his dog to catch rabbits. He even raised wild rabbits a couple of years ago."

"Is this for real, Fugui? Is he really that powerful even when he's wild?"

Fearing that the two old men might go over and look around out of curiosity, scaring away the civets that were in the process of protecting their young, Chen Ling quickly replied, "Yes, there are plenty of wild things in the mountains and fields. These wild things are afraid that their young will be eaten by predators, so they must have some self-protection ability from birth."

Take wild rabbits for example. As soon as they are born, baby wild rabbits will follow the adult rabbits. They are covered in fur and can open their eyes very quickly.

Domestic rabbits won't work. Domestic rabbits are born without fur, they're pink and their eyes don't open.

Zhao Dahai's eyes lit up when he heard this. "I know that. It must be like wild ducks, domestic ducks, geese, and wild geese. Domestic rabbits only become like this because they have degenerated."

Everyone nodded in agreement, agreeing that it made sense.

Chen Ling smiled and slowly shook his head: "This is really different. Domestic rabbits and wild rabbits are not the same thing, just like domestic chickens and wild chickens. Domestic chickens are not domesticated from wild chickens, and domestic rabbits are not domesticated from wild rabbits."

In fact, domestic rabbits were domesticated from wild rabbits, just as domestic chickens were initially domesticated from junglefowl. Wild and domesticated rabbits are not really closely related.

The wild rabbit is just a common wild rabbit native to the area, and no matter how long you keep it at home, you will never be domesticated into a domestic rabbit.

Wild rabbits are not suitable for domestication. They jump in hoops, burrow, don't grow big, and don't recognize people. Raising them to adulthood is a waste of time. Often, they escape before you can even sell them for meat.

Wang Susu, Xiang Wenxia, ​​and Du Juan were playing with the dolls nearby when they heard him say that. Wang Susu asked curiously, "Hey, that's not right. I remember that the little rabbits that Liu Nier and Xizi brought before didn't have their eyes open and couldn't run away."

"That was just born. Didn't you hear the babies say I fed them with cat milk?" Chen Ling said with a helpless smile.

Wang Susu knew that the goat milk that was fed to the rabbits and the dog was actually mixed with spiritual water to keep them alive.

Wild animals such as hares and civets, as well as some wild birds, are more powerful than domesticated animals and seem to have stronger vitality.

But there's one thing: we can't let anyone catch us.

Once caught, they'll likely die within a few days of being brought home.

Without the spiritual water, Chen Ling had no confidence in raising the newborn wild rabbits, whether by feeding them goat milk or cat milk.

The group chatted as they walked toward the two bird nets.

Today, many birds have learned their lesson and avoided the area covered by the two bird-catching nets from a distance.

There are smart people and there are also fools who blindly rush in.

However, Chen Ling's goal is to net wild pigeons.

These silly birds were released as soon as possible; not even the silly spotted doves were kept. Only a couple of common harmful birds were taken down for the two children to play with and have fun.

Wang Lixian looked up at the sky; "At this time, the sun is strong and there are few birds. It's best to go out in the morning and at dusk, especially in the morning. It's best to go out at five o'clock in the morning when there are the most birds and it's easier to catch them in the net."

"Fugui, if you want to catch pigeons, you'd better get up early. Wild pigeons are too clever; they won't just come and perch on the net unless you specifically scatter some bait."

"Yes, wild pigeons are hard to catch. I'll get up early tomorrow, and if that doesn't work, I'll get a pigeon bait."

Chen Ling rubbed his chin, thinking to himself that his two little pigeons had been quite obedient lately, so why not hang them up here to lure some wild pigeons outside?
Hmm, maybe it will work.

"Haha, then we'll get up early tomorrow and come with you to the pigeon-catching area."

Hunting has its own fun, and so does bird-netting. The Zhao family came here for fun and didn't want to miss out on this kind of enjoyable activity.

"Dad~"

Rui Rui, who was playing with a bird with Ya Ya not far away, suddenly turned around with bright eyes, called out to Chen Ling, and pointed diagonally to the east.

"Look~"

"Uncle, it's a kitten! Another kitten has come out."

Ya Ya jumped up and down happily.

"Oh dear, it really is..."

"The kittens from the east side have also come out."

The adults took a closer look and were pleasantly surprised.

On the east side of the farm, under a few newly grown locust trees, several fluffy little creatures were playing with an orange house cat. They looked like little balls of yarn, and you could hear their soft, delicate meows. They were incredibly cute.

The elderly couple from both families couldn't resist going over to take a closer look.

Chen Ling quickly reached out to stop them: "Uncle, Aunt, don't go over there now. The mother cat has just given birth and is very nervous. If we go over there rashly, we will scare them. They will probably carry the kittens away in a couple of days."

Even livestock in the family will hide from their owner when they give birth.

Moreover, this is a semi-wild cat family consisting of a wildcat and a domestic cat, so their wildness and wariness go without saying.

"OK then."

The two elderly people reluctantly gave up.

Zhao Yubao suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, Fugui, didn't you also raise a nest of weasels? I haven't seen them."

"Hey, don't even mention weasels. I even called them back this spring, but I still can't find them anywhere. They used to catch birds and frogs to eat at the reservoir and the old river bend. I'd only see them a few times a year..."

Chen Ling shook his head. Those little ones were like domesticated dogs. They could be clingy, but once they went out to play, they would run off to great lengths.

When Wang Cunye was herding sheep, he saw them at the local temple and at the foot of Xishan Mountain; they really went everywhere.

"Is that so? We don't know if we'll be able to see them while we're here." "Yes, weasels, and oh right, the fox you mentioned, we really want to see them."

"We've seen Dahai and Xiaolin, and even Yaya, but we haven't seen any of them."

Hearing this, Ya Ya couldn't help but laugh and say, "Grandpa, Grandpa Zhong, you two are so childish."

The two old ladies chimed in, "That's right, why compare her to Ya Ya instead of Rui Rui?"

When Rui Rui heard someone calling him, he grabbed a bamboo stick, picked up the little bird, and ran over. He tilted his little head up to look at them and listen to what they were saying about him.

"Look at you, always making a fuss." Chen Ling laughed and patted the back of his head. "The two old men want to see weasels and foxes, that's fine. I'll call out to them, and if that doesn't work, I'll have Xiao Jin look for them. We can find them."

The two old men were overjoyed and started laughing again.

They wanted to see weasels and foxes, partly because these creatures were rare and they hadn't seen many before, so they were incredibly curious.

Secondly, I want to take some photos so I can go back and show off my experiences to my old friends. Just thinking about it makes me feel wonderful.

"It's almost noon, and the sun is scorching. Let's not stand here anymore, there's no shade. Let's go back and cool off before we have lunch."

Chen Ling called everyone back to the farm and asked them what they wanted to eat for lunch.

If it were just ordinary people visiting his home, he usually wouldn't ask any questions. But these people were different. There's no need to elaborate on the relationship between Zhao Dahai and Zhao Dahai, and the elders also took good care of him.

When they were in the city, they invited the family of three to their home for dinner three times and bought Rui Rui this and that.

Since they've come to my home, I can't be negligent.

Zhao Dahai and his group were quite relieved to be at Chen Ling's house. They waved their hands and said, "You handle it. We'll go feed Xian Ge's dog some water and food."

The elderly followed Wang Cunye to the grape trellis to feed the pigeons.

They stayed with Wang Lixian on the other side of a small ditch on the east side of the lotus pond, taking care of the big wolfhound.

"Oh, it's so cool here. Fugui, your farm has a bit of a summer resort feel to it. I didn't feel this way when I came last year. It seems that the flowers, plants and trees have grown better this year. It's much better than last year. I don't feel hot in the summer."

Seeing that the fat man was making a ruckus and was not behaving himself, Chen Ling glanced at him helplessly: "Is it really that exaggerated?"

"What's wrong? You don't believe me? If you don't believe me, ask Shanmao, or if that doesn't work, ask your sister-in-law Wenxia."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Wenxia said, "I do feel that way. When Susu was in confinement last year, it was still hot here in the summer. Even though it's cooler than in the village, you still sweat while sitting in the room. Right, Susu?"

Wang Susu thought about it and realized it was true, "Yes, it's a bit cooler this year..."

“Look, Susu already said it.”

Zhao Dahai plopped down beside the irrigation ditch. "Hiss, the bluestone in this ditch is a bit cold. Look, there's even moss growing here. The Fu Gui family's farm is nestled against the mountains and by the water, with this irrigation ditch surrounding their house. Tsk tsk, it would be strange if it wasn't cooler than other places."

"By the way, if you build a summer resort in the future, with farmhouses and courtyards for accommodation, you'll make a fortune."

He knew that a film crew was coming here in the spring, and Chen Ling made a lot of money from accommodation.

Unfortunately, Chen Ling was too preoccupied with his incessant rambling to think about these things. He killed the two remaining mountain birds from yesterday and went to pluck their feathers.

The lynx laughed upon seeing this: "Fugui finds you too noisy and doesn't want to talk to you anymore."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Ya Ya also made a face: "Dad, you're so annoying. You talk just like Erhei, never stopping."

Erhei is a typical chatterbox, always meddling and worrying about everything at home.

Chen Ling initially thought it was a good hunting dog prospect, but after seeing its behavior, he decided to just make it his butler.

Zhao Dahai was furious and got up to chase after her, saying, "Hey, you little brat, you dare to insult your father? I'll beat you up!"

Ya Ya and Rui Rui ran around the yard laughing and giggling.

The two little ones, regardless of whether they were dirty or not, crawled and scrambled everywhere, finding it both joyful and exciting.

Zhao Dahai was chased so hard that he lost his shoes and socks, and was covered in sweat, looking quite disheveled.

Seeing them having so much fun, Wang Lixian smiled faintly and said, "The rich and noble family is so lively. People around here are more conservative. If too many people come to our house all the time, it will be annoying. Only the rich and noble family can have such a relaxed time."

The lynx nodded in agreement.

Zhao Dahai returned, panting, and said, "Come on, Brother Xian, didn't you see Fugui was complaining about me just now? Hey, as a brother, I'm so heartbroken."

As she spoke, she clutched her chest, looking heartbroken.

"Go away, stop being disgusting."

Chen Ling had just finished plucking the bird's feathers when he saw it and felt a chill. "It looks like Lu Zhishen, why is it trying to be like Lin Daiyu?"

Everyone was taken aback when they first heard this, and then burst into even louder laughter.

Zhao Yubao clapped his hands and praised with a smile, "I knew it! Fugui is just right to be a writer."

Then she glanced at Zhao Dahai with obvious disdain.

Being looked down upon by his father again left Zhao Dahai feeling extremely frustrated. He picked up the leather shoes he had just run away from, took off his two socks, and walked towards the irrigation ditch: "Fine, I'll shut up. I'm going to wash my feet."

Despite his frustration, he didn't feel anything in particular; on the contrary, he found the atmosphere quite enjoyable.

Elsewhere, you wouldn't be able to joke around so freely with family and friends.

He plopped down on the bluestone by the irrigation ditch, dangling his feet into the water. He just wanted to rinse his feet briefly, since there was no tap at Chen Ling Farm and the hand pump was occupied...

Unexpectedly, as soon as he put his foot into the ditch, the cool sensation soaked into the soles of his big feet, and that coolness seemed to touch his soul instantly.

The fat man shuddered and let out an extremely seductive moan.

Hearing this, Chen Ling and the others all shuddered.

Even the family's dogs stared wide-eyed at them.

"Why are you making such a fuss again? Can't you just shut up?" Zhao Yubao and his wife felt utterly ashamed.

My son isn't usually like this. Firstly, he's really letting himself go at his brother's place in the countryside, and his wife doesn't seem to know how to keep an eye on him.

"I didn't want to either, Dad, but this water feels so good! I can't resist once I get in. Why don't you try it?" Zhao Dahai said, sounding quite aggrieved.

"What the hell do you think I can be like you?" Zhao Yubao said disdainfully. As a great writer, how could he possibly be so shameless?

However, I waited for a few minutes.

Seeing that Zhao Dahai was still soaking in the canal and not coming out, he walked up to him with his hands behind his back and took a look. He saw that Zhao Dahai was half-asleep on the stone by the canal with his eyes squinted.

The water in the ditch flowed with a gurgling sound, and the water plants swayed gently; it looked quite nice.

Zhao Yubao swallowed hard, somewhat tempted. He glanced at the two people, Shanmao and the other, who were taking care of the dog. Seeing that they weren't looking this way, he tentatively sat down, took off his shoes and socks, and quietly put his feet into the water.

As soon as his feet entered the water, an indescribable icy sensation rushed to his head, making him unable to help but shout out.

In an instant, everyone's attention turned to them.

Zhao Dahai was so frightened that he almost slipped into the water.

After realizing what had happened, she widened her eyes in horror as she looked at her father beside her.

Zhao Yubao blushed under everyone's gaze, pushed up his glasses and said, "Hey, you guys, you should try it too. Dahai wasn't lying, the water is cool and refreshing, it's really quite comfortable."

(End of this chapter)