Forced to marry a disabled man in the countryside? I'll repay you tenfold!

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Sister Zhao's face, but she quickly regained her composure: "Cousin, I tried to persuade them, but they wouldn't listen! They insisted that water could flow from here!"

Wang Tiezhu waved his hand impatiently and said, "Alright, alright, stop talking nonsense. Since we can't get water, let's not waste any more time. We just scouted a spot over at the 61st Regiment, and it looks promising. Hurry up and give me back the impact drill; I have to get over there."

The crowd immediately stirred.

"Even Master Wang said so, it seems there's really no hope..."

"Sigh, what a disappointment! I thought there was really hope!"

"It's over, the canal is dry, and we can't dig a well either, this is really bad..."

Sister Zhao walked up to Zhou Yanshen triumphantly and stretched out her hand: "Comrade Zhou, did you hear that? The professionals have spoken! Quickly return the impact drill!"

She then turned to Su Wanqing, hands on her hips, "Su Wanqing! You lost the bet! According to the agreement, all your work points for the year, converted into grain, should be distributed to the well-drilling team, and half of it should be given to me! Humph, let's see if you can still act tough now!"

The thought of Su Wanqing's work points, which would allow her to receive several hundred kilograms of grain, brought a smile to Sister Zhao's face.

Zhou Yanshen gripped the shovel tightly and said in a deep voice, "Sister Zhao, the agreed time was for the well to be finished. The well is not yet completed, and the time has not yet arrived. How can you unilaterally determine that Comrade Wanqing has lost?"

"I don't care!" Sister Zhao retorted, acting like a rogue. "How long have you been digging? Not a single drop of water! My cousin also said there's no water! You've lost! Hurry up!"

At this moment, Liu Shuqing rushed over, smiling obsequiously at Wang Tiezhu, and said, "Master Wang, you see, we've already started digging, and we agreed to start tomorrow... Could you please be a little more accommodating? Even if it's just for another half day?"

Wang Tiezhu looked at the dried-up well bottom and shook his head: "Officer Liu, it's not that I'm inflexible. This place really won't do. We make a living from this; we can see it pretty accurately at a glance. Digging any further would be a waste of time, so why bother?"

Su Wanqing frowned slightly as she observed the situation. She had originally planned to quietly inject the spiritual spring water late at night, keeping a low profile. Now it seemed that wouldn't work. Oh well, so be it. After all, she wasn't exactly a show-off.

She stepped forward. "Master Wang, Sister Zhao, please give us another half hour. If this well still doesn't produce water after half an hour, I, Su Wanqing, will voluntarily admit defeat. I will forgo all my work points this year and convert them all into grain for you and the well-digging team! The impact drill will also be returned immediately. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Sister Zhao's eyes lit up even more. Afraid that her cousin would change his mind, she quickly tugged at her cousin's sleeve: "Cousin! Just half an hour! They can't possibly dig out water anyway! We can just wait to harvest the grain!"

Wang Tiezhu sized up Su Wanqing, then looked at the deep pit, and finally nodded: "Fine! Half an hour! If no water comes out after half an hour, you have to give me back the drilling rig!"

As for the bet, he didn't take it to heart. These days, everyone has a hard time. He had to persuade the girl not to take his food anymore.

Liu Shuqing sighed inwardly, having given up hope, and began to plan how to ask for help later.

Most of the people around shook their heads, thinking that Su Wanqing was just putting on a brave face.

Zhou Yanshen grabbed Su Wanqing's hand. His hand, calloused from long military training, was warm and strong.

He whispered to her, "Don't worry. Even if we can't dig it out today, it just means it's not deep enough. I trust your judgment."

Zhou Yanshen had made up his mind. Even if he didn't sleep at night and didn't need her "treatment," he would secretly dig for water himself. He was determined to find water and couldn't let her lose the bet or suffer any injustice because she trusted him.

Su Wanqing felt the warmth and unwavering strength in his palm, and squeezed it back. "Comrade Yanshen, don't worry. I have a feeling... the water will come out soon."

Just then, a mocking laugh broke in: "Haha, I think you should stop wasting your energy! This godforsaken place is suffering from a severe drought this year; even the Dragon King might not be able to fetch water!"

Everyone looked over and saw that Chen Weidong had arrived at some point and was standing on the periphery of the crowd, leisurely watching the excitement.

He raised his chin, his tone carrying a condescending sense of superiority: "But you're lucky you ran into me. My uncle can manage to coordinate four or five Jiefang brand water tankers, each capable of carrying five tons of water. A few trips should be enough to save at least a hundred acres of crops! And that should provide you with enough water for a while!"

His words immediately caused an uproar.

"Chen Zhiqing! Are you serious? You can really get a water tanker?"

"Good heavens! Five tons of water per truck! Four or five trucks... how much wheat could that save?"

"At least a third of the wheat is needed!"

"Chen, you're begging me! Please bring the water quickly! This last watering will ensure the wheat properly fills out!"

"Yes, Chen Zhiqing, we bow to you!"

The crowd immediately surrounded Chen Weidong, pleading with him all at once. Chen Weidong thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of being surrounded by people, as if he held the power of life and death over them.

Zhang Yan, a female educated youth, looked at Chen Weidong with envy and admiration in the crowd. This man actually had more influence than Secretary Li!

Liu Shuqing asked anxiously, "Can you really mobilize so many waterwheels?"

Chen Weidong glanced smugly at Su Wanqing. "Officer Liu, of course it's true. But you know, mobilizing so many water tankers involves fuel, fuel costs, and favors—it's not something you can just do with words. It's difficult in some ways, but easy in others. I can't help you with such a big favor for nothing, can I?"

"Of course! Of course! Chen, please feel free to make any requests you may have!"

"Yes! If we can do it, we won't hesitate!"

Chen Weidong, brimming with self-satisfaction, finally revealed his true intentions: "It's simple! First, my room quota needs to be returned to me! I've made such a great contribution to the regiment; I can't be left without a place to stay, can I? Second, as you said, Officer Liu, I haven't worked for a long time, but I've performed meritorious service this time. I demand that all the work points I missed before, and for the next year, be made up for in full! That's not unreasonable, is it?"

He certainly didn't care about those work points, but they were related to his resume and reputation, and would be of great benefit to his return to the city later.

How many work points does Chen Weidong earn in a year? Compared to those oil-fueled water tankers, it's definitely a good deal!

"This request isn't unreasonable! The house originally belonged to them!"

"That's right! Dr. Su can just give up the house, it's no big deal!" Zhang Yan chimed in.

"It's only right that the work points be made up!"

An old soldier slapped the young man who had just spoken on the head, cursing, "Bullshit! You ungrateful bastard! Have you forgotten who fished you out of the latrine these past two days and cured your diarrhea? Without Dr. Su, you'd still be soiling your pants right now!"