A Divine Farmer

Chapter 252 - Change the World!

When Zhang Xiaolong received Chu Wenwen's call, he was taken aback, but the news she brought quickly lifted his spirits.

It was as if his thoughts had materialized. He had been considering transforming Clear River Village into a holiday destination, and now, Wenwen had drawn in crowds of tourists.

Given Wenwen's soaring popularity, it was likely that many would flock to Clear River Village for her concert. And even for those who couldn't make it, the televised images of the village's floral beauty would surely entice them to visit in the future.

“This is fantastic, Wenwen! I was just looking to get the word out about Clear River Village, and you've come along like a godsend!” exclaimed Xiaolong.

“Really? Then you owe me a lavish meal,” Wenwen chuckled, “and let's invite Ms Yaru and Ms Jingjing too. Since leaving Qingyang, I've missed you all. I haven't found anyone to hang out with in Yanjing.”

“Don't fret, you're about to visit us, right?” Xiaolong reassured her, “Plus, I'll be enrolling at Yanjing University in September, so we'll have plenty of opportunities to catch up.”

“Seriously? You're going to university?” Wenwen asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.

Xiaolong laughed heartily, “What, you doubt me? I was the top scorer on last year's national college entrance exam. I earned my place at university fair and square.”

“No, no, I'm just thrilled! But I have to go now. Director Wan and I will be there in a few days, though we still need to pick a venue,” Wenwen said in a rush.

“Don't worry about the venue. I'll find the most picturesque spot and set up a stage for you. Trust me, I won't let your first concert be anything less than spectacular. We're going for a Hollywood blockbuster magic effect!” Xiaolong declared confidently.

“It's not as simple as you make it sound. This is my solo concert, and although I've had a fair amount of support lately, I'm not as big as the major stars. The concert budget isn't very high,” Wenwen said, her voice tinged with concern.

“Don't worry, I chose Clear River Village as the venue to draw more attention to it,” Zhang Xiaolong said with appreciation. “If it were a big city instead, ticket sales would skyrocket, but since you've been so supportive, I can't let you lose out. Go ahead with your plans. With Soaring Dragon backing us, I'll cover any expenses!”

“Okay, I'll let Director Wan know there's a super tycoon ready to be ‘fleeced'!” Chu Wenwen laughed merrily over the phone.

She radiated a pure and sweet charm, her natural beauty captivating even the backstage crew.

“Wenwen, who are you talking to? It's not a boyfriend, is it? You're smiling so sweetly!” someone inquired, curiosity piqued.

No one had heard about Chu Wenwen having a boyfriend.

“It's not like that,” Chu Wenwen blushed slightly, “just a regular friend. I need to discuss some things with Director Wan, so please carry on without me.”

Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaolong had provisionally chosen a venue just outside the orchard. This was an initial plan, subject to approval once Chu Wenwen and her team arrived to assess its suitability.

The location was perfectly situated at the heart of a flower sea, promising to offer the audience an unparalleled visual feast.

He was also occupied with another project: diverting the river two miles away to Clear River Village.

The river was clean, but its distance from the village was not ideal. Bringing it closer would not only aid in irrigation but also enhance the village's aesthetic appeal.

Yet, when Zhang Xiaolong consulted with Wang Tiehzhu, he learned that altering the river's course was no trivial task. A direct proposal was likely to be rejected, and it wasn't reasonable to disrupt the river just for the village's looks.

Zhang Xiaolong didn't need a major waterway; that would be too large and risky. He envisioned a small canal to beautify the village and facilitate irrigation.

“Mr. Zhuzi, could you check out this spot? I think it's the ideal location for a canal,” Zhang Xiaolong suggested, presenting a rough sketch.

Wang Tiehzhu hesitated for a moment before accepting the map. “Xiaolong, why are you still set on this idea? Not only is it unlikely to get approval from the higher-ups, but even if it does, who knows how long it will take to get started. You know the saying, ‘distant waters won't put out a nearby fire.' Since the concert is just around the corner, we should focus on that first.”

“I get it, but having this little river would truly make Clear River Village a vacation destination,” Zhang Xiaolong sighed. “Our place isn't bad, but aside from the orchard and the sea of flowers spanning several hundred acres, we don't have much else to show off. I've planned the orchard so that there are always flowers to see, regardless of when you visit. But that alone isn't enough. Visitors want to be entertained, and we need to make everything appealing. Otherwise, what's the point of getting on TV?”

“But we can't just alter the river course on our own. That would be a mistake,” Wang Tiehzhu pointed out, knowing he didn't have the authority to change the river course without permission.

“Haha, Mr. Zhuzi, don't you trust me? I wouldn't lead you into making a mistake. Look, we'll only work on our own land, as if we're digging a trench. That can't be wrong, can it?” Zhang Xiaolong reassured him, “If we can't touch the real river, we'll just create a faux river. Once there's water, it will be easier to irrigate our land, right?”

“But where will the water for this faux river come from? Surely not pumped by a generator? That's a big issue and not easily solved!” Wang Tiehzhu expressed his concerns.

Zhang Xiaolong had already prepared for this. “Leave that to me. Once the ditch is ready, water will naturally flow into it.”

“Okay, then let's get to work quickly. It would be ideal to finish before the visitors arrive, so we can make a good impression on the national audience!” Wang Tiehzhu also understood that broadcasting the charm of their village could attract tourists, presenting a fantastic opportunity for Clear River Village.

Thanks to Zhang Xiaolong's financial backing and Wang Tiehzhu's influence, securing labor and equipment was no issue at all.

Just outside Clear River Village, nestled between the orchard and the farmland, the thunderous roar of explosions marked the rapid progress. Within a mere two days, the rough outline of a new river channel had emerged. The entire village was then rallied to clear out this makeshift waterway.

Several construction crews were brought in to reinforce the riverbanks with stones and erect railings. Zhang Xiaolong didn't stop there; he arranged for a variety of colorful ornamental trees to be methodically planted along both sides of the channel.

Upon their return, Wan Tao, Chu Wenwen, and the rest of the group were taken aback by the transformation. Their previous visit had left them enchanted, especially by the sprawling orchard, the vibrant flower fields, and the fairy-tale Crystal Houses that dotted the landscape. But now, it was as though they had stepped into an entirely different realm.