Following Shen Nanchu's calculations, Wang Dazhi readjusted the dimensions of the wooden materials.
Three days later, the massive skeleton of the waterwheel finally stood firmly over the river.
When the last blade was installed, the villagers joined forces to push the wheel. Under the river's force, it began to turn slowly with a creaking sound, spinning faster and faster.
"It's working! It really works!" The villagers cheered.
Wang Jianguo was so moved he nearly shed tears. "Little Nanchu, you truly are our village's 'female Zhuge Liang'!"
Wang Dazhi also nodded repeatedly. "If it weren't for Comrade Shen, this waterwheel would never have been completed!"
Zheng Tongwei stood at the edge of the crowd, his expression complicated.
Though he found Shen Nanchu's words unusually sharp, he had to admit—she was far smarter than him.
Zheng Tongwei began to doubt whether his trip to Wang Family Village would go smoothly.
Shen Nanchu was so clever—would she really not notice his intentions?
He started recalling every interaction he'd had with her since arriving in the village.
The more he thought, the paler his face became.
He had finally realized the problem.
An invisible hand was leading him by the nose.
And the owner of that hand was undoubtedly Shen Nanchu.
Unknowingly, Zheng Tongwei had done many things according to her design.
For the first time, he felt a chill of fear—this woman was terrifyingly formidable.
If she found out what he had just done…
Zheng Tongwei's hair stood on end.
He could only hope his suspicions were wrong—that Shen Nanchu was just an ordinary woman.
That everything was a coincidence.
Otherwise…
This trip to Wang Family Village would not end well for him.
Just as Zheng Tongwei was lost in thought, the roar of car engines echoed from the village entrance.
In the distance, dust swirled as dozens of trucks rumbled down the dirt road, packed with people wearing red armbands, accompanied by police officers from the local station.
Leading them were Yu Zhen, the high-ranking leader of Yongxiu County's Red Armband faction, and Li Gaoyuan, the station chief.
"This is bad!" Wang Jianguo's face darkened.
Zheng Tongwei, still standing among the villagers, lowered his head, his palms sweating.
He was the one who had secretly reported that Wang Family Village was harboring military personnel—but he hadn’t expected them to arrive so quickly!
The convoy stopped at the village entrance. Yu Zhen stepped out, squinting at the quiet little village before sneering, "Head northwest toward the mountain foothills. They're there."
He waved his hand, signaling his men to follow.
Just then, Feng Kangping suddenly rushed forward from the crowd, whispering, "Uh, boss, I… I should stay here and guard the trucks?"
Yu Zhen frowned. "What, are you scared?"
Feng Kangping wiped sweat from his forehead, stammering, "No, it's just… the trucks are valuable, someone should watch them…"
Truthfully, he was afraid—afraid of running into Shen Nanchu.
Every time he had come to Wang Family Village before, Shen Nanchu had outsmarted him, leaving him humiliated and plagued by nightmares for days afterward.
If not for Yu Zhen's order for a full mobilization, Feng Kangping wouldn’t have come at all. He had no desire to fall into Shen Nanchu's trap again.
Yu Zhen waved impatiently. "Fine, suit yourself!"
Several other Red Armband members who had visited the village before quickly stepped forward.
"I'll stay and guard the trucks too."
"There are so many vehicles—I should stay as well."
"Count me in."
...
Village Chief Wang Jianguo watched the convoy from afar, his heart sinking.
He whispered to Shen Nanchu beside him, "Little Nanchu, Zhengnian and the others are still surveying the ore deposits in the back mountains. We can’t let them be discovered!"
Shen Nanchu's eyes flashed as her mind raced. "You go stall them. I'll think of something."
Wang Jianguo nodded and hurried toward the village entrance with a group of villagers.
Shen Nanchu didn’t believe these people had come without reason—someone must have tipped them off.
But who?
Her gaze swept over the crowd, locking onto Zheng Tongwei.
Zheng Tongwei averted his eyes guiltily.
Shen Nanchu was now about 80% certain.
She instructed Pei Yunzhou to take a shortcut and warn Pei Zhengnian, then quickly gathered the village women and children, whispering directions to them.
Meanwhile, Wang Jianguo and the villagers had blocked Yu Zhen's path.
Wang Jianguo forced a smile. "Honorable leaders, what brings you here today?"
Yu Zhen smirked. "Village Chief Wang, we heard your village is hiding military personnel?"
Wang Jianguo feigned shock. "Military? No such thing! Our poor little village—what would soldiers be doing here?"
Li Gaoyuan narrowed his eyes. "Someone reported seeing men in uniform here."
Wang Jianguo waved his hands. "A misunderstanding! They must’ve been mistaken! We’ve been repairing the irrigation channels—maybe some young men were wearing old military uniforms while working…"
Yu Zhen cut him off. "Enough nonsense! Search the place!"
Just as the Red Armband members prepared to move, a sharp whistle sounded from the back of the village.
Suddenly, a dozen children burst onto the main road, waving sticks and shouting, "Wolves! Wolves are coming!"
Wang Dabao and Wang Xiaobao, leading the group, put on an Oscar-worthy performance, tears and snot streaming down their faces in terror.
Adults rushed out of their homes in panic. "A wolf pack from the mountains! They just took two of our sheep!"
Yu Zhen froze. "Wolves?"
Wang Jianguo seized the moment. "Ah! The wolves have been active lately—they killed two pigs just last night! Director Yu, you must be careful!"
The Red Armband members exchanged uneasy glances, their steps faltering.
They had come unarmed—if they really encountered a wolf pack, their only option would be to run.
Just as hesitation spread, a deep, echoing howl rose from the distance.
"Owooo—"
Then, several villagers came running from the back mountains, waving torches and shouting, "Get back! The wolves are coming down!"
Yu Zhen's face darkened. Li Gaoyuan frowned. "Maybe… we should wait?"
From the back of the crowd, Shen Nanchu allowed herself a small smile.
The "wolf howls" were courtesy of Pei Yunxi, who had taken their dog, Meiqiu, into the woods to bark on command.
The effect was chillingly realistic.
With the Red Armband members unwilling to charge blindly into danger, Yu Zhen had no choice but to order, "Send a few men to scout ahead!"
But before they could act, another series of howls erupted.
Following Wang Jianguo and Shen Nanchu's earlier instructions, the villagers scattered in all directions, shouting:
"Oh no, the wolves are here!"
"Quick, get inside!"
"Please don’t let them take me this time!"
...
