Me and My Cold CEO Wife

Chapter 2144 - 2133: The Mage's Wisdom

Hill Village isn't large, and all the households are clustered together.Before long, Ning Fan had already taken a stroll through the village.

The houses in the village all had the same design, differing only in size.

And they all faced the ocean, with the forest at their backs.

Being several hundred meters away from the shoreline, there's no need to worry about erosion from the seawater.

In Hill Village, only after reaching adulthood at fifteen does one qualify to receive an independent wooden house.

If there are too many people to fit in the main house, they can build next to it to save lumber.

This rule, it's said, was established by the first village chief and strictly adhered to by subsequent chiefs.

Hill Island lies in the ocean, marked by innate poor conditions and scarce resources.

Despite the lush forest behind, reckless deforestation could lead to the tragedy of draining the pond to catch fish or burning down the forest to hunt.

So each generation of village chiefs has strictly constrained the villagers, protecting the forest's freshwater, lumber, and various edible flora and fauna resources,

"Mages truly are the symbol of wisdom."

Ning Fan silently admired the rule set by the first village chief.

On Earth, even elementary school students know the basic knowledge of maintaining ecological balance.

But in this medieval-like world, who would know?

Mages possess such foresight, even if they can't articulate why, that doesn't prevent them from embracing this truth.

Ning Fan suggested, "Shall we check out the forest?"

The forest entrance is behind the village chief's house, and to prevent children from getting lost in the forest, villagers specifically cut down trees here.

And they've opened up a path, the only road into the forest.

"Then let's take a look."

"I'll lead the way."

Eve cooed softly, not taking a few steps before she joyfully shouted, "Brother."

The person approaching was the honest Lum, currently carrying firewood taller than himself.

Seeing the firewood, Ning Fan knew they were merely dead branches picked up from the ground.

"Eve, you're here."

Greeted his sister, and once he noticed Ning Fan, Lum said anxiously, "The fruit is behind. I helped them carry the firewood."

Earlier, Lum was instructed by the village chief to pick fruit; otherwise, he'd have gone fishing too.

"It's okay."

Ning Fan waved his hand; he already saw many people appearing in the woods.

All were women and girls; women carried fruits on wooden trays,

girls held all sorts of labor tools made of iron, and some half-grown children dragged firewood.

Soon, these women emerged from the forest, appearing before Ning Fan.

Upon seeing the fair-skinned, distinguished Vivian and Ning Fan, many women shyly nodded before leaving.

They only learned of strangers in the village through Lum and hurried over after finishing their chores.

Although the women left, the children present still surrounded Ning Fan and his companion, curiously watching.

Fortunately, Lum intervened in time, smiling as he dispersed the children.

Meanwhile, a few girls about Eve's age pulled her aside to whisper.

As they spoke, their gazes occasionally darted towards Ning Fan.

Whenever Ning Fan looked over, these girls hastily turned their heads, then secretly glanced again.

After repeating this two or three times, Ning Fan dared not look anymore.

As the sunset neared the ocean's surface, elongated shadows appeared on the vast sea, these shadows were sails.

The fishermen returning home, while the women stood by the shore waiting for their husbands and sons.

The fishing boats of Hill Village weren't the simple rafts Ning Fan imagined but rather large three-decked sailboats.

"This is the sea, naturally not just rafts."

Ning Fan apologized for his ignorance and then mused, "This backward fishing village has these big sailboats; I wonder what those annihilated Empire heavy warships were like?"

There are three sailboats, and both the hull and sails were patched up, looking worn out, but it's Hill Village's most precious collective asset, the source of hope for the village.

"They sure owe a big favor this time."

During earlier chit-chat, Ning Fan learned from Eve,

people usually only sail out once and must return before nightfall.

At night, not only are the waves larger, but sea beasts are more active.

Thus, fishing boats usually return by noon and start maintenance.

But today, to host Ning Fan, the already returned boats set sail again,

it's not exaggerating to say they're risking their lives.

Before long, the fishing boats docked at a seawater-filled area surrounded by wooden stakes; Ning Fan chuckled, "I didn't expect a natural harbor here."

"This isn't naturally formed."

Upon hearing Sangganda's words, Ning Fan immediately understood that deep waters were likely created by magical forces.

The ship docked, and a few muscular men jumped off, followed by receiving huge planks from the ship.

Then people on the ship carried baskets of sea fish down the planks.

At this moment, women and children rushed towards them.

Seeing their husbands, the women finally relaxed, revealing joyful smiles.

Noticing this scene, Ning Fan frowned, "Is fishing very dangerous?"

Sangganda didn't answer and instead said another thing, "It's a hard job."

Ning Fan understood.

How could there be no danger? Even on Earth, fishing at sea can lead to accidents, let alone this world.

Forget about Ning Fan encountering deep-sea octopi, even facing dagger fish, these people wouldn't escape unscathed.

Ning Fan turned his gaze to the shore, noticing several women leading children, leaving the place despondently.

Their husbands had long been lost to the sea; they visit each time the boats return, in remembrance.

Perhaps there's still hope in their hearts, hoping for a miracle, one day seeing their husbands return.

Watching Ning Fan deep in thought, Sangganda softly said, "Mr. Ning, let's go."

As night fell, under the moonlight like frost, a giant bonfire burned on the beach, a major ceremony to welcome guests.

At this bonfire banquet, the villagers of Hill Village sang and danced, performing unknown rugged ballads and amusing dances,

despite that, everyone wore enthusiastic smiles.

Children played wildly, running back and forth across the sandy shore.

As the village's most distinguished guests, Ning Fan and Vivian naturally sat in honored seats.

Thus attracting the attention of all the young girls present.

As for the gazes of the young men, naturally, they were fixed on Vivian.

In the fire's glow, Vivian appeared even more enchanting, causing the young men to dare look yet not look.