I couldn't take it anymore; when I went home for Chinese New Year, the family genealogy book ha

"Old ox, are you out of your mind?!"

An auntie who had just finished moving a box of empty bottles passed by and, seeing Jiang Mancang's appearance, couldn't help but say something.

"That cardboard box is incredibly heavy; even the young men in the village need two people to lift it. What are you trying to do, you old man?"

Another villager passing by advised, "Uncle Mancang, have some water and rest for a while. You're getting on in years, don't break your back just to earn this little bit of money, it's not worth it."

Jiang Mancang simply straightened up, gave the villagers who were trying to persuade him a simple, honest smile, and revealed a set of teeth that had been yellowed by smoke.

He waved his hand, but didn't say a word, not even making a sound.

Then he turned around and walked toward the next bundle of cardboard boxes.

Sweat had completely soaked through his faded old military uniform, which clung tightly to his body, outlining the slightly hunched back caused by years of hard work.

That soaked figure stood out starkly against the backdrop of laughter and cheerful chatter, and looked all the more...lonely.

Jiang Mancang was meticulous to the point of being almost obsessive when he worked.

Before putting each glass bottle into the box, he would subconsciously wipe it gently with his rough, calloused cuffs.

He was afraid that even a speck of dust would get on it, afraid that the three words "Jiangjia Village" and Jiang Chen's signboard would be stained with even the slightest bit of black.

His silent and earnest attitude stood in stark contrast to the villagers around him who chatted idly while working.

Jiang Chen watched quietly from the second-floor balcony.

He didn't have a deep impression of this distant uncle named Jiang Mancang.

All I remember is that he was an honest man to the point of being cowardly, with almost no friends in the village, and always alone.

In the past, whenever there were weddings or funerals in the village, he was always the first to arrive and the last to leave, and he did the most work, but when it came time to eat, he would always hide in the most inconspicuous corner.

He was like the oldest ox in the village, eating grass but producing milk, dedicating his life to selfless service without ever asking for anything in return.

Suddenly, the system's voice rang in Jiang Chen's mind.

[Ding! A true neighbor has been detected—Jiang Mancang!]

[Character Assessment: A distant relative of the Jiang family, a sincere and kind-hearted person who harbors the purest gratitude and support for the host and the Jiang family.]

[Judgment Result: Meets the criteria for expanding your network to "True Friends and Family," and can activate the consumption rebate (neighborhood series)!]

Jiang Chen's lips curled up slightly.

System, you've finally done something smart.

He turned and went back to his office, where he took out a bottle of liquid in a regular mineral water bottle from the mini-fridge that only he could open.

The liquid had a pale green hue and shimmered with an unusual luster under the light.

This was the [Basic Constitution Enhancement Water] that the system had rewarded him with last time, but he had been reluctant to use.

This stuff, just one sip, can instantly revitalize a weak and sickly person, strengthen their body, and has countless wonderful uses.

Jiang Chen always treasured it.

Now, he felt that the bottle of water had found its true owner.

"Big Gou!"

Jiang Chen walked to the balcony and shouted downstairs.

"Hey! Brother Chen, what's up?"

Wang Dagou came running over, all excited.

Jiang Chen handed the bottle of water down.

"Go and take this bottle of water to Uncle Mancang so he can drink it."

Wang Dagou took it and looked at it curiously. "Brother Chen, this isn't the kind of water you usually drink?"

"Just do as I tell you to. Stop with the nonsense." Jiang Chen instructed, "This is my private stash. Tell him to drink it all by himself and not give it to anyone else."

"Okay!"

Although Wang Dagou was completely confused, he would absolutely obey Jiang Chen's orders.

He carried the bottle of pale green water and jogged through the noisy crowd to reach Jiang Mancang.

"Uncle Mancang! Take a break! Take a break!"

Wang Dagou stopped Jiang Mancang, who was about to carry a bundle of cardboard boxes.

Jiang Mancang turned around, looking puzzled.

"Uncle Mancang, Brother Chen asked me to give this to you." Wang Dagou shoved the water bottle into his hand. "Brother Chen said you should drink this quickly to cool down. He also said it's his treasure and that you should drink it all by yourself and not share it with anyone else."

Jiang Mancang stared blankly at the bottle in his hand.

His hands, calloused and covered in dust, looked somewhat awkward and helpless.

He had lived for over sixty years and never before had anyone, especially not a big shot like Jiang Chen, specially sent him a bottle of water.

He looked up, flattered, at the second-floor balcony.

Jiang Chen was standing there and nodded to him.

Jiang Mancang quickly nodded in agreement, his gesture carrying a hint of fear and a heart full of gratitude.

He unscrewed the bottle cap, not even bothering to wipe his hands, tilted his head back, and gulped down the entire bottle of water.

The water was clear and sweet upon tasting, completely different from the well water he usually drank.

Even more amazingly, as soon as the water entered my throat, it felt like a warm current that instantly spread throughout my body.

The excruciating pain in my lower back, which had been intense from overexertion, miraculously disappeared.

My whole body felt as if it had been injected with a new power, full of inexhaustible energy.

Jiang Mancang was surprised to find that his back was no longer in pain, and he was even more agile than when he was young.

Although he was curious about what kind of treasure this water was and how it could be so effective, he was simple-minded and couldn't think about such complicated things.

All he knew was that it was given to him by Chenzi.

It was Chenzi who thought highly of this old geezer.

The gratitude in his heart made him feel that he had to work even harder to live up to Chenzi's high regard for him.

What happened next left the surrounding villagers dumbfounded.

Jiang Mancang seemed to have been injected with chicken blood; he actually started running while carrying the two-hundred-pound bundle of cardboard boxes!

That speed was faster than two young men carrying it!

"My God! What kind of magic pill did that old ox eat?"

"Doesn't he have a bad back? How come he's suddenly so strong?"

"There must be something special about the bottle of water Brother Chen gave us!"

The villagers were buzzing with discussion, and their gazes toward Jiang Chen held even greater reverence.

Around noon, the packing work was temporarily completed.

Jiang Chen made a direct call to Jiang Youfu, the village's head chef.

"Sixth Uncle, let's give all the villagers who came to help something substantial for lunch today!"

"Plenty of big meat buns! Let them eat as much as they want!"

"Also, make two more pork ribs with braised pork belly and have someone send them to Uncle Mancang. Just say it was my order to give him an extra meal."

"Okay!"

On the other end of the phone, Jiang Youfu readily agreed.

At lunchtime, more than a dozen large tables were set up in the factory courtyard.

The steaming hot meat buns were piled up like a small mountain, and there was a large bowl of seaweed and egg drop soup next to them.

The villagers sat together, laughing and chatting, eating steamed buns and boasting about how many more they could make that afternoon.

Jiang Mancang did not sit with the others.

He held a large bowl, bigger than anyone else's, containing two big, fragrant bones, and hid in the shade of the warehouse, eating heartily.

The braised pork ribs were stewed until extremely tender, and the aroma of the meat was irresistible.

He ate with his mouth full of oil, a childlike satisfied smile on his face.

A few distant relatives who usually liked to take advantage of others looked on with envy and grinned as they tried to snatch a piece from Jiang Mancang's bowl to try.

"Hey! What are you doing!"

Wang Dagou suddenly appeared out of nowhere, stood there, and glared at everyone.

"You dare to covet the extra food Brother Chen gave Uncle Mancang? Have you no shame?"

Those relatives were rebuked by Wang Dagou and left in a sorry state.

Jiang Mancang raised his head, glanced gratefully at Wang Dagou, and then continued to gnaw on his bone.

At this moment, Jiang Chen came downstairs.

He passed by Jiang Mancang without stopping or saying anything polite.

He simply reached out and gently patted the shoulder of the worn-out military uniform.

"Uncle."

Jiang Chen's voice was soft and clear.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Just three simple words.

Jiang Mancang raised his head and looked at Jiang Chen's departing figure, his eyes instantly turning red.