Chapter 862

At the thought of the workload required for the pond, Nina felt despaired. She glared at Eloise and retorted, "Did you seriously think we can casually dig a pond that is 49 feet long, 16 feet wide, and 6.5 feet deep? What tools do we have? It's not like we have bulldozers or excavators. We'll die of exhaustion before we die of thirst!" Sherry asked coldly, "So, what size do you think is appropriate?" Although their relationship had improved after some intervention, Sherry and Nina were only tolerating each other by maintaining a superficial sense of peace. Whenever an occasion arose, they would still argue. Nina stated loudly, "Cut the size in half!" To garner more sympathy, she moved her right shoulder dramatically to show how sore it was. Her expression was bitter and unsmiling. "Today, Ryan and I irrigated the peanut field, the cornfield, and the sweet potatoes plot. My hands are still numb, and I can barely hold a spoon, let alone a shovel." Ryan knew she was telling the truth. He said, "You've worked hard today, Nina. Irrigating was indeed quite an arduous task. How about this? You rest for two days while the five of us will start digging first. How does that sound?" Eloise remembered what Ryan had told her. So, she quickly agreed and said, "That's right. Nina should rest for a few days if she's tired. We're not big on forced labor. The pond-digging work is based on individual willingness to volunteer. "As for the pond's size, it can't be changed because I don't think it will rain within half a month. What will we do if we don't store enough water and the river dries up? I hope you understand, Nina. I'm thankful that you helped me irrigate the sweet potatoes plot today. Thank you, Nina!" Camelia felt the need to stand up for Nina as her future investor. Moreover, she also took into consideration that Nina had been loyal to her all this while. "Nina can rest for a few days. We won't set an exact date for her. She can come down and work when her hands no longer hurt," Camelia said. Nina was so deeply moved that she spoke with a choked voice, "You are so humane, Ms. West. You could grow your business to such a large scale because of your intelligence and admirable character. You're unlike some people who have no sympathy and mock me despite seeing my trembling hands. Are they even human?" She praised Camelia but insulted Sherry in the same breath. Sherry wasn't stupid—she understood the jab. She put down her food and glared at Nina, retorting, "I'm not as delicate as you. Even a gust of wind could break your arm!" Exhausted and angry, Nina stood up and raised her arms agitatedly. "If you're not delicate, then come on over and slap me!" Sherry had no intention of backing down. She picked up her bowl and seemed ready for a showdown. "Come on, then. Let's see who falls first! I've sworn that if anyone slaps me again, I'll make them pay!" The two women faced off, ready to fight. Ryan felt a headache coming on. He had sex with Nina in the river earlier that day, so why was she still so riled up? And why did Sherry have to butt in when Nina's issue was with Eloise? It seemed they had too much energy to spare now that they were well-fed. If they struggled for food and water like the first day on the deserted island, would they still have the energy to fight? Camelia didn't advise Nina to back down or tell Sherry off. She didn't intervene because, in her heart, she felt that Sherry was in the wrong. It was Sherry who had stirred up trouble unnecessarily. Eloise tried to calm Sherry, while Freya tried to calm Nina. After a long while, both women finally settled down. Sherry stormed down the mountain. Before she left, she said huffily, "If I come back up here to eat in the future, I'm a worthless bitch!" Nina retorted, "If I see you up here, I'll chase you right back down the mountain!" Finally, the cave was peaceful again, and Ryan sighed in relief. "Whenever the two of them fight, it's like a volcano eruption!" Camelia said expressionlessly, "It was Sherry's fault. There was no issue until she butt in." Eloise caught the undertone in Camelia's words and quickly said, "Nina, it's my fault for not explaining the plan well. It's my fault that you and Sherry got into an argument." Nina ignored Eloise, snorting in disdain. Freya tried to help everyone make peace. "Alright, let's forget about what just happened. We'll stick to the plan. Nina will help dig the pond once her arm feels better. The five of us will start first. Everyone should rest and gather strength for tomorrow's work." No one spoke further. Ryan went down the mountain. He hesitated when he reached the foot of the mountain. Ultimately, he walked to Sherry's shack.