After the sun set, the sky gradually darkened.
Taking advantage of the remaining light, the teachers gathered the parents and began to descend the mountain.
Perhaps everyone was eager to go back and rest, so they cooperated exceptionally well on the way down.
In less than an hour, they returned to the village and each went back to their lodgings.
Once back, Deanna was so exhausted that she collapsed on the sofa, unwilling to move.
She had thought this trip would be fun, but it turned out to be quite tiring.
Seeing their mother so weary on the sofa, the two little ones sensibly walked over and said in their sweet voices, "Mommy, let us give you a massage."
"No need to massage me. You two sit and rest for a while. Once I recover energy, I'll take you to wash up."
Despite her fatigue, Deanna couldn't bear to let her children take care of her.
After all, the two little ones walked themselves for the entire journey.
Watching the loving interaction between mother and children, Lance's eyes were full of tenderness. He softly said, "I'll go run the bath for you."
After washing up, perhaps due to their exhaustion, the family quickly fell into a deep sleep.
The next day, at dawn, Deanna and Lance were awakened early by the crowing of roosters.
Looking at the gray sky outside the window, they exchanged smiles and didn't get up immediately. Instead, they cuddled in bed for a while longer.
Later, around seven o'clock, they got up to wash and then went to wake up the two little ones next door.
They had been informed yesterday that at eight o'clock they would help the farmers plant rice seedlings while the sun was not too hot.
Soon, the family got ready, finished breakfast, and went out to gather. They found that not many people had come to the dam.
Seeing this situation, Deanna couldn't help but frown.
Up ahead, the teachers didn't look much better.
Even though they had explained the purpose of this spring outing before departure, these parents were so uncooperative. How could they continue with student education in the future?
Despite their dissatisfaction, they didn't dare send anyone to call those absent parents.
In the end, they took only the parents and students who had shown up to the agreed-upon field.
Among them were Jessie and Enrique.
Courtney's mother was also there and even warmly greeted Deanna and Lance. "Good morning, Mr. Mercer, Mrs. Mercer."
This woman was trying to show kindness with a smiling face. Though Deanna disliked the shrewd look in the woman's eyes, she politely nodded and said good morning in response.
Lance, however, looked straight ahead as if he hadn't seen Courtney's mother at all.
Courtney's mother had been watching Lance's expression and felt a bit disappointed when she realized he wasn't paying her any attention. But she didn't lose heart.
She smiled brightly at Deanna and said, "I heard Mrs. Mercer used to grow herbs for a living. I think growing herbs is similar to farming. I've never grown anything before. I hope Mrs. Mercer can teach me."
For some reason, Deanna felt uncomfortable hearing this. It seemed like this woman was implying something.
Before she could figure it out, Lance's cold voice interrupted her thoughts. "I don't think you're in a position to ask my fiancée to teach you."
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, Deanna realized why Courtney's mother's words had felt off earlier.
Her words not only equated Deanna with a farmer but also implied that if Deanna agreed to teach her, it would mean letting this woman step over the Mercer family.
Thinking of this, Deanna felt exhausted.
This was why she never liked high society circles. Every word could carry multiple meanings and hidden traps.
Courtney's mother hadn't expected Lance to speak up so suddenly and say such things. She was momentarily stunned and completely lost face.
Seeing her flushed face, people around shook their heads and continued following the teachers toward the field.
Courtney's mother stood there feeling a burning anger in her chest but didn't dare show it towards Deanna and Lance.
After all, her words had indeed contained a deliberate trap.
She couldn't stand seeing Deanna, a woman expelled from her family, climb up to the Mercer family and become the most honored woman in their circle.
But this little episode was quickly forgotten by Deanna.
Not long after, they arrived at their destination.
Two farmers were already waiting there.
Seeing the teachers' group arrive, they greeted them with simple smiles. "The teachers are here."
"Yes, sorry to keep you waiting," replied the lead teacher with a smile.
After some pleasantries, everyone began today's activity.
The teachers distributed pre-purchased one-piece rubber suits to the parents and children. Then they had the farmers demonstrate how to plant rice seedlings before letting each parent take their child into the field.
Because it was a paddy field, many children and parents lost their balance due to the muddy ground and ended up sitting in the mud with splashes of water and dirt.
Deanna and her two little ones almost faced the same situation but were saved by Lance's quick reflexes.
Unfortunately for Enrique who was with them, he wasn't as lucky.