Chapter 5 (continued)

The puppy had run around with them earlier, but eventually it got too tired and went back to the courtyard to sleep.

When Shi Wen and the others returned, they saw the puppy lying in the sunshine, fast asleep with its head on its little paws.

Shi Wen slowed his steps and stopped talking. The three behind him followed his lead, tiptoeing inside.

The puppy's ears twitched, but it seemed to sense no threat and remained fast asleep.

Once they were inside, they all relaxed again.

After working in the sun for so long, everyone was unbearably hot.

Back in the cool house, they drank some water and rested for a while, and soon grew sleepy.

The morning had been tiring, and Shi Wen couldn't be bothered to make a big meal. He simply boiled some noodles, sliced up cucumber, tomatoes and braised beef, and opened some pickled mustard, soybean paste and chili sauce. He brought everything out, and they mixed it together and dug in. It made for a good lunch.

After eating and resting for an hour, everyone got back to work.

It wasn't until after four in the afternoon that they finished going over all the ditches, taking photographs and collecting samples wherever needed. Only then did they wrap up their work for the day.

Ge Yue looked around as the evening breeze gradually cooled. "Brother Shi, you have such a variety of fish here. It's practically a little fish repository."

Shi Wen said, "Maybe it's because the place was abandoned for several years. With no one disturbing them, the fish multiplied."

Lin Chengqian shook his head. "There are plenty of undisturbed waters in the wild, but they don't have nearly as many kinds of fish. Your place is special."

Shi Wen said, "The aquatic plants in the wild aren't as good, and there isn't as much food, either. My grandpa was running the ranch until a few years ago, and nutrient-rich water flowed into the ditches. The aquatic plants in them must have grown differently."

At the mention of aquatic plants, Gong Jiang said, "The grass here really does grow well. It would probably be a good place to raise some geese."

An idea occurred to Shi Wen. "Raise geese? Wouldn't that affect the fish in the ditches?"

Gong Jiang considered it. "Probably not. Your ditches are all more than half a meter deep, and they're open waters. Water flows in and out, and the fish can swim around with it. If they sense a threat, they can simply swim somewhere else instead of staying here."

Ge Yue chimed in, "One reason we study and protect the environment is to help people live better lives. Brother Shi's place is a private ranch, not a nature reserve. There's no need to worry so much."

"Now that you mention it, I really am tempted." Shi Wen thought back, then added regretfully, "Unfortunately, nobody sells geese at the local market, so raising them wouldn't be easy. When I have time, I'll look farther afield."

Gong Jiang said, "I know where they sell geese. If you need them, I can give you the address."

Ge Yue immediately caught on. "Is it the place where Teacher Yan bought that goose before? That goose was so delicious!"

Lin Chengqian said with considerable interest, "The one he bought last winter? That was the best goose I've ever eaten in my life."

Shi Wen listened, sorely tempted. "Was it really that good?"

Gong Jiang said, "It really was. Their geese are exceptional. The meat is tender and delicious, and they've won several gold and silver medals at national agricultural exhibitions."

Ge Yue said, "Don't worry, Brother Shi. My supervisor is really picky. Anything that meets his standards has to be good."

Gong Jiang corrected her. "He has high standards."

Ge Yue said, "All right, all right. He has high standards, he's not picky."

Hearing that, Shi Wen promptly asked for the address. "Where is it? I'll find time to go ask."

Gong Jiang said, "I'll send it to you on WeChat later."

"Why don't we go eat goose today? It's been ages since we had theirs, and we can show Brother Shi the place so he won't get lost." Ge Yue looked at Lin Chengqian. "Senior Brother Lin, what do you think?"

Lin Chengqian said, "Works for me. I'm craving goose too."

Gong Jiang looked at Shi Wen. "Shall we go eat goose, then? We can treat you to a meal."

Shi Wen smiled. "Let me treat you. You're still students, and I'm already working."

Gong Jiang said, "It's fine. We'll put it on my supervisor's account. He usually reimburses us for meals when we're away on business."

Ge Yue said, "Right. Brother Shi, you've been helping us all day, so you count as one of the staff."

Shi Wen really did want to buy some geese, so he stopped refusing when he heard that.

They packed up their things, got in the car and drove to another small city.

After driving for over an hour, they arrived outside a farm restaurant at the foot of a mountain.

The restaurant was open, and its dirt parking lot was packed with vehicles bearing license plates from all over the country.

Seeing that, Shi Wen knew the food had to be good. Otherwise, so many people wouldn't have come all the way to such a remote place.

They got out and went inside. Ge Yue and Lin Chengqian went to line up for a table, while Gong Jiang took Shi Wen to find the owner.

The owner was a man who looked to be in his forties, busy working in the back courtyard with a cigarette in his mouth.

When Gong Jiang saw him, he called out, "Brother Ma, we're here to buy some geese from you."

Ma Bingjun took the cigarette out of his mouth. "Oh, were you doing fieldwork nearby today? Sure. Do you want braised goose or some other kind? How many? I'll give you a discount."

Gong Jiang said, "Not grown geese. Goslings. This friend of mine wants to buy them."

Shi Wen stepped forward and greeted him.

Ma Bingjun frowned. "Goslings might be difficult. The current batch has already been reserved, and orders are booked up through next year."

Gong Jiang smiled. "He's a friend of my supervisor. Could you help us figure something out?"

Ma Bingjun immediately turned to look at Shi Wen with interest. "You're Professor Yan's friend? In that case, I have to do you a favor."

Shi Wen and Ma Bingjun stared at each other.

Ma Bingjun was clearly waiting for Shi Wen to answer.

After struggling for a long moment, Shi Wen managed to say, "We know each other."

Ma Bingjun burst out laughing and put the cigarette back in his mouth. "Why are you so honest? If you'd just nodded and said yes, I'd have sold you the geese."

Shi Wen looked up at him, conflicted. But he couldn't lie. Yan Kexing was nearby, and a lie would be so easily exposed.

Gong Jiang laughed beside them. "He really is my supervisor's friend. If you don't believe me, ask him next time."