Chapter 158 (continued)

Looking at the people covering the mountains and fields, Zhao Hexi said to Qing Mengzhu, "It's raining; won't the bamboo seedlings survive better?"

Qing Mengzhu nodded. "After it rains, we basically don't need to water the plants."

Zhao Hexi: "I saw you talking to Yi Yanbai just now. What did you say?"

Qing Mengzhu: "I asked him if he wanted help looking after the bamboo? Like patrolling it every day, recording its growth and reporting on it."

Zhao Hexi: "Did he agree?"

Before Qing Mengzhu could speak, Zhao Hexi confidently added, "He'll definitely agree. Our salaries are so high, and we have all the benefits—five social insurances and one housing fund—there's no way he wouldn't agree."

Qing Mengzhu smiled and patted Zhao Hexi on the shoulder, "It's a good thing to have a local helping to keep an eye on things."

Zhao Hexi: "I'll find someone else to install more surveillance cameras; relying on people alone isn't enough."

Qing Mengzhu: "Okay, you can arrange it as you see fit."

Zhao Hexi looked down. "Putting everything else aside, our company's territory has expanded again."

Qing Mengzhu smiled and said, "This is nothing."

Zhao Hexi nudged him with her elbow. "Hey, what do you think? How about we cultivate seedlings and sell them? Cultivating seedlings and selling them is quite profitable these days."

Qing Mengzhu: "It's too late this year, let's wait until next year. If we plant for a year, we should be able to screen out the good varieties, and then cultivate them later, so as not to ruin our reputation."

Zhao Hexi: "That makes sense. I'll arrange that too."

After Qing Mengzhu and his family planted the bamboo, ninety percent of the bamboo survived within a week and even sprouted new shoots.

It is estimated that they will grow rapidly under the nourishment of spring rain.

After receiving Yi Yanbai's report, Qing Mengzhu personally came to inspect the site twice and made a planting plan.

Every time, Yi Yanbai would warmly invite them to his home for dinner, Qing Mengzhu felt embarrassed to be treated to such lavish meals by his family and would firmly decline.

However, even without going to Yi Yanbai's house, Qing Mengzhu could tell from Yi Yanbai's parents on the way that they were doing well.

Their son works right next door, earns a good salary, and has five social insurances and one housing fund, no wonder they feel quite comfortable in life.

Seeing their expressions, Qing Mengzhu felt quite gratified.

In a couple of years, once the company has grown and established a tea plantation, this area will likely develop even better.

That day, Qing Mengzhu had just returned from the fields and was about to take a bath and change her clothes when she saw Zhao Hexi coming over with a basket.

Qing Mengzhu stood at the door and asked, "What are you carrying in your basket?"

Zhao Hexi: "Mulberries, as I told you before, are now in full ripening season. They're bigger and sweeter now, so I've picked some for you to try."

They've added their mulberries to the vegetable packs, and the members have given it a good response. Most people think their mulberries are delicious, much juicier and sweeter than those sold outside, and also safer.

Qing Mengzhu and the others had eaten mulberries several times and thought they were quite good.

Qing Mengzhu assumed Zhao Hexi had come to see him for something else, and since she had casually brought over a basket of mulberries, he asked, "Anything else?"

Zhao Hexi was completely confused. "What? There's more?"

After asking, Zhao Hexi realized what she meant and laughed twice, "You thought I had something to ask you, right? No, I just brought you some mulberries. I also brought some to Brother Zhou's."

Qing Mengzhu: "Then please sit down for a moment. I just arranged for a drone to spray pesticide, and I got some pesticide on myself. I need to take a shower first."

Zhao Hexi: "Go ahead, I'll rest in your yard for a bit. Don't cook lunch, okay? I just went to Brother Zhou's place; they made Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and said they'd have a few bowls sent over later. We'll have Buddha Jumps Over the Wall with rice for lunch."

Qing Mengzhu in surprise, "They've even made Buddha Jumps Over the Wall?"

Zhao Hexi chuckled beside her, "Yeah, they started making it a couple of days ago. It smells so good, I get so hungry just walking by."

Qing Mengzhu was also a little tempted, so she quickly went to the bathroom to take a shower and came out. Sure enough, Zhou Yan had already sent someone to deliver Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.

The dogs are included this time too.

After Qing Mengzhu finished mixing the rice for the Dharma Protector and Guard, she couldn't help but say, "I must say, Brother Zhou is really good to the Dharma Protector and Guard."

Although the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup for the dogs didn't contain any fancy ingredients, mostly just specially ladled broth and large chunks of meat, Zhou Yan made a point of separating them out, which shows he really remembered.

Zhao Hexi ate his Buddha Jumps Over the Wall rice with gusto. "Brother Zhou really likes dogs. He said he can't keep one because of his job, so Dharma Protector and Guard are dogs he's watched grow up."

Qing Mengzhu: "I can see that."

While eating, Qing Mengzhu casually inquired about the orchard.

Zhao Hexi said that people have been arranged to take turns guarding the orchard. The mulberries are now in peak production season, but there are also many members choosing mulberries, so it's just right and there won't be a situation where they can't be picked and will rot on the trees.

As she spoke, Zhao Hexi added regretfully that mulberries are good in every way, but they are too precious, even more precious than strawberries. Their color, aroma, and flavor dissipate as soon as they are left out. Even if they are well packaged, they are far less delicious than freshly picked mulberries from the orchard.

Zhao Hexi asked if they should arrange a fruit picking activity so that members could go to the orchard to pick fruit.

Qing Mengzhu refused. She was too busy right now, and the orchard was far away. It would be time-consuming and laborious to arrange for members to go there, so she decided against it. Besides, there was no benefit in making arrangements.

They couldn't easily take their members there, but it wasn't a problem for them to go and pick fruit in their own orchard.

That evening, Qing Mengzhu mentioned this to Ming Chunxi and asked, "Should we go fruit picking this weekend? It's been a while since we took the Dharma Protector out to relax."

Ming Chunxi: "Okay, I'll make time for it, let's go on Saturday."

Qing Mengzhu: "Let me check the weather forecast. Saturday is fine. It's a sunny day, perfect for a picnic. I'll ask Brother Zhou to cook some dishes for us, like braised dishes and pastries. We won't be back for lunch."

Qing Mengzhu made plans with great enthusiasm, but the little ones were even more excited than they were when they learned they were going out to play.

Early Saturday morning, as soon as they opened the car door, the two dogs eagerly wagged their tails and wiggled their butts as they jumped into the back seat.

The red fox and the otter were a beat behind; when they tried to climb onto the back seat, the Dharma Protector pushed them off with his buttocks.

When Qing Mengzhu arrived carrying a picnic box, she had to mediate the dispute. "Dharma Protector, that's enough. Don't be so domineering."

Dharma Protector: "Woof woof woof!"

Qing Mengzhu pinched the soft flesh on the Dharma Protector's cheeks. "Move over a little, you're not allowed to take up a seat all by yourself."

The Dharma Protector reluctantly shifted his position, but his large buttocks remained firmly seated, unwilling to move.

The Guard, without making a sound, also occupied another seat with his large buttocks, leaving only the small middle seat for the red fox and the otter.

Animals all have territorial disputes, and these two dogs were essentially defending their territory.

Seeing this, Qing Mengzhu and Ming Chunxi turned a blind eye and didn't make any excessive demands on them.

The sun was shining brightly today, and the whole journey was filled with spring sunshine. The playlist contained our two favorite songs, and the four little animals gradually fell asleep in the back seat, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere in the car.

Qing Mengzhu was very satisfied with this. "It seems we still need to make more time for living."

Ming Chunxi responded softly, "It won't be so busy after this period is over."

Qing Mengzhu: "Stop busy, you should hurry up and start your own business. Your lousy company makes you work way too much overtime."

Ming Chunxi, who was working at a top company in the industry, smiled and said, "Okay."

They drove to the orchard, where the staff on duty had already been notified. Hearing their car, they came to open the door and warmly said, "Boss, there's a swarm of wild bees in the blueberry field. Be careful when you go over, and don't get stung."

Qing Mengzhu in surprise, "Wild bees? When did this happen?"