Chapter 179

He earned quite a bit this month.

Logically speaking, Qing Mengzhu should have no complaints, but looking at the half-dead Tuan Brassica in the yard, he still felt very upset.

His ominous premonition came true; the metallic scent of the Tuan Brassica flowers intensified, and the plant gradually began to decline.

The leaves are now starting to wither, and the flowers are limp and falling off for no apparent reason; they seem to have no intention of producing seeds at all.

Qing Mengzhu felt a chill in her heart and asked Ming Chunxi, "Could this Tuan Brassica really have died while it was being planted?"

Ming Chunxi: "It shouldn't be that fast. Its leaves and stems are still green; it can last for a while longer."

Qing Mengzhu looked at Tuan Brassica: "It will still die after a while. Its condition is really too bad. The little seed pod that finally formed yesterday also fell off."

Ming Chunxi was at a loss. "The harmful substances in the soil should have decreased."

"That's true," Qing Mengzhu, looking at the soil in the earthenware jar. "This soil should now be considered high-quality soil. The harmful substances have been basically removed, and its physical and chemical properties and fertility are quite good."

At this point, Qing Mengzhu sighed, "The Tuan Brassica is truly amazing; just one Tuan Brassica can improve the soil to this extent."

Ming Chunxi: "How about we buy another batch of seeds? Although Tuan Brassica seeds are expensive, we can afford them now."

Qing Mengzhu shook her head. "If we keep buying seeds from the Interstellar Mall, we might as well just buy Soil Fertility Restoration Agent. They're actually cheaper."

That makes sense. Ming Chunxi didn't try to persuade him any further, and helped him up. "Let's observe it some more. Maybe it will produce seeds on its own after a while."

Although Qing Mengzhu felt the possibility was slim, she didn't want to be discouraged. "Let's hope so."

Qing Mengzhu has been in a bad mood these past few days, and everyone around her has noticed.

With Ming Chunxi's back to him, Zhao Hexi quietly asked, "What's wrong with you these past few days? Did you and Chunxi have a fight?"

Qing Mengzhu: "No."

Zhao Hexi: "Why are you making that face if you didn't have a fight? I thought you two had a fight; I haven't dared to breathe loudly these past few days."

Fearing he might make wild guesses, Qing Mengzhu said directly, "It's that Tuan Brassica in our yard; it's almost dead."

Zhao Hexi asked in surprise, "You actually grow dead vegetables?"

Qing Mengzhu couldn't help but retort, "It's not a dish."

Zhao Hexi: "It's just mustard greens. You can't just change its name because it's inedible."

Okay, you can call it mustard greens if you want, since mustard greens are also in the Brassica genus.

Qing Mengzhu was too lazy to argue and waved her hand, "You're busy, I'll be fine in a couple of days."

Zhao Hexi: "It's really not that serious. It's just a mustard green. You can just plant a new one. If you don't have the space, I'll ask Auntie Feng to move a plot of land from the company's plot for you."

Qing Mengzhu: "I appreciate your kindness, but I'll take care of myself for a while."

As she spoke, Qing Mengzhu couldn't help but explain, "That's a mutated vegetable. It has a certain adsorption effect on pollutants, especially heavy metal pollutants. The fact that it died means we can't get its seeds smoothly, and we can't promote it on a large scale."

Zhao Hexi's expression turned serious. "I remember this vegetable, like mustard greens, will sprout flower stalks and produce seeds, right?"

Qing Mengzhu: "Yes, its flowers have already bloomed, but the problem now is that the flowers wither as soon as they bloom, without even having time to produce seeds."

Zhao Hexi: "Is it because it accumulates too many pollutants, causing it to miscarry as soon as it sets seeds?"

Miscarriage? Qing Mengzhu suddenly looked up at Zhao Hexi: "You're right."

Zhao Hexi felt uneasy under that gaze. "Is... is that so?"

Qing Mengzhu paced back and forth in the courtyard. "Yes! It must be because there are too many pollutants, preventing it from forming seeds. I'll think of a solution."

Zhao Hexi: "What method? Have you thought of one?"

Qing Mengzhu: "Grafting! I'll go to the company's field later and dig up a few mustard greens; I'll try grafting them."

With that, Qing Mengzhu picked up her hoe and headed to the field.

Zhao Hexi chased after him, saying, "Why don't you just take that mustard green from your yard and graft it into the field? That way you won't damage the roots when you dig it up and reduce its vitality."

Qing Mengzhu: "I won't feel at ease if I don't keep an eye on things! What if the goose accidentally pecks at me?!"

Zhao Hexi shook her head, wanting to say something more, Qing Mengzhu had already run far away.

Qing Mengzhu took a vegetable basket, went to the field and dug up five large and plump mustard greens in one go. She took them home and replanted them in a large earthenware jar with soil.

Then, he took a sterilized blade and carefully cut off the shoots of the Tuan Brassica, grafting them onto the mustard greens he had dug up.

After grafting, Qing Mengzhu took a picture and showed it to Ming Chunxi, explaining the whole story. She then added, "[I just grafted three rapeseed shoots; this should be fine now.]"

Ming Chunxi: [How many days will it take for it to survive?]

Qing Mengzhu: [If there are no unforeseen circumstances, it should heal and survive in 7 to 10 days. After surviving, the flower will continue to grow and then produce new seeds.]

Before Ming Chunxi reply, Qing Mengzhu sent another message: [I just searched on the Interstellar Mall and saw pictures of Tuan Brassica *. It seems to produce a lot of seeds. If all goes well, we should be able to harvest hundreds or even thousands of seeds in a while!]

Ming Chunxi could imagine the man's beaming face as he approached, a smile playing on her lips, "[Great, we have to celebrate tonight.]"

Qing Mengzhu: [Celebration! Let's go to the movies today? We can eat out afterwards. I'll come find you.]

Ming Chunxi: [Okay, I'll buy the movie tickets first.]

The problem of Tuan Brassica's death, which had troubled Qing Mengzhu for some time, was temporarily resolved, and his mood immediately improved.

He had a premonition that most people in the Interstellar Mall also used this method of grafting the scapes of Tuan Brassica onto pollution-free vegetables of the same family for breeding; otherwise, Brassica rapa, which absorbs a large amount of pollutants, would not produce healthy seeds at all.

Qing Mengzhu even sent Zhao Hexi a red envelope to thank him for the inspiration he brought.

Zhao Hexi didn't understand why he suddenly sent a red envelope, but that didn't stop her from accepting it instantly: [A red envelope for Mustard Greens? Are you feeling better now?]

Qing Mengzhu: [Much better. By the way, I'm going out on a date with Chunxi tonight, so don't look for me.]

Zhao Hexi: [Why did I contact you for no reason?]

After sending that message, Zhao Hexi suddenly remembered: [Wait, I really have something important to do, don't run away yet.]

Qing Mengzhu: [?]

Zhao Hexi: [Di Xing is back in China. He said he wants to talk to you about chili peppers. When are you free?]

Last year, Qing Mengzhu signed a chili pepper purchase contract with Di Xing, agreeing that all of last year's chili peppers would be purchased by Di Xing.

According to general practice, chili pepper production decreases and the plants age during the winter, so farmers will cut down the old chili pepper seedlings in winter and plant new ones the following year.

The chili peppers from the Qing Mengzhu family don't follow the usual pattern at all. Their peak season lasted from July last year to the end of May this year, and it looks like they could have another six months of peak production.

As a result, last year's contract is no longer applicable, and they verbally agreed to find a new way to trade this year's chili peppers.

Previously, Di Xing was abroad and it was inconvenient to discuss the matter. Coincidentally, he needed fewer chilies in the winter and spring, Qing Mengzhu hadn't shipped many, so the matter was put on hold.

Now that summer is here, we really need to have a serious talk about this.

Qing Mengzhu checked her phone's calendar and replied: [Ask Brother Di Xing if he's free next week? Monday to Friday is fine, I'm going out with Chunxi this weekend.]

Zhao Hexi sent an "OK" emoji: [Got it, I'll have my secretary coordinate with them.]

Chapter 179

Qing Mengzhu hadn't seen Di Xing for a long time, and when she saw him again, he seemed the same as he had been last year.

When Di Xing saw Qing Mengzhu, he felt that he was very different from the one he remembered. He was much more dazzling than before. Not only was he good-looking, but he also had something else about him.