Chapter 204

Ming Chunxi: "It's on the heavier side, probably because of the different watering methods."

The tea trees in their backyard are usually watered with Spirit Spring Water and fermented fertilizer. Qing Mengzhu also uses any good things that promote plant growth on the tea trees in the backyard, so it's normal that the tea trees in the backyard are extraordinary.

The tea plants here are doing quite well, given that they're watered with ordinary water and fertilizer.

Qing Mengzhu picked another leaf and was about to put it under her nose to smell it.

The Guard and Dharma Protector who had been waiting on the side could no longer resist. The Dharma Protector pawed at Qing Mengzhu's wrist and made a "whimpering" sound from his nose, indicating that he wanted to let it smell him too.

Qing Mengzhu: "Why are you curious about everything? Fine, fine, you can smell it."

The Dharma Protector not only smelled it, but also put it in his mouth.

The Guard nearby also took a sniff, grinning as they did so, clearly enjoying the smell.

Qing Mengzhu let them smell the tea leaves, then took them back, afraid they would try to bite them.

"Boss--"

Upon hearing Zhou Minyue's voice, Qing Mengzhu and Ming Chunxi turned around to look.

Zhou Minyue, wearing sun-protective gloves and a face mask, was seen rushing over, panting.

Qing Mengzhu looked up at the sky. "Do we need to wear sunscreen even on cloudy or rainy days?"

Zhou Minyue: "Yes, there's still UV radiation. I tan very easily, and my skin ages very quickly, so it's better to take precautions."

As she spoke, Zhou Minyue took off her hat and mask, and smiled, "Welcome, bosses, to come and inspect! How's my tea cultivation going? I haven't let you down, have I?"

Qing Mengzhu smiled and said, "They're growing very well. Thank you for your hard work these past few days."

Zhou Minyue shook her head. "It's not hard work, this is my job, and I really enjoy doing it!"

Qing Mengzhu looked into her bright eyes. "I'll give you a raise this month, a one-level increase in salary."

Zhou Minyue immediately clenched her fist, bowed to them, and said very loudly, "Thank you, bosses!"

Qing Mengzhu didn't expect that she would become much more lively and even a bit funny after coming here. It seems that the natural environment is indeed more relaxing.

Qing Mengzhu pondered for a moment, then asked tactfully, "I have some experience in growing tea; would you like me to share it with you?"

Zhou Minyue quickly took out her phone. "Okay! I'll write it down in my notes!"

Qing Mengzhu explained the precautions for planting tea to Zhou Minyue, starting from the basics and gradually delving into more advanced topics. She shared her own insights and pointed out the shortcomings in Zhou Minyue's planting methods.

It was clear that Zhou Minyue genuinely enjoyed this; she showed no impatience whatsoever, listened attentively throughout, asked numerous questions, and discussed some cutting-edge tea tree cultivation methods with Qing Mengzhu.

Ming Chunxi, holding the hands of the Dharma Protector and the Guard, listened attentively the entire time.

It was almost 1 p. m. by the time they finished talking.

Yi Yanbai came over and invited them to his home for dinner.

Zhou Minyue accepted the invitation and went without hesitation.

Yi Yanbai's parents had already prepared the meal, and as soon as they saw them, they warmly invited them to eat.

The food in the mountains had a unique flavor, Qing Mengzhu quite liked it. He looked at Ming Chunxi, Ming Chunxi clearly liked it too.

Even the Dharma Protector and his Guard wagged their tails incessantly while eating the chicken soup rice that Chen Meimei had specially prepared, clearly enjoying the family's food.

After dinner, Qing Mengzhu and the others, led by Yi Ousheng, went up the mountain to pick mushrooms. They picked a bunch of mushrooms and a few early-ripening akebia quinata before returning home.

Qing Mengzhu brought Ming Chunxi to inspect Zhaiqian Village. They were very satisfied with the work of Yi Yanbai and Zhou Minyue and gave them both a raise.

When the message reached Zhao Hexi had no objections. "It's true that they work hard in the mountains, and adjusting their wages now will be more acceptable to everyone. I'll adjust their wages next week."

Qing Mengzhu: "Then let's treat everyone the same. From now on, employees working in remote areas will all have their salaries adjusted at this rate."

Zhao Hexi: "Okay, we've been making a lot of money lately anyway, so let's give everyone a bigger paycheck to boost their morale and make even more money in the second half of the year."

Qing Mengzhu smiled and said, "This year's revenue has already exceeded our expectations. Let's just let things take their course and not put so much pressure on ourselves."

Zhao Hexi: "There's no pressure. As we grow more and more crops, we'll definitely earn more and more money."

Zhao Hexi chuckled twice, then remembered something else. "Oh right, Old Xu brought me a bag of oranges today. They tasted pretty sweet; they can be added to the members' vegetable packs now."

Qing Mengzhu in surprise, "Oranges from the orchard?"

He almost had his teeth hurt from the sourness of oranges a while ago, but now they're sweet?

Zhao Hexi: "Yeah, it rained a couple of days ago, and the wind knocked a lot of oranges off the trees. Old Xu couldn't bear to see them fall, so he picked them all up and brought me a big bag today. I even shared some with everyone. Anyway, we're just eating them ourselves, so we don't really care about how they look."

Qing Mengzhu: "Is it already starting to sweeten? I'll go get some later, let's try some."

Zhao Hexi: "It's not only sweet, but also fragrant, with a unique orange flavor. I can't quite describe it, you'll know once you try it. Don't come any closer, I'll take it to you."

Qing Mengzhu agreed, "Okay, we're heading back from Zhaiqian Village. See you at my house later."

Zhao Hexi: "Then I'll be a little later, let's meet at your place."

Chapter 204

In the evening, everyone sat at Qing Mengzhu's house eating oranges.

As the orange peel is removed, the oil inside splatters out, forming a mist in the air that dissipates into the evening breeze.

Soon, the whole yard was filled with the fresh scent of orange peels.

Qing Mengzhu took a deep breath. "It smells quite nice."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hexi's eyes lit up immediately. "How about developing an orange-scented incense? Our bamboo shoot incense has always sold very well."

Qing Mengzhu glanced at the plump oranges in her hand. "That's a bit difficult. We still need to eat the oranges. If we use them all for incense, we won't be able to eat them."

Zhou Yan peeled a piece of orange peel, held it to his nose, and smelled it. "Making incense is not as good as making dried tangerine peel. The dried tangerine peel made from this batch of orange peels should be quite good, and the ripeness is just right."

These oranges weren't picked from the trees, but rather knocked down by the wind and rain on a rainy day. Most of the orange peels are still green, which should be perfect for making dried tangerine peel.

If you wait any longer, until the oranges are fully ripe and the peels turn yellow, they won't be as suitable for making dried tangerine peel.

Qing Mengzhu sniffed the orange peel, about to say something, when Ming Chunxi offered him a segment of orange with the pith removed.

He opened his mouth, caught it, and bit it with his teeth.

Instantly, the juice bursts in your mouth, the fruit pieces are very noticeable, and it tastes full and even a little crisp.

It has a very unique taste.

Qing Mengzhu looked surprised, wanting to savor the texture of the fruit, but was then captivated by the taste of the orange.

The oranges aren't fully ripe yet; they taste sweet and sour right now, very refreshing, a different flavor from purely sweet oranges.

Qing Mengzhu was amazed. These were indeed "Fine Grade" quality oranges. Even though they were only 80% ripe, they tasted delicious. When they were fully ripe, they would definitely be sweet and juicy.

Seeing Qing Mengzhu's expression, Ming Chunxi fed him another segment of orange.

Qing Mengzhu caught it and ate it, then Ming Chunxi fed it to him again, and he ate it again.

After repeating it a few times, Qing Mengzhu finally realized what was going on and moved closer to Ming Chunxi: "Don't you like sour oranges?"

Ming Chunxi's eyes curved into a smile as she placed a segment of orange to Qing Mengzhu's lips.

Qing Mengzhu understood, opened her mouth, grabbed the orange, and ate it. She then handed the orange in her hand to Ming Chunxi, saying, "You peel off the white pith for me."

Ming Chunxi took it and sat down to patiently peel off the orange pith for him. While feeding him, she also fed the four little guys at his feet, so that he wouldn't get a sour toothache from eating too many oranges.

Oranges are rich in vitamins, and dogs, red foxes, and otters can eat them, just don't eat too many.