Chapter 144 Since the soft approach doesn't work, let's try the hard one!

These words gave Gu Nanxing boundless courage and confidence.

She nodded emphatically, straightened her back, and a fierce flame ignited in her eyes.

"Yes, sir! Mission accomplished!"

Under the professional and decisive command of the newly appointed "Director Gu," the military spouses immediately sprang into action, some digging ditches, some spreading ash, and some preparing medicine, thus launching a vigorous battle to save the seedlings.

A few days later.

A miracle happened.

The ginseng seedlings that were on the verge of death were miraculously revived after Gu Nanxing's scientific treatment, and new tender green shoots sprouted anew.

The experimental field has once again come alive with vitality.

Gu Nanxing became famous overnight because of this, and now the military wives in the family compound all respectfully call her "Director Gu" when they see her.

That day, while Gu Nanxing was organizing the growth records of the experimental field, he suddenly grabbed a notebook and excitedly ran to find Su Yue.

"Sister-in-law, look at this!"

She opened the notebook, inside which was a flattened and dried plant specimen.

It was a slender vine with small leaves that had a strange dark red color.

"This is what I found at the base of this batch of astragalus seedlings. It's a parasitic vine. I've looked up many plant illustrations, but I still don't know what it's called."

Gu Nanxing pointed to the specimen, then flipped to the records at the back, his brows furrowing slightly.

"But strangely, I did a comparative observation and found that wherever these parasitic vines grow, the growth rate of astragalus is significantly slower than that of other plants. However, it seems to have no effect on the goji berries and honeysuckle planted next to it."

Su Yue took the notebook and her gaze fell on the inconspicuous dark red vine.

Her breath caught in her throat for a moment.

This specific parasitic relationship...

This targeted growth inhibition effect...

A brilliant idea flashed in her mind!

Isn't this the prototype of the bio-targeting technology used in the 22nd century to selectively eliminate harmful plants?!

......

Beijing City.

In an elegantly decorated room, Zhang Sisi was facing the mirror on her dressing table.

The person in the mirror was so thin he was unrecognizable, with sunken cheeks and rough, sallow skin from long hours of labor.

But those eyes were completely different from before.

Gone was the arrogance and foolishness of the past; only a refined venom remained, like two snakes lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment and deliver a fatal blow.

She was "rescued" from the farm.

It was only through her mother selling her last few pieces of jewelry and using her connections that she was able to escape from that horrible place.

But this is not liberation.

Back in Beijing, she realized she had become a complete joke.

Those "good sisters" who used to fawn over her now avoid her whenever they see her, pointing fingers and saying the most hurtful things behind her back.

And the one who started all of this is Su Yue!

If it weren't for Su Yue, how could she have gone to the island? If it weren't for Su Yue, how could she have been sent to the farm? If it weren't for Su Yue, how could she have fallen from grace and suffered such humiliation!

Zhang Sisi dug her fingers into her palm, the sharp pain intensifying the hatred in her eyes.

Su Yue!

You wait!

I will make you pay back a thousand times over for all the pain and humiliation I have suffered!

I'll ruin your reputation and make you wish you were dead!

Just then, the faint sounds of laughter and conversation between my mother and several ladies could be heard coming from the living room.

As if possessed, Zhang Sisi quietly stepped behind the door.

"...Have you heard? Gu Beixiao, the second young master of a collateral branch of the Gu family, has returned from abroad!" a voice said excitedly.

"Which Gu Beixiao? Oh, is that troublemaker who caused such a ruckus because he refused to accept an arranged marriage with his family for a country woman?"

"That's right! His family is having a terrible time right now, and they're asking everyone they know to introduce him to potential partners. They just want to find someone to tie him down as soon as possible!"

"That's the Gu family! Even though they're a collateral branch, they're still incredibly wealthy. Whoever marries into that family..."

Zhang Sisi, who was behind the door, suddenly brightened up.

Family-oriented?

Gu Beixiao?

Gu Beichen's cousin?

A vicious and insane plan quickly took shape in her mind.

She straightened her clothes, took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and went out.

The laughter and conversation in the living room stopped abruptly, and the expressions of the several ladies who saw her became somewhat unnatural.

Zhang Sisi didn't look at them, but went straight to her mother, Madam Zhang, and knelt down with a thud, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Mom! I was wrong! I really know I was wrong!"

She was crying so hard, her shoulders were shaking, and she looked extremely pitiful.

“During my time on the farm, I thought a lot. It was all because I was too willful and immature before that I caused so much trouble for my family. Mom, I'm so sorry!”

Mrs. Zhang felt both heartache and helplessness looking at her daughter's condition.

"You...you've really figured it out?"

"I've figured it out!" Zhang Sisi raised her head, tears streaming down her face, but her eyes were unusually firm. "Mom, I want to get married, I want to live a good life, I want to make our family proud!"

She paused for a moment, then spoke cautiously.

"Mom, I just... overheard you talking about the Gu family. That Gu Beixiao... isn't he going on a blind date right now?"

Mrs. Zhang was taken aback: "What do you want to do?"

"mom!"

Zhang Sisi crawled over, grabbed her mother's hand, and spoke in a seductive tone.

"Think about it! That's the Gu family! Gu Beichen's cousin! If I could marry him, what would Su Yue be? Wouldn't she have to respectfully call me sister-in-law when she sees me?"

"Besides, once we've established a connection with the Gu family, do you think we can't restore our family's former glory? Those who looked down on us will all have to fawn over us!"

These words struck right at Mrs. Zhang's weak spot.

Yes, bringing down Su Yue and revitalizing the Zhang family is what she dreams of most right now.

Seeing the ambition gleaming in her daughter's eyes, Madam Zhang was completely persuaded.

She gritted her teeth and said, "Fine! Even if I have to sell everything I own, I'll pave this road for you!"

With remarkable initiative, Madam Zhang quickly mobilized all her connections and went to great lengths to arrange a "chance" blind date between Zhang Sisi and Gu Beixiao.

The location is one of the most upscale Western restaurants in Beijing.

Zhang Sisi changed into a pure white dress and wore light makeup, making her look pure and innocent, like a white lotus flower untouched by the world.

She sat quietly by the window, holding a book in her hands, her posture elegant, but her eyes kept glancing towards the door.

Soon, a tall and imposing figure appeared at the restaurant entrance.

The man was wearing a well-tailored suit, without a tie, and the top two buttons of his collar were casually undone, revealing his wheat-colored skin.