Zhou Linong could no longer hear what Yun Duo was saying. His mind was filled with thoughts of wild rice, wild rice, and infertile wild rice.

The idea of ​​using wild sterile rice plants to cultivate hybrid rice was proposed two years ago, and although it hasn't been successful yet, Zhou Linong believes it's a viable approach. His return to China this time also aims to research related topics. However, the timing isn't ideal. China's scientific research capabilities are not what they were when he was in Germany. The so-called agricultural research institutes in China today are, frankly, just makeshift organizations; without the right time, many things can't be implemented. This is one of the reasons he's still working as Yun Duo's 'tutor'.

but!

In a place where high-yield rice definitely grows, there is a puddle where wild rice grows! He believes that there is at least a 70% chance that he can find the sterile plant he wants in that 'wild rice'.

This news was nothing short of a shot in the arm for Zhou Linong.

"Gu Yunduo, thank you for bringing the message to the teacher. The teacher is busy with some things these days. You are a smart child, can you study on your own for a few days?"

"Oh no, your teacher should suggest to your father that he hire one or more suitable tutors for you. Your teacher may be busy in the coming days. You can come to your teacher when you have free time. We can exchange and discuss knowledge about agricultural technology, but the daily study should still be left to other tutors."

"Huh?" Yun Duo looked at Zhou Linong with feigned confusion, and said somewhat 'uneasily', "Teacher, are you busy? Or... did I ask too many questions and make you feel a little annoyed... Teacher, I will try to ask fewer questions in the future, okay? Can you continue to teach me?"

"Silly child, your teacher will always be your teacher, and of course I will continue to teach you. As I just said, you can come to see me anytime, and we can discuss and exchange ideas together. It's just that I don't have the energy to keep track of your daily studies anymore. Because going forward, I may need to devote more energy to my research project..."

"Oh, that's why I want to thank you. You're a wonderful child. You've been a great help to me. Without you, I would have been completely stuck on my research project."

"Of course, it's not certain yet. We'll have to wait until the teacher comes back to discuss it." Because he was so eager, Zhou Linong spoke very quickly. At the end, he looked at Yun Duo and asked in a pleading tone, "Yun Duo, can I ask you to promise me one, oh, no, two things?"

Yun Duo nodded blankly: "Teacher, you can just tell me what you need. I will do my best to help you with anything I can."

“Okay.” Zhou Linong nodded and looked at Yun Duo, saying, “Could you draw a simple sketch for me and tell me the exact location of the puddle with wild rice that you mentioned?” Actually, Zhou Linong really wanted to take Yun Duo to the ‘home in the countryside’ that Yun Duo mentioned, but thinking of how much Yun Duo’s mother, Zhou Huiyu, cared for her, he gave up on that idea and instead asked Yun Duo to draw a sketch for him so that he could find it more easily.