"What's this?"
She pointed at an inconspicuous blade of grass, her eyes sparkling.
Chen Changyuan squatted down and patiently explained, "This is Bupleurum, a good herb for reducing fever and detoxification. We've grown a lot of it at our base, and the pharmaceutical factories in the city are vying for it."
He casually picked a leaf and handed it to her, "Smell it, it tastes a little bitter, but it's very effective."
An Caicai took the leaf, sniffed it, and frowned: "It really smells a bit strange. Are you usually tired of growing these medicinal herbs?"
"Tired, for sure."
Chen Changyuan stood up and patted the dirt off his hands, his tone revealing satisfaction. "But seeing them grow from seeds into medicinal herbs that can save lives, I feel at ease. I didn't seize the opportunity in my previous life, so I must do something meaningful in this life."
An Caicai heard the deep meaning in his words, glanced at him sideways, didn't ask any further questions, and just said "hmm" softly.
The two continued to walk forward, and the atmosphere became more subtly intimate than before.
When they arrived at the medicinal materials base, An Caicai's eyes lit up instantly.
The neat rows of medicinal herbs glow green in the sunlight, and the air is filled with a faint herbal fragrance.
She walked quickly into the field, squatted down and carefully observed an astragalus plant, touching its roots lightly with her fingers, as if afraid of hurting it.
"Chen Changyuan, your base is incredible! Such a large area, and you manage it all by yourself?"
"How can that be possible?"
Chen Changyuan smiled and waved his hand, "The villagers helped a lot. The old man often came to give me instructions, saying that the land I planted was not loose enough and needed to be plowed again."
He paused, his tone growing a bit more proud, "But this astragalus is the one I personally selected last year. It's growing stronger than those in the next village."
An Caicai stood up, patted the dirt off her hands, and said seriously, "My dad always says that country people only know how to farm and have no vision. But your base, how could it be built casually? It clearly took a lot of effort."
She paused, a sly look on her face. "Tell me, do you have any secret techniques that you can teach me secretly?"
Chen Changyuan was amused by her and lowered his voice in a mysterious tone, "Secret book? That depends on your sincerity. For example, help me sell these herbs to the city, and we can split the profits 50-50, how about that?"
"Fifty-fifty split? You wish!"
An Caicai glared at him, but her tone was full of laughter. "I can only help you connect with others. You can keep the money from selling the herbs and give it to Aunt Fang."
When Fang Suxia was mentioned, Chen Changyuan's eyes softened.
He nodded and didn't say anything else. He just took An Caicai and continued to walk deeper into the base.
The two chatted as they walked, from the cultivation of medicinal herbs to market conditions. An Caicai asked seriously and Chen Changyuan answered carefully.
The sunlight shines on them through the treetops, and their shadows overlap on the ground, like a quiet painting.
After visiting the base, Chen Changyuan took An Caicai to the breeding farm.
Old Yuantou had been waiting there for a long time. When he saw An Caicai, he smiled from ear to ear: "Miss An, welcome! Our farm may be small, but the guys are all very energetic. Come, I'll show you around."
An Caicai followed Lao Yuantou into the farm and looked at the lively pheasants with curiosity.
"These pheasants look really good, the meat must be fresh!"
She turned to look at Chen Changyuan, "You said yesterday that you wanted to expand the scale. Do you have any specific plans?"
Chen Changyuan nodded and pointed to the empty space next to him: "I plan to build another shed to raise some new species. Lao Yuantou suggested raising pheasants, and I think rabbits are also good. City people love to eat game, so the market should be good."
An Caicai seemed to be lost in thought. "Wild rabbits are great, but you have to be careful with the breeding techniques. I know a few people in the restaurant business in the city, I'll ask them later and see if I can supply them directly."
She paused and added, "There are also foxes. Their fur is valuable, but they are difficult to raise. You need to find someone who knows how to teach you first."
"Wow, Miss An's brain works so fast!"
The old man clapped his hands and laughed, "Changyuan, you have to thank them very much. Once this business is launched, won't our farm's profits double?"
Chen Changyuan looked at An Caicai, his eyes filled with gratitude: "Caicai, thank you. You have helped me a lot this time."
An Caicai waved her hands and smiled shyly: "What are you thanking me for? I just moved my mouth. But you are the one who runs around and takes care of the food. Don't feed me too much."
The three of them were chatting animatedly, and before they knew it, it was noon.
Chen Changyuan brought An Caicai back home. A wooden table had already been placed in the yard, and the table was full of dishes.
The local chicken stewed with mushrooms exudes a rich aroma, the wild vegetable pancakes are golden and crispy, and there is a plate of wild fruits picked from the mountains, piled on the plate in bright red, which whets the appetite.
"Chen Changyuan, your cooking skills are good enough to open a restaurant!"
An Caicai picked up a piece of chicken and took a bite. Her eyes lit up. "This chicken soup is amazing! It's even more delicious than those made by chefs in the city."
Chen Changyuan sat across from her, and seeing her eat contentedly, his heart warmed: "If you like it, eat more. The chickens in our village are not fed with feed, they are all free-range."
He paused, his tone becoming more tentative, "Cai Cai, if you come often in the future, I'll do it for you every day."
An Caicai was stunned, her chopsticks stopped in mid-air, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
She lowered her head and took a sip of soup, hiding a smile.
"If I eat this every day, I'll become fat as a ball. Then you'll have to help me lose weight."
"I'll accompany you if you want,"
Chen Changyuan replied with a smile, but his eyes were fixed on her.
"As long as you are willing to come, I will accompany you in everything."
An Caicai was a little flustered by Chen Changyuan's fiery gaze. She lowered her head and focused on the food in the bowl, trying to hide her blushing cheeks.
She fiddled with the chicken in the bowl with chopsticks, and her heart beat faster involuntarily.
Just then, hurried footsteps were heard outside the yard, breaking the ambiguous atmosphere between the two.
"Long-term! Long-term!" The old man's voice came from outside, with a hint of anxiety in his tone.
Chen Changyuan frowned, put down his chopsticks and stood up.
"Old Yuan, what's wrong?"
Old Yuan ran into the yard panting. When he saw An Caicai there, he was stunned for a moment, but quickly turned his attention back to Chen Changyuan.
"Oh no! That brat Zhou Dazhu is causing trouble again! He brought a few people with him and said he wants to destroy our farm!"
Chen Changyuan's face darkened instantly, and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.
"He dares!"
An Caicai also stood up and looked at Chen Changyuan worriedly. "Should we call the police?"
Chen Changyuan shook his head, a cold smile curling up at the corner of his mouth. "No need, I have my own way to deal with him."
He turned to Lao Yuantou and said, "Go back first, before they really destroy the place. I'll be there soon."
Lao Yuantou nodded, turned around and was about to run out when Chen Changyuan called him.
"By the way, go call the village committee and ask them to come and take a look."
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