Chapter 14 Sweet Counterattack
# Chapter 14 Sweet Counterattack
At first light, Chen Wang was already squatting by the tomato field, shovel in hand. After yesterday's treatment, the old "Star Pattern" tomato variety had regained its vibrant red color. Most surprising, the edges of the newly emerged leaves were rimmed with a faint golden rim. The old accountant explained that this was a sign of health, a stress response after the crop had survived the disease, and that the fruit would only be sweeter in the future.
"This golden edge looks so vibrant, like it's inlaid with a layer of shimmer." Lin Xiaoman approached, carrying a bamboo basket filled with freshly picked mint, its leaves still wet with dew. As she knelt, her hair gently brushed across the tomato vines, careful not to damage the new leaves. "Grandpa mentioned in his notes that old varieties are very resilient. If they're rescued in time, they'll actually grow stronger after recovery."
Just as Chen Wang was about to respond, he heard the thump of a tricycle coming from the other side of the field. Uncle Li was riding up with the bag of problematic organic fertilizer in the bucket. He called out from a distance, "Xiao Wang, Xiao Man! Someone from the town market supervision office is here. They want to investigate this fertilizer incident and are asking if we have any evidence of harm!"
The two hurried to the village entrance and saw several uniformed staff members standing under the old locust tree in the distance. Grandma Zhang was holding up her phone to show them photos: "This is what the tomatoes looked like when they wilted a few days ago. Thanks to us using leaf mold and honey water to save them, otherwise the whole season's harvest would have been ruined!"
"We've tested it, and it does contain herbicide residue, making it an unqualified product," the staff member said, handing over the test report. "The vendor has admitted to violating regulations and is willing to compensate us for our losses. They will also accept administrative penalties in the future."
Uncle Li clutched the report, his voice rising with excitement. "Great! That shady businessman finally got his comeuppance!"
Lin Xiaoman gently tugged at the staff member's sleeve and said in a soft, cautious voice, "Could you please put up a notice in town to remind other farmers not to buy this fertilizer anymore, so that we don't suffer losses."
The staff member was stunned for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "You're very thoughtful. I'll arrange it right away! By the way, your traditional crop varieties are well-grown, additive-free, and high-quality. We can help you obtain green food certification. In the future, you can print the 'Green Agricultural Product' logo on your packaging, which will be more recognized by consumers."
Chen Wang's eyes lit up instantly, and he subconsciously moved closer to Lin Xiaoman: "Can it really be certified? Then our old varieties will be more secure in the future!"
After the staff left, the villagers gathered around. The old accountant pushed his glasses and flipped through the account book. "I think this is a good thing! We can use this certification and fertilizer issue as an opportunity to tell everyone about the benefits of our old varieties and let more people know that our fruit is naturally grown."
"Right!" Chen Wang suddenly remembered the live broadcast room. After he hastily shut it down last time, many netizens left messages asking about the old breed. "Let's start a live broadcast today to tell everyone about this incident and show everyone how well our old breed has recovered."
Lin Xiaoman nodded quickly, turned around and ran to the backyard: "I'm going to pick some fresh tomatoes and strawberries, they will look more appetizing in the camera!" As she ran, the old variety notes in the canvas bag shook. Chen Wang subconsciously reached out to support it. As his fingertips just touched the strap of the bag, he saw her pause, her ears turned red, and she quickened her pace and ran away.
As soon as the live broadcast started, comments flooded in: "Finally, we've waited for the anchor! Has the old breed been saved?" "The black-hearted merchants are so ruthless, luckily you are all fine!"
Chen Wang held up a tomato with golden edges and smiled sincerely at the camera. "Look everyone, this is our old variety of 'Star Pattern' tomato. A few days ago, it wilted due to the fertilizer. Thanks to the villagers who worked together to use leaf mold and honey to save it, it is not only alive now, but its new leaves have golden edges, and it looks strong."
Lin Xiaoman came over with a plate of strawberries. The strawberries in the plate were bright red. She whispered, "These strawberries are grown in leaf mold that has been accumulated in the old orchard for more than ten years. They are watered with well water and no chemical fertilizers are added, so you can eat them with confidence. After surviving the disease this time, the sweetness is a little higher than before. If you like it, you can try it." As she spoke, her fingertips accidentally touched the back of Chen Wang's hand, and she quickly retracted her fingertips, lowering her head to help adjust the arrangement of the strawberries.
Unexpectedly, these honest words were more effective than any promotional material. Within half an hour of the livestream, over two hundred orders had been added to the backend, and several organic food stores in the city had sent private messages seeking long-term supply. When Chen Wang turned off the livestream, he looked at the order count and couldn't help but exchange a glance with Lin Xiaoman. They both smiled—the joy in their eyes was unconcealable.
As he was speaking, the young people in the backyard exclaimed, "Come and see! The 'Honey Heart Fruit' has borne fruit!"
The two ran over to take a look. The old "Honey Heart" fruit variety they'd planted had grown to half a person's height. Hanging from the vine were tiny green fruits, shaped like two hearts pressed together, so tender they could be squeezed to extract juice. "This variety is truly special! Even the fruit is so pleasing!" Aunt Wang said with a smile, pulling out her phone to take a photo. "I'm going to post it on WeChat Moments so everyone can see our village's treasured fruit!"
Lin Xiaoman squatted down and gently touched the fruit, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "Grandpa used to say that 'Honey Heart Fruit' only tastes sweet when two fruits grow together, symbolizing unity. Now it seems to be true." She looked up at Chen Wang with soft eyes. "From now on, let's do a good job with the old variety and keep the village lively. That would be great."
Chen Wang's heart warmed. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Grandma Zhang approaching with a cloth bag. Her face was full of smiles. "I just got a call from the supermarket in town. They want to sign a long-term supply contract with us. They also want to set up a 'Qingxi Traditional Variety Counter' in the supermarket, specifically selling our tomatoes and strawberries!"
The villagers instantly became lively: the young people gathered around Chen Wang, discussing whether to organize an "old variety picking festival" to attract tourists to experience it; the aunts were planning to plant two more strawberries and make more jam before the New Year; the old accountant took out the account book and began to carefully calculate the number of new orders, the pen tip making a rustling sound on the paper.
In the backyard, the branches and leaves of the old-growth crops swayed gently in the wind. The golden edges of the tomatoes, the red of the strawberries, and the purple of the blueberries were particularly bright in the sunlight. Chen Wang quietly handed Lin Xiaoman a cup of mint tea and touched his fingertips with hers. Neither of them spoke, but they could feel the warmth in each other's hearts.
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