Chapter 96 Accumulating Strength She was never one to sit idly by and wait for death…
Xing Lin's words, "I may have to leave for a while," were like a muffled thunderclap in a clear sky, making Shi Wan's ears ring.
Her thoughts, which were focused on harvesting and developing Vitality Grass, suddenly stopped, and she froze on the spot.
The excitement from last night's brief "appearance" hadn't completely subsided, and Shi Wan still had many questions she hadn't had a chance to ask Xing Lin. Was this the beginning of their separation?
She slowly turned around and looked in the direction from which the sound came.
Xinglin had reappeared in physical form, just like last night, standing a few steps away from her. His eyes, as calm as the night sky, reflected her shock and helplessness, as well as a hint of hesitation that he himself was not entirely clear about.
"Leave?" Shi Wan heard her own voice was terribly dry. "Where are you going? Why so suddenly?"
She subconsciously took a small step forward, as if that would bring her closer to him.
Over the years, she had grown accustomed to Xinglin's ever-present companionship and support.
Xinglin paused for a moment, carefully considering his words before explaining, "It wasn't sudden, it's just that the time has come. I need to deal with some lingering issues, some problems with the main system. I have to handle this time bomb."
“The main system…” Shi Wan’s heart sank suddenly, worry instantly overwhelming her disappointment. “Is it a big threat to you? Will you be in danger if you go back?”
She disliked this feeling of not being able to see the road ahead; she disliked it very much.
"The situation is unclear at the moment and we need to investigate to determine it." Xing Lin avoided giving a direct answer, but this ambiguity only made Shi Wan more uneasy.
A mix of worry and helplessness welled up inside her.
She lowered her head, staring at the leaves of the vitality grass, and asked in a muffled voice, "Will you come back?"
"Yes, as long as I'm alive, I will come back."
A brief silence followed.
Shi Wan pursed her lips tightly, her fingers unconsciously curling up.
She knew that, both publicly and privately, she had neither the right nor the ability to stop him.
She has yet to fully grasp his world.
He was unaware of the dangers and predicaments he faced, and could not even offer much help.
Xinglin looked at Shi Wan's furrowed brows and pursed lips, and added, "I have already set up automated programs for the daily operations of the farm and store. As long as you follow the procedures, there will be no problems. In case of an emergency, the subsystem I left behind will activate the highest level of alert, and I will also be aware of it."
The more meticulous his arrangements, the more bitter Shi Wan felt.
It feels like a parent about to go on a long trip, meticulously arranging everything for their child, but concealing the dangers ahead.
But Shi Wan is not someone who will just stand still, wait and worry, or need to be taken care of.
She suddenly raised her head, and the panic and helplessness in her eyes just now were quickly replaced by a clear and firm light, like a thin mist blown away by the wind.
She looked at Xinglin, her tone carrying an undeniable seriousness and urgency.
"Xinglin, tell me, is my hard work developing the farm and accumulating more energy here... helpful to your situation?"
Her eyes were intense, like two small flames burning within them. "Does a more prosperous farm, with more abundant energy, provide stronger support for you? Or, does it give you more confidence in dealing with that main system?"
She asked directly and frankly, without the slightest hesitation.
Since they cannot walk together, she will stand behind him, building the strongest support for him and accumulating as much strength as possible.
Xinglin clearly hadn't expected her to react so quickly.
He watched as she instantly broke free from her low spirits, like a sunflower quickly straightening its back in the face of wind and rain. A clear look of surprise flashed in his eyes, which then transformed into a deeper, warm appreciation.
He gazed into her vibrant and powerful eyes, and without hesitation, nodded firmly.
“Of course.” His voice was deep and clear. “The farm was created from data I extracted from my own logical data after I became a tasker. Moreover, its existence and development itself are constantly generating a unique positive life energy. This energy is an important support for me. The more I accumulate, the more beneficial it will be.”
That's enough!
That's enough!
Shi Wan felt a surge of energy instantly dispel all her sorrow and longing.
She nodded vigorously, her face regaining a bright glow, even more dazzling than before.
"Okay! I understand!" Her voice was clear and strong, carrying a "Don't worry about me" kind of spirit. "Then you can go and do your thing. I'll definitely manage the farm even better than before! There will be plenty of energy!"
She patted the cultivation tank of Vitality Grass next to her, as if checking her "ammunition" reserves, her eyes filled with eager fighting spirit. "Perfect timing! We need to deepen our cooperation with Meow Star, develop the Vitality Grass series of products, and keep the store operating to attract more customers... There's so much to do. Just wait and see! When you come back, our farm will definitely have a completely new look!"
Seeing her instantly revived and full of fighting spirit, the last trace of hesitation and solemnity in Xinglin's eyes quietly disappeared, replaced by a gentle warmth.
He slowly raised his hand and gently placed it on the top of her head again, this time the movement seemed much more natural than before.
“Okay.” He looked at her, his gaze deep and focused. “I’ll wait for you… to make the farm even better.”
This response sounded like a solemn agreement.
Shi Wan felt the reassuring warmth from his palm, nodded vigorously, and smiled as brightly as the sunlight streaming through the ceiling.
“When I’m not here,” his voice was low, above her head, carrying a strange, comforting power, “take good care of yourself, don’t overwork yourself. Eat on time and remember to rest.”
This simple and unadorned advice struck Shi Wan's heart more deeply than any flowery words.
She nodded vigorously. "Don't worry, I'm going to be your quartermaster. I'll take good care of myself. You be careful too. I'll be waiting for you to come back."
Xinglin's figure slowly began to become transparent.
"Wait for me to come back," he said finally. "When I come back, there's something I need to tell you."
"Definitely!" Shi Wan shouted confidently in the direction he had disappeared, "I'll be here waiting for you to come back!"
Silence returned to the greenhouse, but Shi Wan's sense of emptiness was now filled with renewed energy.
Instead of standing there feeling sad, she immediately turned around, strode briskly towards the office building, pulled up all the operational data of the farm and the store, and began to plan how to maximize the farm's energy.
From that day on, Shi Wan seemed to have entered "career maniac" mode, with energy so abundant that even Su Qing was astonished.
During the day, she personally greets customers at the store, patiently explaining the product stories and farm philosophy, making the brand image of Meow Meow Farm more deeply rooted in people's hearts.
She also takes time to study how to optimize the online customer service process, train newly recruited customer service staff to ensure service quality, and personally handle complex customized requests to keep the reputation growing.
Working closely with Su Qing, she pushed the production efficiency of the second district to a new level. She immersed herself in research and development, and with Vitality Grass as the core, she launched a series of high-end limited products, such as Calming Cat Nest, Tranquil Fragrance, and Mood-Soothing Snacks, which received an extremely enthusiastic market response.
At night, she no longer always collapsed on the sofa, exhausted.
Instead, they were full of energy as they reviewed the data, studied the new information from Meow Planet, and planned the next steps for crop trials and product exchanges with Meow Planet.
She even began to teach herself some knowledge about energy management and ecological cycles. Although she didn't understand many parts, it didn't matter. She had the database left by Xing Lin and, with her indomitable spirit, she persevered and tackled the massive tomes.
Tangyuan seemed to be influenced by her, and worked even harder in supervising the work. Occasionally, she would place a flower that she had bitten off from somewhere in front of her computer, as if to cheer her on.
Orange Baby's rehabilitation is progressing rapidly; he can already run around the main room chasing toys while wearing a brace.
The entire farm, from every blade of grass to every cat, seems to be enveloped in a positive and thriving atmosphere.
Shi Wan could occasionally sense that as the farm's business expanded, its reputation grew, its cooperation with Meow Star deepened, and customer feedback filled with goodwill and affection gathered, the invisible, warm, and powerful energy field surrounding the farm was indeed becoming more solid and abundant day by day.
She would occasionally stop to feel the vitality surging across this land, and silently say in her heart, "Xinglin, can you feel it? We are working hard."
That day, she was checking the latest breeding data of Cat Planet Vitality Grass, preparing to start developing customized products to meet the special needs of Cat Planet, when the system interface next to her, which was open to facilitate her communication with Cat Planet, suddenly flashed and then a very brief unknown message popped up, containing only two words.
"well."
It was unsigned, but it made Shi Wan's heart skip a beat.
It's a star descending!
He's returned with the message!
He's alright!
Although it was only two short words, it felt like a reassurance to her.
She looked at those two words, checking them several times, and finally couldn't help but smile, revealing a genuinely relaxed smile.
She replied quickly, "Received. Everything is fine at the farm. We're waiting for you to come back."
The message was sent but disappeared without a trace, and no reply was ever received.
But Shi Wan knew that he must have received it.
That's enough.
She closed the window and turned her attention back to the research and development plan for Vitality Grass, her eyes regaining their firmness and brightness.
Although the wait is agonizing, knowing that the person far away is well gives me hope.
The farm's cats frolic in the sun, customers leave the store with satisfied smiles, new products are being developed, and everything is moving in a better direction.
Although Xinglin did not send any more messages after that, Shi Wan was not anxious or frustrated.
She believed he was somewhere, working hard to return safely.
The future is long, and they are all working hard for a better reunion.
Waiting can also be a form of accumulation and growth.
She looked forward to the day they would meet again, when she would proudly show him that everything she had done had been a success.
When they stand side by side again in the future, they will surely usher in an even broader horizon.
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