After the initial shock came unprecedented caution.
He immediately ordered that the matter be classified as top interstellar secret, and that all those who knew about it sign a lifelong confidentiality agreement.
Then he took a deep breath and personally dialed Mo Chen's private contact number.
This time, his tone was no longer urging or blaming, but rather unusually solemn, even carrying a hint of... barely perceptible flattery.
*
Mo Chen hung up the call with his father and walked towards the backyard with a complicated expression.
The afterglow of the setting sun outlined Zixi's busy figure with a warm golden edge as she hummed an off-key tune and covered the newly transplanted blueberry bushes with moisturizing hay.
"Xiao Xi".
He called out, his voice lower than usual.
"Have you finished the phone call? Your father didn't urge you to go back, did he?"
Zi Xi turned around at the sound, her face still flushed from her work and with a relaxed smile.
"Yes, he received those samples."
Mo Chen walked to her side and carefully considered his words.
"oh?"
"How's it? How's the taste? Let me tell you, I carefully selected those tomatoes. They're juicy and have a sandy texture; they're absolutely delicious even eaten raw!"
Zi Xi's eyes lit up with anticipation; she was clearly more concerned about the diners' reviews.
"The taste is fantastic! However, the test results from the research institute are in."
Seeing her genuine pride in her own hard work, Mo Chen felt a little less heavy-hearted and couldn't help but chuckle.
He tried to use a calm tone to simply relay his father's shocked reaction and the miraculous conclusions of the research institute's report to Zixi.
He didn't exaggerate, but he also didn't hide the immense value and potential impact of these ingredients.
Zi Xi initially widened her eyes in surprise, but then a smug smile, a mixture of knowing it was true and feeling proud, slowly bloomed on her face.
"I knew that what I grew would be the best in the entire galaxy!"
She was so excited she almost jumped up, and patted the tomato plant's support trellis next to her as if she were patting a proud child.
"Therefore, my father, representing the Star Alliance, hopes to formally cooperate with you and allow the Research Institute and the Chefs Association to send expert teams to conduct research on your backyard under certain conditions."
"Of course, all of this is based on your wishes, and you will be given appropriate respect, protection, and compensation."
"Are you willing?"
Mo Chen looked into her bright eyes and asked earnestly.
He asked the question somewhat cautiously, afraid that this sudden official attention would disrupt her peaceful life.
"Sure! No problem!"
"Such a good thing shouldn't be kept to myself! If it can help more people, that would be great!"
Zi Xi nodded decisively with a wave of her hand, almost without any hesitation.
"And with official recognition, does that mean I have a powerful backer now? Let's see who dares to mess with my backyard!"
Zi Xi stood with her hands on her hips, looking at her thriving farm, and winked at Mo Chen with a triumphant air.
Her quick agreement and her simple, pure reason warmed Mo Chen's heart.
"Don't worry, Xiaoxi, with me here, I will never let anyone force you to do anything you don't want to do!"
"You can set all the terms of the cooperation."
He looked at her and made a solemn promise.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
