Chapter Seventy-Six: Thick-skinned and impenetrable
"Okay, I'll take you with me next time we go up the mountain." Lin Baozhu's lips curled up slightly.
“Alright!” Yu Jiangli’s eyes shone like stars. “You can’t catch a wolf without risking your cub! I’ll be the bait, and if we join forces, even headhunters can catch tigers without any problem.”
"Don't worry, I've got your back, I'll keep you safe."
"Is it a deal?"
It's a deal.
Looking at her daughter's bright and cheerful smile, Lin's mother felt as sweet as if she had drunk honey. This was her beloved daughter, whom she had raised from infancy, and in the blink of an eye, she had grown up to be so big and beautiful. She felt a great sense of accomplishment.
As soon as the three stepped into the house, they saw Lin Sanlang chopping wood in the yard, shirtless. His muscular, tall figure exuded a strong sense of power.
Lin Sanlang seemed surprised that Lin Baozhu and the others had brought Yu Jiangli home. His face flushed, and he hurriedly and awkwardly put on the vest that was draped over his shoulders...
Yu Jiangli glanced at it and quickly turned her face away, but the image of Lin Sanlang's powerful physique and long, straight legs remained in her mind.
In the courtyard, a little girl of about eleven or twelve years old, dressed in coarse old clothes, was deftly carrying up the chopped firewood and stacking it neatly against the wall.
The little girl is very pretty, especially her eyes, which are bright and sparkling. However, her face is a bit sallow, clearly indicating malnutrition. If she were raised to have fair and delicate skin, she would be incredibly beautiful.
This girl is named Qin Erni, Qin Haifeng's younger sister. She is a junior high school student in the county and looks very well-behaved.
Qin Haifeng himself was sitting on a small stool to the side. A slice of red-fleshed watermelon was laid out on a small square table, and he was engrossed in reading a book called "Principles of Machine Manufacturing".
Seeing them return, Qin Haifeng put down his book, picked up the juiciest slice of watermelon, and handed it to Lin Baozhu: "You're back? This watermelon from Jingshuipai is very sweet." His tone was... unusually warm and friendly?
Lin Baozhu's gaze slowly swept over his well-defined fingers, followed his strong forearm upwards, and finally settled on his face, which held a slightly ingratiating smile. She raised an eyebrow slightly—in just a short while, how did this man, who usually acted like a "celibate tycoon," suddenly change his personality? How did he become such a "sweet and salty puppy"?
Lin Baozhu took the watermelon, leaned closer to Qin Haifeng, and asked in a low voice with a smile, "Qin Haifeng, you little rascal... have you been doing something bad behind my back?"
Her question made Qin Haifeng even more guilty, and he didn't dare to look up: "Someone like me... what can I do? Don't overthink it." His voice was clearly weak.
Lin Baozhu raised an eyebrow, didn't ask any further questions, turned around and picked up a slice of juicy watermelon from the table, handing it to Yu Jiangli next to her: "Here, have a taste, it's a big watermelon from town."
Yu Jiangli didn't stand on ceremony, reached out and took it, took a bite, and her eyes lit up...
This watermelon is sweeter than any other variety she's ever eaten in the south, and you can tell from the seeds that it's definitely not small.
Thinking of this, she moved closer to Lin Baozhu, held out the watermelon seeds she had spat out in her palm, and said, “Baozhu, these watermelon seeds can be grown from seedlings. I know you’re working on greenhouses. My grandfather works at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences. In recent years, in addition to researching grains, he has also been researching some high-yield fruits. If we can grow these watermelons and make some improvements, I believe it will definitely cause a sensation at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences. I guarantee you’ll win so many awards that you won’t know what to do with them.”
Seeing the other person's nervous yet ingratiating demeanor, Lin Baozhu led her directly into her room...
"This is……"
"I have watermelon and strawberry seedlings that I plan to grow in a greenhouse."
Yu Jiangli stared wide-eyed at the tiny seedlings that had already sprouted from the bamboo shoots; these seedlings looked very energetic!
“Baozhu, can I help you when I’m not busy? I’ve been working at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences with my grandfather since I was a child, so maybe I can be of help to you.”
"That's great! I was just worried about not knowing how to plant. But there's no work point for helping out. However, if you can prove your ability, maybe the brigade leader will be happy to give you work points when you help out in the winter."
"I don't care about centimeters or anything like that, but I'm here to change the countryside. It would be great if I could do something for the rural areas to improve their living conditions!"
At least after she proves her abilities, the captain will think highly of her. At that time, who among those scoundrels would dare to mess with her?
Lin Baozhu never expected that giving her a slice of watermelon would bring her such a powerful ally.
Just then, a loud "sizzle" erupted from the kitchen! Immediately afterwards, an extremely rich and domineering aroma of meat, mixed with the unique crisp and sour taste of pickled cabbage, surged into the entire yard. Lin Baozhu couldn't help but swallow hard.
Yu Jiangli raised her head, sniffed, and cupped her face, saying, "This flavor is really strong. It seems I'm in for a treat today."
"Eat as much as you want, Tiger. Go to the private plot and pick some melon tips, and bring back some cilantro and scallions."
"Grandma! We brought it back a while ago!"
Tiger led Sweetie out of the house, grinning, "I picked so many melon tips and sweet potato vines! Auntie Fatty in the front yard even gave me a handful of thinned cabbage seedlings! My sister and I washed them all clean!" As he spoke, he curiously tilted his head to look at Yu Jiangli, who had suddenly appeared in the yard, and said in a tender voice, "Auntie, where did you find this pretty sister? I only want to find a wife this pretty, just looking at her makes me happy."
Upon hearing this, Yu Jiangli's eyes crinkled with laughter. She stepped forward, reached out and pinched Hu Zi's cheek, exclaiming with delight, "Oh my, you're Hu Zi? You're so chubby-cheeked, you're obviously smarter than other kids! Just as clever as your aunt!"
Tiger puffed out his little chest, then coughed with feigned modesty: "Ahem! My aunt said that one should be modest! Being smart is true, but if you keep it on your head, you'll get all cocky!"
As he spoke, he even reached behind him and pressed down on something with a serious expression...
This made Yu Jiangli burst into laughter.
"Wow~" Yu Jiangli squatted down and turned her gaze to Tian Tian: "Is this Tian Tian? How come she's so pretty? Hey? Let me see who she looks like... Oh! She looks like our beautiful Aunt Baozhu!"
Lin Baozhu stared in disbelief at Yu Jiangli, who had instantly become friends with the two children. This skill… could she be the legendary “social butterfly”? If someone like that went into business, she’d be guaranteed to be a huge success!
Qin Haifeng had been watching the lively scene in the courtyard for a while, and slowly got up, propping himself up on a stool...
Lin Baozhu reacted quickly, grabbing his arm and saying, "What's the rush? It's much cooler in the yard."
"There are so many mosquitoes! They bite so badly!" she said, scratching her arm as she spoke.
Lin Baozhu glanced at the several conspicuous mosquito bites on his arm and chuckled, "Oh, I thought your skin was so thick that mosquitoes couldn't even get through!"
Hearing the teasing in her words, Qin Haifeng blushed and remained silent as Lin Bao helped him into the house...
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