Chapter 161: The Tormented Qian Weining

When Zhou Zheng uttered those words, they did not elicit much of a reaction. The reason was simple: everyone present had participated in the entire experimental process. One can only truly grasp the nuances of a project by being involved in it. Having witnessed the process with their own eyes, they were utterly dumbfounded.

Before this, no one had questioned the current jujube management practices. They had been followed consistently, and yields had been increasing year after year. Given that foundation, who would have doubted the existing management model? They had assumed this technique would remain the standard for years to come, yet here they were, already witnessing a breakthrough—a breakthrough achieved under such... crude circumstances.

"By the way, do not disseminate this data for now. I need to study it further. In the meantime, have the jujube growers under your respective care implement this technical plan," Zhou Zheng said before leading his team away from the orchard. Next, beyond verifying the data, they would need to maintain continuous observation, especially throughout the coming year, to conduct this management experiment over a full cycle.

An agricultural breakthrough is a rare achievement. Unlike other fields where massive testing can be done in a short time, agricultural production is governed by long cycles—a necessary factor that restricts the pace of agricultural development. This only highlights the significance of this crude technical document; it not only achieved a breakthrough but did so with language so easy to understand.

Meanwhile, Zhong Di was taking Xiaoxi out to play. He even brought her to the place where the Pallas's cats lived. Unexpectedly, the cats were not repelled by Xiaoxi; instead, they hit it off immediately.

They were making all sorts of adorable expressions! Zhong Di suspected the cats had been practicing—yes, absolutely practicing.

*Oh, come on...*

Zhong Di felt genuinely dejected. The Pallas's cats were so affectionate toward him because he had raised them from kittens, feeding and caring for them personally. Why should they take to Xiaoxi like that? Do not think that just having a cute little face makes one invincible—but wait, I tell you, it really does. Zhong Di saw it with his own eyes.

"Uncle, Xiaoxi wants to pet the little hedgehogs," Xiaoxi said, cradled in Zhong Di’s arms, looking excitedly at the baby hedgehogs curled up together in their nest.

Hedgehogs are truly adorable, especially when they are small; that fuzzy, cute feeling is quite captivating.

"No, they are all spikes, you can't touch them! They'll prick Xiaoxi, and it will hurt," Zhong Di said, gesturing to emphasize his point.

The little hedgehogs were growing fast; it had only been a short time, and they were already out of the infant stage.

"Then can't Uncle make them not prick Xiaoxi?"

Hm? That’s an idea. Generally, hedgehogs only prick when they raise their quills. What if they don't raise them? What if she wears gloves?

Having figured this out, Zhong Di found a pair of gloves and gently touched a little hedgehog. It didn't resist at all, and even the adult hedgehog showed no protective behavior toward its young.

That feeling... it was very gentle. Still, Zhong Di didn't take off the gloves; even though a prick wouldn't cause any real harm, damn it, it would still hurt.

"Come on, Xiaoxi, you can pet it now." Zhong Di flipped the little hedgehog over, revealing its cute belly.

Mindful of her uncle's warning, Xiaoxi was very careful, first poking it with one finger, then two...

Just then, his phone rang. Zhong Di set the hedgehog down and answered the call.

"Zhong Di, it's me..."

"Ah! Uncle Qian, I know it's you. What's wrong? Is there a problem with the cropland-to-grassland conversion project?"

Zhong Di had saved Qian Weining’s number long ago.

"There are some minor issues, but nothing serious; I can handle them. I called because I wanted to trouble you with something else."

"Sure, as long as it's within my power, I'll definitely help."

Zhong Di was surprised by Qian Weining’s request. Given Qian's influence, what could he possibly be unable to solve? And if even he couldn't solve it, why would Zhong Di be able to? With these questions in mind, Zhong Di listened patiently.

"I want to get one of your Green Cards. If that's not possible, a Silver membership card will do. I just saw that your farm launched a membership system, and it comes with that mosquito-repellent herb benefit."

"To be honest, your Uncle Qian has been suffering from mosquitoes lately! Ever since this project started, I've been eating and sleeping on-site to supervise it. The mosquitoes have been biting me so much, I can't take it anymore."

"Something with such great mosquito-repellent effects... sigh, don't get me started. I heard this benefit is only for Green Card or Silver members. I looked into it, and even ordinary memberships are closed, so I thought I'd give you a call."

*Slap!*

Just as Qian Weining finished speaking, a slapping sound came through the phone. It seemed he was swatting a mosquito.

"Uncle Qian, for such a small matter, you only needed to say the word. I'll send a few pots over to you right now. Just wait a moment!"

Zhong Di couldn't help but laugh. So that was it. He hadn't seen Qian Weining for a long time since helping him inspect that project. He hadn't expected Qian to be so dedicated, eating and sleeping on-site. This was not what Zhong Di had imagined. Shouldn't he have just hired a manager and left the work to them? Or perhaps Uncle Qian really cared deeply about the project.

Yes... that must be it.

"No need, I'll come over and pick them up myself. Oh, and get me that Green Card."

"Sure," Zhong Di agreed readily.

As for the Green Cards, he had originally planned to increase the quota gradually anyway. He could just add a few more spots now. The reason he had limited them in the beginning was to gauge the farm's capacity to host visitors. After observing for some time, he knew they could easily handle more guests, even several times the current number of members.

The problem was that the current membership quota... was simply too small.

Thinking of this, Zhong Di decided to talk to his older sister about the membership status.

"Sis... show me the current Green Card and Silver membership lists." After saying this, Zhong Di set Xiaoxi down.

"Oh, sure... are you looking to increase the quota? A lot of people have been private messaging me asking when we'll add more spots. I've been giving everyone a standard 'stay tuned' reply."

Seeing this, Zhong Hui guessed that Zhong Di was likely planning to increase the number of spots.

"Let me take a look first."

Zhong Di took the documents from his sister.

Green Card members: a total of... what, three? That's so few. How did he set that limit originally?

Sun Miaomiao, Yang Yi, Lu Benwei... Lu Benwei?

Except for Lu Benwei, Zhong Di was most surprised by how fast Sun Miaomiao and Yang Yi were. Out of only three spots, they had already taken two. That was impressive speed!

There were ten Silver members. Well, no wonder Qian Weining couldn't get a card; it wasn't that the farm was too popular, but that the quota was too damn small!

There were a few more ordinary members—one hundred—and they were all full. After all, it only cost one thousand, and for regular customers, that amount was easily saved over the course of a year.

Zhong Di began to wonder if he was even the one who had set these numbers. He couldn't believe he had made them so low. He really was a slacker if he couldn't even remember such a simple thing.