In Class C, nearly 100 students each sent a red envelope containing 2,000 points, amounting to a total of 200,000 points—the Zhao Linong had earned earlier. Everyone accepted Zhao Linong’s generosity and reciprocated after the assessment. They understood better than anyone the significance of her actions.
The 200,000 points were especially valuable since, on the Central Base Network, a single question could cost upwards of 100,000 points. If they accessed the wrong information, they’d need to keep researching. Thanks to the summarized documents Zhao Linong provided, they were able to distinguish between several symptoms, increasing their knowledge significantly.
“Take it,” He Yuesheng said, standing up and addressing the group seriously. “We’ve got a long way ahead of us.”
“I know,” Zhao Linong replied quietly as she collected the red envelopes one by one.
The Agricultural Class C group waited patiently until she had gathered everything, and finally, someone broke the silence.
Life is Important: “I think my tomatoes will keep producing fruits later, so I’m not going home for the summer vacation.”
Work Hard to Make Money: “Me neither. I’ll see if I can pick up some weeding tasks.”
Even though the Ninth Agricultural Base had summer and winter breaks, most agricultural students chose to stay. They still had tung plants1
growing in their fields, and summer was especially demanding, with wild weeds and high temperatures requiring constant care. Fields had to be watered morning and evening to maintain moisture.
He Yuesheng saw the tung-related messages in the group chat and asked, “What are your summer plans?”
“I’ll stay at the base,” Zhao Linong answered, unsure of where else to go. Her mind was blank with no concrete plans.
“I have to go back home for two weeks,” He Yuesheng said, always thinking about his business. “I’ve got a small business to take care of.”
“When do you leave?” she asked.
“Tomorrow. The break officially starts then,” He Yuesheng replied.
Zhao Linong nodded in understanding. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a large, ripe tomato, handing it to He Yuesheng.
“You kept some tomatoes?” He Yuesheng was surprised. Looking at the plump fruit in his hand, he asked, “This is for me?”
“You said you wanted to try the tomatoes I grew myself, right?” she said, noticing his empty basket. “Here’s one for you.”
Deeply moved, He Yuesheng almost wanted to hug her, but she pushed him away.
“Don’t crush my tomatoes!” she teased.
“How many did you save?” He Yuesheng asked, wiping the tomato on his shirt before taking a big bite. The tomato was sweet and juicy, exactly as a horseshoe tomato should be.
“There are two more,” she replied, eating one herself. The flavor and texture were identical to the horseshoe tomatoes from her world.
“You’re being extravagant with such precious tomatoes…” He Yuesheng said, shaking his head. “When I return, I’ll bring you some tea, free of charge.”
“I’ll be waiting,” she smiled.
Since she had the tomatoes with her, Zhao Linong decided against taking the bus and opted to walk the 40-minute journey back from the trading market instead. He Yuesheng, feeling a little guilty, offered to walk with her.
Before she could refuse, a tricycle pulled up in front of them. The driver was a slightly chubby boy she didn’t recognize.
“Zhao Linong,” the boy called out, clearly knowing her. “Do you need a ride back to the city?”
“Yes, yes, yes!” He Yuesheng exclaimed enthusiastically, grabbing Zhao Linong’s hand and raising it high.
Speechless, she glanced at him but ultimately accepted the offer. They both climbed onto the tricycle.
“I’m from Class B,” the slightly chubby boy said loudly as they drove toward the city. “Thanks to you, I almost lost my entire crop after using the wrong medicine. But I managed to save one plant. Although… there are only six tomatoes, it still qualified.”
As the boy spoke, Zhao Linong sat quietly in the back, her thoughts drifting.
She recalled her previous world, where her doctoral senior brother tirelessly traveled from farm to farm, talking extensively to guide farmers on what to plant, how to plant it, and how to ensure a good harvest. It was a stark contrast to the agricultural researchers in this world. Here, the attitude and treatment of researchers were entirely different.
They finally arrived in the urban area, with the bustling streets welcoming them back from the fields.
The slightly fat boy dropped them off, and after passing inspection—where Zhao Linong’s tomatoes were checked and confirmed to be regular—she headed back to the dormitory. Once there, she found Tong Tong and handed her a plump horseshoe tomato.
“We agreed on an exchange,” Zhao Linong said, recalling that Tong Tong had given her the first flower.
Tong Tong accepted the gift, taking a big bite with a smile that lit up her face. “It’s so sweet, thank you, Linong!”
“Are you heading home for summer break?” Zhao Linong asked.
Tong Tong nodded. “Yeah, I’ve already set up the sunshades and timed irrigation system for the flowers, so I’ll be able to manage water from home. I’m packing today and leaving tomorrow.”
The timed irrigation system had been costly, but with the points she earned from selling flowers, Tong Tong finally had enough to set it up.
Zhao Linong smiled and said, “Good luck. I’m heading to the inner circle now.”
She made her way to find Wei Li next. When she arrived, Wei Li was engrossed in monitoring hens laying eggs through the optical computer system. She eagerly pulled Zhao Linong over to watch with her.
“I’m going to miss these girls while I’m away,” Wei Li said, glancing at the chickens in the shed. “I feel a bit sad.”
Just as she spoke, Wei Li took a bite of the tomato Zhao Linong brought and her face lit up. “Junior sister, this tomato is incredible!”
Any sadness about leaving the hens seemed to vanish instantly, leaving Zhao Linong speechless.
After watching the hens for a bit, Wei Li turned and asked, “Did you need something, Linong?”
“I came to pay you back,” Zhao Linong said, transferring 300,000 points to her senior.
Wei Li was taken aback. “You earned that many points already?” She felt a little self-conscious, having spent most of her points spoiling her chickens rather than saving up. Though she had earned an A in the assessment, she hadn’t accumulated many points.
“My classmates helped,” Zhao Linong said with a smile. “It wasn’t just me.”
Now that Class C had some points, and most students were staying to take on tasks during the break, they’d likely be able to save more by the next semester. The group’s future looked brighter with their growing skills and Zhao Linong’s presence.
Later that night, the city lights twinkled as most people prepared to head home the next day. However, Zhao Linong couldn’t sleep. She got up from her bed quietly, but before she could leave, Tong Tong, on the opposite bed, stirred.
“You’re awake too?” Tong Tong asked, sitting up.
“Yeah, I’m heading to the field,” Zhao Linong said, getting dressed. “You should go back to sleep.”
“I’ll come with you,” Tong Tong said, feeling restless about returning to the Central Base tomorrow.
As they prepared to leave, Zhao Linong remembered the watermelon she had left in the field. “Do you want to eat watermelon?”
Tong Tong shook her head, laughing. “I just ate a tomato.”
Watermelons were more expensive than tomatoes, but Zhao Linong shrugged it off. “It’s just a watermelon.”
She messaged He Yuesheng and Wei Li, asking if they wanted to join in on picking the watermelon. Both were still awake.
Mr. He, the Gossiper: “Yes! Yes! YES! I’ll come with you!”
Mouldy Gas Can: “Sounds exciting! Can I come along too?”
Though Wei Li’s luck was usually questionable, Zhao Linong hesitated but ultimately agreed. People can’t always be unlucky, right?
Mouldy Gas Can: “Forget it, you go ahead, I’ll meet you there and we’ll open the watermelon together!”
AAA Farming Xiao Zhao: “We’ll wait for you at the Class C tool room.”
Zhao Linong and Tong Tong left first, meeting He Yuesheng, who had been swatting at mosquitoes in the tool room. Together, they caught the bus to the field.
“Is Wei Li coming?” He Yuesheng asked, looking impatient.
“She’s on her way,” Zhao Linong said, checking her messages.
Finally, ten minutes later, Wei Li arrived.
Wei Li arrived holding a live chicken in each hand and a basket of eggs around her neck, calling out enthusiastically, “Junior sister, roast chicken with watermelon! Perfect combo!”
The trio in the tool room stared blankly at the chickens.
“Senior sister, I don’t know how to kill a chicken,” Zhao Linong responded calmly.
Wei Li wasn’t fazed. She swiftly placed the two chickens, their wings tied, into a nearby pool and removed the basket of eggs from her neck. “It’s okay, I can do it!” she said with pride.
He Yuesheng chimed in, “We don’t have the tools for roasting chickens.”
Without missing a beat, Wei Li produced skewers from her pocket. “I’ve got them!” she declared.
Tong Tong hesitantly added, “But we need fire.”
With a triumphant laugh, Wei Li pulled out a lighter and a small seasoning kit from another pocket. “Got that too!” She was fully prepared.
Wei Li’s efficiency was somewhat startling. She unsheathed a small knife from her waist and, without hesitation, bled the chickens. Her swift and practiced motions left the others silent, wondering how late-night watermelon snacks had escalated into a full-blown feast.
Since they were already involved, the group decided to help. As they gathered around the fire, Wei Li, buzzing with excitement, said, “This is my first time having a field feast at night. It’s thrilling, with all the crops around!”
Zhao Linong, internally sighing, regretted her decision to gather everyone. This was far from the quiet night she had imagined.
“I’ll go pick the watermelon,” she offered, hoping to simplify things by at least eating it in the tool room. But Wei Li wouldn’t hear of it.
“No way, let’s roast the chicken and eat watermelon right on the field ridge. It’s more fun!” Wei Li insisted. Surprisingly, He Yuesheng and Tong Tong agreed.
Reluctantly, the group followed Wei Li’s plan. After preparing the chickens with marinade, they headed out to pick watermelons. But soon, they realized they had forgotten firewood.
With cautious steps and a few nerves, they scavenged for dry branches, and luckily, they returned safely with enough to start a fire. The infamous gas tank hadn’t worked its bad luck tonight.
Sitting around the fire, roasting chickens and eggs, they finally relaxed. Wei Li, eager to lighten the mood further, shared her favorite chicken-themed videos. She laughed and imitated chicks’ cries, transforming from the skilled chicken butcher in the tool room into her cheerful self.
As the night deepened, the roasted chicken’s aroma filled the air, mingling with the refreshing scent of freshly cut watermelon. The combination was unexpectedly perfect, making everyone forget the day’s fatigue.
After savoring the meal, Wei Li insisted on capturing the moment. She grabbed her optical brain and took pictures of the roasted chicken and watermelon, then called for a group photo. With everyone holding a greasy chicken leg in one hand and a slice of watermelon in the other, they gathered in front of the camera. He Yuesheng leaned towards the camera, grinning widely, while Tong Tong and Zhao Linong sat beside him. Wei Li balanced the optical brain for the shot, a watermelon slice between her teeth.
In that moment, the four of them were captured forever in a snapshot of late-night camaraderie.
“Look at the moon!” Tong Tong suddenly exclaimed, gazing upward. “It’s so bright!”
The rest followed her gaze. A glowing crescent moon hung in the sky, casting a silvery light over the earth. The scene was tranquil, and for a brief moment, it felt as if the world, with all its challenges and uncertainties, had paused. Everything was peaceful.
