Chapter 142 - The Corn Matured
Su Ming understood these workers all too well. If the five-star hotel he had reserved was too far away, they would undoubtedly be reluctant to stay there—it would mean precious time lost from their work. That's why Su Ming opted for a hotel just over a hundred meters away, which also boasted a rather pleasant environment.
“Mr. Su, we…” The boss, clutching his phone, was visibly moved to tears. Su Ming was not only wealthy but also genuinely kind-hearted. In comparison to those sly tycoons, Mr. Su was in a league of his own.
“Enough talk,” Su Ming interjected. “I've ordered some food for you all. Once you've had your fill, go and get some rest. You shouldn't wear yourselves out just because you're helping me build a fence.” He gave the boss a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
The nearby workers listened, eyes wide with disbelief. This was a first for them—an employer who not only booked a hotel but also took care of their meals.
“He booked such a nice hotel for us?” one murmured.
“We're used to employers who'd rather have us work nonstop, without even a break for food or water,” another added.
“It's incredible how different people can be. Mr. Su is truly a good soul.”
“People usually dismiss us, the workers on the ground, but Mr. Su has given us both a place to stay and food to eat.”
“I'm going to work even harder to get that wall up as soon as possible!”
“Mr. Su, we don't need a hotel. Rest assured, we appreciate your generosity and we'll put in our best effort!”
Though weary, the workers were buzzing with excitement. As construction laborers, they were accustomed to being at the bottom rung of society, always grimy from their grueling physical labor, health concerns a distant afterthought to the imperative of earning a living. They had worked for many who wished they would forgo rest and meals altogether.
Typically, their accommodations were dormitories on the job site, where they'd pack into a single room by the dozens, in less-than-ideal conditions. If they were lucky enough to find a small hotel, it was always the cheapest option. Otherwise, they'd just find any available spot to crash for the night.
Passersby would often give them a wide berth, as if a mere brush against them would stain their clothes. But an employer as compassionate as Su Ming was a rare find indeed.
They certainly owed him a great deal of gratitude!
Su Ming stood there, lost in thought for quite some time, feeling somewhat at a loss. He genuinely wanted the workers to take a break, not to spur them on.
With a sense of resignation, Su Ming shook his head. “The meal I ordered is already on its way, and the hotel reservation is non-refundable.”
“If you all don't go, that money is just going down the drain,” he said, spreading his hands. The workers looked on in stunned silence.
“Alright then, carry on. I'm heading out,” he said, and without waiting for a response, Su Ming turned and made a beeline back, sensing that the corn was ready for harvest.
Upon his return, he found the corn indeed ripe and ready! Just by looking, one could tell how plump the ears were.
Drawn in by curiosity, Su Ming approached and plucked an ear of corn, hastily peeling back the husk to inspect it more closely.
What was this?
No corn kernels were to be found. Instead, he discovered a glass bottle filled with a red liquid.
Red wine?
He had planted corn, yet here he was, reaping an abundance of red wine.
Su Ming wasn't much of a drinker. At gatherings with classmates, he stuck to beer and baijiu. Red wine was a rarity for him.
Intrigued, Su Ming took to the internet for answers.
Romanee-Conti.
The Romanee-Conti vineyard was renowned as one of the finest producers of red wine in the market, its bottles considered treasures.
Its yield was quite limited, producing only about 6,000 liters annually. The Romanee-Conti in Su Ming's possession was not just precious but also carried a hefty price tag.
A standard bottle of Romanee-Conti could fetch hundreds of thousands of yuan. Aged for decades under optimal conditions, this wine offered an exquisite taste experience.
Such a bottle could easily be the star of an auction.
Su Ming swallowed hard, setting the bottle aside to examine another ear of corn.
In his hand materialized yet another bottle of the coveted Romanee-Conti.
A surge of excitement washed over him. He had stumbled upon several bottles of Romanee-Conti, but the surprises didn't stop there. Other varieties of red wine began to appear.
The latest bottle was a 1998 vintage, its color a deep, dark purple.
He took a sip, and the rich flavors of fruit, caramel, mocha, and vanilla filled his senses.
After swallowing, a lingering sweetness and tartness remained in his mouth. Next, Su Ming acquired a bottle of black cherry red wine. This variety was highly sought after by collectors, and its value was exceedingly high. Surveying the sea of red wine before him, Su Ming felt a twinge of concern. There was simply too much wine. There was no way he could drink it all on his own.
His collection grew with the addition of white wines, including Maotai Liquor, Sorghum Liquor, and Five Grain Liquor. Rare red and white wines, usually scarce on the market, were all present here. Su Ming was certain that any wine enthusiast or collector would be thrilled at the sight of such a bounty.
With a sigh of resignation, Su Ming heard the System's notification in his mind: “Fragile items detected in the harvest. A two-hour protection period for the new items has been initiated.”
Startled by the prompt, Su Ming quickly wheeled over a small cart and began loading the bottles into it. It took him an hour and a half to transfer all the red wine into the cellar, where he stacked them haphazardly.
Whenever exhaustion set in, he would take a Body-stretching Pill. The effect was immediate, revitalizing his strength. After consuming five of these pills, Su Ming had completed all the tasks at hand.
He did a rough count of his haul. The two acres of corn had yielded 7,000 ears, translating to 7,000 bottles of wine.
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