Chapter 144 - Banker Chen
Su Ming was well aware that in many instances, pear trees require grafting.
The rootstock was from a local variety.
While the pear tree was hardy, its fruit was tiny and tasted awful.
But grafting brought together the best of both worlds.
Su Ming, however, wasn't concerned, thanks to his System.
He didn't have to worry about planting conditions or whether to graft.
The System would ensure optimal conditions for him.
“By the way, load up on the fertilizer,” he requested.
“Sure thing!” the shopkeeper replied hastily.
“Have it delivered using the truck.”
After paying, Su Ming set off, leading a convoy of two large trucks.
One truck was filled with saplings, the other with fertilizer, creating an impressive sight.
Entering the city center, they came to a stop at a red light.
The two trucks trailing a Rolls Royce Phantom turned many heads.
At the intersection, two traffic cops were managing the flow of vehicles.
One, new to the job, was visibly perplexed by the scene.
“Brother Sun, what's with the big truck downtown?” he inquired.
The officer blinked, his mind racing with scenes from countless movies he'd seen, all the various smuggling tactics he knew of.
He was itching to put his knowledge to the test!
Was he about to crack a major case so early in his career?
The veteran cop took a puff of his cigarette, arched an eyebrow, and advised, “Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong.”
“Huh?” the younger cop was taken aback.
This didn't sound like Brother Sun.
Brother Sun was the epitome of a hard-boiled cop, a paragon of justice.
Why would he say such a thing?
Could it be…
Noticing the young cop's puzzled look, Brother Sun chuckled and gave a light tap on the officer's cap. “Kid, he's driving fine, not breaking any laws. What's it to you? Here's a tip: memorize the license plate of that Rolls Royce Phantom. And don't you meddle with it from now on.”
“Huh?” The young officer was baffled.
What exactly was happening?
He was brimming with questions, yet he dared not voice them.
Meanwhile, Su Ming remained oblivious to the entire exchange.
He kept driving and quickly reached his destination.
The workers unloaded the cargo at breakneck speed.
Without further ado, Su Ming tidied up the two acres and fired up the specialized fruit tree planting machine.
Fruit trees require a lot more space to grow than corn.
Typically, an acre can support three thousand stalks of corn.
But for fruit trees, you're looking at just a few dozen to a little over a hundred per acre.
For pear trees, you're talking about a hundred per acre.
In no time, thanks to Su Ming's diligent work, the two acres were planted.
“Pear trees successfully planted! Harvest time: 72 hours!”
Once he was done, a familiar alert chimed in his mind, prompting Su Ming to breathe a sigh of relief.
Yet hearing the same alert as before sparked his curiosity.
Why was it identical?
There should have been at least a slight variation.
This time, Su Ming hadn't purchased many pear trees—just around 150 grams, leaving half an acre fallow.
He wasn't one to idle away his time.
After rummaging around the seeds, something caught his eye.
Fennel!
This crop, with its unique aroma akin to cilantro, was polarizing—irresistible to some, intolerable to others.
But Su Ming was a fan.
The scent of fennel in dumplings was unforgettable—a little in a plate of meat filling brought out a subtle, rich fragrance.
He chuckled to himself and got straight to planting the fennel. His hands moved with practiced ease.
In under two hours, he was done.
“Fennel successfully planted! Time to maturity: 2 hours!”
That quick?
Su Ming had never seen such a rapid growth time in all his planting.
Watering and fertilizing would only speed up the process.
He laughed again, unable to contain his excitement, and started off to the side. But before he could take another step, a familiar silhouette appeared at the doorway.
President Chen made another visit!
“Mr. Su, I see you're hard at work!”
“Mr. Su, you shouldn't be doing such grueling tasks yourself. Let me handle it!”
“Since I've been working in the fields recently, I've noticed my back doesn't ache, my legs aren't sore, and I've got more energy when I walk. There's definitely a benefit to hard work. Please don't hesitate to let me pitch in!”
While talking, President Chen moved beside Su Ming, took the bucket, and began watering with ease.
“Mr. Su, I've always enjoyed playing with water since I was a kid. I used to swim in the reservoir with my friends all the time.”
“Every spring, I'd help my parents water the rice paddies. Those were the days I cherished the most.”
“Sadly, I stopped farming after high school, and university took me even further from the countryside's serenity. Now, in the hustle and bustle of the city, I often feel agitated.”
“But meeting you has brought back that inner peace. I owe you a debt of gratitude; you've elevated my life to a new level!”
President Chen cheerfully continued his work and conversation, effortlessly offering compliments to Su Ming.
Truth be told, Su Ming had grown somewhat indifferent to President Chen's flattery.
He wasn't one for vanity.
But then again, who doesn't enjoy a little praise?
With President Chen around, Su Ming could enjoy some downtime, especially since President Chen was much quicker at these tasks.
Yet, the field's weeds were somewhat forlorn.
The crops that grew here were invisible and untouchable to others, only Su Ming could see and harvest them.
And it was only when he stepped onto the field that he could actually see the crops.
To any onlooker, it appeared to be just a wheat field.
But the weeds that truly grew there were visible to all.
President Chen was delighted to have taken the route that led him here today. This place had become his daily destination, almost like a second job.
However, it had been a long while since he last visited the bank.
Mr. Su was the priority, after all!
Above all, President Chen had become competitive. Wang Guohui was also vying for Mr. Su's favor. If Mr. Su took a liking to Wang Guohui, President Chen's efforts would be rendered pointless.
His diligence is unmatched; he makes it a point to come here and work every day. It's a commitment he steadfastly adheres to—it's his principle!
However, age has caught up with President Chen. After a bit of work, he begins to feel the strain in his waist and legs.
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