Chapter 196: Whose Drinking Capacity Is Better?

Hei Cheng never imagined that one day they would have difficulty breathing, not because of battle, but because of a medicinal plant.

They gritted their teeth, cupping their chest with both hands, and finally couldn't help but plead, "Lord Lin… please hold back~~"

They squatted, lowered their head to look at the ground, reached out and picked up a fresh‑smelling Holy Maiden Fruit branch: "You see, this branch and leaf have flower buds sprouting; I know a flower bud corresponds to one Holy Maiden Fruit—by this move, you've damaged over ten Holy Maiden Fruits."

The planters, hearing that finally someone spoke up, some bold ones in the crowd gently urged, "Indeed, sir, over ten Holy Maiden Fruits, each worth six hundred Beast Coins…"

Everyone pitied the Holy Maiden Fruit seedling whose branch had been trimmed, then looked at the cruel Lord Lin before the seedling, with faces that couldn't comprehend Lord Lin's sudden unreasonable caprice.

No one dared to go complain to the neighboring Lord, after all they'd been following the Lord for a while; even if they were blind, they could smell that the beast was "incompetent" when facing his own Wife Master.

Mo Lie slightly raised an eyebrow, his gaze leisurely sweeping over the crowd, and coldly lifted his chin a little: "Noisy, go do as instructed."

A kind of coerced pain made everyone take the bone scissors they had been handed: "…"

Do we really have to cut? How cruel, how reluctant, how wasteful!

Seeing the crowd's expression almost on the verge of tears, Lin Manzhi was startled, shook her head and laughed, then after thinking explained, "I prune the branches not to ruin the Holy Maiden Fruit seedlings, but to let the plant retain sufficient nutrients so it can grow splendidly. Everyone knows I've cultivated Holy Maiden Fruit countless times." in the space.

"Trust my eyes; now cut off the excess branches, trim a small segment off the tip of the Cherry Tomato main stem, to ensure nutrients are directed to the development of flowers and fruits. Only then can the resulting Holy Maiden Fruits be of good quality, tasty, large, and rich in essence." Lin Manzhi continued without changing expression: "You all work diligently; the quality of this batch of Holy Maiden Fruits now rests in your hands."

There are no insect pollinators here; pollinating each flower individually would take too much time. If she let everyone shake the entire Holy Maiden Fruit seedling, I wonder if they'd feel the pain again.

Hearing Lin Manzhi's words, Hei Cheng's hand gripping the scissors suddenly grew heavy; with a guilty face they said, "Truly worthy of Lord Lin, you are wise and merciful. We know nothing, yet dared to question your decision; we shall never do so again."

"Yes, yes, yes… I will never dare to question your decision again." The planters said, their emotions stirred.

Lin Manzhi calmly smiled, "Is that so."

She actually felt a bit insecure; the farming knowledge she had seen online was being used in reality for the first time!

After watching them prune the excess side branches of the Holy Maiden Fruit seedlings for a while, she avoided people's gaze and added the spring water from the space into the water that would be used for evening irrigation.

With many workers, the Holy Maiden Fruit plants in twenty‑two Cherry Tomato Planting Greenhouses quickly completed the pruning.

Because Mo Lie, the heavily armed protector, was by her side, Lin Manzhi could walk freely and boldly in the Planting Base.

After checking the pruning of the Cherry Tomato plants, she went to the Planting Greenhouse where the watermelon vines had already climbed, casually trimmed the side vines off the watermelon seedling's main stem, then after finishing, she visited the Planting Greenhouse where the cherry radish seedlings had been planted only a few days ago.

Seeing the impending harvest results of the labor, she was very happy.

Having removed her cloak, Lin Manzhi leaned against Mo Lie's chest, sitting on the back of a four‑meter‑high sand wolf, chattering about the Planting Base's crops.

Mo Lie's eyes held a gentle smile.

The next day, Lin Manzhi got up late, her whole body feeling limp as if all her strength had been drained.

She raised her hand to cover her face, simply not wanting to recall what had happened last night.

Last night, to celebrate… actually to avenge herself for having gotten drunk first last time, Lin Manzhi once again took out Agave beer, intending to have a small drink with Mo Lie after dinner.

The Agave beer, chilled in well water, fizzed with tiny bubbles and emitted its distinctive fresh aroma; taking a sip in the scorching heat was extremely refreshing and cooling.

Lin Manzhi couldn't believe it; having drunk high‑proof alcohol in the modern world, how could she possibly be worse than Mo Lie, who had never touched alcohol?!

She bravely downed a cup of the low‑alcohol Agave beer.

She lifted her eyes again, her dark eyes gazing watery at her Beast Husband across the table, standing up and facing the somewhat blurry Mo Lie.

Mo Lie looked up at her.

Those sapphire‑like brilliant blue eyes, clearly reflecting her own figure, the depths of his eyes hotter than the air made her face flush.

Lin Manzhi staggered a bit, dazed.

She felt her mind becoming a bit muddled.

In the instant her vision swayed and spun, a grip from her waist, supporting her body, could not be ignored.

Lin Manzhi blinked, vaguely lowered her head to look at her waist.

Because her mind was hazy, her voice sounded a bit soft and mushy: "I'm not drunk! I'm really not drunk! Another cup!"

She glared slightly, eyes widening as she looked down at him, but her voice was somewhat coquettish, like a lover's petting: "Another drink!"

Mo Lie, still reaching for the wine glass, scooped the Little Female onto his lap, his heated palm tightly gripping her waist; his eyes were as deep as an unfathomable sea, and his low, husky voice carried a seductive tone:

"…Good girl, I'm a bit drunk; shall we continue drinking next time?"

Mo Lie drunk?

He's drunk! I'm still fine.

Lin Manzhi widened her eyes in delight: "!"

She lifted her slightly damp, glistening eyes, looking up at Mo Lie.

Oh—there are two Mo Lies wobbling! He's so drunk he can't stand.

Mo Lie's hand, placed on the Little Female's waist in his embrace, long lashes slightly drooping as he gazed at Lin Manzhi in his arms; the subtly raised blue veins on his slender, fair neck were very noticeable, and his fingertips slowly and restlessly brushed the warm, smooth skin.

Lin Manzhi was very sluggish at this moment, completely unaware of any danger.

She smiled happily, lifted both hands to cup Mo Lie's face, and cheerfully pressed a kiss to the Beast Husband's slightly cool, soft corner of his lips: "Then you should go to sleep."

Mo Lie, pressed against the Little Female's palm, suddenly clenched, leaving a red mark on her jade‑white skin.

He lowered his head, biting the Little Female's crimson, moist lips, his voice hoarse with a smile: "…Together."

Tap, tap

Footsteps from outside interrupted Lin Manzhi's recollection; she put down her hands, quickly pulled the blanket over herself and buried her head in it.