Chapter 400: It's only natural

Lao Qian had already heard that Gu Xixi had brought back another newcomer, and he laughed, saying, "This must be Miss Lü from the capital, right?"

Lv Jing glanced at Gu Xixi, then introduced herself, "Hello, Uncle Qian. My surname is Lü, and my given name is just the single character Jing."

From now on, you'll live with Xixi at the Village Chief's place.

I've just arrived; if I do anything poorly, please feel free to give me guidance.

Hearing himself called 'Uncle Qian,' Lao Qian felt warm inside, and naturally felt a bit more affection.

It's fine, it's fine; I've always treated Xixi as my own eldest niece.

Since you also call me Uncle Qian, from now on you'll be just like Xixi.

Settle in peacefully; if you encounter any difficulties, you can come to me, or to Aunt Qian, and it'll be fine!

Lv Jing happily performed a salute, lively yet well-behaved.

Thank you, Uncle Qian!

An unmarried young lady, having no familial or personal ties to Gu Xixi.

Being able to leave her hometown alone shows that her family must have lost its heads—father, mother, brothers, etc.

Thinking of this, Lao Qian's eyes grew a bit more kind.

Gu Xixi had been observing all along.

The reason she didn't speak up to introduce the two to each other.

Was simply that she hoped Lv Jing would proactively adapt to the new life.

Introducing oneself to strangers is merely the first step.

Yesterday, Gu Xixi had not deliberately taught Lv Jing whom to see and what to say.

So Lv Jing relied entirely on her own observation, noting how Gu Xixi addressed the Village Chief, thereby closing the distance.

That is her cleverness.

Gu Xixi silently nodded in approval, finding it satisfactory.

After all, she is cultivating a capable assistant, not a child to keep tethered by her side.

One day in the future, she will need Lv Jing to be able to stand on her own.

Lao Qian and Lv Jing continued chatting about everyday matters.

Such as what her family used to do, whether any relatives remain now, and so on.

Gu Xixi figured the Village Chief had learned enough about the newcomer, and then spoke:

"Uncle Qian, before the wheat harvest, the final foliar fertilizer application—hasn't any household started yet?"

Lao Qian nodded, "Nope!"

"I've memorized the secret formula you taught me; for fertilizing and spraying pesticide, I check the almanac ahead of each important day to pinpoint the exact date, and I repeatedly remind them."

"No one is allowed to be impatient and act prematurely."

Gu Xixi laughed and said to Lv Jing, "Look, this is the Village Chief of our Flower Pool Ford."

"Without him, nothing would work!"

Lao Qian laughed heartily a few times, "My eldest niece went to the capital, broadened her horizons, and now she's even better at praising people."

After laughing, Lao Qian turned serious, "However, spraying fertilizer on the leaves is something everyone is doing for the first time."

"My eldest niece is worried about this, right?"

Gu Xixi nodded.

Lao Qian furrowed his brows, thought for a moment, and spoke frankly, "Actually, if you hadn't come today, I was planning to find you to discuss this matter."

"Lately, quite a few people have been murmuring."

"Everyone knows that the roots of plants are like a person's mouth—drinking water and absorbing nutrients must come from underground."

"Applying fertilizer to the leaves is unheard of; can doing this actually work?"

Gu Xixi smiled faintly, "It's only natural to think that way about something one hasn't experienced."

"What do you think, Uncle Qian?"

Lao Qian grinned, "I don't want to waste my brain on this; as long as I follow your lead, it's fine."

"But..." he paused, sighed, "Now several households don't want to apply fertilizer."

"Still others are wavering in their minds, still observing."

"They say spraying fertilizer on the leaves not only costs extra effort, but also requires spending more money to buy the fertilizer."

"Moreover, the wheat ears have already grown sufficiently as they are."

"Applying fertilizer would surely show no noticeable effect."

Gu Xixi said without surprise, "Isn't there still someone who thinks I'm doing this just to sell fertilizer one more time?"

"It's like prescribing tonic medicine to a healthy person—it won't cure illness nor kill them; as long as money is spent, that's fine."

Lao Qian gave an embarrassed smile, not denying Gu Xixi's remark.

Lv Jing asked, "Then do we need to go household by household to persuade them?"

"No need," Gu Xixi said. "If there are no other mishaps this year, a bumper harvest and increased yield are certain."

"It's just that who harvests more depends on each person's own choice."

"Anyway, nowadays no one in the village buys fertilizer on credit."

"She needn't forcefully persuade others to change their minds."

Before leaving, Gu Xixi once again told Lao Qian in detail how to mix the fertilizer, the proportions, and the key operational points.

And she informed him of the date for the final irrigation.

As for who will come to Lao Qian's place later to study, that's beyond her control.

On the way back, Lv Jing looked around, saw no one, and asked, "You don't want all the fertile land under heaven to be high-yielding, do you?"

Why is this just left unattended?

Gu Xixi said, "It's not that we don't care, but rather we should know when to stop."

"They think I'm making money buying fertilizer; in fact, I really do make a small profit."

"The more I try to persuade them now, the more they suspect I have ulterior motives."

"It would be better to let them choose for themselves."

She looked at Lv Jing, gave a slight smile, "Sometimes, teaching people is useless a hundred times, but letting them experience something once makes it sink in."

Lv Jing nodded thoughtfully, "Hmm, whether foliar fertilizer works or not will become clear after the wheat harvest."

"Those who didn't fertilize have regretted it; next time they'll also know what to do."

Gu Xixi gave a meaningful glance, "How do you know they'll definitely regret it?"

Lv Jing looked at Gu Xixi smiling, confident with a touch of small pride.

"Because I trust you."

"Something you can get so many people to do together must be reasonable, and you're confident about it."

"Also, your reaction just now was neither hurried nor agitated."

"Almost saying it outright: whoever doesn't listen to me can just wait to cry!"

"You……" Gu Xixi chuckled, but didn't deny.

By the time we got home, breakfast was already ready.

An Qinghe was just holding a plate of scallion pancakes, and a plate of stir-fried sour green beans came out from the kitchen.

"Why didn't you two call me when you went out?"

Gu Xixi said, "If I called you, who would help carry the food and set the table?"

An Qinghe laughed, "True, anyway I'm idle; any chores I can help with around the house count."

The courtyard already had small square tables and stools set up.

An Qinghe set down the plate and said, "The sour green beans were sent by Zhou's sister-in-law."

"She's rushing to go to town to set up a stall, and asked me to pass on her greetings to you."

Gu Xixi nodded, sat down at the table, and said to Lv Jing, "This afternoon we'll go around to each family's orchard."

This matter must be handled promptly.

First, out of responsibility, we must see it in person.

Second, we want all the families who plant fruit trees with her to feel at ease.

Recently, Shitou taking care of Old Doctor has become a habit.

At mealtime, without anyone saying, he already went to the backyard to call Old Doctor to come eat together.

Shitou also carried the medicine box and just placed it on the nearby windowsill.

After the meal, Gu Xixi then followed Old Doctor to Gu Lao San's house.

Old Doctor is already very familiar with the village roads; he didn't take a cane, didn't allow Gu Xixi to support him, and insisted on walking himself.

Gu Xixi could only lower her head to watch the path ahead of Old Doctor.

Whenever they encountered stones, she kicked them aside promptly.

Old Doctor suddenly said, "When we get to his place later, you can do whatever you want."

"You have your master backing you."

Gu Xixi had been focusing on the ground; hearing this, she couldn't help but stare, "Ah?"