Chapter 404: Forget About Becoming My Disciple

Gu Xixi laughed, "Sure."

Lv Jing suddenly turned around, eyes shining with excitement, "Can grafting tea trees let one tree grow two kinds of tea leaves?"

"Couldn't we graft several kinds of trees together? One tree could then have many flavors?"

Gu Xixi instead admired Lv Jing's forward-thinking.

Because her idea, to some extent, could indeed be realized with modern agricultural technology.

Gu Xixi said, "Using the high-position grafting method, we can graft different varieties onto the same rootstock."

"It's possible for them to sprout leaves, bloom, and bear fruit at the same time."

"However, this does little to help fruit trees bear fruit sooner or increase yield, so it's not yet suitable for large-scale promotion."

"Another situation is updating varieties, grafting layer upon layer."

"This way, perhaps several varieties could be counted from the trunk of a single tree."

"But the fruit that ultimately grows can only be the topmost, newest variety."

Lv Jing grew up in a tea garden since childhood, so she's not completely unfamiliar with farming.

Grafting, varieties.

She heard some unfamiliar terms, and the light in her eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Like a little bee that had flown a long time, she finally found the supreme nectar she had sought all her life.

Lv Jing suddenly grabbed Gu Xixi, "Xixi! Grafting is really fascinating! Meeting you in this life is truly great!!"

"Huh?" Gu Xixi was still stunned.

Lv Jing took a deep breath, her expression solemn as if swearing before a deity.

"Xixi, I've figured out what I want to do."

"I want to become your apprentice and learn the art of grafting!"

Gu Xixi hesitated, "Well... that's not impossible."

Besides, some of her own experimental data still need to be kept secret.

As for basic techniques like grafting, she never thought of keeping them secret.

Moreover, giving a fish is not as good as teaching how to fish.

When she initially agreed to take Lv Jing back to the northwest, Gu Xixi also planned to let her learn a skill someday.

That way, whether in a few years Lv Jing no longer wants to work with her, or gets married and starts a family,

having a skill will at least enable her to support herself.

Gu Xixi said, "Just learning agricultural skills is hard."

"It's not just theory; you also need hands-on practice, more work and more practice."

"Working in the fields every day, wind and sun, hands getting rough—can you handle that?"

Lv Jing laughed, "You haven't forgotten, have you? I'm also a farmer's daughter."

She paused, "Before, my parents were reluctant to let me work in the fields, raising me like a city girl."

"They only hoped to find me a good husband."

"The first half of life relying on parents, then husband; the second half relying on husband, then children."

"Back then I also thought my life ought to be like that,"

"but who could have imagined such a change would happen?"

"I was forced to rely only on myself."

"In dire straits I began to realize that taking that step isn't actually so hard."

Speaking of the past, Lv Jing's expression dimmed a little.

But she quickly lifted her smile again.

"But Xixi, you've truly convinced me that women can also become their own reliance."

"Women can earn a living, can stand in this world by their own abilities."

"Just like many men do every day."

Lv Jing's eyes held tears, yet her smile was exceedingly bright.

Gu Xixi also felt moved, and after a moment said, "In the future, when we prepare the tea garden—selecting tree varieties, grafting, planting—there's plenty of work; as long as you don't fear hardship, it's fine."

Lv Jing overjoyed, "Xixi, you've agreed to teach me?"

"Oh no, I should call you Master!"

Gu Xixi waved her hand with a slight headache, "Forget the apprenticeship."

"Just keep following me as usual, learning while doing."

"This would-be apprentice of hers already gives old Doctor Lao enough worry and sighs."

"She really doesn't want to also take on a disciple and suffer that."

Lv Jing, however, felt a bit disappointed, "Is that so……"

"Outside, those who work as apprentices learn while doing, the master provides food and lodging but no wages."

"After completing their training, apprentices must still work for the master for at least three years without pay."

Lv Jing frowned, "Under the same conditions, you don't want me to work for free, yet you give me such high wages."

"Xixi, you always do things this way, you'll end up losing out!"

Gu Xixi looked at her amusedly, "You're still worrying about yourself, aren't you?"

"Who would help the boss think of ways to exploit themselves?"

"Don't later leave my side and turn around only to be deceived by others."

Lv Jing objected, "What do you mean by me leaving your side?"

"I said I'd cling to you for this lifetime; you don't even think of getting rid of me!"

The two were making a fuss when Qin Dasao came over, laughing, and said, "What are you talking about? It's so lively."

"Come quickly, rest a bit and eat some fruit; Gouwa's dad just picked them at noon."

Gu Xixi and Lv Jing looked over and saw Qin Dasao holding apricots in both hands, full.

When the wheat is yellow, the apricots are red.

The apricots now have just begun to ripen in succession.

Because they are wild trees growing on the back mountain, the fruit is small, and the skins still have a hint of green.

Qin Dasao said, "Knowing you girls like things clean, I've washed them already."

The reason I say that is because ordinary rural folk, upon seeing an apricot tree, pick the fruit and eat it straight away.

Those who are particular about it at most wipe off the dust with their hands.

Anyway, back then there was no such thing as air pollution, heavy metals, or pesticide residues.

Gu Xixi ate one; it was sweet and sour, although not as sweet and soft as a fully ripe one.

But it also had its own unique flavor.

Lv Jing scrunched her face and laughed, "Sour! But delicious!"

Qin Dasao's mouth watered looking at them, and she couldn't help but start eating herself.

Seeing her eat one after another, it seemed she wasn't afraid of the sourness hurting her teeth at all.

Lv Jing clicked her tongue and said, "Look at sister-in-law eating so happily."

"If I hadn't tasted it, I'd think you were eating sweet apricots."

Qin Dasao smiled embarrassedly and said, "I've recently taken a liking to sour things."

"I had saved these to entertain you, but I'm about to finish them all myself."

Gu Xixi stared at Qin Dasao, suddenly thinking of something, "Sister-in-law, you couldn't be..."

She lowered her gaze, meaningfully looking at Qin Dasao's belly.

Qin Dasao nodded, lowered her voice secretly and proudly, and said, "My period hasn't come this month."

"And the feeling in my body is exactly the same as when I had Gouwa."

"I reckon it's confirmed."

"But before it's truly confirmed, don't tell anyone else; just the two of you knowing is enough."

Lv Jing was still out of the loop, "What confirmed?"

Gu Xixi said, "Sister-in-law Qin might be pregnant."

Lv Jing suddenly understood, and sincerely rejoiced for Qin Dasao, "Sister-in-law has a little baby, congratulations!"

Gu Xixi also smiled and congratulated Qin Dasao.

After Qin Dasao gave birth to Gouwa, there was no news for many years.

Now they, as a couple, have finally gotten what they wished for.

However...

Gu Xixi, without changing her expression, sized up Qin Dasao's complexion and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, why don't you and Elder Brother Qin come to my place tonight so my master can take your pulse? Then the good news can be confirmed, right?"

Qin Dasao joyfully said, "Oh dear, how could I have forgotten? Now our village has its own divine doctor."

"As for taking the pulse, why was I still guessing wildly myself!"