Chapter 30
He could think that way, but Jian Mo could never really refuse him.
The Marshal’s residence wasn’t short of gardeners; even Uncle Ye could help with planning.
But for Shi Xiaowang, planning was only a small part. The main point was inviting a friend over.
Jian Mo stayed silent for a long time, sighed, and replied to Shi Xiaowang’s message.
[Of course, you decide.]
[Thank you, Sir!]
Shi Xiaowang immediately replied, adding a sticker of a silly smiling puppy.
Almost at the same time, downstairs, Shi Xiaowang invited Xu Qingluo, and Xu Qingluo’s response was a mixture of surprise and nervousness.
The lion closed his eyes, feeling an inexplicable anxiety, his tail leaving grooves in the blanket.
They’d only known each other for five days, and Xu Qingluo was already willing to come over? This was the Marshal’s residence—wasn’t he a bit scared?
Inviting friends over was completely normal. Back at the base, whenever he met friends he clicked with, he occasionally invited them to the house to chat—even if they hadn’t known each other long.
Every time he brought friends back, the old marshal never objected. He’d discuss topics of interest with them and treat them warmly.
But with himself, Jian Mo’s instinct was to be wary, suspecting the visitor’s intentions.
Jian Mo reflected seriously.
Shi Xiaowang wasn’t a flower that could only survive in the greenhouse; he didn’t need such overprotection.
It was all unnecessary worry.
Jian Mo convinced himself again.
“Jian Da Meow!”
Shi Xiaowang, for some unknown reason, had ended the livestream and returned upstairs to the bedroom, cheerfully rubbing the lion’s head.
“Tomorrow my friend is coming over to our house. It’s my first time inviting someone over.”
Shi Xiaowang looked happy, eyes curved with childlike excitement and anticipation.
Fine, a small smile flickered in the lion’s eyes.
As long as he was happy, and he was right under Jian Mo’s watch, nothing would go wrong.
“Oh right, I need to discuss something with you first.”
Shi Xiaowang looked serious.
“If you don’t want to interact with strangers, you can just stay here and sleep tomorrow. I won’t bring him upstairs, don’t worry.”
The lion didn’t make a sound, but rubbed his head against Shi Xiaowang’s palm.
Understanding this as consent, Shi Xiaowang chuckled and hugged his neck.
“Da Meow is the best!”
The next morning, Uncle Ye sent someone to pick up Xu Qingluo.
Xu Qingluo held a small, carefully trimmed potted plant. It was his first time at the Marshal’s residence, and he was as nervous and reserved as Shi Xiaowang had been when he first arrived at the base.
“Brother Xiaowang.”
Seeing Shi Xiaowang waiting at the gate, Xu Qingluo greeted softly.
“Hello, Qingluo.”
Shi Xiaowang smiled warmly, his eyes drawn to the potted plant.
“Did you grow this? It’s beautiful—the leaves are nice, and the shape is cute.”
“Yes.”
Xu Qingluo nodded and smiled shyly.
“This is a maple sapling. The leaves change color with the seasons. I have several at home. I wasn’t sure what to bring as a gift, so I brought this. I hope you like it, Brother Xiaowang.”
“I love it! I really love it!”
Shi Xiaowang touched the maple leaves, smiling.
“Come, I’ll take you to the greenhouse to see the plants I’ve grown.”
Uncle Ye took the potted plant at just the right moment.
“I’ll take it.”
“Did you eat breakfast? Is your grandfather okay at home alone?”
On the way to the greenhouse, Shi Xiaowang made small talk. He remembered Xu Qingluo had said his grandfather wasn’t very healthy.
“Yes, I’ve fed him lunch before I left. He can take care of his daily needs himself.”
Xu Qingluo replied.
“That’s good. If there’s anything you need at home, you can tell me. Can’t have you calling me brother for nothing.”
Shi Xiaowang laughed and patted his shoulder. Xu Qingluo looked at him and smiled.
“Mm!”
Shi Xiaowang pushed open the greenhouse door and welcomed Xu Qingluo in.
“This is the greenhouse. It’s not as refined as your courtyard. Just look around casually, it’s fine.”
“Mm, okay.”
Hearing the sounds downstairs, Jian Da Meow opened his eyes and glanced downward.
Stretching silently, he walked to the middle floor platform, lying there quietly to watch the two downstairs.
Uncle Ye placed the potted plant down and left the greenhouse.
Xu Qingluo looked around shyly, glancing at the main residence nearby.
“Is Marshal Jian home? Should I go say hello?”
“Don’t worry.”
Shi Xiaowang smiled.
“Jian Mo isn’t home today, no need to be so nervous.”
The lion flicked his tail, narrowing his eyes, seemingly displeased.
“This is where I usually livestream. For convenience, I plant most of my plants here.”
Shi Xiaowang led him further in.
“I showed you before during our video. When the flowers bloom, it looks pretty, but after the season ends, it looks messy.”
Aside from the initial roses, gardenias, and sunflowers, Shi Xiaowang had planted many other flowering plants. Growth varied—some tall, some short, some sprawling—and looked somewhat chaotic.
Xu Qingluo nodded.
“I started the same way, planting any pretty plant in my courtyard. Some were brought back by my parents on business trips. At first it was fine, but as they grew, it looked messy.”
“Exactly!”
Shi Xiaowang shrugged.
“I actually planned while planting. Can you tell? But once grown, it still looks messy. I’m not good at pruning or shaping, and I really don’t know how to manage it.”
Back in the post-apocalyptic days, the old man planned where each plant should go. Most plants were grown for food, rarely for shape. Shi Xiaowang had little experience in ornamental cultivation.
“Then let’s start with pruning.”
Xu Qingluo said.
“Since these plants are already grown, moving them is risky. We can start by pruning, controlling the general layers—it’ll look much better.”
“Sure! You tell me how to prune, I’ll follow.”
Shi Xiaowang agreed readily.
It was clear Xu Qingluo truly liked plants. The two shared a common interest and became like two happy little gardeners, talking about one topic after another. Xu Qingluo shed his initial reserve and began advising Shi Xiaowang where to plant future flowers.
Shi Xiaowang even started planning a small pond with aquatic plants and a few fish.
The lion on the platform yawned out of boredom, watching the two work hard pruning, flicking his tail.
He couldn’t remember why he’d been annoyed yesterday.
After pruning, the two began discussing which plants would produce the tastiest fruits.
When it came to eating, Shi Xiaowang clearly had more expertise.
After harvesting corn and other crops, he had planted more vegetables and fruits. They picked some together and continued chatting while eating.
“Brother Xiaowang, can I see how you purify plants?”
Xu Qingluo hesitated, then asked.
“I’ve always been curious. I know I can’t learn it, but I still want to see it with my own eyes.”
“Mm…”
Shi Xiaowang thought for a moment.
“Alright. Look around—pick anything you want to grow. These seeds haven’t been purified yet. After I purify them, you can take them home to plant.”
Xu Qingluo’s eyes lit up with excitement.
“Really? Then I won’t be polite.”
“No need to be polite.”
Shi Xiaowang smiled.
“But some seeds in the small wooden box are rare. Unique flowers, I can’t give you those.”
“I understand.”
Xu Qingluo nodded, only taking flowers Shi Xiaowang had grown and some crop seeds shown in livestreams.
“Then I’ll start purifying.”
Shi Xiaowang theatrically rolled up his sleeves, took the maple Xu Qingluo had gifted him, and began purifying them with his ability.
Shi Xiaowang had become very skilled in using his power. The small sprouts he previously created now had several new leaves, faintly glowing, full of vitality.
Xu Qingluo was amazed; he had never seen such psychic power.
After staring for a while, he glanced at Shi Xiaowang concentrating, then activated his neuro-interface to record the scene.
Suddenly, a mighty roar sounded behind them. Even Shi Xiaowang was startled and stopped purifying, turning around.
The lion glared at Xu Qingluo, growling as a warning.
Xu Qingluo was so frightened his face went pale, forgetting to even turn off his interface.
Seeing the screen in front of Xu Qingluo, Shi Xiaowang realized what happened.
Xu Qingluo had tried to record Shi Xiaowang purifying plants, but Jian Da Meow had seen it.
Shi Xiaowang stepped between them, crouched, and patted Jian Da Meow’s head, smiling.
“What’s up? Such morning grumpiness today?”
The lion and Shi Xiaowang exchanged a look, then the lion backed up a few steps, putting space between himself and Xu Qingluo.
“Are you okay, Qingluo?”
Shi Xiaowang turned to comfort Xu Qingluo with a light laugh.
“He probably misunderstood. Remember when Qiao Huanhuan tried to attack me? Your motion just now looked like you were trying to take a photo, and he thought you were going to attack me, so he roared at you.”
“I… I…”
Xu Qingluo wanted to explain, but fear left his mind blank.
“I’m sorry, Brother Xiaowang. I just… it was so amazing, I…”
After a while, Xu Qingluo realized what Shi Xiaowang had said.
Shi Xiaowang noticed he had been secretly trying to take photos.
“But I didn’t get any. I won’t take photos again!”
Xu Qingluo said, quickly showing his interface to Shi Xiaowang.
