Chapter 179: Returning to the Stage
After many years, Xia Lu Nong found himself standing on a stage once again.
Previously, he had mainly performed or hosted events on stage, but this time, he was giving a presentation.
And instead of discussing a subject he had formally studied, he was sharing his self-taught knowledge of agriculture.
However, standing on this stage, he felt braver than ever before.
Xia Lu Nong scanned the audience and met Kong Zhi’s gaze.
Kong Zhi was seated front and center, looking at him with encouragement.
Xia Lu Nong smiled and began his speech.
As soon as he started speaking, it became clear to the audience that he knew what he was talking about.
At first, the audience had been somewhat inattentive, some even chatting and joking. But as soon as Xia Lu Nong spoke his first sentence, almost everyone sat up straight.
Over the past year, Xia Lu Nong had learned a great deal—not just through experience but also by studying books. His presentation, a blend of practical experience and theoretical knowledge, was clear and easy to understand.
The audience, regardless of their age or education, understood him.
Since he was addressing the issues most important to them, no one in the audience dared to let their attention wander.
Originally, Xia Lu Nong’s talk was supposed to last 40 minutes.
However, as he continued, he got more and more engrossed, stretching his talk to over 70 minutes.
The audience kept raising their hands to ask questions, and after an hour and a half, the presentation still hadn’t concluded.
Xia Huo Qu and Yan Xi Nian were seated in the audience.
Yan Xi Nian turned to Xia Huo Qu and said, “We really underestimated Xiao Nong. We thought he might get stage fright, but he performed far better than we expected.”
Xia Huo Qu, reminiscing, looked at his younger brother on stage and softened his tone. “He’s been on stage countless times since he was a kid. Stage fright isn’t a problem for him. I just didn’t expect him to speak so well—he’s exceeded my expectations.”
“Kids really grow up fast,” Yan Xi Nian remarked. “It feels like just yesterday when he was born, and now he’s all grown up and ready to start his own family.”
Xia Huo Qu glanced at him. “Why are you talking like an old man? You’re only a few years older than him.”
Yan Xi Nian laughed. “It’s not about age. When he was born, I was old enough to remember everything. I recall you weren’t too thrilled at the time, worried that your little brother would take your toys.”
Xia Huo Qu chuckled at the memory. “Back then, I found him annoying. Who would’ve thought he’d follow us around like a little shadow for so many years?”
Xia Lu Nong, on stage, knew that his older brothers were probably sharing embarrassing stories about him.
After finally finishing his talk and wrapping up, he came down, brimming with excitement, and immediately sought out Kong Zhi. “So? How did I do? Not bad, right?”
Kong Zhi praised him. “Very good! Clear and easy to understand.”
It was early spring, and Xia Lu Nong was sweating profusely.
He laughed, wiping the sweat from his forehead, and looked around. “Where are my brothers? I saw them earlier.”
“There are too many people—they might be waiting outside or they could’ve gone home. Let’s go check,” Kong Zhi replied.
When Xia Lu Nong and Kong Zhi went outside, they found his two older brothers waiting.
Running up to them, Xia Lu Nong proudly asked, “How did I do? I didn’t let you guys down, did I?”
“You were fantastic, better than we expected. We were just talking about how we were worried you’d get stage fright,” Yan Xi Nian said, giving him a thumbs-up. “After the disaster, when schools reopen, you should consider studying agriculture.”
Xia Lu Nong, a little shy, waved his hand. “We’ll see. As long as everyone understands, that’s what matters.”
Not only was Xia Lu Nong teaching others in the base, but he was also putting his knowledge to practice by farming himself.
Compared to last year’s struggles, this year they were far more prepared.
That evening, as Xia Lu Nong and Kong Zhi finished their work and headed home, they ran into Xia Huo Qu and Yan Xi Nian at the crossroads.
Both of them were covered in black oil stains, their clothes filthy, and even from a distance, Xia Lu Nong could smell the pungent odor of gasoline.
Startled, Xia Lu Nong asked, “Why do you smell so strongly of gasoline? Where were you today?”
Yan Xi Nian replied, “Well, spring is here, and we had previously located some agricultural machinery. We went out today to bring it back.”
“Were the machines broken?” Xia Lu Nong asked.
“Not too badly. Most of the damage was to smaller parts, and there were some oil leaks. But we’ll repair them soon,” Yan Xi Nian said with a smile. “But enough about us—how did things go with the fields? Were the oxen able to plow smoothly?”
Xia Lu Nong nodded. “Very smoothly. The oxen were raised by hand, so they’re very gentle and intelligent. Once you teach them, they know how to plow the fields.”
Patting Xia Lu Nong on the shoulder with a clean hand, Yan Xi Nian said, “That’s great! In the future, we can have the oxen plow the areas that are hard to reach with machines, like terraced fields. We’ll use machines for the more accessible areas, handling both methods simultaneously.”
This reminded Xia Lu Nong to ask, “Besides plows and planting machines, did you find any harvesters?”
Yan Xi Nian nodded. “Yes, we found those too. They’re being repaired, but there’s no rush. We can deal with that when harvest season comes. Many agricultural machines are multi-functional—you can often just swap out a part to make them do something else.”
Lowering his voice, Yan Xi Nian added, “Given how complex the terrain is now and the presence of some mutated plants in the fields, the Fireseed Base is researching new agricultural machinery suited for today’s conditions.”
Xia Lu Nong curiously asked, “Even if that’s the case, the leftover agricultural machinery should still be enough for now. Researching new machines can’t just be for that reason, right?”
“Smart,” Yan Xi Nian praised. “The main reason is energy. The previous agricultural machinery all ran on diesel or gasoline, but with no established industrial system and difficult transportation, continuing to rely on diesel or gasoline would be very troublesome.”
Xia Lu Nong hadn’t expected that this would involve the issue of new energy sources.
He looked at Yan Xi Nian in shock and swallowed nervously. “Brother Xi Nian, did the Fireseed Base tell us what new energy they found?”
“They haven’t found it yet, but it’s related to the meteorite we provided. That’s why they mentioned it to us. Keep it a secret.”
Xia Lu Nong replied, “Who would I even tell?”
As they talked, they returned home, too tired to cook, so they grabbed dinner from the cafeteria.
The spring plowing at the base was progressing smoothly.
Xia Lu Nong and Kong Zhi finished planting all their fields in about a week.
Xia Huo Qu and Yan Xi Nian hadn’t participated in the planting. They had made it clear from the start that they wouldn’t share in the harvest, leaving it entirely to Xia Lu Nong and Kong Zhi. Whatever they planted, they would harvest themselves, and it would belong solely to them.
The crops Xia Lu Nong and Kong Zhi planted were not ordinary, and with Xia Lu Nong’s special abilities, the value of these crops could be very high.
Xia Huo Qu and Yan Xi Nian had made their intentions clear from the beginning to avoid any conflicts later on, even though both knew that the two younger ones wouldn’t really care about such things.
Despite that, Xia Lu Nong still felt a bit sad after hearing his brother’s decision.
He said to his brother, “We’ve always done things together, and now saying this feels so distant.”
Xia Huo Qu responded, “Family is family, but now you two are starting your own household. Besides the big family, you also have your own small family now. It’s better to separate earlier.”
Xia Lu Nong sighed. “Kong Zhi doesn’t mind stuff like this.”
“Whether he minds or not is his business. As your older brother, I have to handle things properly.”
Xia Lu Nong felt uneasy. “So, Brother, you and Brother Xi Nian… have you two formed a ‘small family’ as well?”
Xia Huo Qu’s usually stern face faltered, and he frowned slightly. “What has he been telling you?”
Xia Lu Nong shook his head. “He hasn’t said anything, but I’m not blind. I can see it. Are you two officially together?”
“At this point, what’s left to make official?” Xia Huo Qu rubbed his forehead. “Don’t ask. If there’s anything to announce, I’ll tell you myself.”
Xia Lu Nong, undeterred, added, “Brother, I feel like Brother Xi Nian really likes you.”
Xia Huo Qu glanced at him and said, “Your Brother Xi Nian had a girlfriend before.”
Xia Lu Nong was surprised. “What?”
In a low voice, seemingly speaking to both himself and his brother, Xia Huo Qu murmured, “What people call ‘liking’ might just be a misunderstanding brought on by our unusual circumstances.”
Xia Lu Nong knew better than to meddle in his brother’s love life, so he said nothing further.
After finishing the fields at the base, they still had the plains to cultivate.
Mutant animals no longer dared to approach the plains.
The sounds of human activity filled the area, and with the high intelligence of the mutant animals, they avoided the plains unless they were seeking trouble.
The plains, however, were now overrun with mutant plants.
With the arrival of spring, everything—mutants included—was flourishing. Several teams walking across the plains had been injured by the mutant plants.
Xia Lu Nong was temporarily assigned to patrol the plains and inspect the plant situation there.
Xia Huo Qu, worried about his safety, initially wanted to personally protect him, but Xia Lu Nong convinced him otherwise.
With his current abilities, going out with Kong Zhi was enough to ensure his safety.
When Xia Hua Jiao heard they were going on patrol, it wanted to join them as well.
But by this year, Xia Hua Jiao was far from its size last year. Its trunk had grown over ten centimeters in diameter, and its sharp, long thorns made it impossible to pull its roots from the ground and hop along the surface as it used to, so it had to give up the idea.
Feeling wronged, Xia Hua Jiao sulked in the courtyard, waving its branches around for half an hour.
The rose, triumphant for once, commented, “Trees aren’t meant to move around frequently. If anyone should be moving, it’s me, being a vine and all.”
Xia Lu Nong sighed, exasperated. “This patrol isn’t for fun. Why do you want to come along?”
“You’re just wandering around anyway, and I’m not heavy. It would be great to bring me along. If we encounter any mutant animals or plants, I can help you fight them.”
Xia Lu Nong retorted dryly, “If we really face something we can’t handle, Kong Zhi can just fly us away. You, on the other hand, are covered in thorns and hard to carry.”
The rose didn’t hesitate. “Then just leave me behind. I have so many main bodies; losing one or two isn’t a big deal.”
Though the rose was willing, Xia Lu Nong was not.
It talked way too much, and bringing such a chatty companion would definitely spoil the atmosphere!
In the end, Xia Lu Nong struck a deal with the rose, agreeing to take it along once for every five trips.
The rose wasn’t entirely satisfied, but since it was the only plant in the courtyard capable of going on patrol, it begrudgingly accepted after a few arguments.
Xia Lu Nong and his team also planned to check on the honeysuckle they had planted.
The honeysuckle had been growing on the plains for almost a year, and after enduring wind, frost, rain, and snow, it had expanded significantly, stretching hundreds of meters along the riverbank.
It wasn’t yet time for the honeysuckle to bloom.
But when it did, the riverbank would likely become a vast corridor of gold and silver flowers stretching for hundreds of meters.
Xia Lu Nong had a fondness for the honeysuckle and would visit it every time he was nearby.
On this day, as usual, he went to check on the honeysuckle.
He only intended to take a quick look, and if it was short on water or fertilizer, he planned to replenish it.
Unexpectedly, as he approached, Xia Lu Nong immediately sensed something was wrong.
It seemed like this honeysuckle had developed consciousness.
This was an incredibly strange feeling.
Xia Lu Nong, having spent so much time outdoors, had grown adept at distinguishing between mutated and non-mutated plants.
The original honeysuckle here was already a large mutated plant, but its mutation hadn’t been very severe.
Now, just by looking at it, the sight of the honeysuckle made Xia Lu Nong’s scalp tingle, clearly indicating it had become a powerful mutated plant.
At first, Xia Lu Nong couldn’t tell if this was due to a new mutation or if the honeysuckle’s consciousness had moved over here to settle.
He glanced behind the honeysuckle.
It was growing by the riverside, not far from their newly built factory.
The factory was bustling with people coming and going.
If a large honeysuckle mutated right under their noses and suddenly became hostile, the consequences could be disastrous.
Xia Lu Nong exchanged a serious look with Kong Zhi.
Kong Zhi, who had an excellent understanding with him, immediately realized the danger of the plant in front of them.
Kong Zhi grabbed his hand, muscles tensing, ready to transform into his beast form at any moment and fly them both away.
Cautiously, Xia Lu Nong approached and greeted the honeysuckle.
After a long pause, the honeysuckle finally responded, “You’ve come?”
Xia Lu Nong frowned, “What’s going on? Why does your aura feel different?”
“You’re not mistaken,” the honeysuckle replied after a slightly shorter pause. “My original body couldn’t hold on anymore, so I transferred my consciousness here. But this isn’t something that can be done all at once.”
“So, you’re saying half your consciousness is here and the other half is still at the original location?”
“No, all of it is here now,” the honeysuckle answered, sounding troubled. “The problem is that I now have two consciousnesses.”
