Chapter 188: New Seedlings
Xia Lu Nong and Kong Zhi turned their heads to look up at the sky.
The helicopter’s blades were spinning, stirring up a strong mountain wind that blew their clothes and hair wildly.
Some people, whether from excitement or fear, began to show signs of partial transformation into beasts, revealing furry ears or tails.
Xia Lu Nong looked to his left and right and couldn’t help but sprout a pair of fuzzy cat ears himself.
His beast form had grown much larger, and the cat ears now stood prominently on his head.
Kong Zhi reached out and gave them a pat.
Xia Lu Nong’s ears were thick and soft, with a plush texture that felt great to the touch.
Kong Zhi, fixated on his ears, stroked them a second time.
Xia Lu Nong, focused on what was happening in front of him, only flicked his ears in response to the touch.
His soft, thick ears twitched in Kong Zhi’s palm, providing a satisfying sensation. Kong Zhi smiled as he looked at him.
Soon, people began disembarking from the helicopter.
Xia Lu Nong, still watching intently, noticed that among the arrivals were two women and one man, all middle-aged and seemingly of high status.
After they stepped off the helicopter, Zhang Shi Hai and Luo Cong Xin followed.
Xia Lu Nong turned his head and casually asked someone he was familiar with nearby, “Uncle, has anyone gone to call my brothers?”
Someone in the crowd shouted, “They’ve already been called. The sentries reported the unusual activity right away and went to notify them.”
Xia Lu Nong quietly breathed a sigh of relief, glad that his brothers had been informed.
As they spoke, the crowd stirred again. Xia Lu Nong turned with the others and saw his two brothers striding toward them.
The crowd parted like the sea, making way for them.
Yan Xi Nian walked over and shook hands with the visitors, exchanging a few pleasantries.
After the visitors showed their identification, Yan Xi Nian smiled even more warmly and, together with Xia Huo Qu, began leading the group to their office on the plains.
Standing in the crowd, Xia Lu Nong saw his brother gesture to him, calling him over.
Understanding his brother’s signal immediately, Xia Lu Nong quickly grabbed Kong Zhi and followed.
As he trailed behind, Xia Lu Nong overheard that the Fireseed Base had come to discuss a business partnership.
In every way—scale, talent, and technology—their base was far behind the Fireseed Base.
Just last year, their base had been a small, unknown facility.
When Zhang Shi Hai and the others had thought of seeking refuge there, they had thought of resting for a bit before heading north to the Fireseed Base.
But now, the Fireseed Base was actively reaching out to them for collaboration.
This was an enormous change.
The Fireseed Base was vastly superior to them in all aspects, so Yan Xi Nian was eager to cooperate.
The two sides didn’t even need to go into too much detail before they reached a preliminary agreement.
Listening in from behind, Xia Lu Nong was quietly amazed.
It was only when dealing with the Fireseed Base that his two brothers were so accommodating.
The plains weren’t ideal for hosting guests, so after a brief conversation, Yan Xi Nian and Xia Lu Nong invited the visitors to head up the mountain.
Kong Zhi, seeing they were about to go uphill, voluntarily brought the car over.
Seeing them deep in conversation, Xia Lu Nong quietly got into the front seat, listening quietly.
While chatting, the older woman from the Seed Base suddenly turned the topic toward Xia Lu Nong. “Is this Xiao Nong?”
Xia Lu Nong quickly turned and greeted her, “Yes, I’m Xia Lu Nong.”
“Hello. I’ve heard Leng Changkong mention you. He holds you in high regard.”
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Xia Lu Nong replied, “That’s an overstatement.”
The woman smiled, “One of the reasons we’re here is to find you. Your abilities are remarkable. Would you be interested in working with us?”
This time, Xia Lu Nong didn’t hesitate to respond, “I’ll follow the arrangements of our base.”
The woman looked at him with interest, “Even if the Fireseed Base can offer you better conditions?”
Xia Lu Nong shook his head.
Yan Xi Nian quickly interjected with a laugh, “Don’t trouble him. This kid is stubborn about his principles.”
The woman kept her gaze on Xia Lu Nong.
Xia Lu Nong pointed to Xia Huo Qu and then to Kong Zhi, saying seriously, “My brothers and Kong Zhi are here, and this is my home. I have no other ambitions.”
“So young, yet you speak as if you’re much older,” the woman laughed. “Even if this is your home, you can still go out and explore the world.”
Xia Lu Nong replied, “When our base is more developed, maybe I will go out and see the world.”
The woman stared at him for a moment, then turned back to continue her conversation with Yan Xi Nian without pressing him further.
Once they returned to the base, Xia Lu Nong left with Kong Zhi. There was a lot to do in spring, whether in the fields or with the livestock, and they didn’t have time to waste.
That evening, Yan Xi Nian and Xia Huo Qu returned late for dinner.
The four of them sat down to eat together.
Xia Lu Nong asked, “Brother, I saw those visitors in the fields this afternoon. What are they here for? Is it about wheat?”
Xia Huo Qu replied, “Our wheat is exceptional, so they came to inspect it. But mainly, they’re here to discuss cooperation.”
Xia Lu Nong asked in confusion, “What kind of cooperation are they talking about? Didn’t we already send them the seeds?”
“That’s just one type of seed. We don’t only have wheat,” Xia Huo Qu explained. “Things like peanuts, corn, and rice—these are all high-yield, important crops. Then there are mutated plants like roses and honeysuckle, which are particularly energy-rich. They’ve caught the attention of the higher-ups at the Fireseed Base.”
Xia Lu Nong looked up, glanced at his brother, and then at his other brother, Xi Nian, before seriously saying, “Peanuts, corn, and rice are fine. I have no objection to sharing those, but not the roses and honeysuckle. They aren’t just partners—they’re friends. I won’t hand them over without their consent.”
“Of course,” Yan Xi Nian chimed in. “Right now, we’re only having preliminary discussions about cooperation. The details will be worked out later.”
Xia Lu Nong nodded in agreement.
Kong Zhi then asked, “Our seeds are quite special. If we do partner with the Fireseed Base, what can they offer us?”
“We’re still negotiating that. The current idea is for the Fireseed Base to provide us with infrastructure—water, electricity, the internet, weapons… We’ll need their help with those,” Xia Huo Qu replied.
“Water and electricity, sure, but are they willing to provide weapons?” Kong Zhi inquired.
“That’s what we’re negotiating. Whether it works out, we’ll know as the talks progress,” Yan Xi Nian said.
At this point, Xia Lu Nong suddenly asked, “So, does this mean we’re going to build a city?”
Yan Xi Nian nodded, “Exactly. Our base has grown so much, and with our technology, talent, and the support of the Fireseed Base, it’s time we build a city.”
Xia Lu Nong was taken aback. “Then we’ll become the largest base in this region, won’t we?”
“I think so. Look at the size of the buildings we’re constructing on the plains. Once everything is built, we might not claim to be the second-largest, but no city will dare claim to be the first.”
Hearing the boldness in his brother’s words, Xia Lu Nong couldn’t help but feel excited too. “We’ll definitely be the biggest city in this region!”
Yan Xi Nian raised his soup bowl and said, “Let’s celebrate with some soup instead of wine!”
Xia Lu Nong gulped down the entire bowl of soup in one go, wiped his mouth, and asked, “What will we name our base?”
Yan Xi Nian replied, “You name it.”
Xia Huo Qu chimed in, “What do you think we should call it?”
Kong Zhi also turned his gaze to Xia Lu Nong.
Under the pressure of three pairs of eyes, Xia Lu Nong hesitated. “A name, huh?”
Xia Huo Qu nodded, confirming, “Yes, you give our base a name.”
Looking at each of them, Xia Lu Nong suggested, “How about New Seedling Base? The seeds have already been planted, and we’re the new seedlings. One day, we’ll grow into towering trees!”
