Chapter 38
If it weren’t for the surveillance cameras and his intention to continue using the caretaker role, Su Ci might have simply stowed the items into his spatial button and left.
However, since he aimed to make the plantation a valuable ally, it was best to avoid unnecessary conflicts and maintain amicable relations whenever possible.
Su Ci believed he had a decent grasp of social nuances.
Zhuang Shisong studied the excessively handsome young man in front of him. Although he had convinced himself otherwise, the earlier image of Su Ci casually plucking a star-chain fruit amidst a sea of green vines had etched itself deeply in his mind.
Pressing his lips together, Zhuang Shisong asked, “Can you tell me why? Also, Caretaker Su, what brings you to the plantation?”
Su Ci glanced at the withered vines and roots in his hand, hesitating slightly before replying, “To plant flowers.”
The star-chain fruit plant produced flowers—he had just seen them.
“…”
Zhuang Shisong hadn’t expected such an answer.
Next to him, Gu Qingchen, hearing this familiar reply, was caught between amusement and exasperation. Noticing Zhuang Shisong’s furrowed brows, he quickly stepped in to smooth things over, explaining Su Ci’s visit to the plantation.
Su Ci wanted seeds, and since the latest shipment of supplies had just arrived, the plantation likely had some surplus available.
After hearing Gu Qingchen’s explanation, Zhuang Shisong still turned back to Su Ci, asking, “You’re planning to use those materials to grow flowers? How do you intend to do it?”
“Bury them in the soil,” Su Ci replied simply.
Seeing the confidence on Su Ci’s face, Zhuang paused before continuing, “And then?”
Su Ci blinked and thought for a moment before adding, “Water them?”
“…”
Faced with Su Ci’s earnest demeanor, Zhuang Shisong, despite his urge to tell him that such a rudimentary approach wouldn’t work on the Prison Star, refrained from saying anything discouraging.
They were all enthusiasts in their own way. There was no need to undermine someone’s passion—just as he hadn’t dismissed Gu Qingchen in the past. Although Gu Qingchen’s attempts ultimately failed, their shared enthusiasm had fostered a friendship.
Now, if Gu Qingchen needed help, Zhuang Shisong would never refuse him.
In the end, Zhuang Shisong didn’t make things difficult for Su Ci. Even though he doubted Su Ci’s approach would yield results, he still allowed him to take the withered vines and roots.
As for the three completely withered star-chain fruit vines that Wu Yunqin had taken away, Zhuang kindly offered, “If it’s confirmed they can’t be revived or used for anything, I can let you have them.”
After all, disposing of dead plant material was standard procedure. If the peculiar trainee caretaker wanted them, there was no harm in giving them to him.
The two exchanged contact information.
If the vines were deemed useless later, Zhuang Shisong would contact Su Ci to pick them up.
As for the seeds Su Ci wanted, thanks to Gu Qingchen’s connection, obtaining them wasn’t an issue. However, Su Ci would still need to exchange points for them. Zhuang Shisong, though, offered him a discounted rate.
Su Ci, having anticipated this, nodded. “That’s fine.”
After reaching an agreement, Zhuang Shisong sent Su Ci a list of available seeds—ones he was authorized to distribute.
As an assistant researcher at the plantation, Zhuang Shisong received a monthly allocation of seeds for experimental research. The ones he traded to Su Ci would come from his own share.
“From this list, I can give you three seeds of each type. Every three seeds will cost 1 point.”
This was already a highly favorable rate. Without Gu Qingchen’s introduction, Zhuang Shisong wouldn’t have shared his personal allotment at all.
Without this connection, Su Ci would have had to go through the logistics department to purchase seeds. That process would take several months and require far more points.
Carefully reading through the list, Su Ci found that most of the plant names were unfamiliar to him. However, his ingrained knowledge told him that the options were primarily fast-growing fruits and vegetables.
Relying on instinct, Su Ci selected ten types and transferred 10 points to Gu Qingchen.
“Alright, please wait here a moment,” Zhuang Shisong said after reviewing Su Ci’s chosen seeds. Nodding, he added, “Come with me to the lab to collect them. Qingchen, are you staying here or coming along?”
The lab was located a bit farther away, and taking a vehicle would be quicker.
“Of course, I’m coming with you,” Gu Qingchen replied with a grin.
Gu Qingchen couldn’t help feeling tempted by the selection of seeds Su Ci had chosen. However, recalling his “glorious” history of past failures, he suppressed the urge to misuse these precious seeds.
Still, while he couldn’t grow them himself, there was no harm in taking a look and enjoying the moment!
Zhuang Shisong summoned a work vehicle, and Gu Qingchen sat in the front seat with him. Su Ci, naturally, sat in the back with A-Yan.
The hovercar had an open roof, designed to allow the plantation staff to observe the surrounding environment as they traveled.
The plantation covered a vast area, with wide roads capable of accommodating two trucks side by side. Along the way, they passed numerous greenhouses, each filled with cultivated vegetables in their growth substrates.
“This batch of vegetables is growing well,” Gu Qingchen remarked with excitement as he spotted several greenhouses. The visibly healthy plants made him exclaim with delight, “I thought the blood rain would ruin this batch, but it seems like things turned out better than expected.”
Hearing this, Zhuang Shisong hesitated briefly but chose not to mention the changes in water quality. Without definitive conclusions, it was better to keep the information under wraps for now.
He gave a noncommittal hum and continued driving.
Meanwhile, A-Yan leaned against the window, staring outside. Though he had visited the plantation many times, this was his first ride in an “open-top car.” The cool breeze brushing against his face felt surprisingly pleasant.
Well, it would be perfect if the breeze didn’t carry the blood-red pollutants.
Just as he thought this, A-Yan froze. He could still feel the breeze, but the uncomfortable pollutants that usually bothered him… were gone!
At the same time, he felt a warm presence approach from behind. A shadow appeared above his head.
Looking up, he saw the caretaker leaning over, gazing at the scenery outside alongside him.
From his small stature, it almost felt like he was nestled in the caretaker’s arms.
And then, the next moment, he actually was!
Su Ci noticed A-Yan’s rapt attention on the passing scenery and couldn’t help but lean over to see what had caught his eye. One glance, and Su Ci thought…
How boring. It even made him a little sleepy.
Without much thought, he reached out and scooped A-Yan into his arms, accidentally brushing against the star-chain fruit tucked in the boy’s pocket. With a casual motion, Su Ci stored it in his spatial button, then rested his chin atop A-Yan’s soft, fluffy head.
He closed his eyes, allowing himself to drift into a light slumber.
A-Yan gulped, his small face turning red as he held his breath. However, he tried his best to relax, fully accepting his role as the caretaker’s cushion.
If the caretaker wanted to hold him, he could hold him for as long as he wanted… That’s what A-Yan thought.
Unfortunately, all rides must come to an end.
Soon, Zhuang Shisong brought the vehicle to a halt in front of his laboratory.
“Wait here for a moment,” he said to Gu Qingchen and Su Ci before hopping out of the car.
The researchers’ labs were standalone facilities, each equipped with adjacent greenhouses for experimental planting. Considering the harsh environment of the prison star, these perks were crucial for attracting and retaining scientific talent.
“Want to stretch your legs?” Gu Qingchen asked, glancing at Su Ci, who was still leaning against the window. From his angle, he couldn’t notice anything unusual.
Su Ci opened his eyes. Truthfully, he didn’t feel like moving. Holding A-Yan, with his soft, warm body, made him want to curl up and sleep properly in a cozy bed.
However…
His gaze shifted to one of the nearby greenhouses, located right next to Zhuang Shisong’s lab. Inside, he spotted rows of hydroponic plants. A-Yan’s attention had also turned toward the same direction.
“Yee-yah! Yee-yah!”
The voice of the talking spiritual plant rang out—it was inside that greenhouse!
What concerned Su Ci even more was the unmistakable sense that the plant was gathering strength. It wouldn’t be long before it began a growth frenzy, much like the star-chain fruits earlier.
The problem was evident: the nutrients in its cultivation base wouldn’t be enough to sustain such rapid growth. If left unchecked, the plant would likely meet the same fate as the three withered star-chain fruit vines.
Su Ci gently set down the warm little bundle in his arms, climbed out of the car, and headed straight toward the greenhouse.
Noticing his purposeful stride, Gu Qingchen, who had initially planned to head in the opposite direction, sighed and followed him to the greenhouse.
“This greenhouse looks great too!” Gu Qingchen pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and leaned closer to the glass to get a better look at the plants inside.
“Yee-yah! Yee-yah!” The little spiritual plant within the greenhouse, sensing Su Ci’s approach, became even more lively and joyful.
Just as it finished gathering energy, preparing for a rapid growth spurt, Su Ci flicked his fingers gently. A small golden light emerged from his fingertip, pierced through the greenhouse’s glass wall, and landed on the tiny spiritual plant tucked away in a corner.
The light merged with the plant, causing the budding green sprout to halt its growth abruptly.
“Huh?” The tender consciousness of the plant expressed confusion, evidently unaware of what Su Ci had done to it.
Su Ci showed no intention of further examining the plant. After preventing its reckless self-destruction, he turned his attention to Gu Qingchen, his gaze contemplative.
If left to Zhuang Shisong alone, who knew how long it would take for the spiritual plant to be noticed? Judging by the plantation’s current situation, it seemed they would be quite busy for some time.
The newly born spiritual plant required ample nutrients and care. Someone needed to look after it.
Su Ci pondered for a moment before speaking. “Dr. Gu, don’t you think staying here feels a bit more pleasant than usual?”
Gu Qingchen was still marveling at the plants in the greenhouse. Upon hearing Su Ci’s question, his first instinct was to say, Of course—how could it not, with all these delightful green plants around!
But he quickly stopped himself.
Gu Qingchen froze for a moment, and his expression rapidly shifted to one of seriousness.
As the sole purifier at Base 24, Gu Qingchen was highly attuned to pollutants. While the air quality at the base was generally good—low enough for most people not to notice any impurities—his senses were sharp enough to detect even minute concentrations.
Just moments ago, he had been too distracted by the greenhouse’s charms. Now, with Su Ci’s prompt, he realized something significant:
The concentration of pollutants in this area was noticeably lower than what he typically sensed.
To verify his discovery, Gu Qingchen abandoned the conversation entirely, turning and running off in a zigzag pattern. Every so often, he would stop, then sprint again.
Eventually, he vanished into the distance before racing back toward them, his face alight with exhilaration.
Zhuang Shisong, emerging from his lab with the seed packets, was stunned by the sight of Gu Qingchen dashing back like a madman.
“What… happened?” he asked, approaching Su Ci.
“Something exciting, I’d guess,” Su Ci replied, casually taking the seed packets from Zhuang Shisong’s hands and storing them in his spatial button.
As they spoke, Gu Qingchen finally returned to their location.
The usually composed and gentle doctor stood still for a moment, dramatically inhaling the air before breaking into an enthusiastic grin.
“Shisong, open this greenhouse immediately! I need to go inside and see!”
His abrupt statement left Zhuang Shisong momentarily bewildered. Still, he complied without question.
Once inside the greenhouse, Gu Qingchen immediately noticed the almost complete absence of pollutants in the air. He looked around at the thriving hydroponic plants, visibly thrilled.
“Qingchen, have you discovered something?” Zhuang Shisong followed him in. While he, too, sensed something was unusual, he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was.
Gu Qingchen’s eyes gleamed as he examined the plants, each one appearing to him like a precious treasure. He responded, “Haven’t you realized? This is a purifying mutant plant!”
Zhuang Shisong paused, stunned, as the realization struck him.
It was the air!
Zhuang Shisong immediately left Gu Qingchen behind and hurried to the AI Brain panel to check the greenhouse’s monitoring data. There, he confirmed it:
The pollutant levels in this greenhouse had indeed dropped to an almost unbelievably low level.
Why was this happening? Could it really be…?
Zhuang’s eyes lit up. He began operating the panel with intense focus, analyzing the data in detail. Gu Qingchen, standing nearby, waited with bated breath.
If they had truly discovered a purifying plant, it would be a groundbreaking discovery. This wasn’t just about improving their lives on the Prison Star—it could affect the well-being of all the base garrisons and even the planet’s future.
After a complex series of calculations, Zhuang Shisong finally pinpointed the source.
It was the origin of all the changes within the greenhouse—a plant with a high likelihood of being the purifying green plant that scientists on the Prison Star had sought for years without success.
Zhuang Shisong stood abruptly, his gaze burning with excitement as he strode to a corner of the greenhouse.
Gu Qingchen eagerly followed him, tracking his line of sight.
Finally, they saw it—a completely unassuming…
Garlic sprout.
Gu Qingchen stared at the small garlic sprout in the corner.
The sprout was part of a rack with three tiers, each holding ten cultivation bases. Inside the square bases were neatly arranged clusters of pale yellow garlic cloves.
These cloves had rooted and sprouted into tidy rows of garlic greens. The stems were white, the leaves vibrant green, and all the sprouts stood at a uniform height of about ten centimeters.
Gu Qingchen looked uncertainly at Zhuang Shisong.
But Zhuang Shisong’s attention was firmly fixed on the rack, and all the plants on it were garlic sprouts.
Although Zhuang Shisong himself found it hard to believe, the plant exhibiting purifying capabilities was undeniably among these garlic sprouts.
It was, without a doubt, a single garlic sprout.
Garlic was a culinary staple with a history spanning thousands of years, still beloved across interstellar civilizations. It was widely grown in numerous countries.
Garlic greens, too, were particularly well-suited to hydroponic cultivation. Resilient and rich in vitamins, they were known to help prevent certain diseases.
Because of this, garlic greens were an excellent fit for the resource-starved Prison Star. Every base’s plantation cultivated them, including in Zhuang Shisong’s greenhouse, where he grew some not just for experiments but also for daily consumption.
The garlic sprouts on this rack had been planted recently. They were thriving and would soon be ready for harvest.
Zhuang Shisong never would have imagined that the purifying green plant he had long dreamed of would turn out to be among these garlic sprouts.
Carefully inspecting the rack, he retrieved a cultivation base from the second row in the middle tier and placed it on a nearby empty rack.
This particular base stood out. Its garlic sprouts were extraordinarily lush, tightly packed, and thriving.
Without any hints from Su Ci or testing every sprout, Zhuang Shisong instantly identified the special one in the bunch.
It wasn’t difficult to spot. Among the cluster of garlic greens, one sprout stood apart, its entire stalk a brilliant, vibrant green. Its white stem gleamed like translucent jade.
Under the ample greenhouse light, the sprout seemed to radiate a soft glow. Even its leaves looked exceptionally pleasing, with a verdant hue that felt almost otherworldly.
The rest of the garlic sprouts, though growing well under the influence of this remarkable plant, still bore faint reddish tinges on their stems and leaves—a sign of unavoidable pollutant exposure.
As long as the pollutant content stayed below a certain threshold, the plants would remain safe for consumption, posing no immediate harm. Over time, accumulated contamination could be mitigated through purification processes.
While not ideal, it was still better than lacking fresh produce entirely, which could lead to physical deterioration or illness.
But now, perhaps this long-standing issue could finally be resolved!
Zhuang Shisong stared at the extraordinary garlic sprout, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Gu Qingchen, too, took note of this unique plant.
“A garlic sprout… mutating to gain the ability to purify pollutants? It’s truly beyond anything we could have imagined,” Gu Qingchen said, his voice tinged with awe.
Su Ci listened idly as their conversation floated out from the greenhouse. He raised an eyebrow slightly, suppressing a chuckle.
This little spiritual plant’s abilities likely weren’t what they were expecting. Purification? Highly unlikely.
Inside the greenhouse, Zhuang Shisong spoke up. “We should head out for now,” he said to Gu Qingchen. Without a solid plan, he didn’t dare to risk altering the garlic sprout’s environment. Besides, his mind was racing, and he needed a moment to cool down and carefully consider his next steps.
Gu Qingchen nodded, understanding Zhuang Shisong’s concerns. Though he was eager to spend more time examining the special garlic sprout, this wasn’t his domain, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to overstay his welcome.
After confirming the plant’s condition and leaving it undisturbed, Zhuang Shisong isolated the sprout on the rack, marking it as a priority for observation. The plantation’s smart management system would monitor the sprout closely, documenting its growth and reporting any anomalies immediately.
For good measure, Zhuang Shisong took a photo and recorded a high-resolution video of the plant before stepping out of the greenhouse with Gu Qingchen. They both looked a little stiff as they walked—like two people trying not to trip over their own excitement.
But as soon as they exited, their heated emotions were immediately cooled by the sight of Su Ci.
Leaning casually against the greenhouse wall with arms crossed, Su Ci had been waiting patiently, his demeanor languid and indifferent.
The two researchers glanced at each other, momentarily questioning if they’d overreacted. Then, just as quickly, they shook their heads firmly in denial.
This was no overreaction! It was a plant with pollutant-purifying abilities! Scientists had searched for years to no avail, and now it had appeared in this small greenhouse under their care. How could they not be thrilled?
Su Ci, meanwhile, continued observing them with mild amusement.
Gu Qingchen, seemingly undeterred by Su Ci’s calm demeanor, grabbed his arm and began enthusiastically explaining the significance of their discovery. He stressed the importance of keeping it confidential, emphasizing how vital it was for Base 24 to safeguard the sprout.
Until they understood its properties and successfully cultivated a second sprout, its existence couldn’t be leaked. Otherwise, other bases—especially those with superior equipment and scientific resources—would likely seize it under some pretext.
At best, Base 24 would be left with a promise to receive future benefits after the second sprout was cultivated.
Gu Qingchen had seen such tactics play out before. It was a painful reality for smaller, less developed bases like theirs.
Su Ci listened to the explanation, nodding in agreement at the appropriate moments without interrupting. His reserved response put even the taciturn Zhuang Shisong at ease, earning him another point of favor in the researcher’s eyes.
Yet Su Ci’s thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.
Garlic sprout?
What kind of spiritual plant takes the form of a garlic sprout? The thought was both amusing and perplexing.
This peculiar form aside, he understood the researchers’ perspective. On a planet like this, where pollutants permeated everything, even the smallest hope for purification was a treasure worth protecting.
Still, he couldn’t resist musing to himself.
Did it have to be garlic?
Su Ci’s thoughts drifted to the culinary delights garlic sprouts could bring—stir-fried with meat, scrambled with eggs, or served as a refreshing cold dish. Even garlic paste was a crucial ingredient in many dishes.
As the memories stirred his appetite, he couldn’t help but glance at the garlic sprouts in the greenhouse.
“I’d like a few cloves of garlic. Can I use points to trade for them?” he asked casually. Perhaps they’d come in handy when he made roasted spider legs.
Zhuang Shisong was momentarily stunned but quickly nodded. “If you want some, I can just give you a few.”
During the earlier discussion about the garlic sprout, Gu Qingchen had explained that it was Su Ci’s initial observation that drew attention to the anomaly. Without his reminder, Zhuang Shisong might not have noticed anything unusual.
Zhuang Shisong was keenly aware of his workload—sick plants to handle, water quality investigations to conduct, and now the research on the three withered but potentially mutated star-chain fruit plants. Without Su Ci and Gu Qingchen’s intervention, it might have been ages before he got around to properly monitoring this particular greenhouse.
The thought made him uneasy, further deepening his gratitude toward the two.
Deciding to show his appreciation, Zhuang Shisong pulled out his communicator. He was about to return the points Su Ci had transferred earlier but hesitated. Ten points felt too stingy. After some thought, he added a bit more for good measure.
[Zhuang Shisong] has transferred 188 points to you.
When Su Ci saw the notification, even he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of surprise.
Subtracting the original 10 points for the seeds, he had effectively gained 178 points—enough for two cans of premium beef, along with thirty seeds and some garlic sprouts and cloves.
He watched as Zhuang Shisong returned to the greenhouse and generously harvested an entire batch of garlic sprouts from one cultivation base. The plants were neatly packed into a box, along with several plump garlic cloves.
When Zhuang Shisong emerged, Su Ci hesitated briefly before asking, “Do you sell multi-functional nutrient solutions here?”
At the side, Gu Qingchen couldn’t help but twitch his lips in reaction.
Zhuang Shisong, however, showed no particular reaction. He nodded calmly. “Normally, we don’t sell it. But if you need some, I can offer it at a discount.”
Plantation workers received a monthly quota for nutrient solutions at half-price as part of their research allowances. Any additional purchases were charged at the standard rate. Since this product wasn’t in high demand outside the plantation, it was always well-stocked.
Without further ado, Zhuang Shisong grabbed two bottles of the nutrient solution from a shelf in the corner and placed them atop the box of garlic sprouts before handing everything over to Su Ci.
Zhuang Shisong’s mood was visibly uplifted after discovering what he believed to be a purification plant. His smile never faded as he spoke, and his generosity reflected his good spirits.
“This time, it’s on me,” he said, his tone warm and cheerful.
His amiability left a good impression, and Su Ci, appreciating the gesture, didn’t hold back. After a simple word of thanks, he stored everything in his spatial device.
Gu Qingchen, standing to the side, shook his head with a wry smile.
He didn’t think Su Ci would ever actually need that much nutrient solution—especially given that the two large bottles Zhuang Shisong had just gifted him were enough to last him a long while, likely until reality taught him its lessons.
*
Having acquired what he came for, Su Ci was ready to leave. Gu Qingchen, too, had no plans to linger. The aftermath of the blood rain meant there was still work awaiting him back at the Medical Purification Center.
However, Zhuang Shisong, unwilling to leave such a precious sprout unattended, hesitated. He couldn’t abandon the sick plants he’d planned to inspect either.
After some deliberation, he decided to call for reinforcements.
Wei Ming, having just finished storing supplies, had been planning to check on the three withered “mutated” star-chain fruit plants. Upon receiving Zhuang Shisong’s message, he drove over at breakneck speed.
“Are you serious? You really found a plant that can purify pollutants?”
His enthusiasm was palpable. Before the vehicle had even come to a complete stop, Wei Ming leaped out, barely remembering to close the door behind him as he rushed to Zhuang’s side.
“Where is it? Let me see it!” he demanded.
“It’s inside the greenhouse, on rack number three.” Zhuang Shisong, though still visibly excited, had calmed down significantly. “I need to take Dr. Gu to handle the sick plants. You stay here and keep watch—don’t let anything happen.”
“Got it, got it! Go on!” Wei Ming waved him off, barely able to contain his excitement.
Su Ci, under Zhuang Shisong’s guidance, boarded the work vehicle with Gu Qingchen, leaving without so much as another glance at the greenhouse.
Inside the greenhouse, the little garlic sprout sensed the departure of the Earth Spirit.
All along, the Earth Spirit had kept its distance, neither speaking to the sprout nor approaching it. It hadn’t even waited for the sprout to grow into the brightest presence in the greenhouse.
The garlic sprout was heartbroken. The garlic sprout was angry.
And it was all the fault of those two humans! They were the ones who had taken the Earth Spirit away and ruined its chance to shine!
“SO—MAD! SO—MAD!”
The sprout’s previously soft and endearing consciousness turned into an irate puff of resentment.
Meanwhile, Wei Ming eagerly opened the greenhouse door and stepped inside, only to be hit by—
An overpowering wave of garlic stench so strong it made his eyes water.
He instinctively held his breath as he took one step, then another, moving closer to rack number three.
By the third step, Wei Ming had reached his limit.
He turned on his heel and bolted out of the greenhouse, gasping for air as soon as he was outside. Even the polluted outdoor atmosphere felt like a breath of fresh life.
Holy crap, that garlic smell could kill!
Wiping tears from his eyes, he reeled from the intensity of the odor.
“Is this thing really a purification green plant?” he muttered to himself, coughing as he tried to shake off the lingering scent. “Because it feels more like one of those mutated plants designed to kill with its stench!”
Haha