Chapter 25: The Greenhouse Transformation in the Backyard

Cheng Jinghao had three days off due to his injuries.

The next morning, while Lin Momo was making breakfast, Cheng Jinghao returned to their room and kissed her on the cheek.

“Mo Mo, wake up. Breakfast is ready.”

“Mm.” Lin Momo had already woken up, but she was reluctant to get out of bed.

Cheng Jinghao gently helped her sit up and put on her clothes.

“Is your stomach still bothering you?” he asked softly.

Lin Momo shook her head. She had indeed had menstrual pain issues in the past, but since using the spirit spring water, those problems had disappeared.

“Don’t get too cold these next few days. I’ll handle all the housework while I’m off,” Cheng Jinghao said, helping her put on her shoes.

“Mm.” Lin Momo nodded in agreement, watching the resolute side of his face.

“Cheng Jinghao.”

“Mm?” Cheng Jinghao looked up at her.

Lin Momo jumped off the bed, kissed him on the cheek, and then ran out of the room.

Cheng Jinghao smiled, his heart feeling as sweet as honey.

After breakfast, Lin Momo took Cheng Jinghao to the backyard to check on the vegetable garden.

“Jinghao, come look. The seeds I planted haven’t sprouted at all. Do you think the rain last time ruined them?” Lin Momo asked, pulling him toward the garden.

Cheng Jinghao stepped up to the garden, dug through the soil, and found that the seeds had been soaked and spoiled.

“They’re all ruined,” he said.

Lin Momo’s face fell when she heard this.

“Don’t worry,” Cheng Jinghao said, walking over to comfort her. “Neither you nor the original owner of this house knew how to plant vegetables. It’s normal not to know what to do.”

“I can’t give up. I have to try again,” Lin Momo said, determination in her eyes as she looked at him.

“I’ve looked it up in books. In our time, in the southern region, they were able to grow rice and many kinds of vegetables,” she added.

“Well then, let’s try again,” Cheng Jinghao said, stroking her hair, his eyes full of affection.

“Do you think we should build a greenhouse? In modern times, greenhouses can grow vegetables in all seasons, right?” Lin Momo thought for a moment and suggested.

“A greenhouse typically uses steel frames and plastic sheets. We don’t have either of those materials here,” Cheng Jinghao shook his head.

Moreover, in this era, plastic sheets were small and not suitable for building large greenhouses.

“However, we can transform the backyard into a greenhouse,” he suggested.

“A greenhouse?” Lin Momo looked at him, curious.

“In ancient times, people used greenhouses to grow vegetables. As long as the house maintains enough warmth, you can grow vegetables out of season,” Cheng Jinghao explained.

“But how do we keep the temperature? We don’t have air conditioning,” Lin Momo tilted her head, thinking. Suddenly, she noticed Cheng Jinghao raising an eyebrow at her.

“Sixth Aunt has two cows.”

“Cheng Jinghao, are you serious?” Lin Momo looked at him in disbelief.

“If not, we can use coal,” he suggested casually.

“No, no, no! Using coal to grow vegetables? Our backs will break from the weight!” Lin Momo shook her head.

“When I was at home, I used cow dung to make the fire. Don’t worry,” Cheng Jinghao said with a smile, gently patting her head.

“Cheng Jinghao, you’re the best,” Lin Momo said, hooking her arms around his neck and giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

Cheng Jinghao wasn’t about to let her go. He pulled her waist closer, lowered his head, and kissed her lips.

“Mm…” Lin Momo could hardly breathe, and only when she was out of breath did Cheng Jinghao release her.

“I’ll go to the village and ask a few people to help rebuild the backyard,” he said, planting a kiss on her cheek before heading out.

“Alright.” Lin Momo still leaned against Cheng Jinghao’s chest, catching her breath.

“Ahem, Momo, can you give me some money?” Cheng Jinghao spoke softly.

“The money is at the supermarket’s cashier, you can take it yourself.” Lin Momo got up from his embrace.

The house was a military property, and any renovation required approval.

Cheng Jinghao found Commissar Cao, and coincidentally, Commander Chen was also in Commissar Cao’s office.

Cheng Jinghao explained his purpose, and Commissar Cao and Commander Chen exchanged a glance.

“Your wife wants to plant southern vegetables in the backyard?” Commander Chen looked at him. This was the first time someone had proposed such an idea.

“Yes, we plan to build a greenhouse in the backyard, so I came to ask for Commissar Cao’s approval.”

Commander Chen and Commissar Cao exchanged another glance. If it could be successful, it would be a good start for South Tibet and even the Tibetan region.

“We’re willing to start with our own house. If it works out, we can make it a demonstration site for the military district next year and then expand the planting in South Tibet.” Cheng Jinghao said seriously.

“Everything has to start somewhere. Since Lin Momo is willing to give it a try, we’ll support it.” Commissar Cao nodded slightly, it was just an approval to renovate the backyard into a greenhouse.

“Commander, Commissar, is it possible to get some cow or sheep manure from the breeding ground? The greenhouse needs to maintain temperature.”

“Sure, that’s easy. Just go ask Aunt Liu.” Commander Chen nodded.

“Thank you, Commander and Commissar.” Cheng Jinghao saluted.

“This is a good thing, we should support it.” Commander Chen patted Cheng Jinghao on the shoulder.

Commissar Cao quickly wrote an approval note for the backyard renovation into a greenhouse.

Cheng Jinghao took the approval note and rode his bicycle to the village. Through the village chief, he found a few skilled workers to start building the greenhouse.

The news about Cheng Jinghao’s greenhouse spread quickly throughout the military family compound.

Many military families gathered outside their house to watch, curious about what kind of greenhouse this city girl would build.

Southern vegetables, besides needing warmth, also require good sunlight.

Cheng Jinghao didn’t know where he managed to get a few large pieces of glass and made several windows.

As the greenhouse was being built in the backyard, Lin Momo was also catching up on agricultural knowledge. Fortunately, there were plenty of agricultural books in the supermarket.

The villagers worked quickly, and within two days, the greenhouse was completed.

On the day the greenhouse was finished, many military families came to watch.

Since the greenhouse was in the backyard, although they were curious, they didn’t feel comfortable going in.

“Why aren’t they going in to see? What kind of vegetables will this city girl grow? Isn’t this just pointless?”

Aunt Huo stood at the entrance of the yard, shouting, as if she were trying to say it for the people inside the yard to hear.

“Ge Mei, if you think Lin Momo can’t grow anything, then don’t come and watch.” The one who spoke was the Commissar’s wife, who had been asked by the Commissar to come and take a look.

Ge Mei, or Aunt Huo, immediately changed her face and put on a flattering smile when she realized the speaker was the Commissar’s wife.

“Wei Hong, these city people have never grown vegetables before. To try growing southern vegetables here in South Tibet—don’t you think that’s not going to succeed? It’s a waste of resources.” Ge Mei walked up to the Commissar’s wife and said with a smile.

The Commissar’s wife’s maiden name was Zhou Weihong.

“Commander Cheng and Lin Momo are spending their own money. Even if it doesn’t succeed, how does it affect you? Why are you pointing fingers?” Zhou Weihong glanced at Ge Mei.

“Aunt, you’re here? Come in and take a look?” Just then, Lin Momo came out of the main room and saw Zhou Weihong. She hadn’t forgotten that this was the Commissar’s wife.

“Alright, then I’ll come in and take a look.” Zhou Weihong smiled and walked into the yard.

Ge Mei was about to follow with Li Xiaoying, but she was given a cold stare by Zhou Weihong.

“If you don’t believe Lin Momo can grow southern vegetables, then don’t come in.”

“…”

Lin Momo didn’t ask anyone else to come in. She guessed that Zhou Weihong’s visit was probably at the Commissar’s request, so she only allowed her to enter.