Chapter 26: Improving the Soil/Preparations

“Did you already set up the frame?” Zhou Weihong, who also grew vegetables at home, asked. However, she always planted the crops first and set up the frame afterward.

“The frame was built by Cheng Jinghao. I wanted to set it up early so it would be easier to guide the vines later,” Lin Momo explained.

“But we’ll have to dismantle these frames for now; the soil needs some work,” Lin Momo continued, detailing her plan.

“You, a city girl, can even handle all this?” Zhou Weihong smiled as she looked at Lin Momo.

“I’m still learning. I’ve never grown anything before,” Lin Momo confessed without hiding anything.

“I’m just trying to give it a go. If it succeeds, it might solve the farming problems in the southern region,” she added with determination.

Zhou Weihong nodded. “You’re a good girl.”

“Please, don’t say that,” Lin Momo replied, feeling a bit embarrassed. After all, she hadn’t achieved anything yet.

“Just having this kind of initiative is already commendable,” Zhou Weihong said kindly.

Her son and daughter-in-law were both working with the construction team, and if Lin Momo succeeded, it might help the entire team.

After a brief look around, Zhou Weihong left, but the military families outside were still watching.

Just then, Cheng Jinghao returned. Seeing the military families lingering, he furrowed his brows.

“What are you all looking at?”

“Oh, the Battalion Commander is back! Just go ahead and entertain your wife,” Ge Mei sneered at him.

Last year, she had tried to introduce her daughter from the countryside to Cheng Jinghao, but he had refused.

“My wife can do whatever she wants. Are you feeding her?” Cheng Jinghao shot her a sharp look.

“Alright, alright. We’ll be waiting for the good news about those southern vegetables from Lin,” one of the military families said cheerfully as they started to leave.

“Yeah, we’ll wait for good news from Comrade Lin.”

“Sure, sure,” another added with a smile, and they all headed back.

“Tch, sounds like she’s really going to make it work,” Ge Mei muttered under her breath.

Lin Momo turned to face her. “Well, if it works out, don’t come asking me for vegetables. I won’t give you any,” she shot back with a playful glance before pulling Cheng Jinghao back inside.

“The soil in the greenhouse still needs improvement. Originally, I planned to use chemical fertilizer, but if we’re really going to plant on a large scale in the southern region, we can’t always rely on the space to get fertilizer. So I think we should use cow manure instead,” Lin Momo explained to Cheng Jinghao as she led him into the greenhouse.

“Alright, I’ll go to Sixth Aunt’s and get some cow manure,” Cheng Jinghao said with a smile.

“Thank you, Jinghao.” Lin Momo reached up to playfully hook her finger around his hand.

“Shouldn’t there be some kind of reward for this?” Cheng Jinghao teased, pointing to his lips.

“Yeah, right.” Lin Momo laughed and started walking out of the greenhouse, but he grabbed her and pulled her into his arms.

“I’m not beautiful, you are.” With that, he leaned down and kissed her lips.

Lin Momo’s heart raced as she looked up at him, his handsome features and deep, intense gaze making her heart skip a beat.

“Mo Mo.”

“Mm?”

“You’re really cute,” Cheng Jinghao whispered, nibbling on her red lips.

Lin Momo’s face turned bright red. “Hurry up and go to the livestock area. If you’re too late, Sixth Aunt will be gone.”

“Okay,” he agreed, chuckling.

They left the greenhouse, and Cheng Jinghao grabbed the basket from the corner, preparing to head out.

“Are you really going to carry the manure with that?” Lin Momo called out, stopping him.

“This is the only basket we have at home,” Cheng Jinghao replied.

“What about when we need to buy vegetables or other things?” Lin Momo asked, looking at him. This was their only basket!

Cheng Jinghao was stunned. It seemed like what she said made sense.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Cheng Jinghao went to open it.

“Here, I knew you would need this, so I rushed to make it.” Zhao Zhigang was standing at the door with a large backpack and a bamboo basket in his hands.

“A timely rain, we were just talking about how we needed this.” Cheng Jinghao didn’t hesitate to take it.

“When the vegetables are ready, don’t forget to let me taste them.” Zhao Zhigang smiled as he spoke.

“Of course, we won’t forget.”

“Alright, you get back to it. I’m heading home.” Zhao Zhigang waved and went back to his own house.

Lin Momo came out of the main room, “Brother Zhao and his wife are both very dependable people.”

“That’s why, when I was picking a house, I chose to live next to them.” Cheng Jinghao reached out and touched her braid.

“I’m leaving now.” He handed the bamboo basket to Lin Momo.

Since the new backpack was quite large, he would use it to carry the cow manure.

The manure from the breeding grounds was planned out carefully. This modern animal manure was the best fertilizer and could also be used for heating.

Aunt Liu had given Cheng Jinghao a full backpack and told him that she would save some for him every day.

When Cheng Jinghao got home, he found more than ten simple flower pots placed in the main room.

“What are these for?”

“We can’t put all our eggs in one basket. Do you remember Grandpa Hou from our courtyard? He used flower pots to grow vegetables.” Lin Momo was referring to their neighbor in a later time period.

“I remember. Let me fill them with soil.” Cheng Jinghao moved the flower pots to the front yard.

“I’ve been thinking, since we’re doing this greenhouse to improve the planting environment in South Tibet,”

“I plan to try planting some sweet potatoes, and when spring comes next year, I’ll try growing some corn.” Lin Momo said as she followed Cheng Jinghao.

Vegetables were secondary; it was only grain that really mattered.

“Anyway, don’t tire yourself out. You can save the hard work for when I get back, especially since you’re still on your period these days.” Cheng Jinghao’s break would be over tomorrow.

“Got it, my period ended a while ago, it’s all good…” Lin Momo suddenly realized that Cheng Jinghao’s gaze seemed a little strange.

“Well, I’m thirsty. I’ll go back to the room to drink some water.”

Lin Momo hurried away, but she was no match for him, a man in the military.

“When did it end?” Cheng Jinghao trapped her in his arms.

“Yesterday… yesterday…” Lin Momo swallowed nervously. When he came back, she had already passed the third day.

“Heh, no worries, I’ll fill the pots with soil and fertilize them.” Cheng Jinghao smiled and pinched her cheek.

“Later, I’ll go out and buy a chicken, we should have a good meal.” He released Lin Momo and got to work.

“Cheng Jinghao, let me explain…”

“I’m working, you go take a nap. Rest up and get your energy back.” Cheng Jinghao gave her a playful smile.

“…” She understood what he meant, even though she didn’t want to.

At dinner time, Cheng Jinghao had really made a chicken soup using a slow cooker.

“The chicken legs are delicious, eat the chicken legs.” He placed both chicken legs on Lin Momo’s plate.

“…”

“Drink more soup, all the nutrients are in the broth.” Cheng Jinghao served her a big bowl of soup.

“Cheng Jinghao…” Was it too late for her to beg for mercy now?

“Do you still want steamed buns?” Their main dish today was multi-grain steamed buns.

Lin Momo vigorously shook her head.

“Alright, the pot has hot water, I’ll bring it to you later.” Cheng Jinghao grinned.

“…”