Mother Xiao immediately saw the giant vegetables inside the buckets. They were smaller than the ones from yesterday, but they were still much larger than average.
Mother Xiao grabbed the buckets from her daughter. She washed the vegetables. She said in puzzlement. “What’s going on? These are smaller than yesterday’s batch, but they shouldn’t be this large either. Could some Immortal really have visited our backyard?”
Xiao Lingyu smiled, “Mom, are you serious? There is no such thing as Immortal Gods or magical water. It’s just that a friend of mine from the Agricultural Department has given me a new kind of fertilizer. They can help cleanse impurities and promote the growth of plants. However, this new formula hasn’t been released on the market yet. Essentially, it’s a secret formula. My friend gave me some to try them out.”
Mother Xiao sighed in relief. She added, “Girl, then why didn’t you tell us earlier? I was ready to believe Ye ‘Er and his talk of Immortals.”
Xiao Lingyu chuckled. “If only there are Immortals. Then, we’d see what they look like. Alas,” Xiao Lingyu said in regret. “There are no Immortals in this world. It’s all scientific. So, Mom, don’t be surprised if you see any changes in the vegetables in the future.”
Mother Xiao nodded. “Okay.”
Xiao Lingyu added in a whisper, “Mom, my friend gave me the formula in confidence. So you can’t tell anyone else other than dad and little brother!”
Mother Xiao promised sincerely, “Understood.” Mother Xiao then continued to wash the vegetables.
After Mother Xiao left, Xiao Lingyu patted her chest and sighed in relief. She came up with this excuse yesterday night. She had asked her family to loan her the plot in the backyard. If she kept coming out with strange and new plants, people would become suspicious.
Even though Mother and Father Xiao hadn’t said anything, that didn’t mean they didn’t suspect anything. Therefore, Xiao Lingyu decided it was best for her to come up with an excuse for her family as soon as possible.
“Sis, what are you doing?” At that moment, Xiao Lingye walked over carrying his school bag. He saw Xiao Lingyu’s hand on her chest, and he was confused.
Xiao Lingyu glared at him. “Nothing. I was just waiting for you!”
Xiao Lingye was suspicious. He looked at her empty hands, and he asked, “Sis, aren’t you going to bring anything with you?”
“I’m going to town to buy things, not to sell things. Other than money, what else should I bring?” Xiao Lingyu challenged. “Mom gave us some pancakes, and you’re already carrying them, aren’t you?”
Xiao Lingye seemed satisfied by the explanation. He nodded. “Okay, let’s go then!”
Mother Xiao, who was in the kitchen, shouted, “Be careful on the road!”
“Yes, mom!” The siblings said in unison. They headed to the village entrance and boarded the car to the town.
On the way, the villagers greeted Xiao Lingyu and her brother.
Xiao Lingyu and Xiao Lingye were minor celebrities due to two reasons.
One, Xiao Lingyu and Xiao Lingye were the best students from Taoyuan Village. Xiao Lingyu was the best scorer in the county a few years ago. Xiao Lingye was also poised to join a good university. The villagers respected scholars.
Two, Xiao Lingyu worked in the big city. She had the poise and temperament that made her stand out from the common village girl.
The villagers were jealous of Mother and Father Xiao for having such a wonderful pair of children. They must have accumulated good karma in their previous life.
A few older villagers asked Xiao Lingyu with a smile, “Yu ‘Er, are you going to town?”
Xiao Lingyu smiled and nodded. “Yes, third granduncle!”
Xiao Lingyu’s third granduncle’s real name was Xiao Decai. He was one of the village elders. Xiao Lingyu’s father had to refer to him as third uncle.
Third granduncle asked, “What are you doing in town?”
“I’m going to buy some seeds,” Xiao Lingyu replied.
“Buy seeds?” Third granduncle asked in confusion, “You should have asked your father or mother to go in your place. Do you know what kind of seed to buy?”
Xiao Lingyu chuckled, “Third granduncle, to be honest, I haven’t been to the fair for a long time, so I’m really going on a stroll.”
Along the way, the villagers of Taoyuan Village chatted with the siblings. The villagers who had young kids wanted to know the secret of studying from the siblings.
A woman in her forties said, “Lingyu, Lingye, you are promising kids. You did well in your studies. Lingyu, you even got into a good university and work in the city. You’ve made your parents so proud.”
In the past decade, Xiao Lingyu was the only university student from Taoyuan Village. Plus, she was accepted into a prestigious university because she was the top scorer in their county. This news had shocked everyone around the county. The whole Xing An town and Xing Yin County were surprised.
The incident back then was still fresh on many villagers’ minds…