"It's really saved," Yun Sheng said excitedly, taking the flowerpot.
"Are you sure it's the plant you couldn't keep alive?" Nie Hong also looked on, not daring to blink.
Yun Sheng had considered if it was a different variety of flower before, but holding it and observing it now made him incredibly certain it was the one he had previously failed to cultivate.
So, Yun Sheng nodded in confirmation to Nie Hong and replied, "Yes, that's right!"
Upon hearing this, Nie Hong was about to ask Meng Huai how she managed it. Did she have talent, or some secret method?
But then Nie Hong saw another pot in Meng Huai's hand and asked, "What is this?"
Yun Sheng heard Nie Hong's question and said, "Right! Has this seed sprouted? Hurry and let me see."
As he spoke, Yun Sheng, in his 'new love, old hate' fashion, tossed the flowerpot he was holding to his disciple, Ju Qiwen, who had been eager to examine it closely. Finally, he had the chance.
However, soon after, he heard the conversation between Yun Sheng and the others, and his attention was drawn to the other pot.
"What seeds are they?" Nie Hong asked.
Meng Huai explained to Nie Hong, "It's from the vegetables Teacher Yun invited me to eat a few days ago. He gave me some seeds to plant, and they've already sprouted."
Nie Hong nodded. Vegetable seeds, nothing unusual. Seeing how generous their cafeteria was with the vegetables used in their dishes, it was clear these weren't rare in their laboratory's eyes. But then he reconsidered. They had sprouted in just a few days?
Nie Hong finally realized something was amiss and asked, "How many days has it been?"
Before Meng Huai could answer how many days had passed, Yun Sheng chimed in, "Look, after Meng classmate took the seeds, I also sowed some there, and they haven't shown any signs of sprouting yet. I even water them with plant-specific nutrient solution every two days."
Nie Hong and Ju Qiwen both looked in the direction Yun Sheng pointed. The sowing date was clearly recorded there, and it indeed wasn't time for them to sprout yet. But looking at the sprouted seedlings before them, both directors and their favored disciple were at a loss for words.
Nie Hong asked, "Meng classmate, do you have a more effective plant nutrient solution?"
Meng Huai shook her head, "I didn't take care of them."
Yun Sheng and the others didn't quite believe Meng Huai's words, and they gathered to study them again. The three of them looked at the soil in the pots, which didn't seem like any special nutrient soil. Yun Sheng picked up a bit and felt it in his hand.
"Meng classmate, what kind of nutrient soil is this?"
Meng Huai saw the soil they were talking about and explained that she had dug it up from the spiritual field in her space. She said, "I don't know what kind of soil it is. I brought it from my hometown. I have some more if you teachers want it, I can bring some more later."
The soil from the spiritual field wouldn't be depleted by her digging it out, so giving some to the teachers was no trouble.
As soon as Meng Huai spoke, it was met with unanimous agreement.
"Yes, yes."
"Meng classmate, you have so much talent in cultivating ancient plants. Have you considered transferring to our institute?"
Nie Hong extended an invitation to Meng Huai, but Meng Huai didn't have much interest in planting flowers or vegetables. This was merely the first step of her entrepreneurial journey, and she didn't want to rely on it for income.
Meng Huai had no such intention and told Nie Hong directly, "Sorry, Teacher Nie, I'm doing quite well at the War College."
The War College? Hearing his junior’s words, Ju Qiwen thought in surprise: Is this junior student from the War College? And she rejected a director? A student from the War College, I wonder what she studies. She seems quite skilled in cultivating ancient plants, yet she doesn't want to transfer, which is quite strange.
However, Ju Qiwen was even more shocked by what the director said next.
"What's so good about the logistics department! The teachers aren't serious or responsible, and the students just coast along all day."
Nie Hong couldn't understand why Meng Huai didn't want to join their institute. The benefits here were so good.
Yun Sheng was also introducing the advantages and benefits of their institute to Meng Huai, offering her terms that were almost at the standard for a mentor.
"That's right, Meng classmate. What's so good about the logistics department? If you want to come to our institute, I'll communicate with your teachers at the War College. Plus, I can offer you a salary, at the mentor's standard. Your dormitory can also be rearranged, and our cafeteria is excellent."
Meng Huai quickly raised her hand to signal Yun Sheng to stop talking, "Teacher Yun, please don't say any more, or I might really be persuaded. However, I still prefer the War College. After all, I still want to go to the battlefield!"
Nie Hong said excitedly, "You're a B-level, what are you going to the battlefield for! The battlefield is very dangerous, you could lose your life at any moment."
Nie Hong's words, though harsh, were quite sensible. Meng Huai wouldn't be angry with Nie Hong for his bluntness, as she wasn't that petty.
Meng Huai added, "But I still want to try."
Seeing that they couldn't persuade Meng Huai, Nie Hong and Yun Sheng had to settle for the next best thing.
"Then, Meng classmate, you can come over here anytime. If you need any seeds or anything else, just tell us, teachers."
Yun Sheng said as he thought, and then remembered something else, "Right, will you have enough space in your dormitory to plant these?"
Before Meng Huai could answer Yun Sheng's question, Nie Hong spoke up, "Then we'll give that plot of land to the north to Meng classmate for her use. It's also closer to the War College, so Meng classmate won't have to run back and forth."
Meng Huai thought to herself: My space is quite large. But then she thought: If I keep taking things out casually, I might expose myself. Having a piece of land like this would indeed be good. She could plant vegetables she usually eats, and some medicinal herbs.
"Then, thank you both, teachers. If you need me for anything, teachers, please don't hesitate to find me."
Hearing this, they were relieved. With Meng Huai accepting this land, she would visit their institute more often. Although it was close to the War College, it still belonged to the institute and was on the institute's grounds.
Finally, Meng Huai left both pots of flowers and vegetable seedlings in Yun Sheng's office. Yun Sheng then gave Meng Huai many more seeds and took her to the piece of land they had just discussed.
Besides the plot Nie Hong had offered to Meng Huai, there were many other subdivided plots. Things were planted in them, with varying degrees of growth.
There was even a security guard stationed here. One had to know that nowadays, security was mostly handled by systems, and few people were stationed as guards. It was likely that the things being planted here were very valuable.
"Xiao Fang, introduce this is Meng Huai. That vacant plot of land will be managed by Meng classmate. Please help her look after it."