"It's nothing, nothing at all," Song Qingchao said, smiling as she saw the person out.
Of course, she couldn't tell Zhou Ri that his good days were yet to come!
How could the "fertilizer" from just a few of them be enough for ten thousand acres of land?
But to avoid crushing the child's enthusiasm, Song Qingchao decided to produce a sample first, then replicate it in bulk.
"Eldest Sister."
Song Qingchao responded with an "Mm?"
"Rest well."
Song Qingchao again responded with a drawn-out "Mm," adding, "Get along well with Zhou Ri."
Song Qingmu's expression visibly darkened. "Can't I have someone else assigned to me?"
Song Qingchao thought for a moment and directly shook her head. "No, I think you two work together very well."
Song Qingmu: "..."
"You should rest."
Before Song Qingchao could say anything, she saw him dart out.
She felt her younger brother was a bit agitated these days...
After everyone was arranged, Song Qingchao's head cleared a bit.
The wound did hurt quite a bit.
She had intended to teach the children a lesson, but ended up teaching herself a lesson first.
With Zhou Zhengxi gone, it seemed she'd have to bring along Si, Wu, and Liu whenever she went out.
Although these three were a bit unreliable, the fourth was clever, the fifth was meticulous, and the sixth was sturdy. Even if they couldn't win, they could hold the enemy off for a while if thrown out.
She lay on the bed, her good right hand reaching down.
It felt a bit rough...
Song Qingchao tilted her head and pulled, only to discover it was straw...
Her hand found empty space, and she let go, closing her eyes at the same time.
Even after having been a lady of refinement for so many years.
Song Qingchao now couldn't help but want to say "Damn it."
...
There's no worst, only worse.
After falling into a low mood for a while, Song Qingchao had cursed the entire world in her mind.
But in the end, she still got up.
Anxiety was not the problem.
When a problem arises, it must be solved.
Sitting on a floor cushion, she spread out paper and a brush on the only piece of furniture – a "desk" temporarily constructed from broken wooden planks.
Then, she let out a heavy sigh, casting away the jumbled thoughts in her head.
One must be organized in their work.
On the paper, she listed all the problems that had arisen at the current stage.
Food, clothing, shelter, and transportation – one step at a time.
Only after solving basic issues could they develop for the long term.
She crossed off food. This winter, she wouldn't need to worry much about provisions. While it might not be delicious, she certainly wouldn't starve.
This problem should be focused on after the spring thaw.
Reclaiming barren land, soil improvement, and seed cultivation...
For clothing, animal hides could provide warmth for now, but when the temperature rose next year, the hides would be too hot.
Raising silkworms in the desert was a fool's dream.
If silk wasn't an option, hemp would suffice.
Although rough, it would be breathable in the summer.
However, in the desert's temperature, it was unlikely to find ramie.
If hemp also wouldn't work, then cotton would be the only viable option.
Cotton clothes were comfortable and durable, and warm in winter, making them the best solution.
Cotton...
But this led back to the land issue.
The path was blocked again.
Song Qingchao, feeling a bit frustrated, took a sip of tea, her fingertips tapping lightly on the desk.
She also retrieved a large stack of agricultural books from her spatial dimension and made full use of the search engine.
She decided to prioritize the fundamental and important matters, and think of solutions slowly.
Adapt to local conditions; one cannot get fat in one bite.
The problem had come to a standstill.
Finally, she reached the problem that was causing her distress.
Song Qingchao couldn't help but roll up her sleeves and write seriously, her mind storming at high speed.
Old Yu was skilled at construction, and Mumu had learned to draw design blueprints.
So, she just needed to communicate her needs clearly to Mumu.
First, she needed a bed, a comfortable bed...
Just as she was getting into the flow of writing, something she never expected happened.
She had collapsed the desk!!!
Due to the inertia, she lurched forward, papers fluttering above her head, and the brush in her hand poking her face.
Song Qingchao: "..."
How did that saying go...
"Severe frost attacks the solitary grass, the cold wind only blows on the unclothed."
"Truly, good fortune never comes in pairs, and misfortunes never come singly..."
As she grumbled, she pulled the paper from above her head, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it away.
"What happened here?"
Song Qingchao looked up upon hearing the voice.
She was rubbing her face, and upon seeing the person, she was so embarrassed that she covered her face with her sleeve.
Why was Bai You'an here?
Damn it, looking like this...
Bai You'an hadn't expected to be hit on the head by a paper ball before even entering the room.
But he wasn't angry at all; his tone was even gentler.
He picked up the paper ball that had fallen to the ground, opened it, and saw the word "cotton" written on the crumpled paper.
"Who made Miss Song angry?"
Bai You'an walked slowly towards Song Qingchao, holding the paper.
He had witnessed the entire process as he arrived.
Song Qingchao's reaction was truly adorable.
He knelt beside Song Qingchao, restoring the desk to its original state, and then picked up the books that had fallen to the ground one by one.
"The environment here is truly difficult. I'll ask General Zuo to send some things in tomorrow."
Song Qingchao, still rubbing her face under her sleeve, felt a wave of relief.
She had thought Bai You'an would laugh at her, but she had been unnecessarily worried.
"Would Zuo Suiran be so kind?"
"He needs a favor from me. Even if I asked for the moon in the sky, wouldn't he have to find a way to pluck it down? Moreover, what I need him to do is just a simple gesture."
Song Qingchao: "..."
What was a simple gesture to others was making her worry like an idiot.
She gave up.
She simply stopped wiping, revealing her soot-stained face.
"I haven't thought of other things yet, but I need a table."
Song Qingchao slammed her hand forcefully on the table, making a "bang."
It hurt a little, but it didn't matter.
She repeated, "A sturdy table, and a large one at that."
"Alright, alright, alright."
Bai You'an said "alright" three times in a row before Song Qingchao's anger subsided a little.
He finished arranging the books, then put his arm around Song Qingchao's waist, and with his other hand, carefully tidied her slightly messy hair.
"Are you injured?"
After asking, he forcefully pulled out the fist Song Qingchao was trying to hide and held it in his hand. After kneading her palm for a moment, his fingers moved up her wrist to feel her pulse.
"I'm fine."
Only at this moment did Song Qingchao feel a sense of reality. She had been too angry just now.
"Why are you here?"
"Can't I come?" Bai You'an grumbled with a nasal sound, then lightly brushed Song Qingchao's slightly dirty face. "A day apart feels like three autumns."
Song Qingchao felt a little guilty and leaned back, trying to prevent Bai You'an from touching her.
But how could Bai You'an grant her wish?
"Why are you dodging?" He chuckled wickedly, lightly blowing on her long, upturned eyelashes, his gentle voice falling on her eyelids. "I won't do anything."