Chapter 2, The Farm Children

What I seek is not merely a thank you, and you should understand that joining the organization requires undergoing a trial

Miss Yuan Mi first saw him and felt an impulse in her heart, wanting to seize that thick and unruly head of hair and wantonly ravage it, of course being gentle enough not to pull out a single strand.

Mr. Mei watched Miss Yuan walk away, then sat down on a chair, leaning closer to Lu Beilin, "Everything has been settled, Uncle San has agreed, you can join the organization now"

The woman is very young. Miss Yuan stepped out the door with a hint of jealousy, but soon regained her cheerful mood. If there were a motto that represented her youth, it would certainly be: "All things are external possessions, only one's mood belongs to oneself, so one must take good care of oneself"

Are you sure she is a spy

Miss Yuan strolled leisurely and was soon captivated by a scene across the river. It was a forest, with tall and straight trees; strangely, all of them were dead, with not a single green leaf in sight

Apart from the vast expanse of solar panels, the town does not possess any remarkable scenery. However, in Miss Yuan's view, it has its own charm, as it differs from the big cities in several ways. For instance, many of the houses here are constructed using solar panels as building materials, repainted in various colors. Moreover, there are almost no signs, making it difficult for outsiders to distinguish between residences and shops.

"The door of the spy is sealed by magic, and only blood can open it." The mischievous expression on Mei Qianchong's handsome face became even more pronounced as he actually smiled, as if what he was about to do was a prank commonly played by children. "This is your test."

Well, that is quite a number, and more people will continue to come to celebrate the birthday. The man leaned slightly, transferring the book to his left hand, and extended his right arm, saying, "I am Lu Linbei, Miss Yuan, nice to meet you"

Miss Yuan understood that this was not the time for probing too deeply, laughed a few times, and walked away. The "monkey" followed closely, sharing some light-hearted jokes, as if the two had known each other for a long time

Mr. Mei and Miss Yuan bowed three times, presented the red envelope, placed it on the tea table in front of the great-grandfather, and then stepped aside, concluding the birthday wishes in just over ten seconds

Oh, then why has it withered again

He is very handsome, with a slightly annoying expression. When people see a cute baby, they always want to pinch its cheeks, and when they see a fluffy little animal, they always want to rub it a bit. It is said that this is called compensatory psychology. He is so handsome that anyone who sees him feels an urge to give him a good beating to compensate for the disparity they feel inside.

This is also one of the aspects that Miss Yuan is very satisfied with regarding Mr. Mei. Regardless of how many changes are made along the way, or how casual it may seem, he is always able to organize everything in an orderly manner, ensuring that no detail is overlooked, including the necessary holidays, greetings, purchases, and reservations.

In order to maintain her smile, Miss Yuan's face became stiff, but she was genuinely happy to have the opportunity to integrate into Mr. Mei's social circle

I see, and you? What do they call you?

I envy you; the orphanage in the city is not this harmonious. When we left, no one even said 'goodbye.' Miss Yuan moved a little closer, 'May I ask you about something?'

She has never encountered "rejection"

Miss Yuan, who grew up in the city, had never experienced such a thing. She felt anxious, and her expression revealed her feelings. Mr. Mei put his arm around her shoulder and softly reassured her, "Don't be afraid, it's very simple, just follow my lead."

What is the purpose? To ask him to withdraw from the competition

Miss Yuan appreciates the tranquility and warmth of the small town, but she has made up her mind that if she must choose, she would rather give up Mr. Mei than return to her "home," that noisy and chaotic city where people are suddenly warm and then suddenly indifferent, where one night they share drinks and weep in each other's arms, only to become strangers the next day; this is the life she desires

"Do you recognize me?" Miss Yuan said, somewhat surprised

Miss Yuan immediately inquired with her friends about the name and background of the man. She had a strong premonition that this would be a significant moment that would only occur once in her lifetime. Regardless of whether the final outcome was good or bad, it would alter the course of her destiny

What is this

Mr. Mei pretended to be disappointed as he spread his hands, "Miss Yuan truly has a keen eye, to have chosen the top talent of our farm."

This is not the type that Miss Yuan likes, nor is it the kind of person she fears, so she slightly raised her head and said, "What a bold statement, Chuangshilin"

It took them a full seven days to reach their destination, just in time for the birthday banquet the following day

No wonder, you must be very familiar with our planet then

In the family, Mr. Mei remains the dazzling figure, never having a moment of leisure. Even while waiting in line, he often nods in greeting to others. After the birthday celebration, as soon as he returned to the outer courtyard, he was surrounded by a group of young men and women, chattering incessantly, and they escorted him to meet other elders

"How large is the area of the farm?" Miss Yuan asked in surprise, having grown up in the city, this was her first visit to a light industry farm

Miss Yuan had a vague impression of "the monkey," but could not recall the name. She stood up and smiled, saying: "This place is full of hidden talents, old trickster, you have opened my eyes. I am hesitating whether to continue with you or not"

Yuan Miyu agreed without a second thought and regretfully informed Mei Qianchong that she had no other family, only him.

I feel that we are like two little fish swimming in the sea Miss Yuan said

Are all of them surnamed Lu

Of course, as far as I know, I have a greater understanding of the era of Earth.

Miss Yuan and Mr. Mei are in love. According to her, this is the first time she has truly invested her genuine feelings; previously, it was merely a way to alleviate loneliness. Mr. Mei did not express it so definitively, but every word and action of his exudes a profound affection, as if she is everything to him

The man is probably in his twenties, appearing somewhat frail, with an air of scholarly demeanor, as if he has not yet graduated from school

The real gathering has just begun, with only a small portion of the family members living on the farm. Most, like Mr. Mei, have come back from afar specifically to celebrate the elder's birthday and to strengthen familial bonds.

Mei Qianchong remained silent

"Old cheat? Yes, we all call him Old Cheat. Here, the younger you are, the older the title you receive."

He shook his head, equally beyond doubt

Lu Linbei stared for a moment, glancing at Yuan Miyu in the distance, who was being amused to the point of laughter by the "monkey".

What is the purpose of keeping relics? Is it for commemoration

"Old Bei, I didn't expect you to be so bold, daring to steal the girlfriend of a con artist!" Another voice said, belonging to a young man of similar age to Lu Linbei, slightly shorter and equally thin, yet not appearing weak at all. He was full of energy, and even his simple walk had a hint of a lively bounce, resembling a monkey begging for food.

How many times? So there have been some? Tell me about it, I am just curious, I won't leak it out, and rest assured, I have more friends than Mr. Mei does, it might not even be certain.

Yuanfa Light Industry Farm, also known as Yichang, is a place where the residents often proudly claim to outsiders that this is the first light industry farm on the planet, established decades before the naming of "Zhai Wangxing"

In a small town where everyone is related to one another, outsiders feel even more isolated. Therefore, Miss Yuan deliberately avoids the only main street in the town and chooses to walk in more secluded areas. Rather than observing people, she prefers to enjoy the scenery

The path led her to the riverbank, which was not wide, yet the water appeared quite deep. Sparse trees were planted on both sides, and the area between the trees was overgrown with weeds, suggesting it had rarely been trimmed. Only in the places where benches were placed were there patches of ground that had been trampled bare.

Ha, is it because the planet Zhai has only a history of three hundred years, which is insufficient for your research

A sly smile appeared on Lu Linbei's face, "Not much, anyway, I haven't seen him many times."

It seems that this is indeed the reason, as you pointed out

Indeed, it is very simple. Great-grandfather has aged to the point of losing most of his bodily functions, resembling a zombie, or a puppet connected by springs, trembling and nodding incessantly, emitting a low murmur like the wind from his throat, showing no change in expression upon seeing anyone

Neither of the two had any ready topics for conversation. After ten seconds, the interesting encounter became somewhat uncomfortable. Miss Yuan missed Mr. Mei even more, as such a situation would never arise when she was with him

Lu Linbei's surprise turned into terror

Miss Yuan asked herself, without expecting an answer, yet a voice came back to her, telling her: "This is the Genesis Forest"

Miss Yuan could not recall this scene at all, "I am truly sorry, there were too many people at that time..."

Miss Yuan is a principled person, so she first approached her current boyfriend, interrupting his grandiloquent discourse, and pulled him away from a group of men. She calmly said: "I have thought this through carefully; we are not suited for each other, so let's break up. I wish you happiness, goodbye"

You know so much, what are you studying

The issue is not whether I can confirm it, but whether you can believe and obey my orders. This is a fundamental requirement in our line of work. Mei Qianchong added a tone of consolation, being patient yet undeniably assertive

Mr. Mei kissed her again, "I have many things to ask of him"

"Are you unwilling?" Mei Qianchong asked with a smile.

No, we were born in Meijia and grew up here. There is no distinction among siblings. It was only after I turned fifteen that I understood the true meaning of 'interstellar orphan' and realized that I am one of them

It is nearly 10,000 square kilometers, with half consisting of solar panels and the other half comprising various facilities Mr. Mei replied with a smile, showing neither impatience nor delving into the tedious technical details, which is a common flaw among many farmers; speaking too much often diminishes visitors' interest in the farm

They encountered a team of maintenance workers driving peculiar-looking vehicles. From a distance, someone stood up, waved their arms, and shouted Mr. Mei's name, indicating that he had arrived home

The boyfriend was taken aback, standing there in a daze. After a while, he would become angry and might act impulsively. Miss Yuan was not afraid, as the so-called impulsiveness would likely manifest as crying in public, which posed no threat and was somewhat awkward

This is an important and sensitive turning point; many men and women, even after being married for many years, have not reached this stage

In previous years, I lived at the school and had little understanding of farm matters. Lu Linbei is clearly a tight-lipped person

In this family, it's about the same

Miss Yuan felt a sense of warmth in her heart, "I thought interstellar orphans would only be sent to the city... Is there an orphanage on the farm as well?"

Unfortunately, before she could make her move, this "hunt" was interrupted

The skin cannot perceive the blowing of the wind, yet the roaring sound of the wind continues incessantly; after becoming accustomed to it, the sound of the wind transforms into a vast silence

What did you just call him

Are you saying now? Lu Linbei asked in surprise

Miss Yuan was taken aback. Following the sound, she looked over and realized that the benches here were arranged back to back, one side facing the road and the other side overlooking the river. Just a few steps away, a man peeked out from behind the bench and was sizing her up.

Mr. Mei parked the car by the roadside and took Miss Yuan into the depths of "Blue Sea," strolling hand in hand along the way. The scenery was monotonous, yet neither of them felt bored.

"The little fish is shorter than a finger," Mei Qianchong gestured.

Old North

Uh... I major in Earth history and have limited knowledge of contemporary history

Both individuals smiled. Miss Yuan walked to the edge of the bench, sat at one end, pointed to the other end, and gestured for the other person to sit down as well

At least two hundred people are lined up waiting to celebrate the birthday, with the line extending from the front hall all the way to the courtyard, forming a long queue that winds around several times

Miss Yuan became rather interested; she had a hundred ways to make a man reveal all his secrets. Applying this to Lu Linbei was like a seasoned general occasionally going hunting, both a form of exercise and entertainment

Mei Qianchong also waited for a moment, neither persuading nor forcing, patted Lu Linbei on the shoulder, said "You," and then raised the other arm, snapping his fingers as if to call over a waiter in the distance

The man sat at the other end, displaying a hint of restraint; while his words flowed freely, his body was not as agile.

The next morning, the two of them went together to celebrate the elder's birthday, and according to their generational hierarchy, Mr. Mei was to address him as great-grandfather.

I do not inquire about history, well, it can be considered history, that... Mr. Mei, the con artist, often brings girls to the farm, right

Of course, I am fully prepared and ready to face the challenge at any time

The residential area occupies only a small portion of the farm, with a main street running through it. The layout is no different from that of a typical small town, except that the houses appear somewhat older, with no high-rise buildings, at most three stories, usually serving as commercial establishments

"Hey, so you were hiding here!" Mr. Mei's voice came through

Miss Yuan only asked three friends and obtained the information she desired, and she was somewhat surprised yet also pleased to discover that the other party seemed to be inquiring about her as well

In addition to his name and profession, Miss Yuan also learned that he currently has no publicly known partner. For her, this is sufficient, and she decided to take immediate action, as there are quite a few potential competitors.

Miss Yuan gently touched the outstretched palm and smiled, saying: "Your family either has the surname Mei or the surname Lu"

Since their acquaintance, Miss Yuan has felt neglected for the first time, but she maintains a positive attitude, treating it as a brief separation, believing that he will soon return to her side

The man's surname is Mei, and his given name is Qianchong, with the character 'chong' meaning important, rather than repetitive. He is a meteorological investigator—everyone is unaware of the specifics of this profession and does not care; they only concern themselves with how dazzling he is among a crowd of people

A couple is flirting with each other, while the person being mentioned sits there smiling

Miss Yuan smiled slightly, let out a sigh, looked up at the sky, and planned to find an excuse to leave in a few seconds. Suddenly, she had a realization and turned her head to ask: "Are you also an interstellar orphan?"

Willing, of course I am willing. Thank you

They gave up the convenience of flying and took a small car, bringing along a dozen gifts, embarking on their journey. Along the way, they enjoyed the scenery, and on several occasions, inspired by sudden whims, they eagerly set off to explore nearby attractions.

Miss Yuan waved to Mr. Mei in the distance, indicating that she wanted to go out for a stroll. Mr. Mei smiled and nodded, then immediately withdrew his gaze to engage in a serious conversation with a woman beside him

Only Miss Yuan's ex-boyfriend is still unable to accept the reality immediately, collapsing in the arms of a girl, sobbing while denouncing his ex-girlfriend's heartlessness and shamelessness

The man stood up, indeed frail, and surprisingly held a rare physical book in his hand, which Miss Yuan had only seen before the age of ten. He said: "The Guangye Farm is still in the automatic operation phase. When humanity has not yet migrated to Planet Zhaiwang, in order to increase the oxygen content, machines scattered a large number of plant seeds, resulting in the growth of a vast forest, which is thus referred to as the Creation Forest, because it arrived earlier than humans."

Miss Yuan, who is always full of sudden inspirations, is never turned down by Mr. Mei, who quickly revises plans to meet all her requests

Is this Miss Yuan's first time at the farm? the man finally asked

Apart from work, the two are inseparable at all times, and the flame of love burns ever higher, with no end in sight for the time being

Major in History

Mr. Mei's hometown is a farm, Guangye Farm, where crops are not grown, but rather vast arrays of solar panels. From a distance, it resembles an endless blue ocean, and only upon approaching can one see the small paths and grassy areas among the rows of solar panels.

Because the oxygen is already sufficient, any additional amount would be harmful. Therefore, humanity has destroyed most of the primordial forests, some of which have been completely cleared, while others have left remnants. That area across the river is one such example, and in terms of area, it can be considered the second largest on this planet

No. The man walked around the bench, not getting too close, "It is unnecessary to remove them, as there is a lack of economic benefit; the quality of the wood from these trees is poor, and the land after leveling has no immediate use."

That was at a gathering with a large number of people, all of whom were friends of friends, and it was quite lively

Lu Linbei nodded slightly, "Just like Miss Yuan."

Indeed, there are other surnames, but these two are certainly the most common

Mei Qianchong turned his gaze towards Miss Yuan in the distance, stared for a moment, and said: "That is a person of the highest caliber. If she were an ordinary person, I believe I would love her for a lifetime. Unfortunately, she is a spy from another faction"

The monkey received a signal and abruptly pushed the still-laughing Yuan Miyu into the river

Before her boyfriend's awkwardness affected her, Miss Yuan smiled to offer comfort, then turned and walked away. As she passed the bar, she picked up a glass of wine and gracefully approached the dazzling jewel, without a trace of hesitation or fear, nor did she consider what would happen if she were to be rejected

Mr. Mei stepped closer, kissed Miss Yuan, and whispered in her ear, "May I have a word with Old Bei?"

Mai Qianchong is the kind of person who is naturally the center of attention; even when standing in a place, looking around in confusion, he attracts many gazes, some filled with admiration and others with jealousy. He has long been accustomed to this, feeling as comfortable as a fish returning to water

One month later—surprisingly, it was only one month, Miss Yuan expressed her astonishment, as she felt that the two had known each other for several years—Mei Qianchong invited Yuan Miyu to meet her family to celebrate the birthday of an elder.

Lu Linbei placed the book in his hand beside him, not responding immediately, which instead made him appear even more reserved

With a population of less than 10,000, everyone is quite familiar with one another. Mr. Mei's small car crawls along like a snail, as he has to greet too many people. Sometimes, he even has to stop, get out of the car, shake hands, and then warmly introduce Miss Yuan

This is a love that ignites like lightning, with both parties effortlessly revealing their true feelings. They hit it off immediately, and by the time the gathering is nearing its end, they have already fallen into each other's trap of love. In the eyes of the vast majority, they are a model couple, having been together for some time, and deserving of blessings

The man smiled and said, "We have met before, during the birthday celebration for your great-grandfather. I was standing a little behind you, and the old master made an introduction for us."