Director Hao’s gaze was heavy. The nutrient solution had already been administered, and it was clearly not the right time to move the Mu Xi grass.
He glanced at Xu Nanxi, unsure if the young man was genuinely clever or merely self-deceptive.
What made it worse was that Xu Nanxi had been brought by Liu Ying. He didn't know how to even address it.
“Xiao Liu, have people closely monitor the Mu Xi grass’s changes for the next two days and see if there are any effects.”
“Yes.”
Liu Ying’s face turned ashen. If the Mu Xi grass ended up being harmed, Xu Nanxi would be fine, but she would undoubtedly be held responsible.
Director Hao gave Xu Nanxi a pensive look and walked out with his hands behind his back.
Professor Zhao smiled and comforted, “Teacher Liu, perhaps Comrade Xu is right. Don’t be so pessimistic.”
Actually, he understood Xu Nanxi’s thinking.
Apart from trying these methods, the research institute had no other options.
Rather than watching the Mu Xi grass die, it was better to take a gamble.
Such a rash approach went against the institute’s conservatism.
“Cheng You, let’s go.”
Cheng You followed him out. Once they were out of the research institute, she asked, “Professor, do you think that nutrient solution will be effective?”
Zhao Jisheng chuckled, “If the nutrient solution were truly effective, wouldn't the research institute have its own?”
“So you think it’s useless.”
Zhao Jisheng shook his head, “Not necessarily. What if there are hidden talents among the common folk? However, given the Mu Xi grass’s current condition, it’s difficult to save.”
This was why he didn’t take on the task himself; there was no need to waste effort.
Besides Cheng You, no one else had the ability to revive it.
Cheng You whispered, “Then he’s just being a know-it-all.”
“Not entirely,” Zhao Jisheng said.
Cheng You smiled, as if she had thought of something.
“That’s true. If the Mu Xi grass lives, it’ll be his credit. But if it dies, the research institute will hardly blame him.”
After all, the Mu Xi grass was already on its last legs, and Liu Ying was there to take the blame.
What a calculated move.
Zhao Jisheng quietly advised, “This person’s intentions are not pure. You should keep your distance from him.”
Xu Nanxi looked refined, but he gave off a sinister impression.
He was young, but his thoughts were deep and he was not to be trifled with.
Zhao Jisheng was returning to the agricultural research institute, while Cheng You was going home. They were not going in the same direction.
He got into his car first, and Cheng You remained to wait alone.
While waiting, before her car arrived, Xu Nanxi emerged.
He must have already appeased Liu Ying, as he walked out with a smile.
“Cheng You, I thought you actually had some skill to dare to show up here. So it’s just this much.”
Cheng You shrugged, unfazed by his sarcasm.
“I’ve never studied botany. Everyone has their own area of expertise. I’m afraid of pretending to know what I don’t.”
Xu Nanxi narrowed his eyes and smiled, “How do you know I’m pretending to know what I don’t?”
“I didn’t say it was you. Are you admitting it yourself now?” Cheng You blinked and retorted.
Xu Nanxi was momentarily stifled but quickly relaxed.
He had always been no match for Cheng You in verbal sparring.
“Do you want to make a bet with me? Bet on whether I can save the Mu Xi grass.”
He slowly lowered his head, gradually closing the distance between them.
Cheng You’s face turned cold, and she took two steps to the side.
“Whether you can save the Mu Xi grass has nothing to do with me. Also, please maintain some distance. I am a married woman, and your behavior makes it hard for me to believe you aren’t trying to take advantage of me.”
Xu Nanxi’s face fell, his dissatisfaction with Cheng You’s evasive attitude reaching its peak.
Was he that undesirable?
Cheng You, weary of seeing him hovering around her, thought for a moment and then spoke first.
“Xu Nanxi, are you so sure you can save the Mu Xi grass?”
“Of course.”
This nutrient solution was no ordinary concoction; he had gone to great lengths to obtain it.
They said that with just one bottle, even dead plants could be revived.
Cheng You found it amusing, “Then what do you want to bet on?”
“Last time I heard Grandpa Feng mention that the Tai Chi Pills from Zhen Shan Tang are quite miraculous. If I win, why don’t you give me ten pills?”
Cheng You had not yet put this Tai Chi Pill up for sale at the pharmacy.
However, she had already given the prescription to Old Master Yun, and it was being used at the military hospital.
Its reputation had not yet spread widely, but it was well-known in the military hospital.
One Tai Chi Pill cost one hundred and eighty yuan, so ten pills would be one thousand eight hundred.
Xu Nanxi was quite shrewd in business.
“And if you lose?”
Xu Nanxi was full of confidence, “I won’t lose.”
Cheng You proactively added to the stakes, “If you lose, I hope you will take responsibility proactively.”
Xu Nanxi froze for a moment but still spoke stubbornly, “I won’t lose.”
“If you’re not betting, then forget it.” The car arrived, and Cheng You boarded with the crowd.
Xu Nanxi was also returning to the military compound and followed beside her.
“I’ll bet, just as you said! If I lose, I will admit my mistake proactively.”
Cheng You was lucky and found a seat. She leaned her head slightly to look out the window.
“I don’t trust you. I’ll only believe it if it’s written down in black and white.”
Xu Nanxi quickly said, “I’ll write it for you when I get back.”
He was confident he wouldn’t lose.
Cheng You wasn’t as sure of herself as he was; she simply felt she wouldn’t lose these ten Tai Chi Pills.
She was betting on teaching him a lesson.
She felt it was a worthwhile risk.
Upon returning to the military compound, Xu Nanxi retreated to his room to write the wager.
As soon as Feng Xue entered the room, she saw the neatly written agreement.
“Xu Nanxi, are you crazy? Don’t you know your own capabilities?”
“I know,” Xu Nanxi snatched back the paper with his signature and thumbprint.
“Then why are you still betting?”
No wonder Feng Xue thought he was crazy, because Xu Nanxi had no idea how difficult Cheng You was to deal with.
Once she got her hands on leverage, Cheng You would surely strike hard at his weakest point.
Xu Nanxi forcefully waved the paper in his hand, excitement in his eyes.
“Look carefully, ten Tai Chi Pills! Do you know what Tai Chi Pills are? The military hospital calls these life-saving miracle drugs, and many people can’t buy them even for a thousand yuan! If I win, I’ll get ten pills!”
Then, if he sold the Tai Chi Pills, he would become a millionaire!
Xu Nanxi had been sent down with his grandfather and thought he would spend his entire life in that poor, backward place.
Fortunately, he got into university.
But when he came to Yan City, he realized he still had nothing.
Even after graduation, he would only be diligently toiling away at his job, and it would take many years of hard work to be allocated his own house.
For ordinary people, wealth could only be achieved through decades of frugal living.
Feng Xue simply didn’t understand; he was truly terrified of poverty!
“If you want money, why don’t you just ask Cheng You for it directly? I think you’re just insane!”
Xu Nanxi sneered, “If Grandpa Feng found out I was betting with Cheng You, and on money at that, what would he think?”
He loved money, but he also valued his image.
The two elders of the Feng family were still useful to him now, so he had to be mindful of their opinions.
Feng Xue couldn’t be bothered to persuade him further; he could do as he pleased.