Director Hao’s mind was filled with a thousand questions, all of which vanished the moment he saw the Mu Xi grass.
He felt a complex mix of emotions, filled with gratitude towards Cheng You.
He had doubted Zhao Jisheng before, and now, upon reflection, he found it ridiculous.
If he had handed the item over to Cheng You from the beginning, perhaps many troubles could have been avoided.
Cheng You, sensing his thoughts, didn’t offer many explanations.
Where the Mu Xi grass was, that’s where the targets of those people would be. They wouldn’t stop until they achieved their goal.
“Director Hao, are you taking the Mu Xi grass back?”
Director Hao quickly shook his head, “The military has its own considerations for secrecy. It’s best to leave it here with you.”
He had never imagined the Mu Xi grass would grow so well even in a flowerpot.
Cheng You felt a twinge of disappointment; she had wanted to send the Mu Xi grass back for a while now.
“Then, never mind.”
Seeing how precious he was with it, he probably wouldn’t leave anytime soon.
Cheng You sat to the side, watching him tenderly wipe the leaves. His gaze was as gentle as if he were looking at his lover, which made her feel a bit nauseous.
“Director Hao, if you like it so much, take it back with you.”
Director Hao smiled and stood up, “Seeing it unharmed, I am relieved. It’s better to leave it here with you.”
Not only was it unharmed, but its vitality was even more vigorous than before.
“I truly don’t know how to thank you.”
Cheng You waved her hand, “No need to thank me. Just make sure you manage your subordinates well.”
Like that Liu Ying.
Director Hao’s smile faltered. Thinking about the day’s events, he indeed felt he had wronged Cheng You.
“I understand. I won’t let anyone else disturb you again.”
Director Hao lingered for quite some time, admiring the Mu Xi grass before leaving. He mentioned he had never seen Mu Xi grass grow like this.
After seeing him off, Cheng You brought out her own flowerpots again.
This time, she didn’t plant ginseng or Polygonum multiflorum. Instead, she took out a pot from within.
Inside the pot was a cutting of Mu Xi grass she had taken, which had been soaked in dew for a night.
She wanted to try if cuttings would take root.
When Director Hao was here earlier, she hadn’t dared to take it out.
If he had seen it, he probably would have hit her.
She planted cuttings in all the pots, watered them, and her work was done.
Cheng You clapped the dirt off her hands, reassembled the small sheds, and they looked like they did before.
If one didn’t look closely, who would know that Mu Xi grass cuttings were being propagated inside?
Time quietly passed. The spy incident was finally concluded, and Xu Nanxi was released.
Although he didn’t have to go to jail, his studies and work would be affected, and disciplinary action was inevitable.
Several research institute personnel, including Liu Ying, received punishments of varying degrees.
However, none were severe enough to warrant dismissal.
Liu Ying was indignant and banged on the table, confronting Director Hao.
“If there are to be punishments, shouldn’t Cheng You, who lost the Mu Xi grass, also be punished?”
Director Hao felt a headache coming on. “Why do you keep focusing on her? I see that you haven’t reflected on yourself these past few days, only finding fault with others! Teacher Liu Ying, if you are not satisfied with the institute’s disciplinary decision, I can apply for your voluntary resignation. I don’t think you are suited to stay here any longer!”
After being told this, Liu Ying finally shut her mouth, her expression still resentful.
A moment later, someone entered from outside.
“Director Hao, someone is here to see you. They said they are delivering something.”
Director Hao no longer had the time to deal with Liu Ying. He quickly got up and walked outside.
“Quickly, let them in.”
The person delivering the item was Zhao Jisheng, holding a flowerpot, which naturally contained the Mu Xi grass.
“I’ve returned the item to your institute, intact. Don’t bother me with this matter again!”
He had heard what Liu Ying had said from a great distance.
He immediately felt that Cheng You had done a thankless job.
Working for them for free and gaining nothing.
Director Hao had initially thought Cheng You herself would come. Seeing him now, he couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.
Zhao Jisheng left the institute with a hint of anger and turned to find Cheng You to complain about Liu Ying.
“You girl, I’m talking to you, why aren’t you reacting?”
Cheng You looked at him helplessly. “What reaction do you want? Let them say whatever they want. We won’t have any further interaction anyway.”
Zhao Jisheng sat down on the steps and watched Cheng You tending to something in a flowerpot.
He squinted and looked closely. “Did you just plant ginseng?”
He had lamented for a long time when Cheng You’s ginseng and Polygonum multiflorum were stolen.
Fortunately, he heard they were recovered later and Cheng You sent them to Zhenshantang to make a few jars of medicine, so they weren’t wasted.
Cheng You smiled. “Does this look like ginseng to you?”
Zhao Jisheng took a closer look, leaning in.
Once he recognized it, he exclaimed in shock, “This… this is Mu Xi grass?”
He quickly stood up and lifted the covers of the other sheds. They were all Mu Xi grass!
“Where did you get it?” He was so startled his glasses almost fell off.
Cheng You said, “Cuttings. Didn’t you notice?”
To her surprise, they had actually taken root.
Not only had they rooted, but they were also growing very quickly.
Zhao Jisheng sighed, “It’s truly miraculous.”
Director Hao had spoken to him about Mu Xi grass years ago, and the researchers at the institute had struggled with how to cultivate it.
As a result, after so many years, they still only had this one plant.
The method of cuttings had been tried long ago and had failed completely.
Yet now, Cheng You had managed to grow them.
One, two, three…
He counted. Five flowerpots, all with Mu Xi grass!
“Why did you suddenly decide to grow this?”
Cheng You said, “I had a sudden whim to try. I didn’t expect it to actually survive. I also want to see what’s so special about this Mu Xi grass.”
Zhao Jisheng chuckled. “When these all grow well, will you give me a pot to study?”
“Sure, you can take one now too.” Cheng You was quite generous.
Zhao Jisheng quickly said, “No need for that. These seedlings are too young. I’m afraid I’ll mess them up and kill them if I take them back.”
Cheng You nodded. That was true.
“When I grow a patch of grass from these, I’ll send you one.”
Zhao Jisheng clapped his hands and smiled cheerfully. “Okay, I’ll be waiting!”
After getting enough sun, Cheng You brought the Mu Xi grass indoors.
She locked the door and went out for a stroll.
On the way, she saw Sister He, cracking melon seeds and talking to someone.
She smiled and waved at Cheng You, offering her a handful of seeds.
“We were just talking about the child staying at the Feng family’s place.”
Cheng You smiled, “He’s already twenty, is he still a child?”
“Ah, compared to me, he’s certainly a child.”
Cheng You asked, “What were you saying about him?”
Sister He said mysteriously, “He’s kneeling at the door, trying to use a sob story.”
Her words were vague, and Cheng You couldn’t quite understand.
“Why is he using a sob story?”
Sister He tutted, “What else could it be? Because old Mr. Feng is no longer sheltering him!”
Initially, he decided to take him in out of respect for a deceased friend.
Even though he had now decided to sever ties, he had also given the child some money as compensation.
All things considered, the old man had been very generous.