Cheng You nuzzled his shoulder, "Then what about you?"
"What? Am I a three-year-old kid who needs you to nurse me?"
Cheng You shot him a glare, her small hand sliding to his waist, pinching him lightly.
A hint of mischief flashed in her eyes as she leaned close to his ear and whispered something.
It's not like I haven't nursed you before.
Qi Chengyan gave her a look with veiled meaning and caught her mischievous hand, "I know what you want, but now is not the right time."
Cheng You rolled her eyes and pushed him away, "It's so hot."
Qi Chengyan stroked her head, as if soothing a grumpy kitten. Cheng You had been a bit temperamental lately.
The next day, Cheng You put aside the Feng family's affairs, packed a few outfits, and planned to stay at the herb garden for a few days.
She had a room for herself here, on the first floor with a yard, next to Liu Ying.
As soon as she put her things down, Cheng You felt hungry again.
Then she realized there wasn't much to eat near the herb garden. The nearest market was a good five hundred meters away.
Too lazy to move, she kicked Qi Chengyan.
"I want roast duck."
But where could she find roast duck around here?
She would have to go back to the city for that.
Qi Chengyan neatly packed her clothes for her, without a hint of impatience, and asked, "Then shall I take you back to eat?"
Cheng You pouted, "I don't want to move."
She leaned against the chair limply, as if boneless, completely languid.
Qi Chengyan looked at her for a moment longer. He had noticed Cheng You's unusual behavior a while ago.
"Then I'll go back and buy it for you. You take a nap first, okay?"
Cheng You felt a little embarrassed, "Maybe we should just forget it."
Qi Chengyan leaned down and kissed her forehead, "It's okay, I'll be back soon."
As soon as he left, Liu Ying arrived.
"Your man left as soon as he got here?"
Cheng You responded lazily, "He's going back to buy me roast duck."
Liu Ying gasped, "That far, just to buy you roast duck?"
He doted on Cheng You too much.
"Someone has been coming to our herb garden frequently these past few days, wanting to cooperate with us."
Cheng You's mind was a little slow, and after a while, she asked, "Could it be someone named Cai?"
"You know him?"
Cheng You chuckled. You could say Cai Tiangui wasn't good at business, as he knew how to profit from reselling herbs.
But you could also say he was good at business, as he didn't even bother to investigate the background of the herb garden.
"I don't know him. I'll just explain it to him clearly next time he comes."
Liu Ying told her about the progress of the Mu Xi grass and muttered strangely, "The botanical research institute also does cuttings, but they just don't grow as well as yours."
Cuttings could indeed survive, but they looked malnourished, lacking the vitality of those from the herb garden.
"Could the soil here be better?"
Cheng You shook her head, "I'm not sure. Why don't you study it?"
Liu Ying planned to take some soil back to the institute to examine. After chatting with Cheng You for a while, she left.
Not long after she left, Qi Chengyan returned.
The roast duck he bought was from a renowned, century-old restaurant in Yancheng.
It had taken quite some effort to go back and forth.
But he had done it as quickly as possible, and the duck was still warm.
"Eat."
Cheng You rolled him a piece first. Qi Chengyan smiled and took a bite.
"I'm not hungry, you eat."
Cheng You ignored him and started eating her roast duck, her eyes curved in a look of satisfaction.
After finishing, she let out a small burp.
Watching Qi Chengyan clean up the table, she felt increasingly embarrassed.
"Qi Chengyan, you've worked hard."
To show her gratitude, she even gave him a kiss.
She didn't know why, but she had suddenly craved it.
Qi Chengyan gently flicked her forehead, "If you want anything, just call the office and I'll bring it to you."
Cheng You nodded obediently, following him like a little tail to see him out.
Leaning against the main door and watching him get into his car, her lips pouted.
She didn't feel like staying here alone anymore.
Qi Chengyan watched her through the car window, reluctant to leave.
Cheng You's pitiful expression, her entire little face conveying reluctance.
Seeing this, Qi Chengyan sighed helplessly, opened the door, and got out.
"Going home?"
Cheng You didn't even bother to grab her clothes, trotting happily into the passenger seat.
She waved her little hand at him, "No need to take the clothes, I have plenty at home. I might even come back to stay next time."
Liu Ying poked her head out from inside and saw Cheng You get into the car.
"Weren't you going to stay here?"
Cheng You: "Not anymore, I'm going home."
Liu Ying quickly said, "Then wait for me, can you give me a ride back to the Botanical Research Institute?"
She got into the back seat of her own accord.
The car slowly drove out of the herb garden. At the entrance, it passed by Cai Tiangui.
Cai Tiangui immediately saw Cheng You and Liu Ying and wanted to call out to them, but the car quickly drove past.
He lowered his head and thought for a moment. Why would Cheng You be here?
Cai Tiangui was quick. Almost as soon as Cheng You returned to the military compound, he followed her back.
He had originally wanted to have Cai Xiaoyu inquire about Cheng You's relationship with the herb garden, but Cai Xiaoyu refused.
He felt it was too roundabout, so he decided to ask himself.
As soon as he went out, he saw Feng Xue coming to look for Cai Xiaoyu.
Feng Xue was quite well-known in the compound, and he knew that.
He felt an involuntary displeasure. Why was Cai Xiaoyu mixing with Feng Xue?
No, he would have to have a word with her when they got back.
After walking a few steps, he remembered Feng Xue's relationship with Cheng You.
He thought for a moment, turned around, and asked, "Comrade Feng Xue, are you familiar with Cheng You?"
Feng Xue said, "We're okay, I guess."
After all, they had been enemies for so long.
Cai Tiangui smiled cheerfully, "Then do you know if there's any connection between the herb garden in Yan Jiao and Cheng You?"
Feng Xue: "I know she's the owner of Zhen Shan Tang, but I'm not really sure about the herb garden."
Cai Tiangui's suspicions immediately dissipated. It was probably just a business cooperation between Zhen Shan Tang and the herb garden.
He felt a bit disappointed, as this business deal was likely off.
Feng Xue said in a low voice, "What happened to your father?"
"My father is in the business of reselling herbs. He took a liking to the herbs from that herb garden and wanted to act as an intermediary to make a profit. It's probably fallen through."
Feng Xue knew that many people were doing business now, especially after the reform and opening up.
The term "ten thousand yuan household" only emerged after the reform, like spring bamboo shoots.
"So selling herbs is that profitable?"
Cai Xiaoyu didn't catch the probing intent in her words and casually said, "It's not profitable, why else would my dad do it?"
Feng Xue subtly inquired, "Then do you know which area that herb garden your father liked is in? I've been in Yancheng for so long, maybe I can help connect you."
Cai Xiaoyu didn't guard against her and directly gave her the address.
"There's only one herb garden in Yan Jiao, it's easy to find."
Feng Xue suddenly remembered seeing it on the way to proposing to Qiu Tingting.
Cai Xiaoyu ignored what she was thinking and held her hand, asking, "When are you going to settle things? Don't let them get married before you do."
Feng Xue sneered, "You seem more reluctant than I am to let Qiu Tingting marry my brother."
"She's not worthy."