Chapter 36: Can’t Stop Now

Lu Jianshen might have been unhappy and full of complaints, but Madam Lu didn’t listen to a single word.

The greenhouse at home was hers. She could arrange it however she pleased.

Qingqing had finally given her a gift, so of course she had to put care into planting it properly.

Besides, compared to the hardships Qingqing had suffered in the past, growing vegetables was nothing.

She even wanted to take the opportunity to experience what it was like.

“Shenshen, when we get back, come with me to the greenhouse to plant vegetables.”

“…” Lu Jianshen.

Great. Not only had he failed to talk his mother out of it, he’d gotten himself dragged into it too.

If he’d known this would happen, why had he opened his mouth at all?

He really had no one to blame but himself.

“Qingqing, I’ve memorized all those little gardening tips you just told me.”

“But the truth is, I’ve never grown vegetables before. If you have time… would you come with me and give me some guidance?”

“Mom, I have time.”

“Really? That’s wonderful!” Madam Lu beamed with joy.

After leaving the orphanage with the vegetables they’d dug up and a packet of seeds, they didn’t head straight back to the Lu family estate.

Instead, they stopped in front of a shopping mall along the way.

“Mom, since it’s still early, how about I take you to buy a pair of hiking shoes?”

“Alright.” Madam Lu nodded, secretly delighted.

“What about me?” Lu Jianshen, who had been ignored, finally spoke up.

“Come with us, Second Brother.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Very soon, Lu Jianshen regretted tagging along.

Because Madam Lu and Lu Qingqiang were just way, way, way too good at shopping.

They had started with the simple goal of buying hiking shoes.

But one thing led to another, and they ended up buying all sorts of other things.

Seasonal new shoes, handbags, clothes, cosmetics, and so on.

Of course, all of it was bought by Madam Lu for Lu Qingqiang.

Every time she saw something nice, she couldn’t stop herself from wanting to buy it for Qingqiang.

Even when Qingqiang tried to refuse, she had no choice but to accept.

Madam Lu had even wanted to pay for the hiking shoes, but Qingqiang wouldn’t let her.

All in all, they spent quite a bit on this shopping trip.

Of all the purchases, only the four pairs of hiking shoes were paid for by Lu Qingqiang.

Yes, not just for the three of them—she even got a pair for her nominal father.

After all, since they were buying them, they couldn’t just leave out her dad, right?

When they returned to the Lu family estate, a servant came to report that the greenhouse had already been prepared according to Madam Lu’s instructions.

Madam Lu immediately took Lu Qingqiang over to take a look.

The Lu family’s greenhouse was enormous, bigger than most people’s houses.

It was equipped with the most advanced temperature control system, automatic irrigation, retractable roof, and more.

Inside, the variety of flowers was dazzling, bursting with color and beauty.

There were even rare and nearly extinct orchids that couldn’t be found on the market.

After touring the greenhouse, Lu Qingqiang couldn’t help but gasp inwardly.

So this was the life of the wealthy.

Just a greenhouse alone was enough to leave her awestruck.

Madam Lu had arranged for some of the less favored flowers to be moved into pots and placed outside.

Some were set aside to be gifted to close friends as part of regular social visits.

The space that was cleared out was where she planned to grow vegetables.

Judging by the size, it was roughly a third of a mu.

Plenty of space for planting.

“Qingqing, do you think this spot is good for growing vegetables?” Madam Lu asked.

“It’s perfect. That rack over there is great for climbing plants like tomatoes, loofahs, and cucumbers.”

“This rack can be used for grapes.”

“And we can scatter some seeds here for leafy greens like baby bok choy and mustard greens.”

“…”

If the space weren’t still a bit limited, Lu Qingqiang would’ve wanted to include strawberries in the plan too.

“What about the vegetables we dug up earlier? Where should we plant those?” Madam Lu asked.

“Mom, we can plant them in the greenhouse, or find a spot outside.”

“I think there are plenty of places around the house suitable for growing vegetables.”

“Our landscaping is great. There are lots of idle patches where we can tuck in a few seeds.”

“Since those spots are just sitting empty, we might as well plant something. It’ll make good use of the space.”

“And once the vegetables are ready, we can pick them fresh ourselves.”

Hearing this, Madam Lu nodded repeatedly.

Yes, Qingqing was right.

Why had they never thought of growing vegetables before?

When the vegetables they grew themselves were ready to eat, how satisfying would that be?

Unlike flowers, which were fussy to care for and only for looking at.

And as for selling flowers for money—please, did the Lu family look like they needed money?

They couldn’t spend it all even if they tried, twenty-four hours a day.

Compared to that, growing vegetables was clearly more practical.

“Qingqing, why don’t you guide us a bit later? Let’s get the vegetables planted this afternoon.”

“Mom, how about you go change clothes first, then we’ll get started?”

“Alright.”

While Madam Lu went to change, Lu Qingqiang took out the seeds, fetched a few buckets of water, and began soaking them.

She also took the opportunity to secretly add two drops of Spirit Spring Water into each bucket.

Once Madam Lu returned in her gardening clothes, Lu Qingqiang led her—and Lu Jianshen, who had been dragged along—into the planting.

Digging holes was, of course, assigned to Lu Jianshen.

Technically, vegetables like baby bok choy and mustard greens were easy to grow and matured quickly.

There was no need to transplant half-grown ones from the orphanage. Scattering seeds would’ve been enough.

But seeing that Madam Lu seemed especially interested in those half-grown vegetables, Lu Qingqiang had gone ahead and brought some over.

These vegetables had been carefully cultivated by the people at the orphanage.

During watering, she had occasionally added a drop or two of Spirit Spring Water, so they were full of life.

Even after being transplanted mid-growth, they wouldn’t die.

Lu Jianshen dug holes at the front, grunting with effort.

Madam Lu and Lu Qingqiang followed behind, placing seedlings and filling in the soil.

Before long, Lu Jianshen tossed the shovel aside, clutching his back.

“Mom, why are you doing this to yourself? We have so many servants at home. Just assign a few to plant these vegetables.”

“Why do it yourself?”

“Isn’t your back hurting?”

Madam Lu immediately shot back.

“Hurt? What hurt? Before Qingqing came back, she suffered every single day.”

“Forget planting vegetables. She used to help with fertilizing, digging trees, weeding, harvesting, pushing carts—none of it was easy.”

“And now you can’t even handle this little bit of work?”

“Look at Qingqing. She’s still back there filling in soil, and has she said a word?”

“She’s just a young girl. And you, a grown man, can’t even match her?”

“…” Lu Jianshen.

Seriously, was the comparison necessary?

People had different strengths.

Why compare his weakness—farming—with his sister?

And besides, what was the point of growing vegetables anyway?

If you asked him, his mom was just too bored.

Of course, when the vegetables finally matured and Lu Jianshen got to taste them, he changed his tune.

He practically shouted that they should’ve planted more from the start.

But that’s a story for later.

“Mom, Second Brother and I grew up in different environments. We’re good at different things. Don’t push him too hard.”

“Bending over to dig holes really is tiring. Let him rest a bit.”

“I’ll dig.”

With that, Lu Qingqiang picked up the shovel and started digging without complaint.

She really didn’t feel tired at all from such light work.

Her body had already been transformed by the Spirit Spring Water and was in excellent condition.

But when Lu Jianshen saw this, he was instantly provoked.

Damn it, he couldn’t stop now.

So what if Qingqing had done a lot of farm work and had a stronger body than most?

Eventually, she’d get tired too.

As her older brother and a man, how could he let her outdo him?

No way. Even if he had to grit his teeth, he had to keep going.

He refused to believe that, as a man, he had less stamina than a woman.