Chapter 68: Planting More of Mengmeng’s Favorites

“Shujie, what are you up to now? You even forgot to eat,” Cheng Xiaolin asked with curiosity.

Cao Shujie shared his new idea with his wife.

After listening, Cheng Xiaolin was unsure how to respond. She asked, “You want to solve the weed problem, so you’re planning to start a livestock farming?”

“Exactly. Those weeds have also absorbed the nutrient solution and are growing vigorously, full of nutrients. We shouldn’t just waste them,” Cao Shujie explained confidently. “I had already planned to reserve 28 acres for planting other things, and now I’m just moving up the timeline for the livestock farming project.”

“That way, we won’t need to buy meat. We can just slaughter one whenever we want,” Cao Shujie said proudly about his perfect plan.

Cheng Xiaolin rolled her eyes. “Slaughter one? How much can you eat?”

She reminded him, “And if you raise too many, over time the smell of manure will be overwhelming and hard to manage. Will others be okay with that?”

Cao Shujie chuckled and nodded. “That’s actually easy to solve. I plan to build pigsties, cattle pens, and sheepfolds. We can process the manure into organic fertilizer and spread it in the orchard.”

This was indeed a sensible solution, allowing for the efficient use of most resources.

The weeds and organic fertilizer could also save on feed and fertilizer costs.

He believed that livestock raised on these nutrient-rich weeds would be much better than those fed solely on commercial feed, with better meat quality.

“Honey, you’re getting more impressive,” Cheng Xiaolin said with a smile.

Cao Shujie laughed modestly, “Just doing what I can. Anything else would be a waste.”

“How could that be?” Cheng Xiaolin disagreed completely, thinking her husband was already exceptional and too modest.

“When are you starting?” Cheng Xiaolin asked.

Cao Shujie smiled and said, “I’ve already started. Just now on the mountain, I called Boss Chen, who sells wire mesh fences, to order another 500 meters.”

“I also called Grandpa Zhenggang. He’s busy now, but when he gets back tonight, we’ll go up the mountain to discuss the plan.”

“And we need to fix that road, at least widen and pave the section from the foot of the mountain to the orchard, to make transporting things easier later.”

Cheng Xiaolin fully supported her husband’s plan. “Honey, just let me know if you need anything.”

Cao Shujie was about to tell her she didn’t need to do anything, just take care of Mengmeng at home.

But he swallowed his words and said, “Honey, when things get busy, we’ll need to buy a lot of stuff. I might not remember everything, so you’ll be in charge of bookkeeping and accounting.”

He emphasized, “This involves money, so it’s important!”

Cheng Xiaolin felt a sense of mission and nodded solemnly. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”

“Not just this time. From now on, all family transactions, hiring, and payments will be your responsibility. I’ll focus on the big picture and won’t worry about these details,” Cao Shujie said with a wave.

“Okay!” Cheng Xiaolin replied happily.

Wang Yuelan didn’t question her son and daughter-in-law’s plans. When she heard her son was planning to raise pigs, cows, sheep, and chickens on the mountain, she didn’t object. She also agreed that home-raised meat would be healthier than store-bought.

“Grandmother, eat as much as you want!” Mengmeng said grandly, waving her little hand.

Cao Shujie and Cheng Xiaolin laughed heartily at this scene.

Cao Shujie had another plan in mind, but the conditions weren’t right to implement it yet.

In his view, if his plan succeeded in a couple of years, they could consume all the meat they produced without worrying about selling it.

Cao Zhenggang returned to Cao Family Village around seven in the evening.

Upon his return, he immediately called Cao Shujie to meet him on the mountain for a discussion.

Cao Shujie didn’t delay. After informing his parents and wife, he grabbed a large flashlight and rode his electric scooter towards the orchard on the mountain.

When he saw Cao Zhenggang, he almost didn’t recognize him.

Cao Zhenggang’s face was covered in soot, and his clothes were splattered with mud, clearly just back from work without time to wash up.

“Grandpa Zhenggang, you haven’t eaten yet, have you?” Cao Shujie asked.

Cao Zhenggang nodded. “Just got back. I can eat after checking your place.”

“Grandpa Zhenggang, there’s no rush. Why not come to my house for a drink first?” Cao Shujie suggested.

“No, no. Your grandmother has dinner ready and is waiting for me at home,” Cao Zhenggang declined firmly. “Shujie, open the gate. I’ll wash my face, and you can tell me your plan.”

They talked for over an hour. A cloud drifted by, obscuring the moonlight. Without Cao Shujie’s large flashlight, they would have been working in the dark.

“Shujie, you’ve just planted the orchard, and now you want to start livestock farming. That’s a big investment. Why not take it step by step?” Cao Zhenggang gently advised.

Cao Shujie nodded. “Grandpa Zhenggang, don’t worry. I have a plan. We’ll start small and gain experience gradually.”

Hearing this, Cao Zhenggang didn’t say more.

He pointed to the space Cao Shujie had reserved. “Just use a small part of it. You still plan to plant other things, right?”

“Yes, I’m thinking of planting some seasonal fruits to speed up cash flow. Otherwise, just relying on kiwi and apples takes too long,” Cao Shujie explained.

“Do you have a plan?” Cao Zhenggang asked.

“Yes, I’ll plant strawberries and watermelons. Our Mengmeng loves strawberries and watermelons,” Cao Shujie said with a smile.

“You really care for your child,” Cao Zhenggang remarked with deep emotion.

From Cao Shujie’s every word and action, it was clear how much he doted on his daughter.

Few people who lease mountain land to grow fruit would be so indulgent as to set aside a special area just for their daughter’s favorite treats.

However, around here, there are also those who plant strawberries and watermelons, so it’s not a big issue.

By the time Cao Shujie and his companion came down from the mountain, it was already past nine in the evening. When you’re busy, time just slips away.

Cao Shujie apologized, “Grandpa Zhenggang, I’ve made you work overtime again. How about coming to my place for a drink? I’ve got some good liquor.”

“Shujie, I really can’t. I promised your Grandmother I’d be home for dinner tonight, so no drinking outside,” Cao Zhenggang insisted firmly, and Cao Shujie didn’t press the matter further.

Cao Zhenggang added, “I’m currently tied up with a project. It’ll take about four or five more days. Once I’m done, I’ll bring people over. By then, the iron wire fences you ordered should have arrived.”

“Alright, that’s fine with me,” Cao Shujie replied.

When he got home, his parents were sitting in the main room. Seeing him enter, his father, Cao Jianguo, waved him over. “Shujie, come here for a moment.”

“Dad, what’s up?” Cao Shujie asked, puzzled.

Cao Jianguo said, “Your mom mentioned you want to start a livestock business? The fruit saplings haven’t even matured yet, and you’re already moving on to something else. Are you trying to fly before you can walk?”

His tone was filled with concern, worried that his son might stray off the right path, always trying to keep him grounded.

“Dad, it’s not what you think.” After explaining his plans to his father, Cao Shujie added, “Dad, no matter how much I say, it won’t make sense until you come with me to the orchard tomorrow morning and see for yourself.”

“Alright, I’ll wait for you,” Cao Jianguo replied stubbornly.

Seeing the father and son at odds, Wang Yuelan quickly interjected, “Shujie, you’ve been busy until this late hour. Go wash up and rest. You can discuss it tomorrow.”

“Mom, you both should get some rest early too.”

After washing his face, Cao Shujie returned to his bedroom. Mengmeng was already asleep, her serene little face holding a certain charm that captivated him. He couldn’t help but smile warmly.

(End of this chapter)