The first day the video went live, the response was painfully underwhelming. Only a few random clicks from passersby who quickly clicked in and then out without leaving a trace.
Zach Evans, Leo Donovan, and Lily Quinn sat dejectedly in front of the computer screen, their energy drained like wilted plants. The sight of the low view count left them all in a gloomy haze.
"Looks like we seriously underestimated how hard it is to make a short video go viral," Leo sighed, slumping deep into his chair like a deflated balloon.
Lily cast him a sharp glance, her usual bluntness on full display. "With your ridiculous acting and zero sense of aesthetics in that 'country bumpkin dance,' it's no wonder nobody wants to watch it."
"Lily! Can you not be so harsh? Can't you leave me a shred of dignity?" Leo shot up from his chair, practically hissing in protest like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
Zach, however, kept his cool, waving off their complaints with a grin. "Hey, no worries! It's only the first day. Let's give it some time. Who knows? Maybe tomorrow, it'll blow up!"
But the next day brought no improvement. The view count remained heartbreakingly low, and the three of them could feel their confidence starting to crumble.
Just as their hope was about to fizzle out completely, something magical happened on the third day. The view count skyrocketed out of nowhere, as if someone had flipped a switch. The comments section exploded, with messages pouring in nonstop.
"Whoa! Are these vegetables on steroids or something? They're growing like crazy!"
"That tomato… damn, I just want to take a big bite out of it right now!"
"Look at the shine on that pepper, like it's been glazed! You can tell it's gonna taste amazing!"
"These lettuces look so fresh! Perfect for a salad!"
"Okay, this video's a bit goofy, but these veggies are seriously legit!"
"Please, for the love of God, tell me where I can buy these! Name your price—I need them!"
"Give me the link already! I'll pay 10 times the regular price for these vegetables if they're real!"
The three of them stared at the comments section, which was now moving so fast it was hard to keep up. Their eyes widened in disbelief.
"No way… did this just go viral?" Leo stammered, barely able to contain his excitement.
Even Lily, usually the most reserved of the group, couldn't help but crack a small smile. "Seems like our 'quirky' approach actually found its audience."
Zach, on the other hand, was already grinning ear to ear. His mind was flooded with the sound of the system's notifications:
Ding! Positive Energy +10!
Ding! Positive Energy +10!
Ding! Positive Energy +10!
The constant stream of positive energy points gave Zach the boost of confidence he needed. And with each ping, his smile grew wider.
"Zach, why are you grinning like a fool? We've got people screaming for these vegetables! What are we gonna do?" Leo asked, rubbing his hands together in excitement. He could barely contain himself—he was ready to pull all the "super vegetables" out of the ground and throw them onto the market right now.
"Yeah, this is a golden opportunity! We need to set up a sales link immediately!" Even Lily, typically stoic, was urging Zach to take action.
Zach, however, remained calm. "Hold up. Before we rush in, we need to make sure our crops are growing steadily. We can't afford to sell something that might not be ready."
He had a plan in mind, thanks to the advice the system had previously provided. Zach opened the system's marketplace and, using the positive energy he had accumulated, purchased 10 bottles of "Soil Nutrient Solution."
This was the solution the system had recommended—a quick fix to improve the soil quality and ensure the crops continued to grow at their best.
Zach carefully poured the nutrient solution into the automated irrigation system in the greenhouse.
The very next morning, he rushed back to the greenhouse. To his relief, the vegetables had responded almost immediately. The leaves were a deeper, richer green, and the stems looked sturdier. The entire garden seemed to be bursting with life.
The tomatoes were a deep, luscious red, and the cucumbers were a vibrant green, practically glowing. The crops had never looked better, and Zach could tell they were meeting the system's growth standards.
Ding! Task complete. Reward: $1,000 cash and unlock of super vegetable seeds and technology.
The system's notification rang in Zach's mind, confirming the success of his efforts.
He smiled, knowing the supply problem had been solved. Now it was time to take the next step: introducing these "super vegetables" to the market.
The following day, Zach returned to the greenhouse, eager to check on the crops. What he saw made him practically jump for joy. The vegetables had grown even faster overnight, with tomatoes that glistened like jewels and cucumbers that seemed ready to burst with freshness. It was as if they had come straight from a fairytale.
Each fruit and vegetable was plump, ripe, and utterly irresistible.
"This is it! We're about to hit the jackpot!" Zach cheered, practically jumping up and down in the field.
Not only did they now have a solid supply of vegetables, but the quality was far superior to anything else on the market. The time to launch was finally here.
But Zach wasn't about to let success go to his head. He knew that to create a long-lasting brand, they needed a believable explanation for the technology behind the vegetables. Otherwise, people would inevitably start questioning the origins of these extraordinary crops.
After some thought, Zach decided to partner with a small agricultural research institution. By working with them, he could create a public-facing "super vegetable seed" that would legitimize the crops without exposing the system's secrets.
"Mr. Evans, we understand your request, but you know that developing a new crop variety is no simple task. It requires time and significant investment…" the head of the research institute said, pushing his glasses up his nose with a skeptical look.
"Money is not an issue," Zach replied firmly. "I'm prepared to fund this project as long as it takes. I just need one thing—results, and fast."
He knew that time was money, and the sooner they could launch the "super vegetable seeds," the sooner they could dominate the market.
With Zach's financial backing, the research institute eventually agreed to take on the project. Zach provided them with samples of the crops, explaining that they were developed through his "collaboration with advanced overseas technology." He asked the institute to help stabilize the seed production process.
To avoid raising suspicion, Zach publicly stated, "These samples were created using cutting-edge technology from overseas. They've been specially treated to enhance their nutritional value."
The explanation was plausible enough to protect the system's secret while providing a scientific foundation for the super vegetables.
The researchers at the institute quickly got to work, studying the samples Zach had provided. They were astonished by what they found.
"These vegetables… they're unlike anything we've ever seen. The genetic sequences are significantly different from regular crops, and their nutritional content is off the charts!" one of the scientists exclaimed during the analysis.
Time flew by, and thanks to Zach's steady funding and the team's dedication, the development of the super vegetable seeds progressed smoothly.
Two weeks later, the first batch of super vegetable seeds was successfully developed.
Zach wasted no time and immediately took the seeds to the Department of Agriculture's Vegetable Quality Supervision and Inspection Center, hoping to secure official certification for the crops.
The test results came back quickly—and they were outstanding. Every metric far exceeded national standards, especially the nutritional content, which was at an astonishingly high level. Armed with this certification, Zach felt more confident than ever.
With scientific validation in hand, Zach knew they were ready to roll out the next phase: marketing and promotion.
He reached out to a local nutritionist with a decent following on social media, hoping to leverage her influence to help push the "super vegetables" into a broader market.