Top Floor, VIP Ward, Hope Private Hospital.
Feng Ran glanced at Lin Weihao, who was gently stroking his little nephew's head as the child sat on his lap, happily nibbling on a pastry.
Having grown up together since infancy, Feng Ran was familiar with every nuance of Lin Weihao's personality.
This man rarely smiled.
He was a figure of reserved composure, his cold and distant aura likened to a calm lake frozen for millennia. Yet today, there was an unfamiliar warmth in his demeanor that made Feng Ran's skin crawl.
Not only was Lin Weihao smiling—genuinely smiling—but he had spoken more today than anyone would believe possible.
Feng Ran stole a glance at his friend's eyes, where a rare softness resided, adding a depth that made one hesitate to look away.
Lin Weihao's sharp, striking features were as impeccable as ever, despite the pallor from his injuries. Instead of diminishing his appearance, the contrast only lent him an unintentional allure, understated but compelling.
While others might be charmed by this transformation, Feng Ran felt the hair on his arms rise in alarm.
Even Lin Yicheng, the little Lin family prince, cast a doubtful gaze toward his uncle.
Did Uncle hit his head too hard?
If Feng Ran could read the boy's thoughts, he would have wholeheartedly agreed.
Leaning back against the headboard, Lin Weihao lazily twirled a strand of his nephew's hair between his fingers. His tone was casual, but a subtle edge hid beneath the surface.
"Little Cheng, tell me more about the sister who saved us. What did she look like?"
His voice was deep, calm, but a faint trace of curiosity hinted at something more, like ripples beneath still water.
The boy's eyes brightened as he eagerly described the "brave sister," recounting her actions with animated gestures.
Lin Weihao listened attentively, the gleam in his eyes growing sharper.
Finally, he asked, "Do you want to see her again?"
"Yes, Uncle! Can I?" Lin Yicheng nodded enthusiastically.
Feng Ran watched Lin Weihao's faint smile and shuddered.
---
Meanwhile, Lu Nanzhi inspected the medicinal herb seed kit she had purchased. It contained a wide assortment: ginger rhizomes, elderberry, licorice, peppermint, basil, thyme, garlic, and many more.
The sheer variety made it impossible to remember them all.
In the early days of the disaster, starvation and simple illnesses claimed countless lives. Even as humanity evolved with mental powers, sickness remained a constant threat. Medicines and herbs were highly coveted—right after food—and any that appeared on the market were quickly hoarded by the powerful individuals and teams.
"Customer, we also have natural fertilizers, gardening tools, and hydroponic systems. Buy them all, and I'll give you a 10% discount," the shopkeeper offered with a bright smile. "Installation included!"
"Hydroponics?"
"No need," Lu Nanzhi replied coolly. "My company's garden is already fully equipped."
The shopkeeper's face fell with disappointment.
As her eyes scanned the shop, a small, withered plant caught her attention beneath a wooden table. She might have ignored it had it not been for the system prompt:
[1-Star Rated: Unknown Plant]
It was the first time the system had rated an item. Her instincts stirred.
Picking up the pot, she asked, "Since I'm buying so much, can I take this too?"
The shopkeeper barely glanced at it before waving his hand. "Take it."
---
Back at her temporary lodging, Lu Nanzhi's first Virtual Farm harvest was a success.
At precisely 11 a.m., the beans reached maturity.
A small sickle icon appeared above the green plot, just as it had in the game. With a tap of her finger, the flourishing plant vanished, leaving bare soil in its place.
Moments later, her inventory displayed a new entry:
[Unrated Mung Bean Sprouts × 30]
Lu Nanzhi withdrew one and inspected it.
The bean sprout was crisp, tender, and gleamed with freshness. She could almost taste the stir-fry dishes it would make.
This first yield hinted at possibilities, but she needed more data. Her fingers itched to plant more.
Wasting no time, she filled the empty squares with vegetable seeds, reserving ten plots for fruit saplings. The projected harvest times were astonishing.
[Apple Tree: Time until harvest – 8 days]
[Mandarin Orange Tree: Time until harvest – 5 days]
[Olive Tree: Time until harvest – 3 days]
The medicinal herbs would need careful planning. She sowed ginger rhizomes first—there was a project she had in mind.
After fetching the remaining meat she ordered, she came across a vendor selling trays of eggs. Without hesitation, she spent 500,000 yuan to purchase the entire stock before heading to Pearl City's industrial district.