The morning after the storm, the farm was bathed in golden sunlight, the air fresh and crisp. The fields glistened with dew, and the tomato plants stood tall, their leaves shimmering with vitality. Liu Jian stepped outside, stretching his stiff muscles and taking in the sight. For a moment, everything felt perfect.
But the system's warning from the night before lingered in his mind. Unusual pest activity. He knew he couldn't afford to ignore it.
As Liu Jian inspected the field, he noticed small holes in the leaves of some plants. At first, he thought it might be damage from the storm, but upon closer inspection, he saw tiny insects crawling along the stems—aphids. His stomach sank.
"System, what's the best way to deal with these?" he asked, trying to keep the frustration out of his voice.
The system responded promptly:
[Pest Alert: Aphid infestation detected.]
[Recommendation: Introduce natural predators or apply organic pesticide.]
Liu Jian sighed. He didn't have the money to buy pesticides, and he had no idea where to find natural predators like ladybugs. The system's store offered a solution:
[Item: Organic Pest Repellent (10 System Points)]
[Description: A natural spray that repels pests without harming plants.]
He hesitated. He had earned 20 System Points so far, but he had been saving them for emergencies. Still, he couldn't afford to lose his crop. With a sigh, he purchased the repellent and began spraying the affected plants.
As Liu Jian worked, he heard the sound of an engine approaching. He looked up to see a sleek black car pulling up to the farm. A man in a tailored suit stepped out, his polished shoes crunching on the gravel. Liu Jian recognized him immediately—it was Mr. Li, the owner of Green Horizon Agriculture.
"Liu Jian," Mr. Li said, his tone smooth but cold. "I heard you were back in town. Thought I'd stop by and see how you're doing."
Liu Jian straightened, wiping his hands on his pants. "Mr. Li. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Mr. Li smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm always interested in what's happening in the agricultural sector. Especially when it involves… unique methods." His gaze lingered on the field, as if he could sense the system's influence.
Liu Jian's stomach tightened. He had heard stories about Green Horizon—how they bought out small farms, promising prosperity but leaving farmers worse off. He wasn't about to let that happen to him.
"I'm just trying to make a living," Liu Jian said carefully. "Nothing unique about that."
Mr. Li chuckled. "Modesty doesn't suit you, Liu Jian. I've heard rumors about your farm. Impressive growth in such a short time. Almost… unnatural."
Liu Jian forced a smile. "Hard work and good soil. That's all it is."
Mr. Li studied him for a moment, then shrugged. "Well, if you ever need help—financial or otherwise—don't hesitate to reach out. Green Horizon is always looking for… promising ventures."
With that, he turned and walked back to his car, leaving Liu Jian with a sinking feeling in his chest. He knew this wasn't the last he'd see of Mr. Li.
Later that afternoon, Mei Ling stopped by the farm. She took one look at Liu Jian's face and knew something was wrong.
"What happened?" she asked, setting down a basket of fresh vegetables.
Liu Jian sighed and told her about Mr. Li's visit. Mei Ling's expression darkened.
"Be careful with him," she warned. "Green Horizon doesn't care about small farmers. They'll sweet-talk you into a deal, then take everything you have."
Liu Jian nodded. "I know. But I can't just ignore him. He's powerful."
Mei Ling crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. "Then you need to be smarter. Stronger. You've got something special here, Liu Jian. Don't let anyone take it away from you."
Her words struck a chord. Liu Jian realized that he couldn't just rely on the system to solve his problems. He needed to be proactive, to think ahead.
That evening, Liu Jian sat at the kitchen table with a notebook, sketching out a plan. He needed to diversify his crops, improve the farm's infrastructure, and find ways to protect himself from threats like Green Horizon. The system could help, but it was up to him to make the right decisions.
As he worked, the system chimed in:
[New Mission: Expand crop variety by planting two additional types of vegetables.]
[Reward: 30 System Points, Irrigation System Upgrade (Level 1)]
Liu Jian smiled faintly. The system always seemed to know what he needed. He decided to plant bell peppers and cucumbers, both of which were in high demand at the local market.
The next morning, Liu Jian woke up early to prepare the new planting area. As he worked, he noticed something unusual—a cluster of ladybugs on one of the tomato plants. They were feasting on the aphids, their bright red shells standing out against the green leaves.
The system chimed in:
[Natural Predators Detected: Ladybugs.]
[Pest activity decreasing. Crop health improving.]
Liu Jian couldn't help but laugh. It was a small victory, but it felt like a sign that things were turning in his favor.
As the sun rose higher in the sky, Liu Jian stood at the edge of the field, surveying his work. The tomato plants were thriving, the new crops were taking root, and the farm was starting to feel like a real business.
But he knew the challenges weren't over. Mr. Li's visit was a reminder that success came with its own set of risks. He needed to stay vigilant, to keep improving, and to protect what he had built.
For the first time in a long time, Liu Jian felt a sense of purpose. The farm was more than just a way to make a living—it was a testament to his resilience, his determination, and his ability to adapt.
As he turned to head back to the farmhouse, he caught a glimpse of Mei Ling walking up the path, a smile on her face. For a moment, everything felt right.
But deep down, he knew the real challenges were yet to come.