The open house had been a resounding success, but Liu Jian knew better than to rest on his laurels. The system's warning about the incoming storm loomed large, and the whispers of Green Horizon's machinations grew louder. As he prepared the farm for the severe weather, he couldn't shake the feeling that his enemies were closing in.
The first drops of rain began to fall as Liu Jian and Mei Ling secured the last of the protective coverings over the crops. The wind picked up, whipping through the fields and rattling the farmhouse windows. The system's weather forecast had been accurate—this storm was going to be brutal.
"We've done all we can," Mei Ling said, her voice barely audible over the howling wind. "Now we just have to wait it out."
Liu Jian nodded, his eyes scanning the fields. "Let's hope it's enough."
They retreated to the farmhouse, where Liu Jian lit a fire in the fireplace. The crackling flames provided a small comfort as the storm raged outside. For a while, they sat in silence, listening to the rain hammer against the roof.
The next morning, the storm had passed, leaving behind a waterlogged but intact farm. Liu Jian and Mei Ling surveyed the damage, relieved to find that the crops had survived. But their relief was short-lived.
As they worked to clear debris from the fields, a sleek black car pulled up to the farm. Liu Jian's stomach tightened as he recognized the Green Horizon logo on the side. But instead of Mr. Li, a woman stepped out of the car. She was tall and elegant, her sharp eyes scanning the farm with calculated interest.
"Liu Jian?" she called, her voice smooth and confident.
Liu Jian exchanged a glance with Mei Ling before walking over to meet her. "Yes. Can I help you?"
The woman smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm Ms. Zhang, head of public relations at Green Horizon. I've heard a lot about your farm. Impressive work, especially for someone so… new to the industry."
Liu Jian's guard went up. "Thank you. What brings you here?"
Ms. Zhang's smile widened. "We're always looking for promising ventures to support. Green Horizon could offer you resources, expertise, and access to markets you could only dream of. All we ask in return is a partnership."
Liu Jian crossed his arms, his expression wary. "And what does that partnership entail?"
Ms. Zhang's gaze flickered to Mei Ling, who was watching from a distance. "Let's just say it would be mutually beneficial. You'd have the backing of one of the largest agricultural companies in the region. Think of the possibilities."
Liu Jian shook his head. "I'm not interested in selling out."
Ms. Zhang's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "Think it over. The offer stands. But don't wait too long. Opportunities like this don't come around often."
With that, she turned and walked back to her car, leaving Liu Jian with a sinking feeling in his chest.
As the car disappeared down the road, Mei Ling approached Liu Jian, her expression grim. "That was different. Ms. Zhang isn't like Mr. Li. She's more… subtle."
Liu Jian nodded. "She's trying a different approach. But it's still the same goal—to take over the farm."
Mei Ling crossed her arms, her brow furrowed. "Green Horizon isn't a monolith. There are factions within the company—some want to crush you, others want to co-opt you. We need to be careful."
Liu Jian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's like playing chess with someone who keeps changing the rules."
Later that day, Liu Jian received a call from the chef at the farm-to-table restaurant. The man's voice was tense. "Liu Jian, I'm sorry, but I have to cancel our order. I've been getting… pressure from certain parties to cut ties with you."
Liu Jian's heart sank. "What kind of pressure?"
The chef hesitated. "Let's just say it's not worth the trouble. I'm sorry."
The call ended abruptly, leaving Liu Jian staring at his phone in frustration. He turned to Mei Ling, who had been listening. "Green Horizon is targeting my partners now."
Mei Ling's expression darkened. "They're trying to isolate you. But we won't let them."
Determined to fight back, Liu Jian and Mei Ling devised a plan. They would use the system's brand recognition boost to launch a social media campaign, showcasing the farm's commitment to sustainability and quality. They would also reach out to smaller, independent businesses that were less likely to be influenced by Green Horizon.
As they worked, the system chimed in:
[New Mission: Build a loyal customer base of at least 50 independent buyers.]
[Reward: 100 System Points, Reputation Shield (Level 1)]
Liu Jian felt a flicker of hope. The system was giving him the tools to fight back, but it was up to him to use them.
Over the next few days, Liu Jian and Mei Ling worked tirelessly to promote the farm. They posted photos and videos of the fields, shared testimonials from satisfied customers, and even hosted a live Q&A session on social media. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and soon, orders began to pour in from small businesses and individual buyers.
But just as things were looking up, a new problem emerged. A series of negative reviews began to appear online, accusing Liu Jian of using harmful chemicals and mistreating his workers. The reviews were clearly fake, but they were damaging nonetheless.
"Green Horizon is playing dirty again," Mei Ling said, her voice tight with anger. "They're trying to ruin your reputation."
Liu Jian clenched his fists, his frustration boiling over. "What can we do?"
Mei Ling thought for a moment, then smiled faintly. "We fight fire with fire. Let's expose them."
As Liu Jian prepared to confront this new challenge, he couldn't help but feel a sense of determination. Green Horizon was powerful, but it wasn't invincible. With the system's help, Mei Ling's support, and his own resilience, he knew he could overcome whatever they threw at him.
But as he looked out over the fields, a faint voice in the back of his mind whispered a warning: This is just the beginning. The real battle is yet to come.