Chi Yong steadied his nerves. “That’s right, but they’re planted so close together—will they have room to spread out later?” Cheng Ying replied, “They’re just saplings.

If they don't grow out, I’ll just take one out for every one I cut down.” Chi Yong stared at the tiny young trees, their leaves just emerging. “Little girl, why on earth did you plant such a vast patch of saplings?” Cheng Ying thought to herself that she certainly couldn't admit she planned to buy trees for future landscaping.

“I thought this looked nice, and the mountain was so bare, so I just stuck them in.” With no real objective, seeing only that the child liked the red leaves, Chi Yong interpreted Cheng Ying's actions as a sincere effort to make the place where her biological father stayed look better, more beautiful—a display of filial piety. How old was the child then?

To care so much for her own father already. It made him think that if he treated his own daughter well, perhaps in the future she would be even more devoted to him than to her biological father.

Thinking of this, Chi Yong couldn't help but chuckle. Chi Yong said, “You’re still young; you shouldn't be doing things like this.

If you study hard and make something of yourself in the future, that will be the greatest comfort to your father.” Cheng Ying thought to herself that what he said was true, but that applied to a child. Currently, she felt rather unsuited to that path.

Circling around, she would eventually have to return to the basics: both career and happiness required an economic foundation. She was simply trying to build that foundation first.

Looking at her scholar-like stepfather and his lofty occupation, she guessed this man wouldn't understand her preoccupation with such mundane matters. “Ah, I just had nothing to do, so I wandered around the mountains.” Chi Yong offered, “However, if you want to do something with this land, it’s best to plant trees—pines or cypresses would both work; the scenery and the symbolism are quite nice.” More importantly, pine and cypress wood were quite marketable currently.

It seemed even a wise man considered mundane affairs. Chi Yong was speaking quite subtly.

He didn't mention the potential monetary value, but Cheng Ying understood that her stepfather’s suggestion was good. However, it didn't suit her current needs.

Pines and cypresses—how many years would it take for them to mature? She’d rather plant saplings now.

The trees they bought could yield results in a few years, and if the opportunity arose, she could earn a substantial sum. Once she had money, she could hire people to plant trees on the slopes.

This entire mountain expanse—she could do whatever she pleased with it. Chi Yong looked around as he walked.

This stretch of mountain land was truly worth a "tiger skin" amount of money. Chi Yong looked at Cheng Ying, then back at the land.

When it came to supernatural claims, Chi Yong absolutely didn't believe in them. Throughout history, many had exploited beliefs in spirits and gods to rise to power—Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Di—they all spoke of the mandate of heaven, of being the true Son of Heaven.

But for Cheng Ying, an eleven-year-old girl, to use such things to acquire a piece of mountain land—Chi Yong genuinely couldn't believe it. Yet, how could it be such a coincidence?

It was too difficult to explain otherwise. It must be that her father was watching over her.

This idea clashed fiercely with his years of educational philosophy. Cheng Ying asked, “Uncle, I’ve seen wild ginseng seedlings on the mountain.

If I could find some ginseng seeds, I could plant them here and tend to them carefully. Would they mature in ten or eight years?” Cheng Ying asked this experimentally.

If a whole patch of ginseng seedlings really grew here in the future, it would serve as a prior notice, so it wouldn’t seem too sudden. Chi Yong looked at Cheng Ying.

“Theoretically, yes, anything can be grown. And in the past, people often said that our generation produced fools.

But Yingzi, it’s only theory. Although ginseng seeds are easy to find, whether they sprout and grow is another matter.

It’s hard to say.” Cheng Ying thought this answer was as good as none—too vague. He was advising her not to place too much hope in it.

“Okay, Uncle. If you can find any ginseng seeds, could you get some for me?” This was the first time the girl had asked him for a favor.

Chi Yong took it seriously and made a mental note of it. If the girl couldn't manage it herself, he would help.

He just hoped the girl wouldn't be too disappointed later. If ginseng was so easy to grow, would it be so valuable?

“Alright, I’ll see if I can find some for you later.” “I don't mind how many,” Chi Yong was momentarily stumped by Cheng Ying’s retort. How many of those things could there be?

And she didn't mind how many! Did she think ginseng seeds were like her corn kernels?

Chi Yong said, “Alright, just as you said, the ditches are dug. This one is finally cleared.

If we terrace the slopes later, that will be no problem. When I go to the township with your aunt, you can direct the workers according to your wishes.

Don’t be too rigid with them. Pick some cucumbers from home and soak them in water; give them to the workers to eat when they get tired, understand?” Cheng Ying nodded; this was guidance on how to conduct herself.

“Mm, I’ll listen to you, Uncle. But will they listen to me?” “I’ll tell them what to do before I leave,” Chi Yong assured her.

Cheng Ying nodded; that was enough. Chi Yong asked, “Do you have enough money?

Try not to touch that two thousand yuan, understand?” “I really do. I haven't even used the money you gave me last time.

Wuzi even sold some medicinal herbs in the city and gave me half of his share.” Cheng Ying knew this couldn't be hidden from Chi Yong, so she decided to be completely transparent. Chi Yong replied, “Whatever you two fiddle with is yours.

I don't dare say anything to your grandmother, but I’m telling you, you must guard your own things well.” Cheng Ying smiled. Her stepfather had a very clear understanding of the hierarchy; knowing the old lady wouldn't listen to him, he was working through her.

“I won’t let it be touched. I’ll talk to Grandma.” “Mm, it’s all what your father left you.” Cheng Ying fell silent, changing the subject.

That was always a taboo topic. Neither of them wished to bring it up.

Chi Yong and Cheng Ying wandered the mountains for most of the day. The two of them, having similar vision, planned out this mountain gully with great potential for development.

Cheng Ying thought that if she also raised a hundred sheep along this line, she’d be a genuine shepherdess. Heavens, why was she becoming more and more rustic?

Unfortunately, since she planned to grow ginseng seedlings, raising sheep was out—they would damage the area too much. By the time Chi Yong and Cheng Ying came down from the mountain, Chi Wu had arrived with dry rations, and the work in the gully mouth had already taken initial shape.

The water had been diverted, and the foundation for the retaining dam had been dug out; they were just waiting for the cement to arrive. Chi Yong announced, “Everyone, eat first.

I’ll go fetch the cement now.” Chi Yong glanced at the nearby stones. Come to think of it, he hadn't noticed such a pile of stones here before.

This was excellent; it saved trouble. They wouldn't need to source stones, saving nearly half the labor cost.

Cheng Ying also felt that having them on hand was convenient for her. All those stones she had casually gathered and moved into her spatial storage.

Then, when no one was looking, she had scattered them casually near the gully entrance to avoid attracting attention, making them readily available when needed. Look now—it had saved a huge issue.

Think of how much money she had saved! The space was great.

The space was convenient. The space was marvelous!

Even though she couldn't store money or print banknotes, it was an absolute must-have item for traveling and retreating! It was much better than the Hanxiao Banbudian (A reference to a fast-acting poison/elixir, suggesting the space was superior).

Cheng Ying joined Chi Wu at the gully mouth to serve water and food to the workers. When Chi Yong returned in the afternoon with the mule cart, he unloaded ten sacks of cement.

Honestly, looking at this material, Chi Yong’s expression toward the two children was different. Even he, at this time, might not be able to procure ten sacks of cement.

However, because his own son had managed to secure it, Chi Yong felt a sense of pride. Of course, this was mixed with a lingering sense of apprehension.

Loss of control was perhaps what Chi Yong was feeling at that moment. One of the workers, an elder from the Cheng family several generations removed, addressed Chi Yong, “Yongzi, you really are capable; you managed to get this stuff.

You had it prepared beforehand, didn’t you?” Chi Yong touched his face and replied calmly, “Not at all. This is something accumulated generation by generation over the years, and it took quite a bit of effort.” Could he really say that his children had brought him glory and bolstered his reputation?

No. Chi Yong could only accept such flattery with humility.

The Cheng family elder said, “That’s right; being able to get it is a skill in itself.” Chi Yong glanced at Chi Wu, then at Cheng Ying, who was munching on a cucumber nearby. He felt that his children were soaring; he was losing control of them more and more.

When would these two children ever be manageable? Cheng Ying and Chi Wu whispered quietly, “It took quite a bit of trouble for you to get the cement.” Chi Wu felt that all the effort he went through to get things for Cheng Ying, the girl had no idea how much favor he had incurred with people.

His mood was unusually displeased. “You don't know; I gave them several large bags of medicinal herbs!” To Chi Wu, giving away medicinal herbs was equivalent to giving away money—like tearing flesh from his heart.

Cheng Ying teased, “So you know how to pull strings now, huh? Not bad, kid, you’re really at the forefront of the times.” At such a young age, knowing how to use backdoors and gifts—his future was limitless!

Chi Wu’s face darkened, but he still explained to Cheng Ying, “I ran into that old doctor; he helped me arrange it. He told me to send him all the herbs I got.” Cheng Ying still felt somewhat worried, hoping the kid wasn't being fooled.

“He won't just stop paying you from now on, will he?” Chi Wu replied, “Am I as foolish as you?” He stared at Cheng Ying as if she were an idiot. Chi Wu insisted, “Even though the cement was hard to get, it was bought with real money.

Why should I just give it away?” Cheng Ying said nothing; it seemed he hadn't been foolish. “Didn’t I tell you not to go over there?” “It was by chance that I ran into him,” Chi Wu said.

Cheng Ying thought there were no such coincidences, but since Chi Wu had gone twice without incident, she let it go. Chi Wu added, “The old doctor said the flowers from our area are more effective than those from elsewhere and told me I must save them for him.” Cheng Ying couldn't help but spray out the chewed cucumber she was eating, realizing why the old doctor was so interested in them.

“He said they’re useful? Especially useful?” The description of Cheng Ying—guilty as a thief caught in the act—felt appropriate.

Her first thought was that the man hadn't somehow seen through her spatial dimension. Living with a treasure wasn't easy; the mental pressure was immense.

Chi Wu confirmed, “Yes, he said the efficacy was quite good. He asked for more, but didn't say anything else.” Cheng Ying paused to think.

She had mixed the honeysuckle from her space with the honeysuckle Chi Wu picked and then sold them together. It should be fine, right?

From now on, she needed to find a scoop net to retrieve the flowers steeped in the pond in her space and give those to Chi Wu. Cheng Ying warned Chi Wu, “I don’t think that old doctor is a good person.

You should stay away from him.” Slandering someone never required much reason. Cheng Ying felt it was very necessary to keep Chi Wu away from that sly old doctor.

Chi Wu countered, “I don’t care if he’s a good person or a bad person, as long as he buys my herbs. I want money.” Just listen to his clear objective—it was the same tone as hers when she wanted milk.