"Isn't that the truth," Uncle Lin said to Da Taizi, "Let's go over and sit for a bit. It's all my fault; the mountain is so far, I forgot to suggest a rest stop."

Leader Jia: "Little girl, all these vast stretches of saplings, are they all yours?"

Cheng Ying: "Mm, they're all my family's."

Once they started eating the sweet melons, the atmosphere eased considerably. "Little girl, what made you decide to cultivate so many saplings?"

Cheng Ying: "They looked nice. I thought, I'll plant them all along both sides of this mountain road; the red leaves in the autumn will be absolutely gorgeous."

This brought a burst of laughter from the crowd; after all, she was just a child.

But for the leaders to immediately approve and order your saplings right there and then? That was impossible.

They needed to go back and look into it.

Cheng Ying enthusiastically saw them off, packing a bag of sweet melons for each person.

Cheng Ying insisted, "Please, don't refuse. This isn't a gift; this is what our home produces. Anyone who visits gets a bag to take back."

After seeing that group off, Cheng Ying brought out one of the wine jars from her home.

She sent it over to Uncle Lin, accompanied by Chi Wu. Uncle Lin said nothing. He had already done what he could to help; anything further was beyond his influence.

Cheng Ying understood perfectly. She took Chi Wu and headed for the county seat.

One could say that before the leaders even reached their homes, Cheng Ying had already arrived in the county town.

This just showed how sincere Cheng Ying was about making a strong first impression. Getting off to a good start was more important than anything.

Her nursery wasn't just the bit she showed; the nursery within her Space was the most crucial part—it spanned the entire mountainside as far as the eye could see. Everything, save for two small ponds, was filled with saplings.

When she first realized she could make things grow just by thinking about it in her Space, Cheng Ying planted as many trees as possible, wasting nothing.

Hadn't people said it: "If you want to get rich, plant more trees."

When Cheng Ying drove down the mountain, she selected ten red-leaf trees from her Space—ones that were about as thick as an adult's calf, complete with root balls—and brought them down via tractor. After dropping off the wine at the forest station, she and Chi Wu pulled the saplings to the county.

Chi Wu assumed that Second Uncle had dug them up for Cheng Ying on the mountain.

He didn't pay it much mind, instead asking Cheng Ying along the way what her plan was.

Cheng Ying: "Make a good introduction; leaving a good impression is definitely a plus. No matter the rank, it will certainly leave an impression on them."

Cheng Ying had initially planned to give gifts, but she recalled the Strike Hard campaign happening now; people giving gifts were getting arrested. They needed to follow the proper channels; she couldn't get entangled in that.

It was better to be principled and make a bigger splash. "We're going to give the county some saplings—for free."

Chi Wu looked at the trees behind them, all nurtured by Cheng Ying from tiny seedlings. "You can bear to part with them?"

Cheng Ying: "You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing the cub."

That saying felt slightly misplaced. Who exactly was going to be caught?

Chi Wu and Cheng Ying arrived at the county in the afternoon.

Cheng Ying spoke directly to the gatekeeper uncle. "Uncle, I'm from Shanghe Village. We've brought saplings for the county. Who handles this for us?"

Gatekeeper Uncle: "Saplings? Which department ordered them from you?"

Cheng Ying: "Uncle, what are you talking about? This is the County Compound. These are landscape trees, a specialty of Shanghe, and we've come to beautify our county's environment."

The uncle was troubled. Where was he supposed to report this?

Though Cheng Ying's ten saplings weren't many, loaded onto the vehicle, they were blocking the road.

It happened to be quitting time, so everyone who needed to be there was present to receive them.

A young girl and boy bringing this? This was the sentiment of the common people toward the county government. They couldn't refuse to receive them.

But you couldn't just plant trees willy-nilly in the government compound.

Even if the regulations weren't perfect, there was still a plan.

Chi Wu, trailing behind Cheng Ying, felt his face flush hot. How could this girl be so brazen, so familiar?

She was like stubborn gum, clinging to those leaders with that attitude.

Cheng Ying: "This is a sentiment from our village, our township."

The leader asked, "Little girl, how do you represent the township?"

Cheng Ying: "Why wouldn't I? I have affection for our government. I have good things, and I immediately think of our country. I want everyone in our county to see the colored trees of Shanghe Village."

She couldn't articulate the grand theories, but she was providing free greenery to the government and couldn't even give it away—it was frustrating. "I'll be stubborn, and I'll stick right here with you."

Leader: "Little girl, I can't just buy your trees on the spot."

Cheng Ying: "Who said anything about money? Just look at how sincere my attitude is and accept the saplings."

This was speaking softly.

Leader: "Little girl, it wasn't easy raising these saplings; we certainly can't take them for free." To encounter an honest official who wouldn't take advantage of the common folk was truly rare.

But an honest official who wouldn't accept even a small favor was anxiety-inducing!

Cheng Ying: "Just consider it me using your prestigious ground for advertising, so everyone who passes by can see the colored trees of Shanghe Village."

They had never encountered such aggressive selling. Worn down by Cheng Ying's persistence, the leaders finally conceded. "You leave the saplings here first; we'll discuss payment later."

Cheng Ying: "Fine, but these saplings have been pulled for a day now; they need to be planted quickly, or they'll wither. Withered things aren't good!"

Some poor, unlucky clerks, forced to stay past quitting time, ended up finding a spot in the compound to plant the trees.

Cheng Ying watched the saplings, thinking it was worth it; success or failure rested on this one move.

After the trees were planted, when she went to find the two young men, they were already gone—they truly hadn't accepted any money.

Although they really didn't want it, they couldn't take advantage of the two youngsters. The leaders were far more worried than Cheng Ying.

Accepting bribes? This was forced. And bribes accepted in the government compound, no less.

The leader instructed the gatekeeper, "If those two youngsters return, you must keep them here. We'll assess the value of the saplings for them later."

The gatekeeper felt it had nothing to do with him; those two kids were too cunning.

He didn't know what their game was. In this society, one had to say the officials were truly decent.

In modern times, they wouldn't even let you inside the government compound. It's all so messy now.

Cheng Ying turned to Chi Wu and summarized, "If we had brought a silk banner to present today, it definitely would have been easier. I was rushed and didn't prepare enough."

Chi Wu hadn't grasped her intention. "What are you trying to achieve?"

Cheng Ying: "Do your best and leave the rest to fate. I must let these people see what I have, and the quality is good. I don't believe that after I've put up this living advertisement right here, they'll source their landscaping trees from elsewhere."

Chi Wu: "Earning a little money, why bother with all this effort?"

Cheng Ying was furious. Fine, this kid was acting tough now, even tougher than she was. Who let him have money now?

Just wait; sooner or later, big sister will drag you a hundred thousand miles away and crush you with money.

She turned away, ignoring him. "I told Grandma we'll find a guesthouse to sleep in."

It turned out this was the first time the two youngsters had stayed out overnight.

Chi Wu might have traveled before, but he lacked experience staying in hotels.

So, when the guesthouse staff asked for letters of introduction for the two of them, both Cheng Ying and Chi Wu were completely bewildered. "What letter of introduction?"

The guesthouse employee explained, "A letter from your village. You need a letter of introduction to stay here. How old are you, little girl? Who are you with? Do your families know you're out? Are you two engaged?"

Good heavens, stricter than the police! Cheng Ying looked at the woman and had only one thought: Sister, staying here, how many young men have you saved from ruin? You've made a contribution to the country!

She opened her mouth, "Sister, we are brother and sister."

Chi Wu’s face had already turned as red as a mid-autumn persimmon the moment the woman asked if they were engaged.

After Cheng Ying said that, the woman pursed her lips. Cheng Ying followed her gaze to Chi Wu’s blazing red face.

The woman said, "Do you expect me to believe that? Do you think I'm a fool? Little girl, if you two are sweet on each other, go home and have your parents arrange the engagement! You are not allowed to fool around outside, understand? Otherwise, people will report you as morally suspect and have you arrested."

She was trying to frighten them, for the sake of these two unfortunate children.

Could Cheng Ying say there were many good people? Could she say the woman was interfering? Could she say she was overthinking things? No, she couldn't.

It was the early eighties; people genuinely could report you for moral infractions.

Cheng Ying, with a dark face, pulled Chi Wu out. "Why is your face red? What's there to be red about?"

Her tone was quite blunt. Chi Wu pursed his lips, then pursed them again, refusing to answer Cheng Ying’s question. Are you even a woman? How can you not feel shy about anything?

Cheng Ying and Chi Wu stood by the roadside, distressed. This wasn't an era where you could roam the world just because you had money.

Chi Wu looked at Cheng Ying’s profile. My face is this red, why doesn't this girl think about anything else? The heart, it’s so hard to communicate with.

Cheng Ying: "Maybe we should just drive back to the village."

Chi Wu managed to compose himself slightly. "Mm, I can drive; it's fine."

Cheng Ying: "Next time, we should ask the village head to prepare ten or eight letters of introduction to keep on hand. Who knew things like this required a letter of introduction?"

Chi Wu: "Mm, next time we'll be prepared for everything."

Chi Wu uttered those last words very softly. In the young man's heart, agreeing with Cheng Ying to stay at a guesthouse next time felt almost like eloping.

However, Cheng Ying spoke boldly, while Chi Wu agreed shyly. They were truly not on the same wavelength.

Cheng Ying: "What is that unlucky kid thinking? Why is his face that red again? Did you eat chili for lunch?"

Chi Wu turned and replied bashfully, "No."

Though Cheng Ying sounded annoyed, she still worried about Chi Wu's health. "How about we stop at the hospital first to check on you? Don't want something wrong to happen."

Chi Wu: "I said I don't need it," then he picked up the crank and started turning the handle.

Those who drove tractors back then knew that all tractors required manual cranking.

Once the engine sputtered to life, the two headed back.

After all, it had several wheels, so the speed was much faster than a mule cart, but it still took over an hour to reach the township.

They decided to stay at Grandpa's house directly.

Grandpa's courtyard was enormous now, all because Chi Wu needed space to process medicinal herbs.

Grandpa's house had expanded year after year, keeping pace with Chi Wu's needs.

Hearing the sound of the tractor, Miao Miao darted out from the courtyard. "Sister, why are you only just getting here?"

Cheng Ying was delighted to see the teenager, who had grown as tall as her waist. "Is this late? How was your exam?"

Miao Miao stood there like a young noble. She didn't know how Grandpa taught the boy, but he was so charming. "Does that even need asking?"

Then he looped his arm through Wu Zi's. "Brother, you're here?"