The group of leaders, as expected, had all eaten to their fill. Initially, they felt a bit embarrassed, but seeing that everyone else was in the same boat, that feeling quickly dissipated.
Perhaps it was also due to the shared meal, but the leaders' attitudes became much more cordial.
They wanted to give Shen's father money, but he was unwilling to accept it. In the end, Shen Huaisang, understanding the situation, stepped in and agreed to take it.
Shen's father even chided Shen Huaisang, "How can you accept money? This is all homegrown produce."
"Dad, you don't understand. We, the soldiers and public servants, have regulations from above that prohibit us from accepting even a single cent from ordinary citizens. If you don't accept the money, you're actually harming them."
Upon hearing this, Shen's father finally accepted the money. He had simply thought it was just a meal and there was no need for such formalities.
After the meal, Shen's father led the leaders to see the barren mountains they had contracted, especially when they learned that the fruit trees planted on their barren land were sourced from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Shen Huaisang naturally had to accompany them. He and Shen Yao were the ones who brought back these saplings, and there were some details about this that Shen's father might not have understood as well as he did.
Those staying at the farmhouse felt that the owner of this establishment was truly extraordinary, attracting leaders to their grand opening.
After bidding farewell to the leaders, Shen Yao welcomed another group of guests. They were the senior students from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences who had provided Shen Yao with the saplings, accompanied by several individuals of similar age and two elderly gentlemen.
"Junior Sister Shen Yao, congratulations on your grand opening!" Senior Ning Ziyuan handed Shen Yao a large bouquet of flowers.
Shen Yao was flattered and said, "Senior Ning, Professors Zhang and He, hello."
Shen Yao recognized the two senior professors; they were the pillars of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and she never expected them to visit.
"Senior Ning, why didn't you let us know you were coming? I could have come to pick you up."
"It wasn't that I didn't tell you; the professors forbade it. They said you'd surely be busy on your opening day and wouldn't have time."
Ning Ziyuan explained, and it seemed the professors were right, as she was indeed very busy.
Shen Yao didn't dwell on it further and quickly ushered them to the dining area to wait for their meal.
No one refused, as they had eaten a little something early to catch their flights, and their stomachs were now singing the song of an empty city.
Shen Yao went into the kitchen and asked her elder brother to prepare another table of dishes. Upon hearing that it was for the esteemed professors from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the chefs in the kitchen were overjoyed.
They all declared they would bring out their signature dishes to ensure the professors were satisfied.
After a satisfying meal and drinks, Shen Yao arranged accommodation for the senior students and professors. Fortunately, she had made preparations in advance, reserving 10 rooms in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
Ning Ziyuan and the others brought quite a few things with them: several large suitcases and numerous large cardboard boxes. Apart from two containing their luggage, the rest were all the various seeds that Shen Yao needed.
After settling them in, Shen Yao led the senior professors out, their destination being the saplings on the barren mountains.
Although the path up the mountain was smooth, the distance was considerable, so Shen Yao drove them into the mountains in a small three-wheeled vehicle.
As soon as they reached the foot of the mountain, Shen Yao spotted Shen's father and the inspecting leaders from afar.
After introducing both parties, upon learning that the individuals accompanying Shen Yao were students and professors from the Beijing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the city leaders showed great respect towards the senior professors.
The senior professors were intimately familiar with the fruit trees they had cultivated. With the senior students by their side, Shen Yao became like a little shadow.
Along the way, the senior professors discussed the habits of the fruit trees, the precautions needed for planting, and so on.
After walking around, the senior professors had a general understanding of the growth status of the fruit trees there. However, they also noticed something amiss.
"Xiao Ning, have you taken all the photos?" Professor He asked Ning Ziyuan, who was beside him.
"I have. The growth of these fruit trees is somewhat abnormal. By rights, at this stage after planting, the fruit trees should be sprouting new roots. However, these fruit trees already have firmly established root systems. The most crucial point is that I suspect the soil here is different from ordinary soil."
Ning Ziyuan stated what he had observed. Shen Yao couldn't help but raise an eyebrow upon hearing this; it seemed this senior student was truly perceptive, as he could tell it was an issue with the soil after just one round of inspection.
After all, Shen Yao had nurtured the barren mountain's soil with her spiritual spring water in the dead of night when no one was around, so it was bound to be different from other soils.
"Little Shen, uncle would like to take some soil back for testing. Is that convenient?" Professor Zhang asked Shen Jun.
Shen Jun, whose name was called, glanced at Shen Yao. Seeing her nod, he replied, "Of course, it is."
This subtle gesture from Shen Jun was not lost on this group of cunning old foxes. It seemed the one who truly held the decision-making power in the Shen family was this young girl who appeared to be not very old.
The city leaders also nodded in understanding. It wasn't surprising, otherwise, she wouldn't have boldly contracted the land upon her return.
Professor Zhang received a satisfactory answer. Another senior student waiting nearby, Wang Zixuan, quickly took out items he carried in his pocket, dug a small patch of soil from the ground, and sealed it in a bag.
After walking for a considerable distance, upon learning that the entire mountain had originally been planted with eucalyptus trees, they became even more disbelieving. The soil was so fertile that it could be called black soil, so how could it have been planted with eucalyptus trees!
Therefore, they all took out their sealed bags, collecting soil and specimens, and became extremely busy.
By the time the senior professors descended the mountain, it was already dinnertime.
After being persuaded to stay for dinner, the leaders then took their leave. The senior professors, however, stayed at Shen Yao's home.
They sent one senior student back to Beijing by overnight flight with the samples, instructing him to have all the samples tested as quickly as possible.
After a busy day, Shen Yao's family finally returned to their own home.
The revenue for the day alone reached over 50,000. Of course, after deducting costs and labor, it wasn't that much, but it still brought joy to the Shen family, who hadn't had any income for a long time.
If the business was as good as today every day, they could earn nearly a million a month. Who could have imagined this!
"Alright, now that everyone is here, we should also distribute the household items, to avoid..."
Before Shen Yao could finish her sentence, she was immediately interrupted by the Shen family.
"Distribute what? All of this belongs to you. Just give your brothers their salaries," Song Qiuwan interjected.
"Yes, yes, just give us our salaries," Shen Huaimin quickly said, still feeling a bit uneasy with the money his little sister had given him. To ask for anything more from his sister would make him feel even more awkward.
"That's right. Your brothers are all grown men; they don't need you to give them things," Ning Min also quickly added.