Although Han Xiangmei said she disliked it, her actions were quite honest.
She hid the plant ash under the kitchen stove and covered it with firewood, for fear that others might find it.
The Ye family's situation had improved a lot, but there were still people secretly keeping an eye on them.
If someone got hold of their handle, even the most insignificant thing could be a fatal blow.
"Mother, there's no need to be so cautious. Once I figure out its uses, our neighbors might even use it."
Han Xiangmei's eyes flickered. She seemed to want to say something, but in the end, she held back and closed her mouth.
The Ye family was kind - hearted to the core. She believed that good and evil would eventually be rewarded, and their current situation would definitely not be their end.
"Better hide it for now. Caution is the mother of safety. Only by being cautious everywhere can we achieve great things."
Ye Zhinan nodded. Suddenly, she remembered that the Wei family didn't seem to be involved.
The Wei family had a large population. Logically, they should have been the most anxious after losing their crops, but they didn't even take a look.
"I'll go to the Wei family's place!"
She put on her outer robe, said hello to Han Xiangmei, and then rushed out.
Hearing her movement, Ye Yingfeng followed closely behind, afraid that the Wei family's den of tigers and dragons would swallow his little sister.
When they arrived at the Wei family's door, they found that the once - arrogant Wei family had their doors tightly shut at the moment, seemingly not wanting to interact with others.
"Their family is really strange. I don't know what dirty tricks they're up to. They even locked the door."
Ye Yingfeng carefully pushed the door. It was bolted from the inside. He then leaned his ear against it, but heard no sound.
Since they came to the northern border, the Wei family's actions had been extremely strange.
It seemed that they were really hiding some secret.
"Forget it. Let's go."
Ye Zhinan lost interest. She pulled Ye Yingfeng's sleeve and walked back to their own home.
Ye Yingfeng was also too lazy to care about the Wei family's mess. Things that couldn't see the light of day might bring temporary benefits, but there would surely be retribution in the future.
At night, Ye Zhinan sat in the yard, using tea to scribble on the table under the moonlight.
"You usually go to bed early. Why are you so energetic tonight?"
Hearing the noise outside, Ye Shenyan put on his clothes and walked out. He thought it was Ye Yingfeng at first, but unexpectedly, it was his daughter.
The stern look on his face softened a bit. He paced over to Ye Zhinan and looked down at the drawing on the table.
"This is the technology I'm researching. It can provide suitable temperature for the crops even in cold weather. In this way, we can increase the number of planting seasons and thus increase the yield."
She didn't have the technology to produce high - yielding hybrid rice, so she had to find other ways.
If she couldn't increase the yield per season, she could increase the number of seasons.
The moonlight reflected in her eyes, giving them a special luster.
Many years later, when the father and daughter recalled this incident, Ye Shenyan finally understood that what was hidden in her eyes at that time was the expectation for the future.
"I think the method is feasible, but the most difficult thing is to convince people. It's not easy to make everyone believe."
Ye Zhinan nodded. She understood.
At present, the neighbors had no other choice but to regard Ye Zhinan as a last - ditch hope.
On the surface, they seemed to believe in her, but in fact, they were just looking for a temporary reliance.
Her method would not only increase the annual labor time but also many costs.
Although the yield would increase, the process would become more complicated.
They were just people struggling to survive under others' control. Naturally, they would not make things difficult for themselves if they could live an easy life.
As time went by, it was predictable that people's hearts would drift apart.
"Father has been in the officialdom for a long time. Even though he has been cautious, he has made many friends. I'll need father's advice then."
Ye Shenyan was naturally cautious, but he was not the kind of person who only cared about his own business.
He seemed aloof and proud, but in fact, he had many like - minded people. He had also developed his own power in the court. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been feared by others.
Ye Shenyan stroked his beard and nodded. "As long as you're willing to say, father will surely help you."
Ye Shenyan turned around and went back into the house. Ye Zhinan was left alone in the yard.
She looked at the unformed greenhouse on the table and fell into deep thought again.
She was afraid she couldn't handle this matter alone.
...
Early the next morning, Ye Zhinan came to the supply station with two dark circles under her eyes.
Seeing her like this, Chen Zhenhai was startled and couldn't believe his eyes. He sized her up repeatedly.
"What did you do last night? How did you end up looking like a ghost?"
Ye Zhinan averted her eyes. She really didn't sleep well last night. Her mind was full of thoughts about improving the planting technology.
She didn't want to make this matter public. Just as she was about to make up a lie to get by, she saw Qin Yihuai walking out of the yard.
"I need to talk to you about something."
She called out to him. Her voice was not loud, but it was enough for Qin Yihuai to hear.
He paused for a moment, stood still and thought for a while, then walked past her.
"Come and talk."
His voice was cold, with an unprecedented sense of distance, which made Ye Zhinan a little dazed.
She remembered what she had said a few days ago. Her face flushed, and she stood there uneasily.
She had thought about what she wanted to say last night and rehearsed it dozens of times in her mind.
But when facing him, her tongue seemed to be tied.
"Give it to me."
Qin Yihuai lowered his eyes and noticed the drawing in Ye Zhinan's hand.
If he didn't take it, it might be soaked by her sweat.
"Don't blame yourself. The matter a few days ago can't be blamed on you. You don't have to keep it in mind."
Qin Yihuai said as he flipped through the drawing.
In his heart, Ye Zhinan was an extremely open - and - above - board person. Seeing her suddenly stammering, he couldn't think of any other reason.
Gratitude welled up in Ye Zhinan's heart. She let out a long breath and managed to find her voice.
"The crops were destroyed. Hong Jie and I checked carefully. There's no chance of saving them. If we want to meet the quota, we have to plant them again."
As she spoke, she observed Qin Yihuai's expression. When their eyes met, she immediately lowered her head in embarrassment and continued.
"The weather is getting colder. It should be the time for harvesting, but we have to start all over again. Even if we're motivated, time won't wait for us. So I want to extend the planting time."
The so - called extension of time meant to lengthen the suitable planting time of crops by increasing the temperature.
She briefly explained the principle and looked at him with a frank gaze.
"Did you come up with this yourself?"
Ye Zhinan nodded, but actually felt extremely guilty in her heart.
This wasn't something she came up with. It was the wisdom crystallization of the working people through practice. She was just borrowing it.
To avoid trouble, she still chose to tell a lie and secretly apologized to the working people.
Qin Yihuai examined it for a while, then turned around and went back into the room.
Ye Zhinan stood there stupidly, not knowing whether to stay or go, and not knowing what he was going to do.