Huo Rou's backyard was small, unlike Grandpa Nong's. Hers was entirely managed by machinery. Each area had a specific crop and was tended to by specialized machines.
"Are these machines from Xiao Yu Da's company too?" Qin Ningyi looked with curiosity at the flexible material of the shed, which had insulation and could control temperature and humidity.
Huo Rou nodded, then shook her head. "Not entirely."
"I devised these myself when I was pregnant with An'an to make things easier," Huo Rou said with a touch of embarrassment. "Some materials were gifts from friends, and some parts were made by Old Xiao."
Qin Ningyi studied the setup for a while and looked at Huo Rou with admiration. "If this entire set of equipment were put into production, our raw material costs could potentially save a considerable amount in import taxes."
"It's difficult," Huo Rou sighed softly. "The cost is too high, and the requirements for intelligence are also very demanding."
She didn't mention that it had taken a year just to study the growth characteristics of these few plants for the equipment.
The weather always changed, and the conditions for plants varied. Even an experienced farmer couldn't be completely certain about all aspects. There was still a long way to go.
Qin Ningyi could discern the difficulty of implementing this from Huo Rou's brief remarks.
But at least there was hope.
"That day will come," Qin Ningyi said with a gentle smile. "We'll work hard together."
"Dad, Mom! Hurry up!" An'an ran over, pulling a small basket.
An'an's voice was full of excitement, and her voice unconsciously grew louder when she was excited.
The village chief, passing by the gate, heard An'an's voice faintly from Huo Rou's backyard. His eyebrows twitched, and he cautiously approached Huo Rou's door. "Little girl?"
There was no response from inside, but as he got closer to Huo Rou's yard gate, he could hear An'an's laughter more clearly. He called out again, "An'an? Little An'an!"
"Huh? Mom, did someone call my name?" An'an wiped the sweat from her forehead and looked towards the front yard.
Huo Rou nodded. She had heard it too.
"I'll go see," Qin Ningyi said, straightening up and picking up the cloth draped over the basket to wipe his hands.
At that moment, the doorbell rang.
Huo Rou went to the wall and looked at the display screen. "It's the village chief."
"Grandpa Village Chief!" The main door opened, and An'an greeted him with a polite smile.
The village chief's face lit up the moment he saw An'an. "I really wasn't mistaken. You've actually returned?"
Huo Rou smiled and nodded. "Yes, we're back for something."
"How long will you be staying?" the village chief asked cautiously, a hint of worry in his eyes. Just as he was about to say more, his gaze fell upon the figure that appeared behind Huo Rou, and the words caught in his throat stopped. "This is...?"
He had met Huo Rou's friends before, especially the divine doctor Shen, who was exceptionally handsome. But this person today was even more striking and exuded an extraordinary presence.
Could it be another newly appointed high-ranking official visiting Huo Rou?
The village chief's eyes were filled with respect and inquiry.
"This is An'an's dad!" An'an spoke first, very proudly. "Grandpa Village Chief, didn't you see how much An'an resembles him?"
Hearing An'an say that, the village chief looked them up and down and compared them. It was true, they were exactly alike.
The village chief suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. "It's good to have a man at home."
"Young man, you look tall and strong. Protect our little flower fairy and our little immortal child well!"
Huo Rou sensed a deeper meaning in his words. "What's wrong?"