Her Cultivation Diary
Chapter 1004 - 984. Persimmon cakes arranged.

Chapter 1004: 984. Persimmon cakes arranged.

When Secretary Xiaozu and Lady Tang said that, Song Tan actually felt a bit tempted.

Over 30 acres is quite a lot, and the tea fields in that area have already become so overgrown that they can’t be restored. But it doesn’t affect the possibility of planting trees. By then, she could turn it into a persimmon orchard, add some Fire Crystal Persimmon varieties, and even build a small factory specifically for making dried persimmons...

Sounds good, sounds good!

As long as the factory brings in more villagers from Shitou Slope for work, the 300 acres of Shitou Slope she had previously leased wouldn’t be at risk of them messing around. It’s a win-win.

Besides, compared to bundling mountains, slopes, and riverside beaches before, this mere 30 acres is hardly worth mentioning.

But now she had grown ambitious—she’d almost leased all the land in the front half of Shitou Slope. So, could she maybe bundle all the unclaimed and unowned lands from Yunqiao Village to Shitou Slope together?

Though that wouldn’t just be about hundreds of acres anymore. Song Tan kept this idea to herself for the time being, only nodding: "Alright, if the price is reasonable, we’ll lease those 30 acres."

"Let’s also check if there are any scattered parcels nearby we can bundle together, so that we can later build the small factory for dried persimmons and hire some locals from the village."

Secretary Xiaozu gave her a thumbs-up: "I knew you’d understand! Once this big plan unfolds, let’s see if anyone dares to mess around!"

The year was nearing its end, and Secretary Xiaozu, pragmatic and efficient, wasted no time rushing over to Shitou Slope...

Before the year-end, they’d finalize fencing and install surveillance cameras. After the New Year, planting and grafting would follow—the workload was enormous!

After Secretary Xiaozu hung up, Song Tan turned to Professor Song with a sincere expression: "There are so many things to plant and organize now. For next year’s planting plan..."

Professor Song gave her a glance and couldn’t help but sigh: "I’ve truly never met someone like you, who dreams of flying before she learns to walk... This year’s 300 acres haven’t even been tidied up, and now you’re moving on to even more."

Lady Tang clicked her tongue in disapproval: "That’s your old-school, academic mentality. Song Tan’s mindset is that of a true businesswoman—seize the opportunity while she can. If she waits for her reputation for wealth to spread next year, it’ll be inevitable that prices go up."

Higher prices weren’t a big deal—if it became unreasonable, they surely wouldn’t lease it. But the point was, in a place like this with neighboring plots, why should it be priced differently from one year to the next?

Everyone from ten miles and eight villages fights tooth and nail over every acre; it’s always about such nitty-gritty details.

Professor Song sighed: "I’m just worried she’ll take on more than she can handle..."

"Exactly why," Song Tan’s expression grew even more sincere, "I was wondering if you had students who might not be enjoying their current work? Next year, they could come over for a vacation. Or does the College of Agriculture need internship sites? Our family runs a proper business!"

Professor Song: ...

You little Song Tan, you! I thought wealth might have softened you, but you’re still so calculating!

Between all this back-and-forth, days quickly passed.

Early on the morning of the 3rd, Song Tan got up and started packing boxes, commanding Qiaoqiao: "Alright, pick out the best ones and pack them in this box!"

This was an assignment Qiaoqiao genuinely liked!

Happily grabbing baskets to start, he suddenly froze: "Sis, do you need to turn in this many boxes for the assignment? Won’t your teachers get overwhelmed?"

In his view:

Competition = homework submission.

Judges = exam teachers.

And now there were four boxes of strawberries here, not to mention boxes of watermelon and other stuff... Wouldn’t the teachers eat way too much?

Song Tan burst out laughing: "Half of them are gifts for friends."

Qiaoqiao’s clever little brain lit up: "Is it for the person who helped you?"

"That’s right," Song Tan replied earnestly. "He was a huge help to me, so since I’m heading to Imperial City, I have to bring something to show appreciation."

Qiaoqiao thought about it, then seemed puzzled: "But isn’t he coming in a couple of days for the pig-slaughter feast? Can’t he just eat it at home? Do we still need to deliver it specially?"

Ah, well.

Song Tan pondered a bit and then reluctantly explained: "The house might get too busy then, and we might not host him properly. Plus, there aren’t enough strawberries—we can’t favor one over another."

Qiaoqiao got it: "Favoring one over another—I’ve learned this! I understand now! Sis, I’ll go pick some cucumbers first!"

Strawberries are so delicate, they should obviously be picked last!

By the time Zhang Yanping and Tian Tian finished counting the radish fortune bags they’d sold earlier, Qiaoqiao had already picked all the possible varieties from the greenhouse.

"Tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers... Wait, why did you pick peppers?"

Zhang Yanping froze: How were the judges supposed to taste these?

Qiaoqiao stood his ground: "Teacher Song said it’s a veggie and fruit competition, so anything edible should be brought along."

He was even organizing tasks now: "Sis, should I bring some sweet potatoes from the cellar?"

"Should we bring our pickled green beans?"

"What about the radishes and greens on the mountain? Should I grab those too?"

His thoughtfulness left Song Tan staring at the boxes, sighing: They really weren’t prepared enough!

Her sigh reached its peak when Qiaoqiao carried out a basket of eggs.

"Our family’s eggs are delicious too," Qiaoqiao said confidently.

Song Tan: ...

You little rascal! Weren’t you just concerned about overwhelming the judges earlier?

Nonetheless, that gave her an idea—things like eggs, which couldn’t be easily packed, could also be given to the person in Imperial City!

Thus, Song Tan accepted them.

With all this, though, her luggage couldn’t fit in the car’s backseat anymore and had to be placed in the truck bed.

She took a photo and sent it to the car rental company—

[Can an SUV fit all this?]

Even the rental company’s customer service paused for a moment upon seeing this.

So, you’re traveling all the way to Imperial City and spending big money to rent a car for several days—just for all these things? Tsk tsk tsk, this is clearly tofu priced like meat!

But then again, anyone who could enjoy such leisurely pursuits clearly wasn’t short on funds. And what do wealthy people value? The sentiment in "gifts from afar."

"It’ll fit, don’t worry! The trunk and back seats can hold it all! We can even provide a packing service for you. Would you like us to prepare some empty gift boxes in advance?"

Song Tan thought to herself—no wonder Lun Chuan recommended this company. Their service was exceptionally comprehensive! But she didn’t need the gift boxes; once she arrived in Imperial City that evening, she’d first deliver part of the goods to Lun Chuan and then take the rest directly to the venue.

The car was packed full, and she hit the road by nine o’clock. Her family had grown used to her traveling, but Qiaoqiao stared earnestly:

"Can’t I go with you? I don’t need to see Tiananmen; I just want to keep you company—can’t I?"

Song Tan: ...

Darn it, even a cold-hearted person couldn’t resist Baobao’s dejected face!

After much deliberation, she gritted her teeth and said: "Alright! Bring your phone charger. Forget the clothes—we’re leaving now."

Lao Song’s family: ...???