Chapter 77: The Most Stubborn Breeder at the Agricultural Resources Institute
Qin Yan looked at Su He as if to say, See? Didn’t I tell you? This Professor Qu was indeed a real firecracker.
But Su He turned to Professor Qu and said, “Professor Qu, I heard that quite a few communes would rather use their own saved soybean seeds than the Jinfeng No. 1 promoted by our Agricultural Resources Institute. Is there something wrong with the seeds?”
Qin Yan’s face turned pale in an instant!
She thought, This girl seems smart—why would she bring up such a sensitive topic?!
She had only mentioned this issue to Su He during a casual chat. Although Jinfeng No. 1 had a higher yield, many communes still preferred saving their own seeds after the autumn harvest. It saved money, and they felt more confident in seeds they picked themselves.
As expected, Professor Qu exploded.
“Nonsense! There’s nothing wrong with the seeds! It’s just those people clinging to outdated ways of thinking, showing no respect for scientific principles!”
Su He smiled and said, “That’s exactly why I came to interview you! Through publicity, more farmers can understand the importance of scientific breeding. That’s what will help improve food production in our country.”
Professor Qu nodded. “What you said makes some sense. Fine, let’s do the interview.”
Qin Yan: “……”
Is this really the same Professor Qu I know—the most stubborn breeder in the institute?!
Su He gave her a quick wink, and Qin Yan quickly said, “Alright, I’ll leave you to it. Call me if you need anything.”
Once Qin Yan left, Su He took out a notepad and pen and began the interview in a very professional manner.
She didn’t actually know much about soybean breeding, but she was great at reading people’s expressions and adjusting accordingly. As long as she showed curiosity or doubt at the right moments, things would go smoothly.
And they did.
By the end, Professor Qu even smiled a little. “You’re a pretty good young comrade.”
Su He grinned. “You flatter me. Once I write up the article, I’ll come back to show you.”
Professor Qu nodded. “Alright. I’ll be at the institute the next few days. Come by anytime.”
Qin Yan had been pacing outside the door. When she saw Su He come out, she immediately asked, “So? Did Professor Qu agree to help?”
Su He shook her head. “I didn’t bring up the test field yet—it’s not the right time.”
Qin Yan was puzzled but didn’t press the matter.
Su He was starting to feel the weight of the situation. During the interview, Professor Qu had mentioned the destroyed test field with clear heartache.
She knew she had a silver tongue, but if she didn’t take any real action, there was no way she’d get him to drop the matter.
She decided she had to visit the Zhao family in person, ask for details, and check out the damaged field herself.
As soon as she opened the courtyard gate, Su Yongguo came out of the house.
“Su He, how did it go? Did it work out?”
Su He smiled. “Dad, you think it’s that easy? But don’t worry—it’s looking hopeful. Tomorrow we’ll head to Grandpa’s house so I can ask more questions.”
Su Yongguo nodded. “Alright. Tomorrow we’ll take the bus to Qiping Commune, then walk to your grandpa’s.”
Su He nodded too. “You haven’t had lunch yet, right? Come on, I’ll treat you to a restaurant meal!”
Su Yongguo declined quickly. “Restaurants are too expensive. I’ll just make something at home. Do we have any groceries?”
Su He couldn’t convince him, so she said, “Then let’s go to my second uncle’s place. I’ll buy some groceries and bring them over. My second aunt’s cooking is way better than ours.”
Su Yongguo thought that sounded fine—plus it’d be good to get familiar with their new place.
So the two of them went to the provisions shop to buy some meat and vegetables, and then headed to Su Yongshi’s house.
As luck would have it, both Su Yongshi and Cao Hongmei were home.
They were very warm and welcoming—calling him “big brother” again and again, which actually startled Su Yongguo a bit.
If it weren’t for the fact that talk of ghosts and spirits was taboo in those days, he’d have thought they were possessed by something.
They were like totally different people!
After a bit of small talk, Su Yongguo explained the situation with Zhao Kaiwen (Uncle Zhao).
Su Yongshi then said, “Big brother, don’t worry. Just leave it to Xiao He. She’ll definitely get him out. It’s just a test field, even if he ruined ten of them, it wouldn’t be a big deal.”
Cao Hongmei nodded. “Exactly, big brother. As long as your brother-in-law didn’t commit some serious crime like murder or arson, Xiao He will figure something out. You can relax!”
Su He: …Are you guys a little too blindly confident in me?
Even Su Yongguo was surprised by how much faith they had in her.
He knew his daughter was capable—she had caused a stir a few times back in the countryside—but he didn’t know the full extent of what she had done.
But Su Yongshi and his wife did know.
They knew Su He not only had the ability to talk her way into things but also the cunning to destroy someone without leaving a trace—just ask Lin Bo and Meng Yanjiao.
After some praise and flattery, Su Yongshi sat with Su Yongguo to chat while Cao Hongmei and Su He went to cook.
Just as the food was ready, Tie Zhu and Su Jinbao came back from school.
Now that Tie Zhu was around, Su Jinbao’s parents didn’t worry about his safety—since the two kids always came home together.
Tie Zhu was polite, and Su Yongguo liked him right away.
Su Yongshi and Cao Hongmei were a little worried that Su Yongguo might try to claim Tie Zhu as his responsibility. If that happened, the three brick rooms they got would technically belong to him.
But after the meal, Su Yongguo and Su He left—without even mentioning Tie Zhu.
Only then did the couple finally relax.
Su Yongshi even had a rare moment of conscience and said to Cao Hongmei, “Xiao He has helped us so much. And big brother has treated us kindly. We really shouldn’t do anything to betray them.”
Cao Hongmei rolled her eyes. “I definitely won’t. You’re the one I’m not so sure about.”
Su Yongshi: “…”
Who are you shading here?!
I’m not the same man I used to be. I’m now Su Yongguo’s good little brother and Su He’s good second uncle!
The next morning, Su He and Su Yongguo got on a minibus to Qiping Commune.
After getting off, Su Yongguo pointed and said, “Su He, that way leads to Xu Family Village. Let’s go.”
“Dad, how long of a walk is it?”
“About two hours.”
Su He: “…Dad, wait here. I’ll borrow a bicycle from Qiping Commune.”
Su Yongguo blinked. “You know someone at Qiping Commune?”
Su He shook her head. “No, but that won’t stop me from borrowing a bike. Just wait a bit.”
Su Yongguo thought his daughter was dreaming.
If they were in Huaibua Commune, sure—but in a place where they didn’t know anyone? You think it’s that easy to borrow a bike? What a joke.
But ten minutes later, Su He came riding up on a bicycle.
Su Yongguo: “…Su He, who did you borrow that from? How did you manage it?”
“I just went straight to Director Wu of Qiping Commune and said I needed to borrow a bike for an interview trip. He agreed without hesitation. Easy as that!”
Su Yongguo: “……”
Su He also went to the State-owned Mall to buy some gifts—couldn’t show up empty-handed, after all.
Compared to his daughter, Su Yongguo felt like he’d lived for nothing.
With Su He riding behind him, Su Yongguo biked them to the Zhao family home in Xu Family Village.
As they approached the front door, a shrill voice rang out from inside the house:
“Zhao Kaiwen’s already been arrested—might be in prison for eight to ten years! My daughter can’t just stay in the Zhao family waiting around like a widow! No matter what, I’m taking her away today!”
