56 Global Evolution
Zhang Gong sighed heavily once again and said, “You should rest here for today. There is some meat in the village, as well as fruits and vegetables we grow ourselves.”
Cong Xia exclaimed in surprise, “You can grow fruits and vegetables?”
“Yes, it’s not easy at all. We have to remove the weeds every two hours. If left unattended, the weeds can easily suffocate the fruit and vegetable seedlings within a day.”
“Do the fruits and vegetables grow quickly?”
“They do grow quickly, but the yield is particularly low. Most of them grow uncontrollably large, as you know, plants absorb nutrients from their roots. If the roots become too long and large, the nutrients cannot reach the top, so how can they bloom and bear fruit? Out of every hundred seeds we plant, only sixty survive, and out of those, only ten to fifteen are not mutated. We haven’t even had five that can bloom and bear fruit.”
Cong Xia became interested and said, “Can you show us?”
Zhuang Yao also said, “It’s been a while since I had any fruit. Let’s see if we can improve the varieties.”
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Usdt Dky rwzzle wr Ubldt Mkydck yde pyke, “Nlv’p ts vstlvbla yde vyjl y zssj.”
Nkw Wldtuw awccle bkp bydep yde ypjle, “Ebyv jkde sq qawkvp es usw byhl blal?”
Hbydt Qsdt pxkzle ckvvlazu yde pyke, “Xdzu yrrzlp yde vsxyvslp.”
Nkw Wldtuw okeldle bkp lulp yde pyke, “Gal vsxyvslp lhld nsdpkelale qawkvp?”
“Elzz, kq usw pyu ps, vbld vblu yal.”
Hbwydt Zys pdsavle yde pyke, “Rv’p tsse ldswtb vs byhl psxlvbkdt vs lyv, yde usw’al clkdt rknju.”
“Zsw zkvvzl aypnyz, qllzkdt kvnbu ytykd, yald’v usw?”
Mbl qswa sq vblx nsdvkdwle vblka nsdhlapyvksd yp vblu oyzjle vs vbl hltlvyczl qklze vbyv Hbydt Qsdt yde svblap bye nwzvkhyvle. Rdelle, vblal olal ycswv vld rlsrzl cwpu osajkdt vblal. Fsxl olal nwvvkdt vbl okze taypp kd vbl qklze, obkzl svblap olal rawdkdt wplzlpp caydnblp vs alewnl dwvakldv zspp. Mblpl rlsrzl valyvle vbl hltlvyczlp yde qawkvp lhld xsal vldelazu yde yvvldvkhlzu vbyd vblka sod okhlp yde nbkzeald.
Zhang Gong said, “Everyday is like this, with people taking turns to watch over them. A group of ten people rotates every four hours. These seedlings are delicate, and they can die with just a little carelessness.”
Cong Xia patted a small apple tree and asked, “How long does it take for a tree like this to bear fruit?”
atOptions = { ‘key’ : ‘819083b5141e2ddc81cd1b66b82e3d92’, ‘format’ : ‘iframe’, ‘height’ : 250, ‘width’ : 300, ‘params’ : {} }; document.write(”);“It takes about ten days. A tree can bear three or four fruits. These fruit trees grow exceptionally fast. Every day, we have to prune the useless branches. Ah, it’s time-consuming and labor-intensive.”
Zhuang Yao said, “Interesting, but your methods are too inefficient. I haven’t systematically studied knowledge about crop cultivation, but your work efficiency is extremely low. You’re simply wasting time and energy. Let me design a work plan for you that can save at least four people’s labor costs.”
Zhang Gong listened, his expression filled with surprise.
Cong Xia smiled and said, “This child is a genius. He’s very clever. Listen to him.”
“Oh, oh, the little kid is so amazing.”
Zhang Gong had someone pick two fresh apples, washed them thoroughly, cut them neatly, and placed them on a plate. He showed a sincere smile and said, “Please have them.”
The four of them hadn’t eaten any fruit for several months, and even the vegetarian food that Zhuang Yao had preserved was all vegetables, without any fruit. These small apples were crooked and didn’t look good, but the tender flesh made the four of them’s eyes shine. They couldn’t wait to start eating.
As they ate, the villagers, including Zhang Gong, watched them eagerly, swallowing their saliva constantly.
Being surrounded by so many people, it was a bit awkward to eat, no matter how good their appetites were. Cong Xia forced a smile and said, “Let’s all eat together.”
Zhang Gong waved his hands repeatedly, “No, no, you eat. These were specially prepared for you. Please enjoy them. Don’t mind us.”
The four of them shared the two apples. Even though they couldn’t fit between their teeth, the sweet and refreshing taste left a lingering sensation.
Cheng Tianbi asked, “How are these fruits and vegetables usually distributed?”
A clear male voice sounded behind them, “The fruit and vegetable production in the village is limited. Generally, they are given to the sick, pregnant women, and children. Apart from that, each household receives a small portion every month to supplement basic vitamins. There is nothing left otherwise. Even if they are distributed to every family, usually healthy young men don’t eat them.”
The four turned around and saw Tang Yanqiu standing not far away, his eyebrows slightly furrowed and a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone.
Liu Fengyu raised an eyebrow and said, “Just two apples, and you’re so protective of them.” He still resented Tang Yanqiu’s comment about him being all show and no substance. This guy was definitely asking for trouble.
“Two apples? Do you know how many people and how many hours it takes to grow these two apples? You four seem to be eating well. I don’t think you’re lacking these two apples.”
atOptions = { ‘key’ : ‘819083b5141e2ddc81cd1b66b82e3d92’, ‘format’ : ‘iframe’, ‘height’ : 250, ‘width’ : 300, ‘params’ : {} }; document.write(”);Zhang Gong quickly stood up. “Xiao Tang, don’t be like this. It was me who gave them the apples. They helped us a lot, and we don’t have much to repay them with, so…”
“We do. They also came for gasoline.”
Zhang Gong was taken aback.
Cheng Tianbi said, “That’s right. We did come here to replenish gasoline because we have a car. However, we only need a small amount, and we can’t take too much with us.” Cheng Tianbi was the only one among the four who appeared to be convincing when he spoke. His military aura permeated his bones, giving him a calm and capable look. He was very reliable. As soon as he spoke, Tang Yanqiu’s expression finally eased a bit.
Zhang Gong said, “We don’t have much else here, but we do have quite a bit of gasoline. You can take as much as you need.”
Liu Fengyu snorted, “Can’t you hear it? This uncle here is more decent than you. He looks like a man but acts more like a woman. I think you’re all talk and no action.”
Tang Yanqiu frowned but ignored him. He looked at Cheng Tianbi. “I agree with what you just said. As long as you can take everyone in the village to Chongqing, I will go with you to Beijing.”
Cong Xia exclaimed, “Really?”
“I, Tang Yanqiu, am a man of my word.”
Zhang Gong couldn’t help but burst into tears, almost kneeling down to Tang Yanqiu. “Xiao Tang, Xiao Tang, thank you, thank you.”
Tang Yanqiu smiled faintly. “Zhang Gong, if you hadn’t taken me in when I was injured, I would have died long ago. I can never repay your kindness. I just hope that you can live and work in peace in Chongqing, then I can rest assured.”
Zhuang Yao snapped his fingers. “This is a good deal.”
Liu Fengyu snorted coldly and turned his head away.
Tang Yanqiu said, “However, I have one request.”
“Please tell us.”
“I want to go back to my hometown in Sichuan first and find my clan members before I go with you to Beijing.”
Liu Fengyu lazily said, “Oh, we can take you back to your hometown first, but what if you refuse to leave and stay at your family’s place?”
atOptions = { ‘key’ : ‘819083b5141e2ddc81cd1b66b82e3d92’, ‘format’ : ‘iframe’, ‘height’ : 250, ‘width’ : 300, ‘params’ : {} }; document.write(”);Tang Yanqiu emphasized his tone, “That’s impossible. I, as a member of the Tang clan, keep my word and never break my promise.”
Cong Xia spoke gently, “No, let’s consider it from a different perspective. What if you return home and find that your family, just like these villagers, also needs your care? What will you do then?”
Tang Yanqiu said without hesitation, “You don’t need to worry about that. My clan members won’t need my care. They are all strong and resilient, and they will thrive no matter the circumstances. But even if they did need my care, I wouldn’t break my word, even if it meant taking care of them along the way.”
“No, no, no.” Zhuang Yao waved his hand. “If it comes to that, we don’t want to bring a bunch of burdens with us either. Like you, I believe that the Tang clan will live well. You occupy an entire mountain with abundant resources, and every member of the Tang clan is skilled in martial arts. They won’t starve. We make a promise that as long as they haven’t fallen into such a dire situation where they need you to hunt for their survival, you will come with us.”
Tang Yanqiu replied with determination, “Agreed.”
Zhuang Yao happily said to Cong Xia, “What do you think? I’ve found us a formidable helper.”
Cong Xia patted Zhuang Yao’s head. “Well done.”
Zhuang Yao swatted his hand away and pouted. “Listen, about saving Abu, we’re even now.”
Cong Xia smiled and said, “Okay, we’re even.”
Tang Yanqiu looked at the group and said, “Now that we’ve made up our minds and have a long journey to Beijing ahead of us, I think we should get to know each other.”
Zhuang Yao said to Zhang Gong, “Uncle, you don’t need to listen to this.”
Zhang Gong was puzzled. “Oh, okay. You guys talk then.” He quickly left.
Cong Xia pushed a chair over and politely said to Tang Yanqiu, “Please have a seat.”
Tang Yanqiu smiled faintly. “Thank you.”
Cong Xia said, “Next, what we’re going to discuss should remain confidential.”
“Alright.”
“I’m called Cong Xia, and this child is Zhuang Yao. He’s an evolved brain domain user. He’s Cheng Tianbi, an evolved wind and nature manipulation user. You already know him, Liu Fengyu, an evolved King flower variant. And there’s this one.” Cong Xia smiled and pointed at Abu. “This is Abu, an evolved cat and Zhuang Yao’s pet.”
Tang Yanqiu was somewhat surprised. “What do you mean by evolved brain domain? Evolved wind and nature manipulation? Evolved variant? Did you come up with these terms yourselves?”
atOptions = { ‘key’ : ‘819083b5141e2ddc81cd1b66b82e3d92’, ‘format’ : ‘iframe’, ‘height’ : 250, ‘width’ : 300, ‘params’ : {} }; document.write(”);Cheng Tianbi said, “Have you never left this place?”
Tang Yanqiu shook his head. “Before the earthquake happened, I was practicing cultivation in this area. Then I was attacked by a mutated giant black bear. I hadn’t evolved at that time, and I got injured. I managed to escape to the nearby industrial park and was taken in by them. Since then, I’ve been staying here. The information I’ve received has come from outsiders, but even they don’t know much. I only know that the abilities that allow me to develop bird-like features and habits are called Avian Atavism. Besides that, I also know of two or three other types of evolved individuals.”
Zhuang Yao smiled and said, “It seems necessary to give you a crash course on the knowledge of this new era.”
In a systematic manner, Zhuang Yao explained the composition of the new world to Tang Yanqiu, including all the discovered types of evolved individuals and their speculations about the Cambrian consciousness and earthquakes. However, for the time being, he kept the abilities of the Puppet Jade and Cong Xia a secret. These were still their own secrets.
They talked for over an hour, and Zhuang Yao’s throat felt dry from speaking.
At that moment, Zhang Gong came to call them for dinner.
Zhuang Yao asked, “Do you have all the cooking utensils you need?”
“Yes, we have everything we need.”
“Could you make some cooked food for my Abu? It hadn’t eaten cooked food in a long time.”
“Abu? Who’s Abu?”
Zhuang Yao pointed to the big cat lazily napping behind him. “This is my Abu.”
Cong Xia chuckled and said, “Don’t bother. Just give me a pot, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
*************
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