"These are vegetables I grew myself, guaranteed that once you eat them, you'll never want to eat your own homegrown vegetables again," Liu Yifeng said with a smile.
Qiangzi knew Liu Yifeng grew vegetables, but he hadn't expected them to mature so quickly. His expression was one of surprise, "You've only been growing vegetables for about a month, how did they get so big? Could it be that you used some kind of growth stimulant? I'm warning you, that's illegal. If any buyers get sick from it, you won't have enough to compensate, even if you lose everything."
Liu Yifeng looked a bit helpless, "Do you think I'm that kind of person? My vegetables are all natural, with no pesticides. Everyone who has eaten them says they're delicious. I've already sold nearly a thousand pounds in town! Many elderly people are rushing to buy more. Do you think such shrewd people wouldn't be able to tell if the vegetables had pesticides?"
Seeing that Liu Yifeng didn't seem like a liar, Qiangzi was still surprised, "Then how did you manage to get them to mature so quickly? And their color is so much better than the ones my family grows. Do you have some secret technique?"
"That's a secret known only to the wise. Don't ask too many questions, just eat it and you'll be fine." Liu Yifeng placed the vegetables at Qiangzi's doorstep.
"By the way, you must not have come to find me just to deliver some vegetables, right?"
"It's like this, I plan to build a greenhouse to grow and sell vegetables inside. But I don't know anyone who can build one. Since you're in renovation, I was hoping you could help me find a reliable team of workers, preferably one that can finish within a month." Liu Yifeng finally revealed his purpose.
Upon hearing this, Qiangzi immediately patted his chest, "This small matter is on me. I can't guarantee anything else, but finding reliable people is no problem. I have a good buddy whose family is in construction. Not long ago, they built a greenhouse of over two thousand square meters for a client, who was extremely satisfied and even gave them a red envelope. That shows their skills are quite good."
"That's great. Tomorrow, help me arrange a meeting with their manager, and we can discuss the specific details." Liu Yifeng naturally trusted Qiangzi's judgment, otherwise, he wouldn't have come all this way to find him.
"You're quite something, first growing vegetables, then raising crayfish, and now planning to build a greenhouse. That must cost a lot of money. It seems you've made quite a bit of money recently." Qiangzi felt no jealousy; he was genuinely happy for Liu Yifeng.
"You were unwilling to join me. To be honest, I'm overwhelmed trying to manage everything alone. Many tasks require me to run errands, and I'm often stretched too thin. So, I wanted to find someone trustworthy to help me. You're quite suitable." Liu Yifeng still hoped Qiangzi would work with him. At least it would ensure he wouldn't have to worry about food and shelter in the future. As for Qiangzi's desire to start a construction company, there were too many uncertain factors; no one knew if it would succeed. But this venture of his was a sure bet.
Knowing that Liu Yifeng meant well, Qiangzi reiterated his stance: he wanted to be brothers for life, but that meant not doing business together or working for each other.
"You're too stubborn. Who says good brothers can't work together? We've never had any underhanded dealings between us. However, since you're unwilling, I won't force you. As I said, whenever you need me, just say the word."
"Don't worry, I'll surely need your help in the future. Since you're here, stay for dinner. I'll stir-fry the greens you brought to see just how delicious they are that you'd rent land to build a greenhouse to grow them."
"I won't eat, my son is waiting for me at home. Let's have a drink another day!" Liu Yifeng had promised Tongtong he'd be home soon and wouldn't break his word to his child.
Qiangzi saw how much Liu Yifeng cared about his son and couldn't help but playfully punch his chest, "You kid, you suddenly have a son, I wonder if it will affect your future chances of finding a wife. Let me tell you, a stepmother can make a stepfather's life difficult. Don't think you're so fond of this son now. If you find a wife who treats your son poorly, you might change too, and then your son will truly be pitiable."
"If anyone dares to treat my son poorly, I'll divorce her on the spot! However, I have no plans to get married right now; I'm focusing on my career." Liu Yifeng was not the type of person who would let his child suffer for the sake of a woman. The woman he would marry in the future would definitely be someone who could accept all of him.
"You're not young anymore, in a couple of years you'll be hitting thirty like me. Even if you're not in a hurry to get married, people have desires. Dare you say you have no needs in that department? Relying on yourself is never as satisfying as having a woman. While you can spend money to take care of it elsewhere, you might easily contract various diseases, and then it'll be troublesome to treat." Qiangzi and Liu Yifeng had been friends since childhood, so they didn't need to mince words.
Liu Yifeng, seeing no one else around, felt less awkward, "What nonsense are you talking about? Am I that kind of person? I'd rather be a bachelor my whole life. I would never spend money to take care of it elsewhere."
"Don't be embarrassed. We're both adults, what's wrong with discussing adult topics? But speaking of which, your son is so handsome, his mother must be attractive too. Haven't you thought about marrying her? Even the best stepmother isn't as good as a biological mother." Qiangzi said.
"It's not about whether I want to or not; she simply doesn't want any interaction with me. She raised the child for me, and honestly, I'm already very grateful to her. Without her, I wouldn't have such a cute and smart son. Since she wants a life of freedom, let her have it!" Tongtong's mother was indeed a celestial beauty. If she were willing to marry him, Liu Yifeng would marry her. But it was clear she didn't think highly of him, so why should he humiliate himself?
"But have you considered your son's feelings? Leaving his mother so young, doesn't he really miss her?"
Qiangzi's words stunned Liu Yifeng. He had never actually asked Tongtong about his inner thoughts. For such a long time, Tongtong had never mentioned his mother, so he naturally assumed Tongtong didn't want to. But what if Tongtong didn't want to upset him, so he deliberately didn't bring it up? It seemed he needed to have a serious talk with him tonight. If Tongtong missed his mother, he felt it necessary to call the child's mother. Even if she didn't want to see him, the child was hers; she wouldn't truly refuse to see him for her entire life because of her career, would she?
"Alright, I've said what I needed to say. What you do next is up to you." Qiangzi patted Liu Yifeng on the shoulder.
"En, I understand. I'll head back now." Liu Yifeng nodded and started walking home.
After he left, Qiangzi's wife walked over, "You're really something, talking like that to Yifeng. Aren't you rubbing salt in his wounds?"
"What wounds? Do you think Yifeng is made of glass, fragile enough to shatter at a touch? That kid has strong psychological resilience. But are there any nice young ladies in your hometown you could introduce to Yifeng?"
"I'll call my mom later and ask her to inquire with more people."
"Absolutely do not find any gold-diggers. If you must find someone, find a virtuous and loving wife type, preferably like you." Qiangzi didn't forget to praise his wife.
"You're just trying to make me happy. I've fallen into your hands for life. You're not allowed to mess around behind my back."
"Don't worry, even if a fairy descended from heaven, I wouldn't look twice."
…
Soon, Liu Yifeng returned home. Seeing Tongtong reading a storybook, he sat down beside him.
"Tongtong, Dad has something to ask you. You have to tell Dad the truth."
Tongtong closed his book and looked at his father with innocent eyes, "Dad, what do you want to ask?"
"It's just that you've been here with Dad for so long, have you missed Mom? Do you want to see her?"
Tongtong nodded, "Yes!"
"Then why didn't you ever tell Dad?" Liu Yifeng felt a pang of heartache for his son's obedience and understanding.
"Although Tongtong misses Mom, I'm happy with Dad accompanying me."
"Do you remember Mom's phone number? I'll call her, and maybe she can come see you when she has time, okay?"