HBWnovel Chapter 46
Chapter 46
C46 – Free Labor
Under Sun’s father’s strong endorsement, Zhao Yuegu finally relented and brought out the watermelon. There wasn’t much left at home. Old Mr. Hu initially seemed indifferent to the black-skinned watermelon. It was pricier than the regular kind, but he didn’t expect anything extraordinary. Yet, once he tasted it, his eyes sparkled with delight.
“Eh!”
“How can it taste this good?”
Old Mr. Hu savored it meticulously, even hesitating to discard the seeds he spat out. “This watermelon is unusual; I’ve never encountered this variety before. The flavor is exceptional. I need to test a piece of this.”
After declaring his intent, Old Mr. Hu handed a slice to a student. The professor, well into his fifties, began collecting samples to analyze later.
Old Mr. Ma’s eyes also shone after trying it. “This watermelon is certainly impressive.” His advanced age often diminished his appetite, a common issue among the elderly. But this watermelon was irresistible. It was so delicious that he couldn’t stop eating. It whetted his appetite, and before long, the large watermelon was devoured in no time by the small group.
“Is there any left?” Old Mr. Ma asked, wiping his mouth, still craving more.
Zhao Yuegu looked visibly distressed. What to do? They were eating him out of house and home. Sun’s father, however, was quite considerate. “Don’t worry, I’ll pay for it. Just take what you need.”
Zhao Yuegu shook his head; money wasn’t the issue. The problem was the dwindling supply. He needed to keep some for himself. “This is the last one,” he said nonchalantly, bringing out a smaller one.
The two elders ate with gusto. Meanwhile, Sun’s father, a watermelon enthusiast himself, showed remarkable restraint, clearly aiming to make a good impression.
As Old Mr. Hu enjoyed his share, he inquired, “This watermelon variety is truly unique. Do you have seeds?” “You can plant the seeds directly,” he was told. “Make sure to save some. Next year, let’s plant two acres in the experimental field.”
Zhao Yuegu shook his head.
“Growing watermelons can be quite complex.”
“No problem. I’ll request funding from the school—five million yuan should suffice, right?”
Zhao Yuegu’s mouth twitched involuntarily.
Educators back then really had deep pockets!
It wasn’t until after some casual conversation that Zhao Yuegu came to a realization.
The University of Everbreach, ranking among the nation’s top three agricultural universities, wasn’t just flush with cash.
They had an abundance of land, too!
Experimental fields were scattered throughout the country, primarily focused on improving crop varieties. And every year, the nation poured substantial funds into these efforts.
In a food-centric empire, the cultivation of the land was a matter of national importance.
Agriculture was ingrained in their DNA.
Otherwise, why would they be the first to explore the possibility of growing crops in lunar soil upon its return to Earth?
“It’s I who should be learning from you. Besides, I’ve been considering settling down in this village, if that’s alright,” Old Mr. Hu inquired tentatively, then quickly added, “Don’t worry, I’ll find a place to stay. There are vacant houses here that I can fix up and move into. And if you need help in the fields, count me in. I’m quite handy with farm work.”
Zhao Yuegu turned his attention to the two students following Old Mr. Hu. Both were well into their fifties, their honest faces and weathered skin making them look more like seasoned farmers than academics. It would surprise many to learn that they were renowned agricultural professors back home, where a Ph.D. in agriculture was a prerequisite to work alongside Old Mr. Hu.
Watching them handle the vegetable seeds, Zhao Yuegu noted their professionalism. “When I press the seeds for oil, some is inevitably lost, but their technique is flawless, yielding a higher extraction rate than mine,” he mused. “The expertise of an agricultural Ph.D. is truly remarkable,” he thought, with a mix of admiration and a touch of playful critique.
They were a bit slow at the task, sure.
But free labor is too good an opportunity to pass up.
And now I’m starting to see how the University of Everbreach rakes in the cash.
They own the land, and the students don’t cost a dime. They work the fields without wages and call it ‘hands-on learning’...
Plus...
Those students are still forking over tuition.
Zhao Yuegu suddenly realized just how tough it is for agriculture students.
They’re breaking their backs with this grueling work, and they’re actually paying for the privilege...
It’s got me thinking about starting my own agricultural university.
It’s a surefire moneymaker!
The land is there for the taking.
With these thoughts, Zhao Yuegu inevitably turned his attention to Old Mr. Hu.
“Old Mr. Hu, take a look – my Walden village has over 800 acres of land...”
Old Mr. Hu cut him off with a gesture.
“No need to go on, I get the picture.”
“Just let me know when you’re ready to start planting.”
“I’ll send some students from the university for fieldwork, but we’ll need a clear road first, and they’ll need meals provided.”
“That settles it.”
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