The garden within the space now covered 103 square meters, though only a portion of it had been planted.

Ten square meters of wheat, ten of corn, ten of sweet potatoes, along with three pumpkin vines, three Malabar spinach plants, and three blueberry bushes.

Tang Xiaoman was experimenting—observing the growth cycles and yields of different crops before deciding which offered the best return for expansion.

She set up a water pump by the pond, and Zhou Yichen handled the irrigation hose.

In just over ten minutes, the job was done.

He packed away the hose and pump while Tang Xiaoman plucked a green wheat ear to examine its grains.

The wheat had only been planted half a month ago, yet it had already formed ears. That alone proved that after the soil upgraded from yellow to red, crop growth cycles had shortened and harvest times accelerated.

A practical concern surfaced in her mind.

When it came time to harvest, they would need agricultural machinery.

Otherwise, relying solely on manual labor between the two of them would be far too time-consuming and inefficient.

—

From just three pumpkin vines, they harvested dozens of large pumpkins, along with five jin of Malabar spinach and over thirty jin of blueberries.

Tang Xiaoman washed some blueberries and shared them with Zhou Yichen. Freshly picked, they tasted exceptionally good.

By the time they left the space, it was already 9:30 at night.

Zhou Yichen piloted the small helicopter toward the furniture mall, while Tang Xiaoman messaged Huo Kai, asking him to help purchase a threshing machine and a corn harvester.

“Hey, don’t do me like that,” Huo Kai replied instantly, his tone less than polite. “I’m handling big deals here. Don’t come to me with every little errand. You think I’m some middleman for petty trades?”

Tang Xiaoman raised an eyebrow and sent him a single question mark.

Seeing her attitude, Huo Kai immediately backed down. “Alright, alright. I’ll introduce you to a real middleman. Small stuff—go to him. Big deals—come to me.”

He sent her a contact.

Tang Xiaoman glanced at it, finding it familiar. Then it clicked.

“Isn’t this Old Yu—the jade dealer?”

“Yeah, that’s him. But he’s not selling jade anymore—he’s switched to middleman work. He’s been in business for years, knows a lot of people, and has good connections. Whatever you want, as long as the price is right, he can get it.”

“Got it. Thanks.”

Tang Xiaoman didn’t bother with further small talk and contacted Old Yu directly.

Old Yu wasn’t actually old—just a bit balding.

He had been honest in business before, and their jade transaction had helped her greatly. She had a good impression of him.

He replied quickly. “Miss Tang, just say the word. I’ll do everything I can to get what you need.”

Clearly, he also had a good impression of her. She was decisive, never haggled—exactly the kind of client every businessman wanted.

Tang Xiaoman listed the threshing machine and corn harvester she needed.

“No problem. I’ll handle it as soon as possible. I’ll contact you the moment I have news,” Yu Jingyuan replied promptly.

Tang Xiaoman grew curious. “You’re not doing jade business anymore?”

He sent a crying emoji. “In times like these, who’s buying that stuff? People can’t even get enough to eat—who’s going to spend money on useless stones?”

Forced by necessity, he and his men had switched to middleman work.

Tang Xiaoman’s thoughts stirred. Casually, she asked, “Do you still have any jade stock left?”

“Yes!” Yu Jingyuan’s business instincts kicked in instantly. “We’ve worked together twice—you know I’m trustworthy. If you still want jade, I can let it go at a low price.”

Tang Xiaoman remained calm. “How much do you have left?”

After a brief pause, he answered, “About a thousand jin. The goods themselves aren’t worth much now, but transport costs are high.”

A thousand jin?!

The number startled her.

She suppressed the excitement pounding in her chest and replied coolly, “Would ten million for the whole lot be enough?”

“Deal!” Yu Jingyuan responded immediately. “But no online transfers now. Cash only.”

“No problem.”

The ten million in cash she had pried out of Gu Heng’s private stash could finally serve a purpose before becoming worthless paper.

“Deliver the threshing machine and corn harvester together with the jade. Let me know a day in advance before delivery.”

After ending the conversation, Tang Xiaoman closed her eyes, silently planning her next moves.

Zhou Yichen had already landed the helicopter smoothly, but he didn’t disturb her.

After a long while, she opened her eyes.

Turning toward the window, she looked out into the heavy night. Here and there, faint lights flickered in distant high-rises—like dying candles in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.

“I used to work for a boss,” Tang Xiaoman began, her voice calm. “I was incredibly sincere. I took on everything—whether it was my responsibility or not. Whenever he faced a difficult problem, I was always the first to step up and solve it.”

She turned to look at Zhou Yichen with a faint smile.

“Back then, I never thought about gains or losses. Never weighed the pros and cons. As long as I had even a bit of strength left, I wouldn’t slack off. As long as I could still stand, I’d keep working for him.”

Zhou Yichen watched her quietly, his eyes steady.

Tang Xiaoman continued, “Looking back now, I was such a fool. That boss of mine was a real piece of work. I used to think that if I ever became a boss myself and met an employee like that, I’d treat them well. I’d never exploit someone so hardworking.”

“But when I actually became a boss, and I did meet someone just like that—someone hardworking and earnest—I forgot all about being fair.”

“I pushed him harder and harder. Worked him to the bone.”

“He never complained. Never asked for anything. Whatever I told him to do, he did. Wherever I asked him to go, he followed—without hesitation.”

“His capability, his honesty, his dedication—they never earned him better treatment from me. I just kept giving him more work.”

She paused.

“He’s never complained… but I feel uneasy.”

Her gaze settled on Zhou Yichen.

“So tell me—what should I do to make it up to him? To finally feel at peace?”