But actually, this matter couldn't really be blamed on Lan Jin for being cautious. Carrying the responsibility of managing the space and supplies, it was always better to be careful. Besides, the other party was just a child. Adults accidentally drawing secrets out of children was hardly a new thing.
After confirming that Qiao Qiao hadn't said anything about the space or supplies, Lan Jin praised, "Qiao Qiao is amazing. Mama said something and you remembered it all."
Lan Qiaoqiao didn't really understand, but she was happy when Mama praised her. "Hehe, but Mama, can Qiao Qiao see Uncle Zhou again?"
"Of course. Mama arranged for you to meet him in two weeks on Saturday. That day you have a break, and Mama will take you to talk to Uncle Zhou."
Lan Qiaoqiao counted the days on her fingers. At the same time, Lan Jin opened the front door and gently guided the counting little girl inside.
Grandma Ling saw the mother and daughter return, but Qiao Qiao had a pensive little look, which made Grandma Ling nervous. She hurriedly asked, "What is it? Why is the child like this?"
Lan Jin turned and closed the door, glanced at the girl still counting on her fingers, and explained with a light smile, "The psychologist we went to today was really handsome. The little girl stared at him without moving her eyes. When we left, she couldn't bear to go. So I booked another visit for two weeks later. She's counting the days with her fingers."
Hearing this, not only Grandma Ling, but also Ling Jiang and the others looked speechless. Ling Jiang even said, "This little one… so young and already noticing handsome men. Okay, stop counting. Two weeks is just two weeks of kindergarten. After this break, then another break, then after school time, she can meet that handsome uncle."
Qiao Qiao ignored Ling Jiang's words, counting on her fingers seriously. "Sister Ling, my fingers not enough. Can I borrow your hand? I need to count more."
Ling Jiang sighed and held out one hand to match Qiao Qiao's. But the girl needed more, so she borrowed both hands from Ling Jiang and finally finished her counting. "Okay, I know now."
Ling Jiang didn't really understand what the little girl knew, but as long as she knew, that was fine.
"Today's vegetables haven't been watered yet," Ling Jiang said. "Waiting for you, we didn't water today. If you're ready, let's go quickly. What if the vegetables get thirsty?"
Mentioning watering made Qiao Qiao jump off the water box. She urged, "Hurry! Late no veggie eat! Come, go!"
With that, Lan Jin barely had time to drink water and followed the group back outside.
…
Planting Area
Looking at the vegetables growing normally, Lan Qiaoqiao frowned. She didn't understand. Pulling at Lan Jin's pants, she whispered, "Mama, the vegetables grow slow. Over there grow fast."
"Different. This is normal speed for vegetables."
"When Qiao Qiao eat own vegetables? Mama, after grown, can give some to Uncle Zhou?"
Seeing the serious little girl, Lao Gao said speechlessly, "Qiao Qiao, only met Dr. Zhou once and want to give vegetables? That uncle really so handsome? You like him that much?"
Lan Qiaoqiao nodded seriously. "Handsome, yes. I like."
Ling Jiang stifled a laugh. "Just because he handsome, you give vegetables?"
Lan Qiaoqiao pointed at the small plot she had watered. "Qiao Qiao plant self. Heart."
Lan Jin was speechless. "Okay, Qiao Qiao. How about this? I mark this plot for you. Later, you water and plant it yourself. When the vegetables grow, you can give them to Dr. Zhou. How about that?"
Actually, Lan Qiaoqiao hadn't watered much. That plot would at most grow two white radishes. They weren't worried about two radishes, and Ling Jiang didn't care either. Lan Jin's suggestion was just joking, but Lan Qiaoqiao happily agreed.
Her excitement hurt the feelings of the other two "uncles."
Huang Jinghe said, "I'm curious. What does Dr. Zhou really look like?"
"Next time we go together," Lao Gao agreed.
Grandma Ling laughed. "Look at yourselves in the mirror. Your faces… not good people faces. Going together, others won't think visiting doctor. Looks like trouble coming."
The one who really looked not good was Lao Gao. He sighed. "My face my fault? I say I'm Sister Ling's brother. No one believe. I younger nearly ten years. Why not believe? Beard gone, still not believe."
Even without his beard, Lao Gao's face hadn't changed. After growing stubble, he looked even more intimidating. Recently, when walking on the street, people stepped aside seeing him.
So… forget it. He didn't just look like a bad person. He really wasn't a good person.
As for Huang Jinghe, he wasn't invisible in a crowd, but compared to Dr. Zhou… a lot worse. Saying more would hurt pride.
…
Watering the vegetables each day wasn't heavy work. With a group, it went faster—though not too fast. Too many people sometimes slowed things down. Laughing and chatting, lunch came before they left the planting area.
The cafeteria wasn't near the residential area. They had to walk a while downstairs to reach it.
When they stepped out and saw outside the protective shield, everyone sighed in relief. "The snowstorm finally stopped. Great."
But no one expected that with the end of the storm came the arrival of perpetual daylight.
Although it wasn't sunny every day, that day never got dark. Everyone knew something was wrong.
In the base, people had been busy: meetings, summaries, plans. But no final result yet.
Because of abnormal weather, missions for the few gifted people in the base were temporarily suspended.
So besides planting, they had nothing else to do.