Chapter 66

For the first batch of guests to arrive at the farm, Meng Jiagui and the Wei brothers showed an extraordinary amount of enthusiasm.

The table was laden with dishes; the chickens and ducks were all from the farm, and the vegetables were all grown by themselves, truly organic and green food.

Wei Lixia told Ai Xiaohai that for some reason, the poultry on the farm had been behaving strangely lately. Not only had the egg-laying rate of chickens and ducks increased significantly, but the rabbits had also entered their breeding season early, and even the pigs were growing much faster. It seemed that the first profits would soon be generated.

Ai Xiaohai smiled, knowing that this was due to his own power affecting the poultry.

Although Wei Dongzhi, who was responsible for being the "head chef," had average cooking skills, the dishes were fresh. The chickens and ducks were freshly slaughtered, the vegetables were freshly picked, and even the hostess Yu Yan, who was particularly attentive to her diet due to work needs, couldn't resist picking up her chopsticks repeatedly.

Xu Yunqi's previous worries were completely dispelled. Regardless of whether the farm was fun or not, at least they could enjoy a hearty meal. Deng Mengmeng felt the same way; she didn't have to worry about maintaining a ladylike image as she would at home, and could eat whatever she wanted here.

Some people gain weight just by drinking cold water, while others can eat as much as they want without gaining any weight. Deng Mengmeng and Xu Yunqi were undoubtedly the latter type.

Uh... How could they eat so much without gaining any weight? Ai Xiaohai's mind began to form some evil thoughts. How did Xu Yunqi get her fiery figure?

"Great, Ai Xiaohai." Xu Yunqi, who had no idea what Ai Xiaohai was thinking, said, "To think there's such a farm. Sister Yu Yan, Mengmeng, we can come here for a big meal whenever we have nothing to do."

Oh no! Ai Xiaohai cried out in his heart, fearing this. This was his own utopia, and what would he do if three women started coming here to eat and drink whenever they pleased?

Yu Yan, however, said, "Ai Xiaohai, have you considered turning this into a rural tourism site? People in the city always like to look for such places during their holidays, but most of these sites are not genuine. All the ingredients are purchased from outside, and the so-called free-range chickens and ducks are just for show."

"Right," Deng Mengmeng chimed in, "Last year, Dad took us to a rural tourism site in the suburbs. The vegetables planted there made Dad laugh, saying they could only fool those who had never planted anything."

Deng Mengmeng's father, Deng Xiusheng, although he had a strong preference for sons over daughters, was a legend in the business world. Born a farmer, he had entered the city and, in just over twenty years, had built the vast "Tianzi Group."

His story had appeared in newspapers and magazines many times, and Ai Xiaohai had read them countless times. To be honest, he admired Deng Xiusheng's business acumen, as he himself had no talent for business.

Running this farm wasn't entirely for profit; more importantly, he wanted a place that was completely his own.

Seeing that Ai Xiaohai didn't immediately respond, Yu Yan misunderstood: "Ai Xiaohai, I can help you find a chef and other necessary things. As for funding... if you lack funds, you can form a partnership. Just let me know if you need help."

"That's not what I meant," Ai Xiaohai shook his head. "I not only raise chickens, ducks, pigs, and geese here, but also pigeons, weasels, toads, and other animals. I like coming here when I have free time to watch these animals play freely. If it were turned into a rural tourism site, with people coming and going, it would lose all its charm."

The three girls finally understood Ai Xiaohai's true thoughts.

Yu Yan thought even more deeply. This young man, this urban hero in the hearts of many, loved freedom and the feeling of being unrestrained.

Although this idea was simple, how many people in the city could truly achieve it?

"Speaking of help, I do have something to ask you, Sister Yu Yan," Ai Xiaohai suddenly said.

This was the first time Ai Xiaohai called her "Sister Yu Yan," and she was a bit surprised. She heard him say, "I signed up for a driving test at a driving school in the eastern part of the city, but as you know, getting a driver's license is so difficult now. Without connections, you have to wait for half a year just to get in line, and who knows when you'll finally get your license."

Yu Yan, upon hearing this, said without hesitation, "No problem. My cousin works at the driving school in the eastern part of Xinan. I'll talk to him tomorrow, and if you don't need to retake the test, you can get your license in two months at most."

Ai Xiaohai didn't know about other cities, but in Xinan, just the theory test alone, if you needed to retake it, could take an indefinite amount of time.

He nodded repeatedly, "Don't worry, I'm so smart, how could I need to retake the test?"

"Shameless," Xu Yunqi said, eating a chicken thigh.

"You're just jealous..." Ai Xiaohai said, then suddenly shouted, "Xu Yunqi, are you even a girl? You ate both chicken thighs!"

"Hehe, they're delicious," Xu Yunqi said, realizing she had eaten too much. She held out the half-eaten chicken thigh to Deng Mengmeng, "Do you want it?"

"Disgusting," Deng Mengmeng said with a smile.

"Xiaohai, I have a favor to ask," Wei Dongzhi said at this moment.

With the driving issue resolved, Ai Xiaohai was in a great mood, "Go ahead, what's the matter? We're brothers, no need to be formal."

"I... I have a friend from my hometown who wants to come here to work," Wei Dongzhi stammered, "I don't need much pay, just whatever you think is fair. Ah, she's a great cook."

"Then let her come. Anyway, your cooking skills are limited. Hmm?" Ai Xiaohai's eyes twinkled, suddenly sensing something was off, "Great cook? Chef?"

"No, not a chef."

Ai Xiaohai laughed mischievously, "There's a very strange phenomenon in this world. Most women cook at home, but the best cooks are men. How many female chefs do you see in restaurants? Not a chef, but a great cook? Hehe, tell me the truth, who is it? Male or female?"

Wei Dongzhi's face turned red, confirming Ai Xiaohai's suspicions. Wei Lixia quickly helped her brother out, "Xiaohai, it's Dongzhi's girlfriend, from the same village, her name is Lamei. Dongzhi has been working in the city for over a year, and Lamei misses him..."

Not bad, one Dongzhi, one Lamei, quite a match. Ai Xiaohai said bluntly, "She can come, but there's a condition."

"Tell me, I'll agree to anything," Wei Dongzhi said eagerly upon seeing Ai Xiaohai's agreement.

Ai Xiaohai said seriously, "When you get married, I want to sit at the main table, and you and the bride must come to me and say in front of all the guests, 'Thank you, Xiaohai, for helping us get married. Without Xiaohai's initial agreement to let us live on the farm, Lamei wouldn't have a big, fat son in her belly... '"

Everyone was initially stunned, then burst into laughter. Xu Yunqi, lying on the table, threw a chicken bone at Ai Xiaohai, "Ai Xiaohai, how can you be so vulgar!"

Wei Dongzhi's face turned bright red. But if Ai Xiaohai's words could come true, not only would he marry Lamei, but they would also have a big, fat son, which would be wonderful.

The meal, filled with laughter, lasted over three hours. After drinking some tea and resting, Xu Yunqi insisted on going to explore the farm.

As soon as they came out, Xiao Qi, who had been waiting outside, rushed in... How shameless, waiting outside for three hours!

What surprised the girls was that everything on the farm was free-range. The chickens, ducks, geese, and rabbits all had their own designated areas, and if they crossed the boundaries, the dogs would quickly herd them back.

They had heard that dogs could help with guarding, hunting, and herding sheep, but they had never heard of dogs maintaining order like this.

They also learned that Xiao Qi, Ai Xiaohai's dog, had won the championship at the Lakeyan Naxi Pet Competition. Now it was clear that Ai Xiaohai's dog training skills were truly amazing.

"What's that?" Xu Yunqi suddenly asked, pointing curiously.

"A weasel, also known as a yellow weasel."

"Ah, the one that... releases... gas?" Xu Yunqi, being a girl, couldn't bring herself to say the word "fart."

"Yes, it farts," Ai Xiaohai said without hesitation, "But mine don't, unless you provoke them. Ah, that's a pair, the male is called Xiao Huang, and the female is called Xiao Yu."

Weasels have names? This amazed the three girls. But the names... well...

Seeing the girls' curious expressions, Ai Xiaohai called the weasel couple over and picked them up, "Look, how obedient."

The girls were completely amazed. Ai Xiaohai not only trained dogs but could also make weasels obey his commands? The weasel couple not only wasn't afraid of humans but seemed to enjoy it.

Amazing, truly amazing.

"Ai Xiaohai, if you start a circus in the future, you'll definitely make a fortune," Xu Yunqi said in amazement. "I heard that the tigers and lions in the Russian Circus are very obedient, and they're coming to Xinan next month."

Russian Circus? Ai Xiaohai thought disdainfully. Wait until he's in the mood to train wolves to dance the waltz and tigers to play cards, and then see how your eyes will pop out.

Suddenly, the sky darkened. They looked up to see two enormous birds of prey circling above them.

"Golden eagles!" Yu Yan, who had once broadcast a notice about eagles on TV, immediately recognized them.

Oh no, Ai Xiaohai thought. This was his biggest fear. If someone saw the golden eagles here, it would be a problem. After all, golden eagles, theoretically, don't belong to anyone.

"That's a golden eagle!" Yu Yan exclaimed, "How can it be here!"