Chapter 44

Dudu and Baobao stood in front of Li Han with their little heads hanging low, looking pitiful. Li Han felt a bit helpless. His parents felt sorry for the two little ones and not only didn't scold Dudu and Baobao, but also blamed Li Han for getting them into this 'loan' business.

"Mom, it's okay, I won't say it again. Dudu, Baobao, you can't do this again, okay?" Li Han said, and Dudu nodded his little head vigorously. "Mm-hmm, Dudu understands." Dudu nodded obediently, while Baobao pouted, muttering in dissatisfaction. The little girl thought she hadn't done anything wrong.

Especially, his parents and sister-in-law thought the two little ones were quite smart. Not to mention they could think of selling lettuce to the teacher, which was really impressive. "Uncle is a big bad guy." Baobao ran to Grandma to complain, still thinking about selling lettuce, pouting. "I really don't know what to do with you two. Dudu, Baobao, listen, you can't do this anymore. If the teacher doesn't want to buy, you can't keep pestering them, understand?"

"Mm-hmm, I understand." The two little ones immediately perked up, happily nodding their heads and shouting to get their baskets and little shovels to pick lettuce. Sister and Mom followed to help, and even Dad, who usually tended to the flowers, joined in to help pick lettuce. "Xiao Han, forget it, let's go brush the horses." Brother-in-law Zhou Bin understood Li Han's thoughts a bit, but the three big mountains at home were too indulgent with the two little ones.

"Let's go for a run, to digest our food." Li Han stood up with a smile, and the two of them took their hunting guns, revolvers, and ammunition, driving the four-wheeler to George's farm. It was just in time, as Hu Dun and Daina were cleaning the stables and brushing the horses.

After changing into boots, the two of them picked up buckets and brushes to help. Li Han and his brother-in-law had learned the basics of brushing horses over the past few days. Although they weren't as neat and tidy as Daina and Hu Dun, they were still doing it properly. The farm didn't have many horses, and by the time they arrived, Daina and Hu Dun had already brushed several. After a short while, they finished brushing the horses. Li Han then boiled a pot of coffee and brought it over. They sat on the grass by the horse field, watching the horses graze, and talked about the recent pasture issues.

Hu Dun said to Li Han, "Han, the pasture at Glasserman Ranch isn't doing well. Han, we need to talk to the old man again."

"Hu Dun, what's the situation?" Li Han sat up straight. The No. 3 pasture was just across the road from Glasserman Ranch, and if the pasture on the other side had problems, the No. 3 pasture would be in danger.

"I've been observing for the past two days, and it seems Glasserman doesn't plan to irrigate the pasture. Moreover, I've noticed insects at the boundary between the No. 3 pasture and Glasserman Ranch. This is a dangerous signal." Li Han was stunned. Drought and insect infestations would be a double blow.

"Hu Dun, is this true?" Li Han had experienced an insect infestation before and was still haunted by it. Pastures were most afraid of insects and drought. Li Han even considered sacrificing the No. 3 pasture, but thinking about Glasserman Ranch, he sighed. This wasn't a simple issue. Weeds could be managed by cattle and sheep, but insects required pesticide spraying, which wasn't a one-family job.

"Unfortunately, Han, this is the truth." Hu Dun's face was grim, and Daina covered her mouth, looking anxious. Brother-in-law Zhou Bin nudged Li Han. "Xiao Han, isn't it normal to have a few insects in the grass?"

"Brother-in-law, you might not know, but the pasture grass we grow is genetically modified to resist common insects. The insects Hu Dun mentioned are not included and are very harmful to the pasture. They require pesticide spraying, which isn't a simple task," Li Han explained. "Hu Dun, I'll talk to Uncle Ronald. I think Mr. Glasserman will understand us."

Li Han frowned, losing his mood for riding. It was a frustrating situation. Glasserman might not care about the ranch's income, but Li Han couldn't afford to. The previous talk with Glasserman hadn't gone well, and Brother-in-law didn't interrupt Li Han, riding back to the small farm to help Baobao and Dudu pick lettuce.

Li Han rode the four-wheeler to the No. 3 pasture. Unconsciously, he arrived at the spot where he had irrigated with the spring water a few days ago. The rye and alfalfa had shown significant changes, like flowers that had drunk enough water, with fresh and thick leaves and stronger stems. Li Han dug into the soil to compare it with the surrounding areas that hadn't been irrigated. The root system of the irrigated grass was more developed, longer, and denser, with a much better ability to absorb water and nutrients. It was truly a miracle.

Li Han felt relieved and happy. The spring water's effect exceeded his expectations, and his mood improved significantly.

Back at the small farm, the sight in front of him made Li Han laugh and cry. Two large baskets of lettuce were placed by the pool, and a few dozen small bundles could be tied. His parents and sister were busy cleaning the lettuce, while Baobao and Dudu were beaming, running back and forth to transport the tied bundles. "Mom, did you really plan to sell all this?"

"Why not?" Zhang Xiuying gave Li Han a disapproving look.

"Okay, okay, whatever you say." Li Han gave up, curious to see how the two little ones would sell so much lettuce. After all, American small towns were different from Chinese ones, especially in a relatively wealthy town like Comix, where many things were more challenging than expected.

Baobao and Dudu didn't care. The two little girls had become little money lovers, counting the money on their fingers. Baobao's finger skills weren't great, and she got confused after five dollars, scratching her head. Dudu, who hadn't learned to count yet, followed Baobao, learning quickly. She muttered, "Fifty cents per bundle, one dollar for two bundles," and soon caught up with Baobao's pace.

Li Han wasn't surprised. Dudu learned everything quickly, a trait inherited from him. Of course, her mother also deserved some credit, Li Han thought narcissistically. In the afternoon, Li Han went to Kelly's farm machinery store. The old George's faulty small plane had been checked by Kelly, and a few parts were found to be problematic. Kelly had ordered new parts, which arrived today. Li Han was excited. Although it was just a small spraying plane, it was still a flying machine, which was a bit more advanced than ground vehicles.

As he passed the central square, Li Han paused. Wasn't that Dudu's little cart? The two little ones didn't have classes this afternoon. Li Han glanced over and saw Dudu and Baobao dressed as little rabbits, holding small baskets, selling lettuce to passersby. The two "little rabbits" occasionally performed a little rabbit eating and dancing act, with their rabbit ears bouncing, which was quite amusing. Li Han laughed, wondering who came up with this idea. Indeed, some people stopped to watch.

He was surprised that the two little ones had come up with such an idea, but few people were buying. Many preferred to go to the supermarket to buy more expensive organic lettuce. Baobao looked a bit disappointed, pouting occasionally, while Dudu didn't seem to mind, continuing to dance happily. Dudu was full of energy, and the dance she learned from TV was quite good. Li Han watched for a while, but the two little ones didn't sell a single bundle. It was a tiring afternoon, and their little faces were red. Li Han shook his head, feeling sorry for the two little ones.

"Hey, man, can you help me? These are yours, how about it?" Li Han took out fifty cents and handed it to a ten-year-old boy passing by.

"I'll do it if you give me a dollar, sir." The boy shook his head and said to Li Han. "Alright, you're a smart kid. Help me buy two dollars' worth of lettuce, and I think this dollar is yours." Li Han smiled. "Of course, sir, I'm happy to help." The boy smiled, took three dollars, and ran to the other side of the square to buy four bundles of lettuce, then ran back. "Sir, here's your lettuce." "Thank you." Li Han took the lettuce and put it in the car, then drove to Kelly's farm machinery store.

"Han, it's great to see you. Kelly has already prepared coffee, Han, hehe." Kelly made a funny face, looking understanding. Li Han felt helpless.

"Han, you're here. Coffee or cola?" Kelly wore a sleeveless worker's outfit, with her long golden hair tied up and a hat on, looking very beautiful. "Kelly, you're a beautiful angel. I think I'm enchanted by you." Li Han smiled, putting down the four bundles of lettuce.

"Thank you. A cup of coffee, it tastes great." "Of course." Li Han sat down, took a sip of the coffee, and enjoyed its mild bitterness and smoky aroma. It was really quite good.