A young boy from the 1970s, separated from his family, fled famine and led his younger brother into

"Perhaps I know a place where you can find what you're looking for."

Lu Xingzhou's voice sounded particularly cold in the warm room during the cold winter, yet it carried a faint warmth that Lu Nianci had never noticed before.

Lu Nianci turned around abruptly.

Lu Xingzhou was already standing at the door at some point.

He still had that expressionless, icy demeanor, but in his deep eyes, there was a hint of... a smile that she couldn't understand.

"Brother, are you... are you telling the truth?" Lu Nianci's heart was pounding.

She asked almost impatiently.

The seeds of spinach and lettuce are not the ordinary seeds of soybeans and mung beans.

In Harbin in the 1970s, off-season vegetable seeds were rarer than gold.

Lu Xingzhou did not answer directly; he simply stepped into the greenhouse.

His tall frame appeared somewhat cramped in the greenhouse, yet it also brought an invisible pressure.

He walked to Lu Nianci's side and looked down at the piece of land that had been neatly divided by lime lines.

"Didn't you say you wanted everyone in Harbin to be able to eat fresh vegetables in winter?" he said casually.

"Soybean sprouts alone are not enough."

Lu Nianci felt a little uneasy under his gaze.

This older brother always manages to pinpoint the crux of the problem.

"But... off-season seeds are really hard to find." She lowered her eyes, her tone tinged with frustration.

"I know." Lu Xingzhou's tone remained calm, as if he were talking about something that had nothing to do with him.

"But just because it's hard to find doesn't mean it doesn't exist."

"You...you really have a way?" Lu Nianci suddenly raised her head, her bright eyes filled with hope.

Lu Xingzhou finally looked up and met her gaze.

The emotions in those deep eyes were complex and difficult to discern.

"I do know some channels." He paused, his tone becoming somewhat meaningful.

"However, these channels are not accessible to just anyone."

Lu Nianci's heart stirred.

She knew that the "channels" Lu Xingzhou mentioned were far beyond what ordinary supply and marketing cooperatives or agricultural research institutes could match.

This is likely related to his secret missions or even the special privileges of the "Sharp Sword" team.

"Brother, do you... have any conditions?" Lu Nianci asked cautiously.

She knew that someone like Lu Xingzhou wouldn't help others without a reason.

All his actions were necessarily purposeful.

"Conditions?" Lu Xingzhou chuckled lightly, a hint of barely perceptible mockery in his laughter.

"What do you think I need from a little girl like you?"

He squatted down and gently touched the soil in the greenhouse with his long, slender fingers.

"I just think your 'housewarming plan' is very interesting."

"If it really succeeds, it will not only solve the problem of winter vegetables for soldiers in the military region, but also... generate huge economic benefits."

He raised his head, his gaze sharp.

"I've always liked doing meaningful things."

"I also like...investing in stocks with potential."

Lu Nianci's heart was once again filled with turmoil.

Investing in potential stocks?

Lu Xingzhou's words sounded like he was talking about her, but also like he was talking about her "housewarming plan".

She knew that he was expressing his approval and support for her in his own way.

However, his inherent military composure and rationality prevented him from expressing himself directly in a warm and affectionate manner.

"So, what you mean, brother..." Lu Nianci asked tentatively.

"My meaning is very simple." Lu Xingzhou stood up and patted the dirt off his hands.

"You take care of the technology and management, and I'll take care of providing the 'resources' you need."

"Of course, those 'resources' aren't free."

He looked at Lu Nianci's somewhat puzzled expression and smiled slightly.

"I will consider those seeds and other supplies that may be needed in the future as my 'investment' in your project."

"Once you've made money, you can return my 'investment' to me with interest."

"So? Was this deal a good one?"

Lu Nianci felt both amused and touched upon hearing Lu Xingzhou's words.

She knew that he was using these words to find a reasonable excuse to help her.

He was also protecting her sensitive and proud heart in his own way.

She understood that he didn't actually lack that little bit of money, nor did he care about that little bit of "interest".

He just wanted her to know that he was "supporting" her, not "giving her charity".

"It's a good deal! Of course it's a good deal!" Lu Nianci said without hesitation.

She reached out her small hand and firmly grasped Lu Xingzhou's large hand, which was covered with thin calluses.

"Thank you, brother!"

That "brother" was uttered with exceptional sincerity and with extraordinary loudness.

Lu Xingzhou's body stiffened slightly.

He seemed surprised that Lu Nianci would express her gratitude so directly.

He awkwardly withdrew his hand, coughed lightly, and tried to cover up his embarrassment.

"Alright, stop being so cheeky," he said sternly.

"I will get you the seeds you need within three days."

"You...you should plan out how to plant them first."

After saying that, he turned around again and strode away from the greenhouse.

That figure still carried a familiar sense of panic.

Lu Nianci couldn't help but chuckle as she watched his retreating figure, which seemed to be fleeing in disarray.

This brother who says one thing but means another is just...incredibly cute!

She knew that Lu Xingzhou's appearance not only solved her biggest problem at hand.

More importantly, his quiet support and "investment" made her feel an unprecedented warmth and strength in this home.

She is no longer fighting alone.

She has the love of Lu's father and Zhou's mother, the strong protection of the Gu family, and now, she also has the "investment" and protection of her icy older brother, Lu Xingzhou.

Her future seemed to suddenly become much brighter.

However, Lu Xingzhou's mention of "special channels" and his words about "investing in potential stocks" planted a seed quietly in Lu Nianci's heart.

She knew that Lu Xingzhou's "investment" was not just for the sake of "economic benefits".

What he is concerned with is perhaps something deeper.

His "sword" mission, his "water ghost" investigation...

These things may all be secretly connected to the "knowledge" she possesses.

She looked up at the ceiling of the greenhouse.

The warm winter sun shone through the translucent plastic film onto her face, making her feel cozy.

But Lu Nianci vaguely sensed that undercurrents were surging beneath the calm surface.

She must become strong as soon as possible in order to meet all the challenges that may arise in the future.

"Seeds...seeds..."

Lu Nianci's gaze fell once again on the land waiting to be sown.

She knew that she would face a brand new challenge in the next few days.

A challenge about hope, about the future, and about her own value...