America: The neighbor's wife is so incredibly hospitable!

"This is..."

Chen An took the stone and felt its weight.

"Emerald green spodumene!"

Dr. Evans practically roared, "Chen! This isn't just a lithium mine!"

"This is a pegmatite vein! And the quality of this level..."

"If it were cut and polished into a gemstone, even a small piece would be worth thousands of dollars!"

"And beneath our feet... lies an entire vein of minerals!"

"And..." the drilling team leader next to him interjected.

"According to sonar detection, this pegmatite body is extremely large and extends deep into the mountain."

"So, we're going to get rich?" Chen An gripped the stone tightly.

"Yes, we've struck it rich!"

"It's more profitable than simply pumping water! But it's also more dangerous!"

Evans pointed to the ceiling. "This kind of hard rock mining requires blasting and large equipment."

"If outsiders found out there was gem-quality spodumene here, those crazy gold prospectors would raze your mountain to the ground!"

Chen An looked at the green crystal in his hand.

indeed.

If braising requires technical expertise, then gemstones and minerals are an irresistible temptation.

Once the news leaks out, illegal mining gangs from all over the United States and even internationally will flock to the site.

"We have to hold this place."

Chen An tucked the stone into his arms; its warmth was close to his skin.

"Evans, stop drilling."

"Seal the well immediately. Pack up all the samples taken out, don't leave even a single grain of sand."

"Now? Such a heavy snowfall?"

"Now."

Chen An's eyes sharpened. "The blizzard is the best cover."

"We buried all traces under the snow. Once the snow melts, this place will just look like an ordinary barren mountain."

"Then...we'll go back to the farm."

"My basement is big enough for you to finish your analysis report there."

"Okay! I'll do as you say!"

………………

The next three hours were a race against time to evacuate.

Chen An led the group of scientists, their noses running from the cold, like ants carrying food.

The core equipment and samples were transported back to the farm in batches using snowmobiles.

On his last return to the camp, Chen An personally backfilled the borehole.

They covered it with thick layers of dead wood and snow, and even carefully faked the tracks left by wild animals.

After doing all this, he stood in the wind and snow, looking at the treasure mountain that belonged to him.

"The deeper it is hidden, the more astonishing it will be when it erupts."

………………

Back at the farm owner's house.

A group of scientists, covered in snow, poured into the warm living room like refugees.

Sarah and Jessica were both taken aback by the scene.

"Ann...who are these?" Sarah looked at the group of unshaven men, one of whom even had his glasses lenses cracked from the cold.

"The company's core technical personnel."

Chen An clapped his hands. "Sarah, clean up all the guest rooms... including the basement."

"Also, bring up your pot of steaming hot venison soup."

"We'll be working here for the next few days."

"Okay, right away!"

As a rancher's wife, Sarah was extremely adaptable and immediately called on Jessica for help.

Although Jessica was a little confused, she knew something big was happening when she saw Chen An's serious expression.

She obediently went to get the bowls and chopsticks, and as she passed Chen An, she couldn't help but steal a glance at him.

"What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen the boss working overtime before?" Chen An teased her in a low voice.

"Who's looking at you... you narcissist." Jessica blushed and ran away.

That night.

The basement of Miller Farm was temporarily converted into a top-secret laboratory.

Dr. Evans and Robert are having an intense evaluation meeting via video link.

"Based on the latest sample valuation..."

Dr. Evans' voice trembled slightly in the video, "Mr. White, Mr. Chen."

"If we add the premium for associated gemstone minerals, the total value of this deposit..."

"It might be raised to five hundred million US dollars!"

Five hundred million.

Robert remained silent for a long time on the other end of the video call, so long that Chen An thought the internet had been lost.

Finally, Robert took off his glasses and rubbed his temples.

"Chen, we have a very strong hand."

"It's so big that the two of us might not be able to finish it."

"I suggest bringing in a third party."

"For example... my cousin who has some connections at the Pentagon."

"Strategic materials," Chen An uttered.

Lithium is the core of new energy, and rare gemstones are hard currency.

If we can link ourselves to military-industrial complexes or national strategic reserves, then we won't have to worry about those commercial competitors.

"It's your decision," Chen An nodded, "but I only want one thing."

"What?"

"The right to speak".

"On this land, even if the Pentagon comes, they have to listen to me."

Robert smiled.

"I knew you'd say that. Deal."

………………

End of the meeting.

It is late at night.

Chen An walked out of the basement, still holding the uncut raw stone in his hand: emerald green spodumene.

In the living room, the scientists were already fast asleep, sprawled out in their sleeping bags.

Only one person remained sitting in front of the fireplace.

Jessica.

She was wearing pajamas, hugging her knees, as if waiting for someone.

When she saw Chen An come out, she stood up and her gaze fell on the green-glowing stone in his hand.

"What's that? It looks like Superman's Kryptonite," she asked curiously.

"This is a reward for good children."

Chen An walked over and casually tossed the rough stone, worth several thousand US dollars, to her.

"It hasn't been polished yet, so it's a bit rough."

"But it would make a nice necklace pendant."

Jessica caught it in a flurry.

"For...for me? This looks expensive."

"This is called spodumene."

"The meaning is..." Chen An thought for a moment and made up a sentence.

"The secret of eternity."

Jessica's heart skipped a beat.

secret.

The unlocked door last night, the kiss on my ankle—these were indeed secrets.

"Thank you..." She gripped the stone tightly, her cheeks glowing with a captivating light in the firelight.

"So... should the door remain open tonight?"

She's actually learned how to flirt back.

Chen An looked at the growing girl and a smile appeared on his lips.

He reached out and flicked her forehead.

"Not tonight."

"If these scientists get up in the middle of the night and see their boss messing with employees, what will become of my authority?"

Jessica pouted in disappointment.

"but……"

Chen An leaned closer to her and lowered his voice.

"If the snow stops tomorrow, I'll go check if the outdoor hot tub has been damaged by the cold."

"Perhaps... we need an assistant to help test the water temperature?"

Jessica's eyes lit up instantly.

"I am the best assistant," she immediately declared.

"Then it's settled."

Goodnight, girl with 'Kryptonite'.

Chen An turned and walked towards the second floor.

Jessica held the cold yet fiery stone, watching his retreating figure.

The man she had initially thought was "a bit cool" had now completely become a god in her world.