My abstract plant was exposed by my sister.

In the afternoon, as Lin Muyang was recording the duration of the "depressive effect" of the trifoliate orange in the yard, a black sedan stopped at the gate.

The car door opened, and the first person to get out was a researcher from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, wearing a white lab coat and carrying a silver briefcase.

Two people got out of the back seat. The first was in military uniform; Lin Muyang didn't recognize the rank insignia on his shoulders, but it looked like he was of high rank. The second was in civilian clothes, but his demeanor was clearly that of a soldier: short hair, sharp eyes, and a silent gait.

Xiao Kui's live stream was still running. She pointed the camera at the entrance of the courtyard, and the comments immediately changed direction:

"Military uniform? What's going on?"

"Lin Muyang got into trouble?"

"No, they might be here to buy plants."

"Buying plants for military uniforms? Military plants?"

A researcher from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences walked up to Lin Muyang with a serious expression and extended his hand: "Hello, Mr. Lin, I am Cao Lei from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences. This is Minister Guan from the General Logistics Department." He pointed to the man in military uniform, "This is his assistant, Staff Officer Zhang."

Lin Muyang greeted the others.

"Comrade Lin Muyang, the results of the component analysis for the giant tomatoes you submitted are in." Minister Zhao's voice was deep, clearly after careful consideration: "There are a few data points that we need to discuss with you in person."

"Okay, come in."

Lin Muyang led the group into the archives room where a conference table was set up.

The group sat down, and Li Guodong opened his briefcase, took out a test report, turned to the third page, and pointed to one line.

"Compound number M-027, molecular weight 423, structure similar to a precursor of a central nervous system stimulant."

Animal experiments showed that it significantly improved brain reaction speed in mice—in maze tests, the treated group was 40% faster than the control group.

Lin Muyang took the report and scanned it from beginning to end. The report did not explicitly state that this substance was harmful to the human body.

"So it's not a harmful substance?"

"No toxicity has been detected so far." Cao Lei nodded. "But that's not the problem."

Minister Guan continued, "The problem is that if this compound is used improperly, the effects will be no different from those of stimulants, and it may also be used for military purposes."

According to relevant national regulations, the production and distribution of such substances are subject to strict control.

Lin Muyang was silent for a moment: "What are the specific methods?"

Staff Officer Zhang took another document from his briefcase and handed it to Lin Muyang: "We recommend that the cultivation of giant tomatoes be included in the military supplies management system."

Minister Guan's tone left no room for negotiation: "All tomatoes containing M-027 must not be allowed to enter the country; they can only be supplied to the military."

Lin Muyang flipped through the documents: "So I can't sell my tomatoes?"

"It can be sold, but it needs to be improved. The content of M-027 needs to be reduced, at least to 20% of the current level."

Minister Zhao said, "We will designate a special planting area nearby, which will be supervised by the military. Part of the tomatoes produced will be supplied to the military, and the rest will be improved and sold to the outside world."

Lin Muyang looked up at Minister Zhao: "You mean, we should cooperate?"

"It is indeed a collaboration." Minister Zhao nodded. "The military will provide the site and security management. MuKui Technology will only be responsible for planting."

"Once the product matures, the military will purchase it at a price higher than the market price. All profits from the sale of the improved variety will go to you."

Lin Muyang thought for a moment: "Where should we put the planting area?"

Cao Lei continued, "Right next to your lab, that abandoned farmland, about twenty acres in size. It used to be our experimental field, but it's been gradually abandoned over the years, so it's perfect for you to use."

Lin Muyang turned to look outside the wall.

The trifoliate orange tree has climbed all over the wall, and through the gaps in the branches, you can see the overgrown open space outside the courtyard wall.

"Can I also contract that land?"

"Sure. The military will assist you with the formalities," Minister Zhao said confidently. "In addition, regarding security in the planting area, this area involves military supplies, so the security level needs to be raised."

Lin Muyang was silent for a moment: "Then can you arrange a group of demobilized soldiers for me? The salary will definitely be higher than the market rate."

"Sure," Minister Guan agreed readily. "We'll make the arrangements, and the military will cover the salaries. However, the staffing and command of the security personnel will remain with us."

"Can."

Having reached an agreement on the details of the cooperation, the group left without lingering.

Xiao Kui squatted in the yard, staring at the tangerine peels by the wall that drove her crazy, and suddenly asked, "Brother, do you think we could use this incredibly frustrating property of its to make riot control weapons?"

Lin Muyang thought for a moment: "Theoretically, it's possible."

"So you sold it to the police?"

"Let's talk about it after the experiment is finished."

The branches of the trifoliate orange swayed slightly in the wind, and the thorns shimmered in the light, as if greeting him.

Xiao Kui walked over holding her phone: "Brother, someone in the live stream asked you if you would want to commit suicide after getting pricked by a bitter orange peel?"

Lin Muyang thought about how he felt after being stabbed: "No. It just makes you feel like nothing has any meaning, not even suicide."

The comments section was filled with exclamations of amazement:

"This is the safest weapon."

"I don't even have the strength to commit suicide."

"You're a genius, you guy with facial paralysis."

Xiao Kui laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight when she heard this.

Big Orange squatted by the wall, sniffed the soil with its yellow nose, and sneezed.

It stood up and limped back to the lab. Although the thorn on the tip of its tail had been removed, the spot was still red. Middle Finger Guy was on the windowsill giving it the middle finger.

Early the next morning, Lin Muyang, as usual, patrolled the perimeter of the research institute.

The trifoliate orange has grown into a dense, impenetrable green wall, its branches intertwined, and its thorns gleaming coldly in the morning light.

He walked around the base of the wall but found nothing unusual.

Just as I was about to go back, I caught a glimpse of someone crouching in the shadows in the corner of the wall.

The man leaned against the trifoliate orange tree, hugged his knees with both hands, and buried his face in his arms.

His shoulders were twitching, as if he was crying.

Lin Muyang walked over and crushed a dry twig with a "crack". The person suddenly looked up. He was a young man in his early twenties, wearing black-rimmed glasses, his face covered in tear stains, and his nose was red.

"Are you... are you alright?" Lin Muyang asked, frowning.

When the boy saw Lin Muyang, tears welled up in his eyes again. His lips trembled for a long time before he uttered a sentence that stunned Lin Muyang: "I'm a piece of trash... I'm just wasting air by living..."

Xiao Kui appeared from behind at some point, holding up her phone with the live stream titled "The Daily Life of the Expressionless Guy".

She originally intended to film Lin Muyang's inspection, but ended up filming this scene instead.

"Family members, someone is crying outside our research institute!"

"What's going on?"

"Was it pricked by a bitter orange peel?"

Lin Muyang squatted down and carefully observed the boy.

He noticed a small red dot on the boy's right index finger, which was still bleeding.

Then I looked at the trifoliate orange tree behind him. On a drooping branch, a thorn had been broken off, and the break was still fresh.