Forced to marry a disabled man in the countryside? I'll repay you tenfold!

"Leader Li's consideration is very thoughtful. I'll make the arrangements right away, and we'll set off after a quick packing. It's just a pity that you came all this way but didn't get to personally experience the fun of collecting stones in the Gobi Desert."

Li Guohua waved his hand: "The harvest on this trip has far exceeded expectations. Besides, didn't Comrade Su pick up so many stones? Giving me two as a souvenir, to share in this good fortune, will make me quite content."

Su Wanqing said generously, "Leader Li, you're too kind. Please feel free to choose any of these stones you like. Taking whichever one you prefer is fine. Dealing with the meteorite is the most important thing."

Li Guohua picked out two stones, one large and one small, and said with a smile, "It just so happens that the place that identifies meteorites can also open stones, let's open them together and see."

Su Wanqing: "..." The thing I was most worried about has come to pass. Is it too late to put some broken stones in now? But there are only a few stones in total. Zhou Yanshen knows that picking up ordinary stones would only make things more obvious.

Having decided to return immediately, both sides quickly packed up.

The meteorite was placed on the truck. Zhou Yanshen brought the scattered items back into the truck bed, and also led the horse and duck onto it. While they were there, Su Wanqing learned the tricks of roasting a whole lamb from the young man who was grilling meat. She also had Zhou Yanshen row her to the lake to cut some bladderwort with roots.

Once Su Wanqing had finished packing, the other side was also ready. They had come in with just one bus, but now two vehicles were heading straight for Ili Prefecture.

"Wanqing, you didn't sleep well last night, take a nap first," Zhou Yanshen said, gripping the steering wheel.

"Okay, thank you for your hard work."

Su Wanqing naturally needed to sleep for a while. Zhou Yanshen, who had kept her up all night, was full of energy now. She really didn't understand why Zhou Yanshen had so much energy.

Su Wanqing closed her eyes, but her consciousness slipped into her spatial dimension. She secretly planted the silk-leaved bladderwort she had hidden into the mud at the bottom of the newly dug pond—not knowing how to cultivate it, she would first treat it as Zhou Yanshen had said, "let it grow in the soil." Anyway, it had a tenfold growth rate, so she would try cultivating it first.

The pond was empty, and she thought she should bring in some fish and shrimp someday.

She fed the chickens, sheep, and pigs, and piled their manure into a special compartment—she had already accumulated several tons, and was starting to worry: she couldn't just leave it piled up forever, could she? Was there no other use for this stuff?

Then she herded the bees into the lavender field. The lavender in the space had already bloomed a patch these past few days, perfect for collecting nectar. The thought of soon being able to enjoy lavender honey lifted her spirits considerably.

I dozed off for two hours before the car arrived at its destination. The people at the Geological Bureau had already left work, but with one phone call from Jiang Zhiping, the heads of the relevant departments, along with Director Chen Zhiyuan who had been urgently recalled, quickly gathered at the office.

Upon hearing that a meteorite weighing over 200 pounds had been discovered, these people not only didn't complain, but were all incredibly excited. Especially Director Chen Zhiyuan, who grabbed Jiang Zhiping's arm, "Director Jiang! Is it really a meteorite weighing over 200 pounds? Can our bureau keep one for research? No, how about two pieces?"

Jiang Zhiping laughed and scolded, "Old Chen, you're so greedy! Keeping one piece for research is already a special permission, and you want two? Dream on! Come, let me formally introduce you. This is Comrade Su Wanqing, the one who discovered the meteorite with her husband, Comrade Zhou Yanshen, and decided to hand it all over to the state. By the way, Comrade Su is also from your system, a specially appointed external technician approved by Old Zhang."

Su Wanqing took out the external appointment certificate given to her by Zhang Lao: "Director Chen, I am Su Wanqing. I participated in the discovery of the blue crystal mine and was specially appointed as an external technician by Zhang Lao."

Director Chen glanced at the certificate and frowned. "Old Zhang is really something... The number of external hires is already tight, and he's given so much authority." He handed the letter of appointment back, his tone slightly indifferent. "Since Old Zhang values ​​it so much, Comrade Su should cherish this opportunity, perform well, and not let down this trust and the exception made for her."

Su Wanqing was a little surprised: so these benefits were specially negotiated for her by Old Zhang? Old Zhang is such a kind person. But this Director Chen doesn't seem to like her very much?

She said calmly, "I will always remember Mr. Zhang's kindness in mentoring me. I know what I should do. Time will tell how I am capable, and facts will speak for themselves regarding my contributions."

"Hmph." Chen Zhiyuan gave a barely audible snort, clearly dissatisfied with Su Wanqing's somewhat "arrogant" response. He felt that Old Zhang might truly be getting old and acting emotionally this time. But now was not the time to dwell on that. He waved his hand and commanded his men, "Don't stand there! Hurry up, move it carefully, straight into Analysis Room Number One! Handle it with care! Anyone who's clumsy and damages it, I won't let them off!"

"Chief, this meteorite is very hard; it won't break easily from a bump..."

"Stop talking nonsense! I told you to be careful, so be careful! This thing is a national treasure now! Do you understand what a national treasure is?!" Chen Zhiyuan glared at him.

A group of people carefully moved the meteorite into the laboratory and completed the handover procedures with Su Wanqing. Not long after, Jiang Zhiping and Director Chen returned with the documents.

"The formalities are complete. The official documents still need to go through the procedures, but this counts as the handover being finished. The organization thanks you for your contributions!" Jiang Zhiping said solemnly.

Zhou Yanshen secretly glanced at his wife: she had hidden a few pieces, thankfully they hadn't been discovered. Wait a minute—why did he feel like his wife had "corrupted" him?

After the handover was completed, Li Guohua also finished sending the telegram: "Old Chiang, the Ministry and the Research Institute have reacted very enthusiastically, ordering us to ensure the safety of the meteorite. They have coordinated the fastest way to receive it. We have to set off with the items first thing tomorrow morning."

The leaders, who are usually very sparing with words, wrote more than fifty words this time, ordering him to immediately escort the meteorite back to Beijing—the senior experts from various research institutes were getting restless.

Jiang Zhiping nodded understandingly: "I understand. This is a matter of great importance and cannot be delayed. Your trip this time was rushed, and you didn't get to properly appreciate the scenery of Yili. You must make up for it next time. Look, it's not too late yet, and the geological bureau's equipment is readily available. How about... we open up these stones that you and Dr. Su picked up? If there is jade, we can have the experienced craftsmen at the bureau do some rough processing. It will be a special souvenir for you to take back to Beijing."

Li Guohua was already quite interested in this. "Great! Let's treat it as a little fun after a stressful day. Dr. Su, why don't you take a look? Let us see what surprises these stones you've picked up might hold."

The suggestion was immediately met with a positive response from Chen Zhiyuan, who also had considerable experience in jade appraisal: "Opening stones? I'm an expert at that! The equipment is all there; I'll handle the operation!"

Xiao Yong cheered excitedly, "Let's break the stone! Look at the treasure!"

Su Wanqing: "..." What was bound to happen has finally happened.

She had no choice but to accept the situation, and with a twitch of her lips, she said, "Alright, then I'll trouble Director Chen. Let's see how things go."

So Director Chen took charge himself, and Zhou Yanshen moved all the stones over.

"Whose car should we open first?" Chen Zhiyuan put on goggles and gloves, looking every bit the expert.

Li Guohua handed over his two pieces, one large and one small: "Let's start with mine, just to get the ball rolling."

Then the machine hummed. Li Guohua thought that no matter whether or not jade could be found, he should leave some good things for Dr. Su. After all, she had saved Xiao Yong's life. If jade could be found, he would give her even more good things.

But what should I give as a gift?