Her Cultivation Diary
Chapter 828 - 818. Call me when slaughtering the pig.

Chapter 828: 818. Call me when slaughtering the pig.

Boss Chang’s place was bustling with such intensity that it nearly landed on the trending search list multiple times, while Yunqiao Village remained peaceful and serene.

Wu Lan and Song Sancheng were brushing up on their car theory test while also snacking on a pile of browned pepper and salt rice crusts, looking so comfortably content that it even made Seventh Uncle envious:

"If you’re going to study, just study! Stop eating that stuff. People say nowadays that too much starch can make your brain sluggish."

Wu Lan, now an experienced user of some vibrating speech app, had learned a lot of odd knowledge and thus countered: "That’s not necessarily true. Science says that too little starch can make a person dumb and short-tempered."

As soon as she said that, Song Sancheng quickly raised his head and handed her a piece of rice crust: "Here, have more, eat more!"

Wu Lan: ...

She took the piece of rice crust but couldn’t help feeling that it tasted somewhat off.

At that moment, Professor Song came down from the mountain: "Song Tan, did you go and check? The apple trees have sprouted new leaves again—they’ve adapted so quickly!"

Song Tan, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, replied: "This season isn’t too cold or too hot; it’s pretty normal for them to sprout. Even the mugwort by the roadside has sprouted new leaves."

Unfortunately, I’m afraid they won’t last until the temperature drops.

Professor Song waved his hand dismissively: "That’s not what I’m talking about... what I mean is, these trees are adapting faster than usual, and their leaves are growing very quickly."

Song Tan thought to herself that with the continuous rain recently, she hadn’t had time to infuse Spiritual Energy into the pond on the mountain peak. Now that the weather was clear, shouldn’t she secretly encase some Spiritual Energy mist at night?

Don’t just look at the apple trees! What about the cabbages and radishes, aren’t they also secretly growing overnight?

Fortunately, Professor Song had gotten used to it and quickly changed the subject: "By the way, Yan Ran and the others will return to school after the festival. Their open-book exams are scheduled for early November; they need to go back and prepare."

"No way!" Tai Xiaodong’s cry of protest followed immediately: "Teacher, we’ve already arranged dormitories on the mountain, I can study in the dorm!"

"I can, too!" Qi Lin and Yan Ran also piped up.

Since the special single-occupancy apartments weren’t built yet, Professor Song’s dormitory had only been arranged for multiple people (though only he lived there). As for Yan Ran, being a girl, she had the luxury of a four-person dormitory to herself.

Tai Xiaodong and Qi Lin shared a room and would come down from the mountain every morning to freeload meals, avoiding the nearby cafeteria altogether.

But they were willing to work and didn’t ask for payment, so as far as Song Tan was concerned, it was all good!

Now they promised earnestly, but Professor Song got serious: "Do you think I don’t know about you young people these days? Always slack off during regular times, cramming in the library during exam week..."

"You’ve been with me in the fields all year, hardly attending any lectures—forget about open-book exams; and finals? Even with an open book, you still need to know where to look, right?"

"What if you fail? How are you going to apply for a PhD later?"

His students were all very outstanding, so getting recommended for further study wouldn’t be a problem. But even without a recommendation, with the fierce competition in academic schools, having failed a subject could definitely affect their applications...

In short, while Professor Song was protective of his students, they still needed to prove their own mettle.

Tai Xiaodong was anxious: "Teacher, do we have to wait until the major subject exams are over before we can come back here?"

Professor Song nodded: "Yes, wait until November. I’ll be back to make arrangements then."

As for how to make arrangements, he would decide after sorting out his current work at the research institute upon his return.

Of course, there was one very important matter—

He looked at Song Tan: "For the new year’s pig slaughter, you mustn’t forget about me, okay? Can I bring my partner along then?"

"Of course, that’s no problem at all!" Before Song Tan could say anything, Wu Lan eagerly chimed in: "Professor Song, don’t just bring your wife, bring the kids too—and Yan Ran, all of you should come! If you have partners, bring them along too!"

Tantan said, this year’s pig-slaughtering feast will be crowded with lots of people, and everyone from the village will also be there; we’re not considering the cost, just wanting a lively event!

Since that’s the case, you are most certainly welcome!

Song Tan grinned and added, "Professor Song, you’ve been a huge help at my place. How about inviting your fellow classmates over when we slaughter the pig? You know, our meat is worth the trip!"

Simultaneously, she coaxed Yan Ran, "Bring your friends and classmates too! Even those who are interested in working here, what better time to come over than during the New Year for a pig feast and a chat!"

The Song family is desperately seeking talent!

This...

Everyone suddenly felt embarrassed: "Having so many people over might not be a good idea..."

"Why not?" Song Tan could really sell it: "Just think of it as a trip to the countryside! I may not have the best amenities, but rest assured, there’ll be plenty of dormitory space and food."

"And listen, by the New Year the apartment dormitories will be ready. Yan Ran, if you’re still here next year, everyone can have a 30-square-meter room to themselves, and while visiting, you can start thinking about how to decorate!"

When it comes to dormitory space, she doesn’t count the common areas, 20, 30, 50, 80 square meters... they’ve got all sorts of layouts.

The rooms don’t have kitchens, and their design is minimalist, but even just looking at the renderings you can see it’s very cozy!

However, the initial plans only include basic furniture and appliances, so to really get comfortable, you’d have to do a bit more decorating.

Not to mention Tai Xiaodong and Qi Lin, Yan Ran was instantly smitten.

After all, she had been living in dorms for years, from undergraduate to graduate student housing, and now she’s staying above Song Tan’s home... She’s really longing for a private room where she can relax after work!

Sadly, she’s always been dealing with the land, and buying a nearby house just wasn’t an option.

As for Tai Xiaodong and Qi Lin...

They have a cafeteria and dormitory at their institute, and they can even study for their PhD while working... Come on! As long as the salary is decent, who would want to leave?

In the village, the only expenses are clothes and shoes from working the fields; these past few months, they haven’t even spent their graduate stipends! Tai Xiaodong has almost saved enough for a new camera!

As for things like setting up a family, education, and healthcare in the future... Modern young people champion being happily single!

There’s no hurry to consider all that right now!

It’s clear to see they’re all wildly excited! Song Tan strikes while the iron is hot: "It’s a bit rough here at the moment, but once the asphalt road is finished, it’ll only take an hour to get to the urban area—about the same as traffic in a big city!"

As for the urban area being a typical small town, let’s not stress that right now.

"We’ll develop little by little. Who knows, maybe there’ll be a night market or a fair soon, and accommodation will be in high demand!"

As for when this would happen... that’s anybody’s guess, let’s just set a three-to-five-year development plan for now.

At this, Professor Song began to ponder.

Turning his head, he asked, "When will the road be constructed?"

Song Tan thought for a moment: "According to internal information from Secretary Xiaozu, construction will start soon—the authorities have it on their agenda, the local level desires development, preliminary funds have been allocated, and bidding processes are already underway..."

"It shouldn’t take too long now, right?"

Of course, under normal circumstances, this process can’t be rushed. With initial planning and allocation of funds, it could take two to three years or even longer to complete.

But Professor Song operates at a different level.

He knows when the higher-ups want to get something done and the lower levels stand to benefit, the word ’efficiency’ means anything is possible!

So, the construction of the road seems to be just around the corner!