From Apocalypse Boss to Farmer: My Vegetables Make Me Stronger!-Chapter 106 - 98: Opportunity

A single message from Gu Xi in a group chat had plunged the entire South City Base into a peculiar state.

For years, the Abnormal Ability Research Institute had held a monopoly on seeds, making it nearly impossible for other factions to get involved.

So, the moment Gu Xi let the news slip, all the different factions started moving, like cats drawn to the smell of fish.

They all wanted to seize the opportunity to get a piece of the pie.

And this matter didn’t just cause a huge stir in South City Base; even the Central Base couldn’t sit still.

But this was about the operating rights for seeds. A decision of this magnitude couldn’t be made in a day or two, no matter how many factions were fanning the flames from behind the scenes.

Besides, a major base like South City wouldn’t be ruled by the whims of a single person.

As for the newly appointed base commander, Mr. Zhou, he was a new official in a precarious position. Countless eyes were on him in the dark, waiting for a chance to trip him up and pull him from power.

To say nothing of others, the deputy base commander, Mr. Zhang, with his intricate ties to the Abnormal Ability Research Institute, had roots so deep in South City Base that he alone would likely keep the new Mr. Zhou occupied for quite some time.

So, this matter couldn’t be rushed.

After asking Mr. Zhao about the relevant procedures, Gu Xi simply followed the rules, wrote up an application, submitted it, and then threw herself back into the great enterprise of her orchard.

’The bait is out, anyway. I’m not the one who needs to be worried.’

Back at the orchard... Gu Xi looked up at the large fruit trees laden with heavy fruit, her heart aching at the sight.

The mutation of these fruits was already complete, their internal structures completely changed. Even if she were to absorb the X Energy within them now, the taste wouldn’t be any good.

They were obviously inedible.

Never mind the pity of so much fruit going to waste; the Zombie Crystal Cores used to ripen them—a vital, non-renewable energy source—had now been squandered for nothing.

The loss pained Gu Xi so much she could hardly breathe.

Fortunately, after some research and analysis, Mr. Zhao believed there was still a possibility for these fruit trees to undergo reverse evolution.

Although the chances were slim.

But Gu Xi still wanted to try.

However, this was undoubtedly a meticulous task that would require a great deal of time and effort.

That was why Gu Xi had been spending every day at the orchard recently.

But Mr. Zhao was very busy.

The research on regenerative rice wasn’t finished, Mr. Zhang had been away for the past few days, and he was practically holding the entire lab together by himself. Unable to be in two places at once, he sent a few of his lab assistants over to help.

On this day, for a change, Gu Xi didn’t come to the orchard.

After finishing her sample collection, Zhou Jing appeared to be concentrating on packing up her equipment, but her peripheral vision was discreetly scanning her surrounding classmates. She subconsciously frowned.

’I know none of these classmates are simple, but which one of them secretly tampered with Gu Xi’s orchard?’

Zhou Jing lowered her eyes and packed all the equipment into its case.

’The person who did this is a shrewd planner. They clearly want to push me out to be the scapegoat when this all comes to light...’

’After all, haven’t I, Zhou Jing, always been the one responsible for collecting samples in this orchard?’

Fortunately, she had been on good terms with Qi Xiang lately. So when Gu Xi returned and discovered the abnormality, Zhou Jing got the news ahead of time.

But this also served as a reminder: the fact that Gu Xi could spot the problem with the orchard at a single glance meant... her perception of special energies was likely far more acute than anyone could imagine.

Of course, the most important thing was Gu Xi’s sudden move to get involved in the seed business... This undoubtedly increased the difficulty of her own mission.

Zhou Jing stood up, her gaze slowly sweeping over the group. She finally settled on one person, walked over, and asked, "How did you get assigned to this, too? Didn’t you say you weren’t interested in fruit tree research?"

The moment Zhou Jing spoke, the other young people nearby all pricked up their ears.

But the person she addressed was extremely composed. Hearing the question, she merely lifted her gaze, looked at Zhou Jing expressionlessly, and continued to steadily shake the test tube in her hand at a constant rhythm. "Just following the leadership’s arrangements."

The implication was clear: Mr. Zhao sent her. Have a problem with it? Then suck it up.

Zhou Jing stared at her without a word.

The orchard fell silent for a moment. The few young people busy nearby all stopped their work and looked toward the two of them.

"Is that so?" Zhou Jing suddenly sneered, turning to scan the others. "Are all of you just ’following the leadership’s arrangements’ too?" she asked sarcastically.

Now, anyone could see that Zhou Jing was deliberately starting trouble.

But for these young people to have stood out from a crowd of agricultural students and been chosen by the higher-ups to work in Mr. Zhao’s experimental fields, who among them didn’t have some sort of backing in addition to their own real skills?

They weren’t necessarily afraid of anyone.

They were each serving their own masters, only barely maintaining the tacitly understood veneer of former classmates and current colleagues.

But today, Zhou Jing was clearly ready to tear away that veneer.

The young people glanced at each other, exchanging a look of tacit understanding.

One of the male students stood up and calmly said, "What? Does Zhou have a problem? It’s just a shame, because it was Miss Gu who personally requested we come work here."

Zhou Jing froze, frowning slightly. "You’re saying... Gu Xi asked you to come?" ’How have I not heard a whisper about this?’

"What, Qi Xiang didn’t tell you? No way. Aren’t you two on pretty good terms...?" The male student wore a look of surprise, but his eyes were filled with mockery.

Zhou Jing’s face darkened. She suddenly realized something. Qi Xiang wasn’t involved in this orchard research project, which meant...

"That’s right, Qi Xiang went with Gu Xi to South City Base early this morning. I guess she just hasn’t had the chance to tell you yet," the male student said, giving Zhou Jing a pointed look.

Zhou Jing immediately understood. She had probably been played by Qi Xiang.

And now Gu Xi was having everyone participate in this project...

’Could it be that she suspected us all along, so she deliberately gathered everyone here to... watch us fight amongst ourselves, and then pick a collaborator from the eventual winner?’

A sudden thought struck Zhou Jing, and her expression changed instantly.

Seeing that she had figured out the key to the situation, a cold, mocking glint flashed in the male student’s eyes. He spoke slowly, "I heard Gu Xi went to South City Base today to visit that newly appointed base commander..."

Just as he expected, Zhou Jing grew anxious. She shot them a dark look, then turned and left the orchard.

The male student chuckled. Everything he said was true; Gu Xi really had asked them to work in the orchard. As for what others might think, that was none of his business. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Besides, who wouldn’t enjoy eliminating a competitor without having to get their hands dirty?

Back in her dorm, Zhou Jing shut the door and drew the curtains in one smooth motion.

Freed from having to act in front of others, the gloom on her face was instantly replaced by a strange excitement.

Zhou Jing took a deep breath, opened her personal terminal, and sent a message, requesting a new investigation into Gu Xi’s background.

Zhou Jing had reviewed Gu Xi’s file many times before. It was simple, just a few short lines of text: A refugee girl found by Wei Heng in the ruins of the NX1984 Area one year ago...

The file was originally completely unremarkable, and data retrieved from the Central Database corroborated it. Gu Xi was a returned refugee. There were no holes in her story.

But a short while ago, a mass malignant mutation event involving mutant plants had occurred in the NX1984 Area. Immediately after, energy fluctuations similar to those in the NX1984 Area appeared in Gu Xi’s orchard...

This made Zhou Jing keenly realize that Gu Xi’s background was likely not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

’And one of her classmates obviously already knew this and was planning to exploit it?’

’So that’s why Liu Yuan deliberately said those things in the orchard—to provoke her and make her lose her composure?’

’They want to push me out to be the scapegoat!’

After figuring this out, Zhou Jing was, of course, furious.

But at the same time, she was also thrilled.

Because for her, this could also be an opportunity...

Zhou Jing pulled up Gu Xi’s file again, reading it over and over. After a long period of contemplation, she dialed Zhou Jinyu’s contact number...