Reborn As Super Heiress

Huo Sining was also shocked by Liao Song’s news. When she initially used Spiritual Energy to nurture the walnut trees, it was just to help Liao Song, to prevent Ma Liwen and Wang Zhongwei’s plot from succeeding.

She hadn’t expected such a change of events. Even she didn’t know that Spiritual Energy could also protect those walnuts from being destroyed by the hailstorm. It was truly an unintended fortune, leaving Huo Sining both amused and exasperated.

"Did the trees of the other villagers all suffer from the hailstorm?" Huo Sining found it hard to believe.

Liao Song exclaimed excitedly, "Yeah, it’s said that the damage was worst at the old village chief’s family. It seems there were barely any left. Only the six families I bought from are doing well. The whole village is talking about it, and many are trying to find out what happened, both openly and secretly."

Huo Sining frowned but then relaxed. Although she had covered up the truth, both Liao Song and Zhong Zifan were trustworthy, and she wasn’t worried about Liao Song betraying her. If the villagers probed, they probed; if they traced back to her, she could simply deny it.

Moreover, given her current status, even if someone suspected the origins of her so-called special fertilizer, not many would dare openly investigate her. At most, they’d just inquire privately.

But Yan Xuesong and Chen Qiankun might have to take the blame for her. If those two professors become genuinely interested in this so-called fertilizer and come asking for it, she’d need to find a way to deal with them.

Nonetheless, Huo Sining trusted the integrity of those two professors and didn’t worry much about it.

"This is a good thing, so you don’t need to make a fuss about it. Tell Brother Xiao Shan not to let those families mention that I provided the fertilizer. The professors’ current situation doesn’t allow for too much attention. If someone asks, just say you sourced the fertilizer, without mentioning me," Huo Sining advised.

Liao Song, having gained such a substantial benefit, certainly didn’t want to cause trouble for Huo Sining because of it, so he readily agreed:

"Don’t worry, I know how to handle this. I’ve already told Brother Xiao Shan to have those few families in the village keep quiet."

Huo Sining nodded: "That’s good. This is also your good fortune, but don’t get too overjoyed. Before the walnuts ripen, no one can say for sure what changes might occur. If possible, remind Xiao Shan and those six families to stay low-key, and always stay cautious and not get carried away."

"Wang Zhongwei and Ma Liwen are not nice people. They invested a lot to lease so many trees in the village. With the hailstorm hitting them hard, their losses must be severe."

"Man proposes, God disposes. They tried to scheme against you but failed, resulting in their own downfall. Such a thing would be frustrating for anyone."

"Moreover, you’re now directly competing with Wang Zhongwei. While his walnuts have no future, you only leased six trees but harvested more than he did from his entire lease. Can he swallow that indignation?"

"When people are desperate, who knows what despicable tricks they might pull? If he suffers, he won’t let you have it easy. He’ll surely throw a wrench in the works to prevent you from harvesting smoothly."

"I’m not being alarmist. Especially at such a crucial time, you must not let down your guard, or you’ll end up unaware of what hit you!"

Liao Song found Huo Sining’s words very convincing: "I know. I’ve already told my cousin. As long as those six walnut trees in the village can be saved, I’m willing to pay each family an extra 10,000 yuan for guarding costs. Also, my cousin knows very well the importance of those walnut trees in the back mountains, which he hasn’t revealed to the villagers. Rest assured about that."

Huo Sining was pleased with Liao Song’s way of handling things: "As long as you understand, even with an extra 10,000 yuan, your deal with those families will surely be profit-making. With that special fertilizer, this year’s walnut fruit set rate will be higher than previous years, so you’re still profiting."

"And with this guarding fee, they should be diligent in helping you guard for three to four months. After all, you’ve only paid the deposit, and the remaining payment will be made only after seeing the walnuts."

Liao Song felt a bit embarrassed: "I called to say thank you. If not for you, I wouldn’t know how long this would drag on or if I’d even harvest anything at all. You’ve helped me so much, I really don’t know how to thank you properly."

Huo Sining couldn’t help but laugh: "We’re friends, no need to say thanks. If you really want to thank me, pick a good pair of walnuts when they mature, and I’ll gift them to my elders."

The request was overly simple, and Liao Song readily agreed: "Alright, I’ll make sure to pick the best pair for you!"

As Huo Sining anticipated, by the time she got the news, Ma Liwen and Wang Zhongwei had received the same. Learning that the walnut trees they spent so much on had suffered disaster and were destroyed by hail, their faces immediately darkened.

The caller was none other than Fangshan Village’s village chief. The chief was also anxious. By May in previous years, the weather was usually sunny, let alone with hail; not even heavy rains were common. This year’s weird weather, with its sudden temperature drop and torrential storm with hail, caught everyone off guard.

If they had known in advance there would be hail, they’d certainly have found ways to cover the walnut trees with oilcloth or something to protect the hard-earned fruit from ruin.

But as it turned out, the hailstorm caused heavy losses for everyone. The walnuts had just set fruit not long ago, and now many had been knocked down. Those left on the trees didn’t look good, either. By August or September, when the walnuts would mature, it would be lucky if one-tenth remained.

As a result, each walnut tree could cost at least tens of thousands in losses. Everyone in the village relied on walnut trees for their income. Who wouldn’t be pained if their income reduced by tens of thousands in a year?

Especially the old village chief, whose family had two walnut trees. Because these trees were older than the others in the village, they bore better fruit and earned more money each year.

But this time, they suffered the most. After the hailstorm, their old walnut trees were left barren, with only a few scattered nuts that could be counted on two hands.