Chapter 3 — The Farming Diary of Thien Kim Trillion

She laughed: "I understand, I understand, maybe dad forgot to tell me. Our family does high-tech agriculture, specializing in growing organic vegetables."

“Agricultural… technology?” I try to understand.

"That's right, our greenhouse is all managed automatically. Humidity, temperature are automatically adjusted, drip irrigation combined with fertilization, and pests are monitored and biologically treated by drones. The cucumbers and tomatoes you see, it seems like they cooperate with the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, using the most advanced photosynthesis promoting techniques to grow. But... I'm sure you don't understand what you're hearing."

Actually, I don't really understand. But I was really stunned. So it turns out that my biological father – Lam Bao Quoc, a rustic farmer who smokes a pipe and rides a three-wheeled bicycle – is actually an anonymous agricultural technology tycoon? I remember my mother, holding the gold-rimmed toilet brush and swinging it around to scrub.

“You know, my mom bought me a gold-plated toilet brush…”

Lam Dieu paused for a moment and then said: "Is that it... I heard you were coming back soon. Mom insisted on going to the province to buy the best stuff, telling city girls to use good stuff. That toothbrush... maybe the salesperson was exaggerating? Mom saw it had a gold border and thought it must be a good product." Me: “………”

“Ah yes, I called to ask you something.”

I sat up: "What's wrong? Tell me?" I guess she was probably oppressed by her second uncle's family and was in a bad mood. That family is famous for being stingy, and their stories never make it onto the stage. I have to comfort him, advise him not to accept it. On the other end of the line, his voice was hesitant. I took the initiative: "If you have anything to say, I will help you."

"It's... the watering system in the garden,"

I wondered: "Watering?"

“How do I adjust it to green onion growing mode?”

“Huh???” What is it?

“Today I dug a bed of soil, planted some green onions and coriander, but it kept watering… roses…”

I held the phone, speechless.

“That's it?”

"Isn't this very complicated? I just want to grow some green onions and coriander, then I can pick them for convenience when I eat noodles or make salads, how delicious!"

I looked out the window, the row of greenhouses stretching out in the darkness. And... in there are smart control systems with flashing lights. Then I remembered the Tri family's villa's automatic watering system that recognized plants - something that clearly couldn't recognize green onions. Page Van ha thought fondly

"Yeah, honey," I started choosing my words, "on page three of the system menu, there's a 'custom crop' section, you type 'green onions' there, then adjust the watering frequency and that's it..."

"Oh okay! Then I'll go try it right away! Go to sleep early!"

Me: “……”

05

The next morning, my mother suggested that since we were back, we should also meet the people in the village. So she said, “How about we have a party?”

"Let's have a party! We must do it! Invite the whole village and neighbors! Celebrate the return of our Lam family's little daughter!" – My father, Lam Bao Quoc, slapped his thigh and decided on the spot.

So, three days later, ten large kitchens were set up in my yard, inviting the most famous party cooking team in town. The yard is filled with round tables and benches, stretching as far as the eye can see. I was forced to wear the purple mink coat I bought the day I went to the market. Mrs. Vuong Que Phan also personally braided my hair into two braids and tied a red ribbon. I looked at the copy body in the mirror, silent...

“So beautiful! Really beautiful!” My mother's eyes turned red again, "My daughter, you look beautiful in anything!"

It's dusk, the lights are bright. Actually, I pulled a bunch of 200W light bulbs and hung them all over the yard. The whole village was almost there, people were noisy, even more bustling than on market day. My father held a loudspeaker and jumped onto the platform in the middle of the yard.

"Hello! Hello! Be quiet! Everyone be quiet!"

"Today! Is the happiest day of my life, Lam Bao Quoc! My biological daughter! Nguyet Nguyet! Has returned!"

One swoop - all eyes turned to me. I was pushed away by my mother, stiff-faced and stepped forward.

"This is my daughter - Tri Nguyet! In the future, she will stay with us in Khao Son Truan! Ladies and gentlemen, I hope everyone will help you a lot!"

The sound of applause was like thunder. Then comes the climax. My father waved his hand: "Nguyet Nguyet, come out and greet your relatives!" So I was swept into a sea of enthusiastic people.

"Nguyet Nguyet, I'm your Third Great Master! Take it! A gift to meet you!"

A thick envelope of lucky money was stuffed into my hand.

"Nguyet Nguyet, I'm your Tu Aunt! You're so good, you're suffering so much! This must be accepted!"

One more.

"Nguyet Nguyet, I'm your cousin..."

“Nguyet Nguyet, what is this… my second aunt…”

On all sides are hands reaching out and lucky money envelopes thrown in. The two pockets of my shirt were clearly bulging, feeling heavy as if they were about to sag. I was like a machine nodding emotionlessly, just saying "Thank you, thank you" repeatedly, smiling until my face was about to stiffen. Just as I was about to be submerged in a sea of red envelopes and turned into the party's mascot, someone shouted loudly at the gate:

“Old lady, old lady is coming——!”

Your voice sounds like you're singing a opera. Everyone immediately stopped and turned their heads in unison. The crowd automatically separated to both sides, giving way to a straight path. Two old men with white hair, supported by someone and using ebony canes, walked towards me step by step. Even though the clothes were simple, the aura that exuded made the whole yard as quiet as a sheet of paper.