Chapter 61

When it came to choosing seeds for grafting, compatibility was crucial. She thought back to all the seeds in her greenhouse: roses with roses? She remembered that roses and mountain roses were the best match, but she didn't have mountain rose seeds. Settling for second best, she could try rose on rose.

Her seed bank now boasted 79 categories. From a single seed or cutting, she had cultivated entire beds and several generations. The greenhouse was packed, requiring careful layout to ensure every plant got proper care.

Wu Ying pushed open the greenhouse door and was greeted by a riot of blooms in full glory, withered remnants past their prime, and bashful buds on the verge of opening.

She walked to the small rose bed. Golden petals fluttered boldly in the breeze—truly beautiful.

The Light Brain connected to the greenhouse's smart terminal. She pulled up the rose variety's seed file to extract key grafting information. This generation had weaker disease resistance but bloomed more frequently, demanding more nutrients and care.

If she grafted with a rose, there was a good chance disease resistance would improve. Unfortunately, she didn't have rose seeds.

She noted this down on the Light Brain screen and turned to the rose bed. A small wooden fence divided the greenhouse into compartments. Wu Ying wove through the beds, her delicate features soft with tenderness. She admired her greenhouse with a heart full of accomplishment.

Asher followed, leaning against the doorframe. His eyes lifted at the corners, gaze fixed on the figure moving among the flowers. The greenhouse light turned her hair a warm brown, the little curls at the ends playfully brushing her arm. He loved that soft, playful hair.

"Why did you follow me?"

He was so clingy now, Wu Ying realized belatedly. Just now, there hadn't even been room for him on the couch, yet he'd squeezed in. Now he was following her around like a shadow, doing nothing.

An uncontrollable joy surged in Wu Ying. Noticing her own feelings, she frowned and pressed her brow, suddenly feeling she'd been neglecting it lately with all her hard work.

"I just wanted to see what you're doing. Need any help?"

Asher stepped in, his tall frame filling the narrow aisle, his clothes brushing against the fence.

"Don't move! Be careful, don't knock over my flower beds."

Wu Ying called out urgently. Asher halted, reaching out to steady himself on a wooden post. "I'm watching where I'm going. I won't bump into anything."

The aisle was indeed narrow, but Asher figured he wouldn't hit anything.

"You're watching, but look at your size! Get out! I don't need your help here." Wu Ying started shooing him away. He was more hindrance than help.

A dull ache settled in Asher's chest. His feet were rooted to the spot. He averted his gaze and said in a calm tone, "I remember this path used to be wider."

"Not just the path—my couch and hammock are gone too." With her and Jiujiu's relentless efforts, the greenhouse flowers had thrived, their territorial ambitions growing stronger. She'd had to make way for them.

Seeing him immobile, Wu Ying walked over and tugged at him. "When I tell you to go, you don't go?" She grabbed his sleeve and pulled him toward the door, thinking he was really hard to communicate with.

Asher didn't resist, following her lead outside. He watched her hand around his, then looked at her small figure. Wu Ying muttered continuously, occasionally turning to check if he was bumping into the flower beds. Asher mused that the path was indeed too narrow for two.

"Alright, don't go in and mess things up. I'm doing my experiment. Go take care of your own stuff."

Wu Ying instructed him. The small cart carrying her experimental seedlings followed automatically. Jiujiu had already prepared the lab, and to record every detail of the experiment, she'd set up a separate experimental bed inside.

She dove in without delay. Asher stood at the lab door. She'd specifically told him not to come in, so he lingered for a moment before finally stepping into his study.

He went through a few files and urgent reports, finishing around nine. He twirled the pen in his hand a few times, then stood. He hadn't had dinner—no matter how busy, he should eat.

He messaged Wu Ying but got no reply. He walked to the lab door and knocked. Two soft thuds, no answer. He flexed his fingers and knocked again, three times. The lab door opened halfway. Wu Ying stood there, looking at him with confusion. "What's up?"

"You haven't had dinner. You must be hungry. I had Xiao Zhi prepare some food. Eat something before continuing."

"Oh, alright."

Wu Ying turned, shed her protective suit, and came out. The graft was off to a good start. She'd adjusted the nutrient solution and soil conditions. With monitors handling the record, there was nothing to worry about. Today's task was done.

She walked away content, her steps light.

"Going well?"

Asher ladled soup into a bowl, the bottom gently tapping the table. Wu Ying cupped the bowl with both hands, nodded at his question, blew on it, and took a small sip. Delicious.

Over the next few days, Wu Ying stuck to her schedule rigorously, repeatedly scolding Asher for messing with the alarm, finally threatening to revoke his napping privileges if he did it again.

The plan was progressing smoothly. Her studies were showing great results, and the experiments were advancing steadily. Especially with Asher's new study method, her learning efficiency had soared!

The method mainly involved Asher extracting core knowledge points. Wu Ying would focus on those after class, then work on practice papers. Asher corrected them, helping her review and solidify what she learned.

It was a great method, and Wu Ying had come to love it.

"Asher, study time!"

Wu Ying called from the study doorway. As the only secure room in the house, she'd always kept her distance.

"You go ahead. I need to approve a document. Today's core points are already on your desk."

Asher looked up, a glint of silver flashing off his glasses. Wu Ying blinked at him sitting there. "Alright."

She sat at her desk, opened her notebook, and set up her tablet. As the lecture began, she flipped through the core points, her mind wandering for a moment before the instructor's voice pulled her back.

Asher had told Wu Ying to go first, but he still hadn't shown up by the time she finished studying. Wu Ying was fuming. The learning machine had already opened the practice paper. She tapped the smart pen on the desk with a series of sharp clicks.

A strange intuition made her uneasy.

"Done?"

A voice came from behind. Wu Ying spun around, her bright apricot eyes widening for a second before narrowing at him. "Hmph! If I'd waited for you, today's plan would've gone down the drain."

Asher nodded in agreement, sitting beside her. His fingers rested on the desk. Seeing the paper on the screen, he knew her progress. "You finished ahead of time today. Great job."

Wu Ying wrinkled her nose and huffed, picking up the pen again. Resting her chin on her hand, she asked casually, "All done with work?"

"Resolved, just some differing opinions."

Asher didn't elaborate, his tone light, glossing over his decisiveness. Wu Ying understood and nodded. She picked up the pen, doodled on the paper, and couldn't focus on a single word.

She stretched her arm forward, half-lying on the desk, cupping her cheek with her palm. Her face and body tilted toward Asher, her gaze entirely on him.

From the side, his lashes were long and straight, his striking bone structure taking center stage.

She asked, "You seem to have a lot of free time lately. Is something going on?"

Asher looked at her, and she at him. Her fair cheeks rounded against her palm, her amber eyes met his, hesitant yet suggestive, words unspoken. Asher couldn't decipher them, but his heart pounded, and he felt the flutter in his chest.

"Mm, the defense lines are stable lately."

Wu Ying wondered if Asher had deliberately carved out time to be with her. She couldn't deny she liked this companionship, but the thought of him slacking on work for her made her uneasy. Yet maybe he really was just free lately—wouldn't it be embarrassing if she'd misread it?

Her thoughts were subtle and guarded; saying any more would feel awkward.

Wu Ying's eyes flickered, then dropped, hiding those lively orbs. Her face naturally took on a hint of cool melancholy. She bit her lip, swallowing her restless thoughts. Her slender wrist supported her, swaying as she got distracted.

Asher reached out immediately, catching her hand and face in his palm. She probably needed help, he thought, so he pulled her into his arms. Her forehead rested against his chest, and only then did she feel steady.

His chest was warm. Wu Ying leaned into him, breathing in the warm scent mixed with clean fabric. She felt at ease too. She closed her eyes, then found the position uncomfortable. She pushed against his chest, stood up, and sat directly on his lap. Wrapping her arms around him, she buried her face in his chest, nuzzling like a bird settling its nest, finding the perfect spot.

After a moment, she murmured, "I want to take an early nap."

She was held completely by Asher, like basking in a winter sun. Wu Ying knew she craved his sense of security. He might not understand all her little thoughts, but she always felt loved, watched over. His embrace was tight, always enveloping her fully.

"Not studying anymore?"

His voice rumbled from his chest into her ears. Wu Ying burrowed into his chest, her words muffled. She seemed to say, "The morning plan's already done."

Indeed it was. Asher chuckled, his Adam's apple bobbing, his gaze darkening. Conditions were ripe, he thought. He suddenly scooped Wu Ying up and headed straight to the bedroom.

Wu Ying was held like a child. Feeling the height change, she reflexively wrapped her legs around his waist. Good thing he knew her capabilities and supported her with his arm. She relaxed her legs, sitting on his forearm, her feet swinging in the air.

A few big strides later, the bedroom door slammed shut with a bang. Wu Ying found herself sitting on the bed, unsure whether the sound was the door or her landing on the mattress.

The atmosphere turned dangerous in an instant.