Rebirth 70: I am a Koi

Bai Hanchuan rarely showed such a solemn expression. My heart tightened, and I quickly walked to his side and followed his gaze. The flower seedlings that were once full of vitality on the open space now seemed to be covered with a layer of gray shadow.

"What's wrong?" I asked in a low voice, feeling a little uneasy.

"Look at those seedlings." Bai Hanchuan pointed at a few of them and said, "Are the leaves turning yellow? Are the flower buds a little droopy?"

I took a closer look and found that it was just as he said. The edges of the originally emerald green leaves had turned yellow and the tender flower buds were drooping their heads, having lost their former vitality.

"Maybe it's because of the local climate. After all, it's a new variety that has just been introduced." I comforted him, but I felt more and more uneasy.

"I hope so." Bai Hanchuan frowned, "Let's go and take a look."

We immediately called several technicians from the base to carefully check the abnormal seedlings. The technicians checked them and collected some soil and leaf samples for testing. The final conclusion surprised us - these seedlings were infected with some rare pests and diseases!

"How could this happen? We have always paid great attention to the hygiene and epidemic prevention work of the base. How could pests and diseases suddenly appear?" I asked in disbelief.

"This pest is highly contagious, and the initial symptoms are not obvious, so it is easy to be ignored. By the time it is discovered, it has often spread over a large area." A technician explained, "In addition, this pest is resistant to many drugs. Once it breaks out, the consequences will be disastrous."

Hearing this, my heart sank. The flowers in the base were carefully cultivated by us, and we put in countless efforts. If they were destroyed by this sudden pest, I really don’t know how to face it.

"We must take immediate measures to control the epidemic!" Bai Hanchuan made a prompt decision. "Immediately isolate all the seedlings showing symptoms, disinfect the entire base, and contact the Academy of Agricultural Sciences to invite experts to help with diagnosis and treatment."

The staff at the base acted quickly and carried out various tasks in an orderly manner according to Bai Hanchuan's instructions. However, the spread of pests and diseases exceeded our expectations. In just a few days, more and more flowers showed symptoms of infection. Looking at the base that was once full of vitality, now shrouded in a shadow, my heart seemed to be tightly grasped by an invisible hand, and I could hardly breathe.

"Don't worry, we will find a solution." Bai Hanchuan held my hand and gave me an encouraging look.

At this time, Lin Xiao ran over in a hurry, "Sister Jinli, I heard that something happened at the base, what's the situation?"

"The situation is not optimistic." I shook my head and briefly recounted what had happened.

"I have a friend who is an expert in biological control. Maybe he can help." Lin Xiao suddenly said, "I'll contact him and see if he has any ideas."

I nodded, as if I had grabbed a life-saving straw. The expert Lin Xiao mentioned was a retired gardening master who was said to have profound attainments in the field of biological control, but... "Lin Xiao, your friend..." I hesitated, "Is he really reliable?"

Lin Xiao nodded firmly, "Don't worry, Sister Jinli, my friend..."

Lin Xiao nodded firmly. "Don't worry, Sister Jinli. Although my friend has a bit of an odd personality, he is definitely an authority in this area. He has been studying biological control for decades and never takes action lightly. But as long as he takes action, there is no problem that cannot be solved."

Lin Xiao's determination gave me some hope, like a drowning man grabbing a piece of driftwood. Not long after, Lin Xiao brought a vigorous old man to the base. Although the old man had retired, his eyes were still sharp, revealing the seriousness and persistence unique to scholars. He carefully checked the situation of the base, asked some details, and finally, slowly spoke.

"The situation is more serious than I thought," the old man sighed. "This kind of pest is very stubborn and difficult to cure with ordinary medicines. Moreover, although the use of chemical agents is effective quickly, it will cause certain damage to the quality of flowers and soil, and even destroy the ecological balance. The gain is not worth the loss."

"So what's your suggestion?" I asked anxiously. The old man's words undoubtedly confirmed our previous concerns.

"Biological control means using insects to control insects." The old man said firmly, "I will breed its natural enemies based on the characteristics of this pest, and then release these natural enemies into the base to achieve the goal of controlling the pests."

"But..." I hesitated, "How long will it take for this method to show results? Our flowers have begun to wither on a large scale. I'm afraid..."

"I know your concerns. Biological control is not as effective as chemical agents, but it is safe and long-lasting. It will not pollute the environment or affect the quality of flowers." The old man explained patiently, "Give me some time, I will do my best to control the epidemic."

The old man's words put Bai Hanchuan and I in a dilemma. On the one hand, we both knew that biological control was a long-term solution, but on the other hand, the situation at the base could not be delayed any longer, and every day of delay would increase our losses.

"Jinli, I believe in Lin Xiao's vision, and I also believe in this old man's professional ability." Bai Hanchuan held my hand and said firmly, "We can't give up long-term interests because of temporary difficulties. I believe that we can overcome this crisis."

I looked at Bai Hanchuan's determined eyes, and the anxiety in my heart gradually subsided. Yes, we have experienced so many storms, so why would we be afraid of this pest?

However, just when we decided to go all out and choose to trust biological control, a phone call broke the brief peace...

The phone rang suddenly. Bai Hanchuan picked up the phone and his face instantly became solemn.

"What? What did you say?" He almost yelled, his knuckles turning white as he held the phone. "How could this happen? I'll be right back!"

My heart tightened, and a bad feeling came over me. "What's wrong? What happened?"

Bai Hanchuan took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. "A batch of fake flowers from the base appeared on the market, which has seriously affected our reputation."

"What?" I was shocked. "How could this happen? How could someone..."

"Now is not the time to pursue responsibility. The most urgent task is to control the situation." Bai Hanchuan made a prompt decision, "Jinli, you stay here and deal with the pests and diseases with the old man. I will find out the source of the counterfeit products. We must not let those people destroy our hard work!"

I understood the seriousness of the matter, so I didn't say anything more, but nodded firmly. "Don't worry, I'll take care of this."

As I watched Bai Hanchuan hurriedly leave, I felt the burden on my shoulders become heavier. Pests and diseases have not yet been resolved, and counterfeit products have come one after another. It seems that there is an invisible hand controlling everything in the dark, trying to completely destroy everything we have worked so hard to build.

I took a deep breath and told myself not to panic. The more I had to stay calm, the more I had to stay calm. I picked up the phone and dialed Lin Xiao's number. "Lin Xiao, can you help me check if there are any suspicious people or things around the base recently..."

After hanging up the phone, I walked to the window and looked at the flowers in the base that were once full of vitality. Now they have become wilted due to the invasion of pests and diseases. My heart is filled with worry and anxiety.

In the evening, Bai Hanchuan came back, his face looking terribly gloomy.

"How is it? Have you found out anything?" I walked forward and asked anxiously.

Bai Hanchuan shook his head, his tone heavy, "The situation is more complicated than I thought..."

He told me the results of the investigation. It turned out that the source of those counterfeit products was very hidden, and there seemed to be someone behind the scenes who was trying to attack our base.

"It seems that we have really met our match this time." I said in a deep voice, with an unprecedented sense of crisis in my heart.

Late at night, Bai Hanchuan and I were urgently discussing countermeasures in the office, the dim light reflected our solemn faces. We all knew that this was a crisis related to the survival of the planting base...

“Am I just going to sit here and wait for death?” I muttered to myself, clenching my fists tightly.

Bai Hanchuan's eyes shone, and he said in a deep voice, "Of course not..."

"Of course not." Bai Hanchuan's tone was resolute, "The base we worked so hard to build must not be destroyed in the hands of these people!"

He walked to the map, pointed to several marked points around the base and said, "I have sent people to check. These places are very suspicious. They are likely to be the production sites of counterfeit products. As long as we find their hideouts, we can follow the clues and catch the mastermind behind it."

"Okay, I'll let Lin Xiao cooperate with you." I nodded, and a glimmer of hope ignited in my heart.

"As for pests and diseases..." Bai Hanchuan frowned again, "The old man has tried his best, but this kind of pests and diseases is very stubborn, and no effective solution has been found yet."

I walked to the window and looked at the flowers that were once so beautiful and gorgeous. Now, due to the erosion of diseases and pests, the leaves were turning yellow and the flowers were withered. My heart was filled with regret and powerlessness.

"Is there really no other way?" I muttered to myself, and suddenly an idea flashed through my mind, "Oh, right, space!"

I turned around suddenly and looked at Bai Hanchuan, "Maybe I have a solution!"

I told Bai Hanchuan about the existence of the space and said that there might be medicines or methods in the space that could control this pest.

After hearing what I said, Bai Hanchuan's eyes flashed with surprise, but then he regained his composure.

"Jinli, I know you are worried about the base, but the matter of space is very serious. You must consider it carefully."

I understand Bai Hanchuan's concerns. The existence of space is too incredible. Once exposed, it will bring unpredictable risks.

"I know, but I believe that the existence of space must have its meaning." I said firmly, "Besides, I believe in you."

Bai Hanchuan looked at me deeply and finally nodded.

"Okay, I believe you."

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, concentrated, and entered the space...

The next morning, I came to the planting base with a special medicine I found in the space.

"Old man, take a look at this, it may help treat diseases and pests." I handed the medicine to the retired gardening master.

The old man took the medicine, looked at it carefully, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"What kind of medicine is this? I have never seen it before..."

I briefly explained the origin and efficacy of the medicine to the old gentleman, and expressed my willingness to try it on a small scale first, and then promote it on a larger scale if it is effective.

The old man nodded, indicating that he was willing to try.

In the next few days, we were anxiously waiting for the results...