AYLS -Chapter 143

The chickens that Xiao Qiao and the others had raised started laying eggs by the end of January, right before the Spring Festival.

For a whole week, they laid one egg a day.

They had originally thought it would take until the next year, but they didn’t expect the chickens to start laying so quickly. Xiao Qiao was overjoyed. “Zhenzhen, we can start saving eggs even before the New Year!”

Su Weizhen, however, wasn’t surprised. When she fed the chickens, she would secretly slip them some extra treats from the storeroom. Naturally, these chickens grew faster.

This, in turn, caught the attention of the logistics department.

In these times, chickens laying an egg every single day? Even one every two days would be considered good.

But these chickens really were laying one egg a day. And they were clearly bigger than the local chickens, laying eggs earlier too.

Director Hao even brought people over to take a look at them.

Watching these healthy, prolific hens, his eyes narrowed into joyful slits.

Now, the country was in a difficult situation, resources were scarce, and the army had many personnel, which meant consumption was high. So it was necessary to have some side projects on the side.

But side projects alone couldn’t cover such large consumption. The logistics department worked every day to both generate income and save resources, so any good side project was always a pleasant surprise.

These hens laid eggs so well and were easy to raise, saving a lot of costs and adding a substantial source of supplies.

Who in logistics wouldn’t be happy about that?

Lin Qiao and Su Weizhen took the opportunity to apply for all future eggs to be kept as breeding eggs to expand the flock.

Director Hao said, “Of course, good breeds must be preserved. Comrades Lin Qiao and Su Weizhen, both of you have done exceptionally well. The techniques you brought have trained many breeders, and now you’ve also generated revenue for the regiment. Your contributions have been seen and will be officially recognized.”

Both of them smiled. Su Weizhen said, “It’s nothing. Compared to everyone else’s contributions, ours are insignificant.”

Lin Qiao nodded. “Yes, everyone sheds blood and sweat, we’re just doing what we can.”

Director Hao laughed, “Revolution doesn’t divide contributions. What you’ve done is also a significant contribution. The regiment commander said you should be rewarded.”

Hearing that, Lin Qiao couldn’t help getting excited. “Can you tell me what kind of reward it is?”

“Of course, it’s a good reward, but we won’t tell you yet. Just wait.”

With that, Director Hao left.

Lin Qiao and Su Weizhen began speculating about what the reward could be.

Lin Qiao said, “Probably a certificate, maybe towels or cups? If there are new ones, I’ll give ours to Gu Huayuan; he gave me his before.”

Su Weizhen said, “That’s all you think it will be?”

“That’s still a good reward. More than enough.”

After Director Hao left, other military family members came to see them after work.

They asked whether the hens they raised really laid so many eggs.

Lin Qiao said, “You can’t fake this kind of thing.”

Hearing a definite answer, everyone was happy and asked when they could get some of the breeding eggs. Everyone wanted to raise them.

Lin Qiao explained that it depended on the logistics department’s arrangements. Distribution would be centralized, with priority given to the chicken farm.

After all, once the breeding program was standardized, there would be more eggs over time, making distribution easier.

The military families understood reason, and though slightly disappointed, they accepted it.

When Gu Huayuan returned home, he saw quite a few people leaving their house. He greeted them from the side and watched them leave before going inside.

Seeing Lin Qiao drinking water, he asked why so many people had come to the house.

Lin Qiao immediately began showing off the chicken farm’s success. The first batch of hens had started laying eggs, and the output was high. The logistics department was paying special attention, and the military families wanted to raise chickens too.

Gu Huayuan hadn’t thought of this before and realized Lin Qiao was lucky to have found such a good breed. After all, who would have thought of this?

But now, considering Lin Qiao’s background, he knew it wasn’t so simple.

Using better scientific techniques to benefit the era made him happy. He didn’t worry about whether changing history would have bad consequences. Surely, those from the future would also think about such things—they wouldn’t act recklessly.

However, he had a concern: if Lin Qiao could get supplies from the future, did that mean she could communicate with the future? Or that there was a special channel?

If so, could she leave through this channel at any time?

As for using Lin Qiao to get more future supplies to help develop the country, that was out of the question.

She was under supervision and couldn’t even reveal her true origin, so clearly the people behind her had no such intention.

The initiative wasn’t in their hands, so it wasn’t something to consider.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Lin Qiao huffed, having talked so much with Gu Huayuan still silent. She was clearly displeased.

Gu Huayuan said, “I was just thinking, once these flocks are promoted, they’ll be very useful. You should contact the Construction Corps and bring more breeding eggs over. The faster good breeds are spread, the better.”

Hearing this, Lin Qiao clapped her hands in excitement. “You’re right! Now that it’s proven these hens are so good, we can’t wait any longer. We must promote them quickly. I need to talk to the logistics department. Gu Huayuan, you don’t say much normally, but when you do, it’s so impressive. I really like you.”

She couldn’t help hugging and kissing Gu Huayuan.

Gu Huayuan felt delighted inside and said, “I just said it casually. The main credit is still yours, Comrade Lin. Those hens are yours, and discovering this breed is your achievement.”

“Not at all. Weizhen also contributed a lot. Don’t forget, we bought these hens from her.”

Lin Qiao didn’t want to take credit in front of someone in the know.

When someone else benefits from your efforts, she felt a little embarrassed. When she left in the future, everyone would forget her—those contributions belonged to Weizhen.

Hearing Lin Qiao, Gu Huayuan raised an eyebrow and laughed. “So you really bought them from her. I thought you were using her black market connections as an excuse to fool me. Turns out you really bought them.”

“I didn’t fool you. It was all Weizhen’s doing.”

Gu Huayuan smiled, “That old Xu’s wife is really capable.”

“Of course,” Lin Qiao said. A true golden-fingered heroine. If she hadn’t dragged her along, Weizhen would probably already be dominating the black market, maybe even the queen of it. In the future, she’d be a top businesswoman.

Gu Huayuan smiled faintly but said nothing.

He thought to himself that Old Xu was probably like him in some ways.

Seeing how much Xiao Qiao admired Old Xu’s wife, he realized she must be aware of what kind of person Old Xu’s wife was—and even had some understanding of her.

Judging by Old Xu’s wife’s abilities, she came from a similar background as Xiao Qiao. In fact, in some areas, she might even be stronger than Xiao Qiao.

For example, she could procure special supplies—like these flocks of chickens, and those fine breeds.

Xiao Qiao, on the other hand, also had an unusual background, but usually didn’t have any particular advantage. No… actually, she did have some, and quite significant ones, like those strange photos. And how she had known to bring the photos back at that time.

Gu Huayuan had his doubts but didn’t dare ask Xiao Qiao directly, fearing he might attract the attention of certain people behind the scenes. If they took Xiao Qiao away, it would be a huge loss for him.

For now, the only option was to look for an opportunity to act through Old Xu’s wife to figure out what was going on and ensure Xiao Qiao wouldn’t suddenly be taken away.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to focus even if he went to the battlefield.

The thought of returning home one day and finding his wife gone made Gu Huayuan feel sick to his stomach.

“Gu Huayuan, you’re making that face again!” Lin Qiao glared at him. Seeing his furrowed brows, she knew he was unhappy.

“You come home and sulk, you stinky man!”

“…It’s not at you,” Gu Huayuan rubbed his forehead. “I was just thinking about work.”

Liao Qiao rolled her eyes. “Stop lying. What work could you possibly have in the middle of winter?”

Gu Huayuan laughed. “In winter, it’s even more important to manage border defense properly. I might have to be away for several days, even missing New Year’s Eve at home.”

Hearing how hard he’d have to work in the cold, her heart softened. “Fine, I won’t argue with you.”

“Then I’ll start saving the eggs. When the time comes, I’ll cook extra for you to take along.”

Gu Huayuan couldn’t help smiling. “Alright.”

Fat Cat spoke to Xiao Qiao in her mind, “Your man is surely up to something. Try to get him to talk. I don’t think he’s a good guy.”

“Shut up, you’re the worst!” Lin Qiao refused without hesitation. Of all creatures, Fat Cat was the one who caused her the most trouble.

That afternoon, Lin Qiao discussed with Su Weizhen about applying to the logistics department to buy more hatching eggs from the Construction Corps’ chicken farm, so they could hatch a large batch in the spring.

This would speed up the expansion of the chicken farm and also meet the needs of the army families.

Su Weizhen sighed. She had plenty of eggs herself, but couldn’t release them. It felt like having a treasure right in front of you, yet having to take a detour to start new fields elsewhere.

“If we were still in the Construction Corps, I could get them directly from someone I know…”

Lin Qiao covered her mouth. “Don’t mention it. Let’s just get them from the Construction Corps properly and forget the rest.”

Su Weizhen nodded, and they didn’t bring it up again.

When the logistics department heard this, of course, they had no objections.

If Lin Qiao and the others had requested it earlier, the logistics department would never have agreed—nobody would go so far just to get some eggs.

But now, having seen the quality of these breeds, Director Hao thought it was better to expand sooner.

“The only worry is that this step is too big at once. Can you handle this pace of development?” Director Hao was concerned that the chicken farm might suddenly grow too fast to manage.

Lin Qiao almost wanted to pound her chest in confidence. “Director Hao, don’t forget—we built the chicken farm from scratch before. We have plenty of experience managing it. There’s no problem. And the logistics team is also being trained. Even when the chicks hatch, manpower won’t be an issue.”

Su Weizhen nodded. “Yes, Xiao Qiao and I went step by step. We know the problems that could arise at each stage.”

Director Hao laughed. “Right, I almost forgot. You two are very experienced. Alright, I approve your application. I’ll coordinate with the logistics department there. Shouldn’t be a problem.”

Xiao Qiao asked, “Do we need to go get them? We can leave anytime.”

Director Hao waved his hand. “No need. It’s too much trouble to go back and forth. Have the comrades over there deliver them.”

Director Hao was a practical type of leader. That afternoon, he specifically told Commander Sheng, who immediately agreed.

“Commander, you’ve been in a good mood lately.”

“Well, it’s almost New Year. Of course, I’m happy,” Sheng said with a satisfied smile. “The kids at home are grown up and sensible now. Makes me even happier.”

The last sentence was key. Director Hao laughed. “They really are sensible. I heard they even volunteered to help at the chicken farm. I have to thank them.”

“What is there to thank for? They’re helping Lanlan and Xiao Jun,” Sheng said proudly. “They want Lanlan and Xiao Jun to go home earlier and study together. Kids these days really love to study… sigh.”

He sighed, but his smile couldn’t be contained.

Director Hao, at that moment, didn’t understand humblebrag; he just felt a little envious.