"She’s now Mrs. Chu, and her standards for choosing a daughter-in-law are extremely high. The fact that she allows you to stand by Chu Zimu means she recognizes you. If you can compose a piece that amazes me, I’m sure it will amaze her too."

"Ming Yue, your family background isn’t great, so use your talent to impress her."

Hearing this, You Mingyue felt a rush of adrenaline.

It was as if she could already see the day when she would win Mrs. Chu’s approval and affection through her work.

"Teacher Luo, I will do my best."

After leaving Luo Muni’s studio, You Mingyue didn’t know where to go. Her mind was blank, devoid of any inspiration.

Returning to the small place she shared with Chu Zimu, You Mingyue locked herself in the music room.

While You Mingyue was nervous, Xu Xingguang was living freely.

A few days ago, she and Huo Wen’an test drove cars at several dealerships and finally spent over nine hundred thousand to buy a Mercedes-Benz SUV. She contributed six hundred thousand, and Huo Wen’an contributed over three hundred thousand.

The car was registered in Xu Xingguang’s name, but Huo Wen’an obtained permanent use of the passenger seat.

When commuting to classes in University City, Xu Xingguang still rode her small scooter, as it was more convenient for parking. Occasionally, when they went into town, she drove the car while Huo Wen’an sat in the passenger seat.

Xu Xingguang decided to lease the back of Cangshan Town’s mountain to plant medicinal herbs.

After hearing Xu Xingguang’s plan, Huo Wen’an personally visited the town leaders the next day.

With Huo Wen’an’s mediation, the town leaders quickly agreed to lease the mountain for fifteen years to Xu Xingguang at a price of two thousand per acre.

This price was within Xu Xingguang’s budget.

After both parties signed the contract, Xu Xingguang now had land ownership.

After leasing the mountain, Xu Xingguang did not cut down the wild trees on it. She hired local villagers to remove the weeds, then employed workers to divide the mountain into neat plots for medicinal gardens.

She planned to turn the mountain into her medicinal herb base.

That evening, Xu Xingguang took Huo Wen’an to inspect the mountain work. Standing on the mountain top overlooking Cangshan Town, she suddenly told Huo Wen’an, "I’ve hired people from the Alliance Army’s security division to build a defense wall at the base of the mountain."

This type of defense wall was developed by the Xia Country’s military research institute. The latest generation of the wall was currently being used by Xia Country in chaotic battlefields.

Even for the Xiahou Family, acquiring this technology for themselves wasn’t easy.

Huo Wen’an was genuinely impressed that Xu Xingguang could invite the Alliance Army’s security division to help build a defense wall.

But knowing that Xu Xingguang was Medicine Farmer Star, Huo Wen’an wasn’t surprised anymore.

Medicine Farmer Star wouldn’t plant ordinary herbs.

Given her plans for large-scale cultivation of precious herbs, the Alliance Government would surely support her endeavors. Providing a defense wall, or even sending an entire army for protection, wouldn’t be beyond their capabilities.

Huo Wen’an laughed and asked, "Did they also offer to send a skilled security team to help?"

"They did mention it, but I declined," she replied.

Huo Wen’an was a bit surprised to learn that Xu Xingguang had turned down the Alliance Government’s assistance. "Why?"

"If I let them protect these woods, I’d end up working for them," Xu Xingguang said, shaking her head. "My relationship with the Alliance Government should be a friendly partnership, not an employment one."

She looked at Huo Wen’an and smiled confidently, "Keeping control in my own hands is always most advantageous."

Huo Wen’an remarked, "You don’t seem like a 21-year-old girl."

She certainly wasn’t one.

If you considered the time, Xu Xingguang, having lived through ten worlds, had nearly a thousand years of experience, so how could she still be a little girl?

"Ask Doctor Ye to help find a group of loyal, skilled, but financially struggling retired warriors. I want to form my own Forest Protection Team."

Huo Wen’an had no reason to refuse. "Alright, I’ll ask him to inquire."

The task of converting Cangshan into medicinal gardens was entrusted entirely to Huo Wen’an for supervision and responsibility, while Xu Xingguang continued her live streams, documenting the courtyard renovations.

Xu Xingguang cleared out clutter from the yard, dug channels to make a winding stream, spread smooth pebbles between the stream and the wall, and paved paths with round stone slabs.

She scattered morning glory seeds beneath the courtyard walls, ready to witness their blooming beauty come summer.