My seniority is extraordinary: I was only eight years old when the whole village came to wish me a H

At dawn, the sky began to lighten with the pale glow of a fish's belly.

A mobile interview vehicle, its body emblazoned with a bright strawberry logo, struggled along a muddy country road, shaking violently as if it might fall apart at any moment.

With each jolt, the wheels would splash up a cloud of filthy mud, which was utterly repulsive.

The atmosphere inside the car was unusually heavy. Regional Director Zhang Tao's face was ashen, and his eyes were fixed on the outside of the car window.

Having not slept all night, his once bright and sharp eyes were now bloodshot and lifeless, a stark contrast to his excited and exhilarated state the night before.

Instead, there was an increasingly heavy and unbearable sense of oppression.

A whole night had passed, and they had been traveling non-stop between the villages.

Everywhere we went, the scenes we witnessed were increasingly heartbreaking: the vast strawberry fields were completely unrecognizable after being severely damaged by that terrible late spring cold snap.

The strawberries that should have been bright red and juicy are now all turned into dark red, soft, mushy, and foul-smelling mud-like substances, which are simply nauseating to look at!

The air was filled with the sour smell of rotting fruit.

It smelled of earth and the fishy smell of soil.

It makes one want to vomit.

Occasionally, you can see a few strawberry fields that are relatively lucky and covered with plastic greenhouses.

But the scene inside is equally worrying.

The greenhouse was cold and damp.

Many strawberry plants suffered extensive frost damage and disease due to prolonged low temperatures and rain.

The leaves are yellowing and curling.

The fruit also grew crookedly, cracked, and deformed.

It simply does not meet the standards for market sales.

"Mr. Zhang... Mr. Zhang, what... what should we do?"

The young female reporter sitting next to him, who had only been working for a few years, looked at the mess outside the window, her voice filled with a helpless tone that sounded like she was about to cry.

"We...we've already visited seven or eight villages."

"We couldn't find a single decent strawberry."

"The headquarters has such high requirements."

"Are we...are we doomed to fail the mission?"

Her words expressed the sentiments of everyone in the car.

They all felt a deep sense of powerlessness.

They felt like they were searching for a perfect diamond in a giant junkyard.

Hope is so slim.

Zhang Tao remained silent.

He simply pulled a crumpled pack of cigarettes from his pocket.

I lit one.

Then he took a deep breath.

The acrid smoke swirled in his lungs.

Then he slowly spat it out.

His weathered face revealed a stubbornness and determination beyond his years.

"Keep searching."

His voice was hoarse, yet it was filled with an undeniable power.

"I refuse to believe it!"

"This Jiangnan region is so vast!"

"We still can't find a single strawberry that will satisfy the young master!"

His words were like a shot of adrenaline.

Instantly, the somewhat dejected atmosphere in the car was revitalized.

The car started again.

Towards the next unknown village

They drove away, bumping along.

……

10:00 AM.

When the interview vehicle drove into a remote mountain village called "Xiaxi Village",

Everyone's eyes lit up!

On the sunny, sheltered hillside at the village entrance,

There were dozens of huge glass greenhouses that looked incredibly professional and modern, all neatly arranged!

Those greenhouses were completely different from the rudimentary plastic greenhouses they had seen before.

They have a sturdy steel frame.

There is an intelligent roller shutter system that can automatically adjust the light and temperature.

Even the top of each greenhouse is equipped with small meteorological monitoring devices.

This...this is not a rural greenhouse at all.

This is practically a small, modern agricultural technology park!

"Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!"

Zhang Tao was so excited that his whole body was trembling!

He couldn't even wait for the car to come to a complete stop.

He pushed open the car door and rushed out like a gust of wind!

He knew he might have finally found the right place!

He led his team and ran quickly toward the hopeful glass greenhouse.

The moment they stepped into one of the greenhouses,

Everyone was once again deeply impressed by the vibrant and energetic scene before them!

Stepping into this warm and pleasant greenhouse, which feels like springtime, the first thing that catches the eye is the row of three-dimensional planting racks carefully constructed with high-tech hydroponics substrates.

They stand straight and orderly like well-trained soldiers, giving a sense of order and discipline.

Looking at these planting racks, each strawberry plant appears exceptionally vibrant.

Their leaves are thick and smooth as a mirror, as if they have been given life and vitality by nature;

And hanging above this green ocean are clusters of plump, bright red strawberries!

These strawberries are like little elves, hanging playfully and cutely on the branches, showing people their sweet appearance after ripening.

What's even more surprising is that when these strawberries are illuminated by intelligent supplemental lighting, they emit a mesmerizing glow, as dazzling as jewels.

At the same time, the entire space was filled with a rich, fragrant, and sweet fruity aroma. This wonderful scent was so refreshing that it was impossible not to be captivated by it.

"I...I'm fucking..."

Looking at the idyllic scene before him, Zhang Tao...

His heart, which had been hanging in suspense all night, finally settled completely back into his stomach at this moment.

He knew he had made the right bet this time!

And just then...

An elderly man, dressed in a blue work uniform covered in mud, with dark skin but incredibly bright eyes, emerged from deep within the greenhouse.

He was also holding a tablet computer that was recording data.

A hint of wariness crossed his face.

"Who...who are you?"

His voice was loud and clear, full of energy.

Zhang Tao quickly went to meet him.

He took out his work ID and a business card that he had prepared beforehand from his pocket.

His face wore the most humble and sincere smile.

"Hello, sir."

"We are reporters from Strawberry TV."

"We've come here to discuss a big business deal with you."

....................

....................