The timeline system has gone awry; they insist that steamed buns are a magic pill.

Upon reaching the intersection, wow, a jeep! This must mean more than just people from the commune have come. Not only was Li Qingqiu surprised, but Li Fuyuan and Li Fuluo were also astonished, not to mention the other commune members who had come to join the fun. A car? These are so rare!

Aunt Liu swallowed hard, took a step back, and slowly retreated behind the crowd. In the blink of an eye, Wang Yulan and Sister-in-law Big Foot took a shortcut and flashed behind Aunt Liu. The three of them looked at each other, as if they were about to retreat immediately if things went wrong.

"We must be overthinking it. What skills does Li Laosan have? Dongsun just got lucky and remembered a few places."

Aunt Liu comforted the two women, and Wang Yulan and Big Foot Sister-in-law nodded subconsciously, but their sense of unease only intensified.

Several people got out of the jeep. The leader was a middle-aged man, followed by Guo Feng, the commune director, Wang Qingqing from the commune's agricultural technology station, and Li Qingshi, a man from Lijia'ao.

"Secretary Guo."

Li Qingqiu, Li Fuyuan, and Li Fuluo stepped forward to greet them, and Guo Feng introduced them with a smile. "This is Wang Rong, the head of the county agricultural technology station. He came here specifically after hearing about the snow mushrooms."

"Station Chief Wang, you've worked hard."

"It's not hard work."

Wang Rong waved his hand. "Secretary Guo, let's not stand on ceremony, let's go check on Xue Gu first."

"Yes, let's check on the snow mushroom first. Comrade Li Qingqiu, could you please lead the way?"

Guo Feng and Wang Rong were old friends. After reporting to the Revolutionary Committee, Guo Feng immediately called Wang Rong, the head of the agricultural technology station. After listening to what Guo Feng said and asking Wang Qingqing, Wang Rong immediately decided to go to Lijia'ao to take a look.

Without conducting an on-site investigation, Wang Rong was somewhat uneasy, as the snow mushroom completely violated the normal growth characteristics of fungi.

"Station Chief Wang, Director Guo, this way please."

Li Qingqiu had already sent someone to inform the educated youth settlement, tidy up the main room, prepare tea, and fill the brazier with firewood.

The group, along with some villagers who wanted to join in the fun, all arrived at the educated youth settlement. At this point, Aunt Liu and the others became even more anxious.

Judging from this, these cadres really came to see Li Laosan. Could it be that Li Laosan really has some skills they don't know about?

"What do you think these people want with Li Laosan?"

"Isn't this supposed to be an agricultural technology station? What can they do in the winter?"

"That's strange."

Those who were just joining in the fun were quite curious as to why the agricultural technology station would approach Li Qingqiu at this time, wondering what kind of things could possibly be grown at the agricultural technology station in this freezing weather.

"The mushrooms are in the house next door."

Li Qingqiu invited the group to the main room, intending to offer them tea.

"I'll pass on the tea and check on the snow mushrooms first."

"OK."

Li Qingqiu opened the bedroom door for the male educated youth. Rows of snow mushrooms on the shelves were a striking sight. Wang Rong quickly stepped forward, followed by Guo Feng and Wang Qingqing.

Wang Rong picked a piece of snow mushroom, touched it, and put it in his mouth to taste. "Good, good, good, tastes good. Snow mushroom, what a nice name."

Guo Feng and Wang Qingqing each picked a piece, their expressions quite excited. With so many snow mushrooms, there was no doubt that the cultivation had been successful.

"What is this?"

Those watching the spectacle were dumbfounded, and they all stood on tiptoe, eager to see what was inside that had made several leaders so excited.

"It looks like a mushroom."

"Mushrooms? Where did these mushrooms come from in this freezing weather?"

"My third uncle planted it."

Guo Zhaonan whispered, and everyone looked over, startling her. "It's true, the snow mushrooms my third uncle grows are delicious!"

"Old Li's three kinds of mushrooms have sprouted?"

"Is that even possible?"

The group of old women exchanged glances, completely unable to believe that Li Qingqiu, Li Laosan, a lazy good-for-nothing and a clown in everyone's eyes, could grow mushrooms in the dead of winter. This was simply unbelievable.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible."

When Aunt Liu, who was outside and hadn't come in, heard someone say that Li Qingqiu had grown mushrooms, which attracted leaders from the agricultural technology station and the commune, she simply couldn't believe it.

"Who is Li Laosan? How could that be?"

"Sixth Aunt, why not? Third Brother has grown mushrooms, and they're really displayed in the house."

Li Qingmei had just arrived when she heard Aunt Liu questioning Li Qingqiu's ability to grow mushrooms, and she retorted irritably.

Just as Aunt Liu was about to retort, a commotion suddenly erupted from the crowd.

"What's wrong? What's wrong?"

"What happened?"

The women in the front row, who were watching the spectacle, stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what they were hearing.

"The leader of the agricultural technology station just said that he wants to invite Li Qingqiu to be a consultant."

"What? They invited Li Qingqiu to be an advisor? The leaders of the agricultural technology station said so?"

"How is this possible?"

"Why not? Li Qingqiu has grown mushrooms."

Li Qingqiu was quite surprised that Wang Rong would actually ask him to be a consultant for the strain cultivation group. Good heavens, isn't this trying to harm me? The Snow Spirit Fungus went extinct after five generations, that's what the system said, and he didn't believe that current technology could outperform the system.

"No, Station Chief Wang, I'm young and not very steady. I can't possibly be an advisor." Li Qingqiu immediately refused, which surprised everyone.

"Comrade Li Qingqiu, although being an advisor isn't a formal position, we can still discuss the benefits. I can decide on the subsidies. I'll give you 24 yuan a month for transportation and meals, plus 30 jin of grain coupons..." Wang Rong thought Li Qingqiu was dissatisfied with the benefits.

They offered a much higher salary than regular temporary workers, which tempted Li Fuyuan and Li Fuluo. Not to mention Shi Lanhua, the monthly subsidy was 24 yuan, which was comparable to the salary of a regular employee at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Shi Lanhua clenched her hands tightly. "Quickly agree, you silly boy! Where else can you find such a good thing?" Not only Shi Lanhua, but Li Fuyuan and the others also thought that this was a great thing. Li Qingqiu certainly had no reason to refuse.

Even Li Qingshi gave Li Qingqiu a wink. As for the women who were watching the commotion, they were too shocked to speak. Their minds were buzzing. Twenty-four yuan a month, plus grain coupons and other coupons.

This guy rose to the top in one step and became a city dweller. He's Li Qingqiu, Li Laosan, the most unreliable guy in the team.

Wang Yulan, Big-Foot Sister-in-law, and Sixth Aunt, who had originally wanted to squeeze in, were all dumbfounded. "The agricultural technology station wants to invite Li Qingqiu to be a consultant?"

"Twenty-four yuan a month?"

"Did I hear that right?"

Twenty-four yuan a month! What incredible luck Li Laosan has! God, why don't you open your eyes? How can someone like Li Laosan become a consultant?

"Station Chief Wang, thank you for your kindness, but I'm used to being a free spirit, and I really can't be this consultant."

Li Qingqiu refused again, and this time, the entire educated youth settlement fell silent.

Completely incredulous, Li Qingqiu actually refused. Everyone stared at him with eyes wide open, looking at him like he was an idiot, a mixture of shock, surprise, astonishment, and a sense of relief.

"Third brother..."

Shi Lanhua couldn't hold back any longer. This child, how could she be so silly? This job was practically offered to her, why didn't she take it? She was so anxious.

"Mom, I really can't do it."

Li Qingqiu waved his hand. "Station Chief Wang, Director Guo, I'm used to being lazy. If you ask me to be an advisor, I'm afraid I'll mess it up, which would be bad for everyone. It's better not to do it in the first place, so as not to waste the training group's funds."

Upon hearing this, Wang Rong's expression was not pleasant, but he understood. "Alright then."

"Station Chief Wang..."

Guo Feng, however, thought highly of Li Qingqiu. In the commune office, this kid wasn't making excuses; he genuinely didn't want to join the training group.

"It's alright, everyone has their own ambitions."

Wang Rong waved his hand. Actually, he just felt it was unfair to steal Li Qingqiu's credit and offered some compensation. He didn't expect the kid to be so ungrateful, refusing the benefits offered to him. Well, he had done his best.

Good grief, they really don't want it anymore? Now the onlookers are in an uproar.

"Has Li Laosan gone mad?"

"The leader promised him so many benefits, and he just turned them down. Is this guy out of his mind? If it were my family, I'd be happy to kowtow to him."

"Yeah, twenty-four yuan a month, plus food coupons and stuff. Is this kid out of his mind?"

Good heavens, now everyone believes what Li Qingqiu said at the brigade headquarters—that they didn't want any temporary workers. Now, they don't even want the chief advisor, let alone temporary workers.

"Foolish, foolish!"

"As expected, dog meat is not fit for a formal banquet."

"Han Caihua, what did you say?"

Shi Lanhua, who was already furious, exploded upon hearing this. Han Caihua, seeing this, knew that if she didn't run now, when would she? She immediately took off running. Wang Yulan and Sister-in-law Dajiao, seeing this, also quickly retreated.

"Haha, Sixth Aunt, why don't you stay and watch the fun a little longer?"

"Something came up at home."

Han Caihua didn't back down as she left. "Shi Lanhua, your third son is such a fool, he doesn't even know how to enjoy such a fine feast."

"You, you just wait, I'll tear your stinking mouth apart."

Shi Lanhua was really furious. This third brother, why wouldn't he agree to such a good thing? He's incredibly lazy.

"Auntie, don't be angry. Quickly persuade the third son. It's such a good job, why is he unhappy?"

"I tried to persuade him, but he said he was tired, that he had to work, and that he had to listen to people. Tell me, how can he be so lazy?"

Shi Lan took a selfie with her legs flailing around like a flower, and everyone exclaimed, "Wow, she's afraid of doing any work! We've never seen anyone so incredibly lazy!"

"this……."

They were all speechless and sighed in unison. This Li Laosan, he got lucky and he's still not happy. It would be so much better if this were given to his family.

Li Qingqiu didn't care about any of those looks, gossips, or jokes. He had no intention of getting involved with the microbial culture group.

When problems arose, he didn't take the blame. He had already said what needed to be said and offered advice where necessary. He pointed out that the newly discovered strain was not stable enough, and that the scale of cultivation should be approached cautiously, with several generations to be cultivated.

"The young comrade is quite cautious."

Wang Rong smiled to himself, thinking that rural people are always less knowledgeable and don't know the value of snow mushrooms. This guy might have even made a splash in the province. Since you don't want this credit, we'll gladly accept it. At most, we'll give you a bonus at the end of the year as compensation.

Wang Rong was still very happy. Although Li Qingqiu had offended him, Xue Gu was real, and the credit was definitely his.

As for handing over the bacterial strains to Wang Qingqing, he, as the head of a county agricultural technology station, certainly wouldn't be responsible for the specifics.

As for the snow mushrooms, they packed 30 to 50 jin (15-25 kg) and provided all the necessary compensation. Li Qingqiu was quite satisfied with that, as the compensation was based on the purchase price. He truly lived up to his reputation as the station manager.

After seeing Wang Rong and Guo Feng off, Wang Qingqing planned to stay at the educated youth settlement.

That doesn't matter. Li Qingshi rarely comes home. He'll return to the commune tomorrow. The crowd watching was gossiping and giving Li Qingqiu strange looks.

"What's wrong?"

Li Qingqiu said with a smile, "Where's Sixth Aunt? She's not here. Just now you didn't believe me when I pushed away the temporary worker from the agricultural technology station, do you believe me now?"

"Believe it or not, your kid won't even hire a consultant, what's a temporary worker?"

"Qingqiu, are you confused? You're so confused! Such a good job, why didn't you take it?" Several older people slapped their thighs with regret.

"I can't bear to leave everyone. It's so comfortable in the team, why go to work?"

Well, Li Qingqiu was joking, and everyone was speechless. How could there be such a person? Shi Lanhua couldn't hold back any longer and slapped him a few times.

"Mom, what's wrong? Why are you hitting someone again?"

"So what if I hit you? I want to hit you again."

"Alright, alright, stop fighting for now, Uncle Fuyuan, Uncle Fuluo, everyone's here, why don't you join in the discussion?" Li Qingqiu quickly distanced himself. This guy had gone mad; he hadn't held back at all when he hit him.

Li Fuyuan and Li Fuluo were still in a daze. Good heavens, Li Qingqiu refused to be a consultant even when the county agricultural technology station invited him to. No wonder he didn't become the mushroom team leader.

"Alright, everyone, please be quiet for a moment."

Li Fuyuan gestured with his hand and said, "Everyone saw it just now, right? Li Qingqiu has grown mushrooms, and the county and commune are paying a lot of attention to it. Everyone saw this. Let me tell you again, the supply and marketing cooperative is buying mushrooms for 45 cents a pound now."

"What?"

The crowd gasped in surprise: "Why are mushrooms so expensive?"

"Everyone, please be quiet."

Li Fuluo said, "Listen to what the captain said."

After Li Fuyuan explained the situation, they learned that Li Qingqiu could help the commune members cultivate some mushrooms, but they would have to buy the spawn and cuttings from him, which cost 50 cents each. They all grumbled that it was too expensive and what kind of cuttings they were.

Many people had their doubts, but when they heard that they could grow mushrooms at home by buying cuttings, and that they could normally grow five pounds of mushrooms, they realized that this was not a dollar or two, and that fifty cents was not expensive.

"Third brother, are you really going to sell mushroom spawn?"

"Can't we grow our own?" Li Qinghua didn't understand why they were selling to the team.

"Second brother, why bother with all that hard work growing crops yourself to earn a meager living?"

Li Qingqiu thought to himself how comfortable it was to make easy money selling mushroom spawn. "I've already discussed this with Uncle Fuyuan, so it's settled. Have Xianle and the others come over early tomorrow."

[Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, fortunes change. In a side quest, a poor but tacitly understanding young man faces ridicule from a female cultivator in his clan for not knowing any immortal arts. You resolutely step forward and demonstrate your immortal arts, impressing the female cultivator. Quest completion reward: +20 points...]