After Cheng Su finished speaking with Ying Xiaoya, Xiao Pinshan came over with a notebook to report on various things that had occurred during her absence.
"...The new variety of apple jam is made, but it’s somewhat lacking. The main ingredient, apples, is grown locally, but they’re not very crisp or sweet. Technician Zhu mentioned that the apples grown in the Shu region of the countryside are very famous. I’m thinking, should we make a trip there to take a look at their apples? If they’re suitable, can we use them as the main ingredient?" Xiao Pinshan said.
Joy Soon Loy is currently developing new varieties of jam; apple jam is one of them. I didn’t expect it to be made already?
"Is this it?" Cheng Su looked at the table.
"Yes, this is a sample made yesterday. I was just planning to call and report to you, but it’s good that you came today." Xiao Pinshan replied with a smile.
Cheng Su looked at Yanmei and asked her to fetch a glass bowl and spoon. After tasting it, she found it both sour and sweet, but the sweetness wasn’t the natural fruit kind—it was the thick, syrupy kind, which made it cloying to eat.
Cheng Su had always been very particular. After taking just one bite, she put down the spoon, and her brows furrowed in dissatisfaction.
Seeing this, Xiao Pinshan knew she wasn’t satisfied.
"It’s too sweet!" Cheng Su said, wiping the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief.
"Apples are naturally tart. If we don’t add more sugar, they’ll taste completely bland. This has maltose in it," Xiao Pinshan explained.
No wonder.
"The Shu region, which city is that?" Cheng Su thought for a moment—Sichuan, Sichuan, that’s the former Sichuan Province, right?
Xiao Pinshan mentioned a place and said, "If you agree, I’ll arrange the trip."
Cheng Su nodded, then on impulse, she said, "I’ll go on this business trip."
Xiao Pinshan was taken aback, "You’re going?"
Cheng Su smiled faintly, "I will go. Have Technician Zhu and Zhu Lifen go with me."
"Your health..." Xiao Pinshan instinctively looked at Ying Xiaoya.
Ying Xiaoya was also startled to hear that Cheng Su wanted to take this trip. Catching Xiao Pinshan’s look, she said, "You haven’t fully recovered yet, why would you go on a trip? This long and tiring journey, walking all around, can your health handle it? Someone else should go!"
"Yes, we just need to see if the apples there are suitable. With Technician Zhu, and sending a business manager, that should suffice," Xiao Pinshan said. "If you’re worried, I can also go."
"It’s not that I’m worried. I’m thinking, if the apples there are suitable, we can take the opportunity to establish a cooperative approach, saving trouble," Cheng Su said.
Xiao Pinshan shook his head, "First we need to bring back some samples for repeated testing to know for sure. We also need to compare with other producing areas. We’ll choose the one that’s most suitable; it’s not something we can just decide on the spot."
"Then let’s first go to inspect the orchards there. Let me go, I have the time anyway," Cheng Su insisted.
Xiao Pinshan had no choice but to agree, saying, "I’ll make the arrangements."
As soon as he left, Ying Xiaoya grabbed Cheng Su, saying, "You’re being too willful, treating your health like it’s nothing. Tell me the truth, taking a trip is secondary; clearing your mind is the primary reason, right? You just want to avoid Qi Taiguo?"
Cheng Su laughed, "Since you already know, why ask? We’re obviously in an awkward phase right now. It’s good to be apart for a while, to think things through thoroughly."
It was a sudden stroke of inspiration for her. Everyone’s relationship at home was currently awkward. Wouldn’t it be better to separate for a few days and carefully contemplate the future path, rather than maintaining a polite but strained atmosphere?
"Alright then!" Ying Xiaoya said, deflated, "I bet Qi Taiguo definitely won’t want you to go!"
Cheng Su pursed her lips—whether he wanted her to or not, she was going to go.