Inheriting a Farm Made Me an Internet Sensation - Chapter 2

The beginning of the will briefly explained the relationship with the original owner of this body.

Old Mr. Su, the man who had made this will, was the younger uncle of Tan Xiao’s current body. This uncle had been given up for adoption to the Su family before he was even two years old, and there had been no contact for all these years. It wasn’t until the uncle fell seriously ill that his adoptive parents finally revealed the truth of his origins to him. After much deliberation, the uncle sent someone to investigate and discovered that the only person left sharing his blood was the original owner of this body. Learning that her life was far from satisfactory, he felt a spark of compassion and decided to leave the ten-thousand-acre farm he had painstakingly managed to her.

Ten thousand acres… the image of a wealthy young landlady involuntarily formed in her mind.

However, the excitement in her heart returned to a calm stillness when she reached the final sentence of the will.

She looked up at Lin Muhan and asked, “How does President Su intend to assess me?”

The final right of approval rested with the adopted daughter, Su Han. This was a clear signal that this inheritance would not be so easily obtained.

On second thought, she felt this was only natural. Most ordinary people would immediately think of selling the land upon receiving it; after all, very few people actually make money from farming, let alone a complete novice with zero experience. If she could think of this, her “cheap uncle” certainly could have as well.

The question then arose: since he had anticipated this, why make the will at all?

It was like drawing a cake to satisfy hunger—placing a tangible “cake” in front of her. Want to take it? Fine, but you have to pass the assessment first.

If she passed, the familial bond would be fulfilled.

If she failed, the cheap uncle lost nothing and gained peace of mind.

“President Su heard about the breach of contract penalties you owe. Considering her relationship with you, she is willing to help you resolve it.” Lin Muhan’s cherry-red lips curled slightly as she pulled two different agreements from her briefcase and handed them to Tan Xiao. “Since this falls outside the contents of the will, things must be stated clearly in black and white before you decide to let President Su step in.”

Tan Xiao took them and scanned the contents, summarizing two main points:

Debt Repayment: Her “cheap cousin” Su Han was only paying the debt on her behalf. To fully resolve this debt, Tan Xiao needed to pay back the full amount within six months (interest-free). Only after the debt was cleared would she be eligible to participate in the inheritance assessment.

The Alternative: She could choose to waive her inheritance rights immediately, in which case the debt payment would be treated as compensation from Su Han.

Take a gamble, and a bicycle might become a Maybach.

Moreover, the reason she had chosen to study Crop Science and Plant Nutrition at the Central Agricultural University was so that one day, she could buy pure, ecological fruits and vegetables the moment she stepped out her door.

After six years of study and research, she had successfully completed 90 steps; she was only 10 crucial steps away from achieving her goal. She absolutely could not give up now.

Therefore, that ten-thousand-acre farm was not just a farm—it was the stage upon which she would realize her ambitions.

Having made up her mind, she asked, “Do you have a pen?”

Lin Muhan took a pen from her briefcase and handed it over.

Tan Xiao took it and briskly signed her name on the first agreement before handing it back along with the document.

Lin Muhan wasn’t surprised by this choice. When a meat pie falls from the sky, one has to bite down hard.

She tucked the agreement away, pushed her sunglasses up the bridge of her nose, and picked up her briefcase. Moving her slender, fair legs with a graceful sway, she headed toward the parking lot built further up the slope, saying, “Let’s go. I’ll take you to the farm.”

Tan Xiao stood up and brushed the sand off her clothes, following behind Lin Muhan at a steady pace.

As soon as she moved, the film crew and the actors’ assistants erupted into a flurry of gossip.

Walking in front, Lin Muhan couldn’t hear exactly what they were saying, but she could more or less guess. Consequently, she deliberately slowed her pace, using her peripheral vision to glance at the expressionless Tan Xiao, her eyebrows arching slightly.

Has she changed her personality? In the videos she had watched on the way here, Tan Xiao hadn’t been this composed; otherwise, she wouldn’t have attempted suicide during a live stream.

Tan Xiao noticed the scrutiny but acted as if she hadn’t.

Recalling that the lease on the original owner’s apartment had expired two days ago and that the combined balance of her phone and bank card was barely four digits, she cleared her throat after getting into the car. Addressing Lin Muhan in the driver’s seat with a touch of awkwardness, she said, “Before we go to the farm, could you take me back to where I’m staying? I want to bring some clothes.”

Lin Muhan’s brow furrowed. “So many demands. Give me the address.”

She immediately provided the address and thanked her.

An hour later, the car arrived at the residential complex where the original owner lived.

Following the memories of her predecessor, she pressed the button for her floor. As she stepped out of the elevator and turned around, she saw a small mountain of items piled at the end of the hallway—sheets, duvet covers, everything.

Realizing what had happened, she quickened her pace and ran over. She didn’t even need to bend down to read the A4 paper taped to the suitcase: Take your things and get out!

Lin Muhan, who had followed her, didn’t approach. Instead, she leaned against the hallway wall and laughed. “Your landlord is quite thoughtful. Knowing you’re going off to farm, they packed your bags for you in advance.”

That bell-like laughter made Tan Xiao feel incredibly ashamed, her face flushing with heat.

How humiliating.

Lin Muhan pushed off the wall and stood straight, her smile unfading. “I’ll give you twenty minutes. I won’t wait a second longer.” With that, she turned back toward the elevator.

Twenty minutes? That was enough.

Tan Xiao spread a bedsheet on the floor and quickly sorted the useless and cheap items into it. The items she eventually kept barely fit into two suitcases.

Since it wasn’t rush hour yet, few people were using the elevator, allowing her to bring the suitcases and the bundle of discarded items down in one trip.

She efficiently sorted the waste into the recycling bins.

Once finished, she tapped on the window of Lin Muhan’s car, placed her suitcases in the trunk, and sat back in the passenger seat.

Seeing that she wasn’t even out of breath, Lin Muhan glanced at her again. “With that stamina, you’re a natural-born farmer.”

Tan Xiao could tell Lin Muhan was teasing her. She let out a small huff, crossed her arms, and turned toward the window, leaving Lin Muhan with only the view of her profile.

At this, Lin Muhan laughed even more cheerfully.

After a while, she noticed something was off—Tan Xiao hadn’t moved for a long time. She freed one hand to adjust the rearview mirror and successfully caught sight of Tan Xiao’s sleeping face in the reflection.

Fine. Not only am I being used as a free driver, but I’m also being ignored.

She tightened her grip on the steering wheel, a flash of mischief appearing in her fox-like eyes. She lightly pressed the accelerator, increasing the car’s speed.

In her dreams, Tan Xiao was successfully jolted awake by the erratic changes in speed.

Just as she was about to ask what was happening, the car braked sharply. Her body jerked forward violently, the last remnants of sleep vanishing as her pupils dilated.

Just as she thought she was about to fly through the windshield, her seatbelt successfully jerked her back into her seat.

The forceful recoil made her ears ring and left her unable to sit still. Panicked, she reached out to open the door and scrambled out of the car in a disheveled state.

Waiting for the ringing in her ears to subside, she took in her surroundings. Ahead of her was a two-lane road, lined with lush wild grass. Looking further out, she could see open fields rising upward, with busy figures visible here and there in the soil.

She turned around to find a three-story building standing before her, with two single-story wings built on either side.

Clang…

The stainless-steel door that Lin Muhan had shoved open immediately bounced back, leaving only a small gap.

Lin Muhan, who had changed into flat shoes, raised her foot and kicked the door open again. “Hurry up.”

Looking at the swinging door and hearing Lin Muhan’s impatient voice, Tan Xiao didn’t dare delay. She retrieved her suitcases from the trunk and, pushing one in each hand, followed quickly.

Crossing the 200-square-meter courtyard, she carried her suitcases up to the second floor of the building.

Both upstairs and downstairs featured a minimalist decor style. Combined with a spacious living room of fifty or sixty square meters, the place looked comfortable without lacking a sense of grandeur.

Lin Muhan shot Tan Xiao a glance, causing her to shrink back instinctively.

This sight pleased Lin Muhan, and her anger dissipated slightly. Leaning casually against the window, she said, “This floor is yours for now. The third floor is currently vacant, and a few female employees live on the first floor. The left side of the courtyard is for storage; the right side is the kitchen.” Remembering something, she added, “Oh, the hired cook only prepares breakfast and lunch. For any other time, you’re on your own.”

Seeing her return to her usual state, Tan Xiao felt more at ease and asked, “How far is the nearest plot of land from here?”

Lin Muhan spread her hands, indicating she didn’t know.

She glanced down at her wristwatch and gave a wave of her fingers. “I have an appointment. I’m leaving.” After a few steps, she stopped and turned back to remind her: “The agreement goes into effect today!”

Watching her back, Tan Xiao called out, “Thank you for showing me the way.”

“Don’t think that saying thank you will make me go easy on you.”

What did that mean? Was there an assessment during these six months as well?

She withdrew her gaze and didn’t dwell on it. Pushing her suitcases, she chose the larger of the two bedrooms.

It took nearly an hour to get the room in order.

The exhaustion set in, leaving her wanting nothing more than to lie down. Just as her backside touched the single sofa, she heard someone calling her from downstairs.

She had no choice but to stand up and, with heavy steps, walk to the living room window. Looking down, she saw a middle-aged woman with dark skin, wearing a floral blouse and a straw hat. The slightly plump woman was shyly rubbing her hands together as she looked up.

“Lawyer Lin told me to take you around the fields.”

She immediately replied, “Let me change my clothes, I’ll be right down.”

Changing into a short-sleeved shirt and long pants, she went downstairs to find the woman had already turned her electric scooter around and was waiting for her.

“We only have this here, so I’ll have to ask Miss Tan to make do.”

Tan Xiao nodded with a smile and hopped onto the scooter with ease. “In the countryside, a scooter is more convenient than a car. Also, just call me Xiao Tan. How should I address you, big sister?”

“My name is Chen Cuihua. If you don’t mind, just call me Sister Chen.”

As they spoke, Chen Cuihua twisted the throttle, and the scooter started smoothly, cruising down the road.

Along the way, Tan Xiao engaged in casual conversation with Chen Cuihua and learned that the entire farm spanned 13,000 acres. 3,000 of those acres were already planted with fruit trees, while the rest was used for vegetables and grain.

Since it was currently the sowing season, the laborers were busy in the fields.

“From here on, all the way forward, it’s all leased by Old Mr. Su,” Chen Cuihua gestured with one hand while keeping the other on the handlebars.

Noticing the scooter wobbling, Tan Xiao hurriedly grabbed the sides of the rear seat and warned, “Sister Chen, you’re veering off!”

Chen Cuihua returned both hands to the controls, and the ride became stable and safe once more.

Tan Xiao immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing a red brick wall winding inward and spotting a group of people in various outfits working stiffly in the fields further away—a scene she had seen countless times at her university—she quickly asked, “Is that a school inside the red walls?”

Chen Cuihua glanced over and replied, “Yes, that’s our Zhucheng Agricultural University.” She stopped and pointed toward several people bending over in the distance. “Look, those are our people, sowing tomato seeds.”

Seedling nursing?

Tan Xiao slid off the scooter and walked over to where the workers were. Looking at the seeds held by a man with a buzz cut nearby, she spoke up, “Brother, could you let me see the seeds?”

Hearing her voice, the man turned and asked, “Who are you?”

Chen Cuihua, who had followed behind Tan Xiao, took over: “Her name is Tan Xiao. Lawyer Lin said she’ll be with us from now on.”

As soon as these words landed, every worker present turned their gaze toward Tan Xiao, sizing her up.

The man with the buzz cut laughed and waved her off. “You won’t be able to handle this work.”

Tan Xiao held out her hand, insisting, “Just to be safe, I want to see what kind of seeds were selected.”

The man ignored her and bent back down to continue scattering seeds into the soil.

Chen Cuihua chuckled, walked over, snatched the seeds from a colleague’s hand, and handed them to her.

She thanked her and took them, shaking some seeds out of the packet into her palm to examine them closely. Then, she squatted down and grabbed a handful of soil, performing a rough identification before slowly saying, “Stop the sowing for now. The quality of this tomato seed variety is no good.” She looked up at the bewildered workers. “I’ll go into town later to re-select the tomato seeds. It won’t be too late to sow them tomorrow.”

“We’ve been using this seed for the last two years; the tomatoes we grow are big and plentiful,” the man with the buzz cut said impatiently, waving his hand. “Forget it, you wouldn’t understand even if I told you. Please move aside, you’re blocking me.”