Hearing this, the red vine shook its branches quickly, afraid Cheng Feng would go trade with others instead.
“Alright then. Since we’re neighbors, I’ll trade with you first,” Cheng Feng said gently.
The vine immediately gathered all the fallen leaves around it—even those buried in the snow.
It hadn’t expected that these useless things could be exchanged for mutated vegetables. If it had known earlier, it wouldn’t have let so many rot away!
Looking at the pile of dead branches and leaves in front of him, Cheng Feng took out an electronic scale and weighed them in a bag.
“Five jin total, including the bag. I’ll count the bag as yours—you’re getting a good deal.”
The surrounding vines swayed happily.
But when Cheng Feng placed one mutated white radish in front of it, the vine froze.
So little?
Cheng Feng still sounded friendly. “I was planning to trade one vegetable for six jin, but since we’re neighbors…”
In the end, the vine happily and carefully took the radish, even patting the back of his hand.
What a good neighbor!
“I’m heading out to trade more. That way I can keep growing the vegetables you like. Don’t forget to save your fallen leaves.”
The vines rustled in agreement.
Cheng Feng continued into the mountains. Compared to before, there were fewer plants—but the ones that remained were much stronger.
For example, Xiao Hong was already a level-two mutated plant, even though it was only the seventh day of the apocalypse.
Along the path to the stream, four other mutated plants had established territory: a pear tree, an evergreen tree, thorn bushes, and wild grape vines.
Each occupied its own section, expanding outward. Within three meters of each, no other creatures could exist—except Cheng Feng.
Using the same method, he traded five mutated vegetables for 25 jin of dead plant material. The plants all felt they got a great deal and saw Cheng Feng as the best human ever.
Going deeper into the mountains, he traded the remaining vegetables for 100 jin of material and gained a group of “new friends.”
When he tried to leave, some plants even held onto him, unwilling to let him go. He promised to grow more and come back next time.
These newly sentient plants were violent by nature, but their minds were simple. Cheng Feng’s respectful attitude made them feel important, like adults, so they treated him even better.
When he got home, Cheng Feng felt frozen stiff. He warmed himself by the stove, then got back to work while the snow had stopped.
With earphones in, listening to downloaded novels, he took a hoe into the yard.
The ground was frozen solid. Although mutated seeds could grow easily, he still needed to loosen the soil and bury the collected plant matter for better results.
But when he struck the ground with the hoe, it barely made a dent.
This was going to be hard.
At that moment, Xiao Hong appeared outside the yard wall, its vines swaying.
Cheng Feng’s eyes lit up. “Xiao Hong, are you here to help me?”
(It had actually come to supervise.)
“I knew you were the best neighbor! Seeing me struggle, you came to help. I really like you! Don’t worry—I won’t let you suffer a loss. I’ve got two mutated cabbages saved just for you.”
Xiao Hong immediately became enthusiastic.
Cheng Feng stepped back and gestured. “Go ahead.”
With permission, Xiao Hong climbed into the yard, instantly covering it with red vines.
The vines moved through the snow and soil, turning it over quickly and finely, burying all the organic matter.
Cheng Feng gave a thumbs up. “You’re amazing!”
Xiao Hong didn’t understand the gesture, but it felt the praise and waved happily.
Its joy peaked when it received two cabbages. It dashed out and quickly returned, tapping Cheng Feng and pointing outside.
Confused, Cheng Feng opened the door—and froze.
Outside, the entire area within Xiao Hong’s territory had been perfectly tilled.
“Xiao Hong, are you letting me plant vegetables in your territory?”
The vine nodded.
“Then how do we split the harvest?”
The vine pointed at him, then at itself.
“Fifty-fifty? No, I provide the seeds.”
The vine pointed twice at him, once at itself.
“Two-to-one? Still too tiring.”
Three-to-one…
Four-to-one…
Seeing the vine starting to tremble, Cheng Feng finally relented.
“Alright. But you handle the soil and guard the crops. I’ll plant and harvest. And no sneaking bites, okay? Otherwise, no deal.”