Many children bring happiness, a shameless start

As soon as Lip ran out of the parking lot, he spotted Kevin's red pickup truck. He waved and greeted, "Hi, Kevin!"

"Hey, get in the car!" Kevin waved his hand and urged.

"Is it really necessary to rush?" Lip asked, frowning slightly.

"I don't want this either! But Stan seems to have questioned the electricity bill for the building."

"Electricity bill?"

"Stan said he's been running a bar for 40 years, and his bill has never exceeded $1,000 a month."

"How much is it now?"

"$8,700!"

"Oh my God! How could you use so much power?!"

"The electricity consumption is higher in winter, and to make the money-making plants grow faster, I've kept the fluorescent lights on 24/7."

"Oh, Kevin, you're so dumb! Who told you that 24 hours of light would make the plants grow faster?"

"Seventy or eighty-seven! What else?"

"Why didn't you ask me first?!" Lip was truly heartbroken, knowing Kevin's efforts had been wasted.

"Lip, what do you mean?!"

"Under light, plants do photosynthesis and reduce respiration. But in darkness, they increase respiration, which is essential for their growth."

"Both processes are necessary for their metabolism and energy transformation, allowing them to grow. It's like a child—if you never let them sleep, they won't grow properly. Understand?"

"Fuck! I spent so much money—it'd be better if I didn't spend it at all!" Kevin slapped himself on the forehead.

"So now what?"

"I can only hope we can sell for a good price!" Lip reassured.

He'd originally wanted to help Kevin and Veronica because they'd helped his family over the years. But who would have thought Kevin would mess it up so badly?

"Seems like that's the only way." Kevin hit the accelerator, and they quickly drove toward the bar.

A while later, they arrived, but not at the front entrance—Kevin pulled in through the back, hidden in an alley.

"Lip, there's something you should know," Kevin hesitated before speaking.

"What?"

"Ethel's been helping out! Remember those conversations she had with you about the bugs when she was growing tomatoes?"

"Of course I remember," Lip rolled his eyes. "But you're the adoptive father, and I feel like killing you!"

"What happened?"

"You let a teenage girl treat you every day. What if she accidentally gets attached?"

"Oh my God! Why didn't I think of that?" Kevin's eyes widened, and he looked at Lip helplessly.

"I promise, I won't let her get involved in the business again," Kevin promised.

The two of them continued their conversation as they walked down a flight of stairs to a small door, barely wide enough for one person.

After checking that it was safe, Kevin took out the key and opened the door. Once inside, he carefully shut it behind them.

They went down a long flight of stairs, and Kevin spoke again.

"But let's face it, the stuff Ethel taught us is really useful! We're using it for the big plants we've planted this year!" Kevin sounded excited.

Stopping in front of a thick iron door, he added, "Remember when I used to grow just a little to get us through the summer?"

"Yeah!" Lip replied.

"Well, it's different now." Kevin opened the door.

"Holy shit!" Lip was stunned by what he saw—a tree, as tall as a person, planted in a pot. There were at least a thousand of them.

"Kevin, I never thought you could hide this well! When did you become such a big-time independent tycoon without making a sound?" Lip joked.

"Lonely? Have you ever heard of a tycoon worried about an electricity bill?" Kevin smiled wryly.

"I need to pay at least $9,000 in electricity bills this week, or they'll cut off the power."

"$9,000 isn't a lot!" Lip stroked his chin.

"Man, my whole body's worth less than $100!" Kevin pulled out his empty trouser pockets.

"Where's your money? What about the bar's earnings?"

"Most of it goes to drinks, and some to selling seeds."

"Kevin, I'm seriously impressed." Lip was speechless. "Do you still consider me a buddy? Why didn't you talk to me about this?"

"Lip, I'm grateful for you showing me a way to make money..." Kevin looked apologetic. "I didn't want to bother you, seeing you enjoy the small-world life with a few people."

"I got you!" Lip patted Kevin's shoulder.

"Thanks, bro."

"Not a problem, how much space do you have here?"

"About 1,800 trees! As for the finished product, I don't know, but it should be over 100 pounds."

"Wow, considering the current market price of over $180 per pound, your crop is worth $30,000 to $40,000 this season!"

"Yeah, Lip. I've started processing, but I'll only make around a thousand bucks by Friday night."

"Have you thought about selling some of these giants directly?"

"How many should I sell?"

"Maybe five or six, maybe eight or nine—no more than ten."

"Lip, who here can afford more than $2,000 for one?"

"I might be able to find one or two buyers for you."

"If Vi knew about this, she'd kill me!" Kevin exclaimed.

"I think if you put the money you make in front of her and cut back on her live streaming, you and Veronica might have a baby!"

"What? Is that possible?"

"Great effort can create miracles, who knows?"

"Well... if it's possible, I'd be willing to sell the whole thing!" Kevin sighed. "Wei and I promised not to sell more than four trees this year."

"Hey, I thought you meant Veronica didn't know you were growing this stuff! Turns out it's just that she won't let you sell it! Makes me worry for nothing."

"Do I look like the type to hide things from her?!"

"All right." Lip shook his head with a smile.

"Kevin, usually I just scatter a bunch of seeds, pick the best, and throw the rest away, but not this year. This damn weather made them all grow well."

"I... I can't do it! It's like raising a baby with my own hands, I've developed feelings for them."

"Okay, okay, Kevin, stop being so dramatic. I'll help you with this!"

"Oh my God! Really? Lip!" Kevin was shocked and speechless.

Lip nodded seriously.

"Thanks so much, brother!" Kevin gave Lip a big hug.