At first, the repeated failures of spies from various countries to infiltrate the Xiao family compound didn't frustrate foreign powers—it piqued their curiosity even more.
Everyone sensed that some hidden secret lay deep within the Xiao courtyard. And the more it was concealed, the stronger their competitive drive became.
They didn't realize it yet, but the Xiao compound would accept anyone who came… and bury them just as easily.
What the Dimension Farm craved most was exactly this kind of fertilizer rich in life and wisdom.
Thanks to the countless spies, the flat peaches in Weiwei Farm's orchard ripened batch after batch. This "fertilizer," formed by extracting the very essence of human lifespans, was astonishingly effective—dozens of times stronger than ordinary energy fertilizer.
The conversion was nearly one-to-one. The lifespan extracted from a person directly determined the number of peaches that could be condensed. With dozens—or even hundreds—of spies, Xiao harvested nearly a thousand flat peaches, gaining a combined 1,000 years of life.
Flush with this wealth, Xiao mirrored the Queen Mother's legendary peach parties, aiming to host a gathering where even the 'gods' would bow.
At first, he planned a small peach banquet for his fathers-in-law to build relationships. But when they arrived, none of them ate a single peach. Silently, they stored them away. Appetite wasn't the point—these peaches were too precious to squander on mere indulgence.
Flat peaches weren't for banquets—they were treasures for the nation. Reserved for scientists who had dedicated their lives to the country and were nearing death, these peaches extended the life of those whose contributions were irreplaceable.
Xiao was deeply moved. Feeling that his initial approach was too small, he immediately took out his remaining stock, leaving only a tenth for backup, and donated the rest to the state.
During this period, Xiao gained a profound respect for the leaders' philosophy. Whether it was prioritizing the people over personal gain or distributing life-extending peaches to the nation's scientists, he realized that "Long Live the People" wasn't a slogan—it was a program of action.
By extending the lives of the older generation of researchers, Xiao's flat peaches allowed them to continue shining for the country. And he was glad to contribute.
The foreign spy operations lasted only half a month before collapsing entirely. Other nations weren't foolish. Even if they knew something was amiss with Xiao, too many agents had already perished.
Training a top agent demanded enormous time, effort, and resources. Every loss was a major setback.
Knowing that the Xiao compound was a bottomless abyss, where no matter how much they threw in, it would never be filled, countries naturally dared not send more people. Anyone stubborn enough to continue would be… well, simply ☉▽☉.
After the operations ceased, Xiao never noticed anyone sneaking into his compound at night. Even those who had followed him outdoors vanished. This didn't mean they had given up—they had simply changed strategies.
"So, is this a honey trap?"
In the teahouse, Xiao licked his lips while speaking to his brother-in-law Xi Yanghui, subtly nodding toward a window not far from their table.
Sitting there was a plump beauty with delicate features and a refined, elegant temperament.
In one hand, she held a book; in the other, she sipped tea, occasionally popping a piece of cake into her mouth. Every movement was graceful, exuding a natural charm.
Xiao couldn't immediately determine whether she was a spy or a honey trap—but one thing was certain: the woman had succeeded in capturing attention.
Of course, Xiao already had all the information on her.
Her name was Peng Shirley, a foreign Chinese who had returned to China only a few months ago with advanced technology and foreign exchange.
It was difficult to judge her intentions because coincidences like this were increasingly common. Some arrivals were genuine, others false; some women sought personal gain, a few simply couldn't survive abroad and had to return.
If Peng Shirley wasn't a spy, then why had she repeatedly crossed paths with him in just a few months?
If she was a spy, then the foreign powers had really spent a fortune investigating her. The technology she brought back was restricted by other nations, which also ensured her personal safety and made it hard for her superiors to interfere.
After all, if an overseas Chinese returned home with advanced technology and was restricted without reason, the Dragon Kingdom's international reputation would be severely damaged.
In fact, the Dragon Kingdom couldn't touch her in any way and was responsible for protecting her at all times, granting her both praise and honorary rewards.
"This is just a beauty trap. She's not half as beautiful as my sister!"
Xi Yanghui glanced sideways at the woman, initially surprised, then curled his lips in disdain. Whispering to Xiao, he pretended not to care.
"When did your eyes go blind?"
Xiao rolled his eyes. According to his brother-in-law, except for his sister, all other women were vulgar and ordinary—mere scum beside her.
In truth, even with beauties surrounding him, the cabinet had sent women from all over for the purpose of genetic ascension. Pure beauty had become less enticing to him.
Still, he admitted that Peng Shirley was beautiful, particularly in her unique temperament—a mature charm earned through countless life experiences. She was a woman with stories behind her.
"No way, brother-in-law. A woman who's spent years abroad… who knows how much she spent?"
Xi Yanghui continued to belittle her, trying to "save" his brother-in-law. Deep down, he also worried about his sister, Xi Hanmei.
He grumbled that Xi Hanmei had been disappointing. Why couldn't she just stay home, care for her husband and children, and leave the extraordinary troops alone?
She had already controlled Xiao's harem, yet she went out to gather elite forces and handed over the family's power.
What use was a thousand-man army? The Xi family, once powerful, had plummeted in status. Those who had flattered the family vanished overnight.
To maintain the family's standing, Xi Yanghui now had to flatter his brother-in-law daily, acting as the younger brother. He was the eldest son—how humiliating!
Now, with a woman of Xi Hanmei's temperament and appearance in the picture, he feared that his sister could be replaced. If that happened, the Xi family's situation would only worsen.