Rebirth 70: I am a Koi

The warehouse was empty. The vegetables and fruits that used to pile up like mountains were nowhere to be seen. The air was filled with a faint smell of soil, but there was no trace of the joy of a good harvest. I stood in the middle of the warehouse, as if I was in a desert, empty, lonely, and with no end in sight.

I still remember how lively it was a few months ago. Workers were busy moving and packing, their faces filled with the joy of harvest. Trucks were loaded with fresh vegetables and fruits, driving to every corner of the city. At that time, I was just like them, full of energy and hope for the future.

But now, everything has changed. The entrance to the base is frighteningly deserted. Occasionally, a few passers-by pass by, but they just look from a distance, shake their heads and walk away. Zhao Li's report is like a cancer, deeply rooted in people's hearts, and no matter how we explain it, we can't completely get rid of it.

I leaned against the shelf helplessly, tears silently falling. Was I really wrong? Was I really incapable of running this base? I began to doubt myself and every decision I made.

"Jinli, don't be like this." Bai Hanchuan's voice sounded behind me, with a hint of fatigue and heartache. He gently hugged me, rested his chin on the top of my head, and stroked my hair again and again. "We will definitely get through this."

His words flowed into my cold heart like a warm current. I looked up and saw his determined eyes, and a glimmer of hope ignited in my heart. Yes, I still have him and the employees who have always supported us. We can't give up.

"Hanchuan, how long do you think we can last?" My voice was hoarse and contained a hint of despair.

He was silent for a moment, then held my hand tightly and said firmly: "No matter how long it takes, I will stay with you."

In the following days, the situation at the base deteriorated. More and more merchants canceled their orders, and the inventory in the warehouse became more and more. The workers also began to feel depressed, and the smiles on their faces were no longer seen.

Grandma Li came to see me with the red date cakes she made. She held my hand, and her wrinkled face was full of worry: "Child, don't be too sad, everything will be fine."

I forced a smile and nodded, but I didn't know what to say.

Bai Hanchuan went out early and came back late every day, busy collecting evidence and contacting the media. He looked more and more tired, his eye sockets were sunken, and his beard was growing. I knew he was under great pressure, but he never showed it in front of me.

One evening, I was sorting documents in the office when I heard a noisy noise outside. I went out and saw several employees gathered together, arguing fiercely about something.

"I think we should accept Boss Wang's conditions. At least we can recover some losses." said a young employee.

"No! We must not compromise with him!" another old employee retorted, "If we accept his conditions, it would be equivalent to acknowledging Zhao Li's report, and all our previous efforts would be in vain!"

"But……"

I watched them arguing, feeling annoyed. I walked up to them and was about to speak when I heard a familiar voice...

"Jinli, let's talk."

"Jinli, let's talk." It was Bai Hanchuan. His voice was low, with a hint of suppressed anger. I followed his gaze and saw Boss Wang behind him, smiling smugly.

"What to talk about?" I asked coldly, suppressing my anger.

"Jinli, you've seen the current situation. The base can't hold on any longer," Boss Wang rubbed his hands, with a hint of false concern in his tone, "I'm doing this for your own good. As long as you agree to my terms, I promise that the base can continue to operate."

Of course I know his conditions. Buying all the products from our base at a low price, what's the difference between this and outright robbery? Before I could even open my mouth, I heard a young employee behind me muttering, "Actually, I think what Boss Wang said makes some sense..."

Another old employee immediately retorted: "What do you know! This is taking advantage of someone's misfortune! If we agree to him, all our previous efforts will be in vain!"

The employees started arguing again, their voices getting louder and louder, and my head started to ache. I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm: "Boss Wang, I appreciate your kindness, but I won't agree to your conditions. I will definitely get my base up and running again."

"If you don't accept my toast, you'll have to drink a penalty!" Boss Wang's face changed, he glared at me fiercely, then turned and left.

Watching Boss Wang leave, I felt powerless. I returned to the office, slumped in my chair, tears streaming down my face. Am I really going to give up?

At this time, the office door was gently pushed open, and Grandma Li walked in. She was holding a basket with some fresh vegetables in it.

"Child, don't be too sad," Grandma Li looked at me kindly and put the basket on my table. "I grew these myself. Try some."

I looked at the green vegetables in the basket, and a warm feeling welled up in my heart. Grandma Li always cared for me silently and gave me strength.

"Grandma Li, thank you," I said, choking with sobs, "Do you believe in me? Do you believe that my base can stand up again?"

"Of course I believe you," said Grandma Li firmly. "You are a good child, and the base you built is also a good base. I believe you can get through this difficult time."

Grandma Li's words gave me great encouragement. I wiped my tears, took a deep breath, and told myself not to give up. I still have Bai Hanchuan, Grandma Li, and the employees who have always supported me. I can't let them down.

I walked out of the office and saw Bai Hanchuan standing in the corridor, his face gloomy and his brows furrowed. He saw me and forced a smile: "Are you feeling better?"

I nodded, walked over to him, and gently held his hand. His hand was cold, as if it had no temperature at all.

"Hanchuan..." I was about to speak, but suddenly I felt dizzy and my vision went dark...

"Jinli!"

When I woke up again, it was already the next morning. The dazzling sunlight shone through the gaps in the curtains, making me feel a little uncomfortable. I struggled to sit up, but found that I was weak all over and my head was dizzy.

"Awake?" A familiar voice sounded beside my ears. I turned around and saw that it was Bai Hanchuan. He was sitting on the bed, with dark circles under his eyes and untidy beard, looking much more haggard.

"What's wrong with me?" I asked weakly.

"You had a fever and were in a coma for a day and a night," Bai Hanchuan said with a hint of blame in his tone, "The doctor said that you were suffering from excessive emotional fluctuations and physical overwork."

I was silent. I knew that all this was due to Boss Wang's relentless pressure and the difficulties faced by the base. My low mood affected my health and made Bai Hanchuan even more worried.

"What's going on with the base?" I said with difficulty.

Bai Hanchuan sighed and touched my forehead: "We are still holding on, but the situation is not optimistic. Many orders have been cancelled, and the employees are also panicking."

Hearing his words, my heart felt like being stabbed by a needle. I tried to sit up, but Bai Hanchuan gently pushed me back.

"Don't move, get some rest," he said gently, "I'll take care of the base, you don't have to worry."

I closed my eyes, tears rolling down my cheeks. How could I not be worried? This base was built with my hard work. It carries my dreams and my hopes for the future. I can't just watch it fall.

My thoughts went back to before my rebirth. At that time, I was framed by my vicious stepmother and stepsister and lost everything. After my rebirth, I got the space system, and with it, I changed my fate step by step and established this planting base. This journey was full of hardships and challenges, but I never thought of giving up.

But now, I have collapsed due to the pressure of public opinion. I feel deeply guilty and powerless. I cannot be defeated like this. I still have Bai Hanchuan and the employees who support me. I must stand up again, for them and for myself.

"Hanchuan..." I opened my eyes and looked at Bai Hanchuan's tired face. "I'm fine. Let's work together to get the base up and running again."

Bai Hanchuan forced a smile and touched my hair: "Okay, let's find a solution together."

I know he said that just to comfort me. His smile concealed deep fatigue and worry. He had to take care of me while handling the affairs of the base. He was under more pressure than me.

In the following days, I tried my best to cooperate with the treatment and gradually recovered. Bai Hanchuan went out early and came back late every day, busy with the base's affairs. He rarely spoke and his complexion became worse and worse.

"Hanchuan, are you...hiding something from me?" I looked at him, feeling a little uneasy.

He was stunned for a moment, then forced a smile: "No, what can I hide from you?"

His smile was forced and his eyes were evasive. I knew he must be hiding something from me.

"Knock, knock, knock..." A knock on the door interrupted our conversation.

"Come in." Bai Hanchuan said.

The door opened and a man in a suit walked in.

"Mr. Bai, Lawyer Liu is here and is waiting for you downstairs."

Bai Hanchuan glanced at me, then stood up and said, "I'll go downstairs. You should have a good rest."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left the room.

I looked at his back, feeling even more uneasy. Lawyer Liu... Could it be...

"Hanchuan..." I couldn't help but call him.

He stopped, turned around and looked at me.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

He was silent for a moment, then said, "I'm going to... sort out some things."