novelraw Chapter 769: Who Could Stand This?
Chapter 769: Who Could Stand This?
Apart from stockpiled goods from before the apocalypse, the current furs all looked shrunken and lackluster, unlike the quality items that Jing Shu had brought out. Hence, many people were actively making offers, with quite a few even willing to pay a premium to purchase them.
Unfortunately, Jing Shu didn’t see anything she liked very much.
That was until a man showed up with a sack in tow.
"Hello, try our One Flower specialty: water chestnuts mutated by dark matter. Regular consumption provides unexpected health benefits... I’d like to trade all your furs for these. We have many elderly folk at home who are increasingly fearful of the cold, and your furs would be perfect for keeping them warm," said the slightly overweight, stubbled man with a smile as he passed over the plain sack. He was clearly not a man who fussed over details.
He was Chen Xuehao, the man who had developed the mutated water chestnuts. In just a few short years, he had transformed from an ordinary farmer into the biggest luxury agricultural product magnate of One Flower. Although he remained unassuming, many around him looked at him with respect. After striking it rich, he hadn’t forgotten his roots; he had linked his industry with One Flower, boosting many local businesses and even driving the trade fair itself.
After all, quite a number of people came just for the specialty water chestnuts.
Jing Shu picked one at random. I think I’ve eaten water chestnuts before, but I barely remember them. They weren’t popular in Wu City, though the taste was actually pretty decent.
Little did she expect, these were some of the few dark matter species’ mutations that she found delicious. They were big, black blobs, much larger than ordinary water chestnuts, about the size of a fist. The mutated skin was surprisingly easy to peel off, revealing crisp white flesh underneath. One bite into it was a delightful surprise of sweet and crunchy flavor, with a deep and lingering taste that was quite unique. Delicious! Jing Shu’s eyes lit up.
It was said that they tasted even better boiled or fried, offering an entirely different flavor in a variety of preparations.
The CRUNCH, CRUNCH sounds made Zhao Qian’s mouth water. She lamented that she couldn’t afford such an expensive luxury even after months of work, and she nearly wept. That boss is so impressive, just giving one away like that!
To distract herself, Zhao Qian began her explanation, stating that these mutated water chestnuts were exclusive to One Flower. This was due to its unique geography, a special cultivation method involving Dark Pigment, and decades of farming experience. Still, the yield remained scarce, and a single piece could cost more than a full-time worker’s salary for several months.
"One is priced at 1,000 Virtual Coins, roughly 100 grams. Its true value comes from being a mutated species and a powerful tonic that can directly enhance various immune metrics in the body, making it suitable for the elderly, weak, and sick. Experiments have shown that consuming it for three days when sick, with the exception of severe illnesses, can lead to self-healing. However, such medicinal and nutritional supplements typically aren’t sold for Virtual Coins; they are bartered for goods."
This was nearly as valuable as sugar—and how long could a pound of sugar last? Moreover, these water chestnuts were even more expensive than the Blood Mushrooms Jing Shu used to sell. This made sense, however, as Blood Mushrooms offered longevity and potent tonifying effects, and this product’s effects were even slightly stronger.
Jing Shu nodded. Among the dark agricultural and sideline products, this was indeed expensive, but its rarity, being the sole provider in the whole country, combined with its effects, justified the high price.
"It’s very tasty," Jing Shu said truthfully.
Chen Xuehao then smiled, revealing his simple Big Yellow Teeth. "I like your honesty. You’re not like others who nitpick just to drive the price down. I’m willing to pay 50% above the asking price for all your furs and will also pay the premium tax. We each pay our own transaction tax. What do you think?"
The surrounding crowd gasped at the steep premium.
Previously, a pair of fur gloves might trade for three water chestnuts; now it would take four and a half.
"As expected of Boss Chen, so generous."
"Hey, since Boss Chen is taking it all, it looks like there’s nothing left for us."
"Why haven’t the big bosses from other places made a move?"
"Haven’t you seen what Boss Zhang and Boss Li are wearing? They simply don’t need this kind of hide. It’s only Boss Chen, who has recently come into wealth and has a shallower foundation, who needs it."
"That’s true. Boss Chen has been cozying up to the government lately and has made a fortune. He’s always generous when he spends."
"But those water chestnuts are good items. Surely Boss Chen wouldn’t overpay for them, would he?"
Chen Xuehao inwardly scorned their opinions. These furs are truly fine items. Having cultivated water chestnuts for several years, I know that only dark mutation species possess such a unique fragrance—and these furs have it too. I just touched them again and I’m even more certain. If I’m not mistaken, these furs are also from dark mutation species. Ordinary people might not understand what that means, but I do. So, paying a premium definitely won’t be a loss.
Jing Shu nodded. She didn’t mention that even with the premium, it would only barely be enough, considering these goods came from her space. Since he was being generous, she wasn’t stingy either and quickly agreed. She even took out more furs, enough to trade for two full sacks of the dark-mutated water chestnuts. She planned to try planting them in her space later to see if they could be cultivated. Selling them was out of the question; they would be a novelty for her family to taste.
Chen Xuehao, happy to accept whatever came his way, collected everything with a chuckle. He even told Jing Shu that he would take as much as she had, suggesting his family could take turns wearing items made from them. Not only that, but the two also exchanged contact information.
This prompted curious and suspicious looks from the onlookers, who wondered if the two were arranging some kind of unspoken, under-the-table deal.
Usually sold by the piece, they were now being traded by the sackful. No one knew the total value of their exchange, but the fact that each party paid over one hundred thousand Virtual Coins in transaction tax alone indicated it was a substantial deal.
Zhao Qian’s baby-fat face grew increasingly numb. She probably couldn’t make this much money in her entire working life.
Once the shelves were cleared of furs, rows of inconspicuous cigarette packs were revealed. Wanzi held a dark water chestnut, nibbling first the peel and then the flesh. Hao Yunlai lit a Wu City brand cigarette, slowly blowing smoke rings. He felt a bit melancholic. Can’t eat for free. Looks like I’ll have to work overtime for Mirror when we get back.
This time, I need to trade for more supplies and give all the brothers a proper feast!
Watching Hao Yunlai smoke, Zhao Qian found it agonizingly tempting. Oh, I wish I could try one too! she thought, her mouth watering uncontrollably again.
The scent of tobacco quickly filled the air of the trade fair and lingered, provoking an intense craving in the crowd. Hardcore smokers found themselves cracking on the spot. Who could resist?
They immediately inquired about the price and the transaction details, urging the pricing officer to quickly set a price for the tobacco. They were anxious to trade and have a smoke!
"Damn it! I’d quit for five years, and now this stuff shows up!"
Of course, in the apocalypse, there were still luxurious tobacco products being produced, albeit in pitifully low quantities. Apart from the true wealthy elites, most smokers had been compelled to quit.
Moreover, the government had stopped planting tobacco. Aside from people like Mr. Jing—who had the means to grow his own, roll some rough-cut tobacco, or even cure meat to earn extra money—and elites who could procure their own cigars, other sources were pitifully rare. It wasn’t that people didn’t want to grow tobacco and get rich; they simply lacked the capital to start.
Zhao Qian was dumbfounded.