The price was quite fair. Even the white liquor Jing Shu added was practically a gift. But good-quality donkey-hide gelatin is now a top-notch item and worth the cost.
"Alright, alright! Auntie will go and make the gelatin for you right now," Sun Dainiang said with a laugh. Father-in-law indeed has a keen eye, she thought. He can spot who has the most spending potential in a crowd. These supplies are the rarest and most precious nowadays, and I didn’t expect the young girl to produce so much without blinking an eye. However... although this girl didn’t speak when she entered, she actually seems to be the one in charge of the household. That’s quite curious.
When Mr. Hong heard this, he chuckled and said, "Xiao Sun, we’re all friends here. Make so extra good-quality gelatin and bring it here to boil, so that everyone can see sothing novel. Also, teach the little girl what real donkey-hide gelatin is and how to make it. Next ti, she’ll be able to do it herself."
Jing Shu understood. He’s doing this to prevent us from suspecting any foul play or shortage in what’s given. To tell the truth, I don’t really understand this stuff either. I only know that if there’s no effect after eating it, then it’s definitely fake, and we can settle the score later.
Luckily, her ntor knew all about it, so Jing Shu wasn’t embarrassed.
Sun Dainiang weighed it personally and gave an additional one-fifth of the donkey-hide gelatin. The ntor picked up a piece of the gelatin, broke it open, slled it, examined it, and nodded, "This is good stuff."
"You understand these things too, young man?" Elder Hong asked with a smile, stroking his cup.
"Actually, I know quite a bit," the ntor replied. "I’m really curious about your donkeys. Would you be interested in providing two for to research? I want to change their genetic sequence or, perhaps through crossbreeding, turn ordinary donkeys into a dark species suitable for the apocalypse, capable of simpler reproduction and survival."
Dark species were a valuable asset. Although changing their habits might result in losing certain characteristics, it was said that Wu City’s famous dark species, the Dinosaur Chicken, could still lay eggs. If it really worked out... then...
Startled, Elder Hong asked Mr. Jing, "Who is this...?"
"Hey, he’s a professor of biological research. The synthetic at and the giant-sized at in our Wu City were developed by him guiding my granddaughter," Mr. Jing remarked, finishing his drink with a SLURP, his tone seemingly casual yet extrely showy.
His words indeed stirred a buzz of impressed murmurs within the RV, and Mr. Jing felt incredibly satisfied.
Now Elder Hong was even more surprised. After pondering for a while, he said, "Honestly, other than the breeding males, females, and young donkeys, there are only two that can be slaughtered in the short term. One of the females I have already promised to the breeding farm that helped us with transport this ti. I can only give you one male donkey for experintation. If this works out, you will have a twenty percent share of the profits. If not, consider the donkey a gift."
"Is that so...? But I need a female donkey too," the ntor said with so regret.
Elder Hong was in a quandary. "The female has already been sent to the breeding farm... I can’t spare the others either."
Then Mr. Jing said, "Jing An... that’s my son. He’s the deputy manager of the breeding farm. I’ll ask him later if they can lend you the donkey for your use."
Soone asked with concern, "But what if the donkey is hard by such use?"
Jing Shu listened speechlessly. Hard by such use? How can a donkey be hard...? Is it in the way I’m thinking...?
Mr. Jing added, "I’ll ask. If they’re willing, we can share the profits with them as well."
"That’s good! That’s for the best!" Elder Hong said happily. Future cooperation with the breeding farm officials would be the most secure arrangent.
Elder Hong then asked about Mr. Jing’s son’s work at the breeding farm. He was truly surprised and delighted by the answer. He hadn’t expected that the people he had connected with were family to soone at the farm. This ant their relationship could progress even further.
The joyful atmosphere imdiately grew tense as a voice blared from loudspeakers outside:
「Urgent notice! Urgent notice!」
"All convoy mbers, return to your vehicles and do a headcount! A severe robbery has occurred on Provincial Road 312. Donations from Sichuan for Wu City have been hijacked by an unknown force, resulting in serious casualties. Their accomplices are very likely nearby! To reiterate: from this mont, no one is to move around randomly. All trips must be reported and approved! If you discover any suspicious behavior among your fellow convoy mbers, or any other suspicious phenona, please provide us with information. This is an urgent repeat announcent!"
Hearing this, everyone hurried back to their vehicles and began preparing their defenses.
This incident, in fact, was related to the migration. When news of Wu City’s migration spread, donations poured in from all over the country. These were mostly local specialties, as was customary. Not only that, but the big data ssage boards lit up with ssages like: "Wu City, keep fighting!" "Wu City, hang in there, the South Sea welcos you!" and "A hundred years after the Long March of twenty-five thousand li, a hundred years later, the great on-foot migration across Huaxia!"
It had to be said, Wu City had beco a hot topic. The donations from various places, in particular, greatly ward the hearts of the Wu City People.
"I rember Sichuan donated a batch of their specialty soybean sauce, which is now a rare commodity. The people of Sichuan specially gave it to us, the people of Wu City, to improve our food."
"Those robbers have no sha, even stealing soybean sauce."
"Provincial Road 312 isn’t far from us."
Jing Shu and her family heard the news and quickly departed.
"Once the donkey-hide gelatin is ready, I’ll have Xiao Sun deliver it to you. If you encounter any danger at night, just sound the alarm. We have ard forces here that will imdiately co to support you. We have to look out for each other on the road," Elder Hong said seriously.
Grandma Jing and Mr. Jing nodded, their brows furrowed with worry. Living near the cave entrance feels sowhat dangerous, they thought.
Jing Shu smiled in response, "We’re not in danger here. Even if the robbers were to co, they’d co from the direction of the police cars. Our end is in the opposite direction of the national road. Rest assured, if anything happens, we’ll be in touch. We’ll head back now."
Elder Hong watched the Jing family as they left, frowning in thought. His son Hong Lang asked, "Dad, what are you thinking? Should we also set up more traps and defenses? The road is indeed not very safe."
"No need. If there’s any trouble, we’ll just go to support them," Old Master Hong shook his head.
"Why?"
"Anyone who dares to rob donations, and succeeds at it, is either part of a large ard force or not human," Old Master Hong gestured with his hand. "That girl is right. The police cars are in front, and their RV with its cannon covers the other approach. Both have strong ard forces. If even they can’t resist... I’ll just have a few more drinks with Brother Jing and wait to die. It’s rare to et soone on the road you can actually talk to like him."
Hong Lang nodded. "Indeed. But I think Uncle Jing’s granddaughter is very gracious. She traded so many good supplies for the donkey-hide gelatin without batting an eye, and didn’t even consult with her family. Interestingly, her family didn’t oppose it either. I wonder what her parents are like?"
"We’ll have to see them to know," Old Master Hong replied. "These days, fewer and fewer people can afford donkey-hide gelatin and donkey at. Xiao Jing’s family is a good connection to have. Xiao Jing’s granddaughter is certainly not simple. Since she was willing to give extra supplies, we can’t be stingy either. We’ll give back twice as much in return. Through such give-and-take, we can build a strong relationship."
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