Chapter 254: Chapter 254

"They don’t just collect Blood Mushrooms for Qian Duoduo; they collect other things too. They use oil, and it’s even at Qian Duoduo’s own home. Alright, let’s go and see. Who would dare mess with me? Uncle Gou, are we ready?"

"Ready, Miss." A man’s powerful voice came from outside the villa. Uncle Gou, wearing an eyepatch, entered. "Miss, the takeout meals have been placed in the car. The items to be inspected are ready, and emergency supplies and a one-touch life raft are also prepared."

Jing Shu shrugged. "Then let’s go. I’m just worried about fraudsters. Qian Duoduo’s business always provides a dedicated car service, and I’ve never gone on my own. Since it’s at his home, there shouldn’t be any surprises."

Jing Shu felt reassured and followed Su Malie into her car. They were accompanied by two bodyguards armed with guns and shields—their imposing presence had to be displayed.

The custom private business van departed from Banana District. Jing Shu experienced the definition of a luxury car: it was indeed much more comfortable than her own energy car, which had cost tens of thousands of yuan. She hardly felt it when they crossed a speed bump, and the interior was immensely spacious.

The sound of the pouring rain outside was muffled. Sitting in the car listening to music, Jing Shu felt like she had entered another world, as if this wasn’t the apocalypse.

Su Malie had a honey silk face mask on—one she had traded compressed natural gas for. She was sipping Wang Zai milk through a straw and applying nail polish while enjoying an automatic massage leather seat. She felt annoyed that many luxuries couldn’t be enjoyed in the apocalypse.

It really confirmed the saying: you can’t imagine the happiness of the rich.

Normally, it would take just over half an hour to get to Qian Duoduo’s home on West Mountain. However, they heard that the entrance had collapsed due to torrential rain, so they had to take a significant detour.

With nothing better to do, Jing Shu practiced with her Magic Cube. The seven-stage Magic Cube spun deftly in her hands, quickly resolving into its six colors. Soon, it was scrambled again, and then restored once more. Su Malie watched, captivated, throughout the journey.

"We’ve arrived at the designated location, Miss." Uncle Gou, who was driving, turned on the headlights. After circling around in the mountains, he found an abandoned manor nestled at the foot of a hill.

This was Jing Shu’s first visit to this particular property of Qian Duoduo’s. She had just passed employee quarters, a mountainside guest villa complex, Qian Duoduo’s own planting and breeding areas, and she even saw the castle belonging to Qian Shengqian, who had teased her last time.

But this place... it’s very far from the aforementioned sites, Jing Shu thought. It feels like it’s about ten kilometers away.

Then, the manor gate opened, and the car continued inside, eventually reaching a small, two-story Western-style building. The surrounding area was so derelict that its original purpose was unrecognizable.

Jing Shu and Su Malie stepped out, wearing enclosed raincoats. Uncle Gou and the two bodyguards, carrying large bags, were welcomed inside by people at the door. The two women removed their raincoats at the entrance.

"This way, please. This way." A young man with a center-parted hairstyle smiled as he invited them inside.

The small Western-style building was filled with a musty, abandoned smell, and Jing Shu frowned.

The young man with the center part smiled and said, "Please come underground. It’s a whole different world down here."

The two-story Western-style building had clearly been uninhabited for a long time and was dilapidated. The young man led Jing Shu and her companions to an underground entrance. Upon opening it, they found it indeed led to another realm—a vast, noisy underground passage. Jing Shu saw slot machines and roulette tables. It looks like an underground casino! she thought.

"Follow me." The young man with the center part continued to lead Jing Shu’s group further inside. Along the way, Su Malie curiously observed people gambling with dice, Pai Gow, Fan-Tan, and other games. Fresh chapters posted on NoveIꜰire.net

Jing Shu felt something was off. It’s like the whole scene doesn’t fit, she thought. This is the apocalypse, yet people are still gambling?

The large private room they were led to was very quiet, completely isolated from the outside world. A corpulent man was half-slumped on the sofa. He was dressed carelessly, wearing slippers, and said casually, "I’m Fatty, and I collect various treasures for Mr. Qian. I’ll take all your future Blood Mushrooms. I hear you have other things too, right?"

Su Malie nodded. Although this wasn’t how she had imagined a business negotiation would look, she still said, "We’ll only trade for petroleum. These are the items we’ve brought, Uncle Gou."

Uncle Gou, a burly, one-eyed man, opened the items he was carrying one by one. The two bodyguards stood close behind Su Malie, looking quite professional.

Fatty, picking at his toes, his eyes gleaming at the sight of the Blood Mushrooms, then looked over at the medicines Su Malie had brought—which were currently in very short supply—the highly prized matsutake mushrooms, and luxury items like bluefin tuna. He nodded incessantly. "Very good. Let’s set a package price."

Adhering to the business principle of starting with a high asking price for the other party to haggle down, Su Malie said, "A total of twenty tons of gasoline!"

Fatty pondered for a while before responding, "That’s not impossible. However, it must include the next three deliveries of Blood Mushrooms, each of the same size and quantity as this one."

Su Malie did the math. Even if I give Jing Shu 8 tons of gasoline, I’ll still have twelve tons left,

The two parties quickly reached an agreement. Jing Shu raised an eyebrow. I remember that since the construction of the Artificial Sun last year, gasoline and natural gas have become even scarcer. Prices should be higher, shouldn’t they? she thought. Why didn’t this fat man haggle at all?

"This is the order I’ve written up. Have someone follow me to confirm the petroleum. The others can wait here, and then I’ll have it sent over," Fatty said with a smile.

Uncle Gou stepped forward and said, "Miss, let me handle this. I wouldn’t feel comfortable letting anyone else go. You all rest here for a while."

"Mm, alright. Go and come back quickly. Report to me immediately if there are any issues." Su Malie was in a good mood. Look at that, she thought. Father always said I couldn’t handle the family’s responsibilities, but haven’t I managed quite easily?

Uncle Gou left. Jing Shu sat on the sofa, motionless, studying Fatty.

Fatty had someone bring water, drinks, and food, but neither Jing Shu nor Su Malie touched anything. Jing Shu was always careful about not eating other people’s food when she was out, and Su Malie simply didn’t fancy it.

"Have some food while you wait. Or perhaps you’d like to go out and have some fun?" Fatty chuckled. "I hope our cooperation goes well. Bring me more good things next time."

Jing Shu raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Qian doesn’t need these things, does he?"

"How could he not? These are all great items," Fatty laughed. "Well then, you just wait here for a bit. I’m going to step out and check on things."

After saying this, Fatty was about to leave.

Jing Shu surveyed the entire room, her eyes narrowing. "Wait. You should stay here and chat with us for a while."

Jing Shu slowly approached Fatty. Something feels off, she thought, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. This man is too agreeable, and he agreed to the petroleum payment so quickly. Yet, we haven’t seen any petroleum, and there’s still no news from Uncle Gou.

"I just remembered I have something to do. I’ll call one of my men to keep you company."

"Stop. Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Is there something wrong with this house?"