CH 50

Chapter 50 – Enticement

Wu Lang said, “For example, we have to pass four villages on the way from our village to the county. Since the journey to the county generally takes about two hours, we have to leave at sunrise, at the latest. We’ll arrive at the next village around 6.30am. If we arrive earlier, we have to wait at the entrance of the village until 6.30am. Before we move on, we’ll have to shout and if no one replies, it means that no one is going with us, and we can continue with our journey.”

Everyone listened attentively while Man Bao raised her hand and asked, “How come we didn’t wait for the other villagers when we went to the county the other day?”

“At that time, there were many of us, so there was no need to travel with the other villagers.” The Zhou group then comprised two adults, Zhou Da Lang and Er Lang, teenagers, Wu Lang and Liu Lang, as well as Da Ya and Er Ya who could be considered older children. Who would try to kidnap such a big group of people?

It’s just that if you’re alone, or if there are only two or three of you on the road, things would be easier for you if you make things easier for others.

With this analogy, wait at the entrance of each village. Most of the folks from the other villages will generally wait at the intersection in advance. Anyway, Wu Lang and Liu Lang have learnt how the villagers of each village strategized with each other.

He was so excited and told Man Bao, “Liu Lang and I think we can go to the county market every day.”

When Man Bao heard this, she was delighted! She ran into her room, took out a bag of sweets from Keke, poured them into a greased paper, simply rolled the paper up and passed it to Wu Lang, and said earnestly, “Fifth brother, we are counting on you to earn lots of money!”

Wu Lang quietly opened the bag and took a look. He couldn’t hide his excitement, held the greased paper with both hands and said, “Youngest sister, you can rest assured.”

As the two of them were surrounded by a group of children, the adults could only hear what they were saying but could not see the movements of their hands, let alone the things they were holding.

Old man Zhou felt Old Five and Old Six are not young anymore, and the boys should consider their future and marriage, so he was willing to loosen his tight rein on them and let them try new things. Even if they are unsuccessful, they can gain more knowledge. Well, as long as it doesn’t cost money…

Da Tou and the other kids knew all of they have a share in the business. When fifth uncle makes money, all of them make money. So, they are full of fighting spirit.

A sad and dispirited Wu Lang watched on the side-lines, he wouldn’t get a share and wouldn’t even get to participate in the discussions.

Wu Lang and Liu Lang knew their parents shouldn’t know about the sweets business, so they covered for each other and took the packet of sweets back to their room. After hiding them, they came out and continued excitedly with their money-making plans.

Man Bao churned out one idea after another, whether those ideas are reliable or not are another question but she wants to convey her ideas for everyone to discuss.

The system couldn’t help reminding her, “Host, your mall is already open.”

Man Bao gave an indifferent “um” and continued to explain to Wu Lang and the others about selling flower baskets the next day.

The system was silent for a moment and suddenly reflected something in her mind, a transparent bottle filled with green liquid, which Man Bao thought was quite beautiful. Finally, the system caught her attention.

She asked enthusiastically, “Keke, what is this?”

Keke replied, “A medicine which can treat your mother’s condition. Just one tube would do the job.”

Man Bao’s eyes widened, she didn’t bother to continue chatting with her brothers, and immediately said, “I want to buy, I want to buy, Keke, quick! Purchase the medicine!”

The system said, “You don’t have enough money.”

Man Bao was speechless, and quickly went to check out the price of the product. She found the price had many zeros.

Man Bao was so regretful that her shoulders slumped.

The system encouraged her by saying, “Although the medicine requires many points, and your points are way below the required points, the host still has a good chance of successfully purchasing it if she works hard. This is a new potion which has recently been added to the mall. From what I understand, it will be around for a long time to come.”

Man Bao’s spirit was invigorated, “In other words, I can buy it any time in the future?”

The system said, “Yes!”

Man Bao asked, “Keke, tell me how to earn points.”

“Let your brothers help. Do you remember the fruit of the glossy privet tree we saw on the way to the county? Get them to bring a couple home. I reckon if you input the privet, you’ll receive dozens of points. Your points will slowly accumulate, and you’ll eventually reach the required points to purchase the medicine.”

The system taught with skill and patience, “Think about it. If you can input a creature that has never been entered before on a daily basis, that’s at least 50 points. If it is an extinct species, then hundreds or thousands of points are possible. There’s 365 days in a year. If you persevere for one year, how many points will you have?”

Man Bao counted with her fingers; 5000 points in 100 days means 15,000 points in 300 days…

Man Bao’s eyes widened. She was so delighted that she trembled with joy. Those around her were spooked! Wu Lang cautiously reached out and poked her.

Man Bao grasped his finger, looked at him with piercing eyes and said, “Fifth brother, you have to promise me one thing. If you promise me, I will buy you a bag of sweets every day.”

Wu Lang’s heart quivered and trembled as he asked, “You, tell me…

“Help me dig flowers and plants.”

Wu Lang and everyone else heaved a sigh of relief, and smiled, “Okay, what type do you want? Tell fifth brother. I will help you dig it up even if I have to scale a mountain of swords and plunge into a sea of flames.”

Man Bao said, “You don’t have to scale a mountain of swords for the time being. Just go to the mountainous area we passed by on the way to the county the other day. We took a rest there.”

Man Bao described the appearance of the Ligustrum tree and fruit, and said, “Fifth brother, when you go home tomorrow, bring back two branches with its fruits.”

Wu Lang asked, “That’s all?”

“No, when I think of new ones in the future, I’ll get you to help me.”

Wu Lang felt these types of flowers and plants were fine, patted his chest confidently and said, “No problem, but youngest sister, why do you want the branch? I’ve told you that the fruit can’t be eaten.”

Man Bao, “That’s medicinal herbs, I want to use it.”

“Medicinal herbs?” Wu Lang scratched his head. Although he didn’t understand, he nodded.

Xiao Qian and the others served the evening meal. Old man Zhou knocked on the table to get the children in the yard to come in for dinner.

“Didn’t you say you want to teach them to read? You lot only gossiped away the entire afternoon.”

Man Bao and the others just remembered that they haven’t learnt any Chinese characters today.

Man Bao couldn’t help raising her head and sighing, “I’m so busy!”

“Yes, and busy recovering from injuries.” Mrs Zhou looked at her forehead and found that it was blue black, and added, “You are not allowed to fight anymore. What if you hit your head and become stupid?”

“No, I will never be stupid.” Man Bao is full of confidence. She still has Keke in her mind, and he will definitely protect her mind.