The Post-Apocalyptic Big Farm Owner

Chapter 25: Preparing the Supply Store

After walking just a few steps, Li Ba saw Zhou Yan and those two “door gods” standing outside in the moonlight, talking in hushed tones. “Sister Yan, the Villa has been listed for sale, and we’ve set the price just right, but no one’s buying… I did some digging—it’s that old fox Zhao Laifu who’s meddling behind the scenes… He must’ve gotten wind of it from somewhere, knowing we’re selling the Villa. He’s using his influence to intimidate all the major and minor factions in the settlement so they won’t dare buy it—there’s only one family left…” “Which one?” “Master Long’s business—the Sihai Pawnshop!” “They’re willing to buy it?” “No, they’re only willing to accept collateral, and the terms are very strict…” Li Ba walked over. He faintly heard the words “Villa,” “settlement,” and “purchase.” Just as he was about to approach, the two “door gods” had already spotted him and whispered something to Zhou Yan. Zhou Yan turned her head, saw that it was Li Ba, and nodded with a smile. Then she quickly turned back and instructed Heizi Daozai, “Agree to their terms. Get the grain coupons together as soon as possible—we don’t have time to waste!” “But…” Heizi Daozai was about to speak up. Zhou Yan shook her head. After that, the two sighed and turned to leave. “Oh, Master Ba, how come you have time to stop by tonight?” As she turned, Zhou Yan swept her bangs aside, her face radiant with a smile, and flashed Li Ba a flirtatious glance. The mature cook from earlier in the day seemed like a completely different person at night: her long, wavy hair cascaded down her back, and her form-fitting dress accentuated her sexy, alluring curves. She looked like a goddess bathed in moonlight; every smile and gesture radiated a dazzling charm that was utterly captivating. Li Ba swallowed hard. He scampered over, grinning sheepishly, and said, “I’m just keeping my promise—I’m here to support my little Yan Yan!” “Get lost! Who’s your ‘Little Yan Yan’?” Zhou Yan shot him a withering glance. That fatso sure knew how to talk in a sickeningly sweet way, but it actually sounded pretty good. Li Ba was also a veteran of the dating scene. Judging by Zhou Yan’s reaction, he knew this woman didn’t dislike him. Thinking, “If you don’t take advantage of a free opportunity, you’re an idiot,” he seized the moment and slipped his arm around her. Zhou Yan jumped back lightly to avoid him. Her eyes sparkled as her slender white fingers tapped Li Ba right on the forehead, and she said with a grin, “You fatso, you’re great in every way, but you’re always thinking dirty thoughts—it’s so annoying.” Li Ba protested, “I’m just a normal guy. It’s been over five months since the apocalypse, and I haven’t had ‘that’ even once. When I run into a beauty like you, Yan Yan, if I could resist, I wouldn’t be human—I’d be a god!” They were all adults, so he didn’t mind revealing his secrets in front of Zhou Yan. Besides, she’d already seen everything there was to see. Zhou Yan was, of course, well aware of her power over men. As a result, the lecherous glances from the fat guy were nothing new to her. “Your supply store is about to open, and I’ve got my own problems to deal with… In a little while, once we’re both free, I’ll put on a private show—just for you alone. How about that!” Zhou Yan’s eyes sparkled as she smiled sweetly. She quickly planted a kiss on Li Ba’s cheek, then turned and walked into the Villa. The beauty was gone, but her sweet scent lingered. Li Ba touched his cheek, grinning like a fool, and it took him quite a while before he finally left, reluctantly. Early the next morning, as he stepped out the front gate of the Villa, Li Ba stretched his back and spotted the thriving tomato seedlings growing in the corner of the wall; a happy smile spread across his chubby face. The Spiritual Spring in his spatial realm was truly miraculous; it had the ability to purify and enhance water quality. After mixing the irrigation water at a ratio of one part spring water to two thousand parts regular water, the tomato seedlings had taken root in the soil overnight, thriving and all surviving. This would solve the problem of limited space in the bracelet’s pocket dimension. At the same time, he could now openly grow all kinds of fruits and vegetables. Taking advantage of the cool early morning air, Li Ba set to work. Transplanting, watering, and setting up trellises—half an hour later, he had filled the flower beds with vegetable seedlings. When Yan'er, Dafang, and Xiaofang woke up and stepped outside, they were utterly amazed to see clusters of lush green seedlings sprouting from the flower beds in the courtyard. “Uncle, did you plant these?” Yan'er skipped over. “Mm-hmm. Before the apocalypse, that’s what I did for a living.” Li Ba’s face beamed with pride. “Li Ge, we thought you were just a high-ranking salesperson at a seed company. We never expected… that you’d be so knowledgeable about agricultural techniques. We’re truly impressed!” The brothers, Dafang and Xiaofang, looked at him with admiration. They knew full well just how difficult it was to grow vegetables under the harsh climate of the apocalypse. “If I didn’t have a few tricks up my sleeve, how could I dare open a store?” Li Ba bragged shamelessly for a bit. Afterward, he told Da Fang and Xiao Fang to head over to the farmers’ market after breakfast to scout the area, figure out the exchange rates for various supplies, keep track of the numbers, and prepare for the grand opening of their supply store. As for himself, he didn’t plan to go out today; he’d stay home to supervise the workers and make sure they finished the remaining tasks as quickly as possible. Also, although the vegetable seedlings had taken root, it would still take quite some time before they were ready for harvest. Therefore, he decided to try growing some bean sprouts first to meet the needs for the store’s grand opening. Yan'er was absolutely fascinated by the lush green vegetable seedlings and loved them dearly. Seeing this, Li Ba entrusted her with the task of watering them morning and night, so the little girl wouldn’t be idle and end up feeling bored all day. “Uncle, don’t worry—I’ll definitely get the job done,” Yan'er said, clenching her little fist in a solemn promise. After breakfast, Li Ba saw those two “door gods” come looking for Zhou Yan. Before long, they all headed out together. Zhou Yan even instructed the “Sisters” to close shop for the day so they could go help Li Ba. Zhou Yan was off to deal with her own troubles, but what about him? Li Ba smiled helplessly. From Da Fang and Xiao Fang, he’d learned that Li Chao—that scumbag—had left the settlement just a couple of days after he’d arrived in the city to join a squad of Evolvers on a mission. Once Li Chao returned—and the city wasn’t that big—he was bound to run into Li Ba. When that happened, Li Ba’s trouble would begin. “Jesus Christ, I’m begging you to take that bastard Li Chao and send him to the afterlife. Amen!” Li Ba mimicked a Christian, making the sign of the cross over his chest and praying earnestly. Of course, this was just self-deception; as far as he was concerned, the later Li Chao returned to the city, the better. Once he’d built up enough confidence and had a pile of food coupons on hand, he could easily hire Evolvers to work for him. By then, he wouldn’t have to fear Li Chao anymore. There was no point in overthinking it. If trouble really came, there’d be no escaping it. He’d better make the most of his time and get his supply store up and running. After dinner, Da Fang and Xiao Fang headed out to the farmers’ market to check on supply prices. The workers had also arrived and, under Li Ba’s direction, were bustling about with great enthusiasm. Sihai Tower. Eighteen stories tall, with a magnificent exterior and an interior decorated with the utmost luxury. Before the apocalypse, this had been the most luxurious star-rated hotel in Xibu Town. After the settlement was established, it was taken over by a major faction second only to the authorities. “This is most likely a charade staged by Zhao Laifu and Lord Long’s people working together… Sister Yan, you need to think this through carefully!” “That’s right. No one in the entire settlement is buying our Villas—only Brother Long’s people are willing to take them off our hands. They’re not buying them outright, just taking them as collateral, and they’re even dragging you into it, Yan Jie. This is clearly a trap set just for you. Yan Jie, you absolutely must not fall for it!” At the entrance to the building, Heizi and Daozai looked grave as they pleaded with her. Zhou Yan clenched her teeth and steeled herself. “I can’t worry about all that now. As long as I become an Evolver, I’ll be under the military’s protection. Even if Lord Long and Zhao Laifu’s factions are powerful, they won’t be able to touch me.” She walked in resolutely. Heizi and Daozai exchanged glances, shared a helpless, wry smile, and followed her inside. “Here’s the contract. Ms. Zhou, please take a look. If everything’s in order, just sign it and press your fingerprint!” Sixth floor of the building. Inside an office, Zhou Yan held the contract. After reading it carefully, she clenched her teeth, signed it, and pressed her fingerprint on it. Beside her, in addition to Heizi and Daozai, stood a man in his late thirties or early forties, dressed in a suit with slicked-back hair and a smarmy expression—he clearly wasn’t a good person. After Zhou Yan signed the contract—which was drawn up in duplicate—the man pocketed one copy, then pulled out ten stacks of grain coupons, each stack worth 10,000 jin, and handed them to Zhou Yan. “One hundred thousand jin in grain coupons. According to the contract, if you fail to repay the principal and interest in full within one month, Ms. Zhou, you and all the assets under your name will become the property of Sihai Pawnshop!” the man in the suit said with a smirk. A flash of cunning crossed his eyes. “Don’t worry. I’ll repay the principal and interest in full when the time comes.” Zhou Yan took the grain coupons, motioned to Heizi and Daozai, and walked away without looking back. After they left the office, the man in the suit picked up a walkie-talkie from the desk, tuned the frequency, and called out, “Commissioner Zhao, the task you assigned has been completed.” Less than half a minute later, Zhao Laifu’s triumphant laughter came through the walkie-talkie: “Little Zhang, well done… As long as you take down that slut, not a single bit of the reward I promised you will be withheld.” “Not at all, not at all. It’s my honor to serve Commissioner Zhao…” the man in the suit replied with a string of flattery. After hanging up, he picked up the contract Zhou Yan had signed, walked out of the office, and took the elevator straight to the top floor of the building. There, he would meet the owner of the building. He, too, was very interested in the matter involving Zhou Yan.