Chapter Forty: Trinkets

Jiang Huan put down her chopsticks after just a few bites and sipped the juice in her glass. Xiao Yi was gone for half an hour, and by the time he returned, the dishes were steaming hot—just right.

“Over here,” Jiang Huan waved him over. Xiao Yi came over with a bespectacled man.

“This is my senior, Gao Qiang.”

“Hello, Jiang Huan.” They shook hands. Gao Qiang’s hand was rough and cold.

The young man next to them stood up and bowed slightly, introducing himself as “Monkey”—his real name was Hou Shengli.

Gao Qiang looked awkward, swallowing nervously but still not reaching for his chopsticks. Jiang Huan smiled and urged them to eat. “The bowls and chopsticks were set out in advance. We’re just here to have a meal and get to know each other. Even if things don’t work out, at least we’ll have made new friends. There’s no need to be nervous—this is well within what I can afford.”

If she didn’t show a little prosperity in front of the talent she wanted to recruit, how could she win them over? Rely on her personal charm? What nonsense. She was neither a peerless beauty nor did she possess some remarkable social skills. Showing her strength was the most efficient way.

Xiao Yi, being more familiar with Jiang Huan, knew she wasn’t putting on airs. At her prompting, he encouraged his senior to eat, then grabbed his own chopsticks as well.

Though the men were restrained at first, they were no dainty eaters—soon, not even a scallion was left on the table, and they even asked for more rice.

She topped up another twenty contribution points.

The restaurant was warm, and not many people came to eat. Jiang Huan decided to stay there to talk business. “My brother is eighteen this year. He used to like puzzles and building toys like Lego. Lately, I’ve noticed he’s been drawing diagrams and breaking down mechanical structures on his own. With the winter so harsh and little to do, I think it’s important for him to keep learning. So I’m looking for a tutor with relevant expertise. Xiao Yi recommended you, saying you’ve won several awards, so I thought I’d ask you directly about your interest.”

Jiang Huan laid out the pros and cons: “My brother has mild autism, but he can handle normal teaching and communication. He just needs a bit more patience from his teacher, as he can’t self-regulate like an adult. Aside from professional qualifications, my only other requirement is that you provide a supportive and friendly learning environment for him. In terms of basic compensation, I’ll provide room and board—three meals a day and a snack. The working hours won’t exceed six hours a day. We’ll discuss further compensation after a probation period. If tutoring goes well, I’ll do my best to meet your requirements, whether it’s more contribution points, goods, or something else within my ability.”

Xiao Yi added, “Miss Jiang is more than capable—she’s always out finding supplies. You’ll never have to worry about basics, senior. Give it some thought.”

“How long is the probation period?”

“Three days, one lesson a day. If both sides are satisfied, you can start officially right away.” Trusting Xiao Yi’s recommendation was one thing, but she wouldn’t blindly trust anyone. It was best for both parties to have clear expectations.

Gao Qiang considered this. “If I do stay on, could I bring my girlfriend to live there too?”

“That’s your choice. I’m paying for your expertise and the value you bring. As long as those aren’t affected, you can bring whoever you want.”

“Alright, then I’ll give it a try and see if I’m up to the job. When do we leave?”

“We won’t be coming this way often. Go home and pack whatever essentials you need. Come with us when you’re ready. Three days later, whether it works out or not, I’ll come back for you.”

Gao Qiang stood up, said his goodbyes, and went home to pack, agreeing to meet at the entrance later.

Jiang Huan sent Xiao Yi off to check on the car, then followed the young man “Monkey” around the survival base.

Perhaps because she’d treated him to a meal, the young man was chattier than before. As they strolled, she noticed a few stalls selling jewelry, though they saw little business.

Jiang Huan approached one of the stalls. “How much for the gold bracelets?”

A woman rubbing her hands for warmth looked up; her face was mostly buried in her scarf, only her eyes visible, with deep lines at the corners. “Two contribution points each. If you can give me food on the spot, I’ll take just about anything to trade. Which one do you want?”

Jiang Huan squatted down and picked out the heaviest ones—almost half of the woman’s stock.

The woman was stunned. Was this girl joking, or was she serious?

“Thirty pounds of rice, though it’s been frozen. Is that enough?”

The woman’s joy was palpable as she nodded vigorously. “More than enough!”

Even frozen, it could still be cooked into porridge. Taste was meaningless in the face of survival.

“The rest of the silver and decorative pieces aren’t worth much. I’ll throw in a bag of instant noodles and take them all. Pack them up and come with me—my supplies aren’t on me.” To show her sincerity, Jiang Huan handed over a few fruit candies.

The woman hesitated, but decided to trust her. Noticing Jiang Huan’s fondness for gold jewelry, she added, “There are a couple of other sellers I know. Two of them used to collect gold—they’ve even got gold bars the size of your palm. If you’re interested, I’ll take you.”

“Alright.” She followed the woman to a sheltered corner. This stall was much better—at least it had a table, and the setup was far warmer.

The stall owner wore a thick hat and greeted her, “Take a look. Try on whatever you like—it’s all cheap.”

Jiang Huan noticed that most of their goods were pure gold or silver, and declared she’d take it all. “One hundred pounds of rice, one barrel of oil, and some ready-to-eat food. Deal?”

“How much oil? What kind of ready-to-eat food, and how many portions?”

“Five pounds of oil, five packs of self-heating meals, or ten packs of instant noodles.” Following her earlier method, Jiang Huan took out a handful of candies as a gesture of goodwill.

“Deal.”

With another person trailing behind her to carry goods, Jiang Huan swept several more stalls before being stopped by a short, stout man with a sly smile, his clothes suggesting he was faring well even in the apocalypse.

“Miss, you seem to like gold and silver jewelry. That stuff at the stalls is worthless. Come to my shop—I’ve got diamonds, crystals, gemstones, you name it.”

The woman and the man in the hat hesitated. Even Monkey seemed about to pull Jiang Huan back.

After all, this man was a notorious swindler with powerful connections. He’d cheated and bullied his way through the base with impunity.

Jiang Huan saw through him at once—he wasn’t an honest dealer. “Sorry, my budget’s already spent. Maybe next time.”

She turned to leave, but the man wouldn’t let such a fat sheep slip away. “Just cancel those orders! That stall junk isn’t worth your time. Only my shop has what you deserve.”

“Did you not understand me?” Jiang Huan enunciated each word. “I said next time. Now move aside.”

“Hey! You don’t know who you’re dealing with, do you? Offend me and you’ll never set foot in this base again. Forget shopping—I’ll make sure—”

So he intended to get rough?

Jiang Huan slid her hand from her pocket, revealing a small object.

The man’s sinister smile vanished instantly. “I—I’m not selling anymore! Not selling! Calm down!”

“She’s got a gun!” someone in the crowd suddenly screamed.