Chapter 241: Cooperation

Chapter 241: Chapter 241: Cooperation

Xiaqing stood beside the Head Wolf, rifle in hand and bristling with killing intent. "Your actions pose a significant threat to me. According to the Lord Law, I have the right to kill you on the spot."

"Put the gun down!" Tang Huai kicked the shins of the two men in front of him, then explained to Xiaqing, "I was standing outside. I didn’t enter your territory."

Seeing them lower their weapons, Xiaqing stated the facts. "But you just threw a rock and attacked my territory."

’I...’

Tang Huai suppressed his anger. "Sorry. I have urgent business with you, but it wasn’t something I could say over the walkie-talkie, and I don’t have your contact info. This was the only way I could get your attention."

Before Xiaqing could shut him down with a sharp retort, Tang Huai stated his purpose directly. "I want to visit Brother San in Territory Land No. 7. Can you help me contact him and ask when he’s free?"

Xiaqing raised an eyebrow.

Zhang San, who usually couldn’t be bothered with other people’s business, had suddenly interrupted a deal between Tang Huai and Li Si this afternoon. The whole thing was highly unusual. Xiaqing had guessed the Tang Family would try to find Zhang San, but she hadn’t expected Tang Huai to come to her to act as a go-between, instead of going to Captain Tan or Brother Luo.

’What are they planning?’

Tang Huai pushed his two bodyguards aside and stood before Xiaqing, making his offer directly. "A good buddy of mine in the Safe Zone can get the best military-grade canine Protective Suits. A wolf can definitely wear them—they come with a Protective Mask and boots. What do you say? A wolf’s paws are easily cut by sharp objects. If your Speed Evolution Wolf wears boots, its Speed will definitely increase."

Xiaqing glanced down at the Head Wolf’s large paws, tempted. "I can ask for you, but whether Brother San agrees to see you or not, you have to give me three Protective Suits. My Evolutionary Sheep needs one too. And you must keep this a secret. You can’t tell anyone you saw this wolf."

One for the wolf beside her, one for the Sick Wolf that the Su Feng Team saw when they were spying on her territory, and one for the Sheep Leader.

Tang Huai gritted his teeth. "I can keep it a secret, but three suits is too many!"

Xiaqing’s expression was calm. "You’re on Territory Land No. 7’s no-trade list. Since you’re asking for my help, you should understand the risk I’m taking by contacting Brother San."

’Actually, there’s no risk at all. My idol is sharp; he’s probably already figured out what he wants from the Tang Family by now.’

No one knew better than Tang Huai, who had been on Zhang San’s trade blacklist for over half a year, just how petty Zhang San could be. He lost his fight. "Three Protective Suits, but one of them without boots. A sheep doesn’t have pads on its feet, so it doesn’t need boots."

Xiaqing refused to haggle. "All three sets need boots."

"Deal! Contact Brother San right now. And don’t give me that crap about not having a phone. I’ve heard you use it plenty of times!"

Having secured three Protective Suits, Xiaqing didn’t pursue the matter of him eavesdropping. She took out her phone and called Ji Li directly. "Brother Ji, Tang Huai from the Second Territory wants to visit Brother San. Could you please ask Brother San when he might be available?"

"One moment."

Hearing that Ji Li didn’t reject him outright, Tang Huai felt there was a chance. He relaxed slightly and began to study the Evolutionary Wolf next to Xiaqing. "Where did you get this one? It’s much stronger than the Sick Wolf! By the way, how do you manage food for two wolves? Do you hunt for them, or do they hunt for themselves?"

The Head Wolf, annoyed, leaped into the air and vanished. Tang Huai was drooling with envy. "So fast! Xiaqing, you’re amazing! This must be your fourth tamed beast, right? Did you evolve the ability to communicate with beasts?"

’Have you ever even seen an ability like that?’ Xiaqing retorted coldly, "Did you evolve the ability to communicate with insects?"

Before Tang Huai could reply, Zhang San called. His voice was lazy. "Xiaqing, since when are you and Tang Huai on such good terms?"

Although she could tell her idol’s displeasure was feigned, Xiaqing still put on a good show. "Please don’t be angry. Tang Huai offered three military canine Protective Suits just for me to make a call for him. If you want to see him, see him. If you don’t, then don’t."

’Damn it!’

Zhang San snorted coldly. "So you were bought off with just three Protective Suits?"

Xiaqing chuckled. "Hehe. What’s for dinner tonight, Brother San? I still have a Green Light frozen rabbit. Should I send it over to you?"

Zhang San’s tone finally softened. "I’ll have Ji Li come get it."

"Okay, Brother San. I’ll go get it right away."

Xiaqing hung up and started walking back. Tang Huai grew anxious. "Xiaqing, what about me? What am I supposed to do? Is Brother San going to see me or not?"

"Wait."

After her one-word reply, Xiaqing headed down the mountain. Tang Huai was about to curse, but then he saw the wolf from before had returned. It was sitting there, staring at him with menacing eyes, and he immediately shut his mouth.

As Xiaqing passed the vegetable shed with the frozen rabbit, she grabbed a handful of spinach leaves, picked two cucumbers and a few tomatoes, and hurried to the Northern Isolation Zone.

Ji Li arrived shortly after. Xiaqing handed him the basket. "Sorry to trouble you with a trip this late, Brother Ji. The rabbit and spinach are for Brother San. The cucumbers and tomatoes are for you, to add to your meal."

"Thank you." After taking the basket, Ji Li finally spoke to Tang Huai, who had been waiting with eager eyes. "Our Lord says that if you are also interested in cultivating edible fungi, a collaboration could be considered."

"No need to consider! It’s our honor to collaborate with Brother San!" Tang Huai immediately handed over a box of Green Light Evolution Smoke. "Thank you for making the trip, Brother Ji. In a few days, I’ll get a Protective Suit made for a cat and send it over. I don’t have anything else of value, so I hope Brother San won’t mind."

Ji Li accepted the smoke. "Two suits."

"Okay!" When someone from Territory Land No. 7 named a price, Tang Huai agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

After Ji Li had walked some distance away, Tang Huai took off his Protective Mask and, with an attitude of two hundred percent sincerity, tried to negotiate with Xiaqing. "Xiaqing, my family hasn’t had it easy these past few years. Now we finally have a chance to work with a major figure. I hope you can help us by keeping this a secret from everyone."

Xiaqing pretended not to have seen Ji Li slip a note to Tang Huai when he handed over the smoke. She nodded and agreed to his request. "Fine."

Seeing her agree so readily, Tang Huai was relieved and immediately pushed his luck. "We share a secret now, so let’s exchange contact information, right? That way I can let you know when the Protective Suits arrive. You asked for three suits, which must mean that Sick Wolf is still alive. Has it put on any weight?"

"Contacting me like this is convenient enough. Queen, let’s go home." Xiaqing called to the Head Wolf and turned to go home and make dinner. She planned to gather Chestnuts tomorrow and needed to prepare thoroughly tonight. She was busy.

Just as the forecast for the past two days had predicted, the next three days were expected to be mostly sunny. She could go to the Evolution Forest tomorrow.

While preparing her gear, Xiaqing listened to Kuang Qingwei and the others complain about their cellars flooding or being unable to get rid of the dampness. When Zhao Ze asked her about it, Xiaqing just gave a simple reply, "The humidity is definitely too high. It’s not an easy problem to solve."

As a Three-System (and now possibly Four-System) Evolved Person harboring many secrets, Xiaqing resolved to be cautious, cautious, and even more cautious in the future. Tang Huai was a perfect cautionary tale.