Chapter 146 – Isn’t That Obviously a Money-Losing Project?

Xu Zhengming found himself in a dilemma. After a long pause, he looked up at Pang Tao.

“Have you contacted the cat and dog rescue center in the neighboring city? Are they willing to take in some of the stray dogs?”

If another rescue center was willing to share the burden, the situation would be much easier to handle, and their own pressure would be greatly reduced.

Pang Tao shook his head with a bitter smile.

“We did get in touch, but as soon as they heard there’s a distemper outbreak, they flat-out refused.”

Sigh…

Xu Zhengming let out a helpless sigh.

Just then, the sound of car horns came from outside.

Pang Tao looked out the window toward the noise.

It looked like some vehicles had stopped in front of the rescue center.

“Probably someone’s come to donate dog food.”

Usually, whenever a car showed up at the rescue center, it was someone kind-hearted coming to donate supplies.

“Come on, let’s go take a look.”

Xu Zhengming got up and walked out with Pang Tao.

In the courtyard of the rescue center, a few volunteers were already curiously peering outside.

Xu Zhengming and Pang Tao stood on the steps and, through the courtyard wall, saw that there were four large trucks parked outside—leaving them both stunned.

Four trucks? If they were all delivering donations, that would be no small amount.

Exchanging glances, the two quickly made their way down the steps and toward the gate.

As soon as they opened the gate, they saw a familiar figure approaching with two young people.

“Lawyer Tang, thank you again. You’re really too generous.”

Xu Zhengming looked at Tang Qiu as she walked up and spoke gratefully.

“Brother Xu, don’t get the wrong idea. This time, it’s not me donating—this is Mr. Chen Mo here.”

Tang Qiu smiled and gestured to the man beside her.

Hearing that, Xu Zhengming gave an awkward smile and quickly turned to Chen Mo, apologetically saying:

“Mr. Chen, I’m sorry, I misunderstood. Really, thank you so much for your kindness.”

Seeing Tang Qiu had arrived, he’d naturally assumed she was donating again—after all, she’d brought cat food and dog food several times before.

Chen Mo gave a small smile, noticing Xu Zhengming’s nervousness.

“No worries. It doesn’t matter who’s helping—what matters is that we can support those stray cats and dogs.”

“Mr. Chen, if everyone were as kindhearted as you, I don’t think there would be any strays left in the world. A compassionate boss like you is bound to make big money.”

Pang Tao suddenly chimed in with praise.

Chen Mo’s expression froze slightly at that, then he quickly changed the subject, pointing to the four trucks in the distance.

“Uh… these four trucks are loaded with cat food and dog food. Just let them know where to unload.”

All cat and dog food?

Xu Zhengming was stunned, turning to look at the trucks.

Each truck could carry about five tons—so four trucks meant about twenty tons of pet food.

If you converted that into money, even at the cheapest price, it would cost hundreds of thousands, right?

This Mr. Chen really was making a big gesture!

“The warehouse is over there—I’ll take you.”

Xu Zhengming led them toward a storage building in the courtyard.

Once the location was confirmed, even the volunteers from the rescue center came out to help unload the goods.

After some effort, all the pet food was finally moved into storage.

Looking at the warehouse now packed full of food, Xu Zhengming couldn’t help feeling emotional. With this much supply, they wouldn’t have to worry about those stray animals going hungry for quite a while.

And saving that much on food expenses gave him confidence they could take in those 200-plus stray dogs.

With that thought in mind,

Xu Zhengming looked at Chen Mo with deep gratitude.

“Mr. Chen, thank you so much. This donation of dog food has literally saved over 200 lives!”

“Brother Xu, I’m just doing a little to help. The real credit for saving lives goes to you all.”

Chen Mo waved his hand, a bit embarrassed. After all, this was system money—he didn’t feel any pain spending it, so it didn’t feel that noble to him.

The truly great ones were the people here, dedicating their time and effort to care for these strays.

“Mr. Chen, Brother Xu isn’t exaggerating. Just last night, a volunteer stopped two trucks carrying trafficked dogs. There were over 200 strays on board. Xu and I were racking our brains trying to figure out what to do with them—then you showed up just in time.”

“With this batch of dog food you donated, the financial pressure has eased a lot. We can probably afford to take in all of them.”

Pang Tao also came over and explained the situation.

Seriously?

Chen Mo was a bit surprised—he hadn’t expected that his donation would end up being so perfectly timed.

After thinking for a moment, he asked:

“Where are those 200 stray dogs now?”

“They’re still on the traffickers’ trucks, about ten kilometers from here. But with your donation, we’re preparing to bring them over. Would you like to come see, Mr. Chen?”

Xu Zhengming gave him a genuine smile.

“Alright.”

Chen Mo nodded after thinking it over.

He also wanted to see with his own eyes how those traffickers were treating the strays.

“Let’s go then.”

Xu Zhengming was eager. The dogs were still suffering in those trucks, and now that they’d decided to take them in, he wanted to act quickly.

And so, the group headed out to bring the dogs back.

However, because some of the dogs had already contracted distemper, they didn’t bring them directly to the rescue center. Instead, they placed them in an empty, isolated courtyard for quarantine.

Chen Mo watched as one by one, the dogs were released from the trucks. He fell silent.

Some of them were barely alive, lying still on the ground. Some were covered in wounds, hiding in corners, licking their injuries and whimpering softly. Some were limping around with a broken leg.

The most horrific one was a dog missing an eye—its empty socket pitch black.

Taking a life is less cruel than this.

He couldn’t understand how the traffickers could be so heartless.

Once the dogs were settled, the group returned to the rescue center. On the way back, the previously cheerful Tang Qiu and Song Xia were now quiet and somber—clearly affected by the heartbreaking sight of those animals.

Back at the rescue center—

Just as they were about to say their goodbyes, they realized the staff had already prepared a meal for them.

“Mr. Chen, we don’t have much, but please at least stay for lunch.”

Xu Zhengming warmly invited them.

Chen Mo checked the time—it was already noon—so he agreed.

Halfway through the meal, the heavy atmosphere caused by the strays began to lift, and things got lively again.

Pang Tao downed a glass of beer and spoke enthusiastically.

“Mr. Chen, I’ve always had this idea—to build a pet park. Like a zoo, but with cats and dogs instead. Visitors could come play and interact with them.”

“That way, we could charge admission and use that money to rescue more stray animals.”

“Too bad none of the investors saw the potential. They all rejected it.”

Xu Zhengming glanced at the slightly tipsy Pang Tao and snatched the beer glass from his hand.

“Don’t bring up that ridiculous project again. Who would pay to see a bunch of strays, some even injured or disabled?”

“Isn’t that clearly a money-losing venture? I’d be shocked if any investor actually backed it.”