Chapter 44: We’re Back to Sell, Sell, Sell

When Yan Yu told her parents, Yan Lao’er got excited.

“Trade! Trade! Trade!”

Li Xuemei and Yan Yu both looked at him. Trade what exactly? They hadn’t even discussed what to exchange yet. They still had to see if the other party would agree and consider the Platform’s valuation.

“Even if we don’t hunt, it’s good for self-defense,” Li Xuemei nodded in agreement.

As for Yan Lao’er, no need to ask—he was even more in favor.

“Uncle, is the crossbow dangerous? Could it hurt us?” Safety was a must. They were just ordinary folks and had never handled such dangerous, regulated items.

“Don’t worry, I’ve designed a safety catch. Normally, it stays locked like this. When you’re ready to use it, you unlock it, shoot one bolt, then shove the next one in—then it’s pew pew pew all the way!” The uncle demonstrated for Yan Yu.

Yan Yu: …

How did he finish a working prototype this fast?!

“I’ll give you ten alloy arrowheads. Even if you run into a tiger, it’ll be enough—aim straight for the forehead, it’ll pierce the skull.

It’s small enough to hold one-handed, but when shooting, you’d better support it with both hands. It’s pure metal, still has some weight.”

The uncle wanted to show off and fired at the wall—but missed the aim entirely and shot outside the screen.

Yan Yu: Completely failed to see how accurate this thing is.

“Uncle, what do you want in exchange? You know what’s on my shelves.”

She doubted the uncle had any interest in pots, pans, or straw sandals. Physician Cui’s medicine would probably be more useful to the disaster-stricken sisters.

“Haha, look at you being all stingy.” The uncle laughed happily. “This time it’s really a massive clearance sale. Just give me that iron pot of yours and we’re good. But let’s agree on one thing—when you do get some game in the future, don’t forget me!”

“Don’t worry, Uncle, I’m still eyeing your Exploration and Collection Robot,” Yan Yu immediately painted him a beautiful future.

The two settled the deal.

An iron pot for a crossbow.

The uncle was definitely taking a loss on this one. The Platform hesitated for quite a while before finally transmitting the item over.

Hey, it actually seemed a little reluctant.

Both sides knew… this time they had really pushed close to the trading threshold.

“Uncle, can you trade me some of your nutrient solution, vegetable juice, or fruit juice?” Yan Yu wanted to get some for her mother, pour it into a bamboo tube so no one could see what it was.

Easy to absorb and good for the baby.

“You don’t even have a fridge. I’ll give you one bottle of each.” The uncle picked out three bottles. “Corn-flavored nutrient solution, carrot-cucumber-celery juice, and kiwi-orange-pear juice. What do you think? If you don’t like them, I can swap.”

Plenty of flavors available.

Yan Yu: …

The nutrient solution sounded like the best option.

Vegetable and fruit juices… honestly, the names alone killed her appetite.

“Do you want rice or flour?” She now had both on her shelves. Rich girl vibes!

“Rice! Rice!”

The uncle sounded a little regretful now. “If only you still had potatoes. They’d go so well with the beef!”

Yan Yu puffed her cheeks angrily. Way to bring up sore spots.

She hadn’t planned to haggle, but the uncle was too annoying, really poking where it hurt.

“One jin of rice for four bottles, and you throw in…” She scrolled through the uncle’s item list. “A banana-flavored nutrient solution.”

“Deal!” He didn’t think he was losing out. These synthetic nutrient drinks, apart from the actual nutritional content… well, the taste… experience it for yourself.

But when they tried to make the trade, they hit a snag.

The Platform wouldn’t approve.

Expressionless, Yan Yu reduced the amount of rice, little by little, until the trade finally went through.

The uncle burst out in crazy laughter.

“Hahahahahahaha…”

“Uncle, do you have extra water? Can I trade for some?” Yan Yu forced herself to speak, face burning. Getting flagged by the Platform for being too greedy… so embarrassing.

“I’ve got some, but my pollution level is serious. Potable water is extremely precious here. Honestly, it’s not cost-effective for you to trade from me. You’ll definitely pay more than if you got it elsewhere.”

Yan Yu thought about what she currently had, sighed. The food—she couldn’t bear to trade that. The daily-use stuff—the uncle wouldn’t need it.

Hmm?

“Uncle, have you ever tried growing something yourself?”

She thought of that cheerful boy from last time who traded soil with her, brightly pitching the idea: “Last time a little brother traded soil with me—real dirt for growing vegetables. You should try too!

Imagine if you could grow your own food—how great would that be?”

The uncle glanced out his window at the dim, hazy sky.

“The indoor air purifiers run all day. One isn’t enough—needs at least three in case one breaks.

Even if indoor conditions are okay, you still need sunlight and water to grow anything.

I can simulate light, but water… it’s too expensive.”

Alright… Yan Yu regretfully let go of this no-cost business idea.

“Uncle, I’m switching back. I still need to shop at the Marketplace.”

Before the uncle could even nod, Yan Yu cut the feed.

The uncle: …

Impatient little girl.

She checked the time—still five minutes left.

Not bad. She had squeezed this out with great effort.

“Alright, let’s start selling!” She first checked the balance. “Mom, note this down. Current balance—294.”

Oof!

Their family was really poor. Sold a whole house and ended up with this little.

Li Xuemei used a twig to jot it down on the ground.

“All set. Start with the straw sandals.”

Yan Yu agreed, “Okay! Let’s see how much our Straw Weaving Girl Group products—straw sandals—can fetch.”

“Ta-da-da-da! Straw sandals, 2.4! Wow! Platform, you really are like this—slashed by half right off the bat!”

Yan Yu sold pair after pair, cheerfully announcing prices. “2.4, 2.4, 2.4… 3.6? Huh? 3.6?”

Did one pair sneak in?

All the others sold for 2.4, why this one for 3.6?

On reflex, she glanced at the pair in her hand and placed it on the shelf.

“Another 3.6?”

Li Xuemei checked the remaining sandals. The two quickly spotted the difference.

Ordinary straw sandals, regardless of size, sold for 2.4. The higher-priced 3.6 ones had extra woven flower patterns.

Apparently, that tiny difference led to the price change.

Yan Yu sighed, “So this is the advanced version of straw sandals. The artisan’s creativity and talent really shine through.”

Li Xuemei divided the remaining sandals into two piles and handed over the plain ones first. “Quick, sell these first, don’t get distracted.”

After selling the sandals, the two sold a quilt.

Marketplace price: 196. This time the Platform gave them 39. No idea how it calculated that.

Two pairs of insoles left by Yan Lao’er, 5 each.

Then came the family’s bowls. Ever since their previous bowl trade experience, the neighbors insisted Yan Lao’er carry a few spares when going out, so he could trade on the spot without multiple trips.

A stingy 0.5 per bowl—about the price of an egg.

“Keep selling?” Yan Yu paused after selling one and asked.

“Sell!” Yan Lao’er answered without hesitation.

Why keep them? These leftover things—just sell them to the Platform bit by bit.

So what if it’s only enough for an egg? Who’s looking down on eggs? Eggs are meat too!

(End of Chapter)