Doomsday Grocery Store – CH72

Chapter 72

After gaining experience points and points, Tang Yu’an let Kangkang enjoy his bun without worry.

The child’s stomach had gradually adapted; although he had already eaten breakfast, his belly wasn’t full yet, and he could still eat half a bun.

After he finished eating, Tang Yu’an pulled out some straw and accompanied him in weaving grasshoppers.

Kangkang watched intently.

He had seen his grandmother weave baskets before but had never thought about weaving other things.

Unconsciously, playtime passed.

Feeling that it was about time, Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi carried Kangkang to find Granny Guo. With the map, plus the new terrain display function, there was no worry about not finding her.

When they arrived, Granny Guo had already finished promoting growth and was digging out potatoes from the ground.

She was using a sharpened wooden stick, which made digging quite laborious.

Tang Yu’an then took out a shovel from his backpack—actually from his personal warehouse.

“Granny, we’ll help you dig!”

Seeing that they had found her, presumably directed by Kangkang, Granny Guo wasn’t surprised. She was just a bit puzzled that Tang Yu’an carried a shovel with him, and her eyes showed some doubt.

Noticing her curious gaze, Tang Yu’an casually said, “We’re planning to visit Uncle Tie Jin later to have him forge a shovel for us.”

At this point, he paused slightly and then asked Granny Guo, “Granny, do you know Uncle Tie Jin?”

Granny Guo shook her head. “I’ve heard Old Li mention him but haven’t met him.”

In the Desolate city, the only person she knew was Old Li; she left the seeds of her plants with him, entrusting him to trade them.

“I heard from Old Li that he’s quite a good person.”

She had also asked Old Li to have Tie Jin craft some items, like her sickle and the insulated containers she used to store things.

A thick layer of mutated metal provided excellent insulation, with an upper layer made of ordinary material, filled with water, leaves, and spores of a type of mutated mushroom.

These mushroom spores would absorb a large amount of heat during growth, allowing the interior of the container to maintain a relatively low temperature.

With such insulation devices, her seeds could be stored for longer periods.

Tie Jin’s craftsmanship was excellent, and he used solid materials—a capable ability user worth associating with.

It’s just that she was used to being cautious and wasn’t keen on interacting with outsiders. After all, in this apocalyptic wasteland, it was safer to close your door and live your own life.

At this moment, she heard Tang Yu’an say, “Yes, Uncle Tie Jin is very nice! He adopted a little girl some time ago and even asked us to buy clothes for her in the town.”

Hearing this, Granny Guo couldn’t help but be a bit surprised.

He adopted a child? And even bought her clothes?

If that’s true, then Tie Jin’s character is indeed exceptional.

Granny Guo couldn’t help but glance at Kangkang, who was squatting nearby helping to dig potatoes. Ever since An An and the others arrived, Kangkang had visibly become happier.

She knew that her grandson longed for playmates.

If Tie Jin lived nearby and had a child at home, then…

“Granny, do you need a hoe?” At this moment, Zhou Qi’s words interrupted her thoughts.

Granny Guo only had one metal tool—a sickle. Because she had plant-type abilities, she could rapidly grow trees and then harvest the fruits before discarding them, so she didn’t need tools like a hoe.

But now that she was planting potatoes, tools like a hoe for turning the soil became necessary.

“If you need one, we can help you order one from Uncle Tie Jin.”

Granny Guo couldn’t help but be tempted but hesitated. “Wouldn’t that be too much trouble…”

“It’s no trouble. We’re also asking Uncle Tie Jin to make a wok and a machete; making a hoe shouldn’t be difficult.”

Zhou Qi pointed at the potatoes and said, “His adopted daughter is only a little over one year old and can’t eat solid food; he’s worried about it every day.”

“Potatoes, when boiled soft, become fluffy and tender, perfect for a little baby to eat. If you trade potatoes with him, he’d be very pleased.”

Hearing that the child Tie Jin adopted was so young, Granny Guo’s favorable impression of him increased.

She knew how difficult it was to raise a child, especially in this resource-scarce and dangerous wasteland. Being able to raise one’s own children was rare enough, let alone adopting someone else’s child.

However, being cautious, she didn’t immediately mention meeting Tie Jin.

“Then you can help me ask him.”

If she could reach a deal with him through the two boys, that would be ideal.

“What size do you need?”

Zhou Qi inquired about some details and, after confirming Granny Guo’s requirements, said he would ask when they met Tie Jin later.

Granny Guo thanked them, her gaze becoming increasingly kind and gentle.

Today, Granny Guo had promoted the growth of two potato plants, and based on the growth characteristics of potatoes, she increased the water and nutrients. As a result, the potato yield was even higher than yesterday.

They dug out a total of 32 potatoes; the largest was as big as a baby’s head, and the smallest was about the size of Tang Yu’an’s fist.

Granny Guo looked at the pile of potatoes, smiling so broadly that her face was full of wrinkles.

“These potatoes are enough to eat for many days,” she said. “Next, I can focus on planting fruit trees and rice.”

High potato yields were good, but storage was an issue, so there was no need to produce too many at once.

Moreover, she hadn’t forgotten that the two boys loved to eat sweet fruits. Having received so much help, she naturally hoped to repay them as much as possible.

*

Although more people made digging faster, the sun had already risen high by this time. Tang Yu’an finally couldn’t withstand the high temperature and took out the fruit that Kangkang had given him earlier. After rinsing it with water, he put it into his mouth.

The fruit, green with a hint of blue, released cool juice as soon as he bit into it, followed by a sour and astringent taste.

Soon, Tang Yu’an’s face puckered from the sourness.

He had never eaten such a sour fruit!

But thinking about it, it made sense. After all, Kangkang had used less than a week to promote its growth. The fruit might have just formed and was picked immediately; it would be strange if it wasn’t sour.

But to Tang Yu’an’s surprise, after eating the fruit… he didn’t feel hot anymore?

He ran around under the sun. Although his head still felt warm, he didn’t have that previous feeling of being so hot he was about to smoke, like his whole body was being roasted!

“Kangkang, your fruit is so useful!”

Tang Yu’an jumped excitedly, picked up Kangkang, and spun him around, expressing his joy.

Kangkang grinned foolishly.

He liked it when brother praised him!

Afterward, Tang Yu’an carried Kangkang, while Granny Guo and Zhou Qi carried the potatoes, and they began to walk back.

“Kangkang, since this mutated lantern plant’s effect is different from the original, why don’t you give it a new name?”

On the way, Tang Yu’an asked Kangkang to name the second-generation mutated lantern plant.

Kangkang, lying on his shoulder, blinked his eyes in confusion, thought for a moment, and softly said, “Liangliang (Cool)?”

“Liangliang?”

Tang Yu’an nodded; the name was appropriate but somehow felt a bit inauspicious…

“How about calling it Qingliang (Refreshing)?”

“Mm-hmm!”

Kangkang nodded his little head repeatedly, completely following Tang Yu’an’s suggestion. “Qingliang! Qingliang!”

“Hahaha, great! Then we’ll call it Qingliang!”

The effect of Qingliang was indeed immediate. Tang Yu’an carried Kangkang all the way, and in such hot weather, he only had a slight sweat on his forehead.

Unfortunately, there was only one fruit now, but there would be plenty of time in the future. Moreover, he now had more ways to cool down, so there was no need to rush.

Soon, they returned to Granny Guo’s home.

“Eat well, sleep well, and remember to listen to Granny.”

Knowing that Kangkang had been holding the flowerpot every morning to make Qingliang for him, Tang Yu’an was touched but also disapproved, so he advised him earnestly.

“You’re still growing; you can’t overwork yourself, understand?”

Kangkang nodded his little head, and then his brother’s hand fell on his hair, gently rubbing it.

He felt a bit shy but liked it very much.

“Be good; we’ll come to see you again tomorrow.”

“Mm!”

After that, Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi said goodbye and left.

Watching them turn and leave, Kangkang was reluctant but didn’t throw a tantrum.

Because his brother had promised to see him again tomorrow!

He hoped tomorrow would come quickly!

Then Kangkang huffed and puffed back inside, holding his flowerpot, and stared at the Qingliang tree in the pot, frowning slightly.

Because of the abundant potato harvest, Granny Guo, who no longer had to worry about food and was in a very good mood, saw him holding the little tree again and couldn’t help but feel curious.

“Didn’t it succeed?”

Why was he still frowning?

Kangkang wrinkled his little nose and said unhappily, “Sour!”

Brother Tang likes to eat sweet things!

Granny Guo: “…”

*

Tang Yu’an had no idea that after he left, Kangkang was researching how to make Qingliang taste sweet.

Although Kangkang had said that the little tree was a gift for him, after seeing the system’s appraisal information and personally experiencing the effect of Qingliang, he really couldn’t shamelessly accept this tree.

In a world with such huge day and night temperature differences, the value of Qingliang was elevated to a very high level.

In this world, there were still many ordinary people who couldn’t withstand high temperatures; even ability users rarely dared to go out during the hottest midday.

Qingliang could definitely become a best-selling product.

But now it had just mutated, the yield was unstable, and it would have to be observed later. After all, if there was only one plant that couldn’t be replicated, it could only be for personal use or made into a high-end luxury item.

But anyway, being able to resist high temperatures after eating it was already a delightful surprise for Tang Yu’an.

While Tang Yu’an was thinking about these various things, Zhou Qi had already carried him to Old Li’s house.

Old Li had been waiting for them.

“You’re a bit late today.” He handed over the prepared items for trade.

After spending time together these days, they had developed a tacit understanding. Thus, 40 points, 3 experience points, and two pounds of rabbit meat were easily obtained.

After Zhou Qi completed the transaction, Tang Yu’an took out two potatoes, which Granny Guo had asked them to give to Old Li before they left.

“Grandpa, these are for you.”

Old Li chuckled, “What good things have you brought this time?”

“Potatoes!”

Old Li looked at the fresh soil on the potatoes, sensing a somewhat familiar aura, and guessed, “Grown by Granny Guo?”

“Yes! Granny Guo grew a new variety and specially asked us to bring them to you.”

“Although they feel hard, if you boil or steam them, they become very soft—not only delicious but more filling than fruit.”

Tang Yu’an put down the potatoes. “Grandpa, you try them; we’re leaving now!”

Old Li, who wanted to continue exchanging meat with them, watched their hurried departure and sighed helplessly.

Of course, he didn’t chase after them.

The old man stood by the window, watching their figures disappear. After a long time, he took the potatoes into the kitchen.

Soon, Lin Zhen’s home was also in sight.

“Sister Lin, A-Mu, we’re back from the town!”

Tang Yu’an jumped onto the window, poked his head inside, and called out, startling Lin Zhen, who was grinding medicinal powder.

Upon hearing it was Tang Yu’an, her face lit up, and she quickly clapped her hands and stood up.

“Wow! You finally came back!”

“Sister Lin, what are you doing?”

Tang Yu’an climbed into the room and saw the bottles, jars, and tools Lin Zhen had laid out on the ground, looking curious.

“I’m preparing new medicine,” Lin Zhen said without hiding anything. “I’m trying to make a hemostatic medicine with better effects…”

Since Old Li was bitten by a lizard, Lin Zhen had felt a sense of crisis and had been pondering how to make a hemostatic medicine with better effects.

Previously, to stop bleeding from injuries, they would use plant ash pressed onto the wound, but that obviously wasn’t the best method. If someone was bitten like Old Li, losing a chunk of flesh, she wasn’t sure if she could stop the bleeding.

So she decided to prepare in advance, but the progress wasn’t very smooth.

The center of the Desolate city had lush vegetation, increasing the chances of finding medicinal herbs, but it was too dangerous, and she didn’t dare to venture deep. In the surrounding areas, she had basically explored but hadn’t found suitable herbs.

However, she had found quite a few that could reduce swelling and relieve pain and treat inflammation; she was making one of those now.

“Sister Lin, are you making anti-inflammatory medicine?” Tang Yu’an’s eyes lit up.

The medicines they currently had included only the special cold medicine with anti-inflammatory effects, but that medicine was relatively expensive, and they didn’t know how broadly applicable it was or if it could be used for common inflammation.

If there was specialized anti-inflammatory medicine, that would be even better.

“Something like that,” Lin Zhen scratched her head. “It can be applied externally or taken internally; after all, with external injuries, infection is the biggest fear.”

“Then can we trade hemostatic powder with you?”

Lin Zhen: !!!

“You have that kind of hemostatic powder?” She was a bit excited. “Is it like the one you used to stop Old Li’s bleeding before?”

“Not that one, but it should be similar.”

After all, it’s a system product; the quality shouldn’t be bad.

Tang Yu’an exchanged 20 points for a 50-gram bottle of hemostatic powder and took it out from his backpack.

Seeing the exquisite small glass bottle he took out, Lin Zhen couldn’t help but stare.

“Can I have the glass bottle too?” she asked eagerly.

“Of course!”

Lin Zhen cheered happily and quickly packed up the medicinal powder she had prepared.

While she was packing, Tang Yu’an had already run off to play with A-Mu, so Zhou Qi handled the transaction with Lin Zhen.

“This is what we exchanged at the market; see if you can use it.”

After the transaction, Zhou Qi took out another empty glass bottle—the one Tang Yu’an had exchanged at the stall selling clay pots earlier.

“Yes, I can use it!” Lin Zhen nodded eagerly. “You guys are so nice; the journey is so hard, and you even brought back such a beautiful glass bottle for me!”

Zhou Qi smiled and said, “An’an said to give it to you.”

“Wow! Thank you, An’an!”

“Sister Lin, as long as you like it.”

Tang Yu’an squatted in front of A-Mu, who was brooding over its eggs. Perhaps not seeing him for a few days, A-Mu didn’t recognize him, and its round eyes watched him with some wariness.

“A-Mu, don’t you remember me?”

Tang Yu’an took out a brightly colored feather from his backpack—the one he had plucked from the bird Black Pearl had caught before. Knowing that A-Mu liked them, he had collected them.

Sure enough, as soon as the parrot saw the beautiful feather, it became excited.

“Feather!”

“Pretty! Feather!”

Tang Yu’an smiled and placed the feather on its head.

A-Mu immediately cackled happily, completely dropping its guard toward Tang Yu’an, and said joyfully, “Good friend! We are good friends!”

If it weren’t for remembering it was brooding, it might have flown up.

*

After bidding farewell to Lin Zhen and A-Mu, Zhou Qi carried Tang Yu’an and continued toward Tie Jin’s house.

On the way, he heard Tang Yu’an whisper, “Brother Qi, do you think… we should open another branch in the Desolate city?”

Compared to Jufeng Town, Tang Yu’an found that he liked the Desolate city more.

Unknowingly, he had developed a sense of belonging to this ruined city. Although not very strong, it was indeed increasing day by day.

But the main store was too far from here.

Even to the nearest Granny Guo’s home, if they didn’t use the Lightness Technique, it would take at least an hour to run.

And the main store hid too many of their secrets; currently, it couldn’t be open to the public. In that case, why not open a branch as their second home?

With the teleportation array, it would be very convenient to come and go.

That way, customers could come up, and they wouldn’t have to travel every day.

Zhou Qi pondered, “We can indeed give it a try.”

Now, with Xiao Cao over in Jufeng Town, they didn’t need to rush to open up the market there. Comparatively, they felt more comfortable interacting with the old customers in the Desolate city.

“Moreover, the Desolate city is full of unclaimed land; it won’t cost much to set up a branch here.”

Zhou Qi began to analyze.

“In Jufeng Town, although there’s more foot traffic, we spent too little time there and have limited information. Even if Brother Chi Hao helps us get the land, we can’t rashly open a branch in the location he chooses.”

After all, once a branch is established, it may not be possible to revoke it.

Even if it can be revoked, the initial investment would sink like a stone into the sea.

They also didn’t know what requirements the system had for operating the branch, and whether there would be any unexpected effects after setting it up…

For example, flashy signs that could attract customers would be effective, but in a world that had lost electricity for many years, suddenly having neon light effects might make it difficult for them to do business peacefully.

To be cautious, they needed to make more preparations.

After such an analysis, Zhou Qi and Tang Yu’an felt that their previous decision to open a branch directly in Jufeng Town seemed a bit too hasty.

They were taking too big a step; the Desolate city was their foundation.

“Let’s first set up a branch in the wasteland city as a pilot,” Zhou Qi said seriously. “After we figure out what happens after setting up the branch, we can consider opening one in Jufeng Town.”

“Great!”

Originally, Tang Yu’an just brought it up casually; unexpectedly, he received Zhou Qi’s full support, which naturally made him very happy.

“Let’s look at the map to see if there’s a location that’s close and convenient to everyone’s home, so we can sleep a bit more in the morning.”

The more Tang Yu’an thought about it, the happier he became.

Getting up before six o’clock every morning was really difficult for him; who wouldn’t want to sleep in if possible?

Thus, the plan to first set up a branch in the wasteland city as a pilot was tentatively decided.

*

Because they had spent time earlier helping Granny Guo dig potatoes, by the time they arrived at Tie Jin’s house, it was already eleven in the morning.

Tie Jin warmly welcomed them.

“Uncle Tie, this is the mint we promised to bring you earlier.” Zhou Qi took out a mint plant transplanted into a broken bowl and handed it to Tie Jin.

They were supposed to bring it over the day before they went to the town, but they forgot then and finally remembered today before setting off.

“Is this the mint that can cool you down?”

Tie Jin held the broken bowl, leaned in to smell the mint leaves, and immediately caught a fresh and pleasant aroma, feeling more refreshed as he inhaled.

“How do I take care of it? Any special instructions?”

“Place it in a relatively cool corner on the second floor during the day, and remember to water it daily,” Zhou Qi said. “If it’s too cold at night, you should move it to a warmer place.”

Isn’t that just like raising a daughter?

Tie Jin nodded in understanding, took the mint upstairs to give to Jin Lili, and then led Zhou Qi to see the machete he had forged before they left.

This machete was much longer than the previous dagger and quite heavy—Tang Yu’an couldn’t lift it with one hand.

Zhou Qi’s strength had increased significantly; he wielded it with ease.

However, since he had never used such a machete before and hadn’t fought with a knife, his movements were unfamiliar and would require more practice.

Such a machete was worth 300 points.

After deducting the cost of the mint plant, they earned 280 points—of course, Zhou Qi guided the system to make this judgment through conversation; in reality, a mint plant wouldn’t be enough to exchange for such a knife.

After negotiating other terms, Zhou Qi took out the potatoes that Granny Guo had grown and commissioned Tie Jin to forge a hoe.

Only the head of the hoe was made of metal; the handle would be wooden, making it lighter, so the actual metal needed wasn’t much, though the shape required some precision.

After tasting the mashed potatoes Zhou Qi made, Tie Jin agreed readily.

“As long as I can exchange for these potatoes, I can make as many as you need!”

Although Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi had left some millet before they departed, it was almost used up, and Tie Jin was worrying about finding bird eggs for his daughter to eat.

Unexpectedly, the two boys returned and solved his urgent problem, which naturally made him very happy.

“Also, if you need help digging potatoes, you can call me; I’m strong. Just give me one or two potatoes each time.”

Tie Jin knew that mutated metals weren’t in demand every day, so he proactively sought work, hoping to exchange labor for food for his daughter.

“Okay, we’ll ask around for you.”

As for the clothes that Tie Jin had previously commissioned, they couldn’t buy them in the town, so Zhou Qi took out the five metal arrowheads.

Tie Jin was a bit disappointed but then heard the boy say, “Although we didn’t get ready-made clothes, we found some fabric. If you don’t mind, we can take Lili’s measurements and make her a dress.”

“You can make clothes?” Tie Jin looked at Zhou Qi, eyes wide and bright.

No wonder they came from the fortress; they could do anything!

Zhou Qi…

He indeed could make clothes.

When he was young, Zhou Qi’s grandmother mended clothes to make a living, so they had a sewing machine at home.

After his grandmother’s eyesight failed, she had to scavenge for a living, but the sewing machine remained.

Zhou Qi inherited his grandmother’s skills and, in his spare time, would alter clothes to help support the family, occasionally making bags and accessories.

He had even made little clothes for Tang Yu’an’s sister. Although not perfect, they were decent.

“Then I’ll leave it to you!”

Thus, after Zhou Qi took Jin Lili’s measurements, he used the same five mutated metal arrowheads and earned 150 points from Tie Jin!

Tang Yu’an was amazed.

He had been exploiting a loophole to repeatedly farm points with Kangkang, taking advantage of the child’s youth and naivety, while Brother Qi’s operation was as smooth as flowing water, harvesting points without leaving a trace.

He still had a lot to learn!

It was already close to noon; the sun was high, and the scorching sunlight baked the ground.

Because the Lightness Technique had worn off, Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi stayed at Tie Jin’s house, planning to leave when the weather cooled down.

Zhou Qi and Tie Jin went to cook, while Tang Yu’an played with Jin Lili upstairs.

In the past few days, Tie Jin had been busy making the machete, so the wok hadn’t been made yet. He was a bit embarrassed but, thinking of Zhou Qi’s cooking skills, thickened his skin and followed along to learn.

Zhou Qi didn’t mind and occasionally gave him pointers.

Tie Jin humbly noted them down.

Just as lunch was ready and he was eagerly anticipating tasting the rare delicacies, a loud cry from Jin Lili came from downstairs.

Ever since he brought her home, the little girl had always cried softly; Tie Jin had never heard her cry so loudly.

His expression changed; he didn’t care about Zhou Qi and hurriedly ran downstairs.