Chapter 57
News of the Mystery Seekers’ organization moving into C-Nation had already spread online. All members had switched IP addresses, and those who had previously scoffed, saying, “It’s all just C-Nation imagination,” had gone silent.
Except for a few racially prejudiced people still calling them “traitors,” everyone else was curious: why was the Mystery Seekers’ organization relocating?
Was there some particularly attractive policy in C-Nation?
The C-Nation authorities had been waiting. They immediately blended into the crowd, answering questions one by one.
“Some cities in C-Nation are building a ‘Player Medical Department.’ Heard it’s open for society players to stay after completing dungeons. Alive? Treated. Dead? Collected. The fees aren’t high, and if you have insurance, even lower.”
“Really? Is there such a good deal?”
“Why lie? Come see for yourself.”
This tactic worked. People were drawn by the topic, and many were already curious about this ancient civilization, still thriving today. A lot decided to visit C-Nation.
Meanwhile, organizations already in C-Nation were investigating the Mystery Seekers, wondering which city it had landed in. As the first players to unlock the Ninth-Level Cube World Game, they naturally had such influence.
“C-Nation is going to get even busier. Originally, the dungeon field had many private organizations—three of the top ten are theirs. Add the Mystery Seekers… I heard their ‘foreign reinforcements’ are C-Nation locals. Tsk tsk…”
“Found it. One Seeker member uploaded a photo with the Twin Helix Tower—it’s Jin City’s iconic building.” A geography sleuth traced the member’s location, even down to the street.
“Jin City.”
—
“Who opened the window? Light pollution.”
Under the scorching sun, Jiang Jitang looked toward the ‘Twist Tower.’ The glare off the glass stung his eyes. Take photos, report violations, protect the environment—it’s everyone’s duty.
Though officially called the Twist Tower, they pretended to be grand, calling it the Twin Helix DNA Building. He had to cross this commercial area to reach the old flower-and-bird market, recently relocated elsewhere.
The area was slated for re-development into a park. Two-thirds of vendors had moved, but some hadn’t finished packing.
Now was prime time for bargains. Everyone just wanted to clear stock without losing too much.
“Ah, here we are.” The electric scooter stopped.
Ahead was the old flower-and-bird market, with a metal arch at the entrance bearing the words “Jin City Flower-and-Bird Market.”
He had been here before, during the New Year. The street had been packed—people buying flowers, potted plants, feng shui fish, longevity turtles…
Walking from one end to the other, buttons had popped off his coat.
Now, the street was empty. Everything was still intact but bathed in a dusky twilight.
“So spacious,” Jiang Jitang thought, parking his scooter and walking toward the entrance.
Passing the rusty sign, he hadn’t yet reached any shops but noticed piles of plants, pebbles, and other discarded items by the trash bins.
These were for lining fish ponds, obviously low-quality, yet abundant. Within thirty seconds, he spotted several complete, beautiful stones.
He stared, captivated.
It was that thrilling “heart-flutter” feeling.
He couldn’t help pulling out his Oxford cloth bag.
The summer heat was intense, the air thick with the stench of rotting plants and animals.
Some discarded plants had minor issues, but many were treatable and easy to cultivate. Had his balcony not already been full, he would have taken some home.
The rainflower stones were especially worth picking.
Under the scorching sun, Jiang Jitang was oblivious, rummaging through piles: a snow-white plum blossom stone to the left, a quail-egg-shaped one to the right, and even a translucent red agate. Even dehydrated, they looked stunning; submerged in water, even better.
Ignoring the questionable air quality, he felt almost euphoric.
“Are these yellow wax stones?” He found several among the rainflower stones.
He remembered many people bought yellow wax stones as basking platforms for turtles. This one was perfect—a flat, round yellow wax stone, only a bit dull in color, probably why it had been discarded.
“They don’t want it, I do. The more, the better.”
Rainflower stones, yellow wax stones, volcanic rocks, sea glass, snow wave stones, small driftwood, clay ornaments… Jiang Jitang gathered stones, wood, and clay, thinking he could collect all he needed from the trash alone—though of course, that wasn’t entirely possible.
Still, these items would prove useful.
Leaving the “treasure trove” of trash, he headed to the memory of the aquarium section.
Few shops remained, mostly selling terrestrial animals—cats, dogs, rabbits. Only a few had ultra-clear tanks and aquatic plants.
And expensive ones at that.
“Well, if you only buy bare tanks, it’s cheap. But you wanted integrated ones, right?”
The owner, fanning himself impatiently, said, “Tanks with built-in filters and aeration are used by seafood shops; thickness differs. This is the cheapest, 1.2 meters long, I’ll give it to you cheaper—1,500.”
This guy either didn’t know business or was in a bad mood. Jiang Jitang didn’t argue, leaving the shop.
Filters and aerators cost that much? Couldn’t he buy separately? He could even get solar-powered ones for a few dozen yuan.
As for thickness and fragility… Jiang Jitang had an idea. If glass tanks weren’t suitable, what about bluestone tanks?
Bluestone tanks had been used for fish since ancient times: sturdy, practical, lasting years.
Perfect for top-down viewing of goldfish. Dark blue base, fancy goldfish, green duckweed… mesmerizing for hours.
But buying bluestone tanks at a goldfish shop doubled the price. Jiang Jitang went straight to a factory, buying them at livestock trough prices.
He left the old market, traversed half the city, and went to a stone factory. Though primarily making stone carvings, they also produced livestock feeding troughs.
The same item, renamed, became a fish tank.
“This square one, lowest price 36, 45cm long, perfect for bowl lotuses. This irregular one is for fish, with a small stone mill on top for filtering, lowest 76.”
The staff couldn’t resist Jiang Jitang’s enthusiasm, drinking ice fruit tea while explaining the troughs.
They came in different sizes; cows and sheep have different grazing habits.
“How much for this one?”
“Basic model: 3.5cm thick, 100cm long, 35cm wide, 25cm deep. Can serve as a small garden pond. Not expensive: 220, I’ll give you an employee price: 180.”
“Thanks, brother.” Even if not buying, his attitude deserved thanks—standing in the sun all day was impressive.
Jiang Jitang tilted his umbrella, sharing shade with the man.
“Three for a discount? Also, I want some holes drilled here, can you do that?”
“Yes, three for 520—lowest possible. Drilling is free. Delivery within 10km is free too.”
Within budget, Jiang Jitang nodded: “Can they be delivered today?”
Staff nodded, not far away: “Yes. Drill now? Our master is inside.”
“Yes.”
They moved three tanks in. Two were drilled with six small holes on one side; all had drainage holes at the bottom, plugged with rubber stoppers.
Initially, Jiang Jitang planned a planted tank—beautiful, vibrant—but then reconsidered.
Even he had failed before. Plants overgrew, some rotted, green algae spread uncontrollably—forcing a tank overhaul.
Elementary students couldn’t maintain a planted tank daily.
Also, since this was a temporary residence, used only during the day, a bare tank with decorative stones sufficed. Duckweed could add some greenery, prioritizing easy cleaning.
After drilling, he paid a deposit; remaining balance would go upon delivery.
He bought gray tank dividers, aquarium glue, realistic fake plants, and a solar-powered filtration system.
By afternoon, he was sunburned, sweating, clothes damp.
He drank cooling tea at a roadside stand, feeling the hot streets with his hands on the equally hot scooter.
He still had about a hundred yuan left.
After a short break, he went to the recycling station, scavenged thick steel scraps, and welded a step-like steel frame to hold the three tanks.
“Don’t worry, these I-beams are used for building—200kg no problem,” said owner Xia, holding a sweet, crisp second-harvest melon Jiang Jitang had brought.
Jiang Jitang had him wrapped around his finger.
“I’ll take it directly. Good business, Boss Xia.”
“Alright, take care.”
Turning a corner, Jiang Jitang found an unmonitored spot to store the frame, heading straight home.
It was too hot outside. He ran all day, covered in sour, dusty sweat—definitely needed a shower.
“Little Jiang, someone delivered the tanks while you were out. I let them leave them here. Don’t forget to move them,” greeted the neighbor aunt in her backyard.
“Thanks, ma’am.”
She poured wash water into the garden: “No problem, we’re neighbors.”
Jiang Jitang moved the tanks to the backyard, then went upstairs for a thorough shower. Surrounded by the citrus scent, he felt alive again.
When he bought melons earlier, he got over 100 kg at once—both he and Golden Eye loved them. One went to the neighbor aunt.
After closing the door, Jiang Jitang put on rubber gloves: “Time to work.”
Honestly, I’m impressed at how hands-on he is and how much he knows about DIY and procurement… Also his haggling skills XD
Though it probably helps that he lives in China where practically everything is made haha