Chapter 216: Train Fruits And Vegetables Shop
The Mongoose stood in front of Lu Xiao and Miao Qi’s dormitory door, with a trapped beast seemingly locked in her brows, struggling to break free.
She truly respected Miao Qi from the bottom of her heart. After the restructuring, although the other hadn’t become an officer, she was one of the few Sergeant First Class, with extremely accurate marksmanship, treating all soldiers equally.
She even secretly thought that if the other weren’t a woman, she would at least be an officer.
But Miao Qi’s words today had turned her world upside down, leaving a very unpleasant feeling.
She had never imagined Miao Qi thought this way.
“Click—”
A mechanical sound rang out, and Miao Qi pushed open the door and came out.
The Mongoose was just about to speak when she looked up and froze in place.
“No money to buy clothes? I’ll give you a few later.” Miao Qi tugged at the oversized training shirt on the Mongoose, “Save it, always wearing this boring stuff.”
The Mongoose took a small step back, hesitating, “Sister Qi, isn’t this outfit a bit too bold?”
Miao Qi was wearing work pants with a red lining, but the two straps on top weren’t properly fastened, one dangling down, revealing a black bandeau.
The work pants were also modified on both sides, becoming extremely form-fitting from the waist, with crisscrossing thin lines at the crotch that slightly squeezed out the plump thigh flesh.
It only returned to normal at the knees.
The red lining made the exposed skin appear even snow white.
The whole outfit didn’t reveal much, but it had an extremely impactful appearance.
Miao Qi smoothed her hair and chuckled lightly, “Can’t handle this?”
The Mongoose hesitated for a long time, “…This kind of clothes isn’t practical, right.”
Miao Qi spread her arms and looked left and right, saying indifferently, “Practical, why not practical? It’s convenient for me to seduce men.”
“Second Lieutenant Lu Xiao…”
The Mongoose’s pupils slightly widened.
“I change my man often, so I have to scout ahead.”
Before Miao Qi finished speaking, she was pulled into an embrace by a pair of sturdy arms.
Lu Xiao pinched her plump thigh hard and said viciously, “Still thinking of replacing me? I’ll deal with you when I get back.”
“Lieutenant Lu.”
The Mongoose’s mouth curved into an awkward yet polite smile.
The latter nodded.
Miao Qi showed no embarrassment at being caught, giggling as she asked, “Everyone’s dismissed, what are you busy with?”
Lu Xiao said casually, “Nothing important. Old Da forged a batch of new rifles, wants us to test their quality.”
“Remember to come back for dinner tonight.”
“You cooking yourself? Fine, I’ll come back after finishing up.”
With that, Lu Xiao threw his equipment into the room and went straight out the door.
Their interaction left the Mongoose dumbfounded.
Miao Qi naturally saw her confusion, but she didn’t want to explain those complicated matters to a little girl. Without experiencing it personally, the Mongoose wouldn’t understand her.
Although the Mongoose was about the same age as her, in her eyes, she was just a little girl.
“Don’t just stand there. Today is the first market opening. If we’re late, we might not get anything.”
Miao Qi said enthusiastically.
It had been a long time since she felt the thrill of shopping.
Miao Qi’s current dormitory was in Auxiliary Carriage 3. Walking backward through Tier 3 Carriage led to Auxiliary Carriage 7 Farm.
Because mutated plants had air-filtering effects, after the train upgrade, the farm hadn’t expanded backward but laterally, adding two carriages. Though the farm was split, both trains had some green plants.
The temporary fruits and vegetables shop was also set up in Auxiliary Carriage 8.
Just entering Auxiliary Carriage 7, one could see a [Wangjiang Peak Pear Tree] spanning the center of the corridor, its root soil enclosed by a transparent glass circle, about thirty centimeters off the ground. The entire carriage floor was raised fifty centimeters, totaling eighty centimeters, all soil layer.
The whole tree reached six meters high, almost touching the train ceiling, with lush emerald leaves, still bearing three small greenish pears. The air conditioner blew cold air, faintly filling the carriage with fruit fragrance, accompanied by the train’s slight sway and rustling leaves.
Two small blue fat birds were on the tree, tilting their heads to look at the two.
“I don’t know what method Teacher Huang used; these birds don’t fly outside.”
Miao Qi exclaimed in admiration.
The Mongoose looked up, and the two small fat birds panicked and darted back into their nest, making her huff coldly.
Eliciting a few light laughs from Miao Qi.
The path here split into two, one winding up to the second level, only about fifty centimeters wide.
Mainly for vertical farm management.
The two bypassed the central pear tree and walked inward. Both sides of the carriage against the walls were planted with many plants, the most common being [Sweet and Spicy Scallions], standing like little lanterns on either side.
They weren’t glowing yet. Though it was pitch black deep underwater outside, it actually wasn’t nighttime.
This plant could somewhat help people in the carriage judge the time.
There were also delicate mushrooms, metallic pumpkins, plump flowers…
But these were all mutated plants, some with considerable danger. Plus the various warnings posted by Huang Hai on the walls, the two just glanced and hurried past.
At the end of Auxiliary Carriage 8 was a small “wooden house,” with two small iron-eating trees one on each side, branches entwined into an arch, somewhat like a crude gatehouse.
From their direction, they could see Huang Hai in gray-green short sleeve, with assistant Xiao Wang, moving fruits and vegetables.
All items were packed in metal boxes, some transparent glass boxes.
It didn’t look like a vegetable market, more like an experiment bench.
There were over a dozen people waiting ahead, with Hu Shuo leading some logistics group crew members maintaining order.
Although most people’s points might not buy mutated fruits and vegetables, bored after being cooped up in the carriage, they all wanted to see the excitement.
Miao Qi spotted a familiar figure among them, “Sister Jiang, you here to buy vegetables too?”
Jiang Rong turned her head and waved.
The two went over.
There weren’t many items on the table, just over a dozen kinds, but the fresh plant scent still invigorated everyone.
“Bang—”
Huang Hai placed the last box of vegetables on the table, wiped his sweat, and said with a hearty laugh.
“The farm’s fruits and vegetables are maturing in large quantities for the first time. Many things aren’t prepared yet. Ask us directly if you have questions.”
Jiang Rong’s gaze fell on the flowers in the basket, each petal hand-sized, and she asked puzzled, “I’ve seen this thing many times. Can it be eaten?”
“This is called [Meat Flower]. The petals are thick, with a texture between mushroom and konjac. These I’ve put out are all ones I’ve eaten myself, so rest assured.” Huang Hai pushed up his small glasses, brimming with harvest excitement.
After months on the train, every day hearing about this yielding results or that capturing supplies, enough stored food to last years, he always felt the carriage farm was somewhat dispensable.
Though Huang Hai didn’t say anything outwardly, he harbored a drive inside to produce some results.
Rolling up bedding to eat and sleep with the plants, enduring so many days, finally yielding results.
Jiang Rong instinctively wanted to pinch one, but Huang Hai stopped her.
“This thing can’t be touched. Once touched, it must be eaten soon, or it’ll wither shortly.”
“So delicate…”
Jiang Rong said with some surprise, her gaze turning to the nearby mushrooms.
“What about this?”
“This is called [Night Vision Mushroom]. Eating it enhances night vision somewhat, but limited to two hundred grams per person. Too much causes hallucinations, even evolvers can’t handle it.” Huang Hai hurriedly explained.
“Price?”
“10 points per serving.”
Everyone looked up in shock. This price could exchange for a handgun, yet only for two hundred grams of mushrooms.
Jiang Rong had prepared mentally, but still pursed her lips at the price, “10 points for two hundred grams of mushrooms? Why not go rob?”
Huang Hai awkwardly rubbed his hands, eyes glancing at Hu Shuo nearby, “This price isn’t set by me…”
Hu Shuo came forward upon seeing this and said, “Because the farm’s first batch of fruits and vegetables has low yield, the price is relatively high.”
Jiang Rong rolled up her sleeves, her aura changing completely, confronting sharply, “Then this price is too expensive. Can’t even haggle when buying vegetables?”
Hu Shuo was somewhat stunned. This wasn’t like the usual decisive Sister Jiang on missions.
The other women also glared at him aggressively. Hu Shuo hesitated, deciding to yield a step.
“8 points?”
“No, still too expensive. 3!”
Hu Shuo shook his head like a rattle. The Train Conductor gave him pricing authority, but he couldn’t do that.
He could yield slightly under pressure, but selling these fruits and vegetables as favors would mean, with the Train Conductor’s temper, no complaints upfront but being screwed later without explanation of faults.
“6 points is already the limit. This mushroom’s yield isn’t high anyway. How about Sister Jiang looks at others?”
Hu Shuo said with a bitter smile.
Jiang Rong’s gaze fell on a small basket of pears nearby, nine golden pears total, covered in fine water droplets.
Ordinary crew members didn’t know what they were, but they did.
The Train Conductor stayed days at Wangjiang Peak, fighting several hard battles, all for these pears.
Though not the Crown Pear that greatly boosted vitality, it was said to slightly increase vitality, with excellent taste.
Hu Shuo followed her gaze and said, “[Wangjiang Peak Pear]. Level 3 Attendants and above, Second Lieutenant officers and above can exchange, limited to one per person, value 20 points.”
Jiang Rong saw Hu Shuo’s somewhat nervous look and pondered, “No haggling on this. One [Wangjiang Peak Pear], one serving [Night Vision Mushroom], and one pack [Green Noodles]. Don’t tell me Green Noodles have gone up too.”
The so-called [Green Noodles] were noodles made by grinding Coarse Powder Grass, similar to spaghetti but coarser in texture, taking longer to cook.
Coarse Powder Grass had a short growth cycle and high yield. The train had been eating this noodle for a long time.
Because of its appealing color, it was called Green Noodles.
Huang Hai hurriedly packed the three items for Jiang Rong, “How could it? Green Noodles same as before, 2 points per pack.”
After buying her own, Jiang Rong helped Miao Qi and the other haggle, saving quite a few points.
With Sister Jiang leading, everyone eagerly started buying.
By the time Miao Qi said goodbye to Jiang Rong, she was carrying quite a few things: two pears, half an [Iron-skin Pumpkin], a pack of [Pear Tree Leaves], two [Sweet and Spicy Scallions], one pack [Green Noodles], five eggs, some [Mint Grass] to enhance taste…
This stall opening, she bought the most.
Even the Mongoose was influenced, using her just-issued salary to buy a [Red Spicy Fruit] to try.
This fruit was grown by Huang Hai from tomatoes, but somehow mutated, turning the inside to goo, with a texture like intensified Thai sweet chili sauce.
At this moment, the Mongoose’s pupils were round from the spiciness, mumbling.
“Sister Qi, you’re so rich. All my savings can only buy a few fruits. Buying more this month means eating dirt.”
Miao Qi hefted her bag, teasing, “This is the benefit of having a man. Your little salary isn’t even enough for my snacks. Little Cat, when you find a man, you won’t be so pitiful…”
The Mongoose was stunned for a moment, grinding her teeth in anger.
“It’s just some food. Sooner or later, I’ll earn it myself.”
“You becoming an officer is still far off…”
“Someday I’ll surpass that dog instructor!”
“Ambitious, but I’ll still tell He Jie you called him an old dog.”
A chuckling voice suddenly came from ahead.
The Mongoose jolted in fright, body tensing, fine hairs standing on end.
Miao Qi saw the newcomer and restrained her casualness, bowing respectfully, “Train Conductor.”
Su Huan held a small basket in one hand, waving the other, looking in a great mood.
Behind him were Shu Wei and White Deer.
“Scared silly?”
Su Huan tilted his head, sizing up the Mongoose.
Thinking of her evolutionary ability, he slightly restrained his aura, smiled, and walked past her side.
Only after Su Huan completely passed did the Mongoose recover from her over-shocked state, murmuring, “Train Conductor… seems even stronger. Being near him feels like you’ll be eaten anytime.”
Her pupils then contracted into a vertical slit, saying firmly, “Even so, I’ll defeat that bastard He Jie, follow the Train Conductor’s footsteps, and build a better armored train.”
Miao Qi beside her twitched her mouth.
The two continued forward. After a while, seeing the Mongoose still serious-faced, Miao Qi hesitated to speak.
“Sister Qi, don’t persuade me. I must make He Jie apologize to me and that deceased sister. Though I disagree with her words, her crime didn’t warrant death.”
The Mongoose said calmly.
Miao Qi suddenly wanted to laugh. If Su Huan’s deeds were compared to He Jie’s, He Jie was simply a pure, harmless little fat rabbit.
Many faces flashed unconsciously in her mind, the woman’s eyes deepening.
“You… how do you see the Train Conductor?”
The Mongoose thought for a moment, then said resolutely, “The Train Conductor is sometimes radical, but the train can’t be without him. He is the soul of the armored train.”
“Soul, huh?”
‘Heh, if she knew I once wanted to kill the Train Conductor, she’d be shocked.’
