It had just turned dark when Sheng Jinhe quietly slipped out of the residential compound.
Fortunately, Grandpa Sheng went to bed early. If it were the old days and she kept her night-owl schedule, she would have had to move around in the dead of night.
Once outside, she hopped onto her motorbike. Fast! And at this hour, the streets were already empty.
She easily found Courtyard No. 9. As soon as the gate opened, Sheng Jinhe couldn’t help blurting out in astonishment:
“This is Courtyard No. 9? More like nine courtyards combined!”
“He Miao, ten minutes to fill it all—do we have enough food?”
He Miao had already been notified and had been preparing. The food harvested just that afternoon had also been processed, otherwise it really wouldn’t have been enough.
[Master, I can only say it’s just enough!]
[This is a big client of yours!]
He Miao was excited.
It had a secret it hadn’t told her: the more food left the space, the stronger it became. Exactly how it became stronger wasn’t yet known—maybe its effect was on the space itself?
Sheng Jinhe: “…Who’s been hyping up my little He Miao?”
“A big client for a one-time deal!”
“You handle the work, I’ll take a look around!”
Sheng Jinhe assigned tasks with no mental burden.
[Understood, Master!]
He Miao happily got to work.
She couldn’t throw heavy items outside, except for poisons. It had to be that Sheng Jinhe moved to the location, He Miao organized the items, and Sheng Jinhe instantly retrieved them.
Ten minutes per round wasn’t enough, so halfway through Sheng Jinhe decisively switched to a bicycle.
Much more efficient.
At eight o’clock sharp, there was a knock at the gate.
“He Jie!”
Then came the voice of Ji Huaifeng.
“Coming!”
Sheng Jinhe got up to open the door.
“Is everything I asked for ready?”
“Yes. Need me to deliver it somewhere?”
Ji Huaifeng asked.
“Good, you’re on the ball. Here, this is the local supply list—quick, check it off. Time is tight, mission’s heavy.”
Sheng Jinhe handed over a handwritten list she had already prepared.
“Great! You can count the money while I take the live animals and seeds—consider them yours!”
Ji Huaifeng didn’t deduct any money; in business, it wasn’t good to haggle too much.
“Really? Then I won’t hold back—let’s speed this up, I’m in a rush!”
He brought several people, clearly experienced, and their inspection speed was extremely fast.
An hour later, everything was finally done.
“Phew, I’m taking my people away. Here’s to a smooth next collaboration. Have them unload everything by the moat, and then we’re done!”
Sheng Jinhe told Ji Huaifeng, then didn’t linger, leaving with the transport team.
At the designated spot, unloading chickens, ducks, geese, cows, sheep, and pigs, she nearly laughed out loud with joy.
“Brothers, thanks for your hard work. Take this cigarette while you go!”
In a good mood, Sheng Jinhe was generous.
“He Miao, notify me when they’re gone!”
[Understood, Master!]
Sheng Jinhe was busy, using a flashlight to admire her future meat, eggs, and dairy.
She already had meals planned in her head. Though she hadn’t been deprived over the past few days, compared to before, her diet had been quite meager.
[Master, hurry and bring it all in!]
He Miao excitedly spun its leaves.
[Master, nothing is impossible for you!]
“Hehe, just lucky. Who knew I’d meet a cannon-fodder big shot? Wait, my future benefactor!”
“Alright, I’ll leave the rest to you. I’m going back to sleep!”
Sheng Jinhe didn’t take the motorbike this time, just her bicycle back to the residential compound.
After washing, she slept in a proper bed for the last night. She thought she’d be unable to sleep, but she woke up only when dawn arrived.
“Grandpa!”
Sheng Jinhe packed up and went downstairs. Grandpa Sheng had been busy in the kitchen for a while.
“Awake? Washed up? Breakfast will be ready soon!”
He had already been boiling dumplings, making extra for Sheng Jinhe to take on the train—they wouldn’t last long in the heat.
“Grandpa, I don’t have much luggage; I sent most yesterday. Forgot to tell you.”
Sheng Jinhe was ready to help.
“Go mix the dipping sauce. Why didn’t you let me help? Carrying all that by yourself will be tiring!”
“You’re so busy at work, I’m not doing anything anyway.”
“Also, send off the things Xu Han bought for me. Shouldn’t be anything missing now. If anything is, I’ll write or call—you know I won’t be polite.”
Sheng Jinhe said with a smile.
“You’re my granddaughter—I raised you, why be polite? Here, eat dumplings first. Let this box cool and take it on the road for lunch.”
Grandpa Sheng instructed.
“Okay, Grandpa! I’m going to eat a big plate now.”
Looking at the dumplings, she was instantly hungry.
“Eat more. Once you’re there, eat however you like. Old revolutionary thinking aside, you’re my precious granddaughter!”
Grandpa Sheng reminded her while reflecting on his past.
Sheng Jinhe suppressed a smile.
“Alright, eat quickly. Are the kids coming to see you off?”
“Will they eat with us?”
Grandpa Sheng asked.
“No, just to send me off. They’ve surely had breakfast already.”
“Grandpa, you’ll just cycle with me, right? You’re not using the factory car? My luggage’s light, and they’re coming too!”
“Alright.”
After breakfast, the pair got their luggage from the second floor.
“Did you bring your thick quilt?”
“Yes, all packed. Don’t worry, Grandpa—I’m eighteen, not eight!”
As they stepped out, Jiang Yueyue and three others were waiting at the door.
Sheng Jinhe suddenly felt her nose tingle.
“You came?”
“Yep, leaving now?”
“Yes!”
Shen Wang and Zhao Haikun immediately took the luggage.
“Grandpa Sheng, leave this to us. You just take Jinhe!”
“Alright, thanks.”
A few bicycles attracted plenty of attention along the way. About half an hour later, they arrived at the train station. Naturally, there were heartfelt farewells.
They helped Sheng Jinhe onto the train. Grandpa Sheng had considered switching her to a sleeper ticket but didn’t want to make a fuss. If she needed to sleep, she could use the space—no unnecessary trouble. She needed to keep a low profile.
The train ride lasted over eighteen hours. Departing at nine, they reached Feng County by around 3 a.m. the next day. Looking at the people streaming off the train car by car, Sheng Jinhe frowned. Wasn’t this supposed to be a remote, poor area? Why were there so many people?
Outside, a tractor finally arrived for Qing Shi Commune. Over twenty people were on board, plus large bundles of luggage. Crowded doesn’t even begin to describe it. Luckily, it was early morning—otherwise, in the heat, it would have been unimaginable.
Sheng Jinhe quickly found the best seat. Shen Wang had told her the county to commune trip would take hours, so she decided to nap first. For her past missions, this was quite comfortable—at least she didn’t have to worry about losing her life at any moment.
She hadn’t expected to be woken up shortly after dozing off.
“Sheng Jinhe, give me your seat!”
She didn’t open her eyes, thinking, Is this person stupid? Didn’t they notice anyone they knew got on?
“Sheng Jinhe! Listen—”
“Go shout for your mom!”
Sheng Jinhe snapped coldly. Immediately, aside from the tractor’s engine rumbling, there was no other sound.