"This… this…"
What else could they do? These chickens were already nestled comfortably in their arms, so soft, so cozy, so mesmerizing.
Li Dayou sighed, thought for a moment, then spoke seriously with gratitude:
"We understand your kindness. Alright, we'll take these chickens. Setting everything else aside, these eggs are literally life-saving for us. Let's call it what it is, your favor won't be forgotten. We might not have much influence in the capital, but if you ever need help there, I can't promise everything, but getting you connected? No problem. Our department knows people everywhere, from top to bottom."
Jing Shu raised her brows, pleasantly surprised. Arriving in the capital was always nerve-wracking, unfamiliar and full of obstacles. Finding proper connections could be almost impossible, no matter how wealthy you were.
Official matters were one thing, but annoying little issues? Those were the real trouble.
Having another friend, another connection, was already a welcome bonus.
"Alright… I'll definitely speak up if I need help in the future," Jing Shu said without hesitation. Relationships worked like this: today I ask for help, tomorrow you do, and over time, trust builds. Avoiding contact or being afraid to trouble someone just pushes you further apart.
Hearing this, Li Dayou and the others relaxed a little, and their bond with her strengthened. They could now accept this luxurious gift without guilt, thinking that from now on, whatever Jing Shu needed, they'd help without question.
Everyone had been worrying about their food supplies for the trip, and Jing Shu had just given them egg-laying hens. It was the perfect solution, right to their hearts.
The roar of the plane faded into the background as they petted their chickens, feeling how soft and nice they were, reluctant to let go. No one even complained about the chickens being dirty; Jing Shu had bathed them before departure, and they strutted proudly, looking like top-notch hens.
Li Dayou's team began inspecting their chickens, soon asking Jing Shu questions: "How do we take care of them? Should we give them boiled water or just normal water? What should we feed them? How many times a day? Do they get sick easily?"
The pharmacists in the cabin glanced over with envy, but they had no time to worry about chickens. They had to organize their competition materials and documents, so Jing Shu went mostly unnoticed.
Just as Jing Shu was about to explain, Wang Dan jumped up holding a chicken, pointing and exclaiming:
"Wait, Miss Jing, these chickens aren't like normal ones! My family used to raise chickens… sure, these are bigger, but their claws are so sharp, and their heads look like dinosaurs! Are these some kind of new post-apocalypse breed?"
"A new breed? Chickens can have new breeds?"
"So these aren't ordinary chickens, then."
Li Dayou also looked over.
Jing Shu smiled slightly. "These chickens are indeed a Darklife new breed, called dino-chickens. They're easy to raise, perfectly adapted to the post-apocalypse environment, won't get sick, don't need boiled water, and aren't picky about food. You don't even have to feed them grain; they can forage on their own, eat mud and bugs, and absorb dark matter for nutrients. Feed them red nematodes if you want more eggs. Not only that, they can fight. They're not as strong as wolves or lions, but with surprise attacks and sharp claws, they can handle two adults at once. Once they recognize an owner, they won't betray them, making them perfect for guarding."
Hearing this, the members of the seed-delivery team all gasped.
"Wow, these are basically all-purpose chickens! They guard, lay eggs, and don't waste food! Imagine if they reproduced…"
Jing Shu shrugged and laughed. "The only downside is that due to genetic isolation, they can't reproduce. The eggs are only for eating, not hatching. That's why you've got to take good care of them."
Wang Dan scratched his head. "Yeah, if they could reproduce, these no-food chickens could end the apocalypse. Eggs wouldn't be so rare and precious."
What they'd thought was a luxury gift turned out to be an absolute treasure.
Everyone now understood just how valuable these dino-chickens were: no grain needed, but still laid eggs. The biggest perk of all.
For a moment, holding the chickens felt like holding gold.
Li Dayou reminded them, "Miss Jing gave us these Darklife chickens. We need to remember her kindness. These are rare and precious, so keep the chickens' breed and origin a secret. Don't give her any trouble, and for our own safety as well. Valuable things can attract danger."
"Don't worry, Captain, we'd be keeping it quiet anyway," someone replied.
"Exactly. We all know, staying low and keeping this to ourselves is the smart move."
Jing Shu nodded. At this critical moment, she wanted to stay low-profile too.
…
"Miss Jing, see you later. If you run into trouble in the capital, be sure to find us."
Jing Shu waved, watching Li Dayou and the others leave in their vehicle, sighing. No feast lasts forever. Li Dayou was immediately whisked away for official matters. Escorting the seeds back to Wu City had already delayed them by six months. Whether it was seen as merit or fault, she hoped it'd turn out well.
…
Jing Shu tightened her big coat and stomped in a mud puddle. The sky in the capital was hazy, gray and heavy. Her view didn't reach far, but looking around, everything felt weighty and solemn, like a sick dragon coiled in the city.
The airport had mostly shut down. Many planes were stuck in mud, though some runways and surrounding roads had been cleared, and a few planes and transport trucks were still running. Getting in now required a permit, so not everyone could come.
Lights dotted the area, making it look far busier than the pitch-black Wu City.
The capital was warmer than Wu City, only a little below minus ten degrees Celsius, while Wu City hovered around minus thirty. Still, standing for half an hour in this cold was uncomfortable.
"Danai, isn't someone from the Capital Pharmacists Association picking us up?" Jing Shu asked, her voice tinged with worry. Behind her, a group of shivering pharmacists huddled in the cold wind.
Wang Danai adjusted her glasses, frowning. "They said we brought too many medicinal herbs, then that too many competitors are arriving, so now we're stuck in line waiting."
From the crowd came a timid voice: "Miss Jing, look. Over there, another provincial pharmacist team just landed and they already have a car. We got here first, but…"
Jing Shu frowned. She hadn't expected to be slighted just arriving in the capital.
The association's name was clear on the car, illuminated by the airport lights, gray in the haze, but legible.