Chapter 247 Donkey

Between salt, sugar, and grains, I decisively chose salt and sugar.

We stocked up a lot at home, and we still have plenty left. I feel like we could eat enough for a lifetime.

I took 5 bags of salt and 5 bags of sugar, each containing 500 grams.

There was still a lot of liquor at home, so I thought about it and brought out another case of liquor.

All the supplies were loaded onto a small truck that hadn't been driven for a while.

Small trucks consume more fuel than SUVs, and SUVs have better performance. I usually only drive SUVs when I'm out, unless I'm transporting large items.

The last time I used a small truck was a few months ago to go to the Baizhen base to exchange for grain.

But now we need to use a small truck again, since we need to haul the donkeys back. I'm even thinking of getting a donkey cart instead, because only a small truck can handle this task.

I tried to start it, and to my surprise, the old thing was quite capable; it started in just two tries.

With a small bucket of diesel fuel, I stumbled and swerved my way to the Baizhen base.

This old car was already familiar to all the patrol personnel at the Baizhen base, and they all let it pass voluntarily. I drove all the way to the center of the base.

I entered the base commander's office with practiced ease. The old base commander used to sit here, but now Taozi is in his office.

"I brought all the supplies. Shall we go directly to Brother Wang's house to exchange them?"

I cut to the chase and asked Taozi.

"Okay, I'll go with you."

When Taozi heard that I was coming over, he stood up and offered to go with me.

I waved my hand to stop him: "No, you must be quite busy as the base commander now. I'll go by myself."

Taozi didn't insist anymore, so I turned around, went downstairs, and drove the car to Brother Wang's house.

I knocked gently on the door a few times, and a loud voice came from inside: "Who is it?"

That confident voice—it was clearly Sister Wang.

"Sister Wang, it's me, Chengcheng. I've come to exchange the donkey."

I had just finished answering when Aunt Wang opened the courtyard gate.

Mrs. Wang had a rosy complexion and a plump figure, and was as healthy as she was when she was healthy a while ago.

"Come in quickly, come in quickly."

I followed Sister Wang into the courtyard, and she led me straight to the donkey pen.

There are three big donkeys and one small donkey inside.

It seems this little donkey is the one I want to trade.

The little donkey was clean, its fur was jet black and shiny, its belly was covered in milky white fur, and its mouth was also surrounded by white fur.

It blinked its big eyes, hiding behind the big donkey, looking at the stranger with a bit of fear, but its two long ears couldn't hide it, prying out from behind the big donkey, twitching back and forth.

This little donkey is absolutely adorable and very beautiful; I fell in love with it at first sight.

I thought to myself, "Come with me. If you come home with me, you won't have to do farm work. You'll just have to pull a cart."

"Sister Wang, you've taken such good care of this little donkey; it's so shiny and healthy."

I genuinely like this little donkey; I didn't resort to the tactics of showing disdain in order to bargain.

When I praised her donkeys, Sister Wang's eyes narrowed with laughter: "Oh dear, I don't have many livestock, just these few donkeys. I take good care of them every day. In the summer, when they're hot, I even give them baths."

"How would you like to change it?"

Taozi said it's one thing, but it's only when Sister Wang says it herself that it matters. It's obvious that Sister Wang is in charge of this family, so there's no need to wait and ask Brother Wang.

“We ordered 20 small poultry, plus 10 bags of salt and sugar or 10 bags of grain.”

Aunt Wang looked at me as she spoke, and I nodded. She continued, "We're so familiar with each other, so I'll give you 18 fewer poultry, plus 8 bags of grain or salt and sugar!"

The seller offered to lower the price, so I had no reason to refuse and didn't plan to haggle any further.

"Okay, it's settled then! The things are outside, let's bring them in."

When Sister Wang heard that I was outside, she was overjoyed and followed me to the small truck.

Aunt Wang stood by the cage and checked: "You have 20 of these, right? You're such an honest child, taking so many without even thinking of bargaining with me."

I replied with a smile, "Who would bargain with their own brother and sister-in-law? I'll take whatever price you ask for."

"Oh my, your lips are as sweet as honey."

My coaxing made Sister Wang even happier.

"Quickly take out two, they were agreed to be 18."

"Okay."

I didn't mince words and took out a chicken and a duck from inside.

Why not rabbits? Because we have so many rabbits at home, I'd rather give some away.

Wang's wife and I carried the small poultry into the yard together.

While Wang Sao was taking the poultry out and organizing them in various parts of the yard, I ran to the small truck to get salt and sugar.

Four bags of salt and four bags of sugar were handed to Sister Wang.

Aunt Wang weighed the salt and sugar in her hand, quite satisfied: "Oh my, I thought salt and sugar were just a pipe dream, but I never expected you to actually produce them, sister."

I chuckled and helped Sister Wang take the chickens and rabbits out.

They took out various small poultry, and put the empty cages back on the small truck.

Wang Sao stood beside the donkey pen and waved to the little donkey, which then came out looking silly.

Sister-in-law Wang put on the rope that was specially placed over the donkey's head, just then Brother Wang returned.

"Oh dear, have they already started changing it?"

Seeing this scene, Brother Wang knew that the change was already underway.

"Come quickly and help, you're back too late."

Sister-in-law Wang called over Brother Wang to help, while she herself kept working.

My older brother looked around, picked up an old door panel that was next to the door, and walked towards the small truck.

"Hey girl, help me unload this plank from the truck bed so we can drive the donkey up there in a bit."

I nodded, and Brother Wang and I each took one end, twisting the thick iron wire to remove a metal plate from the truck bed.

The old door panel is stuck on this spot where the truck bed panels have been removed.

When Sister Wang saw that we had laid out the door panels, she led the little donkey this way.

The little donkey was very obedient; it would go wherever it was moved to.

Once the little donkey was completely driven onto the cart bed and the rope holding its head was tied to the iron bar in the cart bed, the little donkey suddenly became a little scared.

It whimpered twice in fear and kept looking towards the donkey pen.

The big female donkey was also getting impatient, squeaking and braying incessantly.

Suddenly I felt like a bad person, having separated the little donkey and the mother donkey.

Sister Wang noticed my anxiety and chuckled, "Oh dear, it's alright, little sister. Livestock are forgetful; it'll be fine once you get home."

I was comforted by Sister Wang; perhaps that's the case.

After all, when we gave away our two youngest children, Xiaodi didn't seem particularly anxious.

"Then I'm relieved. Thank you, Brother Wang and Sister-in-law Wang. I'll hurry back with the little donkey."

The little donkey was a bit anxious tied to the cart; I just wanted to get it home quickly and put it in the donkey pen I had just built.

I got in the car and slowly drove off, checking on the little donkey from time to time through the rearview mirror.

Actually, it's alright. It was a little scared, but the reaction wasn't particularly violent.

I drove the car to the center of the base and rushed straight to the second floor.

"Taozi, do you have any spare donkey carts? I can sell one to you."