Although Ella didn't speak, her cold laugh made Annika suddenly understand.
Annika then realized how ridiculous her suggestion had been, probably without the foundation laid by the supply of rice wine over the past twenty years.
Even today, under these circumstances, Old John and his companion would not come to announce the mission.
After Anika understood, she coughed lightly and changed the subject.
"Since the mission involves two East Pearls, the 'Explorer' can accept it directly."
It would be foolish not to accept the mission. Just escorting them and making a round trip would earn her two Esther Pearls. If she weren't incapable, she would want to take on the mission too.
Thinking about it this way, Annika felt a pang of regret, but she quickly became happy again.
At least we've just gotten a little bit, which isn't bad.
I never knew the East Pearl was so valuable!
Old John was somewhat shocked. He had originally planned for fifty gold coins plus two pearls, but unexpectedly, he didn't need to pay the gold coins.
He was still a little uneasy, so he cautiously probed Anika: "Then you don't need the gold coins?"
When the gold coins were mentioned, Anika's eyes showed disdain.
“If you only go to Hope City, fifty gold coins will barely be enough, but if you also want to go to the Barrens, no amount of gold coins will be enough! However,”
Annika picked up two pearls and waved them in front of her eyes.
"With these two East Pearls, that's more than enough. And many people would be willing to just wander around Hope City and the Barrens! You should keep these. Once you find your daughter, at least you'll have money to live on."
As Annika spoke, she pushed the gold coins from the package towards Old John and his companion, urging them to put them away.
"Alright, now that we've finished discussing it, I'll let you know in a couple of days."
After the business was settled, Annika was about to leave when she suddenly paused as she opened the door.
Just as she saw East Pearl's mind cool down, she suddenly remembered what would happen to their "Explorers'" wine after Old John left!
Annika couldn't help but facepalm; this was a real problem.
She turned and stared intently at Old John and his companion, her eyes filled with undisguised seriousness.
"Old John, what will happen to our wine now that you're gone?"
Her voice could not conceal her sorrow.
When Annika suddenly stopped, Old John thought there was more to the story, but it turned out to be about the alcohol.
He was immediately at a loss for words, both amused and exasperated.
"Doesn't everyone have my wine recipe? The wines they brew are all pretty much the same."
When old John first arrived, the wine he brewed became an instant sensation. Many people coveted such a fine wine, and of course, they were eager to try their hand at making it.
In order to avoid becoming a target of public criticism and to be able to settle down, old John decided to sell the wine recipe for only one gold coin.
The price isn't too high, but it's not so low that everyone can afford it.
In the Simeon Empire, currency consisted of gold coins, silver coins, copper coins, and copper beads. Copper coins were the smallest unit of measurement. One gold coin was equivalent to one hundred silver coins, while one silver coin was equivalent to one thousand copper coins.
Four copper coins could buy a loaf of bread from old Paul, enough for an adult to have a full meal.
Of course, for the average person, it might take more than ten years of hard work to accumulate a single gold coin, but for someone with a certain amount of assets, it only takes a few years of hard work to accumulate one.
This price is even less of a concern for nobles; they could easily spend countless sums of money.
So when Old John announced he was going to sell his liquor, almost everyone with a little money would grit their teeth and buy a bottle.
Those who bought the recipe were surprised to find that Old John even gave them a demonstration of how he brewed the wine – a true hands-on lesson!
Even after being taught step by step, I still don't know why everyone's wine tastes different. It's not that it's bad, but it always feels a little worse than Old John's, but it's many times better than the wine from the previous brewing house.
Therefore, over the years, wealthy families would occasionally buy wine from Old John's winery to taste, while nobles would order wine directly from Old John's winery, which would supply them on a long-term basis.
The "Explorers" also bought a distillery from Old John's, but the wine they produced was always a step behind Old John's. It wasn't that the taste was bad, but it just didn't have the same flavor as Old John's.
"Your brewing is still the best!"
Thinking of the taste of alcohol, Anika couldn't help but lick her lips.
Old John retorted with a serious expression, "There really is no difference. I've tasted Annie's wine, and it's exactly the same!"
Anne was the cook at the "Explorers" restaurant, in charge of the kitchen work. When the "Explorers" bought the wine recipe, Anne came over and learned from old John.
"It's just different, a difference I can't quite put my finger on."
Despite being refuted by Old John, Annika still muttered to herself.
The wine tasted different back then, and everyone suspected that Old John was hiding something. But later, Old John had everyone watch it for more than a month and found that there was no difference at all. Only then did everyone believe that the wine might taste different to different people.
Seeing Annika's unconvinced expression, old John could only say helplessly, "I still have a few barrels of my own brewed wine..."
"I'll go get it right away!"
Before old John could finish speaking, Annika interrupted him immediately, secretly delighted.
I never expected to have such a discovery!
These are the last few buckets, she has to hide them carefully!
"But aren't you still supplying wine to those nobles? Is it alright to give it to me?"
Annika was somewhat worried, after all, those nobles were very arrogant, and they might not let Old John go in order to keep the supplies.
Thinking about this possibility, Annika's worries became even more pronounced.
“It’s alright. Actually, Ella and I had planned this a long time ago, so we told their butler in advance. Since then, the butler has been using his own homemade wine and rarely asks me for any.”
Old John's explanation put Annika at ease.
But the implication in Old John's words greatly displeased Annika.
“Old John, you’re really not being fair,” Annika said, glancing sideways at Old John. “Why did you tell them so early on, but only now that I’m about to leave?”
Old John felt wronged by Annika's questioning.
“Annika, I’ve wanted to tell you this more than once, but every time you’re either busy or I call you to talk to you, you just tell me to go home and hurry up and bring the wine over. I…”
Old John shrugged, looking helpless. "How can I explain this to you? I figured I'd be coming to see you eventually anyway, so I might as well let you know now. See, you find out now anyway!"
After being reprimanded by Old John, Annika was so embarrassed that she quickly waved her hand and sent the two away.
"Okay, okay, I got it. I'll find someone to move the wine later!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com