Behind a small, unnamed hill in the forest, a Little Female with porcelain-white skin and cherry-red lips gazed up at the tall, young male standing before her, her shimmering eyes filled with smiles.
The male looked down at the Little Female’s fair cheeks, his ears quietly turning red.
"Alright, grab the baskets; let’s head to the Trading Market."
As soon as Michelle stepped into the Trading Market, she keenly noticed that it was unusually crowded today, and that everyone’s gaze kept drifting toward the entrance.
Having learned from their previous mistake, the two of them had not brought Amy along this time.
"Loki, what is going on here?"
"I don't know."
Just then, a male from the Fox Tribe approached them. "Loki, I heard your Little Female is bringing 100 jin of rice to trade today. We’re well-acquainted; could you put in a good word for me and ask her to set aside two bags for me?"
"You know my Little Female just gave birth and is in desperate need of rice. With so many people here today, I’m afraid I won’t be able to get any."
After saying this, he winked at Michelle, who was standing nearby. "Michelle, we’re both from the Fox Tribe; please, help me out."
"What? Ophelia is bringing 100 jin of rice to trade today? Impossible. In this season, where would she get that much rice?"
Last time, when there were 50 jin, she had merely assumed it was rice Ophelia had saved up by skimping on her own meals. But she absolutely did not believe Ophelia could have another 100 jin on hand.
"Loki, you’re her partner; do you not know either?" the Fox Tribe male asked, puzzled.
Loki feigned composure and cleared his throat. "I’ve been busy with tribal matters and the hunting team; I don’t know much about her affairs. But since you’ve asked, I’ll tell her to save two bags for you."
He had finally come to believe what his father had said: if Ophelia could produce 50 jin of rice, she could produce 500, or 5,000. Regardless of where she got it, the supply would only increase, not decrease; otherwise, she wouldn't dare bring it to the Trading Market.
Amidst the anticipation of the crowd, Ophelia and Taylor arrived fashionably late.
"Little Female, you’re finally here! We’ve been waiting for such a long time."
"Exactly! I thought you were just making empty promises that day. I didn't expect you to actually bring 100 jin of rice."
The males’ eyes lit up as they looked at the baskets Taylor was carrying on his back and in his hands.
"Don’t worry, I keep my word. Everyone, line up. We’ll begin the trade immediately. The conditions remain the same. Please maintain order, follow the rules, and no cutting in line."
"Each person is limited to two bags of rice. Don't worry if you don't get any today; I will return to the Trading Market periodically, and everyone will have a chance later."
Because of the large turnout, Ophelia implemented a purchase limit, hoping to ensure more people could buy rice and broaden her reach. Looking at the crooked line and the males trying to sneak in, Ophelia felt a headache coming on.
Just as she was about to call Taylor over to maintain order, two males stepped forward voluntarily. It was Sair and Ram, the future partners she had her eye on.
"Ophelia, we’ll help you keep order. You and Taylor take your time; don’t rush."
"Very well. Same as before: ten pieces of prey for one bag of rice, fifteen animal skins for one bag, or Red Crystal for one bag."
"Understood," Sair replied, his brown eyes filled with a smile.
Ram suggested, "We can collect the prey first, so you two only need to worry about packing the rice."
Ophelia nodded in satisfaction. This Ram already possessed the initial instincts of a businessman.
With the help of the two males, the order in the line improved significantly, and those at the back who wouldn't get a turn were kindly persuaded to leave.
The Fox Tribe male was near the back and realized he wouldn't get any rice, so he turned his attention back to Loki.
"Loki, look at this..."
Watching the pile of prey and animal skins growing like a small hill beside Ophelia, Michelle’s eyes turned red with envy. She tugged at Loki’s arm and said softly, "Loki, just help Crivi out."
Crivi, the Fox Tribe male, looked on with eyes full of longing.
"Fine, follow me."
Loki straightened his back and marched the two of them to the very front of the line with an air of self-importance.
"Princess," Taylor said, pausing as he scooped rice.
Ophelia had been chatting with a male from the Ape Tribe, asking him to help promote her in his tribe. Hearing Taylor, she turned around, and upon seeing the two faces she disliked, her expression instantly plummeted.
"If you want rice, go to the back of the line. I don’t allow cutting in line here."
Loki’s expression shifted slightly, but not wanting to lose face in front of Crivi, he stiffened his neck and said, "Ophelia, Crivi has a Little Female at home in her postpartum period who needs rice. Just fill two bags for him."
"What’s this? What’s going on? You’re clearly trying to cut in line!"
"Yeah! Is your face bigger than ours, or are you special? Just cutting in line whenever you want?"
Before Ophelia could even speak, the males in the queue fired back. If the floodgates for line-cutting were opened, would there be any rice left for them?
"I am her partner! She has to give what I tell her to give!" Loki said, clenching his fists in anger.
"No one has special privileges here! Either get in line, or get lost!"
Seeing her speak so righteously, Ophelia dropped the stone bowl in her hand with a heavy thud. Sair, seeing this, stepped up to pick up the bowl and continue packing rice for the males in line.
"Ophelia, even if you’re angry at Loki, you shouldn't humiliate him in public like this," Michelle said, looking distressed. She lowered her voice, but kept it just loud enough for Loki to hear. "He’s going to be a tribe leader in the future; how is he supposed to command respect if you treat him this way?"
Sure enough, Loki’s already darkened expression became as gloomy as a storm cloud.
"If you don't give Crivi the rice today, then don't bother returning to the Snow Wolf Tribe."
"Fine, I won't go back! What’s so special about the mere Snow Wolf Tribe anyway?"
"Exactly! Little Female, come back to the Tiger Tribe with me. I’ll introduce you to the bravest males in our tribe; don't settle for such an arrogant male."
"Right, the Elephant Tribe would welcome you too!"
Loki’s expression turned icy. "Ophelia, think carefully before you speak, or I won't forgive you."
Ophelia only found him noisy. "Can you not understand human speech? Either get in line, or get out!"
Seeing that things had gone wrong, Crivi smiled awkwardly. "Actually, I’m not in that much of a rush. I can wait until next time."
"Crivi, you..." With his own companion backing down, Loki looked even more disgraced. His face turned livid.
Michelle took his hand to soothe him. "Loki, we still need to get fruit for Amy. Let’s go, or there won't be any fresh fruit left."
With the annoying "flies" gone, the rice trade proceeded smoothly. Before the sun had even set, the 100 jin of rice had all been sold.
"For those who didn't get any, don't be discouraged. I’ll be back in three days with another batch of rice. Also, I’ll have fresh fruit; quantities are limited, so it will be first come, first served."
In three days, the apples, peaches, mandarins, dragon fruit, Shine Muscat grapes, watermelons, bananas, and lychees would all be ripe.