Chapter 85: Black Pigs for Debt

The surrounding atmosphere turned tense, as all the employees at the Agricultural Management Bureau remained silent. These were government officials, most with some family connections, and they had always seen Jing’s mother as non-confrontational. But today, they had all witnessed her take charge with surprising force.

By the time they arrived at the bureau, news was already spreading in the employees' circles: Jing Shu’s mother’s daughter had killed someone with a gun, her husband had driven over and killed over a dozen robbers, and it was all orchestrated by Yucaini, whom Jing's mother was now punishing.

Out of the thirteen districts in Wucheng, the Development District's Agricultural Bureau was responsible for providing vegetables to all of Wucheng’s government employees.

Jing’s mother’s role at the bureau was to ensure the daily supply of 500 kilograms of vegetables for the 5,000 government workers and another 500 kilograms for the 500 high-ranking officials. Specific vegetables would be provided depending on the tastes of the officials.

In contrast to the other departments that were responsible for growing tens of thousands of tons of moldy mushrooms to feed hundreds of thousands of people, the difference was clear: the bureau was providing small, refined meals while others were preparing food en masse.

The Agricultural Bureau had access to various resources, including constant electricity to grow vegetables 24 hours a day. In a few days, they would begin distributing the first batch of vegetables.

As Jing’s mother kept a distant eye on Yucaini, who was busy turning compost into fertilizer, she calmly ate her almonds. Bright lights illuminated Yucaini as she worked amidst a swarm of flies. Wearing rubber boots and a mask, Yucaini still couldn’t escape the overpowering stench. She stomped through piles of manure, mixing it with straw, saltpeter, and other materials. At first, she angrily attacked the pile with her tools, but soon she lost her strength.

Lunchtime arrived, and the bureau provided a meal every day. These days, it consisted of rice mixed with dirt and a dry stir-fried lettuce dish. Having a meal with vegetables had become a rare luxury, and even the security guards scrambled for a spot to eat.

"You won't be eating today until you finish that. You won't be going home either," Jing’s mother called out from afar.

Yucaini threw down her tools in frustration and stomped over.

Jing's father had just set up a small table and some chairs, while Jing Shu unpacked a steaming meal from an insulated container. On the table were thick steaks covered in black pepper sauce, a dish of sweet and sour pickled radish, a bowl of crispy fried fish, stir-fried bean sprouts with meat, and a simple spinach and dried shrimp soup.

"What, you’re thinking of quitting?" Jing’s mother raised an eyebrow, disgusted by the smell coming off Yucaini.

Jing Shu casually bit into a large piece of steak, followed by a mouthful of bean sprouts and a sip of soup. Yucaini, who had been ready to argue, stood frozen, watching in disbelief.

In the blink of an eye, Jing Shu devoured three steaks, a bowl of fried fish, and most of the soup.

The aroma of the meal was unbearable for Yucaini, who couldn’t stop swallowing as she watched. The steaks, T-bones, ribeye, and sirloin, all recognizable cuts of beef, taunted her. Her last few steaks, stored in the fridge for a special occasion, had been infested with maggots.

She hadn’t had meat in two months, not since the last frozen pork given to her by that old man.

And now, she could only stand there, drooling and on the verge of tears, both humiliated and famished. She wanted to grab the food and eat it, but Jing Shu's gun pointed at her kept her in place.

Jing Shu ate ten of the sixteen steaks, with Yucaini watching the entire time. She had almost forgotten what meat tasted like—only that it smelled so, so good.

Life was about quality. And when dealing with enemies, there was something especially satisfying about watching them cry from hunger as you enjoy a steak. It was a beautiful sight.

"I can find people, just like you did. But the people I know are not as gentle. Ever heard of the Zhetian Gang? They enjoy torturing people..." Jing Shu casually threatened.

Jing Shu had decided Yucaini wouldn’t get off easily. Sometimes, living was the cruelest punishment.

The third robbery attempt came just after Jing Shu finished her meal. Yucaini’s stomach growled loudly from hunger, when the sound of sirens and gunfire erupted outside.

The robbers didn't stand a chance. As a group of men and women wielding machetes charged in, the police, equipped with guns, fired on them, ending the confrontation in under a minute. The robbers hadn’t even made it over the gate before scattering in all directions.

It was now clear that there was no more food left in Wucheng’s households. Some turned to robbery, while others resorted to stripping tree bark or eating insects. With the scorching heat, even wild vegetables couldn’t survive, though weeds still clung to life.

That evening, when they returned home, Jing Shu learned that her Aunt Jing Pan’s family had been robbed. Her aunt’s leg had been cut, and with the county hospital shut down, the wound had only been wrapped in cloth. They prayed it wouldn’t get infected in the unbearable heat.

Jing’s grandmother packed up some supplies to visit Jing Pan the next day. Jing’s father couldn’t dissuade her and agreed to drive her there.

After dropping Jing’s mother off at work the next morning, Jing Shu returned with three black pigs strapped to the roof of the car. Her family was stunned.

"Where did you get so many pigs this time?" they asked.

"The man who sold me the black pig last time gave them to me. His home was attacked the other day, and I saved him. These pigs are his way of thanking me. Grandma, don’t we owe Aunt and Third Aunt 100,000 yuan? Money is worthless now, so let’s pay them back with a black pig. Meat is precious these days—you can’t buy it for even tens of thousands."

Jing’s father scratched his head. "You always manage to be in the right place at the right time."

Jing’s grandmother was overjoyed, hugging Jing Shu tightly. This clever girl had known exactly what was on her mind. Her eldest daughter’s home had been robbed, and she worried about whether her daughter would have enough to eat. But now, with such a large pig, her worries were lifted.

"Pork is precious. Why not give them a few bags of rice instead? You can’t buy rice outside either. Keep the pig, and I’ll make a nice stew for you," Jing’s grandmother said, her heart leaning toward Jing Shu, knowing that her youngest son’s family didn’t lack vegetables or rice.

But for Jing Shu, the Thai fragrant rice stored in their basement was far more valuable than the pigs. Black pigs could birth ten piglets every six months, and they practically took care of themselves. Rice, on the other hand, required tedious processing, from planting to harvesting and shelling.

Besides, her Aunt Jing Pan had risked her life a few months ago to bring them three crates of apples. Even though she had never asked for the money to be repaid, Jing Shu couldn’t just pretend the debt didn’t exist. The black pigs were simply excess from her plans.

Ultimately, Jing Shu prevailed. They kept two male pigs, while strapping a female pig to the car to take to the countryside and visit Aunt Jing Pan. Jing Shu also packed some Yunnan Baiyao and antibiotics for the trip.

After speeding along the road, Jing Shu, her grandmother, grandfather, and father finally reached Aunt Jing Pan’s house, only to find a crowd gathered at her tightly shut gate, yelling about seizing the landlord’s food.

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Author's Note: Thank you to Yunshan for your reward! Additional updates will be on Sunday at midnight, with regular updates at 12 pm and 7 pm.

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