Chapter 746: Wolf and Woman: An Unexpected Night of Bargains

After Blue Star’s great biological evolution, the climate got even more unpredictable, making it harder than ever to grow high-quality crops. Agriculture has slowed to a crawl.

National-level research institutes and planting centers have been pouring resources into developing stable grain seeds that can be grown over large areas. Each base’s planting center and research institute focus on cultivating crop varieties suited to their specific local climate.

The bases use two main methods to breed high-quality crops. First, they cultivate top-tier seeds in the fertile fields of the Safe Zone’s planting centers. Second, they spread massive quantities of crop seeds by helicopter across the Evolved Forest beyond the Safe Zone, letting them grow wild and evolve naturally.

The second method is unpredictable, but sometimes yields big surprises. For example, the High-Evolution Spinach that sprouted up in Section Three probably came from just such a method.

Tomorrow morning, Xia Qing needs to juice some spinach leaves, mix in some nutrient source, and make a premium nutrient shake to drink. Only then can she be in peak condition to tackle the Evolved Forest training mission Yan Long designed.

Wanting to be at her best, Xia Qing packed up everything she’d need after dinner and went to bed early.

No help for it, since Crippled Wolf was likely to show up tonight to deliver his mission—and swap the gold chain.

But when the clock struck eleven, it wasn’t Crippled Wolf who woke Xia Qing. It was a call from Hu Zifeng.

“Xia Qing, Crippled Wolf just entered Section Six of Hill Forty-Nine with a huge silver-gray wolf. Should we stop them?”

A huge silver-gray wolf? Xia Qing’s eyes sparkled. “No need. Let them in.”

“Got it.”

After hanging up, Hu Zifeng scratched his pet’s chin and muttered, “Could that big wolf be the one that visited Section Three a few times before? It’s been gone for months.”

The two Evolved Wolves slipped through the monitored area. The tabby cat in white boots lifted its head, purring as it enjoyed human attention.

Xia Qing hurried out and managed to reach the Northern Barrier before the two wolves.

When she spotted them, Xia Qing called out warmly, “Crippled, you’re here! Hey, it’s been so long, Wolf Bro! I missed you!”

Crippled Wolf glanced at Xia Qing, puzzled about why she was there.

Xia Qing explained, “Wolf Bro, we added another wall outside my territory. You can use the gate too, just like before—that’s all.”

She scanned herself into the north gate of Section One, then stepped inside and looked hopefully into Handsome Huge Wolf’s icy blue eyes.

Crippled Wolf figured out what Xia Qing wanted. He scanned his way in through the north gate, then into Section Three, and waited for Xia Qing and the big wolf inside the Buffer Forest.

Handsome Huge Wolf crouched by the wall, expressionless, then sprang over Xia Qing and both walls in a single leap, landing neatly inside Section Three.

When it soared overhead, it was bathed in moonlight—prettier than a polished Yi Stone. Absolutely breathtaking.

Xia Qing’s eyes lit up. “Wolf Bro, you’re amazing! You’re so cool! You really are top of the pyramid among Evolved Wolves!”

Handsome Huge Wolf didn’t react.

Crippled Wolf pondered for a moment, then scanned his way out and leapt smoothly over both walls to land in front of Xia Qing. If you looked closely, he actually jumped higher than the huge wolf did.

Xia Qing clapped enthusiastically. “Crippled, you’re awesome too! So handsome—totally top tier!”

Handsome Huge Wolf remained stone-faced while Crippled Wolf opened his mouth to show off those adorable, snow-white little fangs.

Xia Qing led both wolves back home. Crippled Wolf sniffed around, trotted over to the rabbit hutch, and peered over the low wall inside.

Xia Qing sighed…

“Crippled, you really scared one of my little bunnies to death. It took me so long to raise it. That takes some talent, you know?”

Crippled Wolf turned his head and grinned.

Xia Qing demanded compensation. “That rabbit was high quality! You’ll have to catch me two adult rabbits to make up for it—and I want them alive.”

Crippled Wolf ignored her request, slipped easily through the screen door, wiped his paws, and went inside. Handsome Huge Wolf stayed in the yard, making no move to enter.

Xia Qing didn’t press. She trotted inside, grabbed a basin of Pure Spring Water and a bowl of freeze-dried meat, and brought them out. “Wolf Bro, did you come all the way from the Western Wolf Pack? You must be tired. Have some water and a snack first.”

Handsome Huge Wolf lowered his head and sniffed but made no move to refuse the food and water. That meant he still trusted Xia Qing.

Having seen off her favorite wolf—who’d once gifted her a Yi Stone—Xia Qing went inside to find Crippled Wolf sprawled out in her hammock chair, gently swaying.

Good thing Xia Qing had expected him tonight and swapped out the cotton pad for a straw mat.

She walked over, dug into his pocket, pulled out a bag of yellow clay and the leftover pills, then grinned. “Handsome Wolf, did you dig up this soil from under the walnut tree?”

Crippled Wolf flashed his little white fangs again.

“Thanks! This hammock chair is yours now.”

Xia Qing stored the soil sample, then started counting the pills.

Last November, when she delivered medicine to the Northern Wolf Pack, there were 92 wolves. Last night, Little White Weasel and Crippled Wolf took away 100 antiparasitic pills. Only 19 are left, so 81 adult wolves got the meds.

With Crippled Wolf’s brains, you could bet every wolf got its pill.

So, those missing eleven—were they lost over the harsh winter, or did Handsome Huge Wolf take some wolves to join the Western Wolf Pack and they haven’t come back?

Probably both. The Evolved Forest is a tough place. Survival rates are low.

Still, Xia Qing didn’t worry about Er. If he got sick, Alpha would make sure he got sent back.

Having stashed the pills, Xia Qing reached into Crippled Wolf’s other jacket pocket and pulled out a pigeon egg-sized Yi Stone. She beamed. “Handsome Wolf, are you trading this little Yi Stone for that stylish gold chain?”

Crippled Wolf’s mouth stretched a little wider, grinning even happier.

Xia Qing grinned just as wide. “Handsome Wolf, you’re the most stylish Evolved Wolf on Blue Star—no, in the entire universe! And the only Evolved Wolf to own a gold necklace. With you around, Blue Star really shines! So, do I put the chain on you, or tuck it in your pocket?”

Crippled Wolf closed his mouth, thoughtful.

“Wear it around your neck, like this.” Xia Qing put the gold chain around her own neck, then took it off and looped it over Crippled Wolf’s neck, then took it off again and tucked it into his pocket. “Or in your pocket, like this. Do you want to wear it, or keep it in your pocket?”

When Crippled Wolf chose the pocket, Xia Qing tucked the chain in. She placed the pigeon egg-sized Yi Stone securely in her own pocket, then headed out to talk with Handsome Huge Wolf about getting the Western Wolf Pack their antiparasitic pills.

The Western Wolf Pack stands as the main shield between Hui Six’s monkeys and the humans of Hui Three. Trouble is, super-mutation fungus keeps spreading from Hui Six—and Hui Three Pharmaceutical hasn’t shipped their Antifungal No. 3 yet. The Western Wolf Pack is in more danger than the North and needs meds the most.

Xia Qing patiently gestured as she explained to Handsome Huge Wolf, but all he did was stare back at her with those gorgeous ice-blue eyes, not giving any sign he understood.

This wolf wasn’t as bright as Alpha or Crippled Wolf, and he hadn’t watched any training videos.

Xia Qing sighed and turned back inside to talk with the smart one. “Crippled, how about you and White Weasel take the pills to the Western Wolf Pack? They’re essential—they have to hold off the sick monkeys.”

Crippled Wolf cocked his head, lost in thought.

Thinking he didn’t get it, Xia Qing pantomimed her request again.

After a few seconds, Crippled Wolf got up, went upstairs, and dragged Old Goat’s protective suit out of storage.

Xia Qing was floored…

……

……

Seriously? He wants a whole protective suit as his delivery fee just to run meds over to the Western Wolf Pack?

It’s not like the medicine absolutely had to be delivered today!

But feeling the Yi Stone in her pocket and catching a glimpse of those stunning blue wolf eyes outside, Xia Qing could only nod.

“Deal. If you and Wolf Bro take White Weasel to get the medicines to the Western Wolf Pack, you get a Level 3 Protective Suit made just for wolves.”

Xia Qing fetched down Old Goat’s old suit from upstairs. “No more python skin left—this one’s made from simple fabric.”

Crippled Wolf got the idea, gave her a quick grin, then signaled Xia Qing to pull the hammock chair down and tie it onto Handsome Huge Wolf’s back. He wanted to take it right now.

Xia Qing could only stare…

So, you brought my Wolf Bro here just to haul gear for you?

But what nobody expected—when the hammock chair was strapped on, the obedient huge wolf refused to leave with Crippled Wolf.

Crippled Wolf was completely confused.

Xia Qing: “Hey.”