Chapter 12: Catching the Big Yellow Dog

The next morning, on the third day of April, which was the market day in Huangtan Town, Chen Xiulan, Lin Heng's wife, woke him up early.

"Husband, we need to get up and go to the market today," Chen Xiulan shook Lin Heng awake. Although she wasn't quite used to calling him "husband," she did it because Lin Heng liked it.

"Oh, my back," Lin Heng tried to sit up but felt a sharp pain in his back, so he lay down again.

"I'll rub some safflower oil on your back," Chen Xiulan said, taking out some safflower oil from the drawer and rubbing it on his back. After a while, Lin Heng finally got up.

"Get up quickly and wash your face. The sun is almost up," Lin Heng's father, Lin Xu'an, urged. He had packed up all the herbs and other goods he planned to sell.

"Just the two of us?" Lin Heng looked at his father and added, "I want to bring Xiulan along."

He remembered that Xiulan hadn't been to the town in a long time.

"Go ahead, I'll look after the child," Lin Heng's mother, Lu Hongmei, spoke up before Lin Xu'an could respond.

She was concerned about Xiulan and wanted her to go to town and see a bit of the world.

Lin Heng's father was reluctant; he preferred Xiulan to stay home and help with the fieldwork.

"Mom, it's fine. Lin Heng and Dad can go," Xiulan said, even though she wanted to go.

At that moment, Lin Heng's mother added, "She should go, so Lin Heng doesn't cause trouble again."

"And it's been so long since Xiulan went to the market, a trip will do her good," Lin Heng's mother shot a look at Lin Xu'an.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Xu'an nodded. "Fine, go ahead."

He was also worried that his second son might run off and get into trouble.

"Quick, change your clothes," Lin Heng didn't give his wife a chance to argue and pushed her inside to change.

No one noticed that Lin Heng's sister-in-law, Liu Juan, looked a bit displeased.

After Lin Heng washed his face, Xiulan changed into a clean, patch-free dress, and the three of them set off for the town.

Fengshu Village wasn't far from Huangtan Town, only five or six kilometers, so it took about an hour and a half to walk there.

On the road, there were people carrying all sorts of goods to the market, some with herbs, some with grains, and others with piglets.

The only thing Lin Heng had to sell was a grey squirrel pelt he had prepared two days ago.

Xiulan carried a basket with various herbs and mushrooms she had collected over the past month.

When they arrived in town, they first went to Liu's shop, where many people were gathered to sell mountain goods.

"Xiulan, watch over these items while we go sell the ginseng," Lin Heng said to Xiulan before walking into the house with his father to find Liu Qicheng, the shop owner.

"Liu Uncle, come here, I need to talk to you."

Liu Qicheng glanced at them and told his wife to watch the shop before leading Lin Heng and his father to the backyard.

"Got something good?" Liu Qicheng asked, eyeing them.

"Yes, we were lucky to dig up a 15-year-old wild ginseng from Taibai Mountain," Lin Xu'an shyly smiled and took out the ginseng, still with its roots intact.

After removing the moss, the ginseng revealed itself, looking like a small human figure and exuding vitality.

"Liu Uncle, this is good stuff, right? How much will you pay?" Lin Heng asked.

Wild ginseng was rare, especially one this old. It could take several years for one to grow, making it highly valuable.

"It is indeed good stuff. I can offer you 400 yuan," Liu Qicheng said, handing Lin Heng and his father a cigarette, speaking casually.

Lin Heng didn't take the cigarette; he had quit after his family fell apart.

"Liu Uncle, you're not being fair. I was just in the city a few months ago, and ginseng there goes for at least 800 yuan," Lin Heng said with a smile, preparing to haggle.

However, Liu Qicheng suddenly changed his expression and coldly said, "This is the price here. If you want to sell, sell it, if not, go somewhere else."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Lin Heng's face changed. He knew Liu Qicheng could be arrogant, but he didn't expect him to act so rudely. This man was taking advantage of the fact that he was the only one buying in Huangtan Town and exploiting the farmers.

"Dad, let's go. We'll sell it in the city."

Lin Heng looked at his father and made up his mind. Once he had money, he'd open his own buying point to compete with Liu Qicheng.

His father was a bit angry but also reluctant to go all the way to the city. "Are you sure we can sell it for 700 or 800 yuan in the city?"

"Absolutely. Once you go, you'll see how much they're ripping us off here," Lin Heng said confidently.

"Plus, things are much cheaper in the city. We need a lot of tools to build our house, and it's much cheaper there," Lin Heng added.

After thinking it over, Lin Xu'an finally agreed. "Alright, let's go to the city. I want to see what it's like."

Wrapping the ginseng in moss and putting it in his pocket, father and son began to leave.

Just as they were about to exit the door, Liu Qicheng came back and pulled them aside, saying with a smile, "I was a bit rude earlier. The price you asked for is too much. I can only sell it for about 500 yuan in the city. Eight hundred is definitely a scam. Let's settle on 500 yuan, what do you think?"

Liu Qicheng, the cunning businessman, knew exactly how to play the game. Lin Xu'an hesitated, and if Lin Heng weren't reborn, they might have fallen for it.

"We'll pass," Lin Heng said with a slight smile, pulling his father away.

Liu Qicheng didn't care. He thought they'd come back anyway and that he could just offer them a little less profit.

"I think Liu Qicheng's offer of 500 yuan is fair," Lin Xu'an hesitated.

"Go to the city and don't listen to him," Lin Heng said, not wanting to explain further, his tone firm.

After a look at his son, Lin Xu'an finally decided to go to the city, reasoning that it wouldn't be worse than here, and at least they wouldn't be ripped off as badly.

When they returned, Xiulan asked, "What's the verdict?"

"We're going to the city. This place is a rip-off," Lin Heng replied.

"I'll sell these myself and go home," Xiulan nodded.

"No, you're coming with us. Since we're going to the city, we'll take everything," Lin Heng said. They were already heading to the city, so there was no point in leaving some things behind.

Lin Xu'an didn't object, knowing that someone would need to carry the items when they returned. "Alright, let's go. The earlier we leave, the earlier we'll get back."

"Let's go. I know a shortcut that's much faster," Lin Heng said, leading his wife and father on the way.

Today's market in Huangtan Town was bustling, but none of the three had the mood to browse.

"Didn't you say we were going to the city? Why did you bring us to the school?" Lin Xu'an questioned Lin Heng, confused.

Xiulan was also puzzled.

"Wait here for a minute, I have something to take care of," Lin Heng said, then ran off.

He was determined to intercept the spiritual big yellow dog. Not a moment could be wasted—if someone else caught it, he'd be crying.

"It should be fine. Last time I heard that old man say he found it in the lunar fifth month," Lin Heng muttered to himself as he walked towards the school area, searching.

(End of this chapter)