The Interstellar Queen of Scavengers

Chapter 24: Chapter 24: The Return Journey

Xie Chuanqiong contacted Ryan, and Ryan quickly replied, asking everyone to wait for him at the airship gathering point, saying he would be out soon.

The group immediately set off without stopping.

When they arrived at the airship gathering point, it was already crowded with a great number of people, with roughly a few thousand heads in sight. There were also many airships stationed here, with many people already boarding, ready to leave.

Ji You and her companions found a spot to sit down and rest as they waited for Ryan.

”How much did you collect?”

”Seven or eight pounds, perhaps.”

”Heavens— that much?”

”Yeah, I was lucky today.”

”And you?”

”My luck wasn’t as good, checked a few places, but they had already been harvested by others. I only managed to collect just over three pounds today. I didn’t dare to stay in the jungle for too long alone, so I hurried back here, right?”

”You both have quite some luck, only I had bad luck today. On my way back, I suddenly encountered two Level 2 Carrion Rats, got so scared that I did not even bother to pick up the Iron Pear Wood I had collected for half the day, escaping was what mattered.”

”Doesn’t that mean you got nothing today?”

”Worse than that. I even ended up losing my fare and taxes! Such terrible luck!”

Next to them, three people were having a conversation.

Ji You couldn’t help but feel relieved as she listened to their words. She was grateful to have a team for mutual support. If she had been alone, not to mention successfully collecting anything, even her life could have been at stake.

Sigh!

There was something Xie Lingzhi said that was really true. Her own combat prowess was indeed weak, she didn’t dare to boast and for now, could only cling to others, following her friendly neighbors and hoping for a share of their success.

Therefore, Ji You was quite aware of her situation and didn’t act too lofty or proud. She believed in doing what matches one’s abilities, of course, if there was a chance to improve herself, she would definitely not miss it.

As they waited, Ryan appeared about twenty minutes later.

Ryan, tall and slender, approached steadily, step by step, toward the group. Just like previous encounters, his hands were empty this time as well. Weapons, tools, and collected materials were all stored inside his Space Button, and nobody knew exactly what he had gathered.

As soon as they saw Ryan, Xie Lingzhi came to life. She quickly got up and ran towards Ryan, reaching out to grab his hand, asking with concern on her face: ”Ryan, how are you? Are you hurt?”

Ryan was slightly uncomfortable with Xie Lingzhi’s enthusiasm. He took an almost imperceptible step back, carefully avoiding her touch, and replied briefly: ”I’m fine.”

Seeing her sister’s impulsive behavior, Xie Chuanqiong’s brows furrowed slightly. Of course, to spare his sister’s pride, he didn’t scold her on the spot but decided to talk to her about it privately once they got home.

Xie Lingzhi then asked, ”Did you manage to collect what you were after?”

Regarding this question, Ji You, Grandma Jenny, and others were also quite curious. However, since it was Ryan’s private matter and he had never brought it up himself, everyone tactfully refrained from prying into his affairs.

This Xie Lingzhi, on her first time joining the group for an outing, proactively asked this somewhat sensitive question—

Before Ryan could speak, Xie Chuanqiong said, ”Lingzhi, hold back a bit, everyone is getting ready to go back. Come here, hurry onto the airship.”

Xie Lingzhi glared at her brother.

Really now.

She had made herself so obvious, yet Ryan was slow to respond, failing to see her adoration was one thing, but why did her brother always have to sabotage her?

Couldn’t he—at least create some opportunities for her?

Regarding this, Xie Lingzhi was quite dissatisfied. She felt a reluctant and unwilling turn in her heart.

As for Xie Lingzhi’s great enthusiasm toward Ryan, Ji You, Lea, and others saw it but chose to keep silent. Nobody brought it up. This matter wasn’t something that could work out just because Xie Lingzhi was keen alone; if Ryan was unwilling, then Xie Lingzhi’s feelings would come to naught.

What if—

What if Ryan eventually agreed?

No one could say for sure.

Hence, nobody wanted to play the villain in the matter of matchmaking.

Just let the two young people figure it out themselves.

With Xie Chuanqiong watching, Xie Lingzhi didn’t dare to overdo it. Ryan relaxed completely after boarding the airship and even purposely chose a seat far from Xie Lingzhi when selecting his seat.

This seat happened to be next to Grandma Jenny and Ji You. Once Ryan sat down and saw that Xie Lingzhi was not clinging to him anymore, he couldn’t help but sigh with relief in his heart.

Ji You watched all this and felt somewhat amused, thinking even someone who always acted stable, mature, and reliable like Ryan could have such a cute side. It was refreshing.

After the airship filled up, it quickly left.

In less than ten minutes, it stopped within the protective barrier. At this time, at the edge of the West District’s protective barrier adjoining the periphery, there were traders of various sizes looking to purchase Iron Pear Wood, lying in wait to buy the fresh wood on the spot.

These traders, after purchasing materials, would then transport them to larger Level 1 Material manufacturers and merchants, basically earning a margin in between.

The Iron Pear Wood that Ji You and her group harvested today was also intended to be sold directly to the traders. In fact, selling directly to the traders didn’t differ much from the prices they would get if they sold it themselves on the Star Network, and it would save them time and effort. Why not?

Everyone alighted from the airship, ready to negotiate with the stallholders. Ji You had already made up her mind; she planned to buy that Level 2 energy machete. So, she shared her intention with the group.

Lea asked, ”You, have you really decided?”

Ji You nodded: ”Yeah.” Saying this, she turned to Xie Chuanqiong and asked softly, ”Brother Qiong, may I?”

Xie Chuanqiong’s clear and handsome face showed a smile of gentle warmth: ”Sure. Let’s price the machete at 200 credit points. After selling the long-eared rabbit’s teeth and claws, we’ll total up the final price.”

The energy machete, along with the long-eared rabbit’s teeth and claws, had been acquired through everyone’s cooperation, so the money earned from them would be shared among the group.

Ji You insisted on keeping the machete, and after the others tried dissuading her twice without effect, they did not persist.

Soon, a purchasing stallholder took the initiative to approach them to enquire if they were willing to sell the Iron Pear Wood they had. The Iron Pear Wood Silk in Ji You’s and the others’ hands had intact fibers and full luster, obviously high-quality. As soon as they appeared, they caught the attention of many small traders. A few had already come to ask about the price, but the price they offered was too low. Xie Chuanqiong, Lea, and others felt it wasn’t worth it, so they hadn’t sold yet.

Later on.

Seemingly seeing that the group was adamant about not lowering their price, the trader in front of them gritted his teeth and said: ”13 credit points per pound, that’s the highest offer. You won’t find anyone in the market who can beat what I’m offering.”

”How about it?”

”Sell or not?”

Actually, this price was already very good. After discussing among themselves, they agreed to sell.