Reborn with a Space: Building a Fortune Amidst Famine

"Madam, the price I can offer is just like this."

The old lady nodded, "Young lady, you really have a thorough understanding of these things."

"I learned it when I was young."

"Not bad at all, I've already said, I can accept the price you offered. But young lady, do you know? I don't want money, I just want food and oil."

"Alright, I'll prepare it for you at three hundred per unit, madam."

The old lady laughed, "No need, I have something else for you."

Zeng Hongling immediately understood that this was a test for herself. Of course, with people you don't know, a little probing is natural, it's understandable.

"Miss, come with me." The old woman stood up and walked ahead. Zeng Hongling and Qin Zhong followed behind.

They went to another room. As soon as Zeng Hongling entered, she saw two boxes placed by the table.

"Miss, you should take a look yourself and give me a price."

After opening the boxes, Zeng Hongling couldn't help but think, this must be the real good stuff.

The first box contained half books and half paintings.

Actually, Zeng Hongling could really understand. If it were herself, she would also sell things that are hard to preserve. Books and paintings are the most difficult to preserve.

Opening a painting, Zeng Hongling was stunned. This was an authentic work of a famous artist. Not too different from the one collected last time.

"Madam, I can offer one-fifty for this landscape painting."

"Alright."

Zeng Hongling carefully rolled it up and set it aside, inspecting each piece and giving a quote.

She calculated in her mind, the box of books and paintings would total nine hundred and twenty. Oh my, really hiding one's talents. According to Qin Zhong, this was the wealthiest family locally, one couldn't tell whether they were smart enough not to bring out good stuff, or it was just a matter of reputation.

The second box was full of jade ornaments, a completely filled box.

Su Yuanyuan had once said, if the jade ornaments were not made of particularly good material and had average carving, they should not be collected.

The first piece was a chubby, adorable doll. Zeng Hongling turned it in her hands several times, "Madam, the jade quality is average, the carving is average, but it looks nice. I can only offer twenty for this."

The old lady smiled and nodded, "Alright."

Now Zeng Hongling was relieved. The old lady didn't think she was taking advantage by paying less.

The box filled with jade carvings, Zeng Hongling took half, paying one hundred and eighty bucks.

"Young lady, I'll give you the remaining ten bucks."

Zeng Hongling had already seen them all, although they were ordinary, it's comparative, certainly they gained an advantage. However, acting like she came for bargains would not be good, so she looked troubled.

"Madam, I truly have no intention to take advantage."

The old lady nodded, "I can see that you understand jade ornaments well, and I also know the value of my items.

Since they are already out, there's no point in keeping them, so I'm more than willing to sell them to you.

I also realized you are unwilling to take in jade stones, right?"

Zeng Hongling didn't deny it, "Yes, there's plenty of raw jade stones at home, unless it is something particularly favored, I generally do not accept them."

"Understood. Can you accept these?"

"As long as you don't reject my character, that would certainly be beneficial."

The old lady smiled and nodded, more assured of the young lady's character.

"I certainly wouldn't think that way."

"Alright then, in total it's fifteen hundred bucks, name a price for the four boxes, madam."

"Forget the box prices, they're just ordinary wood. The prices you offered are not low, so I'll throw them in."

Zeng Hongling nodded with a smile, "Thank you, madam.

What does madam need? Rice and wheat for a dollar per pound. Pork, beef, soybean oil are all two dollars."

"Five hundred pounds each of rice and wheat, two hundred pounds of soybean oil, and the rest in pork."

Zeng Hongling nodded, "Madam, you want quite a lot, I'm unsure if it can all be prepared. I'll ask around. Regardless, we'll try our best. If it's possible, we'll do as you say; if not, the shortage will be paid in cash."

"No problem, if there's a shortage, just make it up in grain."

"Got it. If it can be arranged tonight, I will knock on the door."

After reaching an agreement, Zeng Hongling and Qin Zhong stepped out.

"Mr. Zeng, you're really amazing." It was the first time seeing a young lady with such determination.

Zeng Hongling shook her head, "This time I'll give you one hundred and fifty bucks."

"I don't want money, I want items instead. Preferably meat, if not then grains."

"Alright, I'll organize it. These things aren't available often, same as last time."

Qin Zhong understood Zeng Hongling's intention and nodded quickly.

Su Yuanyuan went out by herself; she had already calculated, only a hundred pounds of rice could be given, the rest would be replaced with wheat, as there was too much wheat in the space. A hundred pounds of pork could be taken out, making things easier.

Same operation as last time. In the space, she divided a hundred pounds of pork into ten portions, making it easier to handle.

The two went to knock on the door at ten o'clock. The old lady quickly opened the door, seemingly waiting.

"Madam, sorry, there's only a hundred pounds of rice, the price has raised to two dollars elsewhere, but I won't raise the price for you for these hundred pounds."

The old lady wasn't pleased but could understand.

"Alright then."

Finally, it concluded with a hundred pounds of rice, nine hundred pounds of wheat, two hundred pounds of soybean oil, and fifty pounds of pork.

Looking at the shiny pork, the old lady's displeasure faded away.

"Young lady, I'll sort out some more. Come again in ten days."

Su Yuanyuan knew what this old lady was thinking.

"In the future, we can at most exchange ten pounds of soybean oil; no rice."

"Okay, I know. Come back in ten days."

Zeng Hongling checked inside and everything was in order before loading the car, arriving at Qin Zhong's doorstep after midnight.

Before they could knock, Qin Zhong opened the door.

Qin Zhong happily received fifty pounds of meat and a hundred pounds of wheat, and he put out fifty. That made him agreeable.

The last fifty pounds of meat earned him fifty bucks, and several families wanted him to help establish connections.

He explained the situation, "We don't have much time. You make the arrangements; exchanging with wheat is unlimited. Pork up to fifty pounds, soybean oil up to ten pounds, rice has gone up to two dollars per pound, a maximum of fifty pounds, no more available."

Qin Zhong nodded on the side, "Just the wheat would be fine. Then I'll set it for the day after tomorrow."

"Alright." Su Yuanyuan agreed. The main issue was that wheat took up too much space; in the Jeep, only a thousand pounds could be fitted.