Chapter 23

As soon as people heard it was wild boar meat, a crowd gathered around, pointing and discussing animatedly.

“This wild boar is huge! Look at those tusks—so scary!”

“I’ve heard wild boar meat has a strong gamey taste. It’s nothing like the delicious pork from farm-raised pigs.”

Wang Tiezhu corrected them, “Sister, you don’t understand! How can domestic pigs compare to wild boars?

Think about it—farm pigs eat feed every day, but wild boars roam the deep mountains, eating natural treasures. Their meat is completely different! You are what you eat. Not to mention, just look at this boar’s ‘treasure.’ I bet even three regular pigs couldn’t match this one.”

“As for the gamey taste, that’s just because you don’t know how to cook it. Marinate it with cooking wine, ginger, and garlic first, and that smell will be gone for sure!”

Calling her “sister” like that…

The plump middle-aged woman’s heart bloomed with joy. She suddenly found Wang Tiezhu much more pleasing to the eye. “Young man, you sure know how to talk.”

Pointing at the boar’s “treasure,” she asked, “Is this good for nourishment? I want to buy it for my husband.”

“Oh, it’s excellent!”

Wang Tiezhu boasted, “Sis, I’m not exaggerating. Think about it—why are wild boars so good at reproducing? It’s because the males are incredibly vigorous! If you take this home and stew it for your husband, trust me, you’ll be living the good life afterward.”

“Alright, I’ll take it!”

“Great! Let me weigh it for you.”

By noon, all 400 to 500 pounds of wild boar meat were sold out, earning him nearly 30,000 yuan.

After a quick bowl of noodles from a street vendor, Wang Tiezhu rode his tricycle to the county’s seedling market. His personal space was still bare, and with the mystical spring water he had, he figured even a wooden stick would sprout if he planted it.

So, he wanted to try growing some fruit trees and medicinal herbs.

The nursery market was quite large, around 3,000 to 4,000 square meters. Looking around, vendors and customers bustled about, with shouts of sales pitches ringing in the air.

As he walked through the crowd, he stopped at a medicinal herb stall. The owner, a middle-aged man, greeted him warmly.

“Hey, young man! What are you looking for? I can introduce you to something good.”

Wang Tiezhu asked, “Boss, do you have wild ginseng seeds?”

The boss chuckled, “Young man, is this your first time here? Wild ginseng is incredibly rare. I do have seeds, but let me tell you—growing them is nearly impossible. Wild ginseng requires extremely specific soil, temperature, and surrounding conditions, almost to the point of being picky.

Even artificial cultivation has a very low survival rate. I’d advise you not to waste your money. You might want to consider something easier to grow.”

Wang Tiezhu nodded. The boss seemed like a decent person, not trying to scam him. Still, he said, “I appreciate the advice, but I’d like to give it a try.”

“Alright then!”

The boss didn’t argue and handed him the seeds.

After buying the ginseng seeds and some other medicinal herbs, he continued browsing.

Just then, a woman’s angry voice rang out nearby.

“How can you be like this?! I clearly paid you, and now you’re saying I didn’t? This is unfair!”

The voice sounded familiar. Wang Tiezhu turned and saw a petite figure at a stall not far away.

“It’s her!”

The stall owner was a bald man with a round, fierce face and a massive beer belly. His mouth twisted into a sneer.

He cursed, “What do you mean I’m bullying you? You may be pretty, but you’ve got no manners!

Everyone, listen up! This woman bought two premium wild ginseng roots from me and didn’t pay a single cent! She was about to sneak away, but I caught her red-handed.

And now she dares to accuse me instead? You tell me, who’s the real thief here?

I work hard selling medicinal herbs to make an honest living. How can she just take my goods like that? Have some conscience, lady!”

The bald man’s sharp tongue quickly swayed the onlookers, who began whispering among themselves.

“She looks so well-dressed, but turns out she’s a thief!”

“The world is full of surprises. Who would’ve thought such a pretty woman would do something so shameful?”

“You don’t understand. Nowadays, some thieves dress like successful people to lower others’ guard!”

Li Linglong was furious, her chest rising and falling with anger. She pointed at the bald man. “You’re lying! I won’t argue with you. I’m calling the police right now! They’ll get to the bottom of this.”

The bald man wasn’t scared at all. He sneered, “Go ahead, call them! Let’s see who gets arrested when they arrive!”

Li Linglong pulled out her phone, ready to dial.

Just then, Wang Tiezhu stepped up beside her. “Ling-jie, what a coincidence!”

Li Linglong was momentarily stunned but quickly asked, “Tiezhu? What are you doing here?”

“I’m buying some medicinal herbs.”

Wang Tiezhu kept it brief. “What’s going on?”

Li Linglong explained, “I bought two wild ginseng roots here for 10,000 yuan. I handed him the money, but now he’s claiming I didn’t pay and accusing me of stealing them.

He’s trying to play the victim—it’s infuriating! I’m calling the police to handle this…”

“Lin-jie, wait a moment.”

Wang Tiezhu stopped her and whispered, “This guy is acting so fearless because he knows you have no solid proof. Money doesn’t talk, so even if the police come, they won’t be able to confirm you paid him.”

Li Linglong frowned. “But I can’t let this scumbag get away with it. It’s not about the money—it’s about justice.”

Wang Tiezhu smirked. “Ling-jie, let me see the ginseng.”

Li Linglong took out the two well-packaged ginseng roots from her bag. Wang Tiezhu examined them, a slight smirk appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Then, he turned to the stall owner.

“Boss, these ginseng roots look pretty old!”

The bald man puffed up his chest. “Of course! I’ve been in this business for over ten years. My wild ginseng is the best in this market. Customers come from all over just for my goods!”

Wang Tiezhu nodded. “I see. But we don’t know much about ginseng. This pair costs 10,000 yuan—are you sure they’re not farmed ginseng?”

The bald man spat on the ground. “Nonsense! I Neu Er, I never sell fakes. That would ruin my reputation! Look at my sign—‘Fake One, Pay Ten Times the Price!’ Use your eyes!”

“Oh!”

Wang Tiezhu grinned. “That’s good to hear.”