Chapter 86: So Embarrassing
Huai Yu wasn’t lying—she really did want to study it.
This was her first time hearing the term atavistic mutation, and she wanted to test her purification ability on it.
But… the reason she bid 160 points—can she just blame it on getting caught up in the moment?
Facing Boss Tang’s surprised look, she could only keep a straight face and say firmly again, “Just buying it for fun.”
That reason sounded a lot more believable than “research,” so Boss Tang sighed and gave up on the bid.
But… she was still pretty inexperienced.
Because compared to what came next—like “mutated flavored yogurt” or “mutant six-drumsticks chicken”—that little atavistic barnyard grass really wasn’t much.
She finally understood why Uncle Zaozi could safely sell chicks, while these people got arrested…
It was just too wicked!
Someone dared to label a mutation involving Staphylococcus aureus as yogurt and sell it?
And the mutant “six drumsticks chicken” wasn’t a chicken with six legs—it was a regular chicken whose legs were split into six parts after being infected by a mutated spider!
In comparison, a goose egg with a mutation value of 31 and no clear mutation direction was really nothing.
Honestly, the most disappointed were the people attending the auction.
Many had come hoping to snag a deal. Who would’ve thought they’d sit through the whole afternoon only to be offered this disaster junk?
If they actually bought any of it, how would they face people afterward?
Pah!
The crowd muttered and cursed under their breath.
Just then, the third person finally stepped on stage.
He was a tall, skinny middle-aged man, like a walking stick. His eyebrows drooped naturally, giving him a permanently bitter expression.
Honestly, he was the total opposite of Boss Tang—a very recognizable figure.
“That’s my buddy,” Boss Tang said. “His name’s Gao Ming—but his brain doesn’t work too well. None of the stuff he does is very ‘bright’.”
“I mean, just look at the stuff he’s selling. No wonder he got caught.”
And he wasn’t wrong.
The first item Gao Ming brought up was hard to describe:
[Mutant Orchid]
The leaves were elegant, and the flower had a nice scent, but…
Boss Tang was speechless. Why would anyone bring something that only wealthy families care about to a market like this?
Did Gao Ming really think his social network was that strong?
It was even a rare species, starting at 188 points. Some in the crowd were mildly interested, maybe hoping to flip it, but… 188 for such a delicate plant?
Forget it.
The second item made people even more speechless.
[Special Pet: Mutated Dung Beetle]
Boss Tang looked like he was about to explode.
What kind of mind thought this would be a good thing to resell?
Other people get mocked for selling questionable stuff, but Gao Ming thought dung beetles would somehow earn respect?
Even if you gave it away, no one would want it!
Sure, the beetle being big was kind of impressive. Sure, it could roll dung with its front legs. But why would you shout about that like it’s some hidden gem?
He was livid!
Even Huai Yu was shocked. She couldn’t fathom what kind of rich person would want something like this.
She whispered, “Is it supposed to live in the bathroom? Like, to push the poop away after someone’s done? But what if someone has diarrhea?”
Honestly, she couldn’t think of any other use for the thing.
Her question was too real—Boss Tang didn’t even know how to respond. He could only glare dagger-eyes at his useless buddy, getting angrier by the second.
By the end of the auction, everyone in the room looked dazed.
Even the officer guarding Gao Ming stood there silently for a long time before patting him on the shoulder and saying:
“When you’re doing labor assignments, work hard. And read more books when you’ve got free time. Don’t end up like this again.”
He was really trying to help—and there was even a touch of pity in his eyes.
If Gao Ming didn’t lack an official disability certificate, the officer would’ve seriously suspected his IQ was below average.
I mean… they arrested three people in total. One of them sold stuff like this. And not a single item sold? Honestly, not surprising.
After the crowd dispersed in groups, Huai Yu stayed at the back. Soon, Boss Tang came out with two goose eggs stuffed in his pockets.
“These eggs are 58 points each. Just give me 100 total, Huai Yu.”
Clearly, Boss Tang also felt super embarrassed after squatting through the whole afternoon. He didn’t even seem excited anymore—until Huai Yu patted the strap of her basket and asked:
“Wanna buy some bamboo shoots?”
Bamboo shoots?!
Boss Tang instantly perked up. “Fresh? Just dug up? Why didn’t you say so earlier?! These things get tough super fast—wasted a whole afternoon!”
Huai Yu grinned. They were dug up this morning, so they weren’t that fresh anyway.
But—
“Mutation value is 13,” she said plainly.
Boss Tang responded fast and firm: “Let’s go! Back to the shop—I’ll give you 18 points a pound!”
As they walked, he explained:
“The mutation effects from the last heavy rain are gradually fading. Lately, exploration teams have been bringing back stuff with mutation values around 15.”
“So, since your 13 doesn’t have a big gap from the current supply, the market price hasn’t skyrocketed.”
“But fresh mountain goods like bamboo shoots are still rare. So, 18 per pound—I’ll take it all.”
Boss Tang was still as decisive as ever. Huai Yu really liked him for that!
She nodded. “Okay. Want some bamboo core tea too? Mutation value is also 13.”
“But I think it’s even better value than the bamboo shoots.”
When brewed, the tea was a bright yellow-green, with a light sweet aftertaste. The mutation value wasn’t even that noticeable.
And it was super refreshing. With this tea, even basic water became much easier to drink.
So, once they arrived at the shop, Huai Yu generously handed over a small bag of the tea to Boss Tang:
“You don’t have to buy this. I just wanted to give you some to try, Boss Tang.”
He didn’t stand during the ceremony. Cheerfully accepting it, he boiled a pot of water and tossed a few leaves into a clear glass cup to brew.
“Let’s see—ooh! Smells pretty nice!”
Honestly, he had been wanting some tea.
But these days, people are only just managing to fill their bellies. Tea was a luxury. He could only get old stock at best—and fresh stuff? Forget it. Not in the next couple of years.
After waiting a bit for the water to cool, he took a sip and savored it.
Then he gave the same evaluation:
“It really is quite sweet and fragrant. Even the water’s smoother with it—180 a pound. If you’re willing, I’ll take it all.”
