"But there's still some good news," Yang Yang said.
Jing Shu gave a low hum, not looking too happy. Her seeds weren't just at risk of being lost, they were at risk of being eaten. What was there to be glad about? Still, if saving people meant saving the heroes who'd been guarding her seeds, she couldn't exactly complain—she just prayed they hadn't eaten the few she treasured most, like the American black rice or Thai jasmine rice.
There were hundreds of thousands of varieties in total, covering plants from all over the world. Surely those people hadn't been unlucky enough to pick those specific ones, right? Jing Shu tried to comfort herself. "It's not like I'm stingy, if they had to eat some, fine… but still…"
Before she could finish that thought, Yang Yang's voice came through the communicator again.
"Since part of those seeds were meant for sale to the Wu City government, even though the deal didn't go through, they technically count as government property. So the current leader, Jin Tianci, decided to send a special team for rescue."
Jing Shu rolled her eyes. "No need for that. Those seeds are still my private property. The higher-ups don't need to get involved."
Sure, a special ops team would be faster and have better odds, but it'd also make her life miserable. She couldn't use the Cube Space freely, couldn't unleash her powers properly, and even eating in front of others was a pain.
Last time she went to America with Tank and Zhen Nantian's group, she'd trained herself to keep a straight face while others feasted, but having people stare hungrily while she ate still felt awkward.
If she ate, others drooled. If she didn't eat, her stomach growled. Either way, it was torture.
"The decision's already made," Yang Yang continued. "The operation's code name is 'Rescue the Hamsters.' There'll be five of us. You're not officially part of the team—you'll act as a free agent. The main goal's to recover the seeds, not to restrict you."
He said it in that calm tone that meant she wasn't getting a say in the matter.
"Fine," Jing Shu sighed. "Who's going? Anyone I know? Who's in charge?"
If the higher-ups wanted to interfere, she might as well roll with it. The seeds were too important to risk.
Yang Yang was quiet for a few seconds before answering. "Hao Yunlai's one of them. The higher-ups want to use his weird ability. The team leader's Jin Tianci's nephew. The other two came with him—I don't have their info."
Jing Shu raised an eyebrow. "So it's a family connection? Great. Hope he doesn't mess it up."
She wasn't exactly reassured. Sure, she'd saved Jin Tianci's life and earned some credit in Wu City, but relatives of powerful people were always the hardest to deal with. One wrong move, and you'd go from ally to enemy in seconds.
"I haven't met him," Yang Yang said. "Only heard he's from the Imperial Capital—his aunt's Jin Tianci's wife. They've got roots there."
Jing Shu frowned. "Great, another one from a powerful family." Just what she needed.
She covered her face with her hands. "Perfect. If he's anything like Jin Tianci's brother-in-law Jun Jia, we're doomed. If he's arrogant, I'm out. I'll just go my own way." She could hold grudges for years, and anyone who dared covet her food or supplies made it straight into her mental blacklist.
"Don't worry too much," Yang Yang said with a small laugh. "This mission's important. They won't send some spoiled idiot. This guy supposedly has a good head on his shoulders."
"Yeah, let's hope so." Jing Shu finally relaxed a bit. Jin Tianci wasn't a fool, and the seeds were vital for Wu City's future. The price negotiation hadn't even wrapped up yet, but as her potential backer, she didn't mind giving him a little leeway.
Besides, look at the Imperial Capital—they'd bought seeds from her politely enough in the end. Sure, there'd been some tension in the middle, but things had turned out fine. People who contributed like she did were usually well rewarded, especially during times like these.
They'd even said they wanted to give her an award, to list her among China's Top Ten Contributors. She'd refused right away. "Keep it low-key," she'd told them, pretending she didn't care about fame or fortune.
Well, she really didn't care. It's not like they were giving her extra virtual coins. What use was a medal she couldn't eat?
All things considered, Jin Tianci wouldn't send just anyone.
"Anyway," Yang Yang added, "we're meeting in two hours at Nanshan, south of Wu City. The mission's expected to take five days. Bring your own bedding and food. Transportation, weapons, and water are provided."
Once the call ended, Jing Shu immediately started packing. She dialed her father, asking him to drive her later—Nanshan was more than ten kilometers away.
When Grandma Jing heard her talking on the phone, she rushed over holding a spatula in one hand and a rolling pin in the other. "Out again? Where're you going this time? How long'll you be gone? We just got some peace and you're already leaving again?"
She looked like she'd smack Jing Shu with that rolling pin if she didn't like the answer.
"Grandma, my good grandma," Jing Shu said quickly, trying to soothe her. "This time I'm not going far, just around Wu City. I'm going to pick up the seeds. It'll take a week or two at most. Remember all that stuff we shipped back from America last year? It's finally arrived. Yang Yang and Hao Yunlai are going too."
Grandma Jing still looked wary, remembering how Jing Shu had disappeared for half a year last time. But hearing that Yang Yang would be there made her relax. That kid was sensible.
"Grandma, there are hundreds of thousands of seed varieties this time—basically every plant in the world. Once I bring them back, you can grow whatever you want."
Her grandmother's eyes lit up. "Really? Anything?"
Jing Shu nodded.
"Alright then, go. But you have to video call home every day. I'll pack you some food. I'll bake some flatbreads for the road, and take those milk powders and butter tea too."
Grandma Jing started rambling instructions nonstop.
She wasn't wrong, though. Since Jing Shu would be traveling with others, everything she carried had to look normal and logical—rations, gear, proportions, all of it. The team leader was Jin Tianci's nephew, so if anyone got suspicious about her supplies, it could spell real trouble.
Fortunately, she was experienced. The two big travel chests she'd used last year were still around. Since the government was handling weapons this time, she didn't need to bring her own modified gear, which freed up a lot of space.
And since the mission stayed within the country, it wasn't far. She wouldn't need to pack half a mountain's worth of stuff like last time.
For normal people, packing meant daily necessities, food, and clothes neatly folded into a suitcase.
For Jing Shu, it meant survival kits, disguised equipment, and more secrets than anyone could imagine.