Chapter 201: Sure, Give Me the Points Card
"What does your big brother think?"
Meng Ci hadn't forgotten his agreement with Zheng Yan, so he and Shen Que drove to the vicinity of the exchange point.
The meeting place from yesterday was a passageway between two residential buildings. The officials had also transplanted some trees there, making it relatively hidden.
They first let Eggplant inspect the surroundings to ensure there were no other suspicious individuals around Zheng Yan before Meng Ci and Shen Que approached.
Upon hearing Meng Ci's voice, Zheng Yan's eyes lit up.
It was past eight o'clock, and more than ten minutes had passed since the agreed time. Zheng Yan had feared that Meng Ci and the others weren't going to make the deal.
Now seeing the two, he was incredibly excited and hurriedly stepped forward.
"Our boss said it's worth trying to find them."
"But you know, it's been the apocalypse for a long time, so even if we find those machines, they might be water-damaged or have their main parts removed by scavengers for points."
"So repairing them will be very difficult."
"Therefore, our boss is asking for a high price and requires an advance payment because he's worried you might go back on your word."
Zheng Yan directly relayed the boss's message without adding any extra words.
Meng Ci understood the situation and didn't find it excessive.
"If you can find a mill or an oil press, I can give three packs of cigarettes and five condoms for each item."
"Go ask your boss if he's willing to make this deal. If not, that's fine too."
These two items were scarce nowadays, so Zheng Yan's group wouldn't be at a loss.
However, neither Meng Ci nor Shen Que smoked.
And the condoms were the wrong size, making them uncomfortable for Shen Que to use.
Moreover, Meng Ci can't get pregnant, and Shen Que always cleans up promptly.
Meng Ci also didn't get sick because of this, so the condoms were of little use to them.
But now, being able to exchange for needed items, Meng Ci was naturally willing.
However, Meng Ci also understood the potential profit from these items, so he made it clear upfront that if Zheng Yan's boss tried to overcharge them, the deal was off.
Upon hearing what could be exchanged, Zheng Yan's eyes widened with excitement.
The boss had said that even two packs of cigarettes or a few condoms would be enough for the deal.
Now, one machine would get them three packs of cigarettes and five condoms. If they found both, they would be set!
However, Zheng Yan hid his excitement, fearing that Meng Ci might lower the price if he saw how happy he was.
"I'll go ask the boss. Please wait here for half an hour."
"No, just twenty minutes, and I'll be back."
With that, Zheng Yan dashed out.
Despite the heat, Zheng Yan was motivated and ran quickly to find his boss.
Instead of lingering, Meng Ci and Shen Que took Qiezi back to the SUV.
The temperature outside the car was about forty degrees Celsius, making it unbearably hot.
Once in the car, Meng Ci retrieved ice blocks and turned on a fan to cool the air.
They dared not use the SUV's air conditioning.
Driving already drew attention; using the air conditioning freely would reveal they had precious gasoline.
That could attract unwanted attention from bad people.
Then Meng Ci took out three ice creams from his storage, giving one to each person.
Naturally, Shen Que fed Qiezi his portion.
After all, Meng Ci hadn't forgotten Qiezi eating breadworms.
What if Qiezi licked his hand while eating the ice cream!
After finishing the ice cream, Meng Ci took out a cup of iced taro grape.
The SUV was parked near the transaction point, hidden by the dense foliage. It would be hard to spot without careful observation.
Zheng Yan, eager to report to his boss, wouldn't look this way.
When Meng Ci saw Zheng Yan running back, he waited another two minutes before getting out.
Upon arrival, Meng Ci saw Zheng Yan supporting himself with his hands, panting heavily, large sweat droplets falling to the ground, his white sweatshirt drenched.
"Why are you in such a rush? I'm not going anywhere," Meng Ci said, carrying a bag.
Zheng Yan straightened up, breathing heavily. "I was worried you, our benefactor, might be poached by someone else."
"I... our boss said!"
Zheng Yan swallowed and continued, "We can do this deal."
"However, you need to give us one pack of cigarettes and two condoms as a deposit."
Zheng Yan stood up straight, feeling lightheaded.
"Alright!" Meng Ci readily took out the items from the bag but didn't hand them over to Zheng Yan.
Noticing Zheng Yan's puzzled look, Meng Ci explained, "What if I give you the items and you run off with them?"
Zheng Yan quickly raised his hands and said solemnly, "Brother, rest assured, we won't run off with the items."
"If we do, may we be cursed by heaven."
Moreover, Zheng Yan and his team valued honesty above all in their business dealings.
Everyone lived in the same base; if they were dishonest even once, the news would spread quickly, making it hard for them to stay.
They relied on reselling to survive, so they would never do anything to damage their reputation.
However, Meng Ci didn't believe in such oaths.
"If you want me to trust you, that's fine," said Meng Ci.
"Give me your points card. I'll hold onto it."
The points card was equivalent to an ID in the West Mountain Wild Base. It was not only needed to redeem points or trade for goods, but also required to leave the base.
Moreover, it was certified under a real name. If they ran away, he could report them to the authorities using this points card.
Of course, it wasn't just that he couldn't stay in the West Mountain Wild Base; the information was shared with another base in City M, so Zheng Yan wouldn't be able to stay there either.
Unless he was willing to become a nomad for a pack of cigarettes and two condoms.
Zheng Yan hesitated when he heard his points card would be held as collateral.
After all, without the points card, he couldn't exchange for food or leave the base. How could he survive?
"If you're not willing, that's fine." Meng Ci said, putting the items back into his bag.
Zheng Yan watched hopelessly as the cigarettes and condoms disappeared in front of him, but finally clenched his teeth and said, "Alright."
Worst case, he would depend on the boss for a few days.
He had brought such a significant deal to the boss; surely the boss wouldn't be so stingy.
Moreover, using the points card required both a password and a fingerprint, so he wasn't worried about the two people in front of him stealing it.
With these thoughts in mind, Zheng Yan pulled out his points card and handed it to Meng Ci.
Since Meng Ci suddenly asked to hold the points card, he wasn't concerned that Zheng Yan would try to deceive him with a fake points card.
Meng Ci then gave the cigarettes and condoms to Zheng Yan.
Zheng Yan took the items, noticing the packaging was still intact, and carefully put them in his pocket.
"Big brother, our boss said five days. Whether we succeed or not, we'll inform you in five days," Zheng Yan said.
"Okay." Meng Ci replied.