Chapter 984: Plum Blossom Branches and the Young Man Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios Lin Yuan stopped Blackie when they arrived at the entrance of Tree Stream Street. He jumped to the ground and saw a row of shops selling plum blossom branches. Plum blossoms could be used to make wine, cook soups, bake into biscuits, and as a spice. It could be called the most versatile type of flower-type feys. However, flower-type feys mostly bloom during winter, and most would be withering soon when spring came in full force. As such, plum blossom branches were only sold about seven or eight days a year. The plum blossom branches were sold for very low prices, and every store was fighting to offer the lowest price possible. Back in Xia Region, it was warm at the end of the year, and there were no plum blossom branches available to be bought. Otherwise, even Lin Yuan, as poor as he had been, would have been able to afford the plum blossom branches. At that moment, Lin Yuan heard a gruff voice snarl, “Brat, if you go on like this, it won’t just be a scolding you’ll be receiving! We all agreed that 15 Federation dollars for one plum blossom branch is the price. How dare you lower your price to 14 Federation dollars per branch?” Lin Yuan turned to see a tall and skinny man with a thunderous expression shrieking at a young boy of about 12 years of age in an unpleasant tone. If not for the young man’s silence, the tall and skinny man would have slapped him. The young boy tugged at his patched-up clothes and kept his eyes trained on the ground. He looked like he was about to cry. Lin Yuan frowned. He had also sold Usneas by the side of the road when he was about the young boy’s age. In order to earn money to treat Chu Ci’s high fever, he had sold the Usneas for 10 Federation dollars for three stalks instead of the market rate of 5 Federation dollars for one stalk. The moment he had lowered the price, he had been beaten up by the other sellers. He had been in the exact same situation as the young boy. However, the tall and skinny man was not completely in the wrong. Every seller was working hard to earn money to feed their family. The young boy’s action was spoiling the market. Places where many sellers gathered together to sell the same spiritual ingredient had their own unspoken rules. In order to maintain the peace, everyone had to offer the same price so that generating sales would solely be a matter of one’s salesmanship. 15 Federation dollars for one plum blossom branch was already very cheap. The young boy had to require money badly if he was willing to lower the price even further. He had to be desperate to be selling plum blossom branches on the street at such a young age. Lin Yuan walked over and squatted down next to the boy in tattered clothes. He gently patted the young boy’s head and noticed that the young boy’s eyes were brimming with tears. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦 Lin Yuan hurriedly took out a tissue and handed it to the young boy as he said, “Is it 15 Federation dollars for one stalk? I want to buy more.” The young boy reached out his hand to receive the tissue but quickly retracted his hand when he saw the golden luster embossed on it. The golden luster was made of real gold and was unbelievably valuable. The young boy would not be able to afford the tissue even if he sold all his plum blossom branches. When he noticed the young boy’s apprehension, Lin Yuan used the tissue to wipe away the young boy’s tears. This seemed to be the first time that the young boy was experiencing the kindness of a stranger, and it made him anxious. He lifted his teary eyes and squeaked, “Thank you, big brother! How many plum blossom branches do you want? My brother soaked all of them in water, and they’re very fresh. They will last for at least two days.” Lin Yuan looked at the plum blossom branches that the young boy was selling and saw that they were all vibrant and firm. There were even traces of dew on some petals. This meant that the plum blossom branches had to have been soaked for at least three hours. Suddenly, a gruff and loud voice said, “Young Master, I have plum blossom branches too. How about—” Lin Yuan said to the tall and skinny man, “Okay. I’ll take all the plum blossom branches that both of you have. I can use them in baked goods or collect the nectar.” Although Lin Yuan had frowned at the gruff man, he knew that the gruff man did not have any bad intentions. Otherwise, the gruff man could have just chased the young boy out for not following the rules. It would also have reduced the gruff man’s competition. If he had done so, the young boy would have to return home without earning a single cent. Although it was just one day wasted, many of the young boy’s plum blossom branches would have wilted. The young boy looked over the moon. But he remembered that he had almost 300 plum blossom branches on him, too much for baking or collecting the nectar. Thus, he said timidly, “Big brother, I don’t think you’ll need so many plum blossom branches if you just want to use them in baking and collect their nectar. If you live nearby, you can give me your address, and I’ll deliver fresh plum blossom branches to you every day.” Lin Yuan tousled the young boy’s hair and stood up as he said, “There are many people in my home. None of the plum blossom branches will go to waste.” He gave the young boy the address of the Fey Observer Association. “Over the next few days, if you can carry this many, deliver 500 plum blossom branches to this address at 9:00 a.m. A woman will take them from you and pay you.” Lin Yuan took out the amber-button-shaped Diamond fey storage box and paid both the tall and skinny man and the young boy. He also paid the young boy for tomorrow’s 500 plum blossom branches. Lin Yuan knew that the young boy had to be in a difficult situation if he was selling the plum blossom branches that he had painstakingly grown.