After speaking, Da Fei added, "Since you want this, you should already know how valuable it is. What are you planning to trade?"
Lan Jin said, "We have condoms and charcoal."
Lan Jin did not dare to mention anything else. In her space, she had vegetables and fruit, even fruits that grew endlessly. But she could never mention that. In this extreme cold, vegetables could barely grow. With charcoal, she could build a small greenhouse and manage to eat. But fruits were impossible. Anyone hearing that would know there was a problem.
So the only things they could offer were the simple condoms and the charcoal.
Honestly, no one knew how long the extreme cold would last. She felt reluctant to give too much charcoal. But condoms? She had plenty in her space. In negotiations like this, she could not let anyone guess her intentions. So after mentioning these two items, she said no more.
Da Fei's interest immediately went to the condoms. "How many condoms do you have? How about this: I'll set a price first. Five boxes of condoms. Charcoal can wait for now."
Lan Jin recoiled slightly in shock. She had plenty in her space, more than enough. But to give so many at once made her heart ache. Besides, trading had to include some bargaining.
"Two boxes of condoms, plus the bag of charcoal from last time," Lan Jin said.
Da Fei disagreed. That was too low. "Four boxes, plus one bag of charcoal."
"Three boxes, two bags of charcoal," Lan Jin countered.
After a round of bargaining, they finally agreed on three boxes of condoms and two bags of charcoal, arranging the exchange at the black market gate in a week.
After the deal, they drove away.
Smelling the Hummer's exhaust, a young man standing beside Da Fei finally spoke. "I thought the bearded man was in charge, but it seems that woman is the one making decisions." His fierce face seemed wasted.
Da Fei laughed. "Don't underestimate women. A woman who survives at a time like this isn't easy to deal with."
Lan Jin looked tough today. Last time, Ling Jiang had come along and looked just as tough. They had some past connection in underground boxing, but there was no need to bring it up now.
The young man asked, "Brother Da Fei, are we really trading with them? We all have powers. Why not just take it? Three boxes of condoms could clear many channels for us."
Da Fei shot him a glance. "You have powers, but so do they. Who would dare come out now without some skill? Stop thinking about shortcuts. Just be honest."
The young man frowned. "But isn't our black market also full of shortcuts?"
Da Fei was momentarily speechless, then slapped the young man's head.
On the way back, the group, having barely secured the invitation letters, felt relieved.
Huang Jinghe laughed. "I didn't expect things to go this smoothly."
Lao Gao, however, felt uneasy. "Smooth? Do you know the value of condoms now? Sister Lan really spent a lot."
Lan Jin said, "It's fine. I prepared these earlier."
Part were her preparations, part from scavenging the supermarket. She truly had many. But even with many resources, there weren't many days. Trading too much at once would leave her short later. So it was better to save some. After bargaining, only three boxes were needed. For her, that was acceptable.
Even though Lan Jin had prepared them, she still had to be willing to let them go. Lao Gao said, "Sister Lan, don't worry. I'll remember all this."
"Don't celebrate yet. We haven't even gotten the items. We still have to watch for them cheating us. There's still work to do."
The return route still had snow, but it was easier than coming. Lan Jin drove faster, saving over ten minutes. Soon they reached building 12.
Lan Jin stopped the car and asked curiously, "Do you think any of these people have space powers? Do I still need to keep my space secret?"
Both men paused. Space powers were rare. None besides Lan Jin had it, so who could say?
Huang Jinghe shook his head. "I don't know. Better be careful. What if no one else has this skill?"
"Yeah, especially with all the supplies in your space. Better to keep it hidden. What if someone notices?" Lao Gao agreed.
So Lan Jin couldn't just put the car away openly. Instead, she drove into a snowbank. Only after leaving others' sight did she store the Hummer in her space.
Back in 3201, Ling Jiang asked excitedly, "So, did you get it?"
Lao Gao said, "We did, but they don't have it now. We'll trade in a week."
"What did you use to trade?"
Ling Jiang's question left them silent. Finally, Lan Jin said, "Three boxes of condoms, two bags of charcoal."
Ling Jiang froze. "What? Three boxes of condoms for one invitation letter?"
Lao Gao said incredulously, "Do you know the value of condoms now? Don't speak without knowing."
After Lao Gao explained, Ling Jiang still couldn't believe condoms were as valuable as the invitation letter. "Back then, I couldn't even imagine this."
"You didn't think of it just now either," Lao Gao said to Lan Jin. "Your supplies are really complete."
Lan Jin had prepared the condoms herself. "What if they come in handy? I'm not thinking of a second child for now."
Lao Gao sighed. "As long as there's a way to get it, it's fine. We'll all go together next time to see if it's real."
"Mm."
The invitation letters were special and diverse. Huang Jinghe was a relative. Each card had a name. Once identity was verified, entry should be straightforward, without needing more supplies.