Chapter 76: Downes Ranch
Upon hearing what Arthur said, Johnny nodded in understanding. He knew in his heart that at this very moment, the time was ripe.
With a smile on his face, he calmly turned to Mr. and Mrs. Adler and said in a gentle yet firm tone, "Sadie, Arthur and I have already found a suitable ranch for you these past few days."
"One of the main reasons I set my sights on this ranch is that its owner has incurred massive debts from multiple parties and has yet to pay them back."
"So, if you are interested in buying this ranch, I believe they will gladly agree."
"After all, for them, selling the ranch to repay their debts is undoubtedly the wisest choice at the moment."
After listening to Johnny's words, Mr. and Mrs. Adler looked at each other, both catching a hint of realization in the other's eyes.
Clearly, they had already discerned Johnny's true intention for coming here.
However, faced with such a tempting proposal, they did not make a decision immediately, but instead thought cautiously for a moment.
Finally, Mr. Adler spoke up first, saying, "In that case, why don't we go and conduct a field inspection together?"
"Only by seeing it with our own eyes and experiencing it ourselves can we make a final decision."
And so, the group set off on their journey to Downes Ranch.
It is worth mentioning that Downes Ranch is very close to Valentine Town.
Even though Downes did not usually ride a horse, his family could quickly return home on foot... Along the way, everyone chatted and laughed, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
While discussing what had happened to each of them during this time and the rumors going around:
Sadie was puzzled by Johnny's decision to become a Bounty Hunter.
"Johnny, I remember you were planning to join a Gang? Why are you a Bounty Hunter now?"
Johnny also explained his plans and ideas to the two of them in great detail.
The others also gave him an appreciative look.
On the road, Arthur suddenly remembered who Downes was; he seemed to be that 'do-gooder' who clamored for charity every day.
He also mentioned that he hadn't seen him for a long time.
Johnny thought to himself, 'Actually, I saw him a few days ago, but only a part of him.'
He thought about it and decided against saying anything, fearing it would give Arthur nightmares.
In no time, the three arrived at Downes' farm. Looking as far as the eye could see, a vast and boundless field scene presented itself.
The sun shone down, glittering and bright, illuminating this vibrant land.
In the vast fields outside, a large number of corn and oats were growing lushly.
They were like waves in a green ocean, rising and falling one after another, seemingly endless.
These crops were growing very well; it was clear at a glance that there would be a bumper harvest this year.
Unlike in the game, the planting area here in reality was very extensive. Almost everything except the road and the cattle and sheep pens around the house was farmland.
It is worth mentioning that the corn and oats here were not simply planted side by side, but rather utilized a clever intercropping method.
They grew together, intersecting and well-arranged, forming a unique and harmonious picture.
This intercropping method not only made full use of land resources and increased the yield per unit area, but also showcased the superb skills and deep experience possessed by the Downes family in agricultural cultivation.
From this point alone, it was not difficult to see that they had a deep understanding and unique insights into farming.
It was only because of borrowing too many external debts that they had gone bankrupt.
After reaching the destination, Johnny dismounted first, then turned back and instructed:
"Just follow my lead later and don't speak out of turn. Especially you, Arthur; today you are just a taciturn Bodyguard. Understand?"
As he spoke, Johnny looked at Arthur, who indicated that he would definitely not mess around. He wanted to see how Johnny would spin this.
At this moment, in that green vegetable field, a woman dressed in simple clothes was working hard.
Holding a bucket, she focused on watering the tender green vegetable seedlings in the garden. She kept muttering, her eyes occasionally turning to her son beside her:
"Archie, leave this rough and heavy work to your mother! You just need to concentrate on your studies."
"In the future, you must become an outstanding company boss. Don't ever end up like me and your father!"
"What future is there in farming in such a backwater place like Valentine?"
"It's strange, I haven't seen a sign of him for two whole days."
"If he doesn't come home today, you hurry to Valentine Town to look for him. See if he's gotten mixed up with that damn charity organization again."
Looking closely at this woman, one could see her hands were covered in thick calluses, but even so, it was still difficult to hide her good looks.
Years didn't seem to have left many marks on her face, but the hardships of life made her look a bit exhausted.
However, everything around her proclaimed the tenacity and greatness of this woman.
Just then, a sound of footsteps came from a distance.
"Hello, Mrs. Downes!" With a greeting, Johnny walked quickly to the vegetable field.
His expression was unusually serious and heavy. One hand tightly gripped an object in his satchel, while the other waved toward Edith.
After approaching, Johnny slowly pulled a blood-stained flyer from his satchel.
The mottled bloodstains on the flyer were shocking, as if telling the story of a tragic event.
With a somber face, he said to Edith word by word:
"I am very sorry, I have to bring such bad news—your husband, Mr. Downes, has been murdered by the serial killer of Valentine Town..."
"After I dealt with the killer, I found only this flyer in a corner after a careful search."
"Other than that, there were only a few pieces of clothing belonging to Mr. Downes scattered on the ground."
Hearing this bolt from the blue, Mrs. Downes' originally calm face instantly turned as pale as paper. She widened her eyes, her face full of disbelief.
However, when her gaze fell upon the familiar flyer in Johnny's hand, the unease in her heart grew stronger.
Because she clearly remembered that her husband had not been home for several days, and now that these suspicious clues were found here, all sorts of signs forced her to think of the worst-case scenario.
At this moment, Archie, who had been standing by silently observing everything, suddenly rushed forward.
He tightly held his swaying mother, for fear that she would fall to the ground because she could not bear such a huge blow.
"My husband... has he really been cruelly murdered like that?"
Although she had heard every word Johnny said very clearly just now, Mrs. Downes still did not want to believe everything that was happening before her eyes.
Her voice trembled as she questioned again and again, as if by constantly repeating these words, she could change this cruel reality.
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