16: Chapter 16 How could it be the Air Force!

Guo Kui didn't even think about it, immediately patting his chest and readily agreeing, "With the relationship between us, this isn't a problem at all."

Immediately after, his expression turned uncharacteristically serious, and he gave Zheng Jing a heads-up, "But Zheng Jing, you need to think this through. Don't look at the fact that I sold a lot of stuff at Old Yang's today and think this trade is easy."

"To be honest with you, today's earnings were the best harvest I've had in years. Usually, in a month, the probability is that I'll only make three or four thousand yuan, and sometimes I can't even get 3,000 yuan."

"This trade is all about luck. If you're lucky, you can earn a bit; if you're unlucky, you spend ten days or more busy in the mountains, and not only is it all for nothing, but you also have to pay out of pocket for food and time. Just keep that in mind."

Zheng Jing nodded as he listened, though he was secretly delighted.

Others might fear bad luck or returning empty-handed, but he didn't worry about that at all!

With the system by his side, as long as there were gold and silver veins hidden in the mountains, he was destined to get rich, and it was absolutely impossible for him to come back empty-handed.

How did that quote by Qie Walage go again—coming back empty-handed is impossible, it's impossible in this lifetime!

Seeing that Zheng Jing had taken it to heart, Guo Kui continued to urge him, "Since you really want to go into the mountains for Gold Panning, you must have the right tools. The most important thing is to go on JD.com and buy a metal detector. This is the tool of our trade; without it, you can't work at all."

Guo Kui wasn't exaggerating at all. What they were looking for were fine gold grains and silver shavings left behind in abandoned mine tailings. The particles were so small they were almost like dust, and you couldn't distinguish them with the naked eye alone.

Without a professional metal detector, even if you walked over the entire mine slope in the mountains, you would just be stumbling around in the dark and wouldn't find anything.

But when these words reached Zheng Jing's ears, he couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself.

He had the system with him, so he didn't need a metal detector at all; this thing was completely useless to him.

However, he also knew that he couldn't just go to the mine empty-handed. If he could find gold and silver precisely out of thin air, it would be too abnormal and would inevitably arouse suspicion. So, he had better obediently buy a professional metal detector to cover his tracks and keep up appearances.

Guo Kui said patiently, "Remember, don't be cheap. The ones that cost a few dozen or a few hundred are scams and are completely useless. You have to buy a professional-grade one, which costs a little over ten thousand. If you don't have enough money, just call me 'godfather,' and I'll lend it to you first."

Zheng Jing rolled his eyes at him, "That's really not necessary. I still have a measly ten thousand yuan."

Guo Kui chuckled, "I really thought I could be a dad today."

"If you keep running your mouth, let's go to the stadium and spar another day." Zheng Jing deliberately cracked his knuckles, making them click.

The two of them had grown up playing together and always loved to tease and bicker with each other, so it wasn't strange at all for them to occasionally get physical.

After joking around for a bit, Guo Kui returned to the main topic, "Besides a metal detector, we also need to prepare quite a few things for going into the mountains."

The places they went for Gold Panning were all remote, deep mountains. To be efficient, they often stayed for ten days or half a month, living and eating in the car the whole time.

They would only come down from the mountain to rest for a few days when they couldn't physically or mentally take it anymore. So, there were quite a few things needed: food, clean water, and even medicine and other supplies.

"What all do you need?" Zheng Jing asked.

Guo Kui pondered for a moment, "Forget it, this is your first time in the mountains and you don't know the ropes. I happen to need to restock, so I'll just help you get everything sorted out then."

Zheng Jing immediately shook his head, "That won't do. It's already generous enough of you to be willing to bring me into the trade. I have to pay for the expenses myself; how can I let you handle everything for me?"

Guo Kui waved his hand dismissively and laughed, "Why are you being so polite with me? Your Brother Kui got lucky this time and made a big profit. Just consider it me giving you a hand. Besides, these things don't cost much."

Guo Kui wasn't being recklessly generous; he was just worried about his good brother not having much money in his pocket. With having to buy a metal detector and other expenses, he was afraid Zheng Jing wouldn't be able to handle it.

Zheng Jing certainly knew Guo Kui's intentions. He really wanted to shout and tell Guo Kui that, actually, your Brother Jing made more than you did today! But he had to hold back...

Still, this feeling of having to hold back and not being able to show off in front of his brother was indeed uncomfortable.

Seeing that Guo Kui persisted, Zheng Jing didn't continue to be polite with him. After all, Guo Kui was right; with their friendship of so many years, why say more about such small things?

"Alright, then Old Zheng thanks you. I wish you a long life!"

Zheng Jing also made up his mind. As the saying goes, sincerity is exchanged for sincerity. Since Guo Kui was being so supportive of him, he would definitely make sure to give him a hand when the right opportunity arose in the future.

Seeing that Zheng Jing accepted, Guo Kui paused and continued, "Our group just came out of the mountains, and we're exhausted after grinding for over half a month. Everyone wants to rest for a few days to recover their energy. Once we've rested enough, we'll head into the mountains together."

Hearing this, Zheng Jing was a bit puzzled and couldn't help but ask, "Going into the mountains is to pick up gold and silver; the more you stay, the more you earn. How can you be willing to take a break on purpose? That's real, hard cash."

Guo Kui couldn't help but laugh. He shook his head and said, "You still haven't grasped the ropes of this trade. Is gold in the mountains really that easy to pick up? When you really go into the mountains to work, you have to wander the mountains looking for goods before dawn, and you don't rest until it's dark. Working non-stop every day—people aren't made of iron; you have to rest to recharge your energy."

"I see. Only by balancing work and rest can you get twice the result with half the effort." Zheng Jing suddenly realized, nodding in agreement, "Alright, I'll listen to you. I'll go home and wait for your news."

"Look at you, so cultured. You haven't read many books, yet you're acting all fancy with your words," Guo Kui said, rolling his eyes.

The two chatted casually for a few more sentences before parting ways at the entrance of the restaurant. Zheng Jing walked home with a light step, his heart full of anticipation at the thought of soon going into the mountains for Gold Panning and using the system to get rich. Meanwhile, Guo Kui watched his back, silent for a long time.