Chapter 553 - 456: At Least You’re Willing to Pay

Chapter 553: Chapter 456: At Least You’re Willing to Pay

They weren’t idle that afternoon.

They purchased large quantities of leashes and dog food.

Cages were out of the question.

It wasn’t a matter of dozens of dogs, but hundreds, maybe thousands. Buying that many cages would have been a waste.

After they were brought back to Spring City, they would be housed directly at the Dian Nan police dog base.

They would just have to put up with some discomfort for the time being.

They found a few double-decker, high-railed trucks, the kind used for transporting live hogs. Each level could hold dozens of dogs.

It was better for them to have room to move around than to be cooped up in cages.

They also contacted local veterinary stations and pet hospitals.

Shen Xin’s criteria for selection weren’t just about being friendly enough with people; they also had to be healthy.

Unlike riot or tracking dogs, the physical training requirements for drug-sniffing dogs could be a bit more relaxed, but basic health was still essential.

That’s why after they were purchased, they still needed to be checked for any infectious diseases.

With all the preparations complete, the group set off at a little after nine that night. Wang Donghai led the way, having already called for the trucks.

Their first stop was a live animal market within the city.

It was located on the outskirts.

But according to Wang Donghai, this market was on the smaller side. Most of the sellers were people from nearby towns and villages, selling dogs they had raised themselves.

Specialized dealers would buy them and then take them to slaughterhouses.

They would check here first, then head to the slaughterhouses.

The first place was located on a remote dead-end road on the outskirts of the city.

The area was industrial, far from any residential neighborhoods.

When they arrived, the place was crowded and bustling with activity.

The sides of the road were packed with three-wheeled carts and vans.

The place was teeming with people. The air was filled with the sound of dogs barking and people haggling.

Shen Xin, Ding Yuwei, Sister Lin from the finance department, Wang Donghai, and Brother Han, who was traveling with them.

The group of five got out of their vehicle at the end of the street, ready to walk through the market.

A single glance confirmed what Wang Donghai had said. Many of the sellers were individuals.

But there were dealers, too.

Right at the entrance, a light truck was parked. In a cage on its flatbed, about a dozen assorted dogs were huddled together, trembling.

According to Wang Donghai, selling in bulk meant getting a lower price, so some people bought dogs from the countryside and then resold them individually here.

The owner was haggling with a customer.

Just as Shen Xin’s group arrived, it looked like they had just struck a deal and were beginning to weigh the dog.

A cage was set on the electronic scale. Then, the owner grabbed a pair of iron tongs and started yanking a dog from the truck.

The yellow dog, Dahuang, whose neck was caught in the tongs, immediately let out a piercing shriek and struggled frantically.

The other ten or so dogs cowered even further back.

One black dog was frantically trying to claw its way out of the cage.

Dahuang, roughly yanked from the cage, was so scared it urinated all over the ground. It was then forcefully shoved into a narrow weighing cage.

Ding Yuwei, who was walking beside Shen Xin, suddenly grabbed his arm.

"What’s wrong?" Shen Xin asked, turning his head.

Ding Yuwei’s expression soured. "Shen Xin," she said softly, "I’m starting to regret this."

"I thought this was a chance to save a group of dogs, but I’m just now realizing... if we save some, what about the ones we leave behind?"

"It’s one thing not to see it, but now that I have, I don’t think I can bear the thought of leaving any of them behind."

"Shen Xin, I’m sorry. I was wrong to think this way. I’ve put you in a difficult position."

Having to personally choose would be even harder on Shen Xin.

"It’s okay."

Shen Xin gently patted her hand and whispered, "Don’t overthink it. We’ll just do our best. You meant well, so don’t let it weigh on you."

With that, Shen Xin stepped closer and looked at the dogs in the truck’s cage.

The cage on the scale was as small as a chicken coop; Dahuang couldn’t even stretch its legs inside. Once crammed in, it stopped crying out and just curled into a ball, its terrified eyes darting at the people around it.

The dealer who was buying the dog stopped the owner, insisting he needed to inspect it first. He wouldn’t take a sick one.

Just then, Dahuang’s gaze swept over the crowd and locked onto Shen Xin, refusing to look away.

Their eyes met. The dog watched him, full of apprehension. A moment later, it let out a soft whimper.

A low whimper.

Under the dim yellow streetlights, an icon slowly appeared above its head.

This was Shen Xin’s criterion: a Saintly Physique of Human Affinity.

His eyes carefully scanned Dahuang, but he saw no obvious injuries.

He leaned in and poked a finger through the bars of the cage to touch its nose.

It was wet. The dog’s eyes were bright and clear, and its body was reasonably clean.

’It was probably bought from someone’s home,’ he figured.

"Hey, what are you doing? Don’t just go touching it. I’m not responsible if you get bit," the dealer snapped, stopping him.

Shen Xin stood up. "Boss, sell this dog to me. 18 yuan a pound."

He had already found out the going rates on the way over.

Prices had gone up recently, with live dogs going for about 15 yuan a pound.

Dealers usually added another two or three yuan to the price when they sold to the slaughterhouses.

That markup was their profit.

By offering this price, Shen Xin was saving the dealer a trip.

The dealer froze, looking Shen Xin up and down. "What for?" he asked warily.

His eyes swept over Ding Yuwei and the others. "You’re not one of those animal rescue types, are you? This is a perfectly legal business we’re conducting here."

Shen Xin didn’t bother explaining. "I’m paying for it. What I do with it is my business."

Just then, the dog’s original owner cut in, saying he should just sell directly to Shen Xin.

That way, he’d make an extra three yuan per pound.

"Woah, hold on, boss," Shen Xin said quickly. "Let’s keep this business straight. We all need to make a living. No need for bad blood."

The dealer raised an eyebrow. "Alright. I like the sound of that. You’ve got a deal. It’s yours."

He glanced at the electronic scale. "37 pounds. Go ahead and scan the code."

"Not so fast," Shen Xin said. "I want to pick out a few more."

Shen Xin turned his gaze to the dozen or so dogs left in the back of the truck.

The dealer hesitated for a moment but held back and didn’t stop him.

Thanks to his innate talent, the moment Shen Xin appeared before them, he immediately drew the attention of many of the dogs.

Shen Xin clicked his tongue a couple of times, and every dog’s attention turned to him.

Each dog had a different look in its eyes, but the most common one was, without a doubt, fear.

Shen Xin watched them, silently counting off the seconds in his head.