HLM -Chapter 1260 Farmer’s Market

Unfortunately, that trick didn’t work. The queen, like all other mothers, was very strict with her puppies and would never allow other dogs to get close—only Zhuang Ding could.

The mother dogs sent to help feed the puppies couldn’t get near; the moment they approached, the queen would growl. Even Wang Bo and Eva couldn’t calm her down.

So Wang Bo had to try another approach. He had a pygmy zoo, and there happened to be a pygmy goat in lactation.

The pygmy goat was even smaller than a Rottweiler, making it perfect for nursing the puppies. Faced with a different species, the queen yielded. She could share a room with the goat and didn’t object when the puppies gathered to nurse.

However, the pygmy goat was unwilling. It wasn’t used to the scent of dogs and would flee whenever a puppy approached.

This problem was solved by Zhuang Ding. It followed the pygmy goat and would pin it down with its paws whenever a puppy came to drink milk.

Watching this, Wang Bo couldn’t help but sigh: “This goat is living such a humiliating life; it must be so frustrated right now.”

Eva smiled: “Zhuang Ding did a great job. It’s like the godfather of these puppies. I think the queen is willing to accept it.”

Fourteen puppies in a single litter proved not only that their father’s “bomber genes” were very active and their mother the queen was physically strong, but also that their own constitution was weak and their size small.

Under these circumstances, at least half of the puppies might have died. But thanks to the care from the queen, Zhuang Ding, and the other furry kids, they all survived the first week. Once they made it through a week, their survival was basically assured.

Zhuang Ding truly acted like a godfather. The queen couldn’t manage fourteen puppies on her own, but these little ones had superb bloodlines and began developing rapidly after the first week.

Even with their eyes closed, they could walk, stumbling and crawling everywhere like blind creatures. The queen would carry one here, another there, constantly busy with all four paws in the air.

At night, Zhuang Ding would keep watch over the puppies. Whenever one of them moved, no matter how slightly, it would immediately open its eyes.

With activity at the villa, Sunset Town also became lively.

After half a month of preparation, the farmer’s market was finally about to open.

Wang Bo specifically rented out a cold storage facility to vendors, allowing them to store goods in advance. With refrigeration, they could save themselves a lot of trouble.

The Sunset Town government acted as the market organizer, handling cleaning, security, and enforcement, as well as mediating any disputes.

There were many farmer’s markets in the South Island, but none were large-scale, unlike big cities like Wellington or Auckland, where the population and demand supported larger markets.

Thus, Sunset Town’s farmer’s market was highly anticipated. Surrounding farmers and ranchers mostly joined in. For instance, Motak and Moses, ranchers from Aukland, opened meat stalls.

By now, there were enough merchants. Over two weeks, Wang Bo’s organizing team received over 140 applications from farms, private orchards, home workshops, and even second-hand shops.

Relatively speaking, the market was booming. Partly, this was because New Zealand’s agricultural markets were generally sluggish, so farmers looked to earn extra income through retail sales at the market.

Take goat meat, for example. Naturally raised goats sold wholesale might fetch only five NZD per kilogram. At the market, that same meat could sell for five NZD per half kilogram—a near doubling in price.

However, farmer’s markets were only for extra income. Large-scale farms still needed bulk sales to make real profits.

In China, new markets open with firecrackers and drums. In New Zealand, it was simpler: choose a location, advertise for merchants, and start business once stalls were set.

Wang Bo thought this method was too slow. He decided to emulate the Chinese approach. During the New Year, he had invited a lion dance troupe and kept their contact information. This time, he invited them again.

Besides the lion dance, he had Atulu organize a Maori war dance. For New Zealand locals, it wasn’t novel, but it was attractive to tourists.

He also gathered the Sunset Band, who were preparing a new album tour, and made Sunset Town their first stop.

Reddy, Lane, and others preferred staying in the bar for inspiration. After more than a quarter in Sunset Town, they had created a new album they were satisfied with.

So, the farmer’s market opened on the second weekend of June. Although the weather was slightly overcast, many people came.

The Sunset Band contributed greatly, performing a lead song from their new album at the opening ceremony, drawing many fans.

Some vendors opened early, selling glow sticks, light-up bracelets, and fluorescent boards—necessary for fans to attract the band’s attention.

Unfortunately, the ceremony was during the day, so the props weren’t very effective, but they still sold well, earning the first profits for the shop.

The glowing props made it look like many attendees were fans of the band.

Reddy, feeling proud, told Wang Bo before going on stage: “You have to reward us, boss. See how much popularity we’re bringing to your market?”

Wang Bo nodded: “Perform well, and there will be a reward.”

“What reward?” Lane asked, curious.

Wang Bo said: “So far, Sunset Town has only one honorary resident, Charlie. If you’re willing, I think the town should have five honorary residents.”

The four band members cheered. Reddy said: “Wow, that’s a great reward! We’ll perform our best.”

Wang Bo nodded: “Good. Bowen, Oakley, Hill, and Mr. Bartier, you four will become honorary residents. Sunset Town will have five honorary residents in total.”

Reddy: “Sh*t, we’re not performing anymore!”

“OK, OK, I misspoke earlier. It’s the four of you who will become honorary town residents.”

Reddy smiled with satisfaction, picking up his guitar: “Let’s go, brothers. Let’s conquer the world with our music!”

To protect the environment, fireworks were usually prohibited, but Wang Bo had another way—drums and gongs!

As the band took the stage, gongs and drums thundered outside. Some Chinese tourists chuckled wryly: “This is a Sino-Western hybrid opening ceremony.”

New Zealanders and other tourists found it very interesting; it felt novel enough.

With Reddy’s piercing voice, the fans’ cheers erupted, and the atmosphere immediately became electrifying.