HLM – Chapter 917 The Kidnapping That Came and Went Like the Wind

The ranch that Koci had contacted was called Peanut Companion Ranch. The name was a bit odd, and Wang Bo couldn’t figure out what raising miniature livestock had to do with peanuts.

Initially, he didn’t want to go in person; he planned to just send Peterson to pick a group of little animals.

However, Koci told him that this ranch didn’t just have mini cows—it also had mini donkeys, mini pigs, and mini horses. The breeds were complete, so it would be best to choose them in person.

So, Wang Bo decided to go see for himself.

With the helicopter, flying from Sunset Town to the North Island was quite fast. The ranch was located in a small town called Tuai, very close to Urewera National Park, almost at the far northeast of New Zealand.

After flying for a while and entering the national park, the area became very remote—below them were only forests or meadows, with almost no signs of habitation.

“Almost there. We should be in the Tiharoto area now,” Koci said as she looked at the map.

Bowen exclaimed, “You really know this area well.”

Koci smiled: “If you’d lived here for four or five years, you’d know the terrain even better than I do.”

Looking at the barren landscape and complex terrain below, Wang Bo felt an inexplicable sense of unease.

Finally, the helicopter reached the destination. Flying close to the ground, they saw traces of farms and ranches.

They landed directly at Peanut Companion Ranch, where a somewhat scruffy middle-aged white man was waiting. Upon seeing Koci, he laughed heartily: “Oh, my girl, welcome home!”

The two embraced. Bowen frowned: “Something doesn’t feel right.”

Wang Bo agreed: “Absolutely. Damn it, were we too reckless? I checked online before and found nothing about this ‘Peanut Companion Ranch.’ And isn’t this place a bit too remote? The ranch itself seems kind of rundown.”

Bowen blinked at him: “I don’t know. I just mean… their relationship seems off.”

“Shut up!”

Koci introduced both sides. The scruffy man was Coreman-Taraso, an animal lover and researcher.

They shook hands, and Coreman led them toward the ranch—a small plot covering more than a hundred acres, surrounded by thick but worn fences, with wild grass growing on the ground.

Bowen finally sensed that something was off. Wang Bo regretted not bringing Uncle Bing and his son.

Events quickly confirmed his suspicions. Just as they walked through the ranch gate, four or five burly men suddenly rushed out from both sides, all holding rifles, the black muzzles pointing at them.

Wang Bo quickly raised his hands and shouted, “What are you doing?”

“Doing what? You tell me,” Coreman laughed heartily. “Seeing the guns in our hands, don’t you know what we’re doing?”

Wang Bo glared at Koci inwardly cursing himself. Damn it, this is all my fault. I was too eager to buy the miniature animals. Not finding any information online and insisting on coming here in person—this is basically asking for trouble!

Koci smiled at him: “Don’t worry, boss, it’s fine.”

Then she looked at Coreman: “Alright, boss. I told you before, this kind of joke is too much. Not everyone likes this.”

Coreman laughed so hard he could barely stand. He pointed at the men: “Haha, this is hilarious! They actually thought we were kidnappers. They’re scared!”

Wang Bo was stunned. What the hell was going on?

Bowen, pointed at by Coreman, said angrily: “I’m not scared at all! Even if we’re kidnapped, so what? Kidnapping a mayor and a sheriff—New Zealand’s government wouldn’t let it slide!”

He couldn’t lose face in front of Koci.

Wang Bo secretly signaled him: Brother, just stay quiet for now. We don’t know the situation yet.

Peterson got the hint too, raising his hands even higher than Wang Bo—complete surrender.

Hearing Coreman’s words, the men with guns lowered them. Coreman came forward and patted Wang Bo’s shoulder warmly: “Sorry, sir, I like jokes.”

Wang Bo was furious. You call this a joke? This isn’t joking—it’s terrifying!

Once he was sure his life wasn’t in danger, he frowned: “Mr. Coreman, are you mentally alright? I think we should leave first. I don’t feel safe here.”

Coreman didn’t seem to care about the business at all, chuckling: “Do as you wish. But if you want to buy miniature animals in the future, you’re still welcome.”

Koci pulled him aside and whispered: “Boss, sorry. I didn’t explain some things clearly. Coreman is a good person, but he loves pranks—at least more than he loves money.”

“So you got pranked. If we just leave now, he’s had his fun, but we get nothing.”

Wang Bo felt a twinge of unwillingness after Koci’s explanation.

He asked, “Are you sure this guy is sane?”

Koci hesitated: “Maybe…? He just likes mischief. His whole life has been full of pranks.”

“What?”

“It’s complicated. Anyway, that’s just the kind of person he is.”

Wang Bo frowned: “Why didn’t you say this on the way here?”

Koci smiled wryly: “Who could predict he’d play a prank like that? I guessed he might joke, but not like this.”

Fortunately, it was only a scare, and Wang Bo had been mentally prepared. Seeing the desolate and eerie surroundings, he had worried about being kidnapped, so he wasn’t too afraid.

Bowen was worse off—he only focused on Koci and had really been scared earlier.

The cooperation didn’t start smoothly, and Wang Bo had already lost hope in this procurement trip.

But once they entered the ranch, the view changed dramatically.

First, there was a pasture covering more than ten acres, filled with donkeys of various sizes. As soon as Coreman approached, they joyfully ran over.

Although the donkeys were said to vary in size, they were all tiny. Even the largest was only about a meter tall at the shoulder, with big heads and short fur, and in various colors—from gray to reddish. Black, common in normal donkeys, was rare here.

Coreman performed a noble-style welcoming gesture: “Everyone, please admire our star animals—the Australian-style mini donkeys!”

Koci said, “These mini donkeys are easy to raise. Just a shelter, some hay, grains, and fresh water, and they’ll grow well.”

“But they are social animals. Being alone can affect their mood or even cause depression. So, Boss, if you want to raise them, you need a group—at least enough companions for them.”