Chapter 77 - Selling Vegetables

Chapter 77: Selling Vegetables
Translator: Lonelytree
Mother Xiao planted a Mu of vegetables. When they ripened, she harvested them. However, in the countryside, nothing was commoner than vegetables.
In fact, many villagers grew vegetables at home. They would sell the extra. Mother Xiao grew many vegetables, and she didn’t have any business channels. She had to bring them to Xing An town to set up the stall herself.
Rarely, Mother Xiao would be lucky, but most of the time, she wouldn’t finish selling her crops. Mother Xiao thus considered selling them at the county town. However, the journey was far. Mother Xiao could get up early, but how was she going to transport her crops to the county town?
The public bus between Taoyuan Village and Xing Yin County Town was only available on fair days. Normally, a villager had to rent a tricycle if there was an emergency. However, the rental was expensive, and it was not worth it.
Therefore, Mother Xiao had to settle for fair days. She took the early bus at 5.30 am, but even so, it was already quite late when she arrived at the county town. Most people had already finished their shopping.
Thankfully, Mother Xiao’s crops were fresh and beautiful. Sometimes, a restaurant would purchase all of her crops. After taking off the bus fee, Mother Xiao would only earn a little. Over the year, Mother Xiao realized it was simpler to grow paddy. Therefore, Mother Xiao stopped growing vegetables.
But now, her good daughter decided to continue where she left off. Xiao Lingyu even went so far as to rent a warehouse and buy a tricycle.
Mother Xiao thought to herself, ‘I need to drive the tricycle back later. Next time, we wouldn’t need to take the bus, and we can ride the tricycle to cover the journey.’
“Xiao Lingyu, wake up already!” Mother Xiao raised her voice.
“Mom, I’m coming!” Xiao Lingyu said a little sullenly. The weather was too good, so it was hard to leave the bed. However, since this was her first time selling the vegetables grown inside the farming space, she knew she couldn’t slack off.
Xiao Lingyu quickly got up, put on her clothes, folded the quilt, brushed her teeth, and washed her face. She looked for small changes. As Mother Xiao said, they had a long day ahead.
Meanwhile, Mother Xiao was in the kitchen making egg pancakes. They were easier to carry on the road. The pancakes were wrapped in a clean plastic bag and then a towel to help keep them warm.
Mother Xiao carried the black bag she usually took with her to the county town. Xiao Lingyu and Mother Xiao were ready. The two of them departed.
Father Xiao came out to say, “Take care of yourselves on the way!”
“Got it, Dad!”
“Got it, Dear!”
The mother and daughter said in unison.
Father Xiao wanted to go with them, but several families rented his service, and he couldn’t leave. The mother and daughter moved to Xiao Mingyang’s house. There was a brand-new motorcycle idling at the door. Xiao Mingyang was sitting at the door waiting for them.
This was not a fair day, so there was no bus. They had to get Xiao Mingyang to drive them to the county town.
“Fourth Uncle, you’re so early!” Xiao Lingyu greeted with a smile.
However, Xiao Mingyang said very seriously, “Yu ‘Er, you need to be early for this job. Are you sure you can handle it?”
Xiao Lingyu chuckled, “Fourth Uncle, I’ve suffered through a lot since I was a child. This bit of hardship is nothing.”
Xiao Mingyang laughed. “That’s true. I remember you waking earlier when you were studying.” Xiao Mingyang climbed onto the bike. “Come, get on!”
After they were all ready, the bike left with a whoosh. Xiao Mingyang dropped them at Xing An Town and went home. Xiao Lingyu and her mother still needed to take the bus to the county town.
When Xiao Lingyu led her mother down the confusing alleyways, Mother Xiao frowned and asked, “Where is the warehouse, Yu ‘Er? We’ve been walking for long, and I haven’t even seen it yet.” Mother Xiao looked around. “It’s getting more and more remote. It’s not safe.”
Xiao Lingyu said, “Mom, we’re almost there.”
Xiao Lingyu turned into another alley and stopped before the iron gate. Mother Xiao looked beyond the gate and saw a two-story building. She asked, “Yu ‘Er, this is it?”
“Yes.”
“This place is too big. Did you rent this place alone or with other vendors?” Based on the housing price in the county town, the rent for such a place would at least be seven to eight hundred RMB.
They hadn’t had profit from sales, but they were already bleeding money. Mother Xiao felt sad for the wastage, but she felt sadder for her daughter, who had to suffer so much.
When Mother Xiao followed Xiao Lingyu into the house, she immediately studied the place. The house was clean and comfortable.
Xiao Lingyu explained, “Mom, this place is not bad, right? I rented it alone, and the rent is 350 per month. It’s not expensive at all. The two elders who rented it to me are also very kind.”
Mother Xiao couldn’t believe it. “The rental is so cheap?”
“Yes.” Xiao Lingyu said, “Mom, you, dad, and brother can come to stay here in the future.”
“Didn’t you say your friend would deliver the crops? Where are they?” Mother Xiao turned her focus to the goal that day. She was worried they could not make any profit selling vegetables. As she said, it was almost 9 am. If they didn’t start selling soon, the market would close.
Xiao Lingyu walked to the warehouse door. She took out her key and pushed the door open slightly. She slid her hand in and chanted, “Exit!”
She pushed the door open further, and a pile of vegetables was sitting neatly on the tricycle. Mother Xiao was surprised by the fresh vegetables.
She walked forward to check them. “Yu ‘Er, these are the vegetables your friend grew with the special fertilizer?”
“Yes!” Xiao Lingyu picked up a tomato from the pile and handed it to Mother Xiao, “Try one.” Mother Xiao took a bite. Her eyes glowed with shock. “This… is amazing!” It was tangy and sweet. It was delicious even when eaten raw!
Xiao Lingyu said, “Mom, I’ll plan to sell the tomatoes, cabbages, and eggplants 2 RMB each. What do you think?”
Mother Xiao choked on the tomato. She was incredulous. “Yu ‘Er, 2 RMB each? That’s too expensive!” The market sold 2 to 3 RMB per catty. This was double the price.
“Mom, don’t you think the tomato is worth the price?” Xiao Lingyu argued, “They are much more delicious than other more expensive fruits.”
Mother Xiao hesitated. “Alright, no harm in giving it a try!”
Xiao Lingyu went to pick up some vegetables.
“Yu ‘Er, what are you doing?” Mother Xiao was confused.
Xiao Lingyu explained, “Yesterday, I promised the landlady I’d reserve some vegetables for her. Also, we should keep some for Fourth Uncle’s family too.”
“But why are you picking them now? We’ll give them the leftovers.” Mother Xiao said. “You can pick some for the landlady, and that’s enough.”
Such was the way of the countryside. The leftovers that couldn’t sell would be given away or eaten by the sellers.
Xiao Lingyu said helplessly, “Mom, what if we’re sold out? We need to reserve some for our own family. We should drop some off for little brother too.”
Mother Xiao, “…”
When Xiao Lingyu was choosing the vegetables, an old lady’s voice came from outside, “Little Xiao, are you here?”
Xiao Lingyu immediately replied, “Granny, I’m here!”
Mother Xiao saw a kind old lady in a dark floral dress walk in with a vegetable basket.