Song Tan’s Chronicle - Chapter 150.2

“Your stuff is good, and word of mouth in the market is already spreading. These days, some people set up stalls early right where you usually are. It doesn’t matter if what they sell is good or bad; they’re obviously riding on your reputation. If customers get fooled, they might blame you. It’s not worth it.”

He continued earnestly, “Stall rental here is actually quite cheap, just in short supply. If you have connections, getting a stable spot would only cost a bit of money. It’s really worth it.”

“At worst, whatever amount of vegetables you need to sell daily, I’ll drive to pick them up and help you sell them!”

“If you get a stall, give me a little space next to yours, and I’ll sell the vegetables I buy wholesale, okay?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t damage your reputation. I’ll display all the prices, and you can check anytime.”

Song Tan was puzzled: “I think you’re doing fine here without a stall. There’s no cost, and you can leave whenever you sell out. Why do you need a fixed spot?”

As she spoke, a cool drop hit her nose. Looking up, she saw that a spring rain had started to fall gently like mist.

The vendor wiped the wet tip of his hair and showed her his damp palm:

“You see, besides being poor, there’s also this.”

“I’m getting old. I don’t want to be out here in the sun, rain, and cold wind anymore.”

This actually made sense.

Over the past while, Song Tan had seen enough of this vendor to judge that he wasn’t overly virtuous, but at least he was honest.

And as the work in her vegetable garden increased, she wouldn’t be able to drive to the city to sell every day.

But giving everything to a wholesaler didn’t appeal to her either.

She was indeed tempted by his proposal.

“Only…” Song Tan smiled wryly, “You’ve been waiting for a stall for so long and still haven’t gotten one. How could I secure one right away?”

“But I do agree with your idea. If there’s a spot, we can work something out.”

As they talked, they managed to sell most of the remaining bamboo shoots from the truck.

At this moment, a familiar face looked around and then sneaked over as if stealing:

“Hey, Song, my ten pounds of bamboo shoots.”

He quickly scanned the payment code, and then waited with his hand out for his big bag.

Song Tan couldn’t help but laugh.

“Chief Zhu, is this necessary?”

It was the head of the police station who had mistakenly arrested her last time.

That misunderstanding turned out to be a blessing for Song Tan, but for the police station, it was a memory they wished to forget.

It had only happened once, but everyone’s wallets had been emptied so smoothly, just like a well-worn washboard.

Buying tea leaves had been painful enough; at least they could console themselves by thinking it was a one-time big expense.

But seeing the bustling market scene, they had witnessed it firsthand. Since the last bunch of astragalus, everyone had been coming in shifts to buy vegetables, sneaking around like thieves.

Chief Zhu lifted the bag in his hand and sighed:

“I have to be careful! Last time, Officer Xiao Wu bought five pounds of astragalus from you and didn’t hide it. It was split up right away by everyone else.”

“These vegetables are expensive; just losing a single bamboo shoot shell makes me feel bad for half a day. I can’t let them know.”

Song Tan stifled a laugh and whispered, mimicking a sneaky tone:

“Chief Zhu, you’d better leave quickly. I see your colleague, Xiao Zhou, heading over to the fruit stand.”

“Aren’t you all slacking off on the job?”

Who had time to argue about slacking off!

Chief Zhu shuddered, then darted left and right, like conducting an anti-tracking drill in the familiar market, carrying his ten-pound plastic bag.

Soon, Xiao Zhou came sneaking over.

“Hey, Song, weigh me three pounds.”

He handed over a red bill: “There are too many vultures at work!”

“And Chief Zhou is too sneaky. After buying them secretly, he made them into spicy bamboo shoots and brought a small bag for himself to work—my three pounds were gone before I could finish one piece!”

It wasn’t fair that they couldn’t cook and were single, too.

Xiao Zhou grumbled, “When I’m off and go home, I’ll make my mom cook for me!”

Of course, he had to keep a close eye on her, or the bamboo shoots might never make it into his mouth.

Song Tan couldn’t help but look sympathetic:

Her vegetables were a bit pricey but very delicious!

Touching the change the vegetable vendor had given her, she quickly pulled out forty yuan and handed it over.