Song Tan’s Chronicle - Chapter 19

Wu Lan had only eaten one bowl of dumplings, which was filling but not quite enough.

However, given her family’s usual appetite, she knew everyone was likely stuffed tonight, so she flatly refused, “We’ll eat the dumplings tomorrow morning. Come on, let’s try these wild vegetables today!”

She had prepared some chrysanthemum greens, purslane, and watercress. To make it simple and purely for taste testing, she used the same seasoning for all after blanching them.

The red chili peppers, white sesame seeds, black and brown sauce, and green tender leaves mixed together created a deliciously spicy and sour aroma.

Song Sancheng didn’t hesitate and quickly took a bite—

“Mmm!”

Fresh, spicy, tangy, and crisp… all these flavors intertwined, making it impossible for Song Sancheng to stop. He could eat half a plate in one go.

But…

“This is so appetizing. I should’ve cooked a pot of rice.” He was deeply regretful.

Wu Lan glanced at his stomach. “Stop eating, stop eating, don’t you worry about overeating—let me try!”

After tasting it, the family fell silent.

After a while, Wu Lan hesitantly asked, “Is ten yuan too cheap for this?”

Song Tan decided firmly, “It’s a steal—let’s make it twenty yuan per bundle!” Selling in the morning, and if we can’t sell it all, returning customers after lunch will surely come back!

Now, making money is the priority!

Wu Lan instantly regretted, “I should’ve just taken a few pieces to taste!”

…

Early the next morning.

It was really early. At five-thirty, Song Tan was woken up. Song Sancheng planned to help carry the vegetables, but he found his daughter easily carrying a basket in each hand, with Qiao Qiao carrying another basket. All seventy to eighty bundles of wild vegetables were loaded into the car.

“Are you sure you don’t need me to come with you?”

“No need, Qiao Qiao can help, right?” Song Tan declined.

Qiao Qiao responded loudly, “Yes! Qiao Qiao is enough!”

Song Sancheng stood there, feeling a sudden pang of sadness, thinking he was getting old.

Until Wu Lan called out to him, “There’s still some dumplings in the pot. Do you want them?”

“Yes!” He instantly shook off the sudden sentimentality.

…

Uncle Wang, the van driver, was a familiar face in the village. While watching the road, he curiously asked, “Tan Tan, are you going to the city to sell vegetables?”

Song Tan nodded, “Yes, it’s cold now, so it’s nice to have something fresh. If we can’t sell them, we can just eat them ourselves. It’s no big deal.”

Uncle Wang nodded in agreement, “That’s good. Nowadays, young people don’t like to endure such hardships. Your parents are truly blessed!”

After exchanging some compliments, they arrived at the famous vegetable market in the old town, just before seven o’clock.

The market wasn’t officially planned, but being near the river and conveniently located, people naturally came here to sell their goods.

Song Tan didn’t even need to pay for a stall. She set up the baskets in front of her, took out two small folding stools, and a stack of plastic bags, and she was ready.

“Sis, let me sell!”

Qiao Qiao was eager to start.

Song Tan quickly gave him the prime spot. “Alright, Qiao Qiao will sell—do you know the price?”

“I know!”

Qiao Qiao, excited, said, “Twenty yuan per bundle, no bargaining!”

That’s all he needed to know.

Song Tan thought for a moment and posted two QR codes she had printed at the village office yesterday—one for payments.

The other: A WeChat group for wild vegetable updates. Scan to join for fresh wild vegetable notifications.

She swore on her cultivation journey that anyone who ate their wild vegetables today would definitely become a repeat customer.

…

The weather was good today. Although the sun hadn’t risen by seven, the sky was already tinged with the morning glow. The market was bustling with people, many wearing coral fleece pajamas or old down jackets.

The siblings sat obediently on small stools. Their similar appearances, bright black eyes, fair skin, and attractive looks made them very approachable.

Moreover, they were so young.

Looking around the market, not many vendors, let alone sellers, were young.

Naturally, the shoppers’ eyes were drawn to them.

And seeing the baskets in front of them—wow, in this weather? Such fresh wild vegetables, neatly arranged!

“Girl, how much for this shepherd’s purse?”

Vegetables were expensive during the New Year, and with all the guests coming and going, seeing shepherd’s purse immediately reminded everyone of fresh, tender dumplings.

As soon as the lady asked, it seemed to open the floodgates, and more people started gathering.

“I know, I know! Shepherd’s purse, twenty yuan per bundle, one pound!”

Qiao Qiao eagerly answered.

He sat on the stool, looking up slightly at the lady in front of him, appearing both obedient and cute. With his round, fuzzy head, no elderly lady could resist.

Moreover…

Adults and children spoke differently.

The lady looked at him in surprise, sensing something. But seeing Qiao Qiao still persistently watching her, she tentatively frowned and asked:

“Isn’t that too expensive? Can you sell it for ten yuan?”

“No, no,” Qiao Qiao shook his head vigorously, emphasizing again, “Shepherd’s purse dumplings, I ate three bowls this morning!”

He held up three fingers.

Song Tan also smiled, “Yes, Auntie, I dug these myself yesterday. They’re very fresh, and twenty yuan is really not expensive.”

“Each bundle is a pound, with no shortfall. Nowadays, greenhouse vegetables are pricey! Spring is here, so why not enjoy some fresh wild vegetables early?”

She pointed to the QR code. “If you’re unsure, scan the code to join the group. If it doesn’t taste good, you can find me on WeChat for a refund.”

Her confidence convinced the lady instantly.

However, the baskets offered many choices!

Which one should she buy?

She was torn.

But as she hesitated, Qiao Qiao looked up at her pitifully with drooping eyebrows:

“Auntie, don’t you want to buy? Qiao Qiao dug these!”

The lady’s heart melted, and the onlookers noticed. She quickly agreed, “I’ll buy!”

“But Auntie doesn’t know which one to choose. What should I do?”

Qiao Qiao blinked in confusion, “Then try them all!” He often faced this dilemma when buying snacks.

“Oh my!” The crowd laughed. “This child is quite greedy. Each bundle is twenty yuan. Buying all of them costs a hundred yuan.”

Qiao Qiao disagreed, “Qiao Qiao has been eating for two days.”

“Shepherd’s purse, for dumplings.”

“Wild onions, for braised carp or scrambled eggs!”

“Ma… ma…” He forgot the name.

Song Tan quickly patted his head, “Good job, Qiao Qiao!”

Then she efficiently showed the vegetables to everyone: “Chrysanthemum greens can be stir-fried or served cold, watercress is tender, and purslane is great for reducing heat and inflammation…”

“Our wild vegetables are guaranteed to make you come back for more.”

She displayed the vegetables one by one. Each was fresh, green, and undamaged.

The seasoned shoppers knew just by holding them that this girl wasn’t shortchanging them—twenty yuan per pound for freshly dug wild vegetables from the village wasn’t expensive at all.

The more they looked, the more they were tempted. Compared to the greenhouse vegetables they were holding—

“Give me two pounds of shepherd’s purse. My son loves dumplings!”

“I want two pounds too—plus a bundle of wild onions. Wow, it’s really wild, strong flavor! I haven’t had this in over ten years!”

“Me too! Give me a bundle of purslane. It’s good for reducing inflammation and diuresis…”

“Chrysanthemum greens are great for reducing heat. I’ll take two bundles—also some shepherd’s purse!”

“Watercress! Watercress is so tender. I’ll take three bundles, one for my daughter!”