Song Tan’s Chronicle - Chapter 58

Someone really buys this?

Eldest Aunt Mao Li was dumbfounded.

And… she had a mission at the market today!

Yesterday at noon, the five bundles of milk vetch she had gotten were supposed to make just one dish. But it was so delicious that they ended up cooking all five bundles.

Everyone ignored the stewed meat and ate until they were stuffed with the vegetables. But by evening, there was nothing left!

When her granddaughter, Song Ziyi, came back from her art class in the afternoon and found no more vegetables from her cousin Qiao Qiao on the table, she burst into tears.

Despite always talking about the need for a grandson, Eldest Aunt Mao Li couldn’t say that to her daughter-in-law.

Plus, Ziyi was the family treasure. Her tears were unbearable.

The family quickly promised that they would have the vegetables for her the next day to calm her down.

Her daughter-in-law suggested, “Mom, why don’t you go to the market tomorrow? It’s good to support family, and Ziyi loves the vegetables.”

She then asked Song Da Bo, “Dad, how much did Tan Tan say the vegetables were per pound?”

Song Da Bo remembered Qiao Qiao saying twenty yuan, but he couldn’t believe something grown in the fields could be that expensive.

He confidently replied, “A few yuan, maybe two?”

Mao Li tutted, “Young people have all kinds of ideas. This stuff used to be pig feed, and now it can make money.”

But she felt relieved, “They won’t make much, so I’ll buy five pounds tomorrow.”

The family had their calculations, but at Song Tan’s stall, the twenty yuan per pound price shocked Eldest Aunt Mao Li.

As family, Song Tan didn’t want to cause a scene over this. She wanted to maintain her father’s reputation, after all.

Putting on a standard smile, she said, “Eldest Aunt, why don’t you look around elsewhere? I’m about to close up.”

But I haven’t bought any yet—Mao Li stood there, thinking of her granddaughter’s cries and the high price of the vegetables, feeling even more troubled.

After much consideration, she turned back:

“Fine, family is family. Twenty it is. Give me a pound.”

She peered into the basket, “Tan Tan, don’t short me, or I’ll have to ask your parents about your upbringing.”

Song Tan thought it was the first time a family member had tried to undercut her like this! She had just said they were sold out.

Qiao Qiao had already picked up the baskets, loudly announcing, “Sold out!”

“How can they be sold out?”

Eldest Aunt pointed to the basket, “There are still some left. I’m here with money, why won’t you sell to me?”

Qiao Qiao shook his fluffy head, happy not to sell to someone he didn’t like, speaking cheerfully:

“Nope, nope. Those are for Auntie.”

Mao Li felt the sting immediately.

“You’re giving away so much at twenty yuan a pound?”

Song Tan wondered how her aunt had managed all these years.

She smiled wryly, “Eldest Aunt, I gave your family the same amount. Can’t give my father’s brother five pounds and my mother’s sister four, can I?”

Mao Li had a lot to say but choked on her words.

But the taste of those vegetables…

She put on a friendly smile: “What are you saying, child! I’m not unreasonable. It’s just Ziyi who wants to eat Qiao Qiao’s vegetables. You know how kids are—how about you give me a bundle today?”

“Your aunt is family too. We can make it up to her tomorrow.”

Song Tan chuckled, not holding back anymore: “So I give four bundles today and one tomorrow? Are these ginseng or wild vegetables?”

“Eldest Aunt, since Ziyi likes them, I’ll do you this favor. Either buy what’s left, or don’t worry about how much I give Auntie.”

Could Mao Li spend a hundred yuan on these wild vegetables?

Absolutely not.

And being rebuked by a younger relative, with the whole market watching, where was her dignity?

Eldest Aunt turned white, her face darkening:

“Tan Tan, your uncle and I have many connections in the city. We were thinking of finding you a good match! Is this how you treat us?”

“Forget it. This stuff used to be pig feed. If it weren’t for family, who’d buy it?”

She stormed off angrily.

Song Tan’s face darkened—thankfully, the customers were gone.

Otherwise, she might have slapped her on the spot.

So she raised her voice: “Eldest Aunt, if you really despise it, why don’t you spit out what you ate yesterday?”

Eldest Aunt paused, then stomped off faster in her boots.

As she left, the neighboring vendor, grinning, approached and shyly said, “Hey, bring more tomorrow. I want five pounds.”

He quickly handed over a hundred yuan like a thief.

Song Tan knew exactly what was going on: “It’s delicious, right?”

The vendor reluctantly nodded: “Is the water and soil in your hometown that good? Have you considered growing other vegetables?”

Song Tan’s interest was piqued: “Yes, but it’s not the season yet. Maybe next month—what vegetables sell well here?”

The vendor looked at her, sighed: “You can grow milk vetch this good, anything will sell. Don’t worry about the variety.”

Song Tan was touched: “Thanks! When new vegetables come, I’ll give you priority!”

The vendor rolled his eyes: “I set up next to you every day. Do I need priority?”

He didn’t take it seriously. Having bought the vegetables, he decided to give some advice:

“By the way, if you’re selling daily, consider renting a permanent stall. See the lined areas? Under the shelter, all fixed stalls, yours whether you’re here or not, no need to worry about the weather.”

“Your vegetables are pricey, profit’s high. Having a stall won’t hurt. If there weren’t so few stalls that needing connections, I’d have one already.”

Song Tan had considered it but wanted to wait until her sales scaled up.

Now, she jokingly said:

“Oh, so after selling vegetables for seven or eight years, you’re still illegally vending?”