Song Tan’s Chronicle - Chapter 59

The vegetable vendor wasn’t pleased with that comment.

“What do you mean, illegal stall?”

“All my vegetables come from suburban gardens. After selling, how much can I earn? If I rent a stall, I’d make less than a street sweeper.”

He didn’t hold back.

Aside from the occasional suburban farmer selling their own produce, most stalls here were like his. Prices weren’t necessarily low, but the vegetables were fresh and often came with extras, making them popular among customers.

The vendor had missed the chance to get a stall during the city’s planning phase, and his vegetable sales volume didn’t justify it anymore.

Giving Song Tan this advice was genuinely well-intended—

“It’s fine to occasionally set up a stall here, as long as no one complains. But, girl, you’re selling a lot and making good money. I’ve been watching with envy.”

Half-jokingly, he spoke with a hint of jealousy.

At twenty yuan a bundle, anyone could see she was making two to three thousand yuan a day with minimal cost.

Who wouldn’t be envious?

The vendor often dreamed of striking it rich.

“It only takes one report, and the authorities will come to check.”

Anything involving money is rarely peaceful, and the vendor knew this well.

Song Tan’s face turned serious.

Actually, she usually sold for just an hour, while half the market operated all morning without fixed stalls. It should be fine.

But as the vendor said, a report would likely lead to her being caught.

Seeing her youth, he worried she didn’t grasp the implications. Glancing at Qiao Qiao, happily playing with bubbles, he continued:

“Even without complaints, city inspections happen two or three times a year as it warms up. Your pickup here isn’t ideal.”

“Girl, you should ask around.”

No need to ask, city inspections were a regular occurrence, even in Ning City.

Song Tan sincerely thanked him: “Thank you for the reminder!”

She handed back the hundred yuan: “We’ve been neighbors for so long. No need for this. I’ll bring it for you tomorrow!”

Checking the time, she called to Qiao Qiao: “Let’s go, Qiao Qiao, we need to deliver to Auntie!”

The siblings roared off in their little pickup. Watching them leave, the vendor chuckled:

Selling vegetables for so long, he realized today they were neighbors. This girl had thick skin and a knack for business.

Driving, Song Tan pondered the stall issue.

She had gone to work in Ning City after graduating, and now switching from corporate to agriculture, she knew no one in the field.

But that was okay!

When she stopped at the renowned Jin Yue Wan wholesale market in the city, she had already sent a message in the customer group—

[Dear customers, I plan to rent a stall at the riverside market. If you know anyone, please introduce me! I’ll offer a generous reward for signing a contract!]

She might lack connections, but surely some of her daily buyers would have some information.

Qiao Qiao, carrying a small basket, gaped at the large trucks and piled-up fruits in the wholesale market, exclaiming—

“This place is huge, huge!”

Song Tan smiled: “Of course it is. It’s the biggest wholesale market in our city!”

Her aunt Wu Fang and uncle Zhang Hong ran a fruit wholesale business here.

Fruit wholesale wasn’t easy—early mornings, late nights, and heavy lifting made it tough.

But they were honest and hardworking. Though they initially didn’t earn as much, over the years, they built a good reputation and were doing okay.

Following the address given earlier, Song Tan found the place. Qiao Qiao, excited by the different surroundings, stuck close behind her.

“Sister, so many fruits!”

“Yes.”

“Living here, do you get to eat them every day?”

“Yes.”

“Can Qiao Qiao live here?”

“Hmm… no.” Song Tan looked at him: “Eating here costs money. Do you have money?”

Qiao Qiao, not stupid, looked at her eagerly: “I have… my salary!”

Song Tan counted on her fingers: “You dug the garden yesterday, fifty yuan. Today you helped me sell vegetables, fifty yuan.”

“One hundred yuan in total. You need to feed your three puppies, buy your toys and Peppa Pig stickers. Snacks also cost money—Qiao Qiao, it’s not enough!”

Qiao Qiao wasn’t worried: “I’ll dig the garden today too! It’ll add up!”

Silly kid.

Song Tan smiled helplessly—no point arguing with him.

“Alright, we’ll soak the seeds when we get back. If you finish digging, we’ll plant tonight.”

Pak choi, Chinese cabbage—these quick-growing vegetables could make good use of the garden.

Just then, they reached “Da Hong Fruit Wholesale.” A couple was unloading fruit from a truck outside.

“Auntie!” Song Tan called out, climbing onto the truck before she could respond: “What needs moving? I’ll help!”

Qiao Qiao, now experienced, stood ready below.

Her aunt, a petite woman slimmer than Wu Lan, wore old clothes but looked delighted: “Tan Tan, you’re back! Get down, get down, these fruits are heavy—you can’t—”

She stopped mid-sentence.

Song Tan had already handed down a basket of fruit, which Qiao Qiao swiftly stacked.

Their coordination was so smooth, they looked like they did this regularly!

Uncle Zhang Hong emerged from the warehouse, startled: “Hey, you two, no need to help. Get down. I’ll get you some oranges!”

Seeing they didn’t move, he grabbed a pomelo: “Qiao Qiao, come here, I’ll peel this for you.”

Qiao Qiao turned away. He didn’t like pomelos because the ones Wu Lan bought during New Year were too sour:

“No, I need to work.”

Sister said earning money was hard. He could make fifty yuan today; he couldn’t slack off.

Song Tan eyed the load—springtime lowered demand, so nothing expensive. The cherries sold like crazy during winter were gone. Only domestic cherries remained somewhat pricey.

She thought of their hillside land, which they had only partially used for chestnuts. For long-term plans, it shouldn’t be wasted.

What fruits should they grow?