Song Tan’s Chronicle - Chapter 69

Secretary Wang never expected that his purchase would stimulate the entire courtyard’s buying power.

But it wasn’t his fault.

First, the chef asked for the contact details. Then, others started inquiring about where the boss got his vegetables.

If he kept the group chat to himself, wouldn’t he be seen as antisocial?

So, Secretary Wang shared the WeChat contact.

The colleagues, those who hadn’t tasted the vegetables were envious, and those who had were hooked. But regardless of their situation, everyone had the same mindset—

If the boss is buying, why shouldn’t I follow suit?

Maybe it could even earn some favor!

Even if it didn’t, it wouldn’t hurt.

And so, the orders came in.

The courtyard was strict, and most couriers couldn’t deliver directly. Everyone had to use their home addresses.

Otherwise, Song Tan’s deliveries would have all gone to one place. If she found a truck, she could have delivered everything in one go, likely cheaper than courier fees!

Just as a new batch of vegetables arrived, the shop owner started selling tea at an outrageous 10,000 yuan per pound!

Ning Province didn’t have many famous local specialties, and this tea didn’t compare to nationally known brands.

Yet, they dared to ask such a high price?

Everyone was skeptical, but Secretary Wang remembered his boss’s comments on rural revitalization…

He gritted his teeth and made the purchase!

Given the taste of the wild vegetables and the owner’s confident tone, Secretary Wang was sure the quality would be top-notch.

He was personally promoted by the boss and shared the same tea-drinking hobby.

With the thought of enjoying a fragrant cup of tea with his vetch, the 5,000 yuan didn’t seem so painful.

Oh, and the 20 yuan courier fee.

Couldn’t the stingy owner offer free shipping for a 5,000 yuan purchase?!

…

The next morning, Zhang Yanping, still groggy, was dragged to the fields to harvest vetch.

Yesterday, they mentioned there was no heavy labor, but no one said they’d be out in the dew before dawn!

Seeing Song Tan and Qiao Qiao already picking with their baskets, and his rubber boots already on, what else could he do?

He sighed and began his first day as a farm laborer.

The morning woods were serene and misty, with a light fog hovering around the house and fields, different from the distant view.

The air felt fresh and sweet, and as the breeze blew, the first field near the bamboo grove bloomed with pink-purple vetch flowers, standing out beautifully.

But Zhang Yanping couldn’t appreciate the beauty; his back ached from bending over.

To make it worse, after working for a while, his basket was still not full!

Qiao Qiao’s basket was full, and he happily ran over, “Brother, I’ll help you.”

Even with his thick skin, Zhang Yanping felt embarrassed.

Especially when Qiao Qiao whispered, “Brother, don’t feel bad. I’ll buy you bubblegum when the store opens. I have money. Don’t be sad about the work.”

Zhang Yanping: …

If he were any less thick-skinned, he’d be blushing by now.

Just then, Song Tan asked, “Qiao Qiao, have you thought of names for your three puppies?”

Qiao Qiao shook his head.

“No, it’s too hard. Sister, can you name them?”

“I’m not good at it either,” Song Tan coaxed. “But the puppies are too young and don’t understand yet. I’ll find them some responsible parents today.”

“Can’t I go with you?” Qiao Qiao blinked in confusion.

“No, you can’t.”

Although Qiao Qiao was obedient, sitting in a car for hours wouldn’t be fun for him. It was better to leave him at home.

“But you have tasks too—help Mom pick tea or help Dad with the chickens and ducks, and you’ll earn your pay.”

The prospect of earning money, or the idea of picking tea and caring for animals, was enticing…

Qiao Qiao hesitated only a moment before agreeing.

When the sun rose, everyone brought their baskets back for sorting. Song Tan called out:

“Dad, the vetch is blooming. If the beehives are empty later, just check the fields.”

Song Sancheng was feeding pigs on the hillside, his voice barely audible over the piglets’ grunts.

“What about my big bumblebee?”

Hearing “bee,” Qiao Qiao eagerly joined.

Song Tan thought for a moment and retrieved a box from the shed.

“Your task is to take this box to the blooming field after the dew is gone.”

“Your bumblebee is too fat and hasn’t flown in a while. It might not fly now. Be a good transporter, let it gather pollen and nectar for its babies, then bring it back.”

With sugar water and spiritual energy, the bumblebee larvae should soon hatch.

The bumblebee needed lots of pollen and nectar to thrive.

Zhang Yanping came over and, seeing the fat, furry creature in the box, was startled.

“What’s this? Why is it so fat?”

The bumblebee, clutching its wax pot and warming its larvae, buzzed in protest, as if objecting to being called fat.

But it really was chubby.

Its furry, round body barely lifted off the ground before falling back with a “plop.”

Zhang Yanping chuckled.

…

Before leaving, Song Tan checked her account.

Her original 60,000 yuan was long gone.

Her parents’ money, mostly intact, still had over 20,000 yuan, which she didn’t plan to touch. It wasn’t easy for them to save.

Her own account had 20,000 yuan from recent vetch sales and 6,000 yuan from tea sales.

She didn’t need any special dog breeds; even local dogs would do. After buying the golden cherry, the 20,000 yuan would suffice.

She carefully weighed half-pound and one-ounce portions of tea, wrapped them in white paper, and sealed them in bags.

Zhang Yanping shook his head. “You should at least add some packaging!”

It would make buyers feel better.

Song Tan knew that, but once she started adding packaging, any lapse would be criticized.

So, as long as the quality was good, she’d keep it simple.

Seeing Qiao Qiao and Wu Lan ready with the vegetables, she called out, “Brother Yanping, carry the baskets.”