Her Cultivation Diary
Chapter 271 - Chapter 271 271. The happiness of the vegetable vendor Old

Chapter 271: 271. The happiness of the vegetable vendor Old Zhao_1 Chapter 271: 271. The happiness of the vegetable vendor Old Zhao_1 Riverside vegetable market.

Vegetable vendor Old Zhao unexpectedly didn’t set up his stall today; instead, he wandered around the large market in his slippers, slowly and leisurely.

“What’s up?” someone called out to him, “Made a fortune, and not doing business anymore?”

Old Zhao chuckled with a hint of laughter, “Jealous, aren’t you? Can’t help it, who made me the sworn brother of that girl. She calls my daughter her niece!”

Pfft.

His fellow vendors scorned, “Who doesn’t know that your girl followed her home and made a few drawings? This is a relationship you have to pay to maintain.”

“Nonsense!” Vegetables could be insulted, but not his daughter: “My daughter’s drawings sell for money!”

But his peers, who had known him for more than a decade, were harsh in their response, “If she really charged enough money, why would she hand the business over to you? Who wouldn’t want free money?”

Old Zhao got into wholesaling expensive vegetables from that girl.

The whole vegetable market knew about it, their eyes red with envy.

“What free money?”

The vegetable vendor was anxious.

With Song Tan’s keenness for money, would she let him take advantage? He paid full price for the wholesale, not a cent less, at 20 yuan each.

However, just as Song Tan said, there really was a deal of buying 100 jin and getting 20 free. He had wholesaled 300 jin the other day; after accounting for spoilage and weight discrepancies, he kept 50 jin for himself.

It was his first day of business, and he managed to sell everything.

Good lord, he made 1000 yuan just like that, for the first time ever!

The only regret was that the young girl was too shrewd. She wouldn’t include those large quantities in his share, saying only that he could help bring them over…

Just then, Xiaofeng, who sold steamed rolls, ordered another 20 jin, which unfortunately had nothing to do with him.

But could he share these business insights with others at the vegetable market?

No, he couldn’t. Whether he lost or earned, he had to keep it to himself. Otherwise, he would fear others might secretly play tricks on him.

Old Zhao came out not because he looked down on the money made from his own stall, but rather it was his daughter’s suggestion:

She said he had spent half his life setting up a stall outside; at his age, he should at least rent a storefront. It didn’t have to be in a good location or be very big; a whitewashed wall would suffice.

In the future, when she, as his daughter, started talking marriage, having a father who ran a storefront in the vegetable market versus one who had a stall in the vegetable market would be two completely different stories.

In reality, Old Zhao also knew that Zhao Fangyuan said this purely out of concern for him, braving wind and rain, and especially now that he had to navigate mountain roads at night. She feared it was too tiring for him to watch over the stall. Having a store would at least shelter him from the wind and rain, and he could sit or lie down for a rest when he had free time.

Upon reflection, the vegetable vendor thought: That’s true!

Now that he was engaged with Song Tan’s business, earning a quick seven or eight hundred yuan a day, working just a few times a month would be more relaxing and profitable than selling vegetables before.

Considering this, getting a storefront didn’t seem like a bad idea.

It was a pity, though, that despite the low-end goods, the Riverside vegetable market was in high demand for space. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have failed to rent even a regular stall within the market.

However, after walking half a circle around the market, he discovered a tucked-away corner space with a children’s clothing store displaying a “For Rent/Transfer” sign.

Good heavens! What’s this?

It’s like finding what you need without even searching!

The children’s clothing store catered to thrifty grandparents, but in recent years, every family has become savvy about raising children. Unfortunately, with more discounts and stylish options at other stores, the modest children’s clothing at this market wasn’t competitive.

Not to mention, this store was located in a corner where most people wouldn’t even wander in.

If the vegetable vendor were here, even if the produce rotted away, I bet no customer could find their way here.

In the past, a vegetable peddler wouldn’t even glance at a place like this, even if it were offered for free.

But now things are different.

When Song Tan used to sell vegetables, wherever her pickup truck parked became the center of wealth.

In the past few days since he took over Song Tan’s business, the location and contacts she posted in the group determined who was the most popular vendor in the vegetable market.

Just think about those vegetables; from now on, we just need to set up here. Could there be any worry about people not finding us?

Besides, there’s a narrow storefront selling children’s clothing in front, perfectly suitable to set up a stall to sell fruit.

Inside is a small warehouse where you could put a lounge chair or store more vegetables–it wouldn’t be a problem to bring in a couple of large freezers.

This place may not be ideal for selling children’s clothing, but selling my vegetables would definitely work!

Old Zhao stepped forward immediately, “How much is the rent for this place?”

He was a familiar face at the vegetable market. The seller of children’s clothing didn’t recognize him, but still found him vaguely familiar, and now put on a mournful face, “Brother, you offer what you think it’s worth. How much do you think this storefront is worth?”

Old Zhao pondered for a moment, “I think 20,000 a year, not a penny more, or I’m not interested.”

“Deal!”

The young man agreed immediately, “Let’s do as you say, brother. 20,000 a year, but I have one condition–we start with a three-year lease!”

Geez, Old Zhao was absolutely delighted inside but he couldn’t show it. He feigned shock, “This out-of-the-way place, I’m just looking for a spot to rest my feet, and you’re starting with a lease of three years?!”

The other party also put on a mournful face, “It’s because this place isn’t great that it’s only 20,000 a year. Anywhere else in the vegetable market would cost several times more. Brother, it’s my own house. If you agree to a three-year lease, let’s not talk about a transfer fee, okay?”

“Such a tiny nook, and your own place–you’re still talking about a transfer fee with me?”

After a lot of back and forth from Old Zhao, he finally signed a contract with the person at the vegetable market management office, who was eager to seal the deal.

At this moment, one was looking at the bank transfer on their phone, while the other was examining the contract in hand, both displaying exceedingly polite smiles.

The vegetable vendor was already impatiently calling Zhao Fangyuan:

“Girl, I’ve picked out a spot. Come have a look and help your dad figure out what to do with it.”

Zhao Fangyuan hadn’t expected her father to make moves this quickly.

She wanted him to rent a storefront, planning that in the future they would only work half days, allowing the rest of the time for rest.

But now that they had a storefront, her father was even thinking about using quality vegetables to attract customers, while also planning to sell some fruits and other vegetables on the side… How could this be acceptable?!

She analyzed the situation seriously, “Don’t even think about it, we will focus on premium vegetables in the future.”

“Ordinary vegetables are everywhere in the market, who can’t you buy them from? They would have to come to your out-of-the-way place where it’s hard to park and hard to access.”

“And as for fruit, just look ahead, how many stalls are there selling it? Since we’ve already rented a storefront, let’s build a good reputation.”

“Speaking of vegetables, the entire market respects Old Zhao. Wouldn’t that be praiseworthy? It adds luster to your face.”

“If you ask me, we should paint the shop, install some lights, and I’ll buy you a lounge chair. You go fetch vegetables at dawn, hire a couple of helpers in the morning to sort things out in this small warehouse, and then start selling when customers arrive at the market.”

“Once the vegetables are sold, we pack up and go home–to sleep, to rest, to take walks, to play cards or chess… whatever we like.”

This life sounds like the essence of enjoyment.

Old Zhao isn’t naturally hardworking, and now, shamefully, he felt tempted.