Xiao Lingye raised his hands and said sternly, “You’re not getting any tomato! You can have my life!”
“It looks like surrender is not an option, huh?” Ning Weiyi grinned sinisterly. He shouted, “Brothers, go!” The three of them rushed forward and pinned Xiao Lingye’s shoulders. One of them stood in front of Xiao Lingye to interrogate him.
Ning Weiyi asked, “Xiao Lingye, I see that you don’t even treat us as brothers. How can you hide such a delicacy from us?”
Kang Le nodded. “That’s right. You could have bought a few more. There are only two left but you still refuse to share them with us. You’re a bad brother!”
“Speaking of, Ye, where did you buy these tomatoes?” Yang Baolin focused on the main point. “We should go and buy all of them!” They should be able to eat all of them since they were so delicious.
Furthermore, if they couldn’t finish the tomatoes, they could sell them at the school. They would make a huge profit.
Seeing Yang Baolin’s evil merchant expression, Xiao Lingye immediately said, “Don’t even think about profiting off them! My sisters sent them to me. A friend of hers from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences cultivated this new variety and gave her some to try.”
The three felt defeated, and they asked, “Ye, how much did your sister’s friend send over? Can we buy them from your sister?”
Xiao Lingye’s three roommates were rather rich. Ning Weiyi was the second son of the Director of Education Department; Yang Baolin’s father owned a company and he was his father’s only heir; Kang Le’s family owned a mine. His family was nouveau riche. They did not lack money.
Xiao Lingye thought about it and said, “I’ll ask my sister.” Xiao Lingye remembered that his sister did say she was going to sell vegetables. Perhaps he could help her sell them at the school.
…
Xiao Lingyu and her mother, who had already returned to Taoyuan Village, had no idea how big of a stir their sales had stirred in Xing Yin County Town that day.
The customers discovered how tasty the fruits and vegetables were. They seemed to have magical properties. The crops could make the consumers feel refreshed and energetic! They might even save a marriage!
After Xiao Lingyu and Mother Xiao got off the bus at Xing An Town, they saw Xiao Mingyang waiting at the bus stop.
Mother Xiao smiled and said, “Mingyang, you shouldn’t have come to pick us up. You’re so busy. We could walk or take the bus.”
Xiao Mingyang noticed the happy expression on Mother Xiao’s face and that they had come back so early. He guessed correctly that business was good. He smiled, “Second Sister-in-law, I can spare some time to pick you up.” Then, he glanced at the stuff they were holding. “Second Sister-in-law, you’ve sold all the stuff?”
“Thanks to you, we managed to sell everything.” Mother Xiao said happily. “Let me tell you. We not only managed to sell all of them, but also sold them at a high price. I still can’t believe it.”
Xiao Mingyang was shocked. “Second Sister-in-law, is that true?” He knew that it was not easy to sell stuff at the county town, let alone at a high price. The competition at the county town was too high.
Mother Xiao laughed. “Of course, it’s true. Let’s go back home and we’ll talk about it!”
Mother Xiao was very happy. How could she not be? The profit they had that day was equivalent to an office worker’s monthly salary. In other words, it was more than a yearly income for most farmers.
Xiao Mingyang took the hint and he didn’t ask for more details. He believed there was something special about the crops.
After they reached home, Mother Xiao handed one of the two bags of vegetables and fruits to Xiao Mingyang. “Mingyang, we reserved this for you. Have Chunhua cook them.” Mother Xiao took out a tomato and passed it to Xiao Mingyang. “Come, try this.”
Xiao Mingyang wanted to decline. Their family had their own farm. They couldn’t even finish their own stock so why would he take vegetables from Mother Xiao?
However, when he saw the tomato Mother Xiao was holding, he had second thoughts. The tomato’s fragrance surrounded him. Xiao Mingyang took a bite. The sweet and sour taste filled up his body. He exclaimed, “Second Sister-in-law, this tomato is delicious!”
Mother Xiao smiled, “Right? Take all of this back. Share them with Chunhua and Xiaohui.”
“Of course!” Since the vegetables were so delicious, Xiao Mingyang didn’t reject them.
When Mother Xiao and Xiao Lingye reached home, half a day had passed.
Father Xiao was still working in the fields.
Mother Xiao couldn’t believe the profits they made that day. They sold vegetables in one morning and made more than one thousand RMB.
Suddenly, Mother Xiao asked with some doubt, “Yu ‘Er, you rented the house yesterday, but the vegetables had already been arranged on the tricycle when we arrived today. When did you arrange them? Did you do that yesterday? Plus, the crops look too fresh to have arrived yesterday. They are not bruised or anything.” No matter how careful the delivery was, after a day, the crops should have some flaws.
What Mother Xiao didn’t know was, the crops only appeared on the tricycle when Xiao Lingyu opened the warehouse door.
Xiao Lingyu’s heart skipped a beat. A lie needs another layer of lie to cover it up.
Sometimes, Xiao Lingyu considered telling her parents about the jade pendant. However, she didn’t want her family to worry. Therefore, she had to rely on more lies.
Xiao Lingyu explained, “Mom, the crops were indeed delivered yesterday. Since they are grown with a special formula, they can be kept fresh for three to five days.”
Mother Xiao nodded. “Oh.” Then, she added with concern, “But Yu ‘Er, they don’t have side effects, do they? After all, people will be suspicious if the crops stay fresh for so long. They will think we use formaldehyde or other preservatives. Those will harm the human body. Yu ‘Er, we can’t do things against our conscience.”
Xiao Lingyu said with a smile, “Mom, don’t worry. These fruits and vegetables have no side effect, if anything, they have great benefits. Mom, we have eaten the crops ourselves. Do you feel sick?”
Mother Xiao thought about it. “No… In fact, I feel younger and more energetic.”
“That’s right.” Xiao Lingyu concurred, “Mom, will I let you and Dad eat these vegetables if there is something wrong with them? Mom, I know you’re worried but don’t worry. Even if they are lab-tested, my friend’s crops will prove healthy and clean.”
Mother Xiao sighed in relief. “Okay, Yu ‘Er. But remember, we can’t scam or harm others for profit.”
Xiao Lingyu said, “Mom, don’t worry. I will always remember the lessons you and Dad gave me.”