How to sell?

At this time, the vegetable field was full of greenery, which was gratifying.

Although there was no need to conceal from Yang Dalang anymore, it was unnecessary to wait months or even a year to grow vegetables. It was possible to ripen them and grow for those plants that people consume from time to time, such as onions, bitter gourds, long purple eggplants, and bok choy. However, Yang Datong was frequenting the backyard for a few days now, and Miao He was oblivious when Yang Dalang asked his cousin to help Miao He fetch water. This lending hand had saved the latter lots of effort, though a bit of a hassle for his plans. Therefore, the previously planted vegetables continued to flourish, and now all had grown green leaves.

And the small bok choy and small rapeseed that he planned to sell from the beginning was all ready for harvest. Only Yang Dalang could not appreciate Miao He’s positivity. A white, soft, slender, and lovely tiny ger who goes to town alone to sell vegetables and, if bullied by the local thugs, what could he do against them? Yang Dalang naturally opposed it.

“Wait until I get better. I’ll go with you.”

“We have had no income in the past few months. Though we still have silver, don’t you have to settle some debts. If we sell vegetables, then our hearts will surely be unflurried.”

Miao He also urged Yang Dalang to pay all the debts he owed, regardless of their agreement. Of course, the reason for this persuasion was not because of Miao He’s quiet love for money-making but from the lesson the original host’s mother gave, lest they get trampled on by the angry, envious, and hateful attacks of the villagers. After paying off the debt in this manner, there were only six or seven taels left from the original twenty.

Still, Yang Dalang shook his head. “Money matters, but people are indispensable.”

To be honest, consuming six or seven taels of money for the next three months was very good. 

Not to mention that there was a big bag of rice and white flour at home, so they did not have to purchase an extra sack.

But Miao He felt disinclined. After all, he thrived vegetables with the utmost care, secrecy even, and was confident in the quality; could it be that he would eat all by themselves? The point was, they refused to eat those vegetables by themselves (as they ate the better ones).

Besides, Miao He had already planned out his route. Since he wanted to grow fine-quality vegetables, it was natural for the marketing to be complicated. But he was optimistic the people would become loyal customers once they tasted it. As long as he operated steadily, this route would suffice for the long run. The early promotion was inevitable. In that case, why did he not come out early to cleanse his reputation, ah?

“Then can I go out with Second Aunt?”

“Second Aunt takes care of her baby at home, so she has no time.”

“Aunt Qing? She said we could find her if we needed help.” Still, Miao He did not give up.

“If Aunt Qing goes, it won’t work as efficiently.” Indeed, Shi Ruqing was delicate and had a gentle demeanor, unlike the bighearted and easy-going nature of Aunt Yang.

But Miao He was restless. “You mustn’t have believed that my food is good! I will pluck it all up for you later, and you will realize how wasteful it is to not sell them!”

With this outburst, the pleasing ball of fur lying on Yang Dalang’s lap raised its head, puzzled. It looked at its hooman and at the person caressing him from time to time. 

During the dispute, someone called on their door. It was Doctor Ji from the town who came over for a follow-up visit. A person—Ji Guang, the little apprentice who watched over the hospital, followed behind the doctor. 

Miao He quickly invited the people to the backyard. Since getting the recliner, Yang Dalang more or less had spent all his entire days resting on it, except for sleeping and when it’s raining. Dabai also found his favorite snuggling place—right atop Dalang’s lap. When Doctor Ji’s eyes behold the sight of the chair, they brightened, and he praised without cease. 

“Seriously, no one thought of making a chair like this. It’s quite good. You need not move or shift to another place when eating or taking medicine, and you can also rest well on it. Where can I order this chair? If there could be one or two of it in the hospital, surely it would help us with facilitating the patients.” Doctor Ji touched his long, peppered beard as he contemplated. 

Ji Guang, just like his master, also marveled at this chair with much more enthusiasm. “En, master. This can save a lot of effort when dealing with patients, especially those female patients who wish to get up from time to time. Which is also very tiring for their female relatives. At those times, I was unable to reach out, so I’m fearful for them by just looking at their struggles.”

“It was designed by Dalang’s second youngest cousin. The craftsmanship is clearly good and stable. The hospital has to have one, right? Wait for me to take you to his workshop later to ask.” Miao He branded Yang Datong’s creations and drew his first customers at one, like hitting two birds with a stone.

“Hehe, that’s good. That’s good.”

After chatting for a moment, Doctor Ji checked Yang Dalang’s injury. Although it had only been six or seven days since Miao He and he returned to the village, the days between were relatively short. The doctor was afraid there might be implications of the way back from the town. So Doctor Ji came earlier for a follow-up this time. But with just one look, he stopped and clicked his tongue in wonder. 

“How about this; does it hurt?” Old Doctor Ji pressed somewhere. 

Yang Dalang paused for a while and said, “A bit.”

“If here?”

“The same.”

“Try raising your hand.”

Yang Dalang followed, and there was no pain he sensed. 

Doctor Ji asked, “Does it hurt?”

“Also, a little.”

The old Doctor Ji gave a “doubtful” groan, encircled Yang Dalang a few times, and took out a few weird metal rods which he used to knock here and there on Dalang’s body. He then asked the latter about his medication and food intake for the past few days. Miao He took the initiative to answer and said that he served dangshen tea and chicken stock boiled with dangshen from time to time to hasten the recuperation of the injured Dalang. Doctor Ji subconsciously tilted his head as he listened to the ger’s answer; though the practice was indeed helpful, he could not help but be perplexed. 

The doctor shook his head again.

After wondering for quite some time now, Doctor Ji sighed, “This is the first time this old man has seen a case that has such fast recovery. Yang xiongdi must be in good health.”

Yang Dalang paused and then nodded.

“This man’s talented husband has also seen one or two. Am afraid there is only one in a million with the same vitality as Brother Yang.”

Yang Dalang went motionless when he heard of this. He was uncertain of whether he had experienced any bone fracture in the past, and this kind of injury was only typical to occur in hunting, so perhaps he may have got inflicted with any. However, Yang Dalang knew his recovery speed at that time was slow, and Uncle Lin, who took care of him whenever he was injured, had also never mentioned this. Thus, that ended with Miao He’s magical soil as the sole cause of this significant difference. 

He glanced at the ger discreetly and saw the little ger with obvious concern written on his face as he asked, “Does this mean Dalang is recovering well? There is no serious problem? If nursed well, then there would be no sequelae like rheumatism?”

“Hehe. Indeed, maybe it won’t even take three months to recover fully, and a month is enough for the recovery. But this little ger also knows rheumatism?”

“I listened—heard from the older generations. Don’t they say that one will get rheumatism when we get fractured?”

“Tend the injury well for the next few months, and if you usually pay attention to his diet, then he won’t get it.”

Miao He nodded his head again and muttered, “Okay, okay.” He turned his attention to one side and said, “You heard what the doctor said, right? The doctor said if we wanted no sequelae of that injury, we must not be frugal at food. The chickens at home have been killed, so I will go to town tomorrow to buy more!” Or course, behind this seemingly unsuspicious statement, he ought to sell some vegetables too.

Yang Dalang looked at Miao He’s transparent little face and wondered how he had concealed Xi Yang in the past.

At long last, there was no big problem to take care of. Miao He felt relieved, and when this flowed in his whole being, he did not let the opportunity pass and enthusiastically invited the people for dinner. 

Old Doctor Ji initially was unwilling, but Miao He reminded them of Yang Datong, ran into someone as he went out of the house, and took a while to go back in. For the sake of the possibility of having recliners in the hospital, Doctor Ji agreed to wait for a time at Miao He’s house.

Miao He went to pick the cabbage and small rapeseeds in the backyard and simmered a big pot of rice in passing.

For lunch today, the dishes on the table were stir-fried cabbage with chicken strips, egg-fried cabbage, garlic-fried rapeseed, stir-fried rapeseeds, and a pot of chicken broth to make the cabbage soup. Doctor Ji and Ji Guang felt no aversion in the dishes and also flowered that Brother He was too courteous, just to cover up their shameless fear of could not hold back their hands from spiking another scoop of rice atop their already served rice bowls. 

Just waiting for someone to take a bite, Ji Guang’s eyes widened slightly. He could not help surrendering to the wonderful smell wafting under his nose. He whomped a piece of fried cabbage into his mouth and then took a mouthful of rice. Those starving pair of eyes immediately closed with relish as his mouth tasted the extraordinary crisp taste of the cabbage. Plus, Miao He’s willingness to put oil and salt, coupled with other seasonings such as ginger and garlic, exuded an aromatic and appetizing fragrant circulating in his mouth. The color of the dishes was plain and appeared vegetarian; one could fall for its simple appearance, but the flavor was first-class!

Old Doctor Ji, who ate timidly beside the boy, was stunned. Ji’s Medical Center carried a distinguished reputation in the town, and he had also been invited to practice medicine everywhere. Thus, he was no stranger to a lot of terrific dishes from lots of places. He first picked the rapeseed. Which was simultaneously harvested with the Chaotian peppers and then stirred fried on the hot oil of the said peppers. It was incredibly fragrant. The fresh and spicy flavor mixed with the tender and sweet flavor of the rapeseed was exceptionally a relish to taste!

Even Dabai, who faced a small pile of vegetables at the foot of the table, did not look up as it was immersed in its nibbling—which differed from the usual coquettish temperament.

Seeing that everyone was moving their chopsticks incessantly, Miao He smiled and glanced at Yang Dalang, then put some non-spicy dishes in the other’s bowl. “These dishes are homemade, and you two are welcome, so please eat as much as possible.”

Ji Guang nodded with bulging cheeks. “It’s delicious! It turns out Brother He’s cooking skills are so good!”

The old Doctor Ji, who was more expert, also praised, “The skills are one thing, and these dishes are also excellent. The flesh of rapeseed is so tender and fresh, and it’s rare to see this kind of quality outside.”’

Miao He’s eyes shined faintly, and he said, “I’m telling you, I plan to sell this vegetable in town. Does the doctor thinks it’s all right to sell it?”

Old Doctor Ji nodded as he chuckled. “If the quality is all like this, then it should be good.”

Miao He smiled, embarrassed. “If you like some more, I will send you a car ah.”

If he sent a big car and the old doctor could not finish consuming it all, he would certainly share some of it with the neighbors before it spoilt. ‘Once he gave it out, doesn’t this have an advertising effect?’ As he pondered on this after he said his last sentence, Miao He was ashamed to speak. 

Only Doctor Ji shook his head and refused his offer. “No, no, no. How can I take the little ger’s things for nothing? Today, this old man came because of duties as a doctor and cannot accept anything other than the consultation!”

But Miao He was anxious. “But I want to sell these vegetables. It just happens that Yang Dalang was unable to go out. And if I don’t take it out, I would feel distressed to watch them rot in the field for nothing. I could give it to the people in the village, but everyone grows the same plants. I’m happy to hear that the doctor likes it and since that’s the case, why not—”

Yang Dalang was uncertain if he had guessed Miao He’s thoughts. Still, he reached out and found the latter’s hand under the table, grasping it. “Not in a hurry.”

With the sensation of his hand holding by another, Miao He woke up at once. It’s indeed too hasty to deliver vegetables that strongly. Doctor Ji‘s relationship with them still barely scratched the surface, so it would be hard for them to receive it. Miao He blushed, and a meek voice said, “Yes, sorry.”

When the old Doctor Ji saw this, he pondered for a brief period and said, “This old man cannot take it, but he can show this little ger another way. In fact, this isn’t necessary to ask since I know you both are familiar with them. Their little son was awfully picky about food, especially in leafy vegetables. Liang furen felt vexed every she saw her son disdained with food, so she looked everywhere for food that the young gongzi might eat. This matter also reached the ears of every teahouse in the town. Since the little ger’s food is quality, it is better to send the whole car to the Liang family. Besides, the habit of eating is also a matter of heart, regardless of its intention.” 

“The young master of the Liang family?” Miao He asked, hesitation distinct on his face. 

Initially, he also included Liang family in his plan. However, the said family had already given them three land deeds. Thus Miao He dreaded they would misunderstand their intention if he gave them vegetables cultivated in the standard field. What if the family thought that they wished to climb more to a higher status? That they did not know contentment? Therefore, Miao He resolutely eliminated the option of Liang family. But with the little young master’s case as a reason, it may be possible to send a car once. If they did not respond, then Miao He would not bother sending one again.

He looked at Yang Dalang, who sat and supervised the situation and asked for approval this time. The latter turned his head, gave the nod to the old doctor. “Thank you for your guidance, Doctor.”

Seeing Miao He’s face still bore some concern, Doctor Ji said, “Brother He doesn’t need to worry about the Liang family overthinking. When I return, this old man would inform Liang furen that I asked you to give it away. This isn’t the first time that I’ve done this, so it’s okay. Hehe.”

The following sentence was indeed helpful to appease the ger. Miao He’s eyes regained their usual luster, and he decided he would give Doctor Ji a portion of the vegetables he would grow in the future. “Doctor Ji, thank you!”

After dinner, Miao He led Doctor Ji and the satisfied Ji Guang to find Yang Datong. The old doctor specifically mentioned a few changes, and he genuinely ordered two recliners at once. This decisive and unexpected profit made Yang Datong overjoyed. He had not foreseen that just helping his sister-in-law wielded an eccentric chair like this would actually invoke orders and make money for him. And the price was darn good. It could cover up the usual expenses for two entire months.

When Doctor Ji and Jo Guang turned their backs to home, they carried a few tomatoes back with them.

Since it’s sour and sweet, it’s so delicious that they became fond of it.

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Always forget to write big white ZZZ