"Dong-dong-dong!"
At 8 in the morning, Tian Xin was sound asleep when someone knocked on the door.
"Who is it! Disturbing my sweet dreams—" she mumbled, yawning and turning over to continue sleeping!
"Xinxin, get up!" Her mom called from the door: "Didn't you say you're going to the county today? It's almost 8, and soon there won't be any buses left!"
8 o'clock?
Oh crap!
I'm late, I'm late!
She quickly sat up, grabbing her clothes and putting them on. She had something big to take care of today, and if she was late, she'd miss the opportunity!
Since she already got the admission letter, it meant she could go to university! But her family was still dirt poor. Seeing Xiao Xu about to start primary school, he was still wearing old clothes. She had to make sure he had a new set of clothes, so he could attend school clean and tidy.
So, she had to earn money!
Their Little Bay Village was located in the Northwest, where the land was dry and barren, only allowing for the cultivation of drought-tolerant crops like pepper. Without water, they relied on the whims of the weather, and most families were very poor.
Since her father passed away, her mother had managed everything alone. They had little pepper as well, and were extremely poor.
If she wanted to make money, there were two ways: either work or do business!
She didn't have any extra time, so to make money quickly, she could only do business.
This wasn't difficult for her; in her previous life, she had done a lot of business, full of experience. What was difficult was that she didn't even have capital... which was very awkward!
After thinking long and hard, she could only seek inspiration from their home orchard.
Last night she worked until midnight and finally prepared for her first business!
After a quick wash and breakfast, about ten minutes later, she donned a loose cotton shirt, black pants, and cloth shoes, put on a straw hat, and headed out with a basket!
The weather was very hot, and she was heading to the county's farmers' market. What she was selling today was rather unique. She placed the basket in a shady spot, took out some samples for tasting, and began to shout:
"Come, come, take a look, take a look at these sweet 'dates stuffed with walnuts'—"
"Handcrafted autumn pear syrup, specially for children's coughs! Don't miss it as you pass by—"
The farmers' market at this time was bustling, with a steady stream of people heading to buy groceries early. After shouting a few times, an older woman was drawn over: "What are dates stuffed with walnuts?"
"It's this." She pointed at the items in the basket, "These dates have had the pits removed, drizzled with honey, very sweet. Try some first."
As she enthusiastically introduced the item to the woman, offering samples, people soon began to gather around.
"How is it?" She awaited the woman's feedback.
"Sweet!" The woman said, "How much are you selling these for?"
"3 yuan a pound!" she quickly replied.
"Oh!" Everyone shook their heads: "It's a bit expensive!"
The woman stuffed the half-eaten date in her hand into her mouth and muttered, "Cheaper, I'll buy it if you lower the price!"
How could she make it any cheaper?
In her previous life, these things sold for dozens of yuan per pound, you know? Although prices today aren't that high, honey is expensive!
She had begged the village beekeeper grandpa to sell her on credit. If she couldn't sell them and they ended up in her hands, she'd be screwed!
What now? She couldn't let them go to waste here, could she?
"Here's a deal: buy two pounds, get half a pound free; buy three pounds, get one pound free. The more you buy, the more you get. There's also the autumn pear syrup, which soothes the lungs and prevents coughs in children."
She steeled herself to sell first; the dates and pears were from her own orchard, after all, and she hadn't spent any money on them. Earning less was better than nothing!
The woman glanced at her and said: "Lower it a bit more, I'll buy if you make it cheaper, or else I won't!" Saying that, she turned to leave!
Ha, this routine, like it's something new!
But if she cut the price further, she'd be working for nothing!
"I can't lower it any further, ma'am. If I lower it any more, I can't sell it. I'd be losing money. At least let me earn a bit for the manual work!"
The woman was unmoved. Seeing she wouldn't lower the price, she turned and left! Amusingly, the woman walked away slowly, glancing back every few steps, as if waiting for her to change her mind.
She chuckled, sighed, shook her head, and continued to shout!
A small crowd gathered around the stall, with a few people tempted but no one taking the lead.
She paid it no mind and kept shouting: "Come, take a look, see the fresh dates—"
"I'll take a pound!"
As she was shouting energetically, she suddenly heard someone above her call out.
Was she… about to make her first sale?
Ah! Namo Amitabha!
A living Bodhisattva has appeared? Such a kind person!
Quickly looking up, she saw a young man squeeze through the crowd, smiling as he repeated: "I'll take a pound!"