Early the next morning, before dawn, Xu Fan set off with Xu Chengbo.
The two brothers each carried a pole with two half-human-tall bamboo baskets filled with freshly picked, still dewy greens.
These greens, irrigated with well water and enhanced by the cultivation skill, grew exceptionally plump, with thick leaves and vibrant green color, clearly not ordinary produce.
[Swift Walk (Beginner 35/100)]
[Swift Walk proficiency +1]
[Swift Walk proficiency +1]
After this period of practice, Xu Fan's Swift Walk skill had reached a decent level.
His steps were steady, his breathing long and even, and he walked as if on flat ground on the rugged mountain path, despite carrying nearly a hundred catties.
Xu Chengbo followed behind, adjusting his breathing and pace like his elder brother, and although he was still panting, he was much better than when he first started.
"Big Brother, where are we... going this time?" Xu Chengbo asked, gasping for breath.
"No, today we're not going to the pharmacy, nor to the restaurant," Xu Fan said, his steps unceasing. "We're going to the vegetable market."
When they arrived in Qingyang Town, it was the busiest time for the morning market.
The entrance to the vegetable market was bustling with people, shoulder to shoulder.
All sorts of hawking and haggling sounds were incessant.
Xu Fan did not rush to find a spot to set up his stall. Instead, he carried his pole and leisurely strolled through the market.
"Big Brother, aren't we selling?" Xu Chengbo watched the vegetables at other stalls being bought one by one, feeling a bit anxious.
"No rush, let's observe first."
Xu Fan's gaze swept over the various vegetable stalls.
He noticed that most of the town's vegetables, due to the drought, were of poor quality.
Their leaves were yellow, their stems thin and small, and they lay there wilted, looking unappetizing.
Moreover, the prices were more than thirty percent higher than in previous years.
[Commercial Acumen (Beginner 68/100)]
[Commercial Acumen proficiency +1]
He had a plan in mind.
He led Xu Chengbo not to the busiest central part of the vegetable market, as those spots were long occupied by local vendors.
He chose a secluded intersection, but one that many servants from wealthy families had to pass through to buy groceries.
The two brothers put down their poles and neatly arranged the dewy greens from their baskets.
The fresh, vibrant green color and plump, thick leaves, compared to the wilted local vegetables around them, made them stand out like a crane among chickens.
Instantly, they attracted many people's attention.
"Oh, this young man's vegetables are so fresh! They look so new!" An auntie carrying a vegetable basket came over.
"Young man, how much are your vegetables?"
Xu Fan smiled and quoted a price twenty percent higher than the market price.
"What?! So expensive?!" The auntie gasped immediately upon hearing the price. "Are your vegetables made of gold? They're so much more expensive than others!"
"Auntie, look at my vegetables," Xu Fan picked up a stalk of green vegetable, water droplets still clinging to its leaves. "Now look at others'. My vegetables are watered with mountain spring water, both sweet and crisp."
"If you buy them, whether stir-fried or made into soup, the taste will definitely be different."
He broke off a small piece of leaf and handed it over: "Try it, if it's not good, I'll give you a catty for free."
[You are promoting a product to a customer, unlocking a new skill: Eloquence (Beginner 0/100)]
"Eloquence proficiency +1"
His words carried a strange persuasiveness.
The auntie, half-believing, took the vegetable leaf and put it in her mouth. After just one chew, her eyes widened!
Sweet juice burst in her mouth, with a crisp texture, completely devoid of the bitterness of raw vegetables.
"Oh my! This... these vegetables are sweet!" The auntie was filled with shock and no longer bothered to haggle. She quickly said, "Alright, alright! Give me a catty! No, make it two catties!"
"Coming right up!"
With the first customer, the crowd in front of the stall gradually grew.
Although most people were still deterred by the price, there were always those who didn't care about money, or just wanted to try something new, willing to pay.
Those who bought them, as soon as they cooked them at home, could immediately taste the difference.
The Xu Family's vegetables were sweet, crisp, completely lacked the bitterness of ordinary greens, and left a faint aftertaste of sweetness in the mouth.
"Hey, have you heard? There's a young man selling vegetables at the market entrance, and his vegetables taste absolutely amazing!"
"Really? I just passed by and saw the price was exorbitant, so I didn't buy any."
"You missed out! I just bought a little and took it home; my picky young master ate an extra bowl of rice today!"
Word spread quickly.
In less than an hour, a small queue had formed in front of Xu Fan's stall.
This booming business made the Faces of several vegetable vendors at nearby stalls turn green. They looked at their own deserted stalls, then at Xu Fan's, their eyes filled with jealousy.
"Damn it, where did this wild kid come from, stealing business from me?" A vegetable vendor cursed in a low voice, secretly winking at the person next to him.
Soon, a burly bald man with a scarred Face and a large silver chain around his neck, accompanied by two subordinates, walked over aggressively.
This man was a bully in the vegetable market, known as "Liu Dao." It was said that he had some connections with the Gang in town and specialized in collecting protection fees in this area.
"Hey! Newcomer!" Liu Dao walked up to Xu Fan's stall, kicked his vegetable basket with his foot, and scrutinized him with an unfriendly gaze, "Do you understand the rules?"
The customers in line saw the situation and scattered in fear.
Xu Chengbo's Face turned pale, and he instinctively tightened his grip on the carrying pole, nervously shielding Xu Fan.
Xu Fan pressed his brother's shoulder, signaling him to remain calm.
He looked at Liu Dao, without a hint of fear on his Face, and calmly asked, "What rules?"
"What rules?" Liu Dao pointed at this part of the vegetable market. "Setting up a stall here means you have to pay respects to me, Master Liu! Thirty percent of your daily income is mine!"
"Otherwise..." He grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, and smiled ominously, "I'll make sure your stall doesn't open today!"
The two subordinates also stepped forward, rubbing their fists and sneering menacingly.
The air instantly grew tense.
Xu Chengbo's palms were sweating from nervousness; he was ready to act at any moment.
Xu Fan, however, smiled.
He picked up the plumpest green vegetable from the basket and handed it to Liu Dao.
"Master Liu, you're an expert, please try my vegetables first."
Liu Dao was taken aback, not expecting this kid to be unafraid and even dare to joke with him.
He took the greens, frowning as he examined them.
"These vegetables, did you grow them yourself?" Liu Dao was an expert after all and immediately saw the extraordinary quality of the vegetables.
"Yes."
"Where did you grow them?"
"In the mountains."
"You can grow such good vegetables in the mountains?" Liu Dao looked disbelieving.
"If Master Liu doesn't believe me, you can come back with me to see," Xu Fan's smile remained calm. "But I have a rule: if you want to see my vegetable garden, you have to help me work for three days first."
"You're asking for death!" One of the subordinates felt that Xu Fan was toying with them and was about to make a move with an angry shout.
Liu Dao, however, waved him off. He narrowed his eyes, re-evaluating the young man in front of him.
This young man was too calm.
Either he was a fool, or he had something to rely on.
Liu Dao had been in the streets for many years and had a good eye for people.
He felt that the young man in front of him belonged to the latter category.
"Kid, you've got guts." Liu Dao tossed the green vegetable back into the basket. "The thirty percent rule cannot change. However, since it's your first day, I'll give you some Face."
He held up two fingers: "Today, you give me this much."
"Two hundred Coins."
Xu Fan's income today was probably over four hundred Coins.
Two hundred Coins meant taking half of his profit.
Xu Chengbo's Face flushed with anger.
Xu Fan, however, nodded, counted out two hundred Coins from his pocket, and handed it over.
"Thank you for your consideration, Master Liu."
Liu Dao took the money, looked deeply at Xu Fan again, and muttered to himself: this kid is either the son of some wealthy family out to experience life, or he has powerful backing.
Today, it's better to test the waters and not push things too far.
He snorted and left with his subordinates.
"Big Brother! Why did you really give him the money?!" Xu Chengbo exclaimed anxiously, "Why should we give him the money we worked so hard to earn!"
"Chengbo, we're here to do business, not to fight," Xu Fan said, tidying up the stall again. "Using two hundred Coins to avoid trouble, and also to establish ourselves here, this deal is not a loss."
He showed a meaningful smile: "And, he won't keep this money for long."
Sure enough, after Liu Dao left, no one else dared to cause trouble.