Although more troublesome than an electronic scale, using a counterweight for weighing offered higher accuracy.
Arriving downstairs in the residential complex, she happened to run into the elderly woman who had bought eleven catties of watermelon earlier.
She also spotted Liu Ju and her son and walked over with a smile, "Sister-in-law, I tried the watermelon your nephew grew. It was exceptionally sweet. My grandchildren ate several pieces, and I saved some for them!"
"That's for sure, otherwise, how could it be worth two yuan per catty!" Liu Ju said, not being modest at all.
"What are you doing here?" the old woman asked curiously.
Liu Ju signaled Kunming to put down the vegetables and then emptied the contents of the bag. She then said, "These vegetables were also grown by my nephew. Their color is much prettier than store-bought ones, and they taste better too. Once your grandchildren eat them, perhaps even their pickiness will be cured."
After hearing this, the old woman squatted down again to examine the vegetables. She noticed that the size of the produce was also larger than what was bought outside. A single tomato, she estimated, weighed at least half a catty and was a vibrant red, looking delicious just like a persimmon.
The cucumbers were also brilliantly green, with fewer thorns.
Thinking how delicious the watermelon was, she figured the vegetables must be just as good.
So, she asked, "How much are these cucumbers and tomatoes?"
Liu Ju smiled and replied, "These are premium vegetables, so they will naturally be more expensive than those sold elsewhere. Tomatoes are two yuan and fifty per catty, and cucumbers are two yuan and eight!"
"These are more than double the price of what's sold outside!" the old woman exclaimed in surprise.
"My watermelon was sold at four times the market price, and you still bought it and felt it was worth it! These vegetables are only double the price, and you can't accept that. It's fine, if you find it too expensive, you don't have to buy them. I'm not forcing anyone to buy. Everything is voluntary."
"Alright, alright, I'll take them at your prices. Give me three catties of cucumbers and three catties of tomatoes each."
Soon, Liu Ju weighed them out, "That's fifteen yuan and nine jiao in total! It's good that you recognize quality. I only have this much produce, and if you come back later, you might not be able to buy any!"
"I wonder if these vegetables are truly as delicious as you say!" the old woman said, handing over sixteen yuan.
Liu Ju returned one jiao to her, "I guarantee you won't regret buying them, and you'll want more after you eat them!"
A few adults who were playing with their children in the complex, having been unable to buy watermelons earlier, saw Liu Ju selling her nephew's vegetables again. The vegetables indeed looked good, so they walked over and bought some to prepare for dinner!
In about half an hour, Liu Ju had sold all the vegetables, earning sixty-one yuan.
Just from selling the watermelons and vegetables that Liu Yifeng had sent, she had made over two hundred and twenty yuan, which was more than she earned working a job.
"If Yifeng could send us vegetables and watermelons like this every day, wouldn't our family get rich!" Liu Ju recounted the day's earnings, her smile wide enough to catch a fly.
"Mom, don't get your hopes up. He also needs to buy tickets himself. And don't tell anyone that you sold the vegetables he sent you, or Yifeng and your second uncle might feel uncomfortable," Zhao Kunming cautioned.
Liu Ju stood up and patted her backside, "Do you think I need you to tell me that? Mom isn't a child anymore!"
At this time, Liu Yifeng had just arrived in the village and was unaware that his aunt had almost sold all the vegetables he had sent.
Upon entering the village, he didn't rush home but instead went to the home of a widow.
Speaking of this widow, she was an unfortunate soul. She had been married for five years and had a son and a daughter. Just as life was starting to improve, her husband was killed in a car accident while working outside. The hit-and-run driver was never caught.
The burden of the family fell entirely on her shoulders. She had to raise her two children and care for two elderly parents. Her life was arguably harder than Fatty Aunt's.
Liu Yifeng thought that since he was going to hire someone anyway, he might as well help her. It would be an act of kindness.
It didn't matter if the work was done a bit slower, as there was no rush for the harvest.
In fact, he didn't think much of the few peanut fields at home. Working tirelessly for half a year only yielded a few thousand yuan, which was less than what he earned from selling vegetables in a single day.
However, his father was reluctant to abandon them, as he had painstakingly planted each and every pit.
Arriving at the widow's house, he saw her weeding in the vegetable garden, while her two children played with small stones by the door.
Upon learning Liu Yifeng's intention, she was so moved that she almost shed tears, "Thank you. As long as you agree to let me do the work, even if the wages are lower, it's fine!"
"How could I possibly deduct your wages? It's 120 yuan a day. My peanut field, if you work alone, should take about three days to clear. After that, I'll use the cart to haul them out, and you just need to bundle them up!" He knew that women didn't have much strength, and it would be difficult for her to carry them back with a shoulder pole.
"Okay, don't worry, if I can clear it in two days, I definitely won't drag it out to three!" the widow vowed.
Liu Yifeng nodded, "Alright, you can start clearing it tomorrow. Do you know where my family's peanut field is?"
"Yes, I saw your father weeding in the peanut field when I went to plant sesame seeds. Those few fields nearby are yours!"
"Good, then I won't take you there. Oh, by the way, did you collect your watermelon from my place?" Liu Yifeng suddenly remembered something.
The widow looked a little embarrassed when asked, "That's watermelon you grew yourself. I didn't pay or contribute any labor, so how could I have the nerve to accept a watermelon!"
"But the land I used is from the village. You are also a member of the village, so don't be shy about taking what you're entitled to. Even if you don't eat it, the children will love it, won't they? Let's go now, and I'll drive you back later!" Liu Yifeng said.
Unexpectedly, the widow's eyes turned red again, "Thank you, I don't know how I can ever repay you!"
"What's there to thank? This is what you deserve. Also, I'm about to build greenhouses for vegetables, and I'll invite you to help me plant them. This will be long-term work, and it might affect your farming!"
The widow repeatedly said, "It's fine. My family's land isn't that much to begin with, and I'm the only one working it. My in-laws are old and can only grow vegetables. I can't cultivate much land by myself, it's just enough for our family to eat. I actually want to go out to work, but the children need someone to look after them. But working at home is different. This way, I can take care of both the household and outside matters!"
"Then it's settled. Let's go collect the watermelon first!" Liu Yifeng walked to his car.
The widow sat in the passenger seat, and before long, Liu Yifeng drove back home.
Liu Chunsheng looked at the person who got out of the passenger seat, and his heart skipped a beat. He had a bad premonition. Could his son have secretly gotten involved with the village widow behind his back? Although Li Dongmei was a widow in the village, she was good-looking and was a desirable woman for many unmarried men in the village. He himself was young and spirited. If he happened to encounter Li Dongmei during a moment of physical need, it was not impossible for them to become involved like dry wood meeting a spark. However, he didn't think much of Li Dongmei, capable as she was. He would absolutely not agree to them being together.
"Uncle Liu!" Li Dongmei, unaware of Liu Chunsheng's thoughts, greeted him proactively.
Liu Chunsheng nodded reluctantly, "Mmm!"
"Dad, didn't you say there was no one to clear the peanuts? I asked Sister Liu to help, and since I knew she hadn't collected her watermelon, I gave her a ride."
Hearing his son's words, Liu Chunsheng's expression was as if he had come back to life. He nodded, "Okay, I'll go pick them out right away!" He knew that no matter how desperate his son was, he wouldn't get involved with a widow!
Soon, he picked out two of the largest watermelons and placed them in the car. He was aware of Liu Dongmei's family situation. He hadn't been able to help before, but now that he could, he would help in any way he could. Considering that Liu Dongmei had not remarried after her husband's death and had continued to care for her elderly parents and children, she deserved some help.
"Dad, I'll take her back first and return shortly!"
"Go ahead!" Liu Chunsheng waved.