…
Since the watermelons had been delivered right to his doorstep, Wang Shi went out to take a look.
If the quality was good, there was no harm in stocking some.
As soon as Wang Shi stepped out, he saw that every watermelon in the small truck was large and round, with clear, elegant green stripes and fresh green stems.
“Not bad, they’re all so big,” Wang Shi noted the excellent quality of the melons.
Chu Tianshu smiled and said, “Feel free to pick as you like~”
There was an art to selecting watermelons. After selling fruit for so long, one could tell at a glance whether a melon would taste good.
Wang Shi asked, “It’s only May now. Can you guarantee these are ripe?”
Chu Tianshu assured him, “Of course, I guarantee it! Listen.”
He reached out and tapped one of the watermelons, producing a crisp, hollow sound.
Crack—
After just a few taps, the watermelon unexpectedly split open!
Chu Tianshu: “…”
Wang Shi: “…”
The overripe watermelon had cracked wide open, revealing its bright red flesh, with juice flowing everywhere.
A fresh, sweet fragrance spread through the morning air.
Chu Tianshu had originally planned to cut one open for tasting if the customer was hesitant.
He hadn’t expected the watermelon to be so proactive.
Reacting quickly, he laughed and said, “See? Can you smell that aroma? Try it, and you’ll know—this melon is truly exceptional.”
Wang Shi nodded, feeling quite satisfied but not showing it.
He went into the shop to fetch a fruit knife.
Chu Tianshu carried the watermelon inside, and together, they cut it open.
Pink watermelon juice spilled onto the table, intensifying the unique, refreshing fragrance of the fruit.
Each of them took a small piece to taste.
This was Chu Tianshu’s first time trying the watermelons he had grown himself, and he felt both nervous and excited.
The melon was vividly red and glossy. At the first bite, a fresh, sweet flavor burst on his tongue, crisp and juicy with a hint of grainy texture that added richness to the experience.
Not a single seed could be seen in the flesh.
He had planted seedless watermelon varieties, and the cultivation had been a success.
After finishing a small slice, his mouth was left with an incredibly sweet aftertaste, lingering pleasantly.
It was an unprecedented freshness and deliciousness—every taste bud was delighted yet far from satisfied, craving more.
Wang Shi, after finishing his piece, unconsciously licked his lips.
Having tasted it himself, he had to admit the quality was beyond reproach.
He got straight to the point and asked, “What’s the wholesale price?”
Chu Tianshu smiled and replied, “To be honest, watermelons of this quality could be sold in major supermarkets in Hu Shang. The price, naturally, isn’t cheap. Originally, it was 2.5 yuan, but if you’re buying, I’ll give it to you for 2 yuan!”
“2.5 yuan? That’s expensive,” Wang Shi remarked, slightly surprised.
Currently, watermelons in the market typically wholesale for around 1.2 to 1.3 yuan.
Even that was considered quite expensive nationwide, with some areas selling for as low as 0.5 yuan.
But Su City was economically developed, and prices were simply higher here.
Chu Tianshu was well aware of this and remained unfazed. “You get what you pay for. Honestly, I think this price is a steal. It’s only because the grower doesn’t know better that we can get such a good deal.
If he had the connections to brand these and sell them in big cities, people would be scrambling to buy them even at 20 yuan per jin.”
That was exactly what he had in mind.
The quality spoke for itself.
Wang Shi thought it over for a moment. “I’ll take a small batch to start with.”
They haggled a bit more over the price.
Chu Tianshu stood firm at 2 yuan and wouldn’t go any lower.
Watermelons haven’t hit the market in large quantities yet, so it’s acceptable for the price to be slightly higher.
“Old brother, trust me, these melons will sell like hotcakes. Since they’re too big as a whole, you can cut them up for sale and run some promotional activities.
Don’t always think about selling cheap stuff. Expensive isn’t really the problem – what truly drives away repeat customers is when things are both expensive and taste bad.”
“As long as one person buys this melon and finds it satisfying, they’ll recommend it to their friends and family. They’ll come back next time – that’s the power of word-of-mouth…”
Chu Tianshu began speaking eloquently with his silver tongue.
He practically charmed Wang Shi right then and there.
Wang Shi thought dizzily: Yes, that makes perfect sense!
Wang Shi personally selected some melons and carefully carried them into the store.
Chu Tianshu helped carry a few.
Wang Shi took twelve melons in total.
When weighed, both were slightly surprised.
The twelve melons actually weighed nearly 240 jin.
Averaging 20 jin each, they were truly large.
Chu Tianshu rounded off the small change and received 480 yuan.
More than half of the melons remained in the vehicle.
After exchanging contact information, Wang Shi watched him preparing to leave and said: “Young man, you should sell the remaining melons further away.”
Don’t compete with him for business.
“I understand.”
Chu Tianshu took half of the previously cut watermelon, sealed it with plastic wrap, and left with a smile.
He went to another fruit store a few li away.
Using the same method, he cut some watermelon for the shop owner to taste, and they basically bought it on the spot.
Chu Tianshu visited several more stores and finally sold out this first batch of melons.
Over a thousand jin of melons turned into two thousand yuan.
In his previous life, he wouldn’t have even glanced at such earnings.
But now, earning two thousand in just one morning – truly satisfying!!
Today he could gather enough money to buy the rotary tiller.
Chu Tianshu drove his three-wheeled vehicle, twisting and turning into a small alley.
These old alleys in Jiangnan were deep and winding, sometimes without a single passerby for hours, giving off an eerie atmosphere.
He hadn’t taken this route when he went out, firstly because it wasn’t on the way, and secondly because purchasing goods took a long time. He needed to calculate the time to return home.
Chu Tianshu moved quickly. Seeing no one around, he once again used his mind to retrieve items from his Space.
This time he took out a basket of watermelons and a basket of tomatoes. The red and green combination looked quite striking.
Time to head home.
…
Nearly seven o’clock, and the Four Seasons Fresh Fruit Store had already opened.
Xu Xiuxia was tidying the shop.
All kinds of fruits needed to be arranged properly, removing the spoiled ones and bringing out fresh ones from the refrigerator. Making the store appear neat and attractive at first glance.
While busy, Xu Xiuxia kept turning to look outside.
That rascal had never purchased goods before – who knew when he’d return. What if he got lost…
Just as she was thinking, a three-wheeled vehicle stopped at the entrance.
“Mom!” Chu Tianshu called out somewhat proudly, “Come see the goods I purchased – they’re absolutely beautiful!”
Xu Xiuxia went out, habitually wanting to find fault.
However, at first glance, the watermelons and tomatoes indeed had excellent appearance.
Xu Xiuxia: “Why did you buy so many? What if they spoil before we can sell them all?”
Chu Tianshu said: “How could we not sell out something this delicious?”
If they really couldn’t sell out, he would experiment to see how long the crops from his Space could last outside.
Xu Xiuxia asked for more details.
To his mother, Chu Tianshu stuck with the same story.
Two yuan wholesale price, selling for four or five yuan was fine either way.
Xu Xiuxia still frowned: “Too expensive! Who would buy this?”
Watermelons sold to customers elsewhere only cost two yuan, but your wholesale price is already two yuan.
Chu Tianshu snapped his fingers: “Isn’t that simple? Pack things up, don’t open the shop today. Take the cart to the elementary school gate.”
Two li away was Qinglong Town Experimental Primary School, with a bus stop and numerous small restaurants nearby—decent foot traffic.
Chu Tianshu taught Xu Xiuxia how to proceed.
Buy some medium-sized plastic bubble tea cups and toothpicks.
Cut the watermelon into small pieces and fill the cups, selling each cup for five yuan.
This was originally the price per jin. But one cup of watermelon couldn’t possibly weigh a jin.
This method was a bit time-consuming, but it would definitely sell.
Students were the main force for all kinds of snacks.
Moreover, Chu Tianshu also hoped his mother would interact with more people, especially vibrant children.
“Alright, let’s try it this way.” Xu Xiuxia trusted her son’s money-making ideas completely.
She started preparing right away; she needed to have the watermelon cut and packed before the noon dismissal. She could still open the shop in the morning as well.
Chu Tianshu wrote on the advertising blackboard in the shop: Premium Watermelon, First Come First Served.
He placed the sign outside.
He also put the watermelons and tomatoes outside.
Selling some eggs along with them might work even better. But there was already an egg shop across the street.
Chu Tianshu didn’t interfere further; this batch of goods was left for his mother to handle.
If all the watermelons and tomatoes were sold at five yuan each, the estimated profit could be over three thousand.
The fruit shop probably hadn’t seen such earnings in a long time—let mom be happy. Chu Tianshu said: “Mom, I’m heading out. I’ll go see the kids. These tomatoes aren’t bad, I’ll bring some for the children.”
Xu Xiuxia silently pursed her lips.
See what kids?
Clearly, he’s going to see his wife!