…
Tang Xin replied, “Of course things are expensive in hotels. Recently, there haven’t been many guests, so we don’t need much fresh produce.”
Like during the May Day holiday earlier, many people were getting married, and the hotel was completely packed.
But now business has gradually slowed down, only picking up during holidays. Next month, after the college entrance exams, there will be another small peak with graduation banquets.
Hearing this, Jiang Furong held back her words and didn’t continue the topic.
Instead, Tang Xin herself, while munching on watermelon, wondered: “How did that Chu guy manage to find such good suppliers? This purified water, this fresh produce – the quality is excellent. It’s almost a waste selling them in this town…”
Jiang Furong listened quietly, making a mental note. She would find an opportunity to discuss this with Chu Tianshu later.
When he used to do business, he wouldn’t explain much to her, saying she wouldn’t understand anyway.
But in the past couple of days, he suddenly started sourcing goods himself, seemingly interested in developing this direction.
Jiang Furong didn’t know what he was thinking, so she didn’t want to offer unsolicited advice and appear meddlesome. Men really dislike that.
Yet she couldn’t help worrying for him – how would he repay his debts? There should be some plan.
“Babies, auntie needs to go to work now~”
After finishing her watermelon and wiping her mouth, Tang Xin picked up her bag and went over to the two little ones.
The two toddlers were already used to this routine. They pouted their lips and lined up to give sweet, soft kisses on each of auntie’s cheeks.
Tang Xin kissed each of them back, smiling: “Our little cuties are so well-behaved~ Auntie will bring you delicious treats tonight. Off I go!”
After Tang Xin left for work, Li Fengzhen was outside chatting with neighbors.
Jiang Furong stayed home with the children, wondering what to cook for lunch since that guy would likely come over for a meal again…
…
Chu Tianshu had been quite busy at the fruit shop all morning.
Coming up with ideas was easy, but actually making fruit cuts was quite labor-intensive.
He didn’t dare let his mother overwork herself, so he obediently came to help.
As for Xu Xiuxia herself, having probably not seriously operated the business for a long time, she was now full of energy with this new idea, eagerly hoping for a good start when they set up stall today.
While busy, Chu Tianshu took some time to repost messages in several thousand-member local groups – looking for secondhand rotary tillers and seeders, other agricultural machinery would work too.
He also posted wanted ads on Xianyu and other secondhand platforms.
He could quickly gather the money for the machines, but without the equipment, efficiency and scale still couldn’t improve.
As a lazy person like him, he would absolutely, absolutely, absolutely not use a hoe to till the land in the Space himself!
With such vast land, even if he worked himself to death with his slight build, he wouldn’t be able to grow much.
After posting the wanted ads, Chu Tianshu went to nearby beverage shops and bought their remaining stock of fruit preservation cups – those small plastic containers.
And several packs of toothpicks.
With all the tools ready, he returned to the fruit shop to cut watermelons.
A twenty-jin watermelon could yield over thirty cups when cut.
Xu Xiuxia did some calculations and already showed a smile: “Just this one watermelon can earn us at least fifty yuan more!”
She then voiced the sentiment shared by countless businesspeople: “Students’ money is so easy to earn.”
Chu Tianshu laughed: “Our watermelon… truly deserves this price based on quality. We’re not cheating anyone.”
This was watermelon grown with Spirit Spring Water!
How could those inferior fruits compare?
Now, using unripe or not-so-sweet watermelons for this – that would be truly dishonest business practice.
Chu Tianshu cut three watermelons, filling less than 110 cups.
Xu Xiuxia said, “Alright, no need to make too many. Around a hundred is fine. Let’s test the waters first.”
“The weather’s quite hot today—it’s bound to sell out,” Chu Tianshu remarked with a raised eyebrow.
In the alleyways of the residential area near the experimental primary school, the early morning was filled with rural vendors and vegetable sellers setting up their stalls, brimming with the lively atmosphere of everyday life.
The urban management officers in that area only occasionally showed up in the morning. Most of the time, no one knew where they were.
Besides, if they saw the officers coming, couldn’t they just run?
The law enforcement here was relatively civilized, nothing like the incidents you’d see in sensational news reports.
On a whim, Chu Tianshu cut a few more tomatoes and packed them into cups, selling them for 4 yuan each.
After finishing, he muttered to himself, “Actually, making fruit juice would be best! It’d save all the running around and cutting… Wouldn’t it be better to just leave it to the machine?”
“Does the machine run itself?” Xu Xiuxia shot him a glance.
So lazy—definitely her son!
Chu Tianshu sighed.
If he had the money now, he’d rent a storefront and start a beverage business.
He’d keep the fruit shop running too, selling fruits and vegetables.
If it got too busy, he’d hire help.
Once he made enough money, he’d open more stores.
Relying on just one way to make money was absolutely not enough—the efficiency just wasn’t there.
While preparing the Fruit Cut, a few customers came by to buy fruit.
It was rare to see Chu Tianshu personally minding the fruit shop, and he was all smiles, warmly welcoming them, his words as sweet as honey.
Moreover, apart from watermelons and tomatoes, he gave discounts on all other fruits.
He needed to clear out this stock quickly to bring in better quality produce.
The customers, ranging from middle-aged and elderly men and women to young people, spent their money happily and left in good spirits.
They had come just to take a look but ended up leaving with their hands full.
If the fruit was good, they’d be back!
Xu Xiuxia sat to the side, calmly watching her son.
This young man was good-looking, sweet-tongued, cheerful, and spoke well… no wonder he was cut out for business.
As it approached past ten o’clock, Chu Tianshu said, “Mom, you should get going! I’m off to eat. What about your lunch?”
Around eleven, the primary school would let out, and Xu Xiuxia was sure to have a late lunch today.
Xu Xiuxia replied, “Aren’t there small restaurants lined up one after another around here? I’ve lived for decades—are you afraid I’ll starve?”
Especially near the primary school, right next to the residential area, there were at least ten different restaurants lining both sides of the main road by the school gate.
Chu Tianshu helped move everything onto the small three-wheeled cargo bike.
“Alright, go eat,” Xu Xiuxia said, locking up the shop, eager to go make money.
Chu Tianshu grinned, “Take it easy then! I’m off too!”
Life was truly wonderful~
There were people to love, money to be made.
And good food to eat!
…
When Chu Tianshu arrived at the Tang family’s home and saw the dishes on the dining table,
He realized he might have been a bit naive.
Staring at the table, Chu Tianshu was dumbfounded.
Bitter melon scrambled with eggs, chive stir-fry with dried tofu, vegetarian delight…
Good grief.
Every single one was something he disliked!
She really went out of her way to remember all that.
And she even went shopping and cooked them.
Jiang Furong came out carrying a plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, giving him a slight smile.
Chu Tianshu grinned back, “You put a lot of thought into this, huh?”
“Of course~” Jiang Furong’s smile deepened.
Two shallow dimples appeared on her rosy cheeks.
She watched him with keen interest—would he eat it or not?
“You’ve worked hard, dear,” Chu Tianshu maintained his smile as he sat at the dining table. “Today… I’ll eat two big bowls!”