Chapter 139: Accidental Encounter
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Jiang Xia’s eyes lit up. “Yes, they are. We freshly dug them up from the mountains in our hometown.”
Hearing this, the woman left her desk and rummaged through their baskets. Seeing that the wild vegetables were indeed of good quality, she became interested.
Normally, those who could afford to run hotels in the city were well-off, they wouldn’t lack food or clothing. But what Jiang Xia and her family didn’t know was that the severe drought had not only affected the villages but had also reached the county town.
The vegetables that she had planted in her own field had all withered. Some of them had not even grown. They were not as tender as the wild vegetables that Jiang Xia and the others had dug up.
When she was sitting in front of the door, she was thinking about where to dig some wild vegetables the next morning. She did not expect to bump into Jiang Xia’s family.
“What are you planning to do with these wild vegetables?” the woman asked, smiling.
Even the bold Jiang Chuan became cautious. He looked at the lady and observed her. After all, it was not a small matter to be caught doing private business.
Seeing the caution in their eyes, the woman laughed, slapping her thigh and explained, “Why are you all looking at me like that? I just think your wild vegetables look great, and I’d like to buy some.”
In fact, the women had another thought. She felt that Jiang Chuan’s family was dressed in rags. She figured they wouldn’t get much money for their vegetables anyway.
Zhou Lan moved Jiang Gu behind her, a hint of vigilance in her eyes.
Jiang Chuan, on the other hand, felt that this was an opportunity. He secretly put down his basket. “Hehe, that’s not very good. Isn’t it illegal to buy and sell in private now?”
Jiang Chuan had a silly smile on his face. No one could guess what this farmer was thinking.
However, Jiang Chuan’s family was really lucky. This woman, known as Sister Wang Ping had some influence. Ever since the hotel became a state-run institution, she had been in charge.
However, it was still the era of liberation after all. At this time, the position of ‘manager’ wasn’t anything special, except that their life was easier, salary was higher than ordinary workers, and had two or three more food stamps every month.
But even so, for people of that era, it was a job many envied.
Every day, when she was bored in the hotel, she liked to make some food for her grandchildren.
Not having vegetables was a real problem for her, so the arrival of Jiang Chuan’s family was a pleasant surprise.
“What’s this about breaking the law? You are my friends, right? What’s wrong with you bringing me some wild vegetables when you visit? If anyone says we’re breaking the law, they need to present evidence!” she said.
With that, Wang Ping poured water into several enamel cups and handed them to Jiang Chuan’s family, “Here, have some water, don’t just stand there, sit.” “Thank you, ma’am,” Jiang Xia said, holding the cup of water graciously given by Wang Ping, her mind already working on what to do next.
It had to be said, city people were indeed different. Just a moment ago, the family was worried about finding buyers for their wild vegetables, and now, a customer was right in front of them.
“You’re too kind, sister. But tell me, how many of these wild vegetables would you like?” Jiang Chuan asked, sitting across from Wang Ping.
Wang Ping was not someone to be easily fooled. She had them set down their baskets and examined the wild vegetables. Seeing they were as fresh and tender as the ones in Jiang Chuan’s basket, she finally said, “I have three sons and four grandchildren living with me, I’m afraid your four baskets won’t be enough.”
With that said, Jiang Xia started calculating and even began to feel that this deal would be successful.
“Can you get more of these wild vegetables? Money isn’t an issue, and if you don’t want money, I can trade food for them.” Wang Ping saw that no one spoke, so she took the initiative to speak again.
As he spoke, Jiang Chuan sized up the lady in front of him. He saw that the clothes she was wearing, whether it was the material or the style, were all new.
In these times, people were scrimping and saving. Forget about clothing, some people didn’t even have a roof over their heads.
Not only could this lady work in a state-owned institution, but she could also afford to wear such fashionable clothes. She even willing to buy all four baskets of wild vegetables at once. Clearly, she wasn’t short on money.
However, they realized that relying solely on her family’s consumption of wild vegetables wouldn’t make them much money..
