Gourd Farm Chapter 37
Translated by Etherna (ko-fi)
Chapter 37: The Watermelons Are Stolen
While Yang Feng had considered wholesale before and expected some negotiation in terms of pricing, the substantial difference did surprise him.
"In terms of pricing, we can discuss further, but first, do you have an intention to cooperate?"
"All this talk doesn't matter; whether we cooperate or not depends on the price."
They exchanged a glance but didn't say anything more.
"Xia Ying, let's load the goods first and then discuss."
Yang Feng didn't want to waste time with them. He preferred to get the work done first.
"Alright."
Working together, they were efficient, and the small truck was soon loaded to the brim.
"Boss, we've calculated it, and to make it more agreeable, we'll add an extra 20 cents per kilogram."
"I appreciate it, but I'm not interested in wholesale right now."
"Xia Ying, lower the door screen; let's go. It's getting late."
After saying this, Yang Feng and Xia Ying rode away together, leaving the two fruit traders looking at each other in confusion.
"Yang Feng, you were just negotiating with them quite well. Why did you suddenly leave?"
Xia Ying couldn't understand. They were chatting warmly just a moment ago, and now everything had cooled down.
"You don't understand this. People like them, these traders, are as cunning as monkeys. They were just testing the waters. If they're really interested, they'll come back."
"Oh, it sounds like a battlefield strategy."
"Exactly. The business world is like a battlefield, and this is a war without gunpowder."
…
They soon arrived at their usual spot, and Yang Feng hadn't been here for some time. Seeing this place brought back nostalgic memories. After all, this was where he earned his first bucket of gold, thanks to the greenhouses.
"Young man, do you have any strawberries today?"
A woman riding a bicycle stopped and asked.
"I'm sorry, but we rushed here today and didn't have time to pick them in the field."
Yang Feng recognized the woman as somewhat familiar and politely explained.
"Auntie, how about trying this watermelon? I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
At this point, Xia Ying stepped in and handed a small piece of watermelon to the woman.
"Mmm, it's really good."
The woman nodded in approval.
The woman took the watermelon, tasted it, and couldn't help but nod in approval.
"Give me half of it; I can't finish more than that."
"Sure, please wait a moment!"
"Alright."
Yang Feng snapped back to attention and quickly moved a watermelon, deftly slicing it in half with a fruit knife.
"What were you thinking just now? Even when selling, you can daydream?"
The woman walked over, and Xia Ying asked Yang Feng.
"I saw this woman just now, and I kept feeling like I knew her from somewhere, but I can't remember. It's bothering me."
"Enough, if you can't remember, don't dwell on it. Why waste your brainpower?"
*Ding ding ding.*
While they were talking, Yang Feng's phone suddenly rang, displaying an unknown number.
"Hello?"
"Hello, is this Xiaofeng?"
"Who is this?"
The caller on the other end actually knew his name, so it had to be someone familiar.
"I'm your second uncle. I just passed by your greenhouse, and it seems like there are some troublesome kids inside."
"What?"
Hearing that there were unauthorized individuals in his greenhouse, anger welled up inside Yang Feng.
"Second uncle, can you please go in and check for me? It's fine if they've just eaten some, but I don't want them to ruin everything."
"These are village kids, and their parents are quite influential. I can't risk offending them."
It seemed like relying on this good-natured second uncle wouldn't be of much use. The fact that he even called to inform Yang Feng was already quite generous.
It was just a little after nine in the evening, and although it seemed a bit early to close up, Yang Feng couldn't afford to wait. If those troublemaking kids ruined his greenhouse, it would be a disaster.
"Xia Ying, there's something going on at the greenhouse. I'm going to check it out. You stay here, and I'll come back to pick you up later."
"Sure, unload the watermelons first."
They quickly unloaded the watermelons, and Yang Feng rushed home.
Even though he went as fast as he could, it still took him half an hour to get there.
"Gou Dan, hurry up! Someone will be here soon."
"Da Mao, can you stop rushing us? These watermelons are too heavy to move quickly."
"You better hurry up. I'm telling you, once someone comes, I won't be able to protect you."
As Yang Feng arrived at the third greenhouse, he saw a group of mischievous kids sneakily carrying watermelons from the first greenhouse.
Judging by the bulging sacks, they had likely already taken quite a few watermelons.
At this point, Yang Feng noticed a nearby wooden stick and quietly picked it up before sneaking towards the first greenhouse.
"Hey, have you got enough?"
"We're two short; this won't be enough to split."
"Oh, planning to take two each, huh?"
"Yeah, just watch for any trouble."
These brats had quite the audacity, sneaking into his greenhouse in broad daylight to steal watermelons.
"Huh, your voice doesn't sound right."
Paired with the kids carrying watermelons, one of them finally realized and turned around to see Yang Feng holding a wooden stick, his face dark and looming behind them. This frightened the already nervous kids, causing one of them to sit down abruptly.
Just as one of the kids was about to shout, Yang Feng glared at him, and the wooden stick in his hand was raised upright.
"Da Mao, why aren't you saying anything? There are still plenty of watermelons here. Let's come back tomorrow."
"He probably went to spy on someone again. He's just a coward."
At this point, the two kids in the greenhouse still didn't realize that their so-called "Da Mao" had already been subdued by Yang Feng.
"Hurry up and take it. This one is too heavy. If we pick one more, it should be enough."
As they spoke, a pair of hands emerged from the bottom of the greenhouse, holding a watermelon and offering it to them.
Yang Feng couldn't stand for this. Without a word, he pushed the watermelon aside and grabbed the kid's hand, pulling him out.
"Ouch, that hurts!"
Perhaps due to the sudden scare or the forceful pull, Gou Dan, who had been lively just moments ago, was now lying on the ground, wailing in pain.
Another kid inside realized the situation wasn't right and decided to abandon the watermelon, opting to run instead. Even a fool could tell that someone was here.
"If you run, I'll break your legs!"
Yang Feng shouted firmly, his tone far from friendly.
The kid had only taken a few steps before stopping in his tracks. He was probably genuinely afraid that the large wooden stick behind him, both dark and menacing, might indeed break his legs.
"Come over here, all of you."
The three kids cautiously approached and huddled together.
"How's that? I just got back home with a big sack."
Suddenly, another kid came panting from behind, holding a snake-skin bag.
"I..."
"Come here! Seems like you're out of your mind."
Yang Feng was seething with anger. He was fortunate to have returned early. If he had come later, the watermelons in the greenhouse might have been completely taken. This couldn't continue. It looked like he needed to buy some wire mesh to fence off the area. Otherwise, incidents like this might happen again, and he couldn't stay here 24/7.
He also needed to get a dog.
