Early in the morning, Lao Zhao sorted the vegetables brought from the warehouse at the back and then placed them in his small shop.
For normal times, just place it outside the door. It will be cleared out soon anyway.
But not now.
It was a hot day and the sun was shining directly on his position. Even if there was a shed to block the view, the vegetables would become stale after a while if they were placed there, so he had to put them inside.
By the time he had finished cleaning up everything, it was already 7:00 - as it was hot today, he would come back earlier from harvesting vegetables.
Just as I was getting ready, I saw a young woman coming from the alley behind.
Old Zhao looked closely and said, "Xiao Feng, why are you so early today?"
Xiao Feng is an old customer who had transferred from Song Tan. He specializes in making scallion oil rolls and needs a lot of scallions every day.
Although I heard that she is a single mother with a child and her daily spending is inevitably tight, judging from the onions she buys every day, she can be considered a stable and long-lasting high-quality customer.
"I left the onions you asked for in a separate room for you. I thought you were going to come and get them at 9 o'clock."
Old Zhao explained as he hurried into the house to get the food.
Xiao Feng didn't mind: "It's okay, don't worry, take your time."
She sells scallion rolls, starting at 6:00 every day, and waits until 8:00 to finish selling and pack up before going to the market.
Therefore, reservations are made in advance.
Although there were no more reservations at Lao Zhao's place because the items were hard to get, it was obvious that she was having a hard time, so she secretly relented in the end.
Xiao Feng kept it in mind.
At this moment, I laughed:
"Uncle, I won't open the stall today. No need to rush."
After trying to hold it back, she finally couldn't help but said, "It's my son's birthday today. We have to go to the mall at 9:00, so let's buy everything now."
Compared with half a year ago, Xiao Feng's mental state is much better now.
She used to sell buns and other things. She was busy alone every day, so although she could earn a little, it was tiring and the income was average.
But since I switched to the scallion oil rolls, not only has my workload been reduced a lot, but my daily income has also increased several times.
Now, half a year has passed, and she has even secretly looked at several houses - it doesn't have to be too big, even 50 square meters is enough for the mother and son to live in, and it doesn't have to be in a particularly good school district, an old and run-down house will do.
Old houses like these in Yuncheng, which are located in remote areas and are older and more dilapidated, can be bought for 200,000 or 300,000 yuan.
Xiao Feng calculates his savings every day, and his life is very promising. Even his smile at this moment is particularly happy.
Old Zhao was stunned for a moment, then he laughed: "The child grows up so fast - by the way," he asked while packing some green onions for Xiao Feng: "You came early today, I still have some eggs left, do you want some?"
Eggs...
Xiao Feng was a little hesitant.
10 yuan a piece is really not what they can afford on a daily basis. But the child is so sensible, it’s hard enough. Every time his classmates have their birthdays, they go to the amusement park. If they want to save some money, they can only go to the amusement area in the mall...
Xiao Feng gritted her teeth and said, "Okay, give me two..." After a pause, she changed her words helplessly and happily, "I want four. My silly boy, if I don't eat, he won't eat either, he's so stubborn."
"That's the filial piety of the child - but it's true that you are the only strong laborer in the family now, you have to take care of your health first."
Old Zhao quickly packed the four eggs for her, and then carefully instructed: "Please hold them carefully. Although these eggs are expensive, they are very popular. Just like the onions you asked for, I tell you, they are absolutely worth the money!"
He even taught passionately: "If you want to eat the original flavor, just boil it in plain water. If you want it to be more fragrant, fry it - oh, I tell you, the fragrance will make you drool on the spot!"
As he was talking, Lao Zhao himself began to feel greedy.
Xiao Feng was also full of expectations.
However, when he turned around, he saw a watermelon in the corner and couldn't help asking, "This watermelon... do you have a small one?"
Old Zhao was stunned: "There are no small melons in this season, only big ones like this."
And this one is not for sale, it was brought by his nephew to Song Tan, who gave it to him, and he left one for Lao Zhao...
After a pause, Lao Zhao said, "Forget it, I'll cut it for you... Do you want 20 per box?"
Xiao Feng was silent - she didn't have time in the morning and evening, but she checked this local group frequently on weekdays. How could she not know that the whole watermelon with the rind costs 21 kilograms
At this moment, he nodded repeatedly: "Yes. Thank you, uncle."
"We are old acquaintances, why are you talking about this?"
Old Zhao said this casually, and at this moment he picked up the knife and cut the watermelon he had kept.
As soon as Xiao Feng left, he quickly wrapped them in plastic wrap and stuffed them into the refrigerator. One box weighed almost one pound! How could Lao Zhao always run a business at a loss
Meanwhile, Xiao Feng was happily walking home with the things in his hands.
When she got home, the child had finished breakfast and today's holiday homework, and was looking at her in surprise:
"Mom, what time do we leave?"
Xiao Feng laughed and said, "It's 7:30 now. Mom, please get ready. We can leave at 8, okay?"
As she spoke, she took out four eggs from the bag: "It's my birthday today, I want to eat eggs - how about two?"
"And this - the vegetable vendor sold me a box of watermelons at a low price. They're really delicious. Let's try some..."
While talking, he boiled water and put eggs in the pot. He also swiftly wrapped the green onions he had just bought and put them in the refrigerator.
When she looked back, she saw her son still sitting at the dining table, staring at the watermelon and looking at her pitifully.
Xiao Feng's original slight heartache instantly melted into a soft ball: "Mom will boil the eggs first, you eat first."
The morning on the top floor was particularly hot and stuffy, even the wind blowing in was hot.
But Xiao Feng felt that life would never be so good again.
Only when the water boiled and the egg rolled slightly inside did she calm down and turned to look at her son. She saw him walking into the kitchen without her noticing. Sweat was oozing out of his head, and he was holding a fork high in his hand with a piece of juicy watermelon stuck on it:
"Mom, you eat first."
Xiao Feng's eyes got hot, and he quickly leaned down and bit the watermelon into his mouth. Then his eyes widened instantly:
"No wonder everyone praises you - son, try it, the watermelon is really delicious! Mommy will work hard to make money, and when it's your birthday next year, we can eat a whole one, okay?"
Seeing her son nodding foolishly, she happily touched his little head. The mother and son stood in the kitchen, each eating most of the watermelon.
It was not until the last bite of the sweet and refreshing watermelon that the mother and son came to their senses and said, "Oh, why did we eat it first?"