From Folly to Fortune:I Rewrite My Life After Rebirth!
Chapter 158: Meeting Steward Xue Again (One More Update)
CHAPTER 158: CHAPTER 158: MEETING STEWARD XUE AGAIN (ONE MORE UPDATE)
Before Mr. Xue made his fortune, he lived near the Lotus Pond River. It was midsummer when Old Mrs. Xue married into the family, and with no other food at home, he prepared a lot of lotus seeds for her to eat.
She still remembers the taste to this day.
"If you want to eat lotus seeds, that’s easy. We have a lotus pond in the backyard, I’ll have someone pick them for you."
The Xue Family’s residence naturally differed from the residence of Mu Family’s oldest daughter, Mu Xianxian’s in-laws. The Xue Family’s front and back yards combined might cover over a hundred acres, with a winding corridor alone taking up several acres.
Having a lotus pond was no big deal for a big family like the Xue Family.
"I don’t want to eat those; I want the ones picked from the river. The lotus pods your father picked from the Lotus Pond River back then were so fragrant. Mom can still remember that taste, sweet and with larger grains than usual lotus seeds."
"..."
Xue Yi had gotten used to his mother’s numerous demands. The only thing he regretted was not escaping to the Capital with his elder brother back then. At least then, it wouldn’t be his headache right now.
"Housekeeper Xue, do as my mother said. Go to the town market and see if anyone is selling lotus seeds. They should be from the river. If you find any, buy more and bring them back; my mother wants some."
Housekeeper Xue was a chubby middle-aged man who had been working in the Xue Family for many years. Having reached the position of chief housekeeper required some skill. As long as it was Xue Yi’s command, he would accomplish it in the shortest time possible.
...
In the market, Mu Shuangshuang laid a burlap bag on the ground and placed some lotus pods on it. In no time, many people gathered around her stall.
Lotus pods were always rare in town during midsummer, and since she was selling them cheaply, two copper coins each, most passersby would stop and buy one or two.
In no time, more than ten lotus pods were sold.
Selling lotus pods was the easiest business Mu Shuangshuang had encountered so far, with people gathering around almost without her having to advertise.
However, lotus pods weren’t like other products. People generally bought only one or two, so selling them in large quantities wasn’t easy.
After some thought, Mu Shuangshuang decided to call out.
"Lotus pods, fresh lotus pods, just picked from the Lotus Pond River, large and sweet grains, can be used to make soup or porridge, everyone come and have a look, if they’re not delicious, you don’t need to pay!"
The phrase "if they’re not delicious, you don’t need to pay" attracted a few more people forward.
"Wow, these lotus pods are really fresh, how much are they?"
"Two copper coins each. Sister-in-law, why not take a few more? The kids would surely love them."
"Alright, then I’ll take three!"
"..."
In the market, Mu Shuangshuang patiently answered every question from the people coming to buy stuff, always with a smile, even if some didn’t buy lotus pods. She was still very courteous and would sometimes give them a few lotus seeds.
Lu Yuanfeng was always helping by gathering lotus pods and taking money. He stood close to Mu Shuangshuang, occasionally glancing at her.
Mu Shuangshuang was probably the most peculiar girl Lu Yuanfeng had ever met—bright-minded, sincere, unlike how the village treated Old Mu Family.
Lu Yuanfeng thought that Shuangshuang lived a life that many could not.
She was clear about love and hate, giving back vengeance and gratitude. Such a character, he would rather call carefree.
While Lu Yuanfeng was lost in thought, Mu Shuangshuang sold a few more lotus pods.
Housekeeper Xue managed to find Mu Shuangshuang’s stall by seeing people around eating lotus pods and asking around.
As soon as he saw Mu Shuangshuang, he said, "Little girl, are these lotus pods from the river?"
The chubby figure in front of her, with a round belly, instantly reminded Mu Shuangshuang who he was.
"Uncle, you’re the one who bought my vegetables and monkey head mushrooms before...."
Being the provider of her first pot of gold, Mu Shuangshuang had a distinctly vivid impression of the person in front of her.
The chubby uncle stared at Mu Shuangshuang, seemingly uncertain about her identity.
He remembered the person he had done business with was dark and thin, but the person standing before him was fair and slim, and her eyes seemed more beautiful than before.
But the voice was the same, so Housekeeper Xue had no further doubts.
"It’s you, little girl. Now I’m relieved. How much are these lotus pods?"
Housekeeper Xue pointed at the lotus pods laid outside by Mu Shuangshuang.
"Two copper coins each. If you buy a lot, I’ll throw in a few more for you."
On his way here, Housekeeper Xue had already asked about the price. He wanted to know if the little girl in front of him would raise the price because of his attire, but she wasn’t interested in earning more from him. Instead, she offered them at a discount.
Such honesty in a girl was indeed rare.
"I’ll take all the lotus pods you have left. Count how many are left."
"There’s no need to count; there are exactly 156 left inside."
Having initially brought 206 lotus pods, Mu Shuangshuang had sold 50, leaving exactly that many in the burlap bag.
"How about this, give me 300 copper coins, and the remaining six lotus pods will be a bonus for you, as a gift for buying my goods."
Mu Shuangshuang was generous and straightforward in business. Housekeeper Xue, without hesitation, pulled out a hundred-tael silver note from his purse.
"I came out in a rush and didn’t bring copper coins. Can you make change?"
Seeing the neatly printed silver note in the person’s hand, Mu Shuangshuang shook her head. A hundred taels weren’t a small amount; even selling herself, she might not have that much silver.
"What should we do?" Housekeeper Xue was a bit anxious. Finding change for a hundred taels was indeed a bit challenging.
But he knew he needed to handle this matter before returning. Otherwise, the second young master was bound to throw a fit.
"How about this, you take the goods back, and you can pay me next time you see me. How does that sound?"
Mu Shuangshuang was quite lenient towards the person in front of her. Normally, she never sold on credit. It was always a handover of money and goods, or she’d move on.
If things were sold on credit for just a few coins, she might have starved long ago.
"No, how about this, you deliver the goods to our residence, and I’ll add 20 copper coins as a delivery fee each for both of you. Does that sound good?"
"Lu Yuanfeng, what do you think?" Mu Shuangshuang asked Lu Yuanfeng.
"I have no objections." With 40 copper coins per trip, it was quicker money than moving goods at the dock.
"Alright, let’s do that. As soon as the new phrase was out, Housekeeper Xue became interested. He said, "Little girl, where are you from? You speak so interestingly."
"I’m from Er Gui Village. These words are things I’ve thought of when free. I find them quite interesting too."
Mu Shuangshuang didn’t feel embarrassed about adopting modern phrases as her own. After all, she’s the only one who knows the future, and whatever she says, no one would jump out to refute her.