Chapter 519: Chapter 519: Heartbroken to Death Chapter 519: Chapter 519: Heartbroken to Death “I’ve got some great news to tell you, the watermelons we sold yesterday went really well! Not only did we get a high price, but we also sold out, and some of the wealthier families have already placed orders with me for a month’s supply!” Shopkeeper Fan’s mood had been excited since yesterday, and he hadn’t had anyone to share it with. Seeing Big Bull and Xuexue, he went on and on as if he had found kindred spirits.
And rightly so, as they were business partners in selling watermelons, with closely linked financial interests. It was only fitting for them to share in the joy together.
Xuexue wasn’t surprised; in her previous life, when watermelons first came on the market in the Moli Country, they were snapped up by the royal family and nobles every day. However, in a small place like Jingshan Town, such sales were still quite impressive.
They had agreed on the first day that a pound of watermelon would sell for fifty copper coins. The variety of watermelon had just come out and was a bit rare. Ordinary households aside, back in her former life, even The Emperor hadn’t tasted it at this time. They felt that if they didn’t charge a little more, Xuexue would be doing a disservice to herself for living a second life. Besides, after this year, next year watermelons would be everywhere, and they wouldn’t be worth much when sold then.
Xuexue just thought about making some money off this novelty, so they had to sell for a bit more. Shopkeeper Fan was in agreement, so they quickly decided on fifty copper coins per pound for the watermelons.
Village head stood by, smacking his lips in disbelief, thinking, My goodness! Fifty copper coins for a pound of watermelon, and a single watermelon weighs about ten pounds, selling one would fetch half a tael of silver. Yesterday, Xuexue sent him a few watermelons, they tasted great, so he had planned to come and buy a few to give to friends and relatives. Hearing the price, he was rendered speechless.
Xuexue said a few happy words to Shopkeeper Fan, who then got busy weighing watermelons and loading them onto carts. It was only then that Xuexue remembered Uncle Village Chief was still standing there.
“Uncle Village Chief, did you come to see us for something?” Xuexue turned and asked the village head.
Big Bull was keeping him company, chatting away.
“Yesterday you sent a few watermelons to my house, I had some free time today, so I came to thank you.” The village head was still feeling uneasy, thankful that he had heard Shopkeeper Fan mention fifty copper coins per pound. Otherwise, if he had suddenly decided to buy a few watermelons, that would have cost him several taels of silver, which would have been too distressing. His son was preparing for the Juren exam this year and there were many expenses; he couldn’t afford to be reckless with money.
“Hey, it’s just a few watermelons! What’s there to thank for? You’ve helped my mother and me out a lot in the past, so a few watermelons are nothing,” Xuexue said, waving her hand dismissively and smiling.
The village head chatted with them for a while, then took his leave.
Before leaving, Xuexue gave him a few more watermelons.
Village head looked at the few watermelons in front of him; he was really tempted to take them as they were free, but the problem was he couldn’t carry them!
Shopkeeper Fan brought in a couple of extra helpers because Big Bull had moved all the watermelons to the roadside early in the morning. Today there wasn’t much left to do. Two of the helpers were helping Shopkeeper Fan weigh watermelons, one was loading watermelons onto a horse-drawn cart, and another was sitting idly by, leisurely eating a watermelon.
“Hey, come here a minute,” Big Bull called out to him.
The helper quickly put down the watermelon in his hands and walked over: “Master, what do you need?”
“Help carry these watermelons to the Village Chief’s House.”
“That’s doable, but I need to let Shopkeeper Fan know.”
“No worries, you go ahead, I’ll give him a heads-up.”
“Alright then!” Knowing that Big Bull and Xuexue were Shopkeeper Fan’s business partners, the helper agreed and loaded the few watermelons into a pair of baskets next to him, shouldered the carrying pole, and walked with the village head towards Mo Family Village.