134 The First Coin
Wang Dalang brought Wang Sanlang, Wang Silang, and Little Ah Yu to Nanhe Town.
Although Old Madam Wang said that she didn’t care about them, she still sent Wang Chuanman to follow behind them, afraid that they would be bullied on the way.
The little fellows didn’t know, but Meatball did. But Meatball didn’t intend to tell them.
Nanhe Town was not big, and there were only three main streets in total. The largest street did not allow stalls. Of the other two main streets, one sold all kinds of vegetables, and the other sold all kinds of things.
Most of the things sold in the stalls were cheaper than in the shops, but they could not be too cheap. Otherwise, the shops would find trouble with them.
Wang Dalang was carrying a large basket on his back. Wang Sanlang was holding a big stick that was filled with thatch. Wang Silang was only carrying a basket filled with candied haws.
Little Ah Yu was very capable this time. She did not let her brothers carry her and skipped along alone.
The brothers originally did not agree, but they could not win against Little Ah Yu, so they could only go along with her.
They went to the third street. This street did not have a name. Everyone usually called it Nanhe Third Street.
Perhaps because the disaster had just passed, there were not many vendors on Nanhe Third Street, nor were there many shoppers.
They quickly found an empty plot to set down their store. On the left was a shop selling buns, on the right was a shop selling vegetables. Opposite them was a shop selling roasted sweet potatoes and stir-fried chestnuts, and also handmade straw shoes.
When the vendors saw the children coming to set up a stall, they all looked over.
Wang Dalang put down the basket on his back and took out a straw cushion that they had made.
The straw cushion was spread on the ground. Then, he took out the wild fruits from the basket. The wild fruits were all red and looked especially pleasing.
Some of the fruits at the bottom had been crushed. Wang Dalang handed them to his younger siblings. “Eat them.”
Wang Sanlang and Wang Silang shook their heads repeatedly. “Give them to Little Sister Ah Yu. We’re not eating.”
If this was harvested by their families to eat, they would not mind eating it. However, it is used for business now. Since it was meant to be sold, they would not be willing to eat it.
But they were still willing to give it to their sister.
However, Little Ah Yu did not eat. “Ah Yu isn’t hungry now. Ah Yu doesn’t want to eat, so let’s keep it. If anyone wants to buy our fruits, they can taste these crushed fruits as samples.”
“Right, we can use this to give people a sample of the taste. Sister Ah Yu is still the smartest. No wonder even Sir Hu praised you!”
Now that some of their family members were learning from Old Master Hu, everyone called him Sir Hu.
The surrounding people were originally curious about what they were selling. When they saw them put out the wild fruits, they shook their heads.
“Did you grow these fruits yourself? Why do I feel that they look similar to the wild fruits outside? I’m afraid no one will buy them,” the uncle who sold buns reminded them kindly. “If you want to sell this, it’s a little unlikely. You should go back early and switch to something else to sell.”
Compared to the village, the people in town were naturally much better off, but they were not fools. Unless it was delicious wild vegetables, they would not spend much.
In this day and age, fruits were not a necessity. It did not matter if they ate them or not.
Little Ah Yu said, “Uncle, our fruits are very delicious. My brothers and I planted them together. Try them!”
As she spoke, Little Ah Yu took out one of the crushed fruits and ran over to hand it to the uncle selling the buns.
The bun seller knew that it was a mark of being crushed. He did not feel that the little fellow was teasing him, but he did not reach out to take it.
“I’m not buying your family’s fruits. Don’t let me try them either. Eat them yourself.”
“There’s no need for you to buy it. It’s for you to eat. Thank you.” Little Ah Yu smiled sweetly. “Uncle, thank you for reminding us. Grandma said that we have to thank people for helping us.”
Seeing that the little fellow was staring at him, the bun seller could not refuse anymore, so he could only take the fruit. He thought to himself that this fruit was what he liked to eat when he was young. He remembered that it was sour and sweet.
Adults generally did not like to eat what they had eaten when they were young, because as they grew older, their preferences would change drastically.
Especially when one was older, they would eat more good food. Naturally, they would not fancy those childish snacks.
Little Ah Yu looked at the uncle selling buns without blinking.
Although he didn’t say a word, the uncle who sold the buns felt that she might want him to try it on the spot.
In that case, he’ll try it.
The uncle, who was already prepared for the sourness, wiped the red fruit casually and placed it in his mouth.
The people from the surrounding stalls stared at the uncle, mainly to see his face turn sour.
There was no sound, but the uncle’s eyes suddenly widened. Then, he smacked his lips a few times and almost drooled.
“Cai Niu, how is it? Is it especially sour? I didn’t like this fruit when I was young. This looks bigger than the ones I usually eat, but it’s probably also sour, right?” someone asked with a smile, ignoring the children’s expressions.
When Cai Niu heard this, he swallowed the fruit in his mouth and waved his hand. “This fruit is not sour at all. It’s even very sweet. It’s similar to the sugar at home!”
The sugar they usually bought was not especially sweet, and the price of sweeter sugar was higher. Ordinary people usually only bought the normal sugar and could not bear to use them.
When everyone heard that this fruit could be as sweet as sugar, they all felt that it was unbelievable.
How could fruits be as sweet as sugar?
“Cai Niu, you’re related to these children, right? Are you acting for everyone here?” The old man selling straw shoes looked unhappy and said in a hoarse voice, “It’s useless for you to act for us. No one will buy this fruit.”
Cai Niu’s face flushed red. “Who cares if you buy it or not? What show am I putting on? Do I have nothing to do all day? It’s fine if you don’t want to buy it, but don’t spout nonsense there. I’ve eaten it and it’s sweet, so I want to buy it!”
In order to prove that he really wanted to buy, Cai Niu asked the children, “How much are these wild fruits?”
“One copper coin…” Their family did not have a scale, so they could not measure the weight.
Before they came out, they discussed and settled on the price of 10 fruits for one copper coin.
[Kid, tell him that the price is one copper coin for five.]
Without thinking, Little Ah Yu said, “Uncle Cai Niu, this is one copper coin for five! You’re the first to buy our fruits, so we’ll give you one more for free!”
Cai Niugang felt that one copper coin for five was too expensive. There were wild fruits all over the mountain. Even if these fruits were a little bigger, five could easily fit in the palms of an ordinary adult.
However, since the child had already said so much, he would be embarrassed if he didn’t buy it.
He could only brace himself and say, “Alright, I’ll give you one copper coin.” He planned to bring these fruits back to the children.
However, he could not tell his wife that he had bought it himself. Otherwise, his wife would definitely nag at him.
After receiving one copper coin, the children of the Wang Family were extremely excited. This was the first copper coin they had earned themselves!
At this moment, Wang Sanlang and Wang Silang hurriedly took out the candied haws to display.