Gourd Farm

Chapter 26: Supplying to Restaurants

Yang Feng hesitated a bit. Currently, his supply was only to Fat Boss's restaurant. Due to insufficient production capacity in the past, he hadn't considered supplying to restaurants or supermarkets.

Now that he had returned to setting up a stall for some time, it was clear that relying solely on the stall would be a bit challenging given the current production capacity.

"How are you considering it?"

The executive chef, seeing Yang Feng's hesitation, waited a few minutes without interrupting, understanding that he was contemplating.

"Well, do you need a long-term supply or just a few days?"

"If you can consistently maintain this quality, we can have a long-term supply."

"Oh, there's no problem with the quality for sure. As for the price, I can give you a discount of fifty cents per kilogram compared to the retail price. What do you think?"

"Well..."

The head chef furrowed his eyebrows, seemingly calculating something.

After a couple of minutes, the head chef spoke.

"How about this, young man? We'll make a monthly contract. You give me a one yuan discount off your retail price, and within this month, regardless of price fluctuations, we'll stick to this agreed price. How does that sound?"

"I've never seen anything like this before. It's like gambling, isn't it?"

"You may not be familiar with the supply to restaurants, young man. Most of them operate this way."

"Well, how about this? Leave me your phone number, and I'll consider it. It's my first time dealing with this, after all."

"Alright, but you need to decide quickly. Our menu won't wait for you."

"Don't worry, I'll get back to you by tomorrow morning at the latest."

"Alright, but weigh half of what you have today for me. I'll have the kitchen chefs try it out."

"Sure."

With a large bag, Xia Ying held it open while Yang Feng filled it with his produce.

The bag ended up weighing exactly 25 kilograms, and he received 200 yuan.

Looking at the mostly empty cart, although he sold quickly today, he could only break even at best.

"I really don't understand you. You've lost so much money due to your impulsive decision, even though you worked so hard to grow them."

Xia Ying still felt sorry for the fruits. They were so fresh and could sell easily, yet he had to act out of frustration.

"You just don't get it, do you? When it's time to be tough, you can't back down."

"Oh, it's just about saving face and suffering needlessly. You make it sound so noble."

Xia Ying couldn't help rolling her eyes at Yang Feng's pretentious attitude.

"Sometimes, face is more important than money because it represents one's dignity."

...

The supermarket owner sat there now, feeling dejected. He kept puffing on one cigarette after another, whether out of frustration or due to some other concerns.

"Boss, do you have change for me?"

"Oh, here you go."

A young man with a pack of Liqun cigarettes in his hand approached the supermarket owner for change. The owner absentmindedly handed him the money.

Is this boss mentally unstable? He had given him a 20 yuan bill, but the boss gave him the cigarettes and even handed back 20 yuan.

"Honey, our business is doing so well today. It looks like you've sold almost all the 5,000 yuan worth of fruits."

The supermarket owner, who had been feeling down, suddenly perked up. He got up too hastily, and the cigarette butt burned a hole in his clothes.

He looked up at the plump woman in heavy makeup sitting in front of him. The supermarket owner wore a pained expression and forced out a smile that was even uglier than crying.

"Oh, you're back, huh? Why didn't you stay at your mother's place for a few more days?"

"What's the matter? Don't you want me to come back?"

"How is that possible? Wasn't it because I didn't want you to tire yourself out running back and forth?"

"Oh, spare me.  Don't  I know you yet. Are you hiding someone at home?"

The woman who was just smiling a moment ago immediately changed her expression.

The supermarket owner, who was already nervous, could tell from his wife's expression that a storm was brewing. At this point, he could only pretend to be calm.

"What are you thinking? After all these years, don't you know who me already?"

"Look at your timid look. I don't think you have the guts."

"By the way, how come business was so good today? I remember a few days ago you bought several truckloads of fruits. Are they all sold out?"

"Oh, there were more people at the exhibition today. Otherwise, do you think I wasted all that money on alcohol a few days ago for nothing?"

The supermarket owner had heard from the mall's property management a few days ago that there would be an event, but they didn't disclose the exact date and time. Just for that, he even treated the property manager to a meal.

"Don't act like you can't let go of making a little money."

The supermarket owner's wife wasn't buying it and said impatiently.

"If it weren't for me supporting you all these years, you wouldn't even be able to afford a gust of wind from the northwest."

Seeing that his wife was about to lose her temper, the supermarket owner didn't dare to say anything more. He was already feeling guilty.

"How much money did you make today? Let me see."

As soon as she finished speaking, she walked towards the cash register.

"Well, you just came back from a tiring trip. Have some water and rest for a while. Look at those tired crow's feet around your eyes."

The supermarket owner, seeing his wife about to examine the accounts, didn't want to risk his life and quickly made up an excuse.

"Crow's feet? Do I really have them?"

Originally prepared to check the accounts, he now heard about crow's feet and quickly took out a mirror from his bag to check.

"Where are they? I don't see anything."

"Look, isn't it starting to show a little?"

"It seems like it's actually there. Well, I'll go to the beauty salon over there for a facial treatment."

"Alright, you go first. I'll go buy some vegetarian dishes that you like later to supplement your vitamins."

The supermarket owner's wife finished speaking and stood up, walking towards the beauty salon in her high heels. Watching her go, the supermarket owner finally breathed a sigh of relief, temporarily fooling her.

"Something's not right. Why are you being so attentive today?"

The wife, who had not walked far, suddenly stopped and turned back, questioning the supermarket owner with confusion.

"What's wrong? Haven't I always been like this?"

Although the supermarket owner was feeling guilty, he pretended to be calm. It seemed like he was used to being caught in a difficult situation.

The wife looked around and didn't notice anything different. Perhaps she was just tired and her mind was playing tricks on her these past few days.

As soon as the wife walked away, the supermarket owner quickly took out his phone and dialed a number after flipping through it.

"Hey, bro, quickly send me 5,000 yuan to help me out. I'll pay you back in a few days."

"And remember to include the interest when you pay me back. Looks like your wife checked your accounts again."

The person on the other end of the call seemed familiar with the supermarket owner's situation and it didn't seem like the first or second time this had happened.

"Alright, when have I ever given you any less? Hurry up."

With this loophole patched up, the supermarket owner's anxious heart finally settled down.

Originally a poor guy, he caught the attention of his wife's father because of his diligence, which led to his marriage into the family. 

Despite the seemingly glamorous life on the surface, behind closed doors, he was a full-fledged henpecked husband.