When Xu Han left for Dongyang Village, the previous tenant had just paid six months’ rent, and the landlord wouldn’t refund it.

Xu Han had no choice but to leave the apartment and move to Dongyang Village with Grandma Qiao.

Since she only packed lightly when she left, many things were still in the apartment.

Xu Han planned to go back, cancel the lease, and sort through her belongings, selling or discarding what she didn’t need and shipping useful items back home.

She initially thought she could leave Kouko at home with some stored milk, formula,and baby food, planning to return the next day.

But seeing how anxious Kouko was after just a few hours without her, Xu Han decided it was better to take him along.

Grandma Qiao secretly felt relieved when she heard Xu Han wasn’t planning to stay in the city long-term.

That evening, the farmhouse restaurant owner contacted Xu Han.

This turnaround was quick.

The owner, who had been so dismissive that afternoon, now cheerfully expressed interest in buying her vegetables.

However, she was still trying to haggle down the price.

For example, cauliflower, which Xu Han could usually sell for 4 yuan per jin, the owner insisted on buying for 1.5 yuan per jin, claiming that she could get it for 1 yuan per jin from the local greenhouse growers when prices were low.

Xu Han understood that unlike the school, which didn’t mind the cost as it wasn’t spending its own money, the farmhouse restaurant was focused on profit.

They would usually buy unsellable vegetables from greenhouse growers at a discount, prioritizing savings.

That explained why she received a cold reception initially.

Normally, the dishes at these agritainment places are ridiculously expensive.

A plate of stir-fried vegetables could sell for as much as 18 or even 22, despite costing no more than three dollars to make.

Xu Han didn’t mind them making a profit; after all, it was their skill.

But the thought of them squeezing hardworking farmers like her, who labored to grow the produce, left a bitter taste in her mouth.

“Boss Xu, I can sell my vegetables to you at most 40% lower than usual. Any more than that, I can’t do it. If you don’t agree, then consider my afternoon trip here wasted.”

Boss Xu replied, “How about 60% off, big sister? It’s tough for everyone to make a bit of money these days. Let’s compromise a bit, you’re happy, I’m happy, everyone’s happy, right?”

“Who said we’re all happy together?” Xu Han sneered inwardly, while bargaining aloud, “Sorry, Boss Xu, if I go any lower, I won’t even cover the delivery costs to town. This is the most I can offer. Any more, and I’m afraid I’ll have to decline.”

Boss Xu seemed impatient, resorting to the standard tactics of a seasoned shopper, “Well, my offer stands. Miss Qiao, decide if you want to sell or not. I’m busy here; I’ll hang up. Contact me when you’ve made up your mind.”

Impulsively, Xu Han let her emotions get the better of her and hung up.

Looking at the ten-minute argument on her phone, Xu Han sighed.

It seemed like she had messed things up.

In novels, female protagonists often travel to different worlds and handle situations calmly, armed with business acumen and clever tactics.

But here…

Well, perhaps it’s better left unsaid.

I wonder what would happen if she had a chance to talk to someone like him today, how much could she bargain.

Xu Han couldn’t help but take out the business card that Tan Yue had given her.

She noticed not only his phone number but also his WeChat ID on it.

She remembered Tan Yue saying she could contact him.

Why not add him on WeChat and ask?

Xu Han decided to act on it and picked up her phone to search for Tan Yue’s WeChat and sent a friend request.

In no time, he accepted.

Tan Yue: Miss Qiao?

Xu Han: Yes, Mr. Tan. Hope I’m not disturbing your rest?

Tan Yue: Not at all. Nightlife’s just beginning. What’s up?

Xu Han: I messed up the agritainment business talk …

Tan Yue: You can mess that up too? Tell me what happened.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Xu Han recounted the entire argument with her boss.

After a long pause from Tan Yue, Xu Han went to change her baby’s diaper and returned to find a voice message from Tan Yue.

Xu Han played it, listening to Tan Yue’s gentle voice flowing through the phone, filling her quiet room with an inexplicable warmth that made her blush.

She composed herself and continued listening.

Tan Yue: “Your initial approach was off. Since your vegetables are tastier than those from the greenhouse and everyone loves them, you can reflect that in your pricing.

For instance, with your cauliflower, sell it at six yuan per kilogram.

That way, customers will perceive your products as rarer and more valuable. It’s all about consumer psychology—people often think the more expensive, the better.”

Xu Han: “…”

Thinking of that chubby female boss, always trying to cut corners and take advantage, Xu Han seriously doubted the feasibility of Tan Yue’s suggestion.

She decided to send him a voice message in response: “That boss is quite stingy. She might not buy into my approach, and I’ve already messed up the negotiation. Increasing the price now doesn’t seem realistic.”

Tan Yue quickly replied within 2 seconds.

Xu Han opened it and heard a teasing tone in Tan Yue’s voice: “Your voice, it’s a shame you’re not a singer.”

Qiao Wanqing was indeed known for her beauty and sweet voice, a model of charm and grace.

Her voice was clear and enchanting, rumored to make ears pregnant.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Xu Han switched back to typing: “Mr. Tan, stop teasing me. Give me some business advice, please.”

On Tan Yue’s end, it showed he was speaking…

Xu Han patiently waited for his response and immediately opened it when it came.

Tan Yue: “If that agritainment boss doesn’t come back to you, you go back to her. Sell your vegetables to her at her price.

Once she builds a reputation for her vegetables and everyone loves them, then you approach her to sell fresh product.

That’s when you can raise the prices. Now, you’ll have the upper hand, and she won’t resist the temptation.”

Tan Yue continued: “As for the money you’re making now, consider it advertising expenses.

People spend tens of thousands or even millions to promote their brands. You’re just losing a couple hundred bucks. Think of it that way, isn’t it more comfortable?”

Xu Han: “…”

Yeah, it seems so.

Tan Yue’s words had opened Xu Han’s mind.

In reality, the agritainment’s vegetable consumption wasn’t very high, much less than at school cafeterias. So, she wasn’t losing too much.

The key was using the boss’s platform to promote her own products, a clever move.

Xu Han felt relieved.

After sorting out things at the agritainment, Xu Han was almost ready to leave for X City.

Grandma Qiao was taking care of things at home, and since deliveries to the agritainment were only every three days, Xu Han asked Grandma Qiao to arrange for someone in the village to help out with the market trips.

Next time, she would come back herself.

…

Although Qiao Wanqing wasn’t the best person, she did have a good friend named Tang Yue.

Xu Han had been in touch with her during her return.

This time, she was also very happy.

Thinking it might not be easy to bring vegetables with a child, Xu Han followed online methods and used the oven to make dried fruits and vegetables.

She chose vegetables like okra, carrots, broccoli, purple sweet potatoes, and potatoes, as well as fruits like apples and bananas, and roasted a tray to taste.

The oven was slow, taking several hours.

At one point, Xu Han smelled the roasted vegetables and started to drool, thinking they were tasty even without drying.

Finally done, Xu Han couldn’t wait.

Wearing heat-resistant gloves, she took out the baking tray and tried one herself.

The results were surprisingly good.

The vegetables were roasted to crispy perfection, maintaining their original deliciousness.

After drying, they became even more flavorful and sweet, much tastier than the ones Xu Han bought online!

Especially the okra.

Xu Han wasn’t fond of okra’s slimy texture, but her salt-roasted okra turned out crispy and refreshing.

It crunched like potato chips in her mouth, completely eliminating the usual slippery texture.

What’s more, the vegetables remained vibrant green after roasting, without turning yellow or burnt, making them irresistible.

Grandma Qiao and Aunt Li, who dropped by the house, both praised the snacks.

Even Huang Daxian, who had ignored her for days after their last argument over rations, couldn’t resist the dried fruits and vegetables and rolled over for a taste.

Impressed, Xu Han baked more, making both salty and sweet versions.

She shared some with Aunt Li and Aunt Zhu, keeping some for Grandma Qiao, and packed the rest into jars to take to the city.

Traveling alone with a child was exhausting, so Xu Han gritted her teeth and bought a plane ticket.

Half a year later, returning to the land she had stayed in for just over a month, Xu Han felt no emotional turbulence.

Tang Hei picked her up at the airport, and she had bought a car to drive over.

“Wow, Qiao Wanqing, weren’t you supposed to go back to farming? How come you’re not tanned at all?” Tang Hei, seeing her still fair complexion, felt a bit envious. “I feel like even fluorescent lights could tan me!”

Xu Han usually took some sun protection measures and, coupled with the mild winter sun, hadn’t darkened much.

Instead, after returning, she had rested and rejuvenated herself.

Living in the beautiful countryside had made her skin even smoother and more delicate.

Preparing to go out, she had applied a bit of light makeup today, instantly brightening her appearance.

Chic and fashionable, she didn’t look like a typical village woman at all.

Xu Han chuckled, trying to comfort her, “Actually, I hardly go out to the fields. I’ve been home taking care of the baby.”

“Don’t trick me! I was just saying—oh, look at Koukou waking up! He’s so adorable! Can I hold him?” Tang Hei’s eyes lit up as she saw Koukou waking up in Xu Han’s arms.

Koukou was round and soft, looking sleepy with his little eyes half-opened, which melted Tang Hei’s heart.

Xu Han, her arms tired from holding him, replied, “Of course, godmother has to hold him properly. But don’t complain about your tired arms later.”

Tang Hei happily took Koukou from her.

Although Koukou was attached to his mom, he didn’t mind being held by others.

As Tang Hei held him, Koukou blinked his watery eyes at her, never taking his gaze off.

Tang Hei teased him, and Koukou, a child who loved interaction, instantly perked up, waving his hands and feet excitedly.

Tang Hei wasn’t used to holding children, so when Koukou moved suddenly, she lost her grip.

Koukou’s head bumped against her face, and unexpectedly, her bright red lips landed perfectly on Koukou’s forehead, leaving a clear lipstick mark.

Tang Hei: “…”

Xu Han: “…”

Seeing the lipstick mark on her son’s forehead, Xu Han couldn’t help but laugh and cry, quickly getting tissues to wipe it off. “You strange auntie, don’t take advantage of my son! He’s just a child!”

“It’s not me! He clearly has a crush on me, right, Koukou?” Tang Hei joked, making faces at Koukou, who giggled in response.

The three of them laughed and joked as they got into Tang Hei’s car.

Since the airport was close to the house Qiao Wanqing had rented before, they decided to go there first.

Knowing she was coming, the landlord, under the instructions of Gu Yanqing, kindly called his assistant Wang Xiao to inform him that Qiao Wanqing had returned.

Wang Xiao happened to be with Gu Yanqing at the time, so he was also informed of the situation…

Coincidentally, Gu Yanqing had just sent his three-year-old nephew back to X City and was currently in the city.

After some thought, he had Wang Xiao cancel his plans for the day and drove to Qiao Wanqing’s house.

His nephew insisted on tagging along, and Gu Yanqing didn’t mind, so he brought him along.