Chapter 70: The Plantation Concept

"Congratulations, host, for completing the special task: Wen Xuan’er’s smile. Reward: 100 exchange points."

Yun Xuan looked at the display on the virtual screen and at Wen Xuan’er smiling in front of him, feeling as if he’d been played. Was Wen Xuan’er’s sense of humor really this easy to trigger?

“This is for you.” Wen Xuan’er, having laughed, regained her composure and handed Yun Xuan an ice cream.

The two sat beside the plaza, eating ice cream together.

Wen Xuan’er didn’t resemble a wealthy heiress at all; the way she ate ice cream was just like a little cat.

Her adorable demeanor almost made Yun Xuan forget how rotten she could be. Such moments, Yun Xuan didn’t dislike.

“I have to go now. Thank you for the ice cream. Next time, I’ll return the favor,” Wen Xuan’er said to Yun Xuan, then departed.

Yun Xuan watched her figure recede, shook his head, and realized only the main quest remained.

Within three months, increase a certain girl’s favorability to 80%. Reward: one silver-tier skill lottery. Failure: one month in women's clothing.

...

Walking back to Xuanxue Restaurant, Yun Xuan saw four people at the entrance. Qin Yue and Yun Xun’er stood together, faces cold, and Yun Xun’er held a fruit knife in her hand.

“What’s going on?” Yun Xuan walked over, looking at the middle-aged man in a white T-shirt. This seemed to be the supplier who delivered ingredients to Xuanxue Restaurant.

“Xiao Xuan, you’re back.” Yun Xun’er forced a smile.

“Hello, Mr. Yun Xuan. I’m Zhang Yuan from the market. I run a wholesale vegetable shop, and I’ve worked with Xuanxue Restaurant for several days now. Vegetable prices have risen these days, so we have to raise prices, but Manager Yun insists on the old prices. Isn’t that a bit much?” The middle-aged man’s eyes lit up when he saw Yun Xuan, and he hurriedly offered a cigarette.

“I don’t smoke. So you’re saying vegetable prices have gone up and you want to raise your prices, right?” Yun Xuan declined the cigarette.

“Yes, yes, Mr. Yun Xuan, you’re so sharp,” Zhang Yuan replied with a smile, inwardly delighted.

Xuanxue Restaurant’s income was considerable. As the supplier these past few days, Zhang Yuan had observed carefully, and today he couldn't resist coming in person.

He believed the restaurant favored his produce and couldn’t do without it. So why not seize the chance to raise prices and sign a formal contract, securing steady income? The price hike he proposed was well above market rates.

“Xun’er, did you pay for today’s vegetables?” Yun Xuan asked Yun Xun’er.

“Yes, the bill’s settled. He wants to sign a long-term supply contract with us.” Yun Xun’er’s expression was unpleasant. She understood Zhang Yuan was deliberately inflating prices. But Yun Xuan was a man, and in front of others she knew to listen to him, not contradict.

“Oh, I see. Well, you can go now. From today, your vegetables will not enter Xuanxue Restaurant. We’ll send our own staff to buy from the market.” Yun Xuan said blandly to Zhang Yuan.

“Huh?” Zhang Yuan’s mouth dropped open. Wasn’t this rejection a bit too ruthless?

“If you’re thinking of getting back at me, consider carefully. To run a restaurant here, I’m neither short on money nor means. Go now; it’s best to be decent,” Yun Xuan waved him off, cutting off any further argument.

Zhang Yuan, embarrassed, left the restaurant’s entrance.

He had actually thought of hiring some thugs to cause trouble. If he signed the contract, it would mean several thousand more a month. But Yun Xuan’s words frightened him into a cold sweat.

Yes, someone who could open a business here wouldn’t fear a mere vegetable seller.

...

“I remember you... Oh, you’re the uncle from last night,” Yun Xuan withdrew his gaze from Zhang Yuan and looked at Yuan Peng nearby, pausing for a moment.

Last night he’d kicked in Yuan Peng and his friends’ door and left a thousand yuan.

“Mr. Yun Xuan, here’s your thousand yuan back. The door’s been fixed. I’m really sorry about last night; we didn’t know the phone was...” Yuan Peng appeared nervous.

“Hold on. Xun’er, Qin Yue, you two head inside.” Yun Xuan caught a scent and interrupted Yuan Peng’s words, smiling at Yun Xun’er and Qin Yue.

They glanced at Yuan Peng and returned to the restaurant.

“Sorry, last night I acted rashly. Uncle, you must have come by the vegetable truck this morning?” Yun Xuan asked with a smile.

“How did you know?” Yuan Peng jumped in surprise.

“The vegetable leaves,” Yun Xuan pointed at Yuan Peng’s feet.

“So that’s it,” Yuan Peng scratched his head.

“Are you working here in the city, uncle?” Yun Xuan took out a cigarette and offered one to Yuan Peng.

“Please take this money back first, or I won’t feel at ease,” Yuan Peng refused the cigarette, instead solemnly handing Yun Xuan the thousand yuan.

“Alright,” Yun Xuan accepted, didn’t bother counting, and put it in his pocket.

“Now I can rest easy, Mr. Yun Xuan,” Yuan Peng sighed in relief and finally took the offered cigarette.

“Uncle, last night I saw four of you. Are you all working in the city?” Yun Xuan asked.

“Yes, I’m Yuan Peng. The four of us are from the countryside. This morning we came with the village’s vegetable truck. Actually, vegetable prices haven’t gone up as that guy said. When we bring vegetables here, they always pressure us to sell cheaper, who knows how much they profit,” Yuan Peng glanced toward the market. Though he didn’t like gossiping, he didn’t want others to be deceived either.

“I understand. Uncle, do you have vegetables over there? I actually want to start a plantation. If your produce is good, I intend to lease ten acres,” Yun Xuan’s mind sparked with an idea.

“That’s a good plan, but it’s quite far. Setting up a plantation might not be cost-effective,” Yuan Peng advised.

“No problem. Take me to see it. Our restaurant only operates eight hours a day; I have plenty of time,” Yun Xuan smiled, feeling Yuan Peng was a decent man.

If it were someone else, they'd have been eager to pitch their village, desperate for Yun Xuan to lease their land.

...

Yuan Peng brought Yun Xuan to the market, where Yun Xuan immediately spotted the three uncles from last night and their truck of vegetables.

“Yuan Peng, you’re back... Oh...” The thinner middle-aged man glanced at Yun Xuan, somewhat puzzled.

“Not bad,” Yun Xuan picked up a cabbage and examined it closely, confirming his suspicions.

This cabbage was fresher and juicier than those on the market, irrigated with pure water and fertilized without commercial products.

“Uncle Yuan, I’ve decided. Take me to your village. I’ll fetch my motorcycle; you show me the way. If it’s suitable for a plantation, I can provide plenty of jobs for your village,” Yun Xuan put down the cabbage, smiling.

For a top chef, good ingredients lead to more delicious dishes.

Before opening his restaurant, Yun Xuan had considered setting up a plantation for self-sufficiency. Delays had kept him from it, and today he’d only meant to look around, but the vegetables were indeed excellent.

(P.S.: Asking for recommendation votes on Monday.)