SPMT : Chapter 27: Grape Surplus

Chapter 1 to 26 by the team On Time Story(?)

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Chapter 27: Grape Surplus

 

“I’ll go redeem the land,” Xiao Jingting said.

 

In the pawnshop, there were still five mu of high-quality land and four mu of lower-quality land. Redeeming the five mu of high-quality land required one hundred and thirty-two taels, while the four mu of lower-quality land required twenty-six taels, totaling one hundred and fifty-six taels.

 

Xu Mu’an took out a money pouch and said, “Here are forty-two taels of silver. You can use it to redeem the land first.”

 

Originally, if all the grapes were sold, they should have earned over one hundred and thirty taels. With the profit Xiao Jingting had made previously, redeeming the land should have been just enough. However, due to the surplus of over two hundred grape bunches, resulting in a loss of over fifty taels, Xiao Jingting’s money might not be enough. Xu Mu’an decided to contribute some of the money Xiao Jingting had given him earlier from his private stash.

 

Seeing Xu Mu’an bring out his own money, Xiao Jingting was touched. After considering, he didn’t refuse.

 

Xu Mu’an was actually someone who loved money. He hid his money very securely, and Xiao Jingting was certain that the previous owner hadn’t found out where Xu Mu’an truly hid his money. Seeing Xu Mu’an voluntarily take out money, it seemed that he genuinely trusted him.

 

“When the spirit plants in the field mature in a couple of days, we’ll have money again,” Xiao Jingting said.

 

Xu Mu’an nodded and said, “I know. You go redeem the land first. It’ll be troublesome if it becomes a dead debt.”

 

Xiao Jingting nodded and replied, “Alright.”

 

The owner of the pawnshop couldn’t help but have a bad expression when he saw Xiao Jingting coming to redeem the land again.

 

After Xiao Jingting and Xu Mu’an left the pawnshop, they ran into Wang Erhu. “Xiao Xiong, I haven’t seen you for several days. I heard you’ve made a fortune!”

 

“Where did you hear that? I just got some money, and it’s already spent. The owner of this pawnshop is really cunning! I only stored the land deed here for a few days, and now, redeeming it, they added so much silver for nothing,” Xiao Jingting complained with dissatisfaction.

 

Wang Erhu smiled and said, “Xiao Xiong, everyone knows your skill in grape cultivation!”

 

“Not at all, Brother Wang, you’re too kind,” Xiao Jingting replied modestly.

 

Wang Erhu looked at Xiao Jingting and said, “Xiao Xiong, since you rarely come to the city, why not enjoy yourself a bit?”

 

Xu Mu’an angrily said, “You troublemaker, always inciting my master to indulge in revelry. Watch me not beat you to death.”

 

Xu Mu’an rushed over and kicked Wang Erhu to the ground. Xu Mu’an originally just wanted to give Wang Erhu a small lesson, but Wang Erhu turned out to be quite weak and was directly kicked out. Xu Mu’an couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.

 

Xiao Jingting smiled apologetically at Wang Erhu and said, “Brother Erhu, I still have things to do at home. I won’t accompany you for leisure. You’d better find your own entertainment.”

 

“Hurry up, and in the future, don’t bother with such people,” Xu Mu’an said.

 

Xiao Jingting nodded obediently and followed Xu Mu’an away.

 

Wang Erhu was just a rascal. The people in the city didn’t like him, so seeing him being taught a lesson, it caused quite a stir.

 

Wang Erhu watched Xiao Jingting and Xu Mu’an’s backs, feeling full of resentment.

 

Wang Erhu thought to himself: I didn’t notice before, but Xiao Jingting is so afraid of his wife! When Xiao Jingting mentioned his wife before, he always looked disdainful. Could it be that Xu Mu’an has used some sort of sorcery on him? As far as he knows, there is a kind of mind-altering drug in this world. After being consumed, the first person one sees upon awakening will be obeyed unquestionably. Could it be that Xu Mu’an has used something similar on Xiao Jingting?

 

Good news doesn’t travel far, but bad news does. Xiao Jingting’s surplus grapes incident spread quickly.

 

As soon as Xiao Jingting and Xu Mu’an arrived outside the city, they were lectured by several passengers.

 

“Master Xiao, I must say, your grapes are too expensive. No wonder people don’t do business with you anymore.”

 

“Yes! Even for a big family, one has to manage finances carefully. Selling at such high prices, it’s practically robbery.”

 

“Master Xiao, I think these grapes should be sold at a thin profit but in large quantities. By driving away customers like this, how will you do business with people in the future?”

 

…

 

Listening to the chatter of a group of gossiping women, Xiao Jingting rolled his eyes inwardly. When he planted the grapes, he used a lot of spirit spring water. Spirit spring water was a valuable resource! Not only could it restore vitality, but it could also enhance strength. Grapes grown with spirit spring water could be sold at a higher price. If no one bought them, he could simply refrain from selling them.

 

Seeing Xiao Jingting’s indifferent demeanor, Xu Mu’an’s mood calmed down.

 

“Father, why didn’t the grapes sell?” Xiao Xiaofan bit his finger, squatting down and eagerly looking at the grapes in the basket.

 

Xu Mu’an nodded and said, “Yes, some of them didn’t sell.”

 

Xiao Xiaofan looked up with anticipation and said, “Ah, these grapes will spoil if left for too long. How about I help you eat them, Father?”

 

Xu Mu’an: “…”

 

Xiao Xiaodong was more reserved than Xiao Xiaofan, but the longing in his eyes as he glanced at the basket still betrayed his thoughts.

 

“I’ll make some grape juice for you to drink, but each person gets only half a cup,” Xu Mu’an said.

 

Xiao Xiaofan eagerly nodded, while Xiao Xiaodong also showed a look of anticipation.

 

“Father, why didn’t so many grapes sell?” Xiao Xiaodong asked.

 

Xu Mu’an said helplessly, “Some wealthy families found them too expensive, so they didn’t want them.”

 

Xiao Xiaodong snorted disdainfully. “Those people really don’t know quality.”

 

Xiao Xiaodong was, after all, Xiao Jingting’s son. When he was still at the Xiao family, his grandparents occasionally thought of him and would give him some food. Xiao Xiaodong remembered the expensive spiritual fruits he had eaten before. Compared to them, grapes were more valuable in terms of the spiritual energy they contained.

 

Xiao Xiaofan sipped the grape juice in small sips, pursing his lips after each sip, looking reluctant.

 

“Brother, you’re silly. It’s because they don’t appreciate them that we can have more grapes to eat! Otherwise, we wouldn’t get to eat anything,” Xiao Xiaofan said, puffing his cheeks.

 

Xiao Xiaodong blushed. He had always been the clever one, but now his stupid younger brother was calling him dumb. “You little fool, all you know is eating.”

 

Xiao Xiaofan puffed his cheeks, full of grievances. “Brother, you always criticize me, but you eat more than me.”

 

Xiao Xiaodong’s face turned red. “I’m older and stronger, so it’s natural for me to eat more.”

 

Xu Mu’an watched Xiao Xiaofan and Xiao Xiaodong argue, feeling helpless. “Alright, alright, stop fighting. Finish your grape juice and go to bed.”

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