Chapter 221: Strawberries
Translator: Lonelytree
“Good news, good news. Today, the group leader has tasted a wonderful new type of strawberry!” Once that post was released, all the lurkers appeared!
“Leader, are you for real? Where did you eat it? We want some too!”
“That’s right. You know we can’t resist the temptation of strawberries. If I could marry strawberries, I would!”
“Tsk tsk. Where’s your sense of morality?”
“It has already been sacrificed to the strawberry overlord.”
Another member asked, “Leader, where did you get the strawberry? Is it in China or abroad? Is it from Dongdan or somewhere else?”
“Yes. Group leader, where did you get this berry? You said it’s super delicious. But how delicious is it?”
“Give me a box to taste!”
“I’ll buy a box too!”
…
“All of you are already making orders? Aren’t you afraid that the group leader will cheat you?”
“I remember that the group leader is from a small county. How can a person from a small county eat any delicious strawberries? If you ask me, he’s pulling our legs!”
Discordant voices appeared too. Berry Lovers was a large social media group with more than 1,200 members.
Back then, social media was just rising. There were not many people who knew how to use it. This was not yet the time when everyone had their phones glued to their palms. Back then, 1000 plus was already very impressive, and they came from all over the world. They had gathered due to their love of strawberries, but they all had different personalities.
“That’s right. The group leader is from a small county. He is narrow-minded. How many varieties of strawberry has he actually eaten?”
“Hehe…”
“What do you mean by that? Since you look down on the group leader, then just quit the group!”
“The group leader might have come from a small county, but he loves strawberries. He has eaten all kinds of strawberries all over the world.”
“Yes, he has sent me a strawberry package before. They are all very good!”
“You people are his friends. That’s why you’re defending him!”
“You’re telling me a small county person has eaten strawberries from all over the world? Listen to yourself. I bet he doesn’t even know the many strawberry varieties out there. Does he even know the difference between the different varieties?”
“That’s right. Group leader, if you’re so capable, list out all the strawberry varieties you know!”
Someone in the group sent out a laughing emoji.
“You people must be new to the group. Or did you join just to slander our group leader? If you’re an old member, you wouldn’t ask stupid questions like this.”
“That’s right. When the group leader started this group, he shared his wealth of strawberry knowledge. Even though he’s from a small county, he is someone who really understands strawberries. How can you question him? This is so laughable!”
“You people are the real laughable ones. So what if he knows these things? He might not have eaten them before. Everyone can bluff! The group leader is a liar!”
“You’re the liar!”
“No, you’re the liar!”
…
The group was divided into two opposing camps and the neutral camp.
Someone said, “Group leader, the group is fighting. Say something, don’t just watch the fun!”
The group leader, Zeng Yaozu, sat next to the computer and quickly typed on the keyboard.
“Since everyone has doubts, I’ll send them these super delicious Hongyan strawberries. I’ll send them for free! Just leave your address in the group. However, I’ll be clear. There will only be six strawberries in the sample!”
“Is it true that it’s free?”
“Yes.”
“But six strawberries are too little! Group leader, where did you get your free strawberries?”
“That’s a secret for now! I can only say that this strawberry is something that none of you have ever eaten before!” Zeng Yaozu typed on the keyboard.
“Group leader, you are exaggerating. I have eaten every variety the world has to offer.”
“That’s right. As this group’s members, we’ve eaten all kinds of strawberries. You have to be lying when you said we haven’t tasted anything like your strawberry.”
“I agree, but I’ll leave my address. If the strawberries are not as delicious as promised, I’ll come back to scold the group leader.”
“Me too!”
The members scoffed at his words. They didn’t believe him. They didn’t have confidence in the group leader’s recommendation. However, they left their address to verify the group leader’s statement. However, they were also angry because the group leader was being so stingy for only mailing them six berries.
How expensive could six berries be? Of course, this had intrigued many people as well.
The group leader also said straightforwardly, “Those who leave their address will receive the strawberries tomorrow at the earliest, and three to four days at the latest. Then, you’ll find out if I’m exaggerating about the taste. So, please leave your address if you’re interested!”
Then Zeng Yaozu left the same message in many other chatgroups.
After a busy night, Zeng Yaozu gave Xiao Lingyu a call and asked her to prepare 300 boxes of strawberries.
Before dawn, Xiao Lingyu and the others picked some strawberries and packed them in boxes.
The box had the words “Taoyuan Village Fresh Fruits and Vegetables’ Strawberries” printed on it!
Xiao Lingyu had already registered “Taoyuan Village Fresh Fruits and Vegetables” as a trademark at the Commerce Bureau. In the future, everything that she produced would have the name, Taoyuan Village Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. This was also to prevent others from using her name.
Xiao Lingyu had ordered the boxes from the factories when the strawberries were just blooming.
Strawberries were not easy to preserve. If they were to be transported far away, they had to be preserved well.
Xiao Lingyu chose the freshest strawberries and employed an express delivery company. Of course, Xiao Lingyu was very confident in her own strawberries.
Other people’s strawberries could only maintain their freshness for a few days, and they had to be picked when they were not ripe. However, her strawberries should be able to maintain their freshness for at least half a month without any preservation measures.
Therefore, there was no need for Xiao Lingyu to store them in a vacuum box for now. But in the future, she would come up with more preservation techniques.
After receiving Zeng Yaozu’s orders, Xiao Lingyu hired Auntie Zhou and Auntie Liu from the village to help her pack the strawberries.
Xiao Mingyang was the deliveryman, so he needed to rest well. Xiao Mingyang now slept until it was time to get up. The truck set off at 6 am, and then he stayed at the shop to work. His wife also had to help out at the shop, so she left with him.
Mother Xiao led people to harvest the vegetables. They had almost exhausted the six Mu of field. New vegetables had been planted, but they needed time to grow.
Xiao Lingyu and Father Xiao went to pick some additional strawberries. They got around 20 catties.
The strawberries were riper than yesterday, and they tasted purer. Of the 20 catties, 10 catties would be sent to Gu Family Hotel, and the rest would be sold at the shop.
…
The strawberries ordered by Zeng Yaozu had to be packed the moment they were picked. They couldn’t touch water, or they might easily rot. The packaging wasn’t that complicated, but it still took time. It took Auntie Zhou and Auntie Liu about two hours to pack 300 boxes. Of course, their speed picked up after they got used to work.
After the strawberries were packed, they were shipped to the county town with the vegetables and sent to a reputable express delivery company.
Zeng Yaozu and his sister, Zeng Hongmei, were already waiting at the express delivery company. They spent half a day confirming the orders.
The people at the company were curious. The manager couldn’t help but ask, “Are all your strawberries grown locally?”
According to his understanding, they could not grow strawberries in Xing Yin county. However, the strawberries he saw were not only bright red but also fragrant. They could smell them through the boxes.
Zeng Yaozu just smiled and said, “They are indeed grown locally.”
Hearing Zeng Yaozu’s answer, the people at the express delivery company were indeed a little surprised.
“Brother, where did you get these strawberries?” Zeng Hongmei wiped the sweat on her forehead and asked with confusion. “I didn’t even get the chance to taste them yet!”
Zeng Zaozu smiled and said, “Do you know Taoyuan Village Fresh Fruits and Vegetables?”
“Isn’t that the shop owned by Xiao Lingye’s sister?”Zeng Hongmei asked in surprise.
“We’ve heard of the shop, but we haven’t tasted their vegetables before.” The manager said, “I heard their crops are very delicious, but we haven’t had the chance to try them yet.” The main reason was that the crops sold out too easily. Even if they were very expensive, they had to queue up to buy them.
Zeng Yaozu said, “This strawberry is from that fruit and vegetable shop. The boss will probably sell some strawberries there today. But there are probably not that many, just around 20 catties.”
“The shop sells strawberries?” Someone asked doubtfully, “Are they homegrown?”
“Yes, the boss grow them herself!” Zeng Yaozu took out a box from the truck.
There were more than ten strawberries in this box. He opened the box and told the people there. “Come and have a taste. They are from Taoyuan Village. The quality is guaranteed! You will never forget this taste!”
Zeng Hongmei saw this, and she was a little angry. “Brother, how can you do this? These are products for sale! How can you open the box and give them away?”
Zeng Yaozu smiled, “Don’t be angry. This is a gift from Xiao Lingye’s sister. Come and have a taste!”
However, when Zeng Hongmei wanted to take one and have a taste, the box of strawberries was gone in the blink of an eye.
Zeng Hongmei was stunned.
Zeng Yaozu, “…”
“Wow, these strawberries are really delicious!”
“I have never eaten such delicious strawberries. It is sour, sweet, and fragrant!”
“Is it really local strawberry? I can’t believe it! Is there really someone in Xingyin County who can grow such a big and delicious strawberry?”
“It’s delicious.”
Zeng Hongmei, “…” She wanted to cry. She should have first priority, but everything disappeared in the blink of an eye. She could only watch as others ate the strawberry.
Zeng Yaozu patted her shoulder and said, “We’ll go to Taoyuan Village later. You can eat all you want.”
“But is it free?” Zeng Hongmei’s eyes lit up, and then she looked a little excited.
“…” Zeng Yaozu said, “I’ll pay!”
Those, who had eaten the strawberries, chuckled, “Boss, can we come with you? You can pay for us too!”
“…” Zeng Yaozu smiled and said, “We can go together, but you’ll need to pay on your own.” After all, I’m not familiar with you people.
Hearing that, the others smiled and said, “Boss, how much is the price if we go to pick them ourselves?” They really wanted to have more strawberries. However, the average strawberry cost 30 to 40 RMB per catty. If it was too expensive, they couldn’t afford to eat it even if they wanted to.
Zeng Yaozu smiled and said, “You are the first batch of customers. The boss will give us a discounted price of 45 RMB per catty. In a few days, the price of this strawberry will increase. As for the final price, it’s hard to say yet!”
“45? That’s too expensive!” Someone exclaimed immediately, “The strawberries are expensive at the store because of the transportation cost. If we go straight to the field to pick, how can it be even pricier?”
Zeng Yaozu shook his head and said with a smile, “How do you think the taste of the 30 RMB strawberries compare to this one?”
The few people had to admit, “They don’t taste as good. But this is still too expensive. We can’t afford it.”
Zeng Yaozu said, “You get what you pay for! There’s a reason for the price!”
