First Sale

Chapter 10

Reluctantly, the aunt turned away, seeming uninterested in Alex's response.

"I won't buy your tomatoes even if they cost more than 2 dollars! You need to lower the price!" she exclaimed.

Alex felt a bit bitter hearing her words. If it were his father, he might have given in and lowered the price immediately. But Alex was determined not to sell these precious fruits at such a low price, no matter how much pressure he faced.

With a kind smile, Alex picked up the tomatoes and pretended to return to his truck. However, he secretly retrieved a machete from the ring room. Coming back to the front, he skillfully cut the tomatoes into slices with one hand.

"Now, Auntie, you can try my tomatoes first. If you don't like them, you don't have to buy them!" Alex offered.

The aunt was surprised by Alex's confidence. However, she still doubted the value of the tomatoes. How could tomatoes be more expensive than meat? She thought he was just trying to deceive her.

Taking a slice, she carelessly popped it into her mouth. At first, her face showed indifference, as if she was eating plain bread. But soon, her expression transformed into one of delight, with her cheeks curving into a smile and her eyes squinting in pleasure.

"Oh, this is delicious!" she exclaimed, unable to hide her surprise and satisfaction.

Alex couldn't help but feel happy seeing the aunt's positive reaction. "Hahaha, I told you! I didn't lie to you, Auntie," he said with a triumphant smile.

The aunt, who had just praised the tomatoes, now seemed a bit regretful. "Are the tomatoes you sell really organic? Why do they taste this good? Did you add hormones or certain addictive chemicals to make them taste better?"

Alex quickly reassured her, "Of course not, Auntie. If you don't believe me, you can take them to the lab for testing!"

He spoke confidently, even though he had never tested the vegetables and herbs nourished by the dew of life. However, he tested the fruits grown with the nutrient solution he had concocted based on the knowledge from the inheritance book. Lab tests had shown that Alex's farm did not use any chemicals and was 99% organic, with nutrient levels several times higher than ordinary plants.

The aunt, after seeing Alex's self-assured expression, no longer had doubts about the tomatoes' authenticity. However, she still hesitated when she considered the price—20 bucks for a pound of tomatoes!

As the aunt was lost in thought, Alex casually sliced another tomato. The aunt assumed he would use it as an opportunity to persuade her again, but to her surprise, Alex placed the slice into his mouth.

He chewed it with obvious enjoyment, savoring the juicy and refreshing flavors. The sweetness, the slight tanginess, and the overall aroma of the tomato combined to create a delightful sensation in Alex's mouth.

The aunt subconsciously swallowed her saliva as she watched him. The taste was still fresh in her memory, as she had just tried it a moment ago. The pleasurable experience was unforgettable, and now she was convinced to buy tomatoes from Alex.

"Well, I bought it for three pounds!" said the aunt, grinding her teeth as if it was a bit costly for her.

Alex, who heard this, became very excited. "Ah, okay, aunt..." Alex went straight to grab a bag.

However, before Alex could go far, he was stopped by the aunt. "Let me choose myself."

"Uhh, oh aunt…" Alex was a little puzzled but handed the bag to the aunt.

The aunt carefully selected the tomatoes, but after a while, she realized that all of Alex's vegetables were of excellent quality. Even if she chose with her eyes closed, she wouldn't regret it. With this, the aunt quickly collected the tomatoes she wanted.

Before Alex could weigh them, the aunt stopped him again. "Cut this one a bit, then this, this, and this," she instructed, showing some tomatoes she had taken randomly from her pocket for Alex to cut.

Alex was slightly stunned. "Do people sell vegetables like this now? Isn't this what you usually find when buying chicken, fish, or beef?" he wondered.

Nonetheless, Alex obeyed the aunt's requests and cut the tomatoes as she wanted.

After that, the aunt took the pieces and put them one by one into her mouth. Her previous lovely and content expression returned.

Alex was very confused about what the aunt was doing. "Cough… well, let me pack everything up."

"Yes that 3 pounds, Aunt. But since you're the first customer, I'll give you a discount," Alex said cheerfully.

The aunt, who heard this, was very happy. Her smile grew wider as Alex continued.

"With this, the aunt can pay 59 dollars."

But after hearing the last sentence, the aunt's smile froze, and a trace of anger appeared on her face.

"Young man, are you playing around with an old woman? Why do you call it a discount? It's better not to bother me than just hold the small change!"

The aunt was annoyed while searching her body. She then took out a sixty-dollar bill and handed it to Alex with a disgruntled look. Even though she knew that the tomatoes were delicious and she had nothing to lose, she still felt like she had wasted money buying tomatoes for 60 dollars!

Alex, who saw his first sale, couldn't help but feel happy. But just as he was thinking about continuing with the sale, he noticed that the previous aunt was still standing there.

"What's wrong, aunt?" asked Alex, confused.

"Where's the change?" asked the aunt with a hand gesture.

Alex was puzzled. Didn't she just say she didn't want the small change? Then why was she asking for it now?

With a confused expression, Alex handed the change to the aunt.

The aunt left with a cold snort, and Alex could only smile bitterly when he saw this.

After the aunt's departure, many people came to taste and inquire about the prices. However, none of them made a purchase, but they lingered around Alex as if waiting for something.

Alex was initially confused, but after a moment's thought, he figured out what was going on. Perhaps they were part of a community group that easily communicated through cell phones. They might be purposely united in an attempt to pressure Alex into lowering his prices.

However, Alex shook his head at the thought. Even if the vegetables weren't selling now, he wouldn't resort to such desperate measures. He had the dew of life and the static space within the ring, making him well-prepared for any situation.

With these advantages, the elite complex mothers had no chance against him before they even began.

…

"Yes, is the banquet tonight well prepared?"

"Yes, boss, all the necessities have been prepared very well."

"Okay, good. Don't let the guests be disappointed with our restaurant's food. This is an annual publication."

The young man kept repeating the same questions while talking on the phone. Whether it was due to nerves or excessive excitement, he couldn't help himself.

Then he looked out the window. "Hey Roy, what is that?"

"Ah, boss, it's just someone selling ordinary vegetables."

"Ordinary vegetables? Why are they sitting in front of the elite complex like this?..."

Hearing this, the young man on the phone felt curious and wanted to go down and have a look.

"Okay, try going to the front of the vegetable seller."

The driver felt a little uncertain. "Is it true that the boss wants to see?"

"Yeah, don't ask too many questions, just go."

"Okay, boss..."

After a while, the luxury car finally stopped, and the young man on the phone got down from the car. Putting down his cell phone, he immediately looked at the things in the pickup truck.

Alex, who had wanted to leave, was surprised when the owner of the car approached his makeshift tavern.

"Master, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Hmmm, are these vegetables really for sale?"

"Of course, they're for sale."

"Then how much per pound?"

"For tomatoes, it's 20 dollars a pound, and for corn--"

"20 dollars? Did you misspeak?" the young man interrupted Alex's words.

"No, it's 20 dollars," said Alex naturally.

The young man shifted his gaze from the vegetables to Alex, looking completely disbelieving. After all, he was the owner of a premium steakhouse and knew how much even the most expensive vegetables cost. He couldn't figure out why the other party was so recklessly quoting such a price.

"Don't joke with me, if the price is right, I'll buy it all," said the young man confidently. He wanted to purchase Alex's vegetables.

Once again, Alex couldn't help but smile bitterly. His vegetables were clearly being underestimated again.

"Sir, 20 dollars is the right price. Even if you ask for 19.99 dollars, I still won't sell it," said Alex.

Hearing this, the young man was a little angry and went straight back to his car.