"How does it taste?" Liu Yifeng asked nervously, looking at the two of them.
"It's so sweet, a hundred times sweeter than any watermelon I've ever eaten," Tongtong said, burying his head to eat more.
Liu Chunsheng simply gave a thumbs-up, too busy to speak.
He never expected such a large watermelon could be this sweet.
Seeing their reactions, Liu Yifeng quickly cut himself a slice. The moment he bit into it, the juice exploded in his mouth, instantly sweetening his heart.
Although the watermelon was exceptionally sweet, it wasn't cloying. Instead, it had a refreshingly sweet taste.
The texture was far superior to the watermelons he'd bought before; there was simply no comparison.
Liu Yifeng ate three slices of watermelon in one go, only stopping when he was stuffed and could no longer eat.
Before long, all three of them had distended bellies.
"Dad, isn't the taste of our watermelon excellent? Do you still think six yuan a jin is expensive?" Liu Yifeng asked, looking at his father's satisfied expression.
"It's very sweet, but I still think six yuan a jin is expensive.
It's not that it's not worth the price, but I'm afraid if we sell it at such a high price, people won't be willing to buy it. This watermelon needs to be sold quickly once it's ripe, otherwise, if it keeps growing on the vine, it will overripen and become unsellable," Liu Chunsheng voiced his concerns.
Liu Yifeng, however, was not worried. He smiled and said, "Dad, don't underestimate people's current spending power.
Some people are willing to buy cherries for tens of yuan a jin just for the taste, let alone our watermelon, which is only six yuan a jin."
"But cherries have always been sold at such a high price, unlike watermelons which are typically for the masses.
It's understandable to sell them at a higher price when they first come on the market.
But it's been over a month since they were released, and you're still selling them so expensively. Who would be willing to buy them?" Liu Chunsheng was still trying to persuade Liu Yifeng.
Liu Yifeng felt a little helpless. "Dad, you don't need to worry about this. I have my own plans. Don't worry, I won't let the watermelons go unsold."
"Go, Daddy, I believe in you!" Tongtong clenched his fists and made a cheering gesture.
Liu Yifeng picked up Tongtong and hugged him. "Daddy has to thank you too. Because of your arrival, our family's life is getting better and better."
"Yes, it's all my eldest grandson's merit. Seeing our family improve so much, I can die with no regrets now," Liu Chunsheng said.
"Dad, what are you talking about dying? Be mindful of your words. You'll definitely live a long life and even see Tongtong's children born!" Liu Yifeng said.
"And Tongtong getting married? You're not even married yet. Do you want your own son to get married before you do? By then, you'll be an old man, and what woman would want to marry you?" Liu Chunsheng said with a frown.
Although he now had a grandson and didn't have to worry about the continuation of the family line, he still hoped that Yifeng would find a good wife who could manage a household and lead a happy life with Tongtong.
Seeing his father's displeased expression, Liu Yifeng was confused. "Dad, didn't you say you wouldn't rush me to get married? Why are you bringing this up now?"
"I'm not in a hurry, but you're only 28. Are you really planning to be a bachelor your whole life?" Liu Chunsheng's expression remained grim.
Liu Yifeng didn't want his father to get angry, so he quickly said, "Dad, don't worry. If I meet someone suitable, I'll definitely get married.
It's just that I spend all my time in the village now, where would I meet girls!"
"That's easy. I'll ask your eldest aunt to introduce someone. Her son works in a state-owned enterprise and knows many female colleagues. I'll have him find a good one for you.
We're not like before. With an income of tens of thousands a day, what girl wouldn't want to marry into our family?
I don't have many requirements for the woman. The only thing is that she must be good to my eldest grandson. Otherwise, even if you get married, I'll make you divorce her." Liu Chunsheng was very protective of his grandson in this regard.
However, before Liu Yifeng could speak, Tongtong protested, "I don't want Daddy to marry anyone else, I don't want to call someone else 'Mama'!"
Seeing his son struggling excitedly on him, Liu Yifeng quickly soothed him, "Tongtong, be good. Daddy won't get married, okay?"
Hearing his father's words, Tongtong quieted down. "Really?"
Just as Liu Yifeng was about to nod, Liu Chunsheng's voice rang out again, "Really what? You can't promise a child something like this."
He then looked at Tongtong and said gently, "Tongtong, Daddy is still young. If you don't let him get married, do you want Daddy to be a bachelor forever? People will laugh at him."
Tongtong replied with childish innocence, "I didn't say Daddy can't get married. But I want Daddy and Mommy to get married. Other families have Daddy and Mommy living together, and I want to be like other children."
His words silenced both of them.
As for Tongtong's mother, Liu Chunsheng knew absolutely nothing about her. He didn't even know what she looked like or her name.
Even if she appeared before him one day, he wouldn't know she was Tongtong's mother!
Putting that aside, the woman's act of abandoning Tongtong was, in his opinion, something no qualified mother would do.
No matter how beautiful or capable such a daughter-in-law might be, he wouldn't like her.
Therefore, he had never considered Yifeng marrying her and was immediately taken aback by Tongtong's words.
Liu Yifeng, on the other hand, thought that Tongtong's mother had never looked at him favorably. Tongtong was a result of them both getting drunk.
Therefore, he likely couldn't fulfill this wish.
Consequently, he didn't know how to answer.
"Daddy, will you marry Mommy?" Tongtong persistently asked.
Now Liu Yifeng had no choice but to answer. "Uh... whether Daddy marries Mommy or not, we both love you, right?"
He didn't answer directly, as marriage was a matter between two people, and if Yun Duo'er was unwilling, he couldn't do anything.
Moreover, he didn't know Yun Duo'er at all, and without any feelings between them, how could they get married?
"It's different. I want to be like other children, with Daddy and Mommy holding hands when we go out to play," Tongtong said, his eyes reddening.
Although he rarely mentioned his mother to his father, he dreamt of their family of three living happily together at night. How he wished it wasn't just a dream!
Seeing Tongtong like this, Liu Yifeng's heart also felt heavy.
He could give Tongtong anything he wanted, except for a complete family.
"Tongtong, be good. Marriage is between two people. Daddy can't promise for Mommy, but Daddy guarantees that he will find a way for Mommy to visit you often, okay?" Liu Yifeng whispered gently, afraid of upsetting Tongtong.
Tongtong nodded with a wronged expression, "Okay!" He didn't want to make Daddy difficult.
"Alas, what a sin!" Liu Chunsheng couldn't help but sigh when he saw this.
Their previously good mood was overshadowed by this matter, leaving all three of them with concerns.
However, life had to go on. Liu Yifeng gave half of the remaining watermelon to their neighbors.
If the watermelon sat around, it wouldn't stay fresh.
At the same time, he carried about ten jin of pre-cut watermelon to the village chief's house.
Since the watermelon was ripe, it was time to fulfill his promise.
He had previously promised the villagers that if they allowed him to grow watermelons for free in the back mountain, he would give each household two watermelons once they were ripe.
Coincidentally, he could also ask for help to pick the ripe watermelons and transport them to the county to sell, to test the waters.
"What is this?" the village chief asked, looking at the watermelon in Liu Yifeng's hands.
"Grandpa, this is a watermelon I grew. I brought it for you to taste," Liu Yifeng said with a smile.
As he spoke, he placed the watermelon on the table, skillfully went to the kitchen, found a cleaver, washed it simply, and then cut slices for the village chief and his grandchildren to eat.
"This is really your watermelon?" the village chief asked incredulously after tasting it.
He had lived for most of his life and eaten countless watermelons, but he had never tasted one so sweet.
Not only was it sweet, but it was also very juicy, and the flesh had a beautiful color.
Therefore, in terms of both taste and appearance, it was the best large watermelon he had ever eaten.
Yet, Liu Yifeng had only been growing watermelons for about a month.
How had the watermelons grown so big and so quickly? The village chief was perplexed.
"Yifeng, tell me honestly, did you use any growth stimulants or sweetness enhancers?
Otherwise, how could this watermelon be so sweet and ripen so quickly?" the village chief asked Liu Yifeng with great seriousness.
Hearing the village chief's doubts, Liu Yifeng quickly explained, "Grandpa, the watermelons I grow are all naturally grown. I haven't used any sweetness enhancers or growth stimulants.
Those are harmful substances. How could I do something against my conscience just to make money?"
The growth stimulants Liu Yifeng used were completely different from those sold on the market.
The former contained various chemicals and harmful substances, whereas the non-toxic and harmless products developed by Tongtong actually enhanced physical fitness when consumed.
Therefore, the two could not be equated.