"Daddy, this is the medicine that makes crayfish lay eggs quickly. It looks like only half a bottle, but just a spoonful mixed into the pond can make all the mother crayfish lay eggs. This amount is enough for you for three to five years, and it can be preserved permanently if kept away from moisture," Tongtong said as she handed the cup to Liu Yifeng.
Liu Yifeng took it, smelling a faint floral scent. The solid was light red, looking like crystal mud.
"Okay, Daddy understands. I'll put it in the pond later."
As dawn broke, Liu Yifeng went to the crayfish pond alone. He had deliberately called his third uncle the night before, telling him not to come to the pond today. This way, he wouldn't have to hide the medicine when he put it in.
After applying it, he observed the crayfish for a while, and a miraculous scene unfolded. The crayfish, which had been moving around independently in the pond, began to seek mates and engage in spawning. Seeing this, Liu Yifeng broke into an excited smile. Crayfish spawning meant eggs would soon follow. Once they laid their eggs, he would add the growth agent, and the crayfish would mature in no time. Then, he wouldn't have to travel to other farms to buy crayfish to raise.
After watching the crayfish spawn for a while, Liu Yifeng returned home. Soon, a truck arranged by Du Ziheng would arrive to pick up vegetables for Longteng Hotel.
Back home, Liu Yifeng scooped Tongtong up and showered him with kisses. "Tongtong, you're simply incredible! Daddy loves you to death!" He then kissed Tongtong's forehead again.
Tongtong looked disgusted. "Daddy hasn't brushed his teeth, his mouth stinks!"
Liu Yifeng breathed out, then sniffed. "It doesn't stink! Daddy brushes his teeth every night, why would I have bad breath!"
"You little rascal, you dare to dislike Daddy! Let me see how I'll deal with you!" Liu Yifeng said, tickling Tongtong under the arms.
"Hahaha… Daddy, it tickles!" Tongtong burst into clear laughter.
After a period of playful wrestling, Liu Yifeng put Tongtong down and went to wash up. Just as he finished, the truck arrived, driving directly into Liu Yifeng's yard. The driver and several movers then loaded the vegetables onto the truck, with Liu Yifeng helping. In less than half an hour, all the vegetables were on board.
"Tongtong, Daddy is going to the city. I'll be back as soon as I'm done. Be good and listen to Grandpa!" Liu Yifeng said softly.
Tongtong nodded. "Okay, Daddy, come back soon!"
Afterward, Liu Yifeng drove his van behind the truck. Small trucks like his could travel freely within the city, but larger trucks requiring a B2 license had time restrictions. During the day, they were not allowed in urban areas, or they would be ticketed.
Upon arriving at Longteng Hotel, the kitchen staff were already waiting at the back door.
"Brother Liu, we've really relied on your vegetables during this time. They've helped revive the hotel's business. If business continues like this, I'll ask the boss to increase your prices," Wan Hui said, grasping Liu Yifeng's hand as soon as he arrived. He considered Liu Yifeng his savior, as without him, he would likely have been fired. Now, not only was he not fired, but the boss occasionally praised him, showing his approval. He had even hinted that his year-end bonus would at least double. Thus, it was no exaggeration to call Liu Yifeng his benefactor.
"We're achieving this together. When the restaurant does well, it means there's a greater demand for my vegetables, and naturally, I can earn more money," Liu Yifeng recalled their phone call from the previous day. If he had agreed, he could have earned double the price at Longteng Hotel. But he resisted the temptation of money because he knew that integrity was more important than money in business. Moreover, he got along well with Manager Wan; their dealings were always frank and devoid of deceit. And since the hotel's business had improved and they were proactively offering to raise his prices, he saw no reason not to cooperate.
"Actually, I know your vegetables have more potential. Buying them from you at twelve yuan a jin is actually a good deal for our hotel. So, an increase in price is inevitable. Please don't refuse, Brother Liu," Wan Hui insisted.
Liu Yifeng finally nodded. "Thank you, Manager Wan. However, if your boss doesn't agree, don't force it. Don't let this strain your relationship with him because of me."
"No forcing, no forcing. My boss even said he wants me to invite you over sometime. He wants to treat you to a meal!"
"Alright, I certainly won't miss it!" Liu Yifeng was happy to get to know the owner of a five-star hotel. After all, in business, connections were essential.
"Then it's settled. I'll call you then!"
After all the vegetables were unloaded, Liu Yifeng and Wan Hui settled the accounts. Once confirmed, Liu Yifeng departed. Du Ziheng had mentioned showing him design drafts the previous night. Liu Yifeng drove directly to the market where Du Ziheng was. The market was most crowded in the morning. After parking, Liu Yifeng found Du Ziheng, who was skillfully preparing fish. A lively fish was disemboweled and bagged in less than two minutes. Seeing how busy he was, Liu Yifeng didn't interrupt but wandered around. He pondered whether he should set up stalls in the market to sell his own produce. However, he quickly dismissed the idea. Du Ziheng had told him that vendors in the market, whether selling produce or seafood, relied on hotel orders for profit, not individual customers. That was where the real money was; selling small amounts of vegetables to sporadic customers wouldn't generate much income. Du Ziheng himself collaborated with over twenty hotels. Every morning, he had to procure goods from the seafood market, prepare the orders for each hotel, and then deliver them individually. However, he had delegated this task to his cousin, and he himself was responsible for selling seafood at his stall. Therefore, Liu Yifeng felt that negotiating partnerships with hotels was more worthwhile than renting a stall to sell vegetables. Jing Tian Hotel would have been a good option, but they were too greedy, wanting exclusive cooperation and cutting off others' livelihoods. He couldn't do something like that. Moreover, once his vegetable greenhouses were built, he would be supplying tens of tons of vegetables daily. Longteng Hotel alone, even with its chain of establishments, couldn't possibly absorb that much. If he signed a contract with them, the surplus vegetables would go to waste.
After an unknown amount of time, Liu Yifeng received a call from Du Ziheng. "Hello, Brother Liu, have you arrived?"
"I'm here. I'm just browsing the market. Have you finished, Brother Du?"
"You came but didn't even say hello. Is business more important than me? I'm waiting for you at my stall, hurry up!"
Liu Yifeng felt a bit awkward as Du Ziheng hung up before he could reply. What did he mean by business being more important than him? It sounded more like a personal relationship. However, he didn't dwell on it and immediately headed towards Du Ziheng's stall. Du Ziheng spotted him from afar and waved.
"Brother Liu, you came but didn't look for me. Why are we so formal?" Du Ziheng said feigning displeasure as Liu Yifeng approached.
Liu Yifeng quickly explained, "Brother Du, please don't misunderstand. I saw you were busy earlier and didn't want to disturb you. I have plenty of time now and was just looking around. This market is quite large, I must say."
"Of course, it is. My market is one of the best in the city. It's just a bit run-down. The roof leaks when it rains. Fortunately, the government is building a new market, and we'll all move there once it's completed," Du Ziheng replied.
At that moment, an elderly woman interrupted their conversation. "Boss, why aren't you selling crayfish today?"
"We haven't had crayfish for sale for a while. You'll have to buy them elsewhere if you want some!"
The old woman became anxious. "What do you mean? Why have you suddenly stopped selling them? My grandson is waiting to eat them for lunch!"
"Don't worry, Auntie, it's just for now. They'll be back in ten to fifteen days," Liu Yifeng explained.
"Why so long?"
"It's unavoidable. Crayfish are in high demand. But there won't be a shortage later."
"But my grandson wants to eat them today. Can you sell me some individually?" the old woman asked, looking at Liu Yifeng.
"We sold out of crayfish last night. Where am I supposed to get some for you?" Du Ziheng's patience was wearing thin as the old woman continued to talk.
"If you don't have them, you don't have them. Why are you yelling? I won't buy vegetables from you next time," the old woman said indignantly and left.
After she had walked away, Liu Yifeng commented, "Brother Du, you usually seem like a good-tempered person. Why are you so irritable today?"
"You don't know this old woman. She likes to ramble about everything she buys from me, as if she doesn't understand what I'm saying. If I hadn't been a bit stern just now, she would have talked for half an hour. Who has that kind of time?"
Liu Yifeng nodded in understanding after Du Ziheng's explanation. "But you might lose an old customer now!"
"She's just saying that. Do you believe she'll still come to me to buy fish in a few days?" Du Ziheng said confidently.
"Right, I almost forgot the main reason. Let me show you the design drafts!" Du Ziheng took a design draft from his briefcase and handed it to Liu Yifeng. It depicted a rough model of a farmhouse with many interactive and educational activities for families and children. There was also a three-story building with a retro design and glazed roof tiles, making it look novel and cool. However, what captivated Liu Yifeng the most were the challenge activities. Many of them were not only fun but also promoted bonding between adults and children.