Chapter 18: First Stall Sale

Chapter 18: The Stall's First Customer

Jiang Yingxue first opened up the sunshade umbrella, inserting it into the corresponding groove on the cart. The wide canopy covered both the stall area and where she sat, perfectly shading the customers in front.

"Here, sis."

"Okay." Jiang Yingxue reached out and took the four sachets Xiao Zhao handed over, hanging them on the four corners of the cart.

These were her homemade bug-repellent sachets. Food easily attracts flies and other insects, and if such pests land on the food, it becomes unfit to sell—no one wants to buy unhygienic items.

After hanging the sachets, she took out her stool and Xiao Zhao's little cot from inside the cart, placing them in their spots. Finally, she opened the Warm Crystal thermal box and took out some rice balls to set out.

The display counter for the rice balls was made from Warm Crystal and wood planks. The lower layer was Warm Crystal, and the upper layer was wood. Food placed on it would stay warm all day.

With the rice balls arranged, Jiang Yingxue placed a payment QR code in front of them.

Next, she propped up a blackboard beside the stall. Written on it were: "Xuehe Rice Ball, Egg & Ham Seaweed Rice Ball 10 yuan each, Pork Chop Seaweed Rice Ball 20 yuan each, Shrimp Seaweed Rice Ball 100 yuan each (Exclusive Secret Recipe), Sweet Spring Water 5 yuan a cup, Qiong Peach Juice 20 yuan a cup, Freshly Squeezed Qiong Peach Juice 50 yuan a cup."

Rather than waiting for customers to ask about prices, it was better to list them clearly. Clear prices attract customers who prefer not to inquire.

Since it was still early, Jiang Yingxue freshly squeezed two cups of Qiong Peach juice—one for herself and one for Xiao Zhao. The woman and the bird sat leisurely at the stall, enjoying their drinks, quite content.

The unique fragrance of Qiong Peach juice filled the air, quickly attracting the first customer.

"Miss, what drink are you having? It smells wonderful." Hu Peizhi was an employee of Xihua Oil Factory, located not far behind Taoxi Middle School. She was out on an errand and had to pass the school on her way back. Sitting in her car, she caught a whiff of the aroma and was instantly captivated. Looking up, she saw the young woman at the stall, who was just as pleasant as her drink smelled, which instantly brightened her mood.

"This is Qiong Peach juice," Jiang Yingxue stood up to introduce the drink, a smile on her face—this was her first stall customer. She pointed to the nearby blackboard and said, "Qiong Peach juice is 20 yuan a cup. Freshly squeezed is a little pricier, 50 yuan a cup. Which one would you like?"

"Which one are you having?" A flicker of surprise crossed Hu Peizhi's eyes. The stall's drinks were too expensive! Freshly squeezed for 50 yuan? Even the most expensive drinks at dedicated beverage shops in town were only around 20-something yuan. This pretty vendor's prices were higher than store prices. She couldn't understand—could such pricing actually sell?

Following Jiang Yingxue's finger, Hu Peizhi looked at the small blackboard and discovered something even more expensive than freshly squeezed juice: a Shrimp Seaweed Rice Ball actually cost 100 yuan each! The vendor must be nuts. Even though it was labeled "Exclusive Secret Recipe," a 100-yuan rice ball was highway robbery, not just in a small town but even in the city. She was truly out of her mind.

She realized the prices for items under "Xuehe Rice Ball" were comparable to city prices. No, they were even more expensive than city stall prices.

Jiang Yingxue replied, "Mine is freshly squeezed. The taste between freshly squeezed and regular is quite similar. Would you like a 20-yuan one?" Noticing the woman's "it's expensive" look, she didn't recommend the freshly squeezed version. Selling it was left to chance. Once some people learned about the benefits of the regular Qiong Peach juice, they would naturally order the freshly squeezed one. She wasn't in a hurry.

Hu Peizhi didn't answer but instead asked, "Boss, is that price for your Shrimp Seaweed Rice Ball a mistake?" Could it be an extra zero was accidentally added?

Jiang Yingxue smiled lightly. "No, it's not a mistake. It's worth that price. Someone who appreciates it will buy it."

Hu Peizhi gave a dry laugh. She initially wanted to turn and leave, but the aroma of Qiong Peach juice made her swallow hard. "Boss, I'll have a 20-yuan cup, then." After saying this, she took out her phone and scanned the QR code to pay.

"Okay, please wait a moment."

Jiang Yingxue took out a transparent drink cup. She scooped a spoonful of Qiong peach concentrate, poured diluted spirit spring water into the cup, stirred it evenly with a clean long spoon, sealed it, and placed it in a paper bag.

The diluted spirit spring water was actually the well water from her courtyard. Due to the purification array she'd set up, the well water could be drunk directly without boiling and had a natural sweet aftertaste. The "Sweet Spring Water" on the blackboard was also her well water.

She also placed two packets of improved Spirit Guzhi Powder into the bag. This special blend had no odd taste, being sweet with a subtle Qiong Peach flavor. For the first three days of business, customers who bought Qiong Peach juice would receive two complimentary packets.

Handing the paper bag to Hu Peizhi, Jiang Yingxue smiled and said, "The two small packets of powder inside are complimentary. Please come again."

"Mm-hmm." Hu Peizhi took the bag, nodded, and turned to leave. Back in her car, starting the engine, a smirk hung on her lips. She thought today's Qiong Peach juice was an impulse buy. For a 20-yuan drink, the boss only added one spoonful of concentrate—so lazy! And that pet bird was drinking the same 50-yuan version as the owner. She really doubted the value of this Qiong Peach juice.

Pouting with dissatisfaction, she muttered, "What 'please come again'? I'm never going back."

She spoke too soon. When she finally tasted the Qiong Peach juice, she would realize that even with just that one spoonful, it was a divine drink.

Hu Peizhi kept these thoughts to herself. Meanwhile, Jiang Yingxue was sitting leisurely, sipping her Qiong Peach juice.

In front of Xuehe Rice Ball was a spicy soup stall. The woman selling the spicy soup was named Wang Cuifen. She had also overheard the conversation and was taken aback by Jiang Yingxue's nerve in setting such prices.

Wang Cuifen turned to Jiang Yingxue and said, "Young lady, is this your first time doing this?"

Jiang Yingxue nodded. "Yes, Auntie. How long have you been here?"

"I've been here for quite a few years," Wang Cuifen said, pointing to a milk tea shop about ten meters from the school gate, then glancing at Jiang Yingxue's blackboard. "Young lady, the cheapest milk tea in that shop is five or six yuan."

A faint smile played on Jiang Yingxue's lips. "Thank you for the reminder, Auntie. My drinks are worth every penny. I won't be changing the prices."

"Hah, you've got confidence, girl. Good for you." Seeing that her well-intentioned advice wasn't taken to heart, Wang Cuifen wasn't angry, just shook her head at the foolishness of youth.