"You’re too much, you little rascal. Alright, alright, Auntie won’t haggle with you. But next time your family has extra vegetables, as long as they can be used in stir-fries, just bring them all to my restaurant."

Qin Jiao was delighted. This way, she wouldn’t have to waste so much time selling vegetables at the market and would have more time to study.

She knew that after the New Year break, there wouldn’t be much study time left in her senior year.

Although she was overjoyed, she still said, "But, Auntie, my vegetables are fresh, so I might have to charge a little more than the market rate. Don’t worry, though, it won’t be by much."

Jin Lan Hua was a plump woman, and hearing Qin Jiao say this, she laughed in exasperation, her whole body jiggling.

"Fine, fine, it’s a deal. Just a little more expensive, nothing too crazy. You little thing, you really have a knack for business. If you ever decide to stop studying, you could open your own shop."

Qin Jiao deftly bagged all the fresh mushrooms for Jin Lan Hua, took the money she handed over, and said with a wide smile, "I’m going to keep studying. The college entrance exams are next July. Auntie, when the time comes, keep an eye on the banners at Pingan Middle School. You’ll see my name there. My name is Qin Jiao." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

The girl, bundled in a thick padded jacket, wore a beautiful and confident smile. Jin Lan Hua was taken aback. "Getting your name on a big banner? You’d have to get into a prestigious university for that!"

"Yes, I’ll get in."

"Deal! If your name really ends up on a banner, then it’ll be my treat—I’ll invite your whole family for a meal!"

’A student from a prestigious university has eaten here...’ Qin Jiao laughed to herself. ’This woman really is a natural-born businesswoman.’

Still, the woman’s intentions were good, and since it was a mutually beneficial arrangement, it brought them closer. Besides, Qin Jiao would be selling her plenty of vegetables over the next six months.

Qin Jiao smiled and nodded. "Alright, then it’s a deal!"

Having secured a long-term deal, the vegetables and fish in her space now had a market. By the time her college entrance exams were over next year, she should be able to save up a considerable amount of money.

Qin Jiao pondered. ’I should figure out what else to plant in the space. And I can’t just use my parents as a cover story with nothing to show for it. Take these fresh mushrooms, for instance. I can bring some back and have Mom and Dad sell buns with a fresh mushroom and pork filling. That way, Jin Lan Hua won’t get suspicious.’

As she was pondering these things, she suddenly felt someone’s eyes on her. Qin Jiao looked up and saw Shen Yi, dressed in a gray overcoat with his hands in his pockets, standing not far away, watching her.

’I wonder how long he’s been watching. He definitely knows I was selling things.’

Qin Jiao’s heart sank.

But she had strong nerves. She calmly packed up her things, walked over, and greeted him. "What a coincidence. Shen Yi, what are you doing here?"

Shen Yi looked at her. She was so poised and calm, not at all flustered or angry from embarrassment.

This version of Qin Jiao was actually quite different from the one in his past life, but he found her all the more attractive for it.

Shen Yi said, "My grandpa has been down lately because of my mom, so she sent me to buy an old hen. She wants to make him some soup."

"Oh, I see. Did you buy one yet?"

"Not yet. I don’t know how to pick one."

"That’s easy. I’ll help you pick."

The two of them, by some unspoken agreement, didn’t bring up the fact that Qin Jiao had just been selling vegetables. ’Either Shen Yi doesn’t think it’s a big deal,’ Qin Jiao figured, ’or he’s being considerate of my pride.’

’Come to think of it, the Shen Yi of today was often very considerate of her. He didn’t say hurtful things like he had in their last life, and being around him was actually very comfortable.’