A Second Chance to Save My Daughter

Chapter 009

Warren's eyes gleamed with sudden clarity as the implications of the vegetable vendor's casual remarks finally came together in his mind.

After hearing those two sentences, everything seemed to fall neatly into place, and Warren realized that he didn't just want to make money anymore; he wanted to find a way to make it quickly, before anyone else noticed the same opportunity.

The ideas of wholesale markets, off-season produce, and Southern specialties began connecting one after another, forming a business opportunity that suddenly seemed almost obvious. Vegetables that were common and inexpensive in the South could become scarce and valuable commodities once they reached the North, where the same produce was far less readily available.

The more Warren thought about it, the more excited he became, because this wasn't twenty-some years in the future, when sophisticated logistics networks, nationwide distribution systems, and online shopping would make it much harder to profit from such regional price differences. Back then, scarcity itself could create an opportunity, and Warren intended to take full advantage of it.

The vegetable vendor caught the smile spreading across Warren's face and chuckled, shaking his head. "Some folks do try that approach. But here in Redharrow, conditions aren't great. Most of us don't have the cash to travel that far for inventory." He gave Warren's shoulder a companionable pat. "If you've got the connections, though, you should think it through."

With that, the older man pulled out a cigarette and lit it, leaning back against his stall.

Just then, a man in a leather jacket came rushing into the market, his gaze sweeping urgently across the stalls.

"Oh, Frank Sterling! What brings you here?" The vegetable vendor's face lit up as he called out loudly. "The order you wanted is all ready, it's loaded on the truck outside. Just get one of your drivers to haul it back!"

Frank wiped the sweat from his forehead, his breath still a bit short. "The restaurant's been testing this new spinach meatball dish. Middle of winter, and we haven't been able to find spinach anywhere. Yesterday I heard someone was selling it, fresh too, so I figured I'd come early and try my luck."

As he finished speaking, his attention snapped to Warren. Or more precisely, to the produce Warren had laid out.

Fresh bamboo shoots, each one as thick as an adult's forearm. Bright red tomatoes so large they required two hands to hold. Even without tasting them, the sheer vitality of the vegetables was unmistakable. They practically radiated freshness.

Frank took two steps forward, staring at the display in disbelief. How could such lush, vibrant produce exist in barren Redharrow?

The vegetable vendor grinned and gestured toward Warren. "Frank, your timing couldn't be better. This young man is the one who was selling the spinach. He doesn't have any today, but he's got other things!"

He shot Warren a meaningful look.

Warren snapped to attention and quickly put on a smile. "Frank, take a look at my bamboo shoots and tomatoes. Absolutely no pesticides or chemical fertilizers. They'll look amazing on the plate and taste even better."

He picked up one of the tomatoes, sliced off a piece with his pocket knife, and held it out. "Want to try?"

Frank's gaze locked onto the cross-section of the tomato. The thing was half the size of a watermelon, and juice was practically pouring out of it, running down Warren's hand in rivulets. Something about it just looked impossibly appetizing.

Sterling took the slice and popped it into his mouth.

Instantly, his expression transformed. The juice hit his tongue with a burst of fragrance, sweet and tangy in perfect balance, awakening his appetite. Ordinary tomato skins were thin but unpleasant to chew, yet the skin on this one was so delicate it was almost imperceptible. The bite left him feeling refreshed, invigorated even.

He stared at Warren with open delight. "How much of this do you have? I'll take it all!"

Warren froze for a moment, his eyes sweeping over the dozens of burlap sacks stacked in front of him. This wasn't ten or twenty pounds. This was well over a hundred pounds. Buying it all in one go...

The vegetable vendor chuckled and chimed in. "This here is Frank from Whitaker Lodge!"

Warren's pulse quickened. Whitaker Lodge. He knew that name. In his previous life, a mountain resort in Redharrow had borne the same name. It started locally, then expanded nationwide. Whitaker Lodge built luxury vacation villas on scenic mountain peaks, their resorts dotting the entire country. Eventually, the company moved into real estate and became one of the nation's major enterprises.

Right now, Whitaker Lodge was just getting started.

Warren steadied himself and said, "I've got two hundred pounds of bamboo shoots and a hundred pounds of tomatoes."

Frank nodded, glancing at the handwritten sign. "Your prices are five dollars a pound for bamboo shoots, three for tomatoes. That's steep, but for this quality? Worth every cent."

He pulled out his wallet, counted out several hundred-dollar bills, and handed them to Warren. "Do you have any spinach? The head chef is breathing down my neck."

Warren rubbed the bills between his fingers, thinking. After a moment, he nodded. "I've got some spinach left, but not much. If you need it, I can bring it to you tomorrow."

He didn't have any spinach now, but if he planted it tonight, wouldn't he have it by morning?

Sterling's face brightened. "Perfect! I'll make sure the price is fair." He pulled out a business card and pressed it into Warren's hand. "Whenever you get fresh produce, let me know."

With that, Frank waved over the men he'd brought with him, and they began hauling the bamboo shoots and tomatoes out to the pickup truck parked outside.

The vegetable vendor grinned and elbowed Warren lightly. "See, kid? Told you this route would make you money."

Warren nodded and handed the older man the few remaining pounds of bamboo shoots. "This is all I've got left. If it weren't for you, I'd still be standing here with a full stall. Take it. Try something new."

The vendor's eyes widened. Bamboo shoots! Five dollars a pound, the same price as meat! But seeing the genuine gratitude on Warren's face, he accepted the gift.

Warren hadn't expected to sell out in half an hour. Glancing outside, he saw the sky had just begun to brighten. No point heading home yet. He wandered slowly through the market, scanning the stalls for anything unusual.

Redharrow might be poor, but it was also a transit hub connecting to neighboring provinces. The market had its share of hidden gems, and a few vendors did sell small quantities of rare vegetables. But Warren noticed a problem: none of them had roots. Without roots, he couldn't replant them.

He sighed and started toward the exit. It looked like today would be a bust after all.

Then a commotion erupted from the seed shop nearby.

"You've got some nerve showing your face here again!" The shop owner, a burly man, shook his fist in the air. "Last time you told me these were lotus root seeds, said I'd make a killing! I've been sitting on them for a year and haven't sold a single damn bag! Take your junk and get out!"

Warren's heart leaped. He hurried over. Lotus root! Lotus root was a treasure. You could braise it, stir-fry it, even make desserts with it. If he could grow lotus root...