Sky-High Priced Vegetables

“Mr. Qian, are you serious? Are you saying that after the old commander ate a few pieces of watermelon, his injured leg improved?” Dr. Zhao asked in disbelief.

“It’s absolutely true. If I hadn’t witnessed it myself, I wouldn’t have believed it either. This watermelon was bought by my brother-in-law for an astronomical price—just a small piece cost fifty yuan. After my father ate it, the condition of his injured leg changed and began to improve,” Qian Yuejin said, gesturing toward Liu Jianhua.

“It’s not just my leg that feels better. My vision seems clearer, the old gunshot wound in my waist doesn’t hurt anymore, and even my stomach feels more comfortable,” Old Master Qian said, actually standing up without assistance for the first time, pointing to several places on his body.

Everyone was astonished by his words. Dr. Zhao immediately began another round of examinations with his assistant, and in the end confirmed that the old man hadn’t lied; there were indeed signs of improvement in many old wounds left from the wartime years.

“Mr. Qian, if the old commander’s recovery truly is due to eating this expensive watermelon, then we should buy more for him. Though I can’t explain the cause, it’s undeniably beneficial for his health,” Dr. Zhao said to Qian Yuejin, still half in doubt but with certainty in his tone.

“Jianhua, can you go and buy some more watermelon for my father? No matter the cost, if you manage to get some, you’ll have done us a great service,” Qian Yuejin said to Liu Jianhua without hesitation.

“Second Brother, it’s not that I don’t want to, but the young man sold out yesterday and left. However, he did say he’d return tomorrow afternoon to sell more. We’ll just have to go back then,” Liu Jianhua replied, shaking his head.

“Then we’ll go tomorrow afternoon. I want to go myself and see who is selling such expensive watermelon,” Old Master Qian said, waving his hand.

“I’d like to accompany you, sir,” Dr. Zhao quickly chimed in, sensing that this extraordinary watermelon might be something incredible.

The next afternoon at three, Old Master Qian, Qian Yuejin, Dr. Zhao, and Liu Jianhua arrived at the place where Chen Fengyun had sold watermelon the day before, only to find it teeming with people. The crowd buzzed with excited discussion.

“I tell you, my wife’s eyesight has been failing for years, but after eating the young man’s watermelon yesterday, she can now barely see clearly again.”

“And my chronic migraine, which has plagued me for over a decade—after a few pieces of watermelon yesterday, the pain has all but vanished.”

“My rheumatism has tormented me for over thirty years, but now it’s showing signs of improvement. It must be connected to the watermelon I ate yesterday.”

“I’ve suffered from a skin disease for years, tried countless medicines—both Chinese and Western—used all sorts of folk remedies, but nothing worked. Yet after eating some of that young man’s watermelon yesterday, I now have hope of recovery.”

“The most miraculous thing is my eldest grandson. A few years ago, he had a high fever and developed meningitis, and his intelligence regressed to that of a three- or four-year-old. Yesterday, after I brought him a few pieces of watermelon, he’s now as sharp as a seven- or eight-year-old.”

At least a hundred people were discussing the miraculous effects of the exorbitantly priced watermelon. Many had come again today, eager to buy more, so a long queue had formed.

“Hurry, let’s get in line or we’ll miss out,” Liu Jianhua urged Dr. Zhao, seeing fifty or sixty people already queued up.

“From what everyone’s saying, this expensive watermelon really is extraordinary. I want to see for myself what kind of watermelon it is,” Dr. Zhao said with curiosity.

“You’ll see soon enough. Just the aroma is enough to refresh you, let alone the lingering sensation after you eat it,” Liu Jianhua said with conviction.

Not long after, a young man appeared in the distance, carrying a small wooden table and a woven sack. Chen Fengyun spotted the large crowd waiting and a faint smile played on his lips. He was well aware of the effects of the watermelons from the miniature paradise.

“Young man, I want one watermelon.”

“Give me half a watermelon, please.”

“Brother, I’ll buy as many as you have, name your price.”

Before Chen Fengyun even reached his usual spot, several middle-aged men and women rushed over, surrounding him with requests, some even wanting to buy out all his watermelons.

“Today’s rule is two pieces of watermelon per person, fifty yuan each. Please queue up in order,” Chen Fengyun shook his head at the eager few, then raised his voice to address the crowd. Though he didn’t speak loudly, his words reached the hundreds gathered, carrying a persuasive authority.

“This young man is no ordinary person,” Qian Yuejin remarked to his father nearby, his gaze sharpening as he watched Chen Fengyun from a distance.

The previously chaotic scene quickly organized into a proper queue. Despite some pushing, nearly a hundred people lined up in short order.

Without further words, Chen Fengyun set up his wooden table, took out a flying sword and some tissues from his sack, and started slicing the watermelons. His movements were swift and deft—a few quick strokes, and half a watermelon was cut into sixteen neat pieces.

“Young man, could I buy a few more pieces? This watermelon is helping my rheumatism, can’t you sell me a little extra?” the elderly man at the front pleaded.

“Grandpa, just look at how many people are behind you. If I gave you more, what about them? Two pieces a day is just right for your health—eating more won’t add any extra benefit. If you want more, come back tomorrow,” Chen Fengyun replied, sticking to his rule.

Many others in the queue tried to buy extra for themselves or family, but Chen Fengyun remained firm—two pieces per person, not a piece more.

Despite this, within half an hour, he sold six watermelons, earning sixteen hundred yuan per melon—a total of nine thousand six hundred yuan.

Still, some at the end of the line missed out, and many people wanted to queue again, but the watermelons were gone.

“Everyone, the watermelons are sold out, but today I’ve brought some vegetables that have the same effects as the watermelon. You might want to try cooking them at home.”

With that, Chen Fengyun took out a handful of vegetables from the bottom of his sack: some chives, a few tomatoes, eggplants, loofahs, cucumbers, and other seasonal produce.

The crowd hesitated, uncertain whether these vegetables would have the same miraculous properties as the prized watermelons.