Chapter 8: Preparing for Future Challenges

Li Qingyun walked home with light steps, the weight of 40 copper coins jingling in her pouch. It was more money than she had ever earned selling vegetables in her past life.

But she knew this was just the beginning.

I need to prepare for what comes next.

Success always brought jealousy and greed—and she had already seen Aunt Liu's reaction at the market. If she wasn't careful, others would try to sabotage her.

I won't let them. This time, I'll be ready.

Strengthening Her Supply

The first step was ensuring a steady and reliable vegetable supply. Her farming space gave her an advantage, but she had to use it wisely.

That night, after making sure her family was asleep, Qingyun slipped into the abandoned shed and entered the farming space.

The fields were exactly as she had left them, with rows of cabbage and scallions still thriving under the eternal sunlight.

This time, she expanded her planting.

She sowed more cabbage and scallion seeds in a different section of the field.

She planted carrots and radishes, common root vegetables that were always in demand.

She tested a few herbs—cilantro and garlic chives—that chefs in town might value.

After watering everything with the mystical spring water, she stepped back and watched the plants sprout instantly, their green leaves pushing through the soil.

Perfect.

With this, she could harvest every morning and have fresh produce ready for sale without anyone suspecting a thing.

Avoiding Exploitation

In her past life, she had been too trusting. She had sold her vegetables to middlemen, thinking it would be easier than dealing with customers directly.

But those merchants had bought her goods at dirt-cheap prices and resold them at high profits—while she remained poor.

Not this time.

She would never sell to greedy vendors like Aunt Liu or market brokers. Instead, she would establish direct customers—villagers, small food stalls, and even wealthy households in town.

Expanding Her Sales Strategy

The next day, Qingyun returned to the market with another batch of fresh vegetables.

This time, she didn't just wait for customers to come to her. She observed and listened, watching which vendors struggled and which ones thrived.

She noticed a humble-looking food stall owner, an old man struggling to buy vegetables from a vendor arguing over prices.

Qingyun approached him with a smile.

"Uncle, are you looking for fresh vegetables?"

The man turned, surprised. "You're the girl who sold out yesterday."

"Yes," Qingyun said, opening her basket slightly so he could see the crisp, green cabbages and scallions inside. "Would you like to buy directly from me? My vegetables are fresher and will stay crisp even after cooking."

The old man hesitated, then glanced at the wilted cabbages in another vendor's stall. "How much?"

"For bulk buyers like you, I'll give a small discount—4 copper coins per cabbage, 1.5 per bunch of scallions."

The man's eyes lit up. "That's a good deal."

He immediately bought five cabbages and ten bunches of scallions, making Qingyun's first bulk sale.

This was the start of something bigger.

Dealing with Jealous Competitors

As Qingyun counted her earnings, she felt an intense glare on her back.

She turned and saw Aunt Liu and a few other vendors whispering among themselves.

They're planning something.

Qingyun kept a calm face, but she mentally prepared herself.

She wouldn't let them scheme against her again.

If they wanted to play dirty, she would be ready this time.

Strengthening Her Family

That evening, when she returned home, Qingyun found her younger siblings sitting on the floor, their faces full of curiosity as they looked at the food on the table.

Their mother, Madam Li, had prepared a simple but hearty meal—vegetable stir-fry, steamed buns, and a bowl of broth.

Seeing the fresh greens, her younger brother, Li Jun, grinned. "Jiejie, the cabbages taste better than before!"

Madam Li looked at Qingyun with suspicion. "Where are you getting such fresh vegetables?"

Qingyun smiled. "Mother, I started growing them in a small patch behind the shed."

It wasn't a full lie—she did plant some crops outside to avoid suspicion.

Her father, Li Zhong, nodded approvingly. "Good. We must rely on our own efforts."

Qingyun hesitated, then placed a small pouch of copper coins on the table.

"This is the money I earned today."

Her parents' eyes widened.

"40 copper coins? From selling vegetables?" Madam Li gasped.

"Yes," Qingyun said. "If we keep working hard, we can save up and buy more land in the future."

Her father's face grew serious. "Qingyun, are you sure no one is taking advantage of you?"

Qingyun's heart warmed. Even in her past life, her parents had been kind and protective—they had simply been too poor to help her.

She smiled reassuringly. "Father, don't worry. I'm not as easy to fool anymore."

Her father sighed but patted her head. "Good girl. Just be careful."

Qingyun clenched her fists.

I will be. And I'll make sure we never suffer again.

Preparing for the Next Battle

That night, as Qingyun lay in bed, she reviewed everything.

She had:

✔️ Secured a steady vegetable supply.

✔️ Found a direct customer.

✔️ Avoided market exploitation.

But she knew this was only the beginning.

Tomorrow, she would expand her customer base.

And if Aunt Liu and the other vendors tried to sabotage her?

She was ready for them.

This life belonged to her now.

And no one would steal her future again.

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