The Happy Farmer Wanderer-Chapter 137: Competitor_1

Hu Youqing is also collecting Wenguan Leaves?!

Li Qing was startled, having been running around inside and outside the village for the past few days, he had not heard a thing about it.

"His wife mentioned it when she came over yesterday, it must be true," Auntie Caili said leisurely, "It seems that after Hu Youqing heard you were buying Wenguan Leaves at such a high price, he used some of Hu Youyu’s connections to get in touch with a businessperson from out of town."

"He’s offering thirty as well, but he’s also buying the larger leaves, just not the old ones."

Li Qing suddenly remembered the harsh words that old fart Hu Youqing had said when they met earlier that day.

No wonder he was so arrogant at the time.

"How is it possible for him to also buy the larger leaves?" Li Qing muttered in confusion.

Whether it was Yu Baishuo or Lü Zong, they only bought the tenderest leaves at the tips.

"I don’t know about that. But according to Hu Youqing’s wife, people would take the top part of the Wenguan Leaves, the tender buds, even if plucked directly. Qingzi, their weight makes a big difference compared to yours. It’s not noticeable with one or two pounds, but with larger quantities, the gap becomes obvious," Auntie Caili cautioned.

"You need to be careful. If Hu Youqing really sets up shop, your business might suffer."

Li Qing didn’t need Auntie Caili’s reminder to realize how fatal Hu Youqing’s move could be for him.

He was only collecting tender leaves, which at most amounted to two or three delicate pieces per branch.

But Hu Youqing was not only buying larger leaves but also tender branches, and that made a huge difference.

He could pick dozens of leaves and it might not equal the weight of one large leaf with tender buds from someone else.

At the same price, the villagers would definitely choose to sell more.

If Hu Youqing really managed to expand this business, Li Qing felt that he would definitely be out of the game.

Unless he could snatch Hu Youyu’s share.

But to do that, Li Qing thought he should consult Yu Baishuo to see if she had any ideas.

"Auntie Caili, this information is incredibly valuable," he said.

Li Qing firmly grasped Auntie Caili’s two trembling mounds with a serious expression.

Auntie Caili giggled coquettishly, "You’re talking so seriously, but you’re grabbing me here."

"Just know that I have your back, come by whenever you want. Even though I have a child, you can use my body."

Li Qing smiled and nodded, "If I’m not too busy, I’ll definitely come by. I have to leave now. I need to figure out how to handle this situation; otherwise, there will definitely be trouble."

"Go on," Auntie Caili said, twisting her voluptuous body as she opened the door for Li Qing.

After returning from the store, Li Qing saw it was almost eleven o’clock.

At this hour, Sister Yu must have already been asleep.

But the news from Auntie Caili made him extremely anxious, and he couldn’t sit still.

After much hesitation, he decided to give Sister Yu a call, to try his luck.

The phone had barely rung twice when a lazy voice came from the other end.

"What’s up, little brother? Feeling lonely late at night?"

Li Qing chuckled lightly, "Yeah, I’m pining over Sister Yu’s beauty, absolutely unable to sleep."

"My, what sweet talk from you late at night. It’s as if you have a belly full of ink," Sister Yu laughed, "What are you thinking about me? Tell me."

"It seems like I’ll have the full 300 pounds by tomorrow, so naturally, I’m thinking about how Sister Yu could fall into my arms," Li Qing said.

Another delivery tomorrow would indeed nearly reach 300 pounds.

Whether Yu Baishuo would make good on her boast from a few days ago, letting him take advantage, Li Qing hoped it would happen but wasn’t particularly expectant, as he dared not take it entirely seriously.

Compared to this, what he was more concerned about was the 300-jin price increase mentioned by Yu Baishuo.

There was a brief silence on the phone before Yu Baishuo said, "When the time comes, you’ll know, Sister won’t be joking."

"I’ve hired so many people, and the business has been lukewarm. I never expected that you would end up taking the lion’s share. Little brother, you really are a local tough guy."

"Sister Yu, I wouldn’t dare say I’m a local tough guy. Speaking of which, our village does have a local tough guy, and he’s a poisonous snake." Li Qing said seriously, "He’s started collecting Wenguan Leaves recently, too. With his involvement, my business is nearly dead."

"You mean someone is competing with you?" Yu Baishuo’s voice grew more serious.

"You’re calling me in the middle of the night just to talk about this, aren’t you?"

"Indeed, it’s about this. That person could be considered competition, but he’s collecting differently from what I collect," Li Qing said with some annoyance. "The price is the same, but he doesn’t even want the big leaves or the young branches."

"Once this news spreads in a couple of days, probably no one will sell to me!"

"I know about this, there are outsiders collecting in the neighboring county town recently, indeed taking the young branches along with the leaves," Yu Baishuo said. "I’ve been waiting here for news from the buyers. If they also want to collect, your problem could be easily solved."

"Sister Yu, how long will the news take?" asked Li Qing.

He was a bit worried that his business would fail before he could get Yu Baishuo’s news.

Hearing what Hu Youqing said today made it clear there was an intention to target him.

If that old fox got involved, the Wenguan Leaves he could collect would probably be very few.

"First, increase your price a bit. I’ll rush them tomorrow and notify you immediately once I have news, how about that?" Yu Baishuo said.

Although raising the price was a bit painful, it seemed like the only thing to do for now.

As for the potential issues that came with it, Li Qing no longer had the time to worry about them.

Let the villagers talk; it didn’t matter anymore.

"Sister Yu, the sooner the better. I already have a feud with that local tough guy, and I’m worried he will deliberately target me," Li Qing said with a grave voice.

"Alright, don’t worry," Yu Baishuo said.

After hanging up the phone, Li Qing sat on the sofa and fell into deep thought.

The situation was difficult to handle either way.

Running a unique business was always the right choice.

But with competition, especially from a rival like this, his reputation could be ruined at any moment.

Holding his head, he pondered deeply for a while, and apart from raising the price, Li Qing couldn’t think of any other solution.

Now, he could only take it one step at a time and deal with things as they came.

Early the next morning, Li Qing got up while it was still dim outside.

After tidying up and having breakfast, he called Gao Li, and they went to Shanglin Village early.

He planned to collect the Wenguan Leaves early that day and then observe Hu Youqing’s actions.

Around ten o’clock in the morning, just as Li Qing and Gao Li entered the village, they saw Hu Youyu’s vehicle parked on the village square.

"Collecting Wenguan Leaves, both big leaves and young branches, thirty per jin, thirty per jin!"

A loudspeaker was placed on the vehicle, continuously broadcasting this phrase.

"Qingzi, this old chap is stealing your business. He’s even taking the big leaves. He’s deliberately making you sick!" Gao Li parked the car and said angrily.

Li Qing’s face, however, became somewhat strange.

Thirty... per jin?