Chapter 130: I Have the Confidence for This

Gu Xiaoyao had initially assumed her bean sprouts were a novelty, but she later learned that some farmers had sold them before. It truly served as a reminder never to underestimate the ingenuity of the common people; when they want to make money, they will come up with all sorts of clever schemes.

"Ma'am, don't you remember me? I'm the one who mentioned a couple of days ago that I’d be bringing in some quality vegetables. You even said back then that if they were good, you’d buy up my entire stock!"

Upon hearing this, the cook recalled the encounter. She did indeed remember saying those words, and after taking a closer look at Gu Xiaoyao, her memory clicked into place.

"Oh, it’s you! I thought you were just boasting at the time. I never expected you to actually produce such fine bean sprouts."

"To be honest, just looking at them, yours are the best-looking ones I’ve seen. Look at them—every single sprout is the same length, neat and uniform. How on earth did you manage to grow them like this?"

The cook’s final remark was merely a casual inquiry; she certainly wouldn't press Gu Xiaoyao for her trade secrets. However, the rows of sprouts were truly remarkable. The most striking feature of Gu Xiaoyao’s sprouts was how perfectly uniform they were in height.

"Ma'am, not only do these sprouts look good, but they also taste much better than the ones grown by others."

Gu Xiaoyao wasn't exaggerating. Sometimes, her plant-based supernatural ability would manifest in a mutation, and a rather peculiar one at that. Plants nourished by her ability, if edible, would taste significantly better than their ordinary counterparts, while inedible ones would simply grow more aesthetically pleasing.

"Are you trying to pull my leg? I’ll admit your sprouts look beautiful, but bean sprouts are just bean sprouts—how could they possibly taste any better than the rest?"

The cook was skeptical, suspecting that Gu Xiaoyao was just blowing hot air. She found it hard to believe that bean sprouts could be anything extraordinary. Her master was a man of refined taste with a very discerning palate; he could immediately tell the quality of any ingredient after a single bite. While her own palate wasn't as sensitive as his, her years of experience as a cook had certainly sharpened her judgment.

"If you don't believe me, Ma'am, you can hold me accountable if they don't taste good."

Gu Xiaoyao felt confident in what she had grown using her ability. Though she had once considered this mutation a useless quirk, she now found it to be quite advantageous.

"Seeing how confident you are, I’m actually quite curious. These sprouts certainly do look better than the others, but let’s see if they truly live up to your claims."

The cook crouched down and gently inspected the two baskets. The sprouts in both were identical. Growing such perfect sprouts must have taken a great deal of time and effort.

"I’ll take both baskets. How much are you asking for them?"

Before arriving, Gu Xiaoyao had made a round through the market and discovered that others were selling bean sprouts for eight coins a pound—the highest price available. Because fresh vegetables were scarce in winter, some fetched prices comparable to meat, and those who could afford them certainly didn't lack money.

"I’m selling them at a bargain today just so you can get a taste, Ma'am. Ten coins a pound."

Those nearby who overheard the price gasped; it was a bold, exorbitant request. Others in the market weren't fools—why would anyone pay that much for a pound of bean sprouts? They surely thought she had gone mad with greed.

"Fine, I’ll take both baskets. I want to see for myself if these sprouts are truly as delicious as you claim!"

The cook had her own budget in mind. As long as the quality was genuine, she wasn't afraid to spend. If she could find a superior ingredient for her master, she might even be rewarded.