Huo Tingzhou looked up and saw a middle - aged man in his forties squatting in the alley.
In front of the man was a bamboo basket with several spiky, yellow - green things in it.
There was also a sign standing beside it, which read: Southern Durian, fragrant and sweet. (1.5 yuan each).
At this time, there were many people coming and going in the alley. Most people would take a subconscious look at this thing when they saw it.
Then they quickened their pace and walked away covering their noses.
Jiang Si seemed to be rooted to the spot.
Of course, she knew it was a durian, and this was not an ordinary Musang King but a Black Thorn.
Jiang Si was just a little surprised. In the past, she would always avoid durians.
But this time, instead of feeling nauseous or uncomfortable in her stomach, she was... attracted by this rich and pungent smell.
Before Huo Tingzhou could say a word, Jiang Si had already pulled him over.
The closer they got, the more pungent the indescribable smell became. Huo Tingzhou subconsciously frowned.
But seeing his wife looking so receptive, he was instantly a bit dazed.
Especially when he heard Jiang Si say, "I want to eat this..."
Huo Tingzhou was at a loss for words. It took him a long time to squeeze out a few words. "This thing smells like it's gone bad. Can it be eaten?"
"Yes, it can." As she said this, Jiang Si inexplicably swallowed her saliva.
Thinking that this thing was rare in China, she said, "I heard that this is the king of fruits from the Nanyang region. I ate it twice when I was in Hu City before. Its taste is just like that of the 'Laodachang' cream ice - cream."
"Yes, yes. This is from the Nanyang region."
Seeing that Jiang Si was interested, the durian seller quickly chipped in.
Unfortunately, he was not good at speaking and could only come up with such a sentence after much hesitation.
He had never eaten ice - cream and didn't know what it tasted like.
But his inherent honesty made him open a durian right after hearing what Jiang Si said.
"Here, have a taste. If it's not fragrant and sweet, you don't have to pay." As the man said, he motioned for her to take a big piece with his eyes.
Just then, an old woman carrying a vegetable basket walked into the alley.
Seeing this, the old woman pursed her lips unhappily.
"What's wrong with you? Didn't I tell you yesterday?"
"If you want to sell this stinky thing, go somewhere else. Why are you here again today?"
"Auntie, I'll leave soon." The man said embarrassedly.
"No, leave now!"
After saying that, the old woman glanced at Jiang Si. "Young lady, don't listen to this man. What he means by 'if it's not fragrant and sweet, you don't have to pay' is all nonsense. This thing tastes terrible."
"And the thing he's selling is very expensive. One costs one yuan and fifty cents!"
At this time, a pound of first - class pork only cost eighty cents, and he dared to charge such a high price for a durian. It was simply robbery.
Jiang Si didn't say a word. It was an old vegetable seller beside them who couldn't stand it anymore.
"Ma'am, you didn't say that when you ate it yesterday. Besides, the price is clearly written on the sign."
"You complained it was too expensive after eating it and didn't want to buy it. Instead, you insisted on cutting the price in half."
"If others don't sell it to you at that price, you try to drive them away. How can you be like this?"
The old woman blushed with embarrassment and quickly tried to make up an excuse. "I can't read. Who knew this stupid thing was so expensive."
Maybe feeling a bit embarrassed, she then stared at the middle - aged man fiercely.
"Are you going or not? If not, I'll call the inspection team right now."
Hearing this, the man's face turned pale instantly. "Auntie, I'll leave right away."
At this time, the atmosphere of the struggle in the South was not as intense as that in the North. However, if someone really reported it, the inspection team would still intervene.
It was the Chinese New Year, and the man didn't want to cause any trouble.
As soon as he finished speaking, he slung the bamboo basket onto his back.
The load was heavy, and when the man stood up, he lost his balance. Fortunately, Huo Tingzhou gave him a hand.
After the man staggered and regained his footing, Jiang Si noticed that there was nothing below his left leg.
"Girl, here's this for you. Take it home and have it."
The man split the durian in half. He offered one half to Jiang Si and the other half to the old man who had supported him just now.
Seeing this, the aunt was so angry that her chest heaved up and down. But no one paid any attention to her.
The old man who had supported him didn't take it. Frowning, he said, "I don't like this stuff." He wasn't being polite; he really didn't like it!
Jiang Si also didn't take it. She glanced at the bamboo basket on the man's back.
"Uncle, how much is this basket?"
The man subconsciously thought she wanted to buy one.
"This basket was woven by myself. If you want to buy one, go left after you get out of this alley."
"Over there, people are selling them. One of this size is about eighty cents."
Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Si said, "I'll take all the durians in your basket."
The man was stunned for a moment. Reacting, he quickly waved his hand.
"No, no. Eating too much of this can easily cause internal heat."
"Moreover, these durians in the basket are almost ripe. You won't be able to finish so many at once."
"It's okay. I can finish them," Jiang Si said.
Before, she had heard from others that with durians, there are only two scenarios: never eating them or eating them countless times.
Besides, there were four people in the family, so surely they could finish them.
Finally, under Jiang Si's insistence, the man had no choice but to give in and agree.
He counted them. There were a total of nine durians, including the one that had been opened.
The man said, "I'll count them as eight. I won't charge you for the basket."
"Thank you, Uncle."
Jiang Si didn't haggle with him and directly paid the money.
The man was even a bit embarrassed by this "thank you".
Durians were expensive, and sometimes he couldn't sell even one in a day.
Now, the temperature was getting higher and higher every day. If he couldn't sell these, they would end up being a loss for him.
Seeing that Huo Tingzhou was carrying big and small bags in his hands, the man asked, "Where do you live? I'll deliver them to your place."
This time, it was Huo Tingzhou who spoke. He really couldn't carry any more things in his hands.
"It's just on the street ahead. Thank you for your trouble."
The uncle waved his hand.
It was only a few minutes' walk from here.
Before leaving, the uncle specifically reminded them a few more times, "Eating too much durian really can cause internal heat. Put these unopened ones in a cool place when you get home. They should be able to last for ten or fifteen days."
Jiang Si smiled and said okay.
After the uncle left, Huo Tingzhou looked at his wife with a complicated expression.
Feeling his gaze, Jiang Si was puzzled. "Why do you keep looking at me?"
"Nothing," Huo Tingzhou suddenly smiled. "You're still the same as before."
Tough - talking but kind - hearted. No! Beautiful and kind - hearted.
She clearly didn't like it, but as soon as she saw that the man had a disability in his leg, she bought all the durians.
Jiang Si didn't know what he was imagining, but she showed her attitude through her actions.
She bought this purely out of fondness, though a sliver of compassion did play a small part.
There are so many suffering people in the world, and she couldn’t possibly help them all.
But what she wanted, the other person happened to have.
So, an exchange of needs wasn’t such a bad thing.
That said, this durian was absolutely delicious! With just one small taste, Jiang Si was instantly captivated by its texture.
No wonder her friends had been relentlessly recommending it to her.
Like right now.
"Try a bite—it’s seriously amazing."
When she recommended things to others, they might refuse, but Huo Tingzhou never would.
Seeing the durian flesh she held up to his lips, he took a big bite as if ready to risk his life for his wife.
"So? Isn’t it fragrant and sweet?"
"Fragrant and sweet" might be a stretch, but since it was his wife feeding him, he had to play along.
Otherwise, he might not get this privilege next time.
"Mhm, delicious."
Even as he said it, his hand instinctively rolled down the car window.
Realizing Jiang Si was still sitting beside him, he stammered, "Sweetheart… I…"
Jiang Si saw through it but didn’t call him out, simply smiling. "Didn’t you say you needed to buy some groceries? Go ahead, I’ll wait in the car."
Once he left, she could sneak a few things out from her space.
Huo Tingzhou scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
As if to prove his loyalty, he suddenly leaned in and kissed her lips.
Now he was certain—his wife was right.
It really was fragrant and sweet!
