Chapter 61
As Luo Ge had expected, the following events unfolded.
Initially, there were indeed many people coming to sell fruits for the first two days, but the number gradually decreased afterward.
Fewer people came each day, until eventually no one came anymore, because the lychee season had passed.
Luo Ge and the others had also closed down their stalls.
"Ah, the lychee season passed too quickly," Wang Sister-In-Law sighed as she looked at the small remaining pile of fresh lychees in the courtyard that had not been processed yet.
Looking at the pile of fruits, they should be able to finish processing them today.
During this period, each family had earned a decent sum of money from the lychees, with some earning as much as one or two taels of silver, while others earned two or three hundred wen.
In ordinary years, it would be rare to earn this much money in such a short time.
So naturally, they felt reluctant to see it end, regretting that it was over.
"When we first thought of making dried lychees, it was a bit late. No matter, there will be another lychee season next year," Luo Ge said, acknowledging that they had indeed started making dried lychees a bit late, wasting half the season, which was a bit of a pity.
"That's true. When the time comes, you all must remember to call me over to help with the lychees," Wang Sister-In-Law nodded and joked with a smile.
She was just joking around. This time, Luo Ge had called her and her daughter over to help, allowing their family to earn an extra 800 wen more than others, for which she was already grateful.
"Sure, I definitely won't leave you out, and Elder Sister and Elder Sister Xiu Niang too. You all must come and help when the time comes," Luo Ge didn't mind Wang Sister-In-Law's remark at all. Wang Sister-In-Law and the others worked diligently, kept their mouths shut, and didn't pry into others' business, which made them very likable.
She also planned to invite them again next time.
Hearing Luo Ge's words, everyone present laughed.
"Sure."
"Sure!"
They all responded with a smile.
After processing the last of the fruits, everyone stretched their lazy bodies.
Luo Ge took out the account book and paid each of them their daily wages.
She didn't forget the few little ones either.
Older Baby, Second Baby, and Tie Dan had basically helped out every day during this period. Although they couldn't do much, their diligent work deserved a reward.
Luo Ge paid each of them three wen per day, allowing them to save up and buy whatever they wanted.
After Wang Sister-In-Law and the others left, and the fruits were all sun-dried, Luo Ge and Gu Jinchen sat down together to calculate their earnings during this period.
They had been busy for a full half month, with an average daily production of around 1,500 jin of fresh lychees.
1,500 jin of fresh lychees could produce 150 jin of dried lychees, at 270 wen per jin, earning 40 taels and 5 qian of silver per day.
In this half month, they had earned 607.5 taels of silver.
The costs for harvesting and labor during this period totaled 75 taels.
This harvesting cost only included their own harvesting, excluding the lychees delivered by Li Shopkeeper.
After deducting the costs, they had a net profit of 532.5 taels.
Calculating this result, both Luo Ge and Gu Jinchen were stunned.
Gu Jinchen swallowed slightly. In half a month, they had earned over 500 taels. Was his wife too capable?
Moreover, this only accounted for the dried lychees; the peaches had not been calculated yet.
"However, most of our net profit relies on the space. If we couldn't obtain sugar, honey, salt, and other things from the space..."
"Our costs would have to be increased by at least another 100 taels or so."
As she spoke, she suddenly felt a deep love for her little space!
Hearing her words, Gu Jinchen ruffled her head affectionately.
"This is our blessing."
"Indeed, it is."
Having this space was truly a blessing for them.
The little birthmark had been with her since she was a child, but it showed no signs of activation even after she endured so much suffering from the famine after coming to this world.
It wasn't until she met him that the opportunity arose to activate it.
This must have something to do with him, right?
Probably.
They had only calculated the harvest, but the last few batches of dried fruits had not yet been delivered to Li Shopkeeper.
After sun-drying this batch today and waiting another two or three days for them to fully dry, they would be completely done.
During these few days, the dried fruits made in the previous two days would also be gradually finished.
"I've looked at the available land in our village. I found two suitable places for us to build a house, one at the entrance of the village and the other at the end. Would you like me to take you to have a look and see which one you prefer?"
"Sure, let's go with Older Baby and Second Baby," she said, calling the two little ones over. They had some free time now anyway.
They could also take the opportunity to check on the progress of the school on their way.
Apparently, it had already been set up, but they had been too busy to take a look during this period.
"Alright."
Upon hearing this, the two little "light bulbs" washed their hands and ran over.
Looking at the two little rascals, Gu Jinchen gave Luo Ge a helpless glance.
The chance to go out alone with his wife had been missed again.
Gu Jinchen led the way with Older Baby, while Luo Ge followed behind with Second Baby.
As they passed by the entrance of the village, they noticed a family loudly quarreling.
Curiosity is human nature, and Luo Ge couldn't help but be a little curious about the commotion.
"Too many people, be careful," Gu Jinchen spoke, seeming to have noticed her little curiosity.
From the sounds of it, the quarrel seemed quite serious. She was still pregnant, so if she went to pry and got accidentally hurt, what would they do?
So, she couldn't go.
Understanding the meaning behind his words, Luo Ge squeezed Second Baby's little chubby hand.
"Can we just listen for a bit?" she tried to negotiate.
"No, don't pry into the commotion. Be good," Gu Jinchen said firmly, not wanting her to go over.
Since everyone's attention was focused elsewhere at the moment, he simply let go of Older Baby's hand and pulled his little wife over.
Luo Ge held Older Baby and Second Baby's hands with her other hand, following behind.
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....... A little note:
Good evening, dear readers.
Recently, I've noticed some comments from readers saying that the depiction of seasons and related issues in the story is inaccurate.
Let me address this here. The time setting in the story is based on the current season we're in.
Lychees are available during this period, as I've researched and found that lychees ripen around July-August, with late-season lychees appearing in August-September.
As for rice planting, I've also done my research. In the southern regions, late-season rice is sown in the sixth lunar month, and transplanting occurs in the late seventh lunar month.
In the story, I've mentioned that the female lead and her companions planted a bit later than the other villagers.
If you're unsure, feel free to look it up as well.
Regarding the lychee yield, I've also written it based on the data I researched. According to my findings, an ordinary lychee tree can produce around 100-150 jin of lychees.
So, with so many people, it's reasonable for them to pick around 15 trees' worth per day.
As for the dried fruit yield, I've also checked the information. For every 100 jin of fresh lychees, the dried fruit yield is around 10 jin.
For dried peaches, it's around 25 jin of dried fruit per 100 jin of fresh fruit.
Additionally, the introduction states that this is a fictional work, so I've tried my best to research and write accordingly. Please don't take it too literally, dear readers~