"I can offer you 20 mari per kilo, bulk rate," Lina said, her voice casual.
Venzel blinked.
"Wait... really? Are you sure?" he asked, his brows shooting up.
"Last I checked, market rate was just 15 mari per kilo…"
Lina laughed, placing a hand on her hip like a proud merchant unveiling her prized bargain.
"Hah! You underestimate me, young man. These aren't your everyday potatoes. These are premium, plump, even-toned, no blemishes. Looking like they were raised in the finest conditions."
Venzel rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling sheepishly.
"Thanks, Aunt Lina. That means a lot."
Lina leaned in slightly, lowering her voice into a quiet whisper as she eyed Kana's closed office door.
"But Venzel… be there for her, alright? She won't say it, but business has been slow. She's doing everything she can to keep this place going. I've been taking less rent as well."
Venzel's face softened. He gave a quiet, sincere nod.
"I will, ainty. Thank you."
Lina leaned back in the chair with a tired groan, throwing her head against the cushion and sighing dramatically.
"Oh, to be young… My husband's always busy with some business call or another. My only company nowadays is Max and his collection of loose teeth."
She laughed at herself, eyes twinkling with amusement.
Just then, the office door swung open.
Max came rushing out, beaming like he had just been awarded a medal.
"Mommy! Sister said my teeth will be normal by next month! No one'll call me 'Sharky' anymore!"
Lina's eyes welled slightly as she bent down and ruffled his hair.
"Oh, my sweet boy."
Then, with a grateful smile, she turned to Kana.
"Thank you, Doctor. Really."
Kana smiled, adjusting her coat slightly as she followed Max out. Just before heading to the door, Lina paused.
"Ah—Venzel," she said, turning back.
"I'll send my men to pick up the potatoes later this afternoon. In the meantime, can I get your contact? I'll transfer the money once it's weighed."
Venzel scratched his head again.
"Ah… I haven't connected my number to my bank yet. You can send it to my girlfriend's account for now."
Lina raised an eyebrow playfully, her voice sing-song.
"Ohhh, your girlfriend's number, is it? Alright, alright."
She winked with a grin and gave Kana a wink before stepping out with Max in tow.
The door closed with a gentle chime. For a beat, the room was quiet.
Then—
Venzel turned, grabbed Kana by the waist, and spun her around with a sudden laugh.
"I got my first customer! Right away! And it's all thanks to you!" he shouted with glee.
"Ah! Venzel! Put me down—!" Kana yelped, slapping his arms and shoulders as he lifted her a little higher.
He grinned, hugging her tighter like a kid who'd just won a prize at the fair.
"You're our lucky charm, you know that right?"
Kana was red-faced but smiling wide. She squirmed, laughing through it.
"Stop—Venzel! People might see! I'm a professional here!"
"Then this is professional-grade gratitude," he said, finally setting her down but not letting go entirely.
They both stood there, slightly breathless, arms still around each other.
"You're ridiculous," Kana said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yeah," Venzel said, eyes warm. "But I got potatoes. And I got you."
Kana laughed, leaning into his shoulder.
Before she could take a step away, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead.
Just as she moved her head away, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen.
"Oh—babe, Aunt Lina just transferred 2,000 Mari for the potatoes!" she said, eyes wide. "She also mentioned she hired some men to come pick them up."
Venzel blinked. "Already?"
Kana was about to open her banking app to transfer the money to him, but he gently reached out and stopped her.
"Keep it," he said calmly.
"What? But it's yours—"
He placed a finger gently over her lips.
"You meant to say it's 'ours', right?" His tone was playful but confident. "Also, you saw how I got those potatoes. I think we're going to be rich real soon, so I want you to hold on to it."
Kana stared at him for a moment, surprised and touched by the sincerity in his eyes. She finally nodded, her lips curling into a smile.
"Alright… I'll keep it. But only because you insisted."
Soon after, a knock came from the front of the clinic. They both turned.
Three men in modest farmwear stood outside, smiling politely.
One of them stepped forward and greeted, "Morning, Doctor Kana. We're here on behalf of Miss Lina to pick up the potatoes."
Kana nodded, and Venzel guided them to the corner of the room where the bags were neatly stacked.
The men moved efficiently, each grabbing two bags at a time. In just a few trips, the ten bags, 100 kilograms in total, were loaded onto a small truck outside.
Venzel stood by the window, watching the last bag being lifted.
And then, a soft glow shimmered before his eyes.
A translucent screen appeared, floating gently in front of him.
[Congratulations, you have made your first sale.]
[Reward: Special effects on farm products unlocked.]
[Potatoes] – Level 1
Effect: Weight gain -1, Taste +1
[Sell 100kg of potatoes – Completed]
Next: Meet Ashy in ToonTown to continue the quest.
Venzel stared at the screen, a grin slowly forming.
Kana noticed the sparkle in his eyes. "What's that smile about?"
He turned toward her, holding both her hands, unable to contain his excitement.
"Level up," he said simply.
Kana blinked. "Huh?"
He laughed, spun her gently in a circle, and whispered, "Do you have any friends who wants to diet? The potatoes works real good as a weight reduction."