Chapter 015: The Best-Selling Durian​​

"This durian is incredibly fragrant."

"Mmm, delicious," Fang Ke held her durian, taking small, deliberate bites. "After eating durian for so many years, this is the best I’ve ever tasted."

"At least it cost six hundred sixty-six," Ding Yixin also picked up a small piece. "When I saw the photos earlier, I knew its quality was exceptional. Otherwise, why would I spend so much on one durian?"

As she spoke, she took a bite. The moment it touched her tongue, her eyes lit up. "It really is delicious!"

Her words drew immediate stares from those around her. "Sounds like you thought we were lying!"

"I figured you were exaggerating for the show!" Ding Yixin exclaimed through a mouthful, stunned. As a streamer, she tຊຊ needed to watch her figure. During the live stream, she hadn’t eaten any durian, fearing she’d lose control. She’d focused on other tasks instead. Only now, after ending the stream, could she finally taste a small piece.

After finishing one piece, Ding Yixin reached for more, only to find the plate empty.

She looked up, scanning the room – everyone avoided her gaze.

Simultaneously, an astonished voice came from nearby: "Our livestream just trended!"

"What hashtag?"

"It actually trended?!"

Everyone whipped out their phones.

Ding Yixin did the same, quickly finding the trending video. She hit play, but the longer she watched, the stranger it seemed...

The video captured Ding Yixin's recent livestream. As the host, with her assistant Fang Ke beside her, they sat front and center. After opening the durian, they'd immediately launched into the next product promotion, not wanting to waste the surge in viewers the durian reveal had brought.

Focused on selling, neither had paid much attention to the background. They hadn’t noticed the opened plate of durian behind them gradually emptying.

The video’s title was straightforward: Shocking: Staff Secretly Eats Durian Behind Host’s Back During Livestream.

Comments had skyrocketed past a hundred thousand in minutes. The top remarks were all playful jabs:

"LMAO how good WAS that durian? Watching it disappear bit by bit!"

"Host! Host! Look behind you! Your staff just snuck another piece!"

"Host, turn around! The durian’s almost gone!"

"Passing by. Isn’t this the durian the host opened? Did she not eat any herself?"

Reply: "Host started selling other stuff right after opening it. Never got a chance."

"So jealous. Host, what brand is this durian? It looks insanely good. Wish I could jump into the screen and be staff. Want some TAT"

"This video makes me, someone who hates durian, want to try it."

"Grateful durian + super delicious durian = ultimate combo. Hype I ignore, but staff secretly polishing off a whole giant durian? THAT convinces me it’s amazing."

"Link! Link! Do I look broke? Take my money!"

...

"You guys actually ate the durian behind my back?!" Ding Yixin looked up, shocked. "Such an amazing durian... and you only left me one tiny piece?!"

"Ding Jie, that’s not the point," a staff member murmured.

"But it’s the truth! Unbelievable!" Ding Yixin slammed the table. "If I’d known it was this good, I... I’d buy another one! Ke Ke, quick quick! Your sis isn’t short on durian money. Ask if there are more. If yes, get me two."

"On it." Fang Ke nodded, immediately opening chat logs to message Wei Xiaoshuang about the durian.

Staff around them looked both exasperated and amused, yet a hint of anticipation lingered – they hoped for another durian’s arrival.

"Ding Jie, tons of viewers are demanding we sell the durian. What do we do?"

"Tell them the truth. Can’t lie and ruin our reputation," Ding Yixin recalled the purchase process. "They also said they don’t specialize in durian sales..."

...

"More orders?" Qin Qing had just returned to the supermarket when Wei Xiaoshuang’s message popped up.

"That’s what they said. Did you just wake up from your nap?" Wei Xiaoshuang replied instantly seeing Qin Qing’s response. "If possible, I’ll come pick them up in about half an hour. Freshen up first."

"Sure thing. This money’s gotta be made. Come by in thirty minutes then." Qin Qing sent the reply, glanced down at her slightly dusty clothes, and headed to the bathroom to wash up and change.

As expected, the woods near Sunset Forest were indeed unusually lush.

However, without "excessive energy," most fruit on the surrounding trees had been ravaged by birds and animals. Only hard-shelled fruits like durians remained intact.

Plenty of durians still hung in those woods.

With Yu Niang and the others trading durians for sweet potatoes, Qin Qing’s durian stockpile would only grow. Even if she saved most for after the apocalypse, she had more than enough. Selling some now meant cash to hoard other supplies.

Over the next two days, more people came to buy durians. All claimed a streamer referred them. Larger ones cost 888 yuan, smaller ones 666 yuan. Buyers paid without hesitation upon hearing the price – mostly fellow platform streamers.

In just two days, over a dozen durians sold, netting over eight thousand yuan.

Yet those same dozen durians cost her mere dozens of yuan in sweet potatoes.

Pure profit!

...

"Seriously good, or just hype? Tell me the truth, we’re friends."

"Seriously good! Truly! I swear, this is hands down the best durian I’ve ever eaten in my life!!!" Ding Yixin typed furiously. "Just these past two days, I’ve convinced so many people to buy. Every single one raved about it. I’m planning to order two more myself."

"No way? Send me the contact! I’ll get two. Gotta taste this ‘best durian ever’ everyone’s raving about."

"Sending -> [Contact Card]. Price is steep though, averaging a hundred yuan per jin."

"Not steep! Worth every penny if it’s that good!"

...

Zhang Qing was an ordinary office worker. She wasn’t particularly fond of most fruits, except for durian. Whenever durian season hit, she’d buy one every few days. If not for the hefty price tag, she’d eat it daily.

But not all colleagues shared her love. Out of "consideration," she rarely brought durian to the office.

One noon, she headed back to the office after lunch. Before even reaching the door, an unmistakable, rich durian aroma hit her.

"Who bought durian? Didn’t tell me?" She called out playfully, assuming a colleague was responsible.

Occasionally, a few times a year, someone would bring durian in. Colleagues were always good-natured, teasing the enthusiasts even if they disliked the smell.

Entering the office, she spotted a colleague standing by an empty desk. "Xiao Li? You bought durian?"

"It was her, haha!" Another durian-loving colleague chuckled genuinely. "Never thought Xiao Li, who usually flees from durian, would buy one! We’re in for a treat today."

"I saw it on my friend’s livestream. They made it look so delicious, I couldn’t resist buying one," Xiao Li explained, opening the durian. Her eyes widened. "Wow! It really is a grateful durian!"

"Such huge flesh?" Zhang Qing stepped closer, amazed. "The color’s gorgeous too. This must be a premium variety. Xiao Li, you’re losing out sharing this!"

"Don’t really like it anyway, just a sudden craving," Xiao Li said calmly, peeling back the rind. "Help yourselves. I won’t serve it."

Hearing this, Zhang Qing and her durian-loving colleague eagerly nodded. Their office camaraderie was strong, and sharing snacks was common. Besides, Xiao Li genuinely disliked durian. Zhang Qing grabbed gloves, took one section, and split it half-and-half with her colleague.

Xiao Li peeled another section, took a tiny piece fearing she wouldn’t like it.

"So fragrant!"

The words Zhang Qing was about to say were uttered first. She glanced over, surprised to see it was Xiao Li – the durian-avoider.

"Haven’t you eaten durian before?" Zhang Qing asked, thinking Xiao Li was unfamiliar with the taste.

"I have! But the others weren’t good," Xiao Li exclaimed. "This one smells amazing, don’t you think? Or... is this how durian always tastes for you guys?"

"Nope, nope," the other colleague shook her head. "This is the best durian I’ve ever had too. Others were good, but not like this. Sweet, creamy, sticky... and there’s this extra, special flavor regular durians don’t have. Hard to describe, but it makes it way better. Zhang Qing, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, truly delicious. Best I’ve had too. Xiao Li, where’d you buy it? I want some." Zhang Qing devoured her remaining piece in three bites. Seeing Xiao Li savoring hers, she felt awkward reaching for more. If Xiao Li disliked it, fine. But since she clearly enjoyed it now, Zhang Qing wouldn’t take more.

"I’ll send you the contact later. They don’t sell online, only private chat," Xiao Li finished her small piece. "Pricey though. This one was six hundred sixty-six."

"That is expensive..." Zhang Qing hesitated, but the sight of the remaining durian made her mouth water. "Well, similar to peak season prices back in the day. I’ll bite the bullet. Send it over."

"Me! Me too!"

"Okay, sending. The rest..." Xiao Li pointed at the leftover durian.

"You keep it. Welcome to the durian fan club!" Zhang Qing chuckled, tossing her gloves in the bin. She teased, "Starting with this caliber? Good luck enjoying regular durian ever again."

"Then I’ll just keep buying from this place," Xiao Li declared, grabbing a large piece. She bit off half in one go, closing her eyes in contentment.

...

"How many?"

"Fifty-three total," Wei Xiaoshuang finished tallying the orders. "Is that too many? Can you get them?"

"Yes," Qin Qing nodded, slightly dazed. "Fifty-three durians... at six hundred sixty-six each... total is..."

Her fingers flew over the calculator. The result appeared shortly.

"Equals thirty-five thousand, two hundred ninety-eight."