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Chapter 27 - BOOMING BUSINESS 27

Lucio and Karla sat in their living room, sipping on their morning coffee. The sun was shining through the windows, casting a warm glow on the room. As they chatted about their plans for the day, Karla brought up the topic of their son, Qing Eena.

"Have you noticed how handsome Qing has become?" Karla asked, a proud smile on her face.

Lucio nodded, "Yes, he certainly has grown into a fine young man. But do you remember when he was two years old? He was quite an obnoxious little turd."

Karla chuckled, "Yes, I remember. He would throw tantrums and scream for hours on end. I was worried that his attitude would carry over to his teenage years."

Lucio nodded in agreement, "I was worried too, but luckily once he entered Hunter School at the age of five, he became more mature. It was like he had a switch that turned on inside of him."

Karla smiled, "Yes, I remember how excited he was to start school. He would wake up early every morning, eager to learn."

Lucio added, "And he made friends quickly. I think that helped him grow as a person. He started to understand the importance of teamwork and collaboration."

Karla nodded, "And he became far from the terrible 'little monster' that Tito called him. I think that nickname was a bit harsh, but it did motivate us to work harder on his behavior."

Lucio agreed, "Yes, Tito can be a bit harsh sometimes. But I think it was good for us to have that wake-up call. We needed to be more patient with Qing and understand that he was still learning."

Karla sighed, "I just hope that he continues on this path. Being a young adult at eighteen can be tough, and I don't want him to fall back into those terrible old habits."

Lucio nodded, "I understand. But I have faith in him. He's shown us that he can overcome challenges and grow as a person. Plus it was ages ago, he's eighteen now and is more mature than some two-bit hunters who's all bark and no bite."

Karla smiled, "Yes, you're right. We're lucky to have such a wonderful son."

As they continued to chat about their son, they couldn't help but feel grateful for the progress he had made. They knew that there were still challenges ahead, but they were confident that they could face them as a family.

Later that day, they watched as Qing walked through the door, a grin on his face. They greeted him with hugs and kisses, telling him how proud they were of him. Qing beamed with pride, knowing that he had made his parents happy.

As the day went on, they talked about their plans for the future. They knew that there would be more challenges, but they were ready to face them together.

Their story was far from over, but they knew that they were lucky to have each other. They were a family, and that was all that mattered.

---

In the bustling public market of a certain barangay, the Eena Fish Stall was a well-known establishment that has been around for decades. The stall had a loyal following of customers who appreciated the fresh and high-quality seafood that Qing Eena's parents provided. However, recently, the Eena Fish Stall was undergoing a massive renovation, with a new grocer being added to the existing fish stall. This new addition was causing quite a stir among the neighboring stalls, particularly those who sold fruits and vegetables.

"I wonder where they're getting their meat and poultry from," said Elvira, the owner of the neighboring fruit stall. "I've been in this market for over twenty years, and I've never seen anything like it."

"Maybe they have some secret connections," suggested the owner of the vegetable stall, Benjie. "Or maybe they have their own farm where they source their products."

"I doubt it," Elvira replied. "I've heard rumors that they have some sort of deal with a supplier outside of the city. But who knows? It's all speculation at this point."

As the days went by, the Eena Fish Stall and the new grocer continued to attract a steady stream of customers. The smell of fresh seafood mixed with the aroma of ripe fruits and vegetables, creating an irresistible scent that wafted through the entire market. The neighboring stall owners couldn't help but notice the increase in foot traffic, and they began to wonder if they were missing out on something.

"I think we should start expanding our offerings as well," said Benjie. "Maybe we could add some meat and poultry to our selection. After all, if they can do it, why can't we?"

"I don't know, Benjie," Elvira said, hesitant. "We don't really have the connections they have. And besides, we don't want to compete with them directly. It could lead to an all-out price war, and that wouldn't be good for any of us."

"I see your point, but we can't just sit idly by and let them take all the customers," Benjie replied, determined. "We need to do something."

As the days turned into weeks, the neighboring stall owners continued to observe the comings and goings of the Eena Fish Stall and the new grocer. They noticed that the quality of the meat and poultry sold at the new grocer was just as high as the seafood at the Eena Fish Stall. They also observed that the new grocer had a steady stream of deliveries coming in from outside the city, but they couldn't quite pinpoint where exactly the products were coming from.

"I overheard some of their customers talking about the meat and poultry," said Elvira one day. "They said that it was the best they've ever had, and that they wouldn't go anywhere else to buy it."

"I heard the same thing," added Benjie. "It seems like they really know what they're doing."

"I wish we could find out where they're getting their products," Elvira mused. "It would be a game-changer for us if we could tap into the same source."

"Maybe we could try asking them," Benjie suggested. "I know they're our competitors, but it wouldn't hurt to try and strike up a conversation."

Elvira looked hesitant, but eventually nodded in agreement. The two of them approached Qing Eena's parents, who were busy attending to a customer.

"Excuse me," Benjie said politely. "We were just curious about where you're getting your meat and poultry. We've been in this market for a long time, but we've never seen anything like it."

Qing Eena's parents exchanged a glance, and Qing Eena's father spoke up. "Well, we have our own sources. We know some people who raise their own livestock, and we make sure to inspect everything before we sell it."

Benjie and Marissa nodded, impressed. "That's really great," Marissa said. "We should all be more careful about where our food comes from."

Qing Eena's father smiled. "Yes, that's very true. We take pride in the quality of our products."

Just then, another vendor approached the group. "Excuse me, folks," he said. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. I have to say, I'm impressed with your meat and poultry selection. Mind sharing where you get your supply?"

Qing Eena's parents exchanged another glance. "Sorry, friend," Qing Eena's mother said. "We have our own sources and prefer to keep it private."

The other vendor shrugged. "No worries. I understand. Just thought I'd ask."

As the other vendor walked away, Qing Eena's parents turned back to their stall. Qing Eena himself was busy setting up some new signage for the grocer section of the stall. He had a talent for graphic design, and he was excited to put it to use.

"Hey, Qing Eena," Benjie called out. "Can you tell us more about this new grocer section?"

Qing Eena turned around, smiling. "Sure, what do you want to know?"

"Well, for one thing, we've never seen a grocer in this market before," Marissa said.

Qing Eena nodded. "Yeah, we wanted to offer more variety for our customers. We're still going to sell seafood, of course, but we thought it would be nice to expand our offerings."

Benjie looked around the grocer section, taking in the colorful array of fruits and vegetables. "And where are you getting all of this produce? It looks so fresh."

Qing Eena grinned. "We have a connection with a farm up north. They grow some of the best produce I've ever seen. And we're really careful about inspecting everything before we sell it, so you can be sure you're getting top quality."

Marissa nodded, impressed. "That's really cool. I'll have to try some of this stuff."

Qing Eena's parents smiled, pleased with the positive feedback. They had worked hard to build their reputation in the market, and it was nice to see it paying off.

As the day wore on, the market bustled with activity. Customers came and went, some stopping to chat with the vendors, others in a hurry to get their shopping done. Qing Eena's stall was one of the busiest, with customers lining up to buy their fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables.

As the sun began to set, the vendors started to pack up their stalls. Qing Eena and his parents worked quickly to clean up their space and put away any unsold products. As they finished, Benjie and Marissa approached them once again.

"Hey, guys," Benjie said. "Thanks for letting us ask so many questions earlier. It was really interesting to learn more about your operation."

Qing Eena's parents smiled. "Of course, it's always nice to talk shop with fellow vendors," Qing Eena's mother said.

Marissa nodded. "Definitely. And we'll definitely be stopping by to try some of your new produce soon."

Qing Eena grinned. "That sounds great. We'll be here."

As the group said their goodbyes and headed out of the market, Qing Eena's parents turned to their son. "You did a great job with the new signage," Qing Eena's father said.

"Thank you, Dad," Qing Eena replied with a smile. "I'm just glad it's attracting more customers."

Qing Eena's parents nodded in agreement, and they all continued to work diligently at their stall throughout the day. The market was bustling with activity, and the sound of chatter and bargaining filled the air.

As the afternoon turned to evening, the crowds began to thin out and the neighboring stalls started to pack up for the day. Qing Eena's parents decided to take a break and sat down on a couple of plastic chairs beside their stall.

It was then that Benjie and his friends returned to the Eena Fish Stall, looking a little sheepish.

"Hey guys, what's up?" Qing Eena asked.

Benjie cleared his throat. "We, uh, we wanted to apologize for earlier. We didn't mean to pry or anything, it's just that we've been curious about where you're getting your meat and poultry."

Qing Eena's parents exchanged a glance, and Qing Eena could tell that they were hesitant to share their source. But after a moment of silence, Qing Eena's mother spoke up.

"Well, it's actually a family friend who runs a small farm on the outskirts of town," she explained. "They raise chickens and pigs, and we've been buying from them for years."

Benjie and his friends nodded in understanding, and Qing Eena could sense the relief in the air.

"Thanks for sharing," Benjie said with a smile. "And again, sorry for being nosy earlier."

Qing Eena's parents shrugged it off and reassured Benjie that it was no problem. As the group chatted for a little while longer, Qing Eena couldn't help but feel grateful for the supportive community they had at the market.

As the night fell, Qing Eena and his family began to pack up their stall. They were tired, but there was a sense of satisfaction in the air. Qing Eena knew that they had worked hard to make the Eena Fish Stall a success, and he was proud of what they had accomplished.

As they loaded the last of the fish into their truck and said their final goodbyes to the remaining stall owners, Qing Eena felt a sense of excitement for what was to come. With the new grocer addition and the support of their community, he knew that the future was bright for the Eena Fish Stall.

And so, as the truck pulled away from the market and into the night, Qing Eena felt a sense of pride in his family's hard work and a sense of gratitude for the supportive community that surrounded them. The market may be competitive, but it was also a place of connection and camaraderie, and Qing Eena knew that he was lucky to be a part of it.