Aunt Zhu'er quickly said yes too.
Zeng Xiaoyan felt there was no need to pay her husband wages. “I’m already taking a share of the profit—there’s no need to pay Mingliang. That would be too distant.
Liang Mingliang benefited from his wife’s favor and often slacked off at home. Except during the busy farming season, his two older brothers turned a blind eye and didn’t say anything. He was more than happy to tag along and help out, just to avoid going up the mountains or down to the fields. He quickly added, “Yes, yes, why would I ask Xiaoyan for wages? No need for money.”
What if he asks for money and his wife dislikes him and doesn’t want him to go anymore?
Zhao grew anxious and couldn’t help but interject: “Father, rules are rules. Since it’s like this, we should take the money—otherwise they’ll feel uneasy about it.”
Anyway, since they said they’d pay wages, they have to pay. Most of the money goes into the shared household fund—she’s more than happy about that. Whether they earn it or not doesn’t matter, as long as the wages aren’t short.
Liang Lizheng gave her a faint glance, making Zhao shrink her neck.
"Even if wages are involved, not today. Go give it a try first—we’ll discuss it again in a few days."
Xu Zhichun felt a warmth in her heart and smiled. “How about this—if we don’t make money today, we shamelessly won’t pay. But if we do, then we’ll pay.”
Liang Lizheng thought for a moment and had no choice but to nod.
With everything settled, Liang Mingliang happily drove the ox cart, helping load konjac tofu, konjac knots, ice jelly, and other goods onto it. The three of them climbed aboard and headed grandly into town.
Three women, one lively scene. It was their first time doing something like this, and they were nervous, thrilled, and full of hope. All the way there, they chatted and laughed, voices bubbling over.
Liang Mingliang didn’t mind the noise. Instead, he kept turning his head with a cheerful grin to join the conversation. Even when Zeng Xiaoyan glared and snapped at him, he didn’t care—still smiling.
Xu Zhichun couldn’t help but smile to herself—it looked like Xiaoyan was getting along just fine with her in-laws.
Once they entered the city, everyone couldn’t help but grow more nervous—so nervous they didn’t dare laugh or speak. They didn’t know where to go or what to do. Three people, six eyes, all turned to Xu Zhichun.
They subconsciously regarded Xu Zhichun as the backbone.
Xu Zhichun was also a bit nervous. She smiled and said, “Let’s ask where the market is and head over.”
“Okay, okay!”
The market had a designated area for rural farmers to sell their produce. Paying two wen allowed them to occupy a stall for a whole day.
But ox carts couldn’t enter the market—they had to be gathered in a fenced-off area outside, watched over by officials. For one wen, you got two numbered tags: the owner kept one, and the other was tied to the cart.
They’ve got plenty of people, so it’s no big deal.
After paying the fee, they set up the small rectangular folding table from Aunt Zhu’er’s house. Two basins were placed on top—one filled with konjac tofu, the other with konjac knots, both soaked in clear water. A large bucket sat on the ground, also soaking konjac tofu.
Shouts rang out one after another. Xu Zhichun took the lead, and Zeng Xiaoyan joined in. Zhu’er’s aunt was a bit shy, so Xu Zhichun considerately asked her to watch over the goods while they did the shouting.
Zhu’er’s aunt let out a breath of relief and nodded repeatedly in gratitude, promising to keep a good watch over the goods.
They were selling fresh things, never seen before. It was just the time when city folks were buying vegetables. The market was bustling with people coming and going, and soon a woman carrying a vegetable basket came over to ask.
The konjac tofu, cut into squares, was slightly larger and half an inch thicker than regular tofu. One piece of tofu cost three wen, so they priced their gray tofu at three wen per piece too. Two pieces were enough to stir-fry a bowl.
Since it’s also called tofu and looks smooth and tender, it’s more cost-effective than regular tofu—regular tofu needs three pieces to make a meal.
Besides, they’ve never eaten it before—might as well give it a try.
The konjac knots were even better—snow-white like vermicelli, tied into little bundles, clean, small, and cute. They looked delicious.
Someone came to ask, and Xu Zhichun quickly smiled and warmly introduced how the gray tofu and gray tofu threads could be cooked and prepared, and what they tasted like. She described it vividly, stirring curiosity and freshness in people, making them eager to buy and try it.
After all, buying vegetables is just part of daily life—buying this or that, it’s all buying. Every day it’s the same few dishes. Now something new has come along, and it’s not expensive. It sounds pretty good—why not give it a try?
“Will you be selling again tomorrow? Will you keep coming? If it tastes good, I’ll come back and buy more next time.”
Xu Zhichun smiled brightly: “Come, come. I might come every other day, or every two days—but I’ll definitely be here. Big sister, you have to keep your word and support our business often! This gray tofu and gray tofu threads are definitely delicious."
Xu Zhichun’s compliment shaved twenty years off the aunt’s age, and she couldn’t help but feel pleased. She burst into a hearty laugh: “Alright then! If it’s tasty, I’ll be back for sure. You said this gray tofu keeps well, didn’t you? Give me two more pieces!”
“Alright, big sister!”
New things always spark curiosity. Even in the city, there aren’t many fresh novelties. Soon, their little stall was surrounded by people. Passersby couldn’t help but glance twice, and nearly half of them, after a curious look, would stop and ask, “What is this?”
After hearing their explanation and seeing others buying, people followed the crowd and gave it a try.
All at once, the three women got busy.
“Big sister, take it carefully. If you like it, come again next time—we’ll be here often.”
“Granny, I’ve put it in your basket. If you can’t finish it all in one meal, don’t forget to soak it in clean water. Before eating, take it out, rinse it with clean water, and slice it thin or cut it into strips—either way works.”
“Yes, yes, this is gray tofu. It’s tasty stir-fried on its own or with meat. You can also blanch it and make a cold dish. If you like spicy food, add some chili—it goes great with rice.”
“Gray tofu threads can be stewed or made spicy—they’re appetizing.”
"."
Xu Zhichun’s sweet words warmed people’s hearts, and they left satisfied. Zeng Xiaoyan admired her so much her eyes lit up and followed her example. At first she was a bit shy, but gradually she loosened up. Seeing the goods sell quickly and the money come in fast, her heart bloomed with joy, and her smile grew brighter.
Aunt Zhu’er was still shy, but her smile was sincere, her movements quick, and she was pretty. Her gentle and kind nature made her easy to approach, and the older women really liked her.
As for Liang Mingliang, he quietly stood behind the three women, smiling broadly as he watched them collect money.
As long as he was stationed there, no thugs or hooligans dared come over to make lewd jokes or talk nonsense.
Today’s business was better than they expected. They’d thought selling half would already count as a good start, but in just over an hour, more than five pounds of konjac threads and over fifty pounds of konjac tofu were completely sold out.
Each of them had collected a heavy bag of copper coins, placed it in the bucket, covered it with the lid, and felt a little uneasy.
“Zhichun, are we heading back now?”
Xu Zhichun smiled and said, “Didn’t we set aside a few pieces of konjac tofu? And some ice jelly too. Let’s go ask at the restaurant—let’s start with Sifang Restaurant.”
Zeng Xiaoyan’s face fell, but she still gave a muffled “mm” in reply.
Sifang Restaurant belonged to the Zeng family, and Zeng Xiaoyan didn’t want to go. But since she had a share in the business, she couldn’t not go—otherwise people would gossip.
She knew Sister Zhichun meant well for her.
Xu Zhichun gently patted her hand. “Don’t worry. When the time comes, you just don’t show your face. We’re here to make money—as long as the price is right, what difference does it make who we work with?”
Zeng Xiaoyan immediately said, “Sister-in-law, you’re right. You don’t need to give a discount on my account.”
🐇♡🐇♡🐇♡🐇
XU ZHICHUN (cheerfully): Hello! We’re here to offer something delicious, nutritious, and mildly mysterious—konjac tofu and ice jelly! We’ve got five-star tofu at street-stall prices. Blanch it, fry it, chill it, thrill it. It’s tofu with range.
RESTAURANT MANAGER (approaching): Wait… aren’t you Miss Zeng Xiaoyan?
ZENG XIAOYAN (panicking): No! I mean—yes! I knew it. I should’ve worn a fake mustache.
ZHU’ER (whispering): What if they ask for a family discount?
ZENG XIAOYAN (whispering back): We offer a family surcharge. Emotional baggage costs extra
XU ZHICHUN: We’re offering bulk pricing, fast delivery, and zero emotional baggage—unless you talk to Xiaoyan.
ZENG XIAOYAN (glaring): I’m the silent partner. Emphasis on silent.
LIANG MINGLIANG: She’s also the family discount firewall.
RESTAURANT MANAGER: ......
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