Chapter 22.
When Manager Chen returned from meeting with the boss, his face was alight with happiness, and Yu Ying knew her proposal had been accepted.
Manager Chen called Yu Ying over and said, "The boss agreed to let you stay and help, and he likes the idea for the ice jelly. But he wants to taste the new flavor before deciding whether to go ahead with it. The price must be reasonable, or he won't agree."
Yu Ying smiled, "Of course, he should taste it first. Regarding the price, I'll base it on the cost. It won't be much higher than before."
Hearing her response, Manager Chen felt much more at ease.
Wu's Eatery, in which Shopkeeper Chen had invested, not only paid him a salary but also offered a year-end bonus.
If the eatery's profits were good this year, his year-end bonus would be higher.
If they could continuously introduce new and unique snacks to attract customers without affecting the regular business, that would be ideal.
As lunchtime arrived, more patrons started coming in, some sitting together in groups of three or two, many ordering just a bowl of plain noodles without any side dishes.
Those with a bit more to spend ordered a bowl of plain noodles and a bowl of ice cream.
The more affluent ones ordered a large bowl of rice, a couple of side dishes, and also a bowl of ice cream.
There were also individuals who ordered separately, though they were fewer.
Seeing the ice cream she made being sold gave Yu Ying a completely different feeling than just hearing about it being sold out.
It was undoubtedly more exciting.
At that moment, Yu Ying felt energized and full of vigor.
After being busy for a while, Yu Ying was cleaning a table when a group of customers sat down, and she inadvertently smelled a faint scent of medicinal herbs.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she looked up to see three middle-aged men dressed in silk garments.
One of them began to order decisively, "A portion of braised pork, braised fish, half a chicken, three bowls of rice, and three bowls of ice cream to finish."
Yu Ying smiled and acknowledged their order, then went to the kitchen to relay the dishes to the chef. Afterwards, she called the waiter and asked if the group that had just arrived were the herb merchants.
The waiter glanced over and recognized someone. After thinking carefully, he slapped his thigh and said, "That's him! I'll go and ask if they are interested in buying medicinal herbs for you."
Yu Ying quickly stopped the waiter, "Don't rush. When you serve the ice cream, casually bring me into the conversation. Start by mentioning I made the ice cream, then talk about me picking a lot of herbs in the morning to sell to the medical hall. Remember to mention they are in the medicinal herb business, suggesting I stay to try my luck, and finally ask if they're interested in buying my herbs."
The waiter looked puzzled, "Why go about it this way?"
Yu Ying smiled and explained, "They're dressed like wealthy merchants, and I'm just an ordinary farmer. If I directly ask them to buy herbs, they'll likely ignore me."
"But if they're interested in the ice cream and return to taste it, it shows some curiosity. By mentioning I, a farmer, made the ice cream, it might pique their interest enough to not dismiss me outright."
After saying this, she noticed the waiter looking at her in surprise and asked, "What's wrong?"
The waiter snapped out of it and quickly shook his head, "Nothing. I'll do as you said."
Though he said it was nothing, the waiter now saw Yu Ying in a new light.
He hadn't thought that deeply, just planning to ask and hoping they would buy. If not, there was nothing to be done.
He hadn't considered Yu Ying's approach, but now found it quite reasonable.
The waiter quickly went to prepare the ice cream in the kitchen.
The ice cream was ready-made, and with the hot weather, customers entering the eatery were either sunburnt or sweating profusely. Those who ordered ice cream were served first to cool off, which often improved their appetite.
A good mood enhances the taste of food, and tasty food brings customers back.
Isn't that how repeat customers are made?
After serving the ice cream, the waiter followed Yu Ying's plan and started the conversation.
Indeed, the merchants showed interest and began looking in the direction the waiter pointed.
Yu Ying, noticing their gaze, nodded calmly towards them.
After the merchant finished talking to the waiter and the waiter nodded, he returned to the kitchen and happily told Yu Ying, "They said they would have a look at the herbs before they leave after lunch. If they think it's good, they’ll ask you to deliver it."
Yu Ying felt a weight lifted off her chest.
Having a look meant there was a seventy percent chance of success.
She was confident in the herbs she had personally gathered and dried.
If successful, not only could she earn money for this occasion, but she might also make some extra during the days she spends with the medicine merchants.
Despite her confidence, Yu Ying couldn't help feeling a bit uneasy after waiting for a long time.
While busy, I occasionally observed the herbalist to see if they were about to leave, to avoid them leaving without my knowledge.
When the herbalist was ready to settle the bill after their meal, I reminded Madam Yu, who then asked Yu Ying to fetch the herbs.
With customers in the shop, I invited them to have a look in the small backyard.
The herbalist, having already agreed, couldn’t refuse and followed to have a look.
Since there was no need for a carrying basket for pottery today, Yu Ying's basket was filled with herbs.
Upon reaching the small backyard, one of the herbalists casually flipped through the herbs but was captivated by a woman with faint dark spots on her face.
These herbs, some unknown even to the doctors in Jade County, had never been collected before.
Moreover, none of these herbs were weeds, indicating genuine expertise, not just filler.
The herbs were also simply processed and partially dried, ensuring good preservation during transport and making it easier for the medical halls to identify them as fresh, not old stock.
The herbalist pondered and said, “I’ll buy your herbs at the rate we pay in the medical hall. Common herbs will be bought by weight, fifteen wen per jin, less common ones at twenty wen per jin, and the rarest at five wen per liang. You can deliver them to Penglai Inn on the neighboring street. Ask for the Zhao family guest in the 'Tianzi' room; someone will come to classify your herbs and settle the payment.”
Hearing this, Yu Ying couldn’t help but lament the medical hall's profiteering, buying her herbs at such low prices only to resell them at many times the cost.
Without today's reminder from the shopkeeper, I might have continued to be taken advantage of.
After examining the basket of herbs, the herbalist said, “I’ll be in Jade County for three more days and will leave Yun County early on the fourth day. You can bring as many herbs as you like within these three days, but I must clarify, they should be partially dried like these.”
Yu Ying felt a surge of joy and her face broke into a smile, "When would be the best time to deliver them?"
The herbalist replied, "Anytime is fine. There's always someone at the inn. I'll inform them in advance, just bring the herbs over."
After the agreement, the herbalist departed first.
Leaving the backyard, Yu Ying quickly thanked the shopkeeper and the waiter.
After the rush hour, the shopkeeper suggested she hurry to deliver the herbs and kindly showed her the way.
Watching Madam Yu leave, the waiter approached the counter and remarked to the shopkeeper, "Uncle, I think Madam Yu is quite formidable."
The shopkeeper nodded in agreement, "Indeed, one must be competent to negotiate business with us and the herbalists, and to successfully close the deal."
The waiter relayed the instructions he received from Madam Yu to the shopkeeper.
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper showed a hint of surprise and then said, "She’s brave and hardworking. Mark my words, it won't be long before Madam Yu lives a good life."
Yu Ying delivered the herbs to the Penglai Inn as instructed by the Zhao family herbalist. After the innkeeper sent the waiter to pass on the message, a man in his thirties came down and asked her to carry the basket to the inn's backyard.
Yu Ying remained cautious, but reasoned that an inn was a public place, and given her current appearance, she probably wouldn't encounter any harm and followed him.
In the backyard courtyard, two young men emptied the herbs from her basket, and then the man began to sort them into three categories.
Yu Ying knew the value of her herbs and had a rough idea of their worth.
The grading of the herbs was quickly completed, and then the man brought out two different scales to weigh the herbs.
The herbs were partially dried, appearing abundant but actually weighing only a few jin.
After weighing, the common herbs totaled four jin and six liang, the medium ones one jin and two liang, and the rare ones six liang and three qian.
The total amounted to 123 wen.
Holding the heavy string of copper coins, Yu Ying couldn't contain her smile as she left the inn.
She covered her mouth with her palm, laughing with joy and yet with a tinge of sadness.
Once composed, she planned to buy some fruit and pastries for the shopkeeper Chen and the waiter, grateful for their help that led to her earnings and this new opportunity.
While purchasing pastries and fruits, Yu Ying also inquired about the prices of various fruits.
Lingnan is known for its lychees, with some farmers growing a few trees.
The fruits were small, but to earn a few wen for grains, farmers would sell them in Jade County, and even at their highest price, they weren't too expensive. Moreover, by July, lychees were nearly out of season and less sweet, selling even cheaper than before.
Yu Ying found out that the smaller-sized lychees were eight wen per jin.
Though not expensive, they were priced similarly to grains, making them a luxury for ordinary families.
Yu Ying bought half a jin of lychees to make liangfen (a type of jelly).
Pears were priced at four wen per jin.
She bought three jin of each fruit and then three packs of pastries, each costing three wen, making three portions in total. Two were for shopkeeper Chen and the waiter, and one to take home, with the fruits for making liangfen.
Despite feeling the pinch of spending the money, she knew the importance of giving gifts and resolved to bear the cost.
Yu Ying returned to the restaurant and presented the pears and pastries to the shopkeeper and the waiter, who after some polite refusals, finally accepted them.
With the restaurant quiet in the afternoon, Shopkeeper Chen settled Yu Ying’s earnings for the day and suggested she take some time to wander around.
Though Yu Ying had some money, she had other uses for it and dared not spend it frivolously, so she only bought half a pig's lung and a marrow bone before calling it a day.
These offal were cheap, especially the clean bones which were even more affordable. As it was late afternoon and they would spoil if not sold, she got both for just two wen.
After another busy day, with every moment scheduled, Yu Ying longed for home but had no leisure for such sentimentality.
In these uncertain times, she was determined to live fiercely and diligently, knowing this was the way to a better life.
Chapter 22.
When Manager Chen returned from meeting with the boss, his face was alight with happiness, and Yu Ying knew her proposal had been accepted.
Manager Chen called Yu Ying over and said, "The boss agreed to let you stay and help, and he likes the idea for the ice jelly. But he wants to taste the new flavor before deciding whether to go ahead with it. The price must be reasonable, or he won't agree."
Yu Ying smiled, "Of course, he should taste it first. Regarding the price, I'll base it on the cost. It won't be much higher than before."
Hearing her response, Manager Chen felt much more at ease.
Wu's Eatery, in which Shopkeeper Chen had invested, not only paid him a salary but also offered a year-end bonus.
If the eatery's profits were good this year, his year-end bonus would be higher.
If they could continuously introduce new and unique snacks to attract customers without affecting the regular business, that would be ideal.
As lunchtime arrived, more patrons started coming in, some sitting together in groups of three or two, many ordering just a bowl of plain noodles without any side dishes.
Those with a bit more to spend ordered a bowl of plain noodles and a bowl of ice cream.
The more affluent ones ordered a large bowl of rice, a couple of side dishes, and also a bowl of ice cream.
There were also individuals who ordered separately, though they were fewer.
Seeing the ice cream she made being sold gave Yu Ying a completely different feeling than just hearing about it being sold out.
It was undoubtedly more exciting.
At that moment, Yu Ying felt energized and full of vigor.
After being busy for a while, Yu Ying was cleaning a table when a group of customers sat down, and she inadvertently smelled a faint scent of medicinal herbs.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she looked up to see three middle-aged men dressed in silk garments.
One of them began to order decisively, "A portion of braised pork, braised fish, half a chicken, three bowls of rice, and three bowls of ice cream to finish."
Yu Ying smiled and acknowledged their order, then went to the kitchen to relay the dishes to the chef. Afterwards, she called the waiter and asked if the group that had just arrived were the herb merchants.
The waiter glanced over and recognized someone. After thinking carefully, he slapped his thigh and said, "That's him! I'll go and ask if they are interested in buying medicinal herbs for you."
Yu Ying quickly stopped the waiter, "Don't rush. When you serve the ice cream, casually bring me into the conversation. Start by mentioning I made the ice cream, then talk about me picking a lot of herbs in the morning to sell to the medical hall. Remember to mention they are in the medicinal herb business, suggesting I stay to try my luck, and finally ask if they're interested in buying my herbs."
The waiter looked puzzled, "Why go about it this way?"
Yu Ying smiled and explained, "They're dressed like wealthy merchants, and I'm just an ordinary farmer. If I directly ask them to buy herbs, they'll likely ignore me."
"But if they're interested in the ice cream and return to taste it, it shows some curiosity. By mentioning I, a farmer, made the ice cream, it might pique their interest enough to not dismiss me outright."
After saying this, she noticed the waiter looking at her in surprise and asked, "What's wrong?"
The waiter snapped out of it and quickly shook his head, "Nothing. I'll do as you said."
Though he said it was nothing, the waiter now saw Yu Ying in a new light.
He hadn't thought that deeply, just planning to ask and hoping they would buy. If not, there was nothing to be done.
He hadn't considered Yu Ying's approach, but now found it quite reasonable.
The waiter quickly went to prepare the ice cream in the kitchen.
The ice cream was ready-made, and with the hot weather, customers entering the eatery were either sunburnt or sweating profusely. Those who ordered ice cream were served first to cool off, which often improved their appetite.
A good mood enhances the taste of food, and tasty food brings customers back.
Isn't that how repeat customers are made?
After serving the ice cream, the waiter followed Yu Ying's plan and started the conversation.
Indeed, the merchants showed interest and began looking in the direction the waiter pointed.
Yu Ying, noticing their gaze, nodded calmly towards them.
After the merchant finished talking to the waiter and the waiter nodded, he returned to the kitchen and happily told Yu Ying, "They said they would have a look at the herbs before they leave after lunch. If they think it's good, they’ll ask you to deliver it."
Yu Ying felt a weight lifted off her chest.
Having a look meant there was a seventy percent chance of success.
She was confident in the herbs she had personally gathered and dried.
If successful, not only could she earn money for this occasion, but she might also make some extra during the days she spends with the medicine merchants.
Despite her confidence, Yu Ying couldn't help feeling a bit uneasy after waiting for a long time.
While busy, I occasionally observed the herbalist to see if they were about to leave, to avoid them leaving without my knowledge.
When the herbalist was ready to settle the bill after their meal, I reminded Madam Yu, who then asked Yu Ying to fetch the herbs.
With customers in the shop, I invited them to have a look in the small backyard.
The herbalist, having already agreed, couldn’t refuse and followed to have a look.
Since there was no need for a carrying basket for pottery today, Yu Ying's basket was filled with herbs.
Upon reaching the small backyard, one of the herbalists casually flipped through the herbs but was captivated by a woman with faint dark spots on her face.
These herbs, some unknown even to the doctors in Jade County, had never been collected before.
Moreover, none of these herbs were weeds, indicating genuine expertise, not just filler.
The herbs were also simply processed and partially dried, ensuring good preservation during transport and making it easier for the medical halls to identify them as fresh, not old stock.
The herbalist pondered and said, “I’ll buy your herbs at the rate we pay in the medical hall. Common herbs will be bought by weight, fifteen wen per jin, less common ones at twenty wen per jin, and the rarest at five wen per liang. You can deliver them to Penglai Inn on the neighboring street. Ask for the Zhao family guest in the 'Tianzi' room; someone will come to classify your herbs and settle the payment.”
Hearing this, Yu Ying couldn’t help but lament the medical hall's profiteering, buying her herbs at such low prices only to resell them at many times the cost.
Without today's reminder from the shopkeeper, I might have continued to be taken advantage of.
After examining the basket of herbs, the herbalist said, “I’ll be in Jade County for three more days and will leave Yun County early on the fourth day. You can bring as many herbs as you like within these three days, but I must clarify, they should be partially dried like these.”
Yu Ying felt a surge of joy and her face broke into a smile, "When would be the best time to deliver them?"
The herbalist replied, "Anytime is fine. There's always someone at the inn. I'll inform them in advance, just bring the herbs over."
After the agreement, the herbalist departed first.
Leaving the backyard, Yu Ying quickly thanked the shopkeeper and the waiter.
After the rush hour, the shopkeeper suggested she hurry to deliver the herbs and kindly showed her the way.
Watching Madam Yu leave, the waiter approached the counter and remarked to the shopkeeper, "Uncle, I think Madam Yu is quite formidable."
The shopkeeper nodded in agreement, "Indeed, one must be competent to negotiate business with us and the herbalists, and to successfully close the deal."
The waiter relayed the instructions he received from Madam Yu to the shopkeeper.
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper showed a hint of surprise and then said, "She’s brave and hardworking. Mark my words, it won't be long before Madam Yu lives a good life."
Yu Ying delivered the herbs to the Penglai Inn as instructed by the Zhao family herbalist. After the innkeeper sent the waiter to pass on the message, a man in his thirties came down and asked her to carry the basket to the inn's backyard.
Yu Ying remained cautious, but reasoned that an inn was a public place, and given her current appearance, she probably wouldn't encounter any harm and followed him.
In the backyard courtyard, two young men emptied the herbs from her basket, and then the man began to sort them into three categories.
Yu Ying knew the value of her herbs and had a rough idea of their worth.
The grading of the herbs was quickly completed, and then the man brought out two different scales to weigh the herbs.
The herbs were partially dried, appearing abundant but actually weighing only a few jin.
After weighing, the common herbs totaled four jin and six liang, the medium ones one jin and two liang, and the rare ones six liang and three qian.
The total amounted to 123 wen.
Holding the heavy string of copper coins, Yu Ying couldn't contain her smile as she left the inn.
She covered her mouth with her palm, laughing with joy and yet with a tinge of sadness.
Once composed, she planned to buy some fruit and pastries for the shopkeeper Chen and the waiter, grateful for their help that led to her earnings and this new opportunity.
While purchasing pastries and fruits, Yu Ying also inquired about the prices of various fruits.
Lingnan is known for its lychees, with some farmers growing a few trees.
The fruits were small, but to earn a few wen for grains, farmers would sell them in Jade County, and even at their highest price, they weren't too expensive. Moreover, by July, lychees were nearly out of season and less sweet, selling even cheaper than before.
Yu Ying found out that the smaller-sized lychees were eight wen per jin.
Though not expensive, they were priced similarly to grains, making them a luxury for ordinary families.
Yu Ying bought half a jin of lychees to make liangfen (a type of jelly).
Pears were priced at four wen per jin.
She bought three jin of each fruit and then three packs of pastries, each costing three wen, making three portions in total. Two were for shopkeeper Chen and the waiter, and one to take home, with the fruits for making liangfen.
Despite feeling the pinch of spending the money, she knew the importance of giving gifts and resolved to bear the cost.
Yu Ying returned to the restaurant and presented the pears and pastries to the shopkeeper and the waiter, who after some polite refusals, finally accepted them.
With the restaurant quiet in the afternoon, Shopkeeper Chen settled Yu Ying’s earnings for the day and suggested she take some time to wander around.
Though Yu Ying had some money, she had other uses for it and dared not spend it frivolously, so she only bought half a pig's lung and a marrow bone before calling it a day.
These offal were cheap, especially the clean bones which were even more affordable. As it was late afternoon and they would spoil if not sold, she got both for just two wen.
After another busy day, with every moment scheduled, Yu Ying longed for home but had no leisure for such sentimentality.
In these uncertain times, she was determined to live fiercely and diligently, knowing this was the way to a better life.
