Chapter 9: First Trip to the City
Having been busy all day, Yuying felt exhausted and thus slept soundly that night.
At the first crow of the rooster in the dim morning light, Yuying awoke.
Sitting up from the straw bed and regaining her senses, she then twisted her previously sprained ankle.
Her ankle had improved significantly, no longer as painfully sharp as before, and the swelling had subsided. She believed that with a day or two more of herbal poultices, it should fully heal.
After putting on her straw shoes, Yuying ventured out of the house in the dark, feeling fearful, but her poverty helped her overcome this fear.
Nothing was more terrifying than poverty, hunger, and cold. If there was, it was not being poor enough.
She went to the water tank, retrieved the clay pot, and gently poked inside with a bamboo stick. Feeling that it had set, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, her efforts hadn't been in vain.
Setting the clay pot aside, she picked and chewed a few mint leaves, enjoying the fresh, subtle fragrance spreading in her mouth.
Yesterday, she had cleared a small patch in the yard and planted the mint.
After washing up, she was about to scoop some out with a bowl and wooden spoon when Luo also emerged from the house.
Luo Shi, in a hushed voice, asked, "Is there anything I can help with?"
In the dim light, Yu Ying looked at Luo Shi's cloudy eyes and after a moment of silence, said, "There is something I need help with, just wait a moment."
Luo Shi waited as instructed.
Yu Ying crushed a few mint leaves in a bowl with a wooden spoon, then added water to release a faint mint fragrance.
After washing the spoon, she scooped out three spoonfuls of jelly into a bowl, stirred it, and handed it to Luo Shi.
She spoke softly, "Please try this and tell me how it tastes."
Luo Shi was taken aback, not expecting this kind of request, but she set down her bamboo pole and cautiously scooped up a taste. Upon entering her mouth, a refreshing coolness filled her palate.
Although it was relatively flavorless, the jelly was refreshing and had a smooth, lightly bouncy texture.
"What is this?" Luo Shi asked.
Yu Ying replied, "Jelly."
After a pause, she added, "It's made from wild fruits in the mountains. When Fu An wakes up, remind him not to tell others. I'm planning to sell it."
Hearing her plan to sell it, Luo Shi expressed concern: "If the jelly is expensive, will people buy it?"
Yu Ying, unruffled, asked her to first comment on the taste.
Having not tasted something good for a long time, Luo Shi hesitated, unsure of her judgment.
Understanding her apprehension, Yu Ying said straightforwardly, "Just speak your mind."
Luo Shi then spoke, "The texture is unique, cool and refreshing when eaten, possibly more cooling than sour plum drink. It's similar to tofu pudding but with more elasticity, and it seems to relieve the heat too."
Yu Ying confirmed, "It does have cooling effects. Night Fragrance can clear the head and relieve phlegm discomfort. It can be used for mouth rinsing in the morning and also infused in water to drink."
After explaining, she also tried some herself. Without sugar, it lacked some flavor, but it was the most normal food she had eaten in a while.
She intended to sell it for the novelty, not expecting repeat customers.
Thinking it over, Yu Ying said, "I don't plan to sell it too expensively, just one coin per bamboo tube. If they don't sell, I'll just bring them back in the afternoon."
Yesterday, she had gone into the mountains again, quickly chopping down a thick bamboo. Ignoring the stares of others, she dragged it back to the Fu residence.
After bringing back the bamboo, she cut several sections into tubes and smoothed their edges on a stone to make cups. She also made a long bamboo tube with a lid to hold mint water.
Yu Ying looked at the jelly in her hand. Having only stayed in Ling Shui Village and never gone out, she knew that in the impoverished regions of Lingnan, common folks only cared about filling their stomachs and wouldn't opt for extravagant food.
Since it was all Yu Ying's own efforts, Luo Shi didn't comment further.
Yu Ying crushed some mint leaves, added river water, and then poured it into the long bamboo tube and covered it.
The mint flavor was strong. When she reached Yu County, she planned to buy a pottery jar and find a place to rinse it with well water.
As dawn broke, Luo Shi woke her grandson to escort Yu Ying to the village entrance.
Fu An, rubbing his eyes and thinking the woman might not return, felt a surge of joy and quickly got up to accompany her.
As Fu An left the house, Fu Wei looked out the window into the courtyard, watching the figure of his nominal wife heading towards the sunrise. Her silhouette against the rising sun seemed to radiate endless vigor.
Fu Wei withdrew his gaze with an indifferent expression, his eyes still reflecting a pool of lifeless stillness.
Yu Ying carried a backpack. At the top were herbs, and at the bottom were several bamboo tubes and a pottery jar filled with jelly.
She only took a silver leaf and the seven copper coins she had.
She walked to the village with Fu An, a journey of about fifteen minutes.
Fu An kicked stones along the way and swatted at the wild grass with a stick.
Glancing at him, Yu Ying said, "I've left some jelly on the firewood pile in my room. Divide it into four portions at noon, each bowl with two leaves from the courtyard, and I'll prepare dinner when I return."
Fu An, pausing in his wild grass hitting, turned to her in disbelief, "You're coming back?!"
Yu Ying raised her eyebrows slightly, "You don't want me to return?"
Fu An's thin face crumpled immediately, without hesitation, "I don't want you to!"
Yu Ying remained good-natured, countering calmly, "If I don't return, who will treat your grandmother and uncle? Or do you have money to buy a pottery jar to cook?"
Stumped by her retort, Fu An was momentarily speechless, but then asked, "Can you really treat my grandmother and uncle?"
Yu Ying looked at him and countered, "What if I do?"
After a moment's thought, Fu An replied, "If you can really cure them, I'll do whatever you say, never going against your wishes."
"Then it's agreed, no going back on your word."
Fu An stood tall and declared, "My word is my bond!"
Hearing the idiom slip from Fu An's mouth, Yu Ying was surprised, but then she remembered that Luo Shi was originally from a well-educated family, surely capable of teaching her children and grandchildren.
Yu Ying smiled faintly.
At the village entrance, there were no others waiting, just Yu Ying and Fu An.
Soon, they saw an old man wearing a conical hat, slowly driving an old yellow ox towards them from a distance.
Luo mentioned to Yu Ying that this Old Chen's son worked as an accountant at a small eatery. Using this connection, Old Chen delivered vegetables to the city every three days, carrying items for the villagers along the way to earn some extra money.
On the ox cart, there was only a young woman with a two-year-old child, both neatly dressed without any patches, indicating they were from a relatively well-off family in the village.
After giving Old Man Chen a coin, Yuying boarded the ox cart.
On the way, she inquired and learned that it takes about an hour to travel from Lingshui Village to Yuxian, and she would arrive around the time of Si (9-11 am). Old Man Chen would wait at the city gate until the time of Shen (3-5 pm), after which he wouldn't wait any longer.
She calculated that she would need to spend about two and a half hours in the city.
Along the way, a middle-aged man also got on the cart. Everyone was cautious and kept to themselves, and they reached Yuxian without any conversation.
Upon entering the city, Yuying found the situation to be as she had anticipated.
There were no splendid sights, only dilapidated streets.
Many people squatted along the road, with baskets in front of them containing live creatures, wild game, fruits, or vegetables, anything that might be exchanged for money.
The streets were crowded, but almost everyone's clothing had patches to some extent.
After the others left, Yuying asked Old Man Chen about where to buy clay pots and where to find water.
Old Man Chen pointed her in the direction of the clay pots and then asked, “What do you need the water for?”
Yuying honestly replied, “I’ve made some snacks and need water to mix in, so after buying a clay pot, I plan to set up a stall.”
Old Man Chen thought for a moment and, considering she might need to ride more often to sell her food, called her back to the cart, “I'll take you there on my way. You can get water at my son’s snack shop.”
Yuying quickly thanked him.
Old Man Chen pointed out the snack shop where his son worked, not far from where various clay pots were being sold.
She said she would mention it to her son, and when Yu Ying came to fetch water later, she could simply ask.
After thanking her again, Yu Ying then hurried to inquire about the price of the pottery jars.
Upon asking, she found out that wide-mouthed pottery jars with handles cost seven wen each, while those without handles were five wen. However, as Yu Ying only had a small silver leaf and six wen, she naturally chose one without handles, planning to maybe build a stone stove with it later.
When she returned with the pottery jar, Old Chen was still chatting with his son about the harvest in the fields. Seeing her return so quickly, he expressed some surprise: "You chose one that fast?"
After all, the women in his family usually took their time selecting items, haggling for a while, which is why Old Chen was somewhat astonished.
Yu Ying smiled, "Buying a pottery jar doesn’t take too long."
"Quite decisive," Old Chen said with increased fondness. He then told his son, "She’s made some food and needs water. Let her fetch some."
Old Chen's son, Shopkeeper Chen, gave her a glance, his eyes briefly passing over the light ink-colored spots on her face.
Despite the spots on her face, her features were well-defined, and she was fairer and cleaner than the locals of Lingnan, not looking ugly but rather like an ordinary person.
Her simple and clean attire made her more pleasant to the eye than the typically dirty countrywomen, so Shopkeeper Chen didn’t refuse. He called an assistant to take her to the backyard to fetch water.
Yu Ying thanked him twice and then went to get the water.
While fetching water and washing the jar, Yu Ying took a moment to observe the small eatery.
The eatery wasn’t large, with just a counter and four sets of tables and chairs.
Since it was not yet midday, the shop had no customers.
Perhaps it was the lack of customers that made the shopkeeper willing to entertain her.
Yuying had an idea. After contemplating, she scooped some grass jelly into two bamboo tubes, adding mint water to dilute it. She set her things down and spoke to the assistant, then took the two bamboo tubes out to the front of the shop.
Approaching Old Man Chen and Shopkeeper Chen, she said, "Today, I rode in Old Man Chen's cart, and Shopkeeper Chen allowed me to fetch water. I don't have much to offer, but if you don't mind, please try this ice jelly. It's refreshing, cooling, and can relieve the heat."
Grass jelly can be controversial, as those unfamiliar with it might think it’s made from flour.
Moreover, the word 'ice' in its name suggests a thirst-quenching effect, indicating its cool taste.
Shopkeeper Chen appeared to be in his early thirties with a square face.
As someone accustomed to dealing with all sorts of people due to his business, Shopkeeper Chen didn’t show impatience. Hearing the novel term 'ice jelly', he was intrigued and said, "I’ve never heard of this ice jelly before. Let me see."
His choice of words to 'see' rather than 'taste' showed caution.
Yuying offered, "Pouring it into a bowl will give you a clearer view."
Hearing this, Shopkeeper Chen asked an assistant to bring two bowls.
When the bowls arrived, she poured out the milky white, somewhat translucent grass jelly.
As she poured, the grass jelly bounced slightly.
Shopkeeper Chen showed some interest in this novel food, commenting, "This is indeed a curious dish."
After hesitating, he tasted a spoonful, ensuring there was nothing amiss.
After tasting, his face didn’t show much surprise but he remarked, "The texture is fine, just lacking in flavor. But for the price, it could sell well in this hot summer."
Yuying suggested, "Adding some sugar or sour plum juice would change the flavor."
Shopkeeper Chen chuckled, "Sugar is a rare commodity. Ordinary people only taste it occasionally. But..." he set down his bowl and said, "You’re looking to sell this to me, aren't you?"
Having seen many travelers, Shopkeeper Chen saw through Yu Ying's intentions at a glance.
Yu Ying showed a bit of embarrassment, "That is my intention, Shopkeeper Chen, what do you think?"
Shopkeeper Chen had his assistant bring over some sugar water. He added just a spoonful of sugar, tasted it, and indeed, it was slightly better than before.
Setting down the bowl, he said, "The appeal of this is its novelty, and it's best suited for summer consumption. It might sell, but at a high price. I can help you with this, but we'll split the earnings fifty-fifty."
Yu Ying had originally planned to sell it for one coin per bowl, but hearing his proposal, she changed her mind.
"How about two coins per bowl, Shopkeeper Chen?"
Shopkeeper Chen smiled and asked, "What about the cost of sugar water?"
Yu Ying: ...
She hadn't intended to add sugar in the first place.
But since he agreed to help, Yu Ying couldn't fuss over the conditions. She quickly replied, "Then let's deduct the cost and then split the earnings fifty-fifty."
The shop usually consigned goods, with Shopkeeper Chen earning a bit and the owner earning more. So, he had no objections.
Still, Shopkeeper Chen clarified first: "I need to know how much there is. I can't take too much."
Yu Ying: "There are about thirteen or fourteen bowls left."
Shopkeeper Chen, always good with numbers, quickly calculated: "Let me be clear, if it all sells, the cost of sugar water will be around five or six coins. In the end, you might earn about ten coins. This is if it sells out. Unsold portions are your responsibility. If you're okay with that, leave it here for consignment, and come back in the afternoon to settle the accounts. If not, you can try selling it in the market yourself."
Yu Ying wasn't just looking at the immediate situation; she was considering the future.
Rather than blindly struggling, a stable channel was preferable. Without hesitation, she agreed: "Okay, if it doesn't sell out, I'll take it back myself."
Shopkeeper Chen joked, "You trust me that much? Aren't you afraid I'll cheat you out of your food?"
Yu Ying smiled and said, "If Uncle Chen can kindly walk a stretch of the road with me and let me fetch water at Chen's store, how could his son possibly be a heartless person?"
Hearing this, Uncle Chen straightened his back, seemingly pleased with her words.
"Besides, Storekeeper Chen is a visionary who wouldn't covet such a trivial profit from me."
Storekeeper Chen, watching the woman's confident way of speaking, didn't pay it much mind.
In Lingnan, where exiles of all kinds are sent, nothing is too strange for Storekeeper Chen to encounter.
After all, it's not a favor without reward. If she can't sell it, it's her loss. But if she does, he gets a cut – why not?
Chapter 9: First Trip to the City
Having been busy all day, Yuying felt exhausted and thus slept soundly that night.
At the first crow of the rooster in the dim morning light, Yuying awoke.
Sitting up from the straw bed and regaining her senses, she then twisted her previously sprained ankle.
Her ankle had improved significantly, no longer as painfully sharp as before, and the swelling had subsided. She believed that with a day or two more of herbal poultices, it should fully heal.
After putting on her straw shoes, Yuying ventured out of the house in the dark, feeling fearful, but her poverty helped her overcome this fear.
Nothing was more terrifying than poverty, hunger, and cold. If there was, it was not being poor enough.
She went to the water tank, retrieved the clay pot, and gently poked inside with a bamboo stick. Feeling that it had set, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, her efforts hadn't been in vain.
Setting the clay pot aside, she picked and chewed a few mint leaves, enjoying the fresh, subtle fragrance spreading in her mouth.
Yesterday, she had cleared a small patch in the yard and planted the mint.
After washing up, she was about to scoop some out with a bowl and wooden spoon when Luo also emerged from the house.
Luo Shi, in a hushed voice, asked, "Is there anything I can help with?"
In the dim light, Yu Ying looked at Luo Shi's cloudy eyes and after a moment of silence, said, "There is something I need help with, just wait a moment."
Luo Shi waited as instructed.
Yu Ying crushed a few mint leaves in a bowl with a wooden spoon, then added water to release a faint mint fragrance.
After washing the spoon, she scooped out three spoonfuls of jelly into a bowl, stirred it, and handed it to Luo Shi.
She spoke softly, "Please try this and tell me how it tastes."
Luo Shi was taken aback, not expecting this kind of request, but she set down her bamboo pole and cautiously scooped up a taste. Upon entering her mouth, a refreshing coolness filled her palate.
Although it was relatively flavorless, the jelly was refreshing and had a smooth, lightly bouncy texture.
"What is this?" Luo Shi asked.
Yu Ying replied, "Jelly."
After a pause, she added, "It's made from wild fruits in the mountains. When Fu An wakes up, remind him not to tell others. I'm planning to sell it."
Hearing her plan to sell it, Luo Shi expressed concern: "If the jelly is expensive, will people buy it?"
Yu Ying, unruffled, asked her to first comment on the taste.
Having not tasted something good for a long time, Luo Shi hesitated, unsure of her judgment.
Understanding her apprehension, Yu Ying said straightforwardly, "Just speak your mind."
Luo Shi then spoke, "The texture is unique, cool and refreshing when eaten, possibly more cooling than sour plum drink. It's similar to tofu pudding but with more elasticity, and it seems to relieve the heat too."
Yu Ying confirmed, "It does have cooling effects. Night Fragrance can clear the head and relieve phlegm discomfort. It can be used for mouth rinsing in the morning and also infused in water to drink."
After explaining, she also tried some herself. Without sugar, it lacked some flavor, but it was the most normal food she had eaten in a while.
She intended to sell it for the novelty, not expecting repeat customers.
Thinking it over, Yu Ying said, "I don't plan to sell it too expensively, just one coin per bamboo tube. If they don't sell, I'll just bring them back in the afternoon."
Yesterday, she had gone into the mountains again, quickly chopping down a thick bamboo. Ignoring the stares of others, she dragged it back to the Fu residence.
After bringing back the bamboo, she cut several sections into tubes and smoothed their edges on a stone to make cups. She also made a long bamboo tube with a lid to hold mint water.
Yu Ying looked at the jelly in her hand. Having only stayed in Ling Shui Village and never gone out, she knew that in the impoverished regions of Lingnan, common folks only cared about filling their stomachs and wouldn't opt for extravagant food.
Since it was all Yu Ying's own efforts, Luo Shi didn't comment further.
Yu Ying crushed some mint leaves, added river water, and then poured it into the long bamboo tube and covered it.
The mint flavor was strong. When she reached Yu County, she planned to buy a pottery jar and find a place to rinse it with well water.
As dawn broke, Luo Shi woke her grandson to escort Yu Ying to the village entrance.
Fu An, rubbing his eyes and thinking the woman might not return, felt a surge of joy and quickly got up to accompany her.
As Fu An left the house, Fu Wei looked out the window into the courtyard, watching the figure of his nominal wife heading towards the sunrise. Her silhouette against the rising sun seemed to radiate endless vigor.
Fu Wei withdrew his gaze with an indifferent expression, his eyes still reflecting a pool of lifeless stillness.
Yu Ying carried a backpack. At the top were herbs, and at the bottom were several bamboo tubes and a pottery jar filled with jelly.
She only took a silver leaf and the seven copper coins she had.
She walked to the village with Fu An, a journey of about fifteen minutes.
Fu An kicked stones along the way and swatted at the wild grass with a stick.
Glancing at him, Yu Ying said, "I've left some jelly on the firewood pile in my room. Divide it into four portions at noon, each bowl with two leaves from the courtyard, and I'll prepare dinner when I return."
Fu An, pausing in his wild grass hitting, turned to her in disbelief, "You're coming back?!"
Yu Ying raised her eyebrows slightly, "You don't want me to return?"
Fu An's thin face crumpled immediately, without hesitation, "I don't want you to!"
Yu Ying remained good-natured, countering calmly, "If I don't return, who will treat your grandmother and uncle? Or do you have money to buy a pottery jar to cook?"
Stumped by her retort, Fu An was momentarily speechless, but then asked, "Can you really treat my grandmother and uncle?"
Yu Ying looked at him and countered, "What if I do?"
After a moment's thought, Fu An replied, "If you can really cure them, I'll do whatever you say, never going against your wishes."
"Then it's agreed, no going back on your word."
Fu An stood tall and declared, "My word is my bond!"
Hearing the idiom slip from Fu An's mouth, Yu Ying was surprised, but then she remembered that Luo Shi was originally from a well-educated family, surely capable of teaching her children and grandchildren.
Yu Ying smiled faintly.
At the village entrance, there were no others waiting, just Yu Ying and Fu An.
Soon, they saw an old man wearing a conical hat, slowly driving an old yellow ox towards them from a distance.
Luo mentioned to Yu Ying that this Old Chen's son worked as an accountant at a small eatery. Using this connection, Old Chen delivered vegetables to the city every three days, carrying items for the villagers along the way to earn some extra money.
On the ox cart, there was only a young woman with a two-year-old child, both neatly dressed without any patches, indicating they were from a relatively well-off family in the village.
After giving Old Man Chen a coin, Yuying boarded the ox cart.
On the way, she inquired and learned that it takes about an hour to travel from Lingshui Village to Yuxian, and she would arrive around the time of Si (9-11 am). Old Man Chen would wait at the city gate until the time of Shen (3-5 pm), after which he wouldn't wait any longer.
She calculated that she would need to spend about two and a half hours in the city.
Along the way, a middle-aged man also got on the cart. Everyone was cautious and kept to themselves, and they reached Yuxian without any conversation.
Upon entering the city, Yuying found the situation to be as she had anticipated.
There were no splendid sights, only dilapidated streets.
Many people squatted along the road, with baskets in front of them containing live creatures, wild game, fruits, or vegetables, anything that might be exchanged for money.
The streets were crowded, but almost everyone's clothing had patches to some extent.
After the others left, Yuying asked Old Man Chen about where to buy clay pots and where to find water.
Old Man Chen pointed her in the direction of the clay pots and then asked, “What do you need the water for?”
Yuying honestly replied, “I’ve made some snacks and need water to mix in, so after buying a clay pot, I plan to set up a stall.”
Old Man Chen thought for a moment and, considering she might need to ride more often to sell her food, called her back to the cart, “I'll take you there on my way. You can get water at my son’s snack shop.”
Yuying quickly thanked him.
Old Man Chen pointed out the snack shop where his son worked, not far from where various clay pots were being sold.
She said she would mention it to her son, and when Yu Ying came to fetch water later, she could simply ask.
After thanking her again, Yu Ying then hurried to inquire about the price of the pottery jars.
Upon asking, she found out that wide-mouthed pottery jars with handles cost seven wen each, while those without handles were five wen. However, as Yu Ying only had a small silver leaf and six wen, she naturally chose one without handles, planning to maybe build a stone stove with it later.
When she returned with the pottery jar, Old Chen was still chatting with his son about the harvest in the fields. Seeing her return so quickly, he expressed some surprise: "You chose one that fast?"
After all, the women in his family usually took their time selecting items, haggling for a while, which is why Old Chen was somewhat astonished.
Yu Ying smiled, "Buying a pottery jar doesn’t take too long."
"Quite decisive," Old Chen said with increased fondness. He then told his son, "She’s made some food and needs water. Let her fetch some."
Old Chen's son, Shopkeeper Chen, gave her a glance, his eyes briefly passing over the light ink-colored spots on her face.
Despite the spots on her face, her features were well-defined, and she was fairer and cleaner than the locals of Lingnan, not looking ugly but rather like an ordinary person.
Her simple and clean attire made her more pleasant to the eye than the typically dirty countrywomen, so Shopkeeper Chen didn’t refuse. He called an assistant to take her to the backyard to fetch water.
Yu Ying thanked him twice and then went to get the water.
While fetching water and washing the jar, Yu Ying took a moment to observe the small eatery.
The eatery wasn’t large, with just a counter and four sets of tables and chairs.
Since it was not yet midday, the shop had no customers.
Perhaps it was the lack of customers that made the shopkeeper willing to entertain her.
Yuying had an idea. After contemplating, she scooped some grass jelly into two bamboo tubes, adding mint water to dilute it. She set her things down and spoke to the assistant, then took the two bamboo tubes out to the front of the shop.
Approaching Old Man Chen and Shopkeeper Chen, she said, "Today, I rode in Old Man Chen's cart, and Shopkeeper Chen allowed me to fetch water. I don't have much to offer, but if you don't mind, please try this ice jelly. It's refreshing, cooling, and can relieve the heat."
Grass jelly can be controversial, as those unfamiliar with it might think it’s made from flour.
Moreover, the word 'ice' in its name suggests a thirst-quenching effect, indicating its cool taste.
Shopkeeper Chen appeared to be in his early thirties with a square face.
As someone accustomed to dealing with all sorts of people due to his business, Shopkeeper Chen didn’t show impatience. Hearing the novel term 'ice jelly', he was intrigued and said, "I’ve never heard of this ice jelly before. Let me see."
His choice of words to 'see' rather than 'taste' showed caution.
Yuying offered, "Pouring it into a bowl will give you a clearer view."
Hearing this, Shopkeeper Chen asked an assistant to bring two bowls.
When the bowls arrived, she poured out the milky white, somewhat translucent grass jelly.
As she poured, the grass jelly bounced slightly.
Shopkeeper Chen showed some interest in this novel food, commenting, "This is indeed a curious dish."
After hesitating, he tasted a spoonful, ensuring there was nothing amiss.
After tasting, his face didn’t show much surprise but he remarked, "The texture is fine, just lacking in flavor. But for the price, it could sell well in this hot summer."
Yuying suggested, "Adding some sugar or sour plum juice would change the flavor."
Shopkeeper Chen chuckled, "Sugar is a rare commodity. Ordinary people only taste it occasionally. But..." he set down his bowl and said, "You’re looking to sell this to me, aren't you?"
Having seen many travelers, Shopkeeper Chen saw through Yu Ying's intentions at a glance.
Yu Ying showed a bit of embarrassment, "That is my intention, Shopkeeper Chen, what do you think?"
Shopkeeper Chen had his assistant bring over some sugar water. He added just a spoonful of sugar, tasted it, and indeed, it was slightly better than before.
Setting down the bowl, he said, "The appeal of this is its novelty, and it's best suited for summer consumption. It might sell, but at a high price. I can help you with this, but we'll split the earnings fifty-fifty."
Yu Ying had originally planned to sell it for one coin per bowl, but hearing his proposal, she changed her mind.
"How about two coins per bowl, Shopkeeper Chen?"
Shopkeeper Chen smiled and asked, "What about the cost of sugar water?"
Yu Ying: ...
She hadn't intended to add sugar in the first place.
But since he agreed to help, Yu Ying couldn't fuss over the conditions. She quickly replied, "Then let's deduct the cost and then split the earnings fifty-fifty."
The shop usually consigned goods, with Shopkeeper Chen earning a bit and the owner earning more. So, he had no objections.
Still, Shopkeeper Chen clarified first: "I need to know how much there is. I can't take too much."
Yu Ying: "There are about thirteen or fourteen bowls left."
Shopkeeper Chen, always good with numbers, quickly calculated: "Let me be clear, if it all sells, the cost of sugar water will be around five or six coins. In the end, you might earn about ten coins. This is if it sells out. Unsold portions are your responsibility. If you're okay with that, leave it here for consignment, and come back in the afternoon to settle the accounts. If not, you can try selling it in the market yourself."
Yu Ying wasn't just looking at the immediate situation; she was considering the future.
Rather than blindly struggling, a stable channel was preferable. Without hesitation, she agreed: "Okay, if it doesn't sell out, I'll take it back myself."
Shopkeeper Chen joked, "You trust me that much? Aren't you afraid I'll cheat you out of your food?"
Yu Ying smiled and said, "If Uncle Chen can kindly walk a stretch of the road with me and let me fetch water at Chen's store, how could his son possibly be a heartless person?"
Hearing this, Uncle Chen straightened his back, seemingly pleased with her words.
"Besides, Storekeeper Chen is a visionary who wouldn't covet such a trivial profit from me."
Storekeeper Chen, watching the woman's confident way of speaking, didn't pay it much mind.
In Lingnan, where exiles of all kinds are sent, nothing is too strange for Storekeeper Chen to encounter.
After all, it's not a favor without reward. If she can't sell it, it's her loss. But if she does, he gets a cut – why not?
