Chapter 13: Finally Earned Some Money!

 

When they got off the ox cart, Madam Wei looked at Xu Shuyue’s slightly dazed expression and said with concern, “Did you stay up too late last night? Look at your eyes, they’re all bloodshot.”

The other passengers overheard her and glanced over at Xu Shuyue, only to be met with her bright, clear eyes that sparkled like jewels. Where were the bloodshot eyes?

Was Madam Wei putting on a show for everyone? But if it was an act, it felt so genuine…

As people mulled over their thoughts, Wang Qiuniang, irritated by the sight, slung her basket over her back and marched off toward the marketplace. In just a few moments, she had disappeared from view.

The rest of the crowd quickly followed suit, hurrying off to secure their spots at the market.

This wasn’t just a regular village market. The “big market” was much larger than the usual gatherings of three or four neighboring villages. People from both nearby and faraway villages had come, making the streets on either side of the main road lined with stalls.

Looking around and seeing almost no available space for their goods, Qi Ansheng sighed in frustration. “We’re too late.”

Xu Shuyue scanned the area and spotted a small empty space between two stalls. Her eyes lit up. “Father, Mother, let’s set up there!”

As they made their way over, Madam Wei glanced at the small gap and hesitated. “Isn’t this spot too small?”

The space was no wider than the span of Qi Ansheng’s outstretched arms and looked like it could barely fit two baskets side by side.

Xu Shuyue reassured her, “But the stalls next to it both sell food, so they naturally draw people in. Plus, what they’re selling doesn’t overlap with ours. The spot may be small, but it’s enough to display our goods.”

The only downside was that they couldn’t showcase too much at once.

The stall to the left sold tofu, and the vendor, overhearing them, chuckled and said, “This young lady talks so sensibly!”

The vendor on the right, who sold hot tea, was even more accommodating, moving his stall slightly to the side to make room for them. “You must be their daughter, right? What a pretty young lady you are!”

“She’s my daughter-in-law,” Madam Wei proudly replied. “And she’s not just pretty—she’s clever and resourceful too.”

Pleased by the warm reception from the neighboring vendors, Madam Wei immediately decided to settle there. The three of them put down their baskets and got to work.

Xu Shuyue spread a coarse cloth on the ground to display their apples, pears, and dried fruit snacks.

As for the candied fruits, Qi Ansheng had prepared a bundle of straw tied into a post, mimicking the way street vendors in town sold sugar-coated hawthorns. The candied apples and pears that Xu Shuyue and Madam Wei had made were skewered onto bamboo sticks and neatly inserted into the straw post, which was then placed in one of the baskets.

To make their stall more eye-catching, Xu Shuyue tied a bright red ribbon around the basket and moved it slightly forward. The vibrant red stood out in the wintery market, ensuring that anyone passing by would notice it right away.

At that time, selling goods often involved calling out to attract customers. However, Xu Shuyue didn’t need to shout. Madam Wei and Qi Ansheng were seasoned fruit sellers and handled it with ease.

The tea vendor next door, intrigued by the candied fruits, called out to Xu Shuyue during a lull in customers. “Young lady, what’s that you’ve got on the straw post?”

This was a potential customer, and even if it was just one person, Xu Shuyue wasn’t about to let the opportunity slip by. She walked over and explained with a smile, “These are candied apples and candied pears made by my family. Uncle, would you like to try one?”

“Candied?” The tea vendor’s curiosity grew. Sugar was a rare commodity, and the idea of candied apples and pears was something he had never heard of, let alone seen.

The tea vendor’s son worked as an accountant in a restaurant in the county, so their family wasn’t short on money. Selling tea at the market was more of a pastime than a necessity.

Since he didn’t lack money and was a bit of a foodie, his interest was piqued. He immediately asked, “How much are these? Which one tastes better? Give me one skewer.”

The price had already been decided back at home. Without hesitation, Xu Shuyue responded smoothly, “The candied apples are five wen a skewer, and the candied pears are three wen a skewer. They have different flavors—the apples are sweet and tangy, while the pears are refreshing and aromatic. I couldn’t say which tastes better. Uncle, if you’re curious, why not try one of each and compare them yourself?”

The tea vendor laughed and praised, “What a clever girl! You’re quite the little businesswoman!”

With just a few words, she had persuaded him to change his mind from trying just one skewer to buying two.

“Alright then! Give me one of each. But if they don’t taste good, little girl, I’ll come back and complain!” he teased.

Xu Shuyue replied calmly, “With fruit and sugar, how could it not taste good? Unless, of course, Uncle, you’re too accustomed to fine food and find these little treats beneath you.”

The tea vendor laughed helplessly, pointing at her in mock admonishment. This girl, she really didn’t let people off easily!

He pulled out eight copper coins from his pocket. Xu Shuyue gave them a quick glance and then handed them to Madam Wei.

Madam Wei shook her head and said warmly, “You sold it, so you should keep it yourself.”

She figured that if Shuyue ever needed to buy something and didn’t have money on her, it would only create more hassle if she had to ask for it.

The tea vendor observed their interaction and couldn’t help but think that this daughter-in-law and mother-in-law duo, while not related by blood, had a bond stronger than most.

Returning his focus to the skewers in his hand, the tea vendor deliberated over which one to try first.

Xu Shuyue suggested, “Uncle, you should try the candied pear first. The apple has a stronger flavor, so if you eat that first, the pear might taste bland in comparison.”

Even without the candied coating, this rule held true for apples and pears.

The tea vendor nodded in agreement and followed her advice, taking a bite of the candied pear. The first sensation was the crunchiness.

The sugar shell, having hardened overnight in the cold, was now exceptionally crisp. As his teeth pierced through the sugar layer and into the soft fruit beneath, the pear’s fresh and subtle aroma flooded his tongue.

As he chewed, the sweetness of the sugar mixed with the juicy pear, creating a delightful combination that felt like pure happiness. Unable to resist, he took another bite.

The tofu vendor next to him, who had been quietly observing, looked skeptical. “Isn’t it just fruit with a layer of sugar? Could it really be that good?”

The tea vendor, overhearing, chuckled and replied, “Try it for yourself, and you’ll see.”

Realizing he had accidentally spoken his thoughts out loud, the tofu vendor scratched his head awkwardly. However, his financial situation wasn’t as comfortable as the tea vendor’s. Spending three wen on a skewer with only a few pieces of fruit was a bit extravagant for him.

“My wife would scold me to no end if she found out I wasted money like that,” he said, waving his hand dismissively.

The tea vendor didn’t push further, instead savoring the happiness brought by the rest of his candied treats.

Soon after, the tofu vendor’s stall began to get busy. With the Lunar New Year approaching, everyone wanted to buy tofu to prepare dishes like frozen tofu with pork, vermicelli, and napa cabbage. The thought of the dish alone was enough to make mouths water.

Even Madam Wei bought three pieces of tofu. While paying, the tofu vendor suddenly had an idea. “How about I cut a little more tofu for you in exchange for one of your candied pears?”

Though the deal wasn’t exactly advantageous, Madam Wei couldn’t pass up the goodwill of a good “neighbor.” She picked out a skewer with a slightly less perfect pear and handed it over.

The tofu vendor didn’t mind at all. He carefully wrapped the candied pear in oiled paper, clearly planning to take it home to share with his family.

Someone nearby noticed their exchange and approached the Qi family’s stall. However, instead of looking at the candied fruit, their eyes were drawn to the dried fruit displayed on the cloth.

“Hey, isn’t this like the fruit preserves they sell in town? How come it’s being sold here at the market?”

This person, having bought fruit preserves from a shop in town before, squatted down to inspect the goods. Picking up a piece, they frowned. “Wait a minute. These aren’t the same, are they? The quality doesn’t look as good as what they sell in town. Are these knockoffs?”

Their words drew the attention of several others, all dressed in fine cotton-padded jackets that suggested they were well-off.

Xu Shuyue calmly explained, “These are homemade dried fruits, different from the fruit preserves sold in town. It’s just a different preparation method.”

“Is that so?” The person still seemed skeptical. Picking up a piece, they asked, “Can I try one?”

“Of course,” Madam Wei chimed in. “If you’re curious, feel free to taste it. Our dried fruit is different from the fruit preserves in town—each has its own unique charm.”

When the others heard they could try a sample, they eagerly stretched out their hands. Xu Shuyue kept a sharp eye on them, making sure no one tried to grab more than their fair share in the chaos.

Luckily, these were honest folks. They each took one piece to try, tasting the flavors carefully. Upon discovering how good the dried fruit was, someone immediately asked for the price.

Xu Shuyue replied, “Dried apple slices are twenty-two wen per liang (approx. 30 grams), and dried pear slices are fifteen wen per liang.”

Some people thought the price was too steep and left right away, but the first person to stop by nodded in agreement. “That’s fair pricing. Young lady, give me half a jin (250 grams) of each!”

Though the flavor wasn’t as complex as the fruit preserves sold in town, the dried fruit had its own unique appeal. It would be perfect for serving guests or bringing along as a gift for relatives during the New Year.

This was the first customer to buy dried fruit, and they were purchasing a full jin (500 grams). Xu Shuyue’s eyes lit up with excitement. She quickly pulled out the scale and measured out the fruit. “That’ll be 185 wen in total.”

Then, with a bright smile, she added, “Auntie, since you’re our first customer, I’ll knock off the odd change. You can just pay 180 wen.”

“Well now, young lady, you sure are quick with the math!” The customer chuckled as she counted out her coins but glanced over at Madam Wei and Qi Ansheng, clearly waiting for them to confirm.

It wasn’t unusual for someone to distrust a younger seller. After all, with her elders present, they were technically the ones in charge. Realizing this, Xu Shuyue quickly turned to Madam Wei, her tone suddenly meek and polite. “Mother, what do you think?”

Madam Wei patted her hand, her face glowing with excitement that matched her daughter-in-law’s. She was more thrilled than anyone else.

“Of course! Let’s give her the discount!” Madam Wei declared with a flourish.

The customer, Zhang Niangzi, laughed heartily. “Young lady, you’ve got yourself a wonderful mother-in-law!”

Not to be outdone, Madam Wei quipped back, “And I’ve got myself a wonderful daughter-in-law!”

Her words were so warm and genuine that Zhang Niangzi couldn’t help but feel moved. The cheerful interaction between the two women even influenced the surrounding onlookers, who, caught up in the positive atmosphere, decided to buy a little for themselves.

The basket of dried fruit quickly emptied by nearly half.

By noon, the market was at its busiest. People from more remote villages, those who’d woken up late, or those who had traveled more slowly, were all arriving and gathering in the bustling crowd.

This was the best time of day for the Qi family’s stall. A group of children stopped in their tracks, unable to take their eyes off the colorful candied fruit skewers.

Xu Shuyue knew that children were her target audience. Whenever she saw parents or grandparents walking by with kids in tow, she would raise two skewers in her hands and call out loudly:

“Candied apples for five wen a skewer! Candied pears for just three wen! Sweet, delicious, and affordable!”

Villagers had never seen such a novelty before—fruit coated in shiny, hardened sugar. And the price, three to five wen a skewer, wasn’t expensive by their standards. Those with a little extra money to spare couldn’t resist buying one or two skewers to try.

Some children, unwilling to finish their candied fruit in one bite, would walk through the market with the skewer in hand, nibbling bit by bit. This unwittingly served as free advertising for the Qi family’s stall, attracting even more curious onlookers.

Within just an hour, all the baskets the Qi family had brought were completely emptied.

 

Translator’s Note:- I am extremely sorry guys for the very late update but something urgent came up and i was busy whole week working on the stuff. I am uploading all the 6 chapters of this week now. Stay tuned and enjoy your weekend. Thank you for your patience !!❤️❤️