It was just dawn, and even though it was the off-season, the diligent villagers of Shiqu Village did not have the habit of sleeping in, and got up early. From time to time, a few wisps of smoke rose from the village, indicating that the housewives had started to prepare breakfast for the family.

At this time, a burst of firecrackers was heard from Miao Xing's house in the middle of the village.

"What's going on? What are you doing so early in the morning?" There was a sudden noise, and Aunt Miao almost dropped the spoon in her hand. The neighbor's wife thought for a while: "Yesterday, Qing'er from Chunlei's family brought back a big stone mill, saying that Miao Xing's family wanted to open a tofu shop. Could it be that they are opening it right now?"

"Is there such a thing? They brought it back yesterday, and they're opening today? So soon?" As she said this, Aunt Miao had already taken off her apron, put some money in a bowl, called her little girl and walked out: "Watch the pot, I'll go to Miao Xing's house to take a look, if it's good, I'll buy some, and add a dish for lunch!"

There are not many vegetables in winter. Every day we eat either cabbage, sauerkraut, radish or potato. Everyone in my family is tired of eating them. It’s a good opportunity to have this tofu and try something new!

Today is the first day of opening, and the Miao family is very nervous. Shen Qing and Miao did not return to Lantang Village last night, but stayed at the Miao family. Housing was originally tight, and they barely settled down after squeezing and squeezing. The Miao family is even more motivated to make money and get a house as soon as possible!

Although Shen Qing did nothing, his presence gave the Miao family peace of mind! The beans were soaked the day before, and the two sisters, Miao Qiaoniang and Miao Xueniang, took turns to check every half an hour. When they felt the beans were almost soaked, they went to wake up their father.

Before the rooster crowed, Miao Xing and Miao Wang had already started to push the mill. Because they were determined to make more, and tofu and yuba were being made at the same time, the millstone never stopped working that day.

When buckets of soy milk were brought into the kitchen, Liu Yue'e also got up. She first pressed a plate of old tofu, and then ordered a jar of tofu pudding - these two were relatively simple, and old tofu was less likely to break than soft tofu. Liu Yue'e planned to wait until she was proficient in making it before ordering soft tofu.

Miao had also gotten up at this time. The Miao family was busy making tofu, so she helped to make breakfast and also made a pot of tofu pudding: Anping County people eat salty food. Put oil in the pot, cut some green onions, ginger, and star aniseed and stir-fried them until fragrant, then added some soaked black fungus and day lily, and finally poured in autumn oil, pepper, salt, and a little sugar, added water, boiled over high heat, then simmered over low heat until the kitchen was filled with salty fragrance, then poured in water starch, and kept stirring until the marinade became thick, and the pot of marinade was ready.

Miao Wang, who was pushing the mill outside, sniffed and felt more motivated.

Miao came out from the kitchen: "Let's just make do with some tofu pudding and pancakes today. Qing'er said he would bring out some tofu pudding later for the folks to try, and they can buy more if they like it." That's why she took the trouble to make such a sophisticated stew. Otherwise, if she just ate it at home, she could just soak some soybeans in autumn oil and it would taste very good.

The family had a good meal first. When it was daybreak, Miao Ren went to the door to set off firecrackers. Not long after, people came to the door one after another. Li Yanzi hurriedly entertained them: "Auntie, please try our newly made tofu pudding, which is made from new beans. It tastes delicious!" Then she took out a small bowl, filled it with a bowl, and poured some of the sauce made by Miao.

What else can be said about Miao's cooking skills? The tofu pudding is salty and delicious, smooth and sweet, and it is not much different from what is sold in snack stalls in the city. Aunt Miao originally only planned to buy a piece of tofu, but now she also wants to buy some tofu pudding to add to her family's breakfast. Her son works as an accountant in the county town, and the family can afford it! "How much does this tofu pudding cost?"

"One penny, or half a pound of beans, one large bowl." Li Yanzi took out another large bowl, and it looked like one bowl could hold half a pound. But one pound of beans can produce seven or eight pounds of tofu pudding, so the price is a great profit! Li Yanzi felt uneasy, afraid that Aunt Miao would think it was expensive: "Add more sauce. My eldest sister-in-law is back, so we have sauce today. You know, she is the only one in our family who has this good skill."

"Okay, give me two large bowls!" Aunt Miao didn't know how many pounds of tofu pudding could be made from a pound of beans. She only knew that a bowl like this in the city, with just some extra coriander, chopped green onions, and pickled vegetables, would cost two or three cents! That bowl didn't look as big as this one, so one cent a bowl was really a good deal.

Aunt Miao bought another piece of old tofu and cooked it for lunch. Li Yanzi filled two bowls of tofu pudding and asked Miao Shan to help carry it over. It seemed like a free advertisement along the way. Aunt Miao was still promoting it: "It tastes good, and it's not much different from the ones sold in the city. Isn't it just less pickled vegetables and coriander? I can cut them myself at home."

"Chunlei is at her parents' house. This stew made by Chunlei is delicious!"

"You have to bring your own bowl, or better yet, a basket. This is my first time buying one, so I don't know. You see, I have to trouble the children to bring it to me. It will get cold on the way, and I have to steam it again when I get home. Wouldn't it be helpful if you bring a basket to block the wind?"

"You can also exchange it for beans. I'm too lazy to run again, so I'll give you cash. One penny per bowl, isn't that cheap? If you exchange it for beans, you can get half a pound of beans."

…

With Aunt Miao's publicity, villagers soon came to Miao Xing's house with baskets and bowls. Some bought two pieces of old tofu for cooking at noon, some asked when the tender tofu would be made, and some were particular and tried a bowl of tofu pudding and drank a mouthful before adding the sauce, just to taste the original flavor of the tofu pudding. For a while, customers came in droves and business was continuous.

Li Yanzi was very surprised. She knew that tofu would definitely sell well, but she didn't expect that the business would be so hot right from the start. She was so busy that she barely had time to rest in the morning. It was not until Liu Yue'e had ordered all the tofu that she came over to take her turn. After a short break, Li Yanzi went back to the tofu shop and started to pick up the yuba.

On that day, many families in Shiqu Village had one or two bowls of tofu pudding on their breakfast tables. Two full plates of old tofu were sold, and a large jar of tofu pudding was completely sold out. Many people were very disappointed that they didn't buy any, so they asked them to make more tomorrow. "There is no food in this winter. Every morning, we have porridge and pickles. It's finally possible to eat something delicious to change our taste."

At noon, everyone started cooking, and no one came to buy tofu. Miao made lunch again, using local ingredients, a pot of scallion tofu, a pot of cabbage stewed tofu, and a pot of big steamed buns. "I was so busy all day that I didn't even have time to cook." Liu Yue'e and Li Yanzi felt a little embarrassed. The daughter was a guest of honor in her natal family, and it was really inappropriate to ask the visiting sister-in-law to cook.

"Why are we still talking about this as a family?" Miao said, "I'm just afraid that you will be so busy in the future that you won't even have time to eat a hot meal."

"Why don't I do it?" Mrs. Miao felt a little sorry to see her children and grandchildren working so hard. The whole family was busy making money while she was lying on the kang. Although her legs were not good, she could still stand by holding the stove.

"Goodbye, mother. I think we should let Qiaoniang and Xuenniang cook. They are old enough to cook now, so you can just stay in the room and guide them. If they have any questions, they can come up to you and ask you." Liu Yue'e said hurriedly.

Shen Qing was thinking about the chair with wheels that he had seen in the Hongcheng Base Hospital. If grandma had a chair like that, she could walk around the house and even sit in the kitchen to instruct her two cousins.

The deal was settled. The people at the table were counting their earnings while eating. They had worked hard today and enjoyed their meals: "The tofu pudding made from three pounds of beans was sold out. A total of sixteen coins and twelve pounds of beans were collected." The total amount of beans they soaked today was about this amount. This jar of tofu pudding alone earned them back their earnings. The rest was all net profit: "The tofu was sold for ten coins and six pounds of beans. That means there are still three boards left to sell."

I made about thirty coins that day! I could make at least one guan of silver a month! If we take into account the big market before the New Year, can I make one or two taels of silver a month?

Shen Qing took a look at the remaining few plates of old tofu: "Leave one plate in the kitchen, I'm afraid someone from another village will come to buy it this afternoon. Put the rest in the yard to freeze. I don't have time to make the stew for tofu pudding every day, but I can use autumn oil to soak soybeans. Whoever wants to give Kuai a small spoonful will save them from making the stew at home. I'm afraid some people are too lazy to make the stew and won't buy it."

Liu Yue'e quickly agreed. A little bit of autumn oil and soybeans were not worth much, and they made a lot of money selling tofu pudding today!

"Since this business is going well, we will go back first. We still have a lot of things to do at home." Shen Qing said, "We have to return the mule cart we borrowed from our village chief. It's New Year and there will probably be a lot of people using the cart. We can't delay their business."

This was as it should be, but when they heard that Shen Qing was leaving, Liu Yue'e and Li Yanzi felt a little nervous. Although today's business depended on them alone, they felt relieved when Shen Qing was at home! Therefore, they were reluctant to let him go, and said hesitantly, "You're leaving now? Don't stay for two more days? Or you can return the mule and you two can stay for a few more days. It's so lively during the New Year."

How quickly has this person changed? When Miao divorced, the sisters-in-law were afraid that Miao would go back to her parents' home, but now they don't want her to leave.

"No, we still have chickens at home. We have to ask others to help feed them now. How can we bother others all the time?" Shen Qing said, "Everyone did a good job today. I didn't say a word. It doesn't matter whether you are here or not. Don't be afraid."

After being comforted by a junior, Liu Yue'e and Li Yanzi felt a little embarrassed. Thinking of the tight housing conditions at home, the anxiety in their hearts was overwhelmed by a yearning for a better life: "Okay, we will definitely make this business a success and not let you lose money!"

Shen Qing brought Miao back to Lantang Village. He first returned the mule cart to Aunt Guixiang, and gave some of the tofu he brought to the families he knew, as a way of advertising: "My uncle's family opened a tofu shop. I invested some of the money I made from selling wild boars, and now we are in partnership. Aunts want to eat tofu and buy New Year gifts, but please think about my uncle's reputation."

Everyone was a little surprised. When did the Miao family learn to make tofu? But they didn't think much about it. Their Shiqu Village was rich and close to the county town, so it was normal for them to have more connections. So they said, "That's great. Since the tofu seller in Xiahe Village moved away, it has been difficult to buy tofu for many years! No more going to the county town for a piece of tofu. Your uncle's family is making things convenient for the people in the nearby villages!"