On the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, Zhao Shiyun got up early and made a few more sheets of tofu. After breakfast, he loaded the tofu onto his donkey cart, along with all the tools needed to fry it.

"Brother Yan, let's go." Zhao Shiyun greeted Lin Yan.

"I'm coming." Lin Yan went back to his room to get his coin bag and hurriedly climbed onto the donkey cart.

Zhao Shiyun saw that he was seated and drove to Zhou Chunlan's house.

A few days ago, I agreed with Zhou Chunlan to go to the town together today, so Zhou Chunlan went early in the morning to pick a basket of cabbage, a basket of radishes, and also took two cans of sauerkraut and pickled beans.

It was just after the Lunar New Year, and many people in town were out of fresh vegetables, so they had to hurry and sell them. By March, wild vegetables were plentiful, and with so many vendors, it was hard to get a good price. Zhou Chunlan grew vegetables at home, but she didn't have time to pick them to sell. She'd just pick a basketful for herself.

After helping Zhou Chunlan load the things onto the donkey cart, Zhao Shiyun whipped the cart and drove towards the town.

Snow is rare in the south, so while it's cold, the wind is so strong it stings your face. After the Lunar New Year, things are starting to get a bit warmer. Lin Yan brought a hand warmer, and Zhou Chunlan also brought a small quilt to cover her legs. As you age, you need to keep your legs and feet warm, and soak your feet regularly at night.

When they reached the town, the donkey cart drove onto West Street and stopped beside the stall. Zhao Shiyun quickly jumped out and unloaded the items. Lin Yan and Zhou Chunlan also got out to help. They had to move quickly, otherwise they would block other people's way.

After the move was completed, Zhao Shiyun drove the donkey cart to the place where he was helping to look after it, paid two cents for the looking-after fee, and could come to pick it up at 5 p.m.

When they returned to West Street, Yan'er and A'mo had already laid out the vegetables and tofu. To sell fried tofu, Lin Yan rented another stall from the manager. Just then, Old Man Zhang, who was selling baskets and backpacks next door, had given up his lease. He was old, and his son had asked him to stay home and enjoy his life, not to open a stall anymore.

Zhao Shiyun had brought along an unused long table from home when he left the house today, which was perfect for frying tofu. The clay oven was placed on the left side of the table. Lin Yan lit the fire, taking care not to let the firewood touch the table. He then set up the frying pan. The seasonings he needed were placed on the right, conveniently within easy reach.

Zhou Chunlan's original stall had five sheets of tofu on the right, a jar of pickled mustard greens and beans in the middle, and radishes and cabbage on the left. The rest was stored in baskets under the stall. Her stall was covered with cloth, so the bottom was usually hidden from pedestrians and could be used to store spare items and other miscellaneous items.

Lin Yan was ready and started to fry the tofu. He first scooped a spoonful of lard into the frying pan. Zhao Shiyun helped to bring over a plate of tofu. Lin Yan took a piece and cut it with a spatula. He carefully placed the pieces in the frying pan, and when they were almost done, he turned them over one by one. During this time, he scooped a spoonful of chopped pickled cabbage into the pan and heated it. When the other side was almost done, he started to brush the hot sauce on it with a brush. The hot sauce had been poured into the bowl. After brushing this side, he turned it over and brushed the other side. After brushing the hot sauce on everything, he sprinkled it with chopped green onions and shoveled the chopped pickled cabbage on it. It was done.

Brother Li from the stall next door had already smelled the fragrance and couldn't help but ask, "Brother Yan, what are you doing?"

Lin Yan smiled and responded, "Brother Li, I'm making some fragrant tofu. Would you like to try a piece?" Brother Li's eyes lit up and he nodded hurriedly. Lin Yan shoveled all the fragrant tofu into the bowl and shouted, "I made some fragrant tofu. Everyone come over and try it. Help me test the taste."

Brother Li didn't hesitate to poke a piece with a bamboo stick. He took a bite and praised it highly: "Oh, this tastes amazing. Brother Yan, your cooking skills are really good."

The other vendors gathered around and began to eat the fragrant tofu with the bamboo sticks Lin Yan had prepared. The tofu was so soft and tender, and the chili sauce was so spicy, they couldn't wait for another piece. However, they weren't the greedy type, so one asked, "Brother Yan, are you selling this tofu? How much is it?"

Lin Yan held up three fingers: "Three cents a piece."

When everyone heard this, they didn't think it was expensive. Those who wanted to eat immediately said, "Give me one portion. It happens that I didn't have breakfast."

"Okay." Lin Yan was very happy that the shop opened right after he arrived, and immediately started to fry the tofu.

"Brother Yan, I've already had breakfast. I've ordered one for lunch. Please save it for me."

Lin Yan replied while frying tofu: "Okay, got it."

The person who bought it started eating it on the spot, and praised it while eating: "This is the first time I have eaten such delicious tofu. With this spicy sauce, it tastes doubly good." This praise attracted the attention of many people around, and they gathered around.

"Is it really that delicious?" one of them asked.

"Really?" the man said, still chewing his tofu. "It's only three cents a piece, so it's not expensive. I might as well buy one and try it."

Hearing this, the man no longer hesitated and asked Lin Yan to give him one portion as well. Others also said, "I want one too." "I want a small portion." "And me."

Lin Yan suddenly became busy and hurriedly responded while frying tofu.

Zhou Chunlan saw Zhao Shiyun helping to collect money and pack the goods, thinking she should be able to handle it, so she ignored him and helped sell raw tofu. As more and more people came to her stall, those who usually came to her stall saw that she had tofu for sale and immediately asked the price: "How much is this tofu?"

"One penny a piece." Zhou Chunlan answered cheerfully.

"Give me one, then."

Zhou Chunlan used lotus leaves to pad the tofu and helped the woman who bought tofu put it in the basket.

Many of the women and husbands who came to buy groceries were attracted by Lin Yan’s fragrant tofu. After asking about the price, they found it acceptable. Some of them tried it and found it delicious. They also wanted to let their family members try it, so they bought two large portions, which were just right for lunch.