Having thought all this through, Wei Yuyan decided to buy meat tomorrow, and since the day after tomorrow was market day, she would try to sell the steamed buns.

In the afternoon, Wei Yuyan steamed a pot of buns. Eating the bland buns that evening, Wei Yuyan's mind started to wander.

Could I also make some red bean buns or red bean rolls? Kids would probably like those.

"Xiao Lei, Qian Qian, your sister-in-law is going to town tomorrow. Would you like to heat up some steamed buns for breakfast?"

Wei Yuyan always makes sure to explain things clearly to the children before going out, otherwise they won't feel safe and might think she's run away.

"good".

The children obediently nodded.

The next morning, Wei Yuyan went out with a steamed bun in her mouth, and this time she walked to the town.

"I want one and a half pounds of pork belly and one and a half pounds of lean meat."

Wei Yuyan planned to try wrapping this many first.

"Alright, that's twenty-seven coins in total. Oh, and we have pig liver and pig stomach today, would you like some?"

The butcher usually wouldn't ask this, but every time Wei Yuyan came over, the butcher would ask her if she wanted anything.

"Yes, my kids all really like it."

Wei Yuyan put the meat into the basket, covered it with a cloth, and then counted the money and gave it to the boss.

The boss rinsed the pig offal with water, then hung it up with a rope and handed it to Wei Yuyan.

Then she went to the grain shop and bought a small jar of wine. Wei Yuyan thought it smelled similar to rice wine, and she mainly wanted to add a little to her stir-fries to enhance the flavor and remove any fishy smell.

However, it was a little pricey, costing twenty coins.

Wei Yuyan originally wanted to buy soy sauce, but she forgot to bring the jar to store it. She'll buy it next time.

Before leaving, Wei Yuyan noticed that others were wrapping their steamed buns in paper and realized that she might need to buy some paper to wrap them as well.

Finally, I asked about oil paper at the general store, and the owner said it would cost five coins for one hundred sheets.

Wei Yuyan couldn't help but sigh, "This has increased the cost again." She bought 100 coins' worth first, and if business was good, she could buy more tomorrow.

Wei Yuyan was too lazy to walk home, so she spent a penny to take a bus home, where there were two villagers.

He also looked disgusted when he saw the pig offal in Wei Yuyan's hand.

"Sister-in-law, why did you buy so much meat today?"

Wei Yuyan took out the meat, and Wu Lei and Qianqian were both a little curious.

"My sister-in-law wants to make steamed buns to sell in town tomorrow, and all this meat is for making steamed buns."

Wei Yuyan took out the pig offal; she planned to stir-fry the pig liver for lunch, and blanch the pig stomach as well.

For lunch, we had stir-fried pork liver with chili peppers and shepherd's purse. We didn't stir-fry the pork tripe, because we couldn't finish it if we cooked too much.

"Sister-in-law, do you need my help this afternoon?"

While eating, Wu Lei asked Wei Yuyan if Xiao Pang didn't have to go to school today, and that he had been wanting to go out and play with him for a long time.

"I don't need your help. Do whatever you want."

Wei Yuyan thought that they didn't know how to make dumplings either, so they wouldn't be of much help.

After finishing their meal, Xiao Lei took the initiative to wash the dishes, while Wei Yuyan went to bed.

After getting a good night's sleep, I started chopping meat. I can't wrap these buns yet; I'll have to wrap them and steam them tomorrow morning.

Now we can chop the meat and cut the scallions, and do some preparatory work.

"Sister-in-law, I heard from Xiaolei that you're chopping meat to make steamed buns to sell?"

Sister-in-law Xiuhua pushed the door open and came in. She had just met Xiaolei on her way here, and Xiaolei had told her about it.

"Yes, Sister Xiuhua, I want to give it a try. I'll go to town to sell it tomorrow."

Wei Yuyan continued chopping meat with great effort.

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

As she spoke, Sister-in-law Xiuhua rolled up her sleeves, picked up the scallions beside her, and began to wash them.

"Sister-in-law Xiuhua, you can sit down. I'm not making many, just about ninety."

Wei Yuyan thought that if business got better and she couldn't handle it all in the future, she could ask Sister Xiuhua for help and pay her for her work.

"Hey, sister-in-law, how are you going to take these steamed buns with you? What do you use to pack them, a bucket?"

Xiuhua's sister-in-law suddenly remembered this matter.

"Oh dear, I almost forgot about that. It seems like we really don't have anything to store it in."

Wei Yuyan stopped cutting and began to think: Is it too late to buy it now?

"Let me look for it for you."

Xiuhua's sister-in-law turned around and went into the kitchen to find something to pack for making steamed buns tomorrow.

"If you can't find it, then forget it. Sister Xiuhua, go check at Carpenter Gao's house later. I think I saw one of those wooden buckets at his house the other day."

Wei Yuyan remembered that the carpenter Gao's house had those big wooden barrels.

"Found it. Your frame is pretty good, it's just a little muddy. I'll clean it for you now."

"Find a blanket to cover the buns and keep them warm tomorrow, and also a pot lid. Just make do for now, we can buy more when we earn more money."

Sister-in-law Xiuhua is very frugal, so she cleaned the basket thoroughly.

"Sister-in-law Xiuhua, you'll be riding in Brother Zhang's oxcart tomorrow. Remember to tell Brother Zhang."

Wei Yuyan had originally planned to go to Sister Xiuhua's house to discuss this matter, but since Sister Xiuhua came, she didn't need to make the trip.

"Sure. No problem. How about I go help you tomorrow?"

Sister-in-law Xiuhua also wanted to experience selling steamed buns, and besides, Wei Yuyan might not be able to handle it all by herself.

"Sister-in-law Xiuhua, no need. If you want to help, just look after the children for me tomorrow."

I don't know when I'll sell all the steamed buns tomorrow. If I don't come back around lunchtime, could you come and keep an eye on them for me?

Wei Yuyan thought that Xiao Lei could cook, but it was still quite dangerous without an adult watching him.

"Your steamed buns taste so good, how could I not be back in time for dinner? But since you've said so, I'll definitely promise you I'll come to your house tomorrow morning."

Sister-in-law Xiuhua thought that Wei would definitely sell out and come back very soon.

"Thank you for your kind words, sister-in-law~".

Wei Yuyan continued chopping the meat until it became springy before stopping.

"Xiao Lei, if your sister-in-law doesn't come back from selling steamed buns tomorrow at noon, you should cook some vegetables for your sister."

Wei Yuyan thought that since she was going to steam buns tomorrow morning anyway, she might as well steam some mantou (steamed bread) and keep them at home so that it would be much more convenient for the children to eat.

"Okay, sister-in-law."

Wu Lei actually wanted to say that he and his sister would also help sell steamed buns, but he was afraid that his sister wouldn't be able to get up and would delay his sister-in-law's business, so he just opened his mouth but didn't say it.

After washing the dishes, Wei Yuyan started kneading the dough. The longer the dough ferments, the softer it becomes. If it ferments at this time, the bun skin will definitely be soft and fluffy.

I kneaded three and a half pounds of flour; three pounds was used to make steamed buns, and half a pound was used to make steamed bread and twisted rolls.

After covering the dough to ferment, Wei Yuyan started frying the filling.

The main thing is to stir-fry the mushrooms until they are dry and fragrant, then add the raw pork and mix well.

Having done all that, Wei Yuyan went to bed without even taking a shower, because she had to get up early the next morning.

Wei Yuyan didn't get up until the end of Yin Shi (3-5 AM). She thought that ninety buns could actually be wrapped quickly, and they could be steamed at the same time, which would take a little over an hour.