The three of them were taken aback by her words.

Need to contact them?

Could it be a restaurant that wants to increase its delivery service?

If that's the case, their business will be affected.

Moreover, their contract expires at the end of this month.

Ye Caiping said, "Starting next year, I plan to open a Hulatang (spicy soup) workshop and then distribute Hulatang to other places."

The three were dumbfounded. Manager Chi asked, "Distributing it externally? How many stores are you selling to?"

"We'll sell to as many stores as we can; as long as they come to buy, we'll supply them."

The three shopkeepers' expressions shifted; this was worse than they had anticipated. It wasn't just a few more shops, but countless more.

“But how much effort will it take to sell like this? Just hiring an oxcart will cost a lot,” said Manager Wang.

Ye Caiping said, "I used a different method, which is a pre-packaged ingredient. Jin'er, take it out."

Since she was prepared to contact them, she naturally made preparations in advance.

Ye Jin'er turned and went into the room, and soon came out with six paper packets.

Three copies were wrapped in tan paper, and the other three were wrapped in light yellow paper.

"This packet contains the most important spices for Hu spicy soup." Ye Caiping picked up the tan paper packet, then picked up the light-colored one. "This is pepper."

"We sell this pre-mixed seasoning. As long as you buy the ingredients such as wood ear mushrooms and daylily buds, cook them according to the steps and put them into the seasoning packet, you can make a pot of hot and sour soup."

"What we sell are hot and sour soup seasoning packets."

Manager Chi and the other two were quite shocked. Manager Pang frowned and said, "We might not be able to make it as delicious as yours."

"This is the time to test your culinary skills in restaurants and eateries," Ye Caiping said.

The three looked at each other, their faces showing difficulty.

If this seasoning packet were put on the market, then every restaurant and eatery would be able to make hot and sour soup.

Then they won't be unique anymore.

At that point, all you really have to do is compete with your cooking skills.

They didn't want to lose this advantage, but it was impossible for others to give up such a large business and stop operating workshops for their sake.

The three of them sighed softly; they had no choice but to accept it.

Shopkeeper Chi nodded: "When will the workshop's ingredient packages start being sold to the public?"

"It won't be officially operational until at least February next year."

"Will you continue supplying goods like you are now?"

Ye Caiping said, "If you still want us to cook for you, of course you can continue to offer it."

Manager Chi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Alright, I understand. Then at least enough to keep your workshop running."

"Okay. However, it's almost the end of the year, and we'll be too busy during the holidays to supply goods. We'll need to take a holiday."

Manager Chi nodded, indicating his understanding: "Our Shunke Restaurant has decided to close for the Lunar New Year holiday after lunch on New Year's Eve, and will reopen on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year."

"Me too." Manager Wang and Manager Pang said at the same time.

"Okay, that's settled then."

After Ye Caiping finished speaking, she gave the three people two packets of ingredients each: "Try it when you get back. I have written down the steps, which are in the ingredients packets."

Seeing the three people's worried faces, Ye Caiping felt embarrassed to accept their New Year's gifts anymore.

She placed three bolts of cloth on the table: "Gentlemen, please take this cloth back. We just got some new clothes recently, so we don't need it."

Shopkeeper Wang quickly waved his hand and laughed, "Haha, we don't need it now, but we can use it next year. Madam Ye, please accept it!"

Although they had lost their advantage, he could still afford to give away a bolt of cloth.

Manager Chi and Manager Pang shared the same idea.

Ye Caiping smiled, then went inside and packed three baskets of dried cassava chips, and also gave Liu Liang a piece of cured meat.

She had originally planned to buy some New Year's gifts when she went to see them. Now it was too late, so she could only give them some things from home as a return gift.

Shopkeeper Chi picked up a slice of cassava: "This... is the poisonous root that the government says is edible, also called cassava?"

Shopkeeper Wang also looked curious: "I've heard about it before, but the villagers have dug up all the cassava on the mountain, so I've never tried it."

Ye Caiping smiled and said, "Once it's soaked until soft, you can steam it directly, or stir-fry it with meat or add some scallions and garlic. It's very delicious."

"Haha, okay, we'll try it when we get back."

After seeing the three off, it was getting late.

Ye Caiping then stopped going out.

The next morning, Ye Caiping and her family took an oxcart to town to buy New Year's goods.

Ye Caiping approached Fatty Sister, explaining that she would be setting up a workshop next year, and even gave Fatty Sister a spice bag.

Next, she went to the county town, found the three restaurants she was cooperating with, and explained the situation and her annual leave.

Soon, the Chinese New Year will arrive.

This year's New Year's Eve dinner was extremely lavish, with ten out of the twelve dishes being large meat dishes.

The Ye family members ate with gusto, their mouths greasy and their faces beaming with happiness.

This was the most prosperous year they had ever had, not only materially but also psychologically.

Ye Daquan, however, looked worried and somewhat sullen.

Ye Caiping asked, "What's wrong with my brother?"

"This year has been so lively, but it's a pity that after the New Year, you two, the second brother and the youngest sister, will be moving out."

“We’re from the same village, so we can see each other whenever we want.” Ye Caiping rolled her eyes at him. “My house has lots of rooms, so you can stay for as many days as you like. And we can get together for meals during festivals and holidays.”

Upon hearing the words "stay as many days as you like," Ye Daquan smiled again: "You can't go back on your word."

"No regrets."

The next morning was the first day of the Lunar New Year.

After offering incense, Grandma Ye cooked a large pot of sweet glutinous rice balls.

Eating tangyuan (sweet rice balls) on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year symbolizes a sweet year ahead, which is a local custom.

Everyone gathered in the main room to exchange New Year's greetings.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!