Chapter 93 Chapter 93 The Eve of the Competition. (Second Update)…
"Speaking of warming up, that fish ball shop is really..." a neighbor started, but was interrupted by another woman: "Stop talking about those unlucky things! Our Lady Song is so lucky to have raised a capable daughter like Sister Zhi."
"That's right, Sister Zhi is so young, but her craftsmanship is so good. She will definitely have a bright future!" The neighbors around also echoed and praised her, but they couldn't help but feel that it was a pity. If they had known that Song Jiaoniang's family could achieve such success, they should have taken the initiative to talk to them when their shop was being decorated, and had more interactions with them.
If I had known earlier...
If I had known earlier...
Such thoughts were swirling in many people's minds, but they still put on smiles. They gathered around Song Jiaoniang, exchanging polite words with each other, fearing that they would miss the opportunity to get closer to her.
The topic of the crowd soon turned back to the New Year's party for newlyweds, and Hua Niangzi, who had been the subject of discussion just now, was gradually left aside.
She huddled in the chair, her fingers wrapped in a blanket trembling slightly. She raised her eyes slightly, first looking at Song Jiaoniang who was surrounded by the neighbors and fawning over her, then turned to look at Yu Niangzi who was standing beside her. Complex emotions were surging in her eyes, including regret, envy, unwillingness, and a bit of confusion.
Song Jiaoniang felt uneasy at the constant stream of flattery, goose bumps rising up her arms. She quickly waved her hand, interrupting everyone, "Don't say that. Sister Zhi is capable on her own. But Madam Hua, you need to find a place to live first, right? Do you have any relatives you could stay with?"
"Yes, yes, yes, Madam Hua, do you have anywhere to go?" The neighbors seemed to have just remembered Madam Hua. They stopped talking, came to their senses, and looked at Madam Hua again.
Mrs. Hua remained silent and shook her head for a while.
Since there are no relatives to turn to, I can only stay temporarily in my neighbor's house.
Everyone exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat subtle. If we were to say who was closest to Madam Hua in the past, it was of course Madam Yu, but the two had a big fight a while ago and had not been in contact for a long time.
The neighbors exchanged glances, but no one spoke. After a while, one of them shook his head and said, "My house can't accommodate us. We only have two rooms. There's no room for us."
"My house is drafty and uninhabitable in winter."
"My wife just gave birth to a baby and she keeps crying at night." Another old woman also waved her hand.
Soon, someone turned their gaze towards Madam Yu, and said tentatively, "Madam Yu, I remember there was an empty room in your house, and you had a good relationship with Madam Hua..."
"My mother-in-law hasn't fully recovered yet, and there are relatives from the village living in our house, so there's really no room for them." Madam Yu interrupted him before he could finish, explaining in a flat tone.
Last time, Song Jiaoniang reminded her not to take on the responsibility of taking care of her mother-in-law. She turned around and had a quarrel with Manager Wu, asking Manager Wu to take care of her himself.
Men are always like this. When they throw things to women, they just think it is easy and simple. At most, they will casually say thank you for your hard work.
After Manager Wu had taken care of his mother-in-law for three days, he started to complain bitterly. Regardless of the fact that he was short of money at the time, he found a maid from the village to take care of her mother-in-law, who provided her with food and accommodation and paid her two strings of cash a month.
Later, the business of Yu Niangzi's drink shop became better and better. The mother-in-law, who had complained about her son wasting money at first, gradually changed her tune and often said that if she had known earlier, she would have hired someone a few years ago.
At present, Madam Yu has left the empty room in her house to the maid who works as a helper. In addition, the business of the shop is getting better, so she wants to hire a permanent worker in the future.
Besides, although she felt sorry for Madam Hua, she also knew her character and didn't want her to live in her house to avoid trouble in the future.
Seeing that Madam Yu was having trouble getting through, the man turned his gaze to Song Jiaoniang. Just as he was about to speak, Lin Sen spoke first: "I think we should pool some money and rent a room for Madam Hua in an inn or even a temple."
Nowadays, temples and nunneries are common. Temples own a large amount of land and real estate, and the vacant rooms in them are also rented out to guests for rent or meditation.
A helpless woman like Hua Niangzi might be harassed if she stayed in a cheap hotel, so it would be better for her to live in the quiet of a nunnery.
After a pause, Lin Sen added, "After the New Year, Madam Hua will go to the market to find a job. After a month or two, she'll have saved some money and her life will be back on track."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone suddenly realized and thought to themselves that they were stupid. Instead of bringing this big trouble of Madam Hua to their home, it would be better to help her solve her recent troubles and let her be self-sufficient. It would also be a way to repay the kindness of the neighbors.
Therefore, after a while, a chorus of agreement rang out in the room: "Manager Lin is right."
"Let's do it."
"I know there's a nunnery in the south of the city. My mother-in-law once went there to practice asceticism and pray for my son and me. She stayed there for half a month, and it only cost one tael of silver, including food and lodging."
“That’s a good price!”
"Then I'll give you three hundred coins."
"I'll also give three hundred coins."
"I'll give you five hundred coins."
"I'll give you a hundred, no, two hundred. My family's not well off lately, so don't be disgusted."
At once, the neighbors all chipped in, and soon they had collected more than a string of coins. Madam Yu, thinking that she and Madam Hua were once friends, gritted her teeth and took three strings of coins. Lin Sen also went home to get three strings of coins.
Madam Yu gathered the money together, walked over to Madam Hua, and forced the money into her hand: "Take this money first, go to the nunnery that Madam Zhou mentioned and ask for help. If all else fails, find an inn to stay in."
"After the Lantern Festival, there will be many shops hiring. I'll help you find a suitable job."
Mrs. Hua raised her head and looked at the neighbors around her. Her lips moved, but she didn't say anything for a long time.
The more Hua Niangzi compared herself to her past self, the more ashamed she felt, and the more... she looked down on her past self.
All the neighbors present, even Madam Yu, with whom she had once had the best relationship, were verbally abused by her several times behind her back, and she tried to take advantage of them whenever she could.
Not to mention the rest.
My own family abandoned me, but these people, these people...
No one expected Hua Niangzi's gratitude, they just wanted peace of mind. They comforted her and gave her some money. From now on, Hua Niangzi would have to rely on herself.
"Is it settled then?"
"Well, I have something to do at home, so I'll go back first."
Just as the neighbors were talking and preparing to leave, Hua Niangzi squeezed out a voice: "I will, I will return the money to you."
Madam Yu was stunned, the neighbors were stunned, even Lin Sen and Song Jiaoniang were surprised, and then they all smiled.
As long as Madam Hua's temper is not defeated, she will get back on her feet one day, and then the Hua and Zheng families will be the ones in trouble.
As for whether Madam Hua will be bewitched by evil spirits and deceived by the two families and go back, it is not impossible, but no one will help her at that time.
Lin Zhi felt relieved after hearing the final arrangements from Lin Sen and his wife. She first brought two cups of tea and then handed the freshly baked egg drop cakes to the couple. "Here, try them."
"What a beautiful fruit." Song Jiaoniang's eyes lit up after taking a look. The fruit in front of her was a little different from the popular fruits nowadays. It was round and plump, with a few black and shiny sesame seeds on the golden top, exuding an attractive fragrance.
She raised her hand to pick one up, and with a little force, she found that the crispy skin fell down with a plop, making people marvel at the crispness of the fruit just by looking at it.
The sharp-eyed Lin Sen noticed the layers of pastry and showed a look of surprise. When he broke open the egg yolk pastry, he could see the dark red bean paste inside, and the salted egg yolk wrapped in the innermost layer.
Previously the air was filled with the aroma of freshly baked goods, but now there was also the aroma of oil, flour and sweet bean paste, which made the couple unable to help but pick them up and put them into their mouths at the same time.
The egg yolk pastry that had just been baked was still hot but not too hot. The crust was at its crispiest and it fell down with a puff as soon as your teeth touched it.
The crumbs fell on the tip of the tongue and quickly melted away, leaving only a faint oily aroma that was very tempting.
Could the couple resist? Of course not! Their taste buds detected the aroma and quickly opened their doors to welcome the enemy.
First, there’s the aroma of flour and oil, then the sweet aroma of the red bean paste, and finally the salty aroma of the salted egg yolk melts in your mouth.
Crispy, soft and mellow.
Completely different mouthfeel, completely opposite taste.
The outside is so crispy that it's falling apart, but the inside is actually delicate and soft. It's so delicious that you can't stop eating it.
Lin Sen and Song Jiaoniang had eaten countless fruits before. The Double Ninth Festival cake they had eaten last time was considered outstanding but not the best. However, the fruit they had eaten this time made them applaud and they came up with the idea that they should open a fruit shop.
After finishing their egg yolk pastry, they contentedly sipped their tea. Without waiting for Lin Zhi to ask, they rushed to praise it, saying, "This fruit will definitely astound everyone!"
"Sister Zhi, this tastes amazing!"
"If even this fruit can't satisfy the judges, then there must be something fishy going on in this competition!"
Lin Zhi listened to her parents praising her back and forth, and couldn't help but smile: "You guys are exaggerating."
"I'm telling the truth! This is definitely the most delicious fruit in the world! If I tell a lie, then sob!"
"My dear mother, please stop talking." Lin Zhi put her hand over her mother's mouth and said unhappily, "This is only the first version. I have other versions planned."
Hearing this, Song Jiaoniang immediately became obedient.
But she was quiet for three breaths, then she became curious again: "When will the second edition be made?"
Lin Zhi: “…”
No, you were urging me to eat it as soon as I put it in my mouth?
Perhaps because her daughter's gaze was too sharp, Song Jiaoniang shrank her neck. After a moment, she asked curiously, "What are we having for lunch?"
Lin Zhi: “…………”
Seeing the mother and daughter staring at each other, Lin Sen smiled and suggested, "Why don't we go to the shop to eat? Or if not, why not go to the fruit shop and buy some to try? Maybe we can get some inspiration."
Linzhi thought about it and readily agreed. The family of three went for a stroll in the market and bought a lot of cakes from one of the most famous fruit shops in Bianjing City to taste and study.
The three of them enjoyed their meal to their heart's content, but they were unaware that the news of their family's wandering around had reached their competitors. Some of them sneered, some were disdainful, and some became more vigilant.
After that, Linzhi made several more versions.
On the morning of the eighth day of the first lunar month, she was ready and boarded the carriage that came to greet her at the restaurant, heading towards the restaurant.
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