Chapter 29 Baking Master
"Look, this little hand is so clever, it makes the sculptures so beautiful and lifelike."
The proprietress pointed at the dough balls of various sizes and shapes on the chopping board and praised them with admiration.
It's just an ordinary dough, but in Chen Dani's hands, it was molded into insects, fish, birds, beasts, and colorful flowers, each one is beautiful like a living creature.
"Did you make all these?" Liang Jinyu was also surprised.
This skill is comparable to that of the pastry chef at Yujinglou.
Chen Dani raised her chin proudly: "This is nothing. If I have all the materials, I can make a Qingming Shanghe Tu for you."
[Just kidding, I’m a senior baker, I’m just kneading a dough, just sprinkle some water on it~]
Although Liang Jinyu didn't quite understand what Dani said, she knew that she could make even more beautiful and realistic pastries, and she was an expert in this field.
It's really strange. I thought she must be a girl from a wealthy family because she can read and write, but now it seems that she is just a craftsman.
"Madam, look at how much these are. I'll buy them." Liang Jinyu said with a smile.
It looks good, but the store sells buns, and if it's made like this, I'm afraid it won't be sold.
"I'm full, why are you buying more?" Chen Dani hurriedly stopped him and pushed Liang Jinyu out of the kitchen.
"That flour costs a lot of money, we can't waste it." Liang Jinyu stopped and explained.
Chen Dani rolled her eyes and said, "How could I possibly ruin it? I made it so beautiful, I will just sell it at a higher price, and the store won't lose money."
"But--"
"Don't worry, hurry up, hurry up!"
Chen Dani was afraid that she would take money out again, so she quickly used all her strength to drag Liang Jinyu away.
Liang Jinyu was relieved when she saw that the boss did not chase her out.
"I've never seen anyone like you. You're so poor, yet you're still extravagant. You can tell at a glance that you've never experienced hardship." Chen Dani couldn't help but scold.
Liang Jinyu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and said in a gentle voice: "Okay, then I won't spend any money today - hey, there's some candied haws for sale, do you want some?"
"No! Eat!" Chen Dani said heavily, her face speechless.
"All right."
...
Since Chen Dani insisted on the principle of "not spending a penny", the mother and daughter shopped for half an hour. Even though their legs and feet were sore and their mouths were dry, they did not even buy a bowl of water.
Seeing that the time was almost up, Liang Jinyu found an excuse.
"You stay here for a while, I have something to do."
"Another thing?"
Chen Dani looked at Liang Jinyu strangely, muttering to herself.
[Could it be that she found a male mistress? ]
Male mistress?
What is that?
Liang Jinyu thought that Dani might be thinking of something bad, so she explained, "I have something important to do, and I will be back soon."
Chen Dani didn't delve into it. In her opinion, Chen Lai Fu was not a good person anyway, so she could understand if Liang Jinyu wanted to cheat on her.
"You go ahead, I'll go shopping by myself." Chen Dani said nonchalantly.
This street is very busy with many pedestrians. Further ahead is the prefectural government, so the public security is very good and there is no need to worry about beggars.
After giving Dani a few instructions, Liang Jinyu hurried back to the canteen.
The broker has been waiting here for quite some time.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting."
Liang Jinyu gasped and said apologetically.
The owner of the grocery store pointed at the guarantor and introduced him: "This is my brother-in-law, his last name is Liu, everyone calls him Liu the guarantor, he is a reliable man."
Liang Jinyu was pressed for time and couldn't be picky, so she immediately asked Liu Yaren to take her to see the house.
The house was used to store food, so Liang Jinyu's requirements were not high, as long as it could shelter him from the wind and rain.
"Although that house has not been occupied for many years, it is still quite tidy after cleaning. The most important thing is that the price is very low, the monthly rent is only one hundred wen. I am not saying that there is no house cheaper than that in the whole Shaozhou city."
Liu Yaren is a talkative person and his mouth was never idle during the whole journey.
Liang Jinyu asked curiously, "I heard from you that the house is about 400 to 500 square meters in total, with a good location and a low price. How come it is still empty?"
Liu Yaren was walking in front. When he heard this, his eyes sparkled. He lowered his head with a guilty conscience. "Well, this, of course, there is a reason for this. Actually, a while ago, a young man also liked it, but he suddenly changed his mind. So you got a great bargain. It's really your luck, madam. If you hadn't found me, others wouldn't know about this good house."
Liang Jinyuhuan looked around and realized that they were getting further and further away from the destination. The dead weeds all around were half a person tall.
"It's just ahead. Look, just past the stone arch bridge." Liu Yaren quickened his pace.
The stone arch bridge was covered with moss, and there was a tall locust tree next to it. After going down the bridge, there was a wide open space, and at the end of the open space was the old house that Liu Ya Ren mentioned.
"You see, I didn't lie to you. This place is quiet and large. Don't be fooled by its shabby appearance on the outside. In fact, there are several intact rooms inside. There is absolutely no problem storing food here." Liu Yaren took out a copper key from his pocket and struggled for a long time before he finally opened the heavy copper lock on the door.
Liang Jinyu took two steps back. The paint on the plaque above the door had peeled off, and one could vaguely make out the words "Song's House" written on it.
“Squeak—”
The heavy door was pushed open with force, and a cloud of dust flew in the face.
Liang Jinyu covered her mouth and nose and followed Liu Yaren around the screen wall and walked inside.
Liu Yaren introduced the place as he walked. Although he was a bit noisy, he was very detailed.
It is said that the house is more than a hundred years old. The original owner was a businessman, but he sold the house when his family fell into poverty. The house has changed owners several times and has been vacant for more than ten years.
"That's how houses are. Once no one lives in them, they'll deteriorate quickly." Liu Yaren said as he took Liang Jinyu to find the most complete yard.
"This place has a good location, facing south, and the steps are high, so we can store food there without worrying about it getting damp." Liu Yaren said, pushing the doors and windows and nodding with satisfaction, "This is all good, and we don't have to worry about rats getting in if we close them tightly."
Liang Jinyu looked around and guessed that this should be the main courtyard. Compared with the other courtyards, this one was the most complete and cleanest.
"That's right." Liang Jinyu nodded.
When Liu Yaren heard this, he hurriedly took out the contract he had prepared long ago from his pocket.
"Since you've chosen it, just sign the contract. If you rent it for a year, I'll give you a 20% discount." Liu Ya Ren said with a smile.
Liang Jinyu wanted to, but she was short of money.
"No need for that. I'll rent it for half a year first and see how the situation goes then." Liang Jinyu said, picking up the contract on the table.
Six hundred coins in half a year, less than one or two taels of silver, was Liang Jinyu's limit.
"Is there really nothing wrong with this house?" Liang Jinyu still felt a little uneasy. To be honest, it was too cheap.
Liu Ya Ren repeatedly assured, "It's absolutely fine. I've been in this business for more than 20 years and have a good reputation. Besides, you were introduced by my brother-in-law. I can't cheat you even if I cheat anyone else."
Liang Jinyu clenched her fists, but finally signed and put her fingerprints on the document.
Seeing this, Liu Yaren breathed a sigh of relief.
"Here is the door key, please take it." Liu Yaren couldn't wait to stuff the key into Liang Jinyu's hand.