Chapter 48 The cold jelly shop is doing brisk business, and the cold egg salad is booming...
Gong Lisheng's cold mung bean jelly shop has been doing really bad business lately. If he can sell ten servings of stir-fried cold mung bean jelly at noon, that's considered good.
In the evening, when the scorching sun is gone and the temperature drops a bit, there will be more customers in the shop.
But it wasn't full.
There were four small tables in the shop, but they weren't full.
Their earnings for the day were barely enough to cover the couple's food and drink; rent was out of the question.
There was no other way; it was hot, and the stir-fried mung bean jelly was even hotter than regular hot food, so you had to blow on it after it came out of the pan.
In the dead of winter, a bowl of this can make you sweat slightly, but in the summer, it's like sitting in a furnace.
Unless you really like it, diners would never choose it.
However, this was the state of the shop's business when his father was in charge of cooking.
Therefore, he wasn't worried. After all, when he calculated the year-round income, it was definitely better than staying at home to farm.
But unexpectedly, he has now stumbled upon a new food!
Upon entering the county town, he parted ways with Bao Beiyuan and drove his mule cart back to his own shop.
When he arrived at the shop, he took a closer look and saw that there were only two people sitting at a table, and they were old acquaintances—Chen Sheng and his wife.
His wife, Guo Cuihua, was sitting at the doorway, fanning herself and enjoying the cool air.
When Guo Cuihua saw him return, she immediately stood up: "Honey, you're finally back! Sheng-ge'er is curious about the preserved eggs that Xiao Yuan mentioned. Quickly get him some to see."
Chen Sheng then stood up, stepped out of the shop, and came to the mule cart: "Boss Gong, is this the preserved egg?"
He hadn't had jelly noodles for several days and was craving them, so he dragged his husband over today despite the heat.
Gong Lisheng was nowhere to be found!
Chen Cuihua's cooking skills were no match for Gong Lisheng's, but since he was already there, he still ordered two bowls of stir-fried mung bean jelly and asked Gong where he had been.
After hearing Chen Cuihua's explanation, his curiosity was immediately piqued.
A preserved egg?
What kind of food is that?
"Yes, this is a preserved egg. You two are just in time. I'll make you a serving right away. It tastes delicious!"
Gong Lisheng chuckled as he lifted a basket of preserved eggs from the mule cart.
Five hundred eggs were filled five baskets.
He told Chen Cuihua to carry the remaining four baskets into the shop, while he himself prepared to make cold preserved eggs.
He just learned how to make this dish at the Jiang family's house, and now he can't wait to recreate it.
His excited appearance made Chen Sheng even more curious.
Chen Sheng helped Chen Cuihua carry the preserved eggs back to the shop. When he arrived at the iron plate stove used for stir-frying cold noodles, Chen Sheng grabbed four peeled preserved eggs and was about to scoop water to wash away the lime residue sticking to the surface of the eggs.
Upon seeing the true form of the "egg," he exclaimed in surprise, "This is an egg?"
Chen Cuihua and her husband Gao Jianbao both looked over when they heard the noise.
The shop was small, and the two of them spotted the preserved egg in Gong Lisheng's hand at a glance.
Chen Cuihua exclaimed in surprise.
Gao Jianbao also craned his neck.
Does an egg look like this?
It's strangely beautiful.
Gong Lisheng chuckled and said, "You didn't expect eggs to have this color, did you? More importantly, they taste delicious!"
"Cuihua, wash a cucumber for me. I'll smash it and make a cold salad with the preserved egg later."
Chen Cuihua responded and hurriedly walked towards the backyard.
Gong Lisheng, on the other hand, learned Ye Li's cutting method and divided a preserved egg into four pieces, so that each piece had a little bit of yolk.
After slicing them, he arranged the preserved eggs piece by piece on a plate. Their outstanding appearance made Chen Sheng laugh: "They look so good, I don't even want to eat them."
"Don't worry, once you take your first bite, you won't be able to stop eating."
After finishing speaking, Gong Lisheng went back to peeling garlic.
Garlic is indispensable for making cold preserved egg salad!
He chopped the garlic cloves into small pieces, smashed the cucumber that Chen Cuihua had washed, and placed it in the center of the plate. Then he took out a bowl and prepared the sauce separately.
Pour the prepared sauce over the plate, and a serving of cold preserved egg salad is ready.
Gong Lisheng placed the plate on the table and invited Chen Cuihua and Chen Sheng to sit down and have a taste.
Chen Sheng curiously reached out with his chopsticks, but the preserved egg was too slippery, and he couldn't pick it up even after three attempts.
He simply picked up the bowl of cold noodles and scooped the preserved egg into it.
The preserved eggs were seasoned with vinegar, and the subtle sourness mixed with the aroma of sesame oil instantly whetted one's appetite on this hot evening.
He shoveled the preserved egg into his mouth.
The first thing your teeth touch is the runny yolk.
A rich and mellow flavor, unlike anything he had ever tasted before, burst onto his tongue. This unique taste overpowered the flavors of the seasonings, making him focus solely on the preserved egg itself.
Chen Sheng's eyes widened: "Delicious!"
It's really delicious!
Gao Jianbao didn't speak. He stared at the half-eaten preserved egg on his chopsticks, chewing and savoring it slowly.
The first bite tasted a bit strange.
It doesn't taste like an egg at all.
But he had to admit that, although it was strange, it was indeed fresh; the egg white was refreshing, and the yolk was even a little soft and sticky.
How unique.
He put the remaining half of the preserved egg into his mouth, and couldn't resist reaching out with his chopsticks to pick up the remaining egg from the plate.
Gong Lisheng didn't have time to check on Chen Sheng and his wife's reaction. He was worried that his skills weren't good enough to replicate the deliciousness he had tasted at the Jiang family's house, so he immediately went to pick up some preserved eggs as well.
He put the preserved egg in his mouth, closed his eyes, chewed a few times, and then relaxed, a smile spreading across his face: "This is the taste!"
"Did you learn this from Jiang Ji's husband?" Chen Cuihua asked.
"Yes, how about it?" Gong Lisheng nodded.
"It's delicious. No wonder Xiao Yuan kept praising it and insisted that you try it."
Chen Cuihua also smiled.
This is so refreshing to eat in the middle of summer; she loves it.
"That's right! This kid is a thoughtful one. Bao Beixing isn't even worthy of carrying his shoes! I've already told him that he'll come for drinks tomorrow evening, and you can cook a couple more dishes."
Gong Lisheng said.
“Okay, I’ll go buy meat first thing tomorrow morning.” Chen Cuihua nodded.
After listening to the couple's conversation, Chen Sheng couldn't help but say, "Xiao Yuan is indeed diligent. He's been delivering drinks to my house on time these past few days."
"These preserved eggs are indeed delicious. Mr. Gong, give me a bowl, I'll take it home and bring the bowl back to you tomorrow."
Gong Lisheng smiled upon hearing this, "What a great start!"
However, the price needs to be agreed upon first.
He said, "We're old acquaintances, so I won't beat around the bush. I bought the eggs from Wild Jujube Slope. The small ones are two coins each, and the big ones are three coins each."
"My plan is to cut two small pieces into a bowl, add a cucumber, and sell it for seven coins."
"In the end, I only earn two coins per bowl."
Cucumbers are cheap at this time of year, but they're loaded with seasonings, so this part will count as one article.
Adding the four coins for the preserved egg, the cost is five coins.
As for chores like purchasing and washing dishes, that's nothing. How can you make money without spending time and effort?
Don't underestimate the small net profit of two articles; if you sell a lot and increase the volume, you can earn quite a bit in a day.
He got up and picked out two preserved eggs from his basket, one big and one small.
He placed the two eggs on the table so that Chen Sheng could clearly understand the difference between them: "If it's the larger one, then a bowl of it will cost two more coins, making it nine coins."
"Do you think this price is acceptable? If so, how much do you specifically want?"
Chen Sheng stared at the two bastards for a moment, then smiled and said, "I accept. Boss Gong is a very honest man. My family is large, so please give me six large bowls, a whole basin of them."
"Okay, I'll go make the cold dish right away."
It was indeed a great start.
Gong Lisheng said with a smile, "You two are the first to buy one, so I'll add a smaller one for you."
"Boss Gong is very generous," Chen Sheng immediately said.
Gao Jianbao also smiled and said, "Then we wish Boss Gong all the best in making a fortune."
"Sigh! I don't dare to dream of getting rich, as long as business is better than before, that's enough."
Gong Lisheng was very clear-headed.
Hoping to get rich by turning into an egg?
How many bowls did you have to sell that day?
Even if I were busy flying, it would be impossible.
However, he was lucky today; while he was making Chen Sheng's cold preserved egg salad, another customer came into the shop.
The teppanyaki stove was right at the entrance of the shop; to enter the shop, one had to pass by the stove.
And the appearance of the preserved egg is outstanding.
The people of Beiyang County had never seen such beautiful eggs before.
So the two diners asked him curiously what he was cutting.
Upon hearing this, Chen Cuihua immediately invited the two diners to try the cold preserved egg salad on the table.
To be honest, not everyone likes preserved eggs.
But it looks good, and many people who haven't tried it before are willing to give it a chance.
Gong Lisheng was quite skilled, making the cold preserved egg salad delicious and refreshing. So, after trying it, the two diners also bought a bowl.
That's how the situation unfolded.
The next day, when Bao Beiyuan brought a braised chicken to the cold noodles shop, not only were all four tables in the shop full, but there were also people queuing up at the door with bowls in their hands!
Bao Beiyuan was somewhat puzzled. Why was business so good?
As Gong Lisheng poured the cold preserved eggs from the basin into the customer's bowl, he caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of his eye and greeted him with a smile, "Oh, Xiao Yuan, look how busy you are. Why don't you come in and sit down for a while?"
Bao Beiyuan looked at him: "Brother Sheng, why did everyone bring their own bowls and plates?"
"I'm giving you plenty of sauce. If you take it home, you can add some other dishes and eat it with steamed buns and pancakes as a family. Isn't that better than sitting in the shop eating nothing?"
Gong Lisheng explained with a smile.
This was a brilliant idea that Chen Sheng and his wife came up with yesterday when they were carrying a basin home.
If customers eat in the shop, he and his wife will have to wash the chopsticks and bowls.
But if customers bring their own bowls, the couple can relax; they only need to stir-fry the preserved eggs and they can earn two coins per bowl.
So whenever someone came into the store, he would offer them free samples of preserved eggs while giving them this great suggestion.
Most of the customers in his shop are local residents.
After hearing his words, most of those who wanted to buy preserved eggs brought their own bowls with them.
"That's a good suggestion." Bao Beiyuan nodded. He glanced at the shop, which was packed with people. How could business be so good in just one day?
At this moment, Chen Cuihua entered the shop through the back door carrying a large bowl of minced garlic.
Upon seeing him, I immediately invited him to sit down wherever he pleased.
He went into the shop and handed over the braised chicken he was holding: "Sister-in-law, business is good."
"Look at you, what are you doing bringing this? I made four meat dishes today!"
Chen Cuihua scolded him playfully.
She took the braised chicken and put it in the cupboard, intending to have Bao Beiyuan take it back later.
However, when talking about the business at her shop, she beamed: "I was standing at the door shouting to attract customers, and the preserved eggs were really delicious, so the shop was packed with people all at once."
She started hawking her wares yesterday evening, holding up two peeled preserved eggs in her hand.
Her calls, coupled with the appealing appearance of the preserved eggs, immediately drew people into the shop.
Of those who have tried it, eight out of ten people say it's delicious.
This afternoon, she was still standing in front of her shop, calling out her wares.
They were just shouting out their wares.
As a result, business improved.
There were so many people, it was comparable to when her father-in-law was cooking.
But this job is much easier than stir-frying mung bean jelly. No need to turn on the fire. Just chop the preserved egg and mix it with the cold sauce. You can make a serving in just a few breaths!
So far today, we have sold more than fifty servings of cold preserved egg salad.
Earn two coins per serving, and you can easily make a hundred coins in no time.
Yesterday she thought this business wouldn't make her rich, but now it seems it might actually allow the couple to earn a fortune.
The business at the cold jelly shop exceeded expectations, so the private school closed the next day. When Jiang Ji rushed out of the school carrying a basket, he was caught by Bao Beiyuan, who was already waiting at the door.
Bao Beiyuan came to reserve preserved eggs: "The cold preserved eggs are selling quite well. I estimate they'll be sold out by the day after tomorrow. If Datong and Sister Liu's preserved eggs are ready, then there's no need to go to town to sell them. Sheng will come and pick them up."
Ye Li always makes preserved eggs a few days earlier than Jiang Tong, Jiang Liu, and Jiang Yu, so their preserved eggs should be ready in the next couple of days.
even!
He said with a smile, "If business continues to be good, then Brother Sheng will also want the preserved eggs from the two brothers' houses."
Jiang Ji was somewhat surprised: "Business is so good?"
"That's right. Sister Cuihua is good at calling out her customers, and the preserved eggs taste great. Now there's always a line in front of her shop."
"That's great. When I get back, I'll tell Brother Datong and Brother Xiaoliuyu that Brother Sheng can come to the village to get it whenever he's free."
Jiang Ji should comply.
These three people would definitely agree.
That way they won't have to go to the Ye family's place.
However, considering Bao Beiyuan's condition, he said, "I have a two-day holiday. Why don't you come to my house for a visit? There's not much farm work to do. Let's go for a walk in the mountains together."
Upon hearing this, Bao Beiyuan shook his head: "If I go, Brother Li will have to prepare a big meal to treat me. I still don't know how to repay the pork floss you gave me last time. I can only thank you verbally."
"I won't cause any more trouble for Brother Li."
"Besides, there's nothing to see on that little hill behind your village. If I take a day off, Brother Li will lose more than twenty coins."
After saying that, he changed the subject to the eggs, reminding Jiang Ji not to forget to tell Ye Liang, and then ran off in a flash.
Helpless, Jiang Ji waited until the man's figure disappeared from sight, then gripped the basket in his hand tightly and hurried home.
He walked and jogged all the way home, and although he was drenched in sweat, it wasn't dark yet.
As the sun sets and the sunlight dims, the summer days are long, so the light at this moment can still be described as bright, only with an added layer of pale orange hue from the sunset compared to the midday sun.
The bright, pale orange sunlight shone into the dilapidated courtyard, falling among the lush green jujube leaves, a beauty that made him smile involuntarily.
In the courtyard, Ye Li squatted by the well with a furrowed brow, holding a tree branch, learning to write characters from Jiang Mai.
Jiang Ya was on the other side of Jiang Mai. His little bottom was sticking up, one little hand was supporting him on the ground, and the other little hand was holding a tree branch. He was also learning very seriously.
Seeing this, Jiang Ji raised an eyebrow. His good husband really knew how to fool children.
Looking at Ye Li's face full of bitterness and resentment, who would have thought that Ye Li's knowledge of idioms was so profound and unfathomable?
Thinking this, he stepped into the courtyard: "I'm back."
Upon hearing his voice, the three people by the well looked over, and then the adult and the two children threw down their branches and ran towards him, laughing.
"Slow down."
He crouched down, hugged the two little ones who rushed towards him, kissed their little faces one by one, then stood up, took their little hands, and walked a few steps to Ye Li.
Ye Li pulled a handkerchief from her bosom: "Wipe your sweat. Next time you come back, take the bus; save your energy."
Jiang Ji took the handkerchief with some surprise. Not bad, he actually remembered to carry a handkerchief with him.
But after hearing the second half of Ye Li's sentence, he shook his head and said, "Sitting in the classroom every day makes my bones ache. It's good for my health to run around."
That makes some sense.
Private schools don't have morning exercises or radio calisthenics; students should exercise more.
Ye Li didn't try to persuade her any further, but instead said, "Dinner is ready, shall we eat?"
Before Jiang Ji could respond, Jiang Ya immediately shook his large hand and said, "Big brother, big brother, Brother Li made fish soup, it smells so good!"
Jiang Ji smiled and patted his little head: "Then let's set out the meal."
Little glutton.
The fish I bought today was from Tuoye.
Making fish soup is very simple. First, pan-fry the crucian carp with scallions and ginger in a pot, then add boiling water and simmer for a while. The fish soup will then turn milky white.
He added some tofu and green and red peppers, which made the milky color look delicious and appetizing.
However, worried that the two little ones might choke on fish bones, he specially used a fine, unused linen cloth as a strainer to filter the soup for them when serving them.
The two little ones didn't mind that the fish soup was fed to Mabu first, and they kept drinking it from the bowl.
Jiang Mai didn't even care that Jiang Ya would wet the bed. The slightly spicy fish soup had won over his little belly, and he drank two big bowls himself. He was too embarrassed to persuade Jiang Ya to drink any more.
He only drank soup, and soon his belly was round and full.
He couldn't drink anymore, so he put down his bowl and looked at Jiang Ya.
Jiang Ya just put down her bowl, and the two looked at each other. Jiang Ya smiled and swayed her little body, saying, "Second Brother, it's so delicious!"
Jiang Mai nodded, then patted her belly; she really felt a bit full.
"Come on, let's go out and play." He stood up and reached out to take Jiang Ya's little hand.
Jiang Ya ran off first: "I'm going back to the house to get the windmill."
Upon hearing the sound, Jiang Mai hurriedly followed.
The courtyard was completely dark; it was pitch black.
Jiang Ji shouted, "Slow down, don't fall!" and then looked at Ye Li sitting opposite him.
Ye Li was eating fish, and he was afraid of getting a fish bone stuck in his throat, so he sat by the oil lamp and slowly picked out the fish bones.
Jiang Ji also picked up a piece of fish from the small basin, carefully removing the bones while talking about how good business was at the cold noodle shop.
Ye Li was initially surprised, but then delighted: "The sales channels have really opened up. I'll talk to Xiao Liu when she comes over tomorrow, and her preserved eggs will be ready soon too."
According to Jiang Liu's plan, tomorrow or the day after, she and Jiang Yu will take Jiang Tong's oxcart to deliver the three of their eggs to the Ye family.
Now we don't have to go through all that trouble.
Seeing that he was happy, Jiang Ji smiled along with him.
A sweet smile filled my heart.
But thinking about what he saw when he came back, Jiang Ji couldn't laugh anymore.
However, Ye Li's face was exactly to his liking, and now, under the lamplight, he stared at Ye Li's face for a long time until his mind went blank, and he couldn't help but ask, "You can actually read, right?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
