Chapter 81 Braised Edamame
Lin Chuntao greeted them with a smile and then took her seat. After she sat down, Chai Xingyu introduced Chai Jiao and Uncle and Aunt Chai to Lin Chuntao.
Lin Chuntao greeted them one by one with a smile.
But they were just being polite. Upon hearing this, Chai Jiao smiled and said, "Why are you being so polite, Madam Lin? I heard from my mother that A-Yu shares your interests and has even recognized you as his elder sister."
Lin Chuntao smiled and said, "That's true, but we're talking about business today, and it has nothing to do with who calls whom."
Ever since Lin Chuntao came in, Chai Jiao had been scrutinizing her, her first words being sarcastic. Of course, Lin Chuntao wouldn't stay good-tempered forever; she wore a smile, but her eyes turned cold.
Guo Jixiang glanced at Chai Jiao, then at Lin Chuntao, before calling a waiter to pour tea for Lin Chuntao and ordering the dishes to be served. "Manager Lin, let's eat and chat."
Guo Jixiang started the conversation, Lin Chuntao responded, and Chai Jiao glanced at Uncle Chai, who quickly chimed in, "Shopkeeper Lin, Ayu should have told you, right? We want to talk about buying your sauce recipe."
Upon hearing this, Chai Xingyu's expression changed slightly. He hurriedly looked at Lin Chuntao, only to see her smiling and raising an eyebrow, directly refuting, "Isn't that true? Young Master Chai likes my soup noodles, which is why he came to discuss a collaboration with me. We've almost finalized the details, but this is my first time discussing a collaboration with someone, and he's quite young, so I asked him to invite you elders to come and take a look."
In an instant, everyone at the table looked at Chai Xingyu. Lin Chuntao glanced at him, then looked at Guo Jixiang and Chai Songchuan, and spoke up to help him out of the predicament.
"When Young Master Chai came, he told me that Master Chai and Madam Guo had entrusted him with the entire responsibility for this matter, didn't they?"
As soon as Lin Chuntao finished speaking, Chai Laosan and his wife both chuckled in unison. Chai Jiao also glanced at her parents but didn't say anything more. They had already discussed this matter last night, and it was now up to Chai Xingyu to handle.
Chai Song replied, "Yes, this matter has been entrusted to A Yu."
The topic that should have been pushed forward has come full circle and returned to square one.
Lin Chuntao smiled and continued, "Perhaps you've misunderstood. I don't sell the sauce recipe; I only discuss cooperation, not buyouts."
Her words were very absolute: if the discussion was about buying the house, then there was no need to continue; if it was about cooperation, then they would continue.
Chai Jiao was somewhat displeased with her assertive attitude and frowned slightly: "Madam Lin, are you going to refuse without even listening to our offer? You won't even consider how much it costs?"
Lin Chuntao smiled and said, "That's right, I won't consider the price."
Her words startled everyone in the Chai family, including Guo Jixiang. She had previously thought Lin Chuntao was quick-witted and agile, but today she seemed a bit stubborn, leaving no room for negotiation.
When people discuss business at the table, they usually leave some room for negotiation. There is give and take, discussion and compromise. In the end, if the deal is reached, everyone is happy. If the deal is not reached, everyone goes their separate ways and has nothing to do with each other.
Looking at the Chai family's expressions, Lin Chuntao thought to herself that there was no need for any push and pull when talking to the Chai family; what was needed was decisiveness.
Chai Jiao's words were cut off, and a faint anger rose in her heart.
"If you're not going to sell your own products, how does Madam Lin plan to cooperate? You wouldn't be thinking of selling your sauce in our shop, would you?"
Lin Chuntao glanced quickly at Chai Xingyu before replying to Chai Jiao.
"That's the idea," Lin Chuntao said, then turned to Chai Xingyu and asked, "Have they read what you wrote?"
Chai Xingyu paused for a moment, then said, "No."
"Then let's show them."
Chai Xingyu took out the papers from his sleeve, carefully unfolded the stacked papers, and then handed them over.
Chai Jiao was the first to read it, and she was so angry that her face turned red. After Chai Songchuan, Guo Jixiang, and the Chai Laosan couple finished reading it, their faces were also as red as if they had just wiped the bottom of a pot.
"Lady Lin, is this your idea?" Guo Jixiang asked.
Lin Chuntao shook her head: "No, this is Young Master Chai's idea, but I also think his approach is very interesting, so we can give it a try."
Chai Jiao snorted coldly, "Lady Lin's abacus beads are really shrewd!"
Chai Songchuan looked at Chai Xingyu with a serious expression and asked in a tone of disappointment, "Is this what you've come up with these past few days?"
Chai Xingyu remained silent, while Chai Songchuan cursed, "I think you've been drinking too much bewitching potion!"
When Chai Laosan and his wife looked at Chai Xingyu, who was being scolded, their joy almost overflowed from their eyes, and they pretended to be peacemakers.
"Brother, don't get angry. Ayu is still young, it's normal for him to be fooled. You can't blame him, you can only blame the people with ulterior motives!"
Lin Chuntao chuckled upon hearing this, then looked at Chai Xingyu and said quietly, "Young Master Chai, your third uncle is right. When you're young, you're bound to encounter people with ulterior motives. You'd better be careful."
Without giving Chai Xingyu a chance to reply, she continued, "It seems your elders don't accept this method. Let's talk about it later. That's all for today."
As she spoke, she picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped her hands, preparing to leave.
Guo Jixiang said, "Madam Lin, it's rare for us to get together today, let's chat some more; we sincerely want to buy your sauce recipe, please name your price."
Lin Chuntao looked at Guo Jixiang, who had calmed down and was now all smiles.
“I’m sorry, Madam Guo, I’m not selling this prescription. If you have any other methods, please tell me, and I’d like to hear them.”
Guo Jixiang glanced at Chai Jiao, who then said, "I just looked at Ayu's method. Madam Lin wants your sauce to be sold in our Chai family's shop. I also have an idea. Listen to it."
Lin Chuntao said, "Go ahead."
“Once this sauce leaves our Chai family shop, it represents the Chai family. We also need to consider the people who buy it. How about this: Madam Lin, you make the sauce, and we'll buy it and sell it under the Chai family name.”
After Chai Jiao finished speaking, Lin Chuntao nodded thoughtfully. In the brief moment of her silence, Chai Jiao and Chai Songchuan exchanged a glance. Lin Chuntao's lips twitched, and she looked up at Chai Jiao: "In that case, will the Second Miss arrange for a few people from the Chai family to come to my house to watch me make sauce?"
Chai Jiao's face stiffened, and Lin Chuntao said, "I'm sorry, Miss, we are not like-minded people."
After saying this, Lin Chuntao stood up, looked up at Guo Jixiang, and said calmly, "Madam Guo, I'll be taking my leave now."
Chai Xingyu's Adam's apple bobbed, and he stood up with Lin Chuntao.
Chai Jiao was annoyed by Chai Xingyu's actions.
"Isn't Madam Lin afraid that this recipe will become worthless in the future?"
Lin Chuntao turned to look at Chai Jiao, shrugged indifferently, and said with a smile, "Second Miss, I only made this sauce to cook noodles. I didn't expect it to make me any big money, so there's no need for you to worry about it."
As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Chuntao was about to leave. Chai Xingyu wanted to see her off, but Chai Jiao scolded him.
"Ayu, where are you going?"
Chai Xingyu paused for a moment, turned to look at Chai Jiao, and was about to leave when the door was pushed open. A middle-aged man in a blue robe stood in the doorway, and next to him stood someone Lin Chuntao recognized.
The middle-aged man walked past Lin Chuntao and looked at Chai Jiao behind him.
"So it really is my wife and my parents-in-law here. I thought I had misheard."
Lin Chuntao raised an eyebrow slightly. This was Chai Jiao's husband, the prefect?
Chai Jiao said, "We had arranged to meet with Madam Lin here today to discuss business, but we haven't reached an agreement yet, and Madam Lin is already leaving."
As Chai Jiao spoke, the man in the green robe looked at Lin Chuntao. His eyes were indifferent, but he seemed to exude a subtle pressure. Lin Chuntao glanced at the man, then smiled and looked at the man in purple beside her.
"Young Master He."
Lin Chuntao called out softly, then nodded slightly as a greeting.
He Changyu was also somewhat surprised to see her. The last time they met was in prison, Lin Chuntao's words were a wake-up call. After returning, he led people to investigate that village and arrested more than 20 thieves. Most of the lost gold and silver jewelry was recovered. Among them, two fugitives with important murder cases made meritorious contributions. Soon, the appointment letter of the prefect came down, and he was doubly happy.
When a happy event occurs, his impression of Lin Chuntao becomes even more profound.
"Lady Lin, what are you doing here?"
Lin Chuntao said, "I was negotiating a business deal, but we didn't reach an agreement, so I'm about to leave." After saying that, she asked, "Is the young master here for lunch at this hour?"
He Changyu hummed in agreement, then said, "Has Madam Lin eaten yet? Let's eat together."
Lin Chuntao's heart skipped a beat. She had only taken advantage of the situation by chance; she shouldn't actually have dinner together.
"I've already eaten, so please continue your meal, young master. I'll be leaving now."
He Changyu glanced at the Chai family members in the private room, then at Lin Chuntao, and asked, "What kind of business is Madam Lin doing now?"
“I set up a small stall at the market to sell soup noodles.” After saying that, she glanced back at the Chai family and then said to He Changyu, “Master Chai and the others want to buy the sauce from my soup noodles. When will you be returning, Young Master He? I’ll send you a jar of it then. It’s made exclusively and can’t be bought anywhere else.”
He Changyu thought of her grandmother at home, who would personally make two jars of chili peppers every year when they turned red and store them. Although the taste was just so-so, she liked to make them and eat them, so she agreed immediately.
"I won't be back for a while. I'll come to you to get it when I leave."
She politely declined, but to her surprise, this man surnamed He actually agreed... and so naturally that Lin Chuntao smiled. This must be a blessing from heaven.
Seeing how familiar Lin Chuntao and He Changyu seemed, as if they had known each other for a long time, Chai Jiao was a little confused. She looked at her husband, who was equally confused.
Although it was a chance encounter, it was also a deliberate one that Chai Jiao had anticipated. This restaurant was a must-eat for anyone visiting the area, and He Changyu would definitely eat here. And here they were, running into each other.
Thinking he could use his official power to scare Lin Chuntao, he never expected that she would actually know He Changyu!
When Lin Chuntao left, Chai Xingyu saw her downstairs. This time, the Chai family did not stop her. On the contrary, Chai Jiao greeted He Changyu with a smile and then inquired about his relationship with Lin Chuntao.
He Changyu's reply was very concise and to the point.
"Old friend."
Chai Jiao didn't press further, and simply smiled and said, "I never expected such a coincidence."
He Changyu didn't respond. He wasn't blind or deaf. Although his relationship with Lin Chuntao wasn't as close as they had been during their casual chat, she was still his lucky star. Besides, he had heard about the Chai family's actions.
He didn't think this was a genuine business negotiation.
Chai Xingyu escorted Lin Chuntao downstairs. He felt somewhat embarrassed, but Lin Chuntao remained calm.
"Go back and have dinner. I'm heading back too. If we can't reach an agreement, I won't bother with this anymore. Just gather your money and decide whether to do it or not. Give me an answer within three days."
Chai Xingyu nodded in agreement, watching Lin Chuntao walk away. Recalling the scene at the door of the private room upstairs, a faint sneer appeared on his lips.
Sanbao asked curiously from the side, "Young Master, was that young man next to the young master his superior?"
"Um."
Upon hearing this, Sanbao turned back to look at Lin Chuntao, who had walked away. He sighed, "That's a high-ranking official. How did Madam Lin know him? They seemed quite familiar with each other."
Chai Xingyu shook his head. "I don't know."
Regardless, Chai Jiao's attempt to use her official position to intimidate others failed, and Chai Xingyu suddenly felt much more relaxed. He didn't like making sauces, but he loved eating them. He was happy just thinking about setting up a shop and selling all sorts of things. When Lin Chuntao suggested the second method, he had already made up his mind.
When Lin Chuntao returned, Lin Chunxing had almost finished packing up the stall, and Pei Ying and the others had also finished their work. He was helping to move things into the house.
Seeing her return, the two of them put down what they were doing and looked over.
"Sis, how are you?"
Lin Chuntao shook her head: "The deal didn't go through."
Hearing this, Pei Ying carried the table into the house, and Lin Chunxing asked from the side, "Why? Was the price too low?"
Lin Chuntao looked at her and said, "Someone wants to buy the recipe for a sum of money, but we still need to sell the rice flour. We don't sell this sauce recipe."
"What about Chai Xingyu?"
Lin Chuntao said, "Let's wait three more days and see."
After packing their things, they went home. On the way back, Lin Chuntao mentioned He Changyu, and Pei Ying frowned slightly, thinking of those days: "Why is he here again?"
Lin Chuntao said, "It must be official business. I guess he got promoted. He was accompanied by the second son-in-law of the Chai family."
At this point, Pei Ying realized what was going on and said calmly, "The Chai family wants to use their official position to force you to sell your son?"
Lin Chuntao smiled and said, "I think so. That's why I mustered up my courage and greeted that guy surnamed He. He actually started chatting with me like we were old friends! I guess the Chai family must have been quite confused."
Pei Ying smiled upon hearing this, "I just don't know what this person means."
"It probably doesn't mean anything special. I asked Chai Xingyu to set up a shop and find people to sell sauce. I don't know if he can get it done."
She had mentioned it to Pei Ying before, and Pei Ying originally thought that Chai Xingyu was unlikely to be able to resist the elders in his family.
But who knows what will happen in the future?
The Chai family coveted Lin Chuntao's sauce recipe, and Lin Chuntao, in turn, coveted the Chai family's customers and reputation.
If she were to find someone to open the shop herself, it would be costly and laborious, and the Chai family would certainly not sit idly by and watch her business succeed. If they were to sabotage her, she would be in a lot of trouble. It would be most suitable for Chai Xingyu to open the shop and sell the goods!
If this shop can open, she can exchange for some more recipes, make the products, and sell them online; she just needs to collect the money. Hopefully, Chai Xingyu will live up to her expectations.
It was still very hot on the afternoon of August, and many people in the village were resting indoors.
Lin Chunhe and Lin Duo'er had already steamed rice and chopped vegetables, waiting for them to return.
As soon as Lin Chuntao entered the yard, she heard the sound of pigs grunting. Lin Chunhe rushed over to help carry the things when she saw her return. After entering the house, she said, "Sister, Aunt Guizhi just brought us some corn and some edamame."
"Her corn is ready to eat?" Lin Chuntao asked in surprise. Lin Chunhe replied, "It's very tender. Duo'er and I wanted to peel some to stir-fry, but we couldn't peel them off."
As Lin Chunhe was speaking, Lin Chuntao saw a pile of corn on the ground, which looked like a dozen or so.
"Then we'll just have to cook it and eat it."
Looking at the edamame, Lin Chuntao added, "Pick the edamame and cook them later."
After putting everything away, Lin Chuntao busied herself cooking, while Lin Duo'er sat beside her with a small bamboo basket, peeling edamame. Lin Chunxing peeled corn, and Lin Chunhe helped her.
Everyone worked together, waiting for Lin Chuntao to finish cooking the vegetables, and then they also got their edamame and corn ready.
"Sis, should we boil the corn or the edamame first?"
"Boil the edamame first, then rinse them with some water to make sure there are no bugs inside," Lin Chuntao instructed as she brought the dish to the table.
Lin Duo'er brought over bowls and chopsticks and started serving rice.
Lin Chunxing washed the edamame and poured it into the pot, adding water. Lin Chuntao then threw in a slice of dried ginger, a few dried chilies, peppercorns, a little bit of braising spices, and a sprinkle of salt.
Lin Duo'er stared at her blankly: "Sister, do we need to add salt when boiling edamame?"
"It tastes better if it has some flavor."
Lin Duo'er thought that Mao Dun was delicious no matter how he cooked it.
As they sat down to eat, the piglet was still grunting. Lin Chunhe said, "Sister, this piglet hasn't been eating much pig feed these past two days. It only eats a little bit of the tender and a little bit of the old feed, and then it stops eating."
Lin Chuntao frowned slightly. "Did it suddenly become like this?"
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