The matchmaker incident left the Su family somewhat angry and sleepless, but the next morning, when the steamed buns started selling, they were immediately too busy with the booming business to worry about anything else.
Hearing that there was a new product, the crowd had already lined up, with countless eyes eagerly waiting for Su An to open the pot and introduce it.
Su An didn't hesitate either, following the old rules, breaking open the buns one by one to tempt the guests.
The first bun I took out was a round and plump bun with a smooth and delicate dough. At first glance, it was just a little cute because it was round and chubby.
But as soon as Su An broke it open, the smooth custard filling spilled out in a rush.
The rich aroma of milk and the intense flavor of egg yolk, mixed with the wheat fragrance of the steamed buns, stimulated everyone's sense of smell in turn. The air seemed to be sweet, and in an instant, everyone's eyes were red with the aroma.
This reaction pleased Su An greatly, and she continued to enthusiastically introduce the brown sugar steamed buns, describing them as chewy and bouncy, with a surface that seemed to be covered with a thin layer of red amber, a soft and delicate texture that was also elastic, and an equally sweet and tempting aroma.
White flour steamed buns had been made before, but no one expected that there would be such a way to make a steamed bun, and the crowd became even more noisy and excited.
"Don't rush, there are some more interesting things to come!" Su An said with a smile, and then brought out buns and steamed bread shaped like the twelve zodiac animals.
The taste and fillings remain the same, but the shapes are even more novel and adorable. The colorful, plump, and exquisite animals immediately attract countless enthusiastic eyes.
"Hurry up, little boss, stop talking nonsense, you're drooling!"
"And remember to make extra sweet soy milk today!"
"..."
The small shop was almost trampled flat by the crowd. It wasn't until midday that the bustling scene gradually dissipated, with only a few people who didn't feel like eating coming to buy steamed buns.
Su An didn't know how many times he had wiped away his sweat, but looking at today's results, they were as good as he had expected.
Sweet and soft foods like custard buns and brown sugar steamed buns are loved by women and children. But the twelve zodiac animals are especially irresistible; once you see them, no one can resist!
After finishing the accounts, Li Guihua was both surprised and delighted. "My dear daughter, we earned more this morning than usual. The cost alone is a full thirty taels!"
It's doubled!
"Your method of sculpting animals is truly ingenious!"
Li Guihua was full of praise. Not to mention that her three children loved the twelve zodiac animals so much, she couldn't resist secretly keeping a few for herself.
Su An's smile grew even brighter. Just as she was about to reply, a familiar-looking middle-aged man came to buy steamed buns.
"Uncle Lin," she called out warmly. Uncle Lin was the owner of the teahouse next door, who had initially spoken well of her.
I hadn't seen Uncle Lin for a few days, and he seemed even thinner. He was dressed in coarse linen clothes, which were neatly made up, but they couldn't hide his dry, sallow face, and he looked rather listless.
It seems the teahouse business is getting worse and worse?
"Xiao An, bring me one of today's new dishes, I want to try it too."
Uncle Lin smiled and agreed, then took the steamed bun and invited Su An to rest in the teahouse for a while.
The two families lived close by and often visited each other, occasionally dropping by to share food.
Su An had been busy all morning, so naturally she didn't refuse.
However, upon arriving at the teahouse, Su An discovered that there were even fewer customers than before, with only a handful of people present.
The lobby was so empty you could almost hear the echoes; it was deathly silent and desolate.
"There are so few guests?" Su An asked, unable to hide his surprise; it was completely unexpected.
Uncle Lin poured her a cup of tea, and after sitting down, he scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly and said, "Well... I can barely make ends meet."
Su An remained silent, looking around the simple teahouse, feeling increasingly uneasy.
She hadn't expected that after just a few days away, the teahouse looked so desolate, as if it were about to close down.
After all, they've been neighbors for many years, and Uncle Lin has always been a great help to Su An, so Su An really couldn't pretend not to see it.
Su An didn't sit for long. With something on his mind, he told Uncle Lin to eat his buns while he quickly ran back to discuss it with Li Guihua.
After Li Guihua agreed, Su An returned and invited Uncle Lin with a smile, "Uncle Lin, would you like to come to my house for a while? I have something I'd like to discuss with you."
"Hey! Ah—?"
Even after sitting down in the Su family courtyard and hearing what Su An said, Uncle Lin was still stunned and unable to react.
The Su family makes steamed buns and mantou every day, selling a portion to him at a discount of two coins per type, based on wholesale prices, so he can resell them at his own teahouse?
Moreover, as long as the price is within the normal range, he can set it as he pleases!
"Xiao An! This, this!" Uncle Lin's eyes reddened at some point, his hands clenched into fists trembling with excitement and surprise.
The teahouse business has been bad lately, but almost no one is coming. He's so worried that most of his hair has turned gray.
But Su An's actions would undoubtedly revive his teahouse, ensuring he would never have to worry about customers again!
"Uncle Lin, our two families are old acquaintances, so let's skip the formalities. It's a give-and-take situation, right? I can't just take advantage of you, can I?" Su An said with a smile, gently comforting him.
Seeing her like this, Uncle Lin was both grateful and tearful. Despite his advanced age, he choked up and repeatedly said "good" heavily.
"If you ever need anything from your uncle in the future, just let me know! Your uncle will always remember the kindness of the Su family!"
Su An readily agreed, leaving the rest of the details to Li Guihua to discuss with him.
Su An stood aside, continuing to ponder.
Simply reducing the number of steamed buns is not a long-term solution. What if customers get used to coming to the teahouse just to eat steamed buns? Wouldn't the teahouse then become a second steamed bun shop?
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