Yu Jiu has an inexplicable talent for making these pastries. She succeeded in making the thousand-layer red bean cake on her first try, as did the crab roe pastry. However, the crab roe pastry is a bit more difficult to make. Although she succeeded and the taste was excellent, the appearance was not good enough, so she made another batch. She kept these for herself and could also share them with her close friends and family.
She even customized her own packaging bags—simple yellow parchment paper that, after wrapping the pastries, subtly revealed her logo: a cute little fox with the words "Yu's Crab Roe Pastry," "Yu's Thousand-Layer Red Bean Cake," and so on.
She can't publicize it too much now, but she can make up a royal chef surnamed Yu later to add a touch of mystery and nobility to her pastries.
Yu Jiu and Xu Zijiang prepared for three days, making dozens of packages of pastries. There were three kinds of pastries, and they made thirty packages of each kind. Although there were preservatives that could keep them for a year, Yu Jiu didn't make that many for the first time. She wanted to test the waters first.
When Xu Zijiang and Yu Jiu brought the pastries to the department store counter and arranged them neatly, not a single salesperson in the department store said anything sarcastic. Whether it was envy or jealousy, there was none of it. Instead, they all flattered and fawned over Yu Jiu.
Just these past few days, everyone received snacks from Yu Jiu. It was impossible for each person to receive a whole bag of these; each person would probably eat two pieces. They were all the failed attempts Yu Jiu had made. They didn't look very appealing, but that didn't affect the taste, and the sales clerks at the department store were enjoying them immensely.
"Xiao Jiu, how much are these snacks?"
Because it's so delicious, the saleswomen thought that if it weren't too expensive, they'd like to buy a couple of packs for their husbands and children to try. Plus, they figured they could support her and maybe get a discount.
"Dragon beard candy is two yuan a pack, thousand-layer red bean cake is three yuan a pack, and crab roe pastry is four yuan a pack."
"We need snack coupons."
Yu Jiu replied that she had even written down the prices herself. The prices weren't actually that expensive; a pack of ordinary mung bean cakes would cost a dollar, let alone these complicated and extremely delicious pastries.
At this price, it's acceptable for the saleswomen to buy a little to try, but they'd still need some coupons, right?
Sister Wu couldn't help but pull Yu Jiu aside to whisper something to her.
"I thought you didn't need the snack coupons. If you don't need coupons, your snacks will sell much better. If you do need coupons, your snacks won't have much of an advantage compared to other snacks."
Sister Wu is genuinely concerned for Yu Jiu. If she were to spread the word that she doesn't need snack coupons, it would definitely attract a huge crowd, and the snacks would be in short supply.
Yu Jiu understood this principle, but living in this era, everyone needed ration coupons to buy things, except for the black market. If she didn't need coupons here, what would that make her place? Of course, she couldn't make herself so special on the surface, so she shook her head.
“I need coupons to buy sugar and flour. All the ingredients are expensive. When I sell the finished products, I can’t do without coupons, and the price can’t be too low either. If I didn’t need coupons, my price would probably double, and people would be even less willing to buy. The current price is just right. I believe that people will be willing to buy at a moderate price.”
Yu Jiu's words were full of confidence, and what she said made sense. Of course, Sister Wu couldn't sway Yu Jiu's thoughts. She nodded and decided to take the lead, buying a bag of crab roe pastries first to give Yu Jiu a good start.
"Give me a bag of crab roe pastries, I'll use my last dessert voucher on you!"
Sister Wu generously pulled out her money and tickets and slammed them on the table.
"Okay, Sister Wu, here's a bag of crab roe pastries for you. Take it carefully, don't break it. Oh, by the way, I need your help later, Sister Wu, could you do me a favor when there are more people around?"
Yu Jiu asked shyly. Her eyebrows were curved, her lips were slightly upturned, and her fair and delicate face was crystal clear. She was all smiles, and who wouldn't feel good looking at her?
Sister Wu nodded immediately.
"Just let us know if you need any help, and we'll definitely assist you!"
"Exactly, exactly. I ate so many of your snacks, I can't not help you, hahaha."
Liu Xiaomei laughed heartily, and the others laughed along with her. Everything was ready. There were still few people around 8 or 9 o'clock, but by 10 o'clock, there were more people. Yu Jiu then called over Sister Wu and the others.
"I've cut these pastries into smaller pieces. You guys can stand here at my counter and eat them. While you're eating, please praise these pastries for me, okay? If anyone at your counter wants to buy something, you can take some over there to eat. You can speak loudly and exaggerate your tone. For example, say that these new pastries are so delicious, that you've never eaten such delicious pastries before, and that they're cheap and plentiful. Feel free to be as creative as you like."
Yu Jiu took out several portions of cut pastries and gestured for everyone to eat.
Upon hearing this, Sister Wu and the others' eyes lit up like light bulbs, instantly illuminating with a 200-watt beam.
"What kind of favor is this? If you want me to do this kind of favor, I'd be happy to do it for you every day. Don't worry, I'm the best at eating! And you're praising these snacks? Do I need to lie to praise them? I don't even need to eat them, I'll praise them loudly! They really are delicious. You can definitely handle this job well, no problem!"
Sister Wu thought it was something important, but it turned out to be just praising the pastries. Well, isn't that perfect for her? She'll definitely praise her to the skies.
Sister Wu held a layered red bean cake stuck on a skewer, took a bite, closed her eyes and chewed with enjoyment. After she finished eating, she exclaimed loudly in a blissful voice.
"This layered red bean cake is so delicious! I've wasted so many years of my life, I've never tasted such a delicious layered red bean cake before! What kind of red bean cakes have I eaten before?! The texture is amazing!!!"
"Yes, yes, it's so delicious! Sister Wu, hurry, let's eat more, or it'll all be gone in no time!"
Liu Xiaomei wasn't as outgoing as Sister Wu, but she could echo what Sister Wu said. The two of them, speaking in unison, quickly attracted the attention of a large number of customers.
Yu Jiu cut the pastries into very small pieces and placed some on the counter for everyone to try. After all, they were new products, and it was normal to use some marketing tactics and give people a chance to try them.
"What are you eating? Why is this counter selling snacks now? What did it sell before? It wasn't snacks, was it? Oh, how did the skincare counter end up here? I didn't even notice it unless I looked closely."
A neatly dressed, rather elegant middle-aged woman walked over. She seemed a little surprised to see the skincare counter next to the pastry counter; clearly, she was a regular customer of the skincare counter and remembered its location.
"Yes, because I have to look after two counters by myself. If they're not combined, I won't be able to keep up. Sister, this is the new pastry counter in our department store. They have red bean cake with layers, dragon beard candy, and crab roe pastry. They're all delicious. Would you like to try some? You can try them first, and then decide whether to buy them later. If they're not good, then don't buy them."
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