Chapter 45 Preparing to Set Up a Stall to Sell Braised Food
Since others were trying to take her job, Chen Jingfang naturally wouldn't be polite, but since she wasn't in charge, she couldn't overstep her bounds and refuse on Song Xinran's behalf.
He just asked critically, "Want to work here? Tell me what you can do."
Tian Hong glanced at Chen Jingfang, knowing she was unwilling, but everyone has their own interests to protect, which further proved that helping Song Xinran was a good job, so she was even more determined to try.
Tian Hong wasn't angry at all; instead, she smiled and said, "I cook at home every day, so I'm pretty good at it. I'm also very familiar with helping others, and I used to help my relatives sell barbecue, so I have some experience."
She raised an eyebrow, glanced at Chen Jingfang out of the corner of her eye, and said sarcastically, "Besides, if you've done it, why can't I? You've never worked in a restaurant before, have you? You've always worked in a glass factory."
She then looked at Song Xinran, her smile even more radiant: "My child is already in elementary school and doesn't need constant supervision. Jingfang's child was just born and needs someone to look after him. Xinran, you've been a mother before, so you know how it is. When a child is so young, a mother can't stop worrying about them while she's at work. She has to keep them in mind all the time, and she can't concentrate on anything."
Chen Jingfang was furious when she heard this. Tian Hong was actually using this incident to make a fuss!
She had already learned about Tian Hong's sharp tongue when they were at the glass factory, but back then her relationship with Tian Hong was just so-so, and Tian Hong wouldn't say anything to her. She would just fawn over her superior, Wang Ling, while stepping on those who were easy to bully. She could turn white into black with a single word. Today, she had been thoroughly trampled on.
Chen Jingfang gave a forced smile: "You weren't like this with Xinran back when we were at the glass factory."
Tian Hong thought to herself, "They're going to bring up old grievances. Song Xinran hasn't even said a word, but Chen Jingfang is singing and dancing all over the place. Isn't she just worried about losing this good job?"
She smiled sheepishly: "I used to speak my mind at the factory, but I didn't mean any harm. Xinran, you know what kind of person I am. I'm much better than those two-faced people who pretend to be nice. Xinran, don't forget what happened in the past. I apologize to you here."
Chen Jingfang exclaimed "Oh!" and deliberately asked, "Didn't you used to be quite close with Squad Leader Wang Ling? Did you inform her before you went to the factory director's house? Don't forget your good friend."
Tian Hong said with a straight face, "She is her, and I am me. We won't have anything to say to each other since we won't be working in the same factory anymore."
Song Xinran almost burst out laughing when she saw Tian Hong's appearance. She still remembered how Tian Hong looked when she first came to the stall. Today, she was quite flexible and adaptable. It has to be said that people like this are more successful in society, but she didn't like people like that.
“Tian Hong,” Song Xinran spoke up, looking somewhat troubled, “I’m just running a small stall, I don’t need so many people. Jingfang helping me here is enough.”
Tian Hong naturally understood Song Xinran's meaning and felt a little displeased. She looked Chen Jingfang up and down, feeling that she was much more capable than the other woman, but she still smiled and said, "Xinran, I've done this kind of thing before, I have experience!"
Song Xinran said, "I'm just a small vendor, so I don't need anyone with too much experience. I just need to be able to chat with people I know. I used to share a dorm with Jingfang, and we were used to it."
Tian Hong snorted inwardly, feeling even more annoyed. But now that Song Xinran had a stall in town, she might need her help in the future, so she couldn't afford to make things too awkward. She smiled and said, "Okay, I'm relieved to hear you say that. I was just worried that you'd be taken advantage of because you're so young!"
"Since you're not going to the factory manager's house, I'll head back first. I'll mention it to you when you ask for your wages."
Song Xinran smiled and said, "Thank you."
Tian Hong walked away with a smile, but the smile vanished as soon as she turned around. She was filled with resentment. In every way, wasn't she several times better than Chen Jingfang? How could she not want her!
Song Xinran is really young. She chooses people based on who she has a good relationship with. She's really blind. I don't know how long she can keep this business running with such poor judgment.
Although Tian Hong left, Chen Jingfang felt a deep sense of crisis. Ever since Song Xinran hired her to help, she knew that this job was hard to come by. Good jobs have always been fought for. She just didn't expect that Tian Hong would not care about face at all and would completely forget how she treated Song Xinran in the factory. She was so shameless that she didn't feel embarrassed at all.
Chen Jingfang said, "Xinran, I've never helped out in a restaurant before. If there's anything I've done poorly, just tell me."
As she spoke, she picked up a damp cloth and wiped the cart surface clean. She even squatted down to wipe the stainless steel feet as well: "I see I still have some time, so I'll go back and wash the cloth before coming back."
Song Xinran chuckled and helped her up: "You don't need to wipe your feet so clean. They get dirty every time you set up your stall."
"Jingfang, you've always done a great job, there's nothing you've done wrong." She smiled slightly and spoke gently. "I asked you to help me because I know you well. Don't worry, as long as I'm still running my stall in town, I won't fire you."
Chen Jingfang was a little embarrassed: "Xinran, that's not what I meant..."
Song Xinran's eyes crinkled into a smile: "Besides, you've helped me so much now, I can't do without you. Even if you wanted to leave, I wouldn't let you. Don't think about it so much, the students will be dismissed soon."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jingfang's heart skipped a beat, and she thought to herself, "How can Song Xinran speak so sweetly?"
I can't live without you, you won't even let me leave...
She couldn't bring herself to say it to the men in her family, but it sounded very comforting.
She felt a pity that Song Xinran's husband was gone; if he were still alive, she didn't know how the family would live in harmony.
*
After Song Yu arrived at the kindergarten, Teacher An called her to the office.
He was a little apprehensive when he first went there, wondering if he had done something wrong. But after that experience, he realized that when Teacher An called students to the office, it wasn't just for criticism, but also for comfort and praise.
When Song Yu went there this time, he wondered if he had done something good and Teacher An would praise him again.
As he thought about it, the little boy's eyes brightened. He felt embarrassed because Teacher An always praised him. He was praised for raising his hand to answer questions in class; he was praised for getting Teacher An her water cup; he was praised for not talking to Yuanyuan in class…
Song Yu thinks going to kindergarten is great. Not only Teacher An, but the other teachers also like to praise him. They not only praise him, but also give him little red flower stickers. Although Song Yu joined the class midway through, three months later than the other children in the class, he can now rank in the top ten in the class in terms of the number of little red flower stickers.
Song Yu thought it would be great if she could stay in kindergarten forever.
He walked to the office door and heard the teachers inside talking about Wu Yaoxuan's name, his name, and Yuanyuan's full name.
“Report!” Song Yu called out crisply.
The teachers in the office looked over, and one of them joked, "Teacher An, your class's little darling is here."
Song Yu pursed her lips, suppressing the urge to smile, trying to appear serious; she couldn't be joking around in the office.
Teacher An said, "Song Yu, come in quickly, I have something to ask you."
Song Yu jogged into the office and stood in front of Teacher An: "Teacher An, what is it?"
Is it something Teacher An wants him to do?
He now holds multiple positions: he is the group leader of the botanical gardener group, the group leader of the desk tidying group, the group leader of the homework collection group, one of the five "lunch assistants" in the class, the water drinking team leader, the polite little greeter, and so on.
However, if Teacher An were to assign him another position, he felt he could do it well.
With a kind smile, Teacher An asked him, "Song Yu, would you like to change your deskmate?"
Song Yu's heart seemed to race for a moment. He opened his eyes wide, a little nervous, and asked, "Teacher An, should I change my deskmate?"
He didn't want to switch. Being deskmates with Yuanyuan was great. Although Yuanyuan always talked to him during class, they were best friends and could play many games together.
However, if Teacher An asked him to change, he would agree, but he would be very sad.
In kindergarten, you have to listen to your teacher.
Ms. An's gaze was gentle, and her voice was also gentle: "Song Yu, you've been in our class for a month now, and you get along very well with your classmates. Everyone knows you now. When you first came to the class, I arranged a deskmate for you, but now I'm asking for your opinion."
Song Yu lowered his voice: "Teacher An, is it okay if we change it or not?"
Teacher An nodded and looked at him with encouraging eyes.
Song Yu bravely said, "I don't want to change seats. I want to be Xu Shuyuan's deskmate."
Teacher An smiled and patted his head: "Alright, Teacher An understands. You can go now. I won't let you change."
As soon as Song Yu left the office, the teachers started gossiping: "Teacher An, Song Yu is very popular in your class. So many children want to be his deskmate."
"That's right. Even Wu Yaoxuan brought it up himself. Maybe if the two kids sit together, it will straighten Wu Yaoxuan out too."
"Teacher An is so lucky, the first class of the class has already become the most outstanding."
Teacher An smiled and waved her hand: "It's also thanks to the principal's good arrangement. Knowing that Wu Yaoxuan had transferred to our class, she also arranged for Song Yu to balance things out. Your class has quite a few well-behaved kids!"
The teacher was speaking when Wu Yaoxuan arrived.
Seeing the child's puzzled look, Teacher An decided to give him a piece of candy first: "Wu Yaoxuan, you have been doing very well lately. You haven't been late this morning. Many teachers have told me that you don't talk in class anymore, and fewer students are coming to me to complain. I have seen your changes. I hope you will continue to do so."
Wu Yaoxuan blankly uttered an "Oh," still feeling a little awkward. Coming to the office was always a storm, but today it was all gentle and mild. He was momentarily speechless, unsure of what to say, but a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.
"Teacher heard you want to change your deskmate and sit with Song Yu, is that right?"
Upon hearing Teacher An's words, Wu Yaoxuan immediately became a little nervous: "I, I, I just felt that Song Yu wouldn't hit me."
Teacher An fell silent, thinking to herself, "Who in the class can beat you? When Wu Yaoxuan first came to Class 1, he was invincible."
She forced a smile and nodded: "Yes, Song Yu is not a child who would hit people."
Wu Yaoxuan nodded seriously.
“However,” Ms. An’s voice lowered slightly, “Song Yu doesn’t want to change his deskmate; he and Xu Shuyuan are good friends. Teachers must respect the children’s wishes when it comes to changing seats. Wu Yaoxuan, do you understand?”
Wu Yaoxuan's eyes widened suddenly, and a loud "thump" resounded in his heart, as if a huge iron hammer had struck it hard. His expression froze, becoming blank and somewhat sad.
Teacher An felt a little sorry for him when she saw that he didn't know what to say and looked flustered and helpless. Although she used to find him annoying, he was just a four-year-old child and not a bad person at heart. What could he possibly understand?
Teacher An softened her voice and comforted her, "Your current deskmate, Fang Xiaohao, is also very good. I often see you two playing together; you're good friends."
Wu Yaoxuan lowered his head and remained silent, looking so sad that he was almost withdrawn.
Even when he was called to the office and criticized by various teachers in the past, he had never been like this before. Teacher An could only comfort him: "Wu Yaoxuan, if you want to be friends with Song Yu, you don't have to be deskmates. Our Class 1 is a whole, a big family."
Wu Yaoxuan's voice was muffled and weak: "I understand, Teacher An."
Teacher An said, "Then you can go down now. I only asked Song Yu and you about this. The other students won't know."
She knew that kids these days care a lot about their image, and if his classmates knew that Wu Yaoxuan had been rejected, they might laugh at him.
Wu Yaoxuan walked out of the office with his head down.
The office teacher remarked, "Wu Yaoxuan looks really pitiful."
"Teacher An has it tough. Not only does she have to teach well and keep an eye on the students to prevent accidents, but she also has to take care of their mental well-being."
"Who can argue with that? They say if you slaughtered pigs in your past life, you'll be a teacher in this life; if you killed people in your past life, you'll be a homeroom teacher in this life."
The teachers in the office started joking around. But Song Yu, in the classroom, seemed preoccupied. He looked at Yuan Yuan, who was intently rummaging through her bag, and asked worriedly, "Yuan Yuan, would you like to be my deskmate?"
He only considered his own ideas in the office and didn't ask Yuanyuan's opinion.
Yuanyuan didn't even look up: "I love you! You're my favorite deskmate. We'll be deskmates for life!"
Song Yu was relieved. Teacher An had said that he would respect the students' ideas, so Teacher An would definitely not lie to him.
He noticed that Yuanyuan had almost buried her head in her backpack and asked curiously, "What are you doing?"
Yuan Yuan suddenly tilted her head up and beckoned him with her index finger, signaling him to lower his head.
Song Yu was confused and lowered his head. Suddenly, something was stuffed into his mouth, and he stared in surprise.
That familiar taste!
"Yuanyuan, you brought braised pork to the classroom! The teacher said we can't bring it!" he said nervously in a low voice.
Yuanyuan stuffed a piece into her own mouth and mumbled, "The teacher doesn't know, so do you think it's good or not?"
Song Yu swallowed the food and honestly said, "It's delicious."
How could his mother's cooking not be delicious?
Yuanyuan smiled and stuffed another piece into her mouth. Song Yu quickly stopped her, extremely nervous: "Don't eat anymore, a classmate will tell on you!"
Yuanyuan snorted, looking extremely smug: "They won't find out that my mother cut the meat into small pieces, and I secretly kept some last night."
She chewed a little, her cheeks twitched, and Yuanyuan looked up happily, her eyes widening suddenly: "Wu, Wu..."
Seeing this, Song Yu also looked up and immediately saw Wu Yaoxuan.
Wu Yaoxuan was standing in front of his desk, staring straight at him with red eyes, looking like he was about to cry.
"What's wrong?" Song Yu asked anxiously, as he wasn't very good at comforting children or stopping them from crying.
"I hate you the most!" Wu Yaoxuan glared at him, then gave Yuanyuan a vicious look.
Her round cheeks froze instantly, and she dared not move.
When Wu Yaoxuan saw the takeout box in her hand, he immediately felt like he had caught her red-handed: "You, you actually brought snacks to class! I'm going to tell Teacher An!"
After saying that, Wu Yaoxuan, with red eyes, ran back to his seat and slumped onto the table.
Yuanyuan's previously frozen expression suddenly turned into one of extreme panic: "What should we do with Song Yu? Wu Yaoxuan is going to tell Teacher An, and Teacher An will definitely tell my mom. My mom will definitely scold me and never let me eat Aunt Song's braised pork again. Waaah, what should we do with Song Yu!"
Song Yu was also a little flustered. Strictly speaking, this was the first time he had done something wrong since he came to the kindergarten. His mind was in a mess, and he was uneasy. He still had to comfort Yuan Yuan: "My mom won't stop you from eating. You can eat at my house."
Yuanyuan was deeply moved and gave him a big bear hug: "Song Yu, you're the best! My mom won't let me eat, so I'll go to your house and eat your food."
Song Yu was stunned for a moment, then said, "Okay... but I have to go home and ask my mother first."
His heart was pounding like a pig. When pigs in the countryside get hungry, they squeal loudly and run around in the pigpen, making a huge commotion. Song Yu's heart was pounding just like that.
He frowned, his voice filled with worry: "Yuanyuan, what if Teacher An won't let me study anymore?"
Yuanyuan quickly shook her head: "No way! Look, even when Wu Yaoxuan hit someone in class, the teacher didn't stop him from studying."
She thought for a moment, then said firmly, "If the teacher kicks you out, I won't study either. We'll sell oden with Aunt Song!"
The idea only flashed through Yuanyuan's mind for a moment before she thought it was a great idea. Selling oden would be perfect. She had helped Aunt Song sell oden before, and she would get a small bowl of oden every day, which was much tastier than the lunch at kindergarten.
Yuanyuan's dream used to be to open a snack shop when she grew up, so she could eat as much snacks as she wanted.
She grabbed Song Yu's arm, full of determination: "Let's set up a stall too!"
Song Yu thought for a while, then shook his little head sadly.
He thought further ahead than Yuanyuan. Every day, his mother would go to buy vegetables to make oden, then cut them up when she got home, cook them, put them in a bucket, put them in a cart, and finally push it to the street to sell.
These are things that children can't do; they require tall, strong adults.
Both children were a little worried, wondering how Teacher An would criticize them. Yuanyuan hadn't been in the mood to eat the leftover meat all morning, but she became more interested in the afternoon and finished it off with Zhang Xiaoda and the others. Only Song Yu didn't eat any.
Strangely, Teacher An never called them to her office, as if she knew nothing about it. Song Yu couldn't rest easy and spent the whole afternoon worrying about it. When she got home, she told Song Xinran about it.
The little boy frowned, his face showing some worry.
Hearing his words, Song Xinran almost laughed, but she held it in and comforted the child, "Why would Xiao Yu think like that? Teacher An won't kick you out of kindergarten."
Song Yu lowered his head in embarrassment: "Because I was disobedient."
Song Xinran held his small hand and said gently, "Xiao Yu has been very obedient. Everyone makes mistakes. This is just a small thing, and Xiao Yu didn't do it on purpose. If Xiao Yu is worried, then go and talk to Teacher An. Didn't Teacher An say that brave children will be forgiven by their teachers?"
A glimmer of light finally appeared in Song Yu's eyes, and he forced a "hmm": "Will Mom be angry?"
Song Xinran smiled: "Mom won't. Xiaoyu likes to eat what I make, and I'm very happy. Xiaoyu knows it's wrong, and Mom is happy too."
Besides, which child hasn't eaten snacks in class when they were young? She did it many times when she was little and was even proud of herself for fooling her teachers.
However, Song Xinran decided not to tell Song Yu about this, in order to save face for her mother.
The next day at school, Song Yu went to see Teacher An and confessed to her in a very polite manner that she shouldn't have been eating snacks in the classroom.
Teacher An was startled. Although it was a rule in the kindergarten that children were not allowed to bring snacks to the classroom to eat, Teacher An knew that many children would secretly bring them to the kindergarten to eat. As long as they were not too naughty, she would turn a blind eye.
Looking at Song Yu's obedient appearance, her heart melted. She patted the child's head, her gaze full of affection, and her tone very gentle: "Teacher knows, it's okay."
"Your initiative in coming to the office to confess to the teacher shows that you have realized your mistake and that you are a brave child."
Song Yu was a little embarrassed by the praise, but after leaving the office, she thought to herself that Wu Yaoxuan hadn't told Teacher An about them eating snacks in the classroom, even though he had said he would tell on them.
Teacher An naturally wouldn't inform Yuan Yuan's mother about this minor matter; she simply told Yuan Yuan privately that she shouldn't do that again.
Yuanyuan also breathed a sigh of relief, although she had almost forgotten about it. She had a lot to do every day, and she could easily forget some things if she wasn't careful.
During class, Teacher An brought them some new information: "Class, we only have two weeks left in this semester. To make your last days in kindergarten more colorful, the kindergarten is going to hold a food sharing event next Monday. You can bring your favorite snacks to school to share with everyone. This is the only opportunity this semester that you can openly eat in the classroom, so please prepare in advance!"
As soon as Teacher An said this, the classroom became lively. The students were overjoyed that they could bring food to class, and they were determined to bring their favorite snacks!
Yuanyuan immediately turned to Song Yu and said, "Song Yu, you bring the braised meat!"
Song Yu asked in surprise, "Is this okay?"
"Of course!" Yuanyuan said confidently. "Teacher An said to bring your favorite snack. Don't you like braised pork?"
Song Yu certainly liked it, but he felt it shouldn't be categorized as a snack.
And Mom's braised pork is so delicious, all the kids in the class want some, what should he do? But he can't bring more than thirty servings of braised pork.
Yuanyuan made the final decision: "You bring this, and we'll eat together. We won't give any to those who didn't play well!"
At this moment, Fang Xiaohao excitedly said to Wu Yaoxuan, "Wu Yaoxuan, I'm going to bring peach shortbread cookies, what are you going to bring?"
"You brought spicy strips!" Fang Xiaohao's mouth watered just thinking about it. Once, Wu Yaoxuan secretly brought spicy strips to class. He took a bite and thought they were incredibly delicious. "Then the whole class will definitely want to eat your snacks."
Wu Yaoxuan, who was already quite listless, seemed to remember something after hearing the second half of the sentence. He clenched his little fist and said, "I'll bring them! I'll bring all the best snacks from my house! I'll only share them with people who talk to me first!"
As he spoke, Wu Yaoxuan secretly glanced at Song Yu, his face filled with ambition.
Fang Xiaohao clapped his hands and cheered with joy, saying that Wu Yaoxuan's snacks were the best: "I'll definitely talk to you a lot then!"
*
Upon hearing Song Yu mention this, Song Xinran quickly decided, "Then Xiao Yu can bring the braised meat that his mother made to school."
Song Yu frowned slightly: "It can't be braised chicken feet. The teacher said we can't have snacks with bones."
Song Xinran said, "Don't worry, Mom makes braised beef shank without bones."
However, before making braised beef shank, Song Xinran decided to make a pot of braised food first and set it up at her stall to test the results.
If you sell braised food, your target customer group won't be students anymore.
Braised meat is not cheap, and even if you want to buy it, you might only buy one or two chicken feet at a time. She is now most skilled at making oden. Although some students have money and will buy seven or eight pieces at a time, they are a minority.
If someone doesn't eat oden as a main meal, they'll usually just spend eight or nine cents or a dollar to satisfy their craving.
However, oden is positioned as a dish that can be easily eaten. Buy one serving and get a meal at school, and you have a hearty meal. That's why Song Xinran was able to sell out four pots at once.
However, braised food is completely different. Moreover, Song Xinran doesn't sell mixed pig's head meat, but rather braised snacks, such as braised chicken wings and braised duck feet. These are more expensive than oden and are really not suitable to be eaten with rice.
Then you can only sell them on market days, and it's best to sell them all by morning, since most people only have a morning at the market.
You also need to choose places with high foot traffic.
Song Xinran had specifically gone to investigate and found that on market days in the morning, the busiest place in town was the vegetable market. Everyone came to town to buy household items, such as meat and fruit to take home, and these two items had to be purchased at the vegetable market.
However, you can't just set up a stall in the market; you need to register with the Industry and Commerce Bureau and pay to rent a stall. If that's the case, Song Xinran is willing to spend the money. 30 yuan a month isn't much. It's just that there are no more spaces in the market now. The stalls inside are all ones that have been operating for a long time, and none of them have left yet.
However, there are no stalls inside the market, but there are plenty of spots near the entrance. It's just that these streets are lined with shops, so you need connections to set up a stall.
These days, connections matter the most, especially in smaller places.
Fortunately, Song Xinran had been in town for a few months and was no longer completely clueless. If she wanted to find connections with other shop owners, it would be better to find someone who also owned a shop.
On the very day Song Xinran decided to set up a stall selling braised food, she brought a bag of braised chicken wings and feet to Lei Hong's place. As soon as Lei Hong saw her carrying the goods, he smiled and said, "Xinran, what good stuff have you made this time?"
Song Xinran placed the braised food on the table: "I just made this myself, Brother Lei, you should try it."
Lei Hong opened the takeout box and immediately smelled a rich, fragrant aroma of braised food. Even though it was cold, it still emitted a wonderful fragrance, and the color looked extremely appealing! He knew at a glance that it was good stuff, so he rushed inside and called out, "He Xiang, come out quickly! Xin Ran has brought us food again!"
A delighted voice came from inside: "Okay!"
Lei Hong said with a smile, "Your sister-in-law loves your cooking. Last time you brought us a pot of oden, she ate it for two days, and then used the broth to make noodles!"
In their area, the highest praise for a dish is to not throw it away after eating it, but to use it to cook noodles for the next meal.
Lin Hexiang came out and scolded, "Are you saying I'm greedy again? It's just that Xinran's cooking is too delicious!"
Then she saw the braised food on the table and exclaimed, "Wow! Xinran made this herself? The color is even better than what you buy on the street!"
Song Xinran smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, you should try it."
"Then I won't be polite." Lin Hexiang picked up a chicken wing tip with her hand, put it in her mouth, and her eyes lit up immediately. She made two "mmm" sounds and praised it highly, "Delicious! Just two words: delicious!"
Eating chicken wing tips is the most troublesome, as they have more bones than meat.
Lin Hexiang had bought braised chicken wing tips before. Chicken wing tips are easy to flavor and taste the best, but eating too many at once makes her feel very irritable. Eating them slowly bit by bit is a waste of time!
However, Song Xinran's chicken wing tips are different. They are braised until tender, and the skin and meat fall off with the slightest touch of the teeth. If you're not careful, you can even crush the bones.
The flavor has seeped into the bones, with a rich, savory aroma and all the seasonings perfectly balanced.
Lin Hexiang ate three in one go before stopping: "Xinran, with your skills, you should sell braised food, it wouldn't be a waste!"
Lin Hexiang originally married Lei Hong because Lei Hong was a good cook, which touched her heart.
Before Song Xinran, Lin Hexiang thought that the food cooked by her own husband was the best. But after tasting Song Xinran's oden, she realized that there are always people better than you.
Song Xinran smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, what you said is exactly what I was thinking. I was just thinking of selling braised food at the market on market days."
Lei Hong knew the town's affairs all too well, and asked, "Are there still places to set up stalls in the market now?"
Song Xinran smiled wryly: "I went to the Industry and Commerce Bureau to ask, and they said I have to wait in line."
She changed the subject: "However, I see that you can set up a stall outside the vegetable market, but you have to get the shop owner's permission first. So I thought I'd bother you today, Brother Lei. You've been operating in town for many years, do you know any shop owners next to the vegetable market? I'll set up a stall on market morning, and the stall fee is negotiable."
Lei Hong exclaimed "Oh dear!" and laughed heartily: "Xinran, you're just too rule-abiding! On market days, you see stalls lining the streets, and who asks the shopkeepers for permission? The streets belong to everyone, and no one can drive you away. Even the Industry and Commerce Bureau turns a blind eye, unless there's something wrong with your goods and someone sues you!"
“How can you say that!” Lin Hexiang interrupted. “There used to be a stall selling millet biscuits in front of our restaurant. We couldn’t get rid of it no matter what we did. You even said back then that you would find someone to overturn his stall.”
Lei Hong laughed sheepishly, "That's because he always affects the customers who come to our shop. Xin Ran is definitely not like that. Her skills are good, so she will only attract customers."
Lin Hexiang said, "Xinran, I'm still on your side. I know a noodle shop owner near the market entrance. I can just talk to her and you can set up your stall on the street. She definitely won't kick you out!"
Lei Hong said, "Who is this person you know? I've never heard you mention them before."
"We've known each other for a long time," Lin Hexiang said to Song Xinran with a smile. "Don't worry, it's nothing. They're overjoyed. If it weren't for the fact that my place is so far from the market, and people don't like coming here, I would definitely have let you set up a stall in front of our restaurant. Business would have been several times better that day!"
The person selling millet biscuits at their doorstep left on their own after only three attempts because business was bad; no one had to chase them away.
Their restaurants mostly cater to repeat customers who live in town; people who come to town for the market rarely order stir-fried dishes or rice.
Song Xinran smiled and said, "Thank you so much, sister-in-law. You've really helped me a lot. If you like oden, just come to my stall and get it. Don't be shy."
Lin Hexiang laughed and said, "Okay, I won't stand on ceremony. Come visit our shop sometime!"
After Song Xinran left, Lei Hong asked, "Which of your friends runs a noodle shop near the market?"
“You’ve met her,” Lin Hexiang said. “Sister Fang, her house is right at the entrance of the vegetable market.”
Lei Hong shook his head: "Her family is bad at business. They're cunning and dishonest. When they first opened, there was half again as much beef in their beef noodles as there is now."
Lin Hexiang said, "She runs a small business, and her family isn't well-off. I thought Xinran's stall would definitely do well, and it would also attract some customers for her. Xinran also happens to need a place to set up her stall. Isn't this good for everyone?"
Lei Hong hesitated for a moment: "That's what I mean..."
"Then don't say anything more. I'll go and see for myself the day Xinran sets up her stall!" Lin Hexiang said. "I just don't know how Xinran's business is going. Although her braised food tastes great, it's just too expensive. Look at those braised food stalls, they're mostly selling pig's head meat, maybe with a bowl of braised chicken feet, and chicken feet don't have much meat, yet they cost 50 cents each."
As she spoke, Lin Hexiang picked up a chicken wing and started eating it, and was immediately amazed again.
Chicken mid-wings don't absorb flavor as well as chicken wing tips when braised. If cooked for too long, the meat becomes too soft and mushy, and it tends to be too salty.
It takes skill to braise chicken wings to the perfect level of saltiness and blandness. These chicken wings are flavorful inside and out, with a soft and tender skin and a smooth and tender interior. They fall off the bone with just a suck, making them so delicious that you can't stop eating them.
Compared to Lin Hexiang's worries, Lei Hong was very optimistic: "Business will definitely be good! People who come to town for the market have money in their pockets and want to buy something to improve their lives or for their children. No other place in town can compare to the taste of this braised food. Even if the price is a bit high, people can just buy less."
Lin Hexiang laughed: "You know it tastes the best even before you've tasted it?"
Lei Hong said, "I can tell just by smelling it."
Lin Hexiang handed him a chicken wing: "Try it."
Lei Hong smiled, put it in his mouth, and immediately fell silent.
"What's wrong?" Lin Hexiang asked hurriedly when she saw his strange expression.
Lei Hong said, "I can't keep up with Xinran's cooking skills. When it comes to cooking, you have to pay attention to the color, aroma and taste. This simple pot of braised food has everything you need."
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