Chapter 19 Chapter 19 Make Money Together
In order to treat everyone to a meal, Wu Yaqin got up early in the morning to prepare and even killed a chicken.
The table was filled with food: fried potatoes with chicken, scrambled eggs, cabbage stewed with tofu, a small dish of pickled vegetables, and a large basket of white steamed buns. This meal could be considered very sumptuous for that era.
Qi Yu'an said sincerely, "Thank you, Aunt Wu and Comrade Jiang, for inviting me to dinner. Especially Aunt Wu, you worked so hard to prepare such a large table of delicious food. I am really enjoying a feast today."
Wu Yaqin couldn't help but smile at Qi Yu'an's words. She wasn't good at socializing, but she still said to Qi Yu'an, "Comrade Qi, my cooking skills aren't very good, please don't despise me."
Qi Yu'an picked up a piece of tofu with chopsticks and stuffed it into his mouth, sighing with satisfaction: "Auntie, your cooking is really delicious. Unlike us, we just make things casually, and even the best food ends up being unpalatable."
Wu Yaqin felt relieved after receiving so much praise. She smiled shyly and said, "It's just a few dishes. Don't take it seriously. If you like it, come back next time and I'll make you something better."
Qi Yu'an said cheerfully while eating the food with big mouthfuls, "Okay, Auntie, then I'm in for a treat."
Qi Yu'an is good at talking and knows a lot. With him to adjust the atmosphere, even if everyone at the table is shy, they will still be amused by him and talk a few more words. Even the girl likes him very much.
Both the host and the guests enjoyed the meal very much.
Jiang Xi... Some people seem to be born to be the center of attention. I have to admit that if Comrade Qi does business, he will definitely become a gold medal salesperson.
After dinner, Wu Yaqin, Chen Xiulian and Niu'er started to clean up the kitchen and prepare the ingredients for the braised pork.
Jiang Xi discussed with Wu Youli how to make a handcart.
"I can't fit so many things in one cart. I can only fit four jars at most. So I want to make a smaller cart so that it's easier to balance."
Wu Youli nodded: "I understand. Then I will saw the wood another piece."
Halfway through sawing, Wu Youli was in trouble. He often made large carts before, but had never made a small one. Without any reference, he didn't know how to start.
Jiang Xi just expressed her thoughts, but she didn't know how to implement them.
Qi Yu'an watched for a long time and then said, "How about I draw a blueprint for you?"
Jiang Xi was surprised: "You can also draw blueprints?"
Qi Yuan said: "I learned it for a few days when I was young. My drawing is not good, but it is barely usable."
Jiang Xi went back to the room and got him a pen and paper. Qi Yu'an carefully asked Jiang Xi about his needs. The pencil moved quickly across the paper. Jiang Xi was so curious that he couldn't help but move closer.
Qi Yu'an paused with his pen. Jiang Xi's eyelashes were very long, casting a shadow on the paper. The shadow flickered, causing Qi Yu'an to suddenly forget where to paint the next stroke.
"Comrade Qi, why don't you draw anymore? Is what I said too complicated?"
When Jiang Xi's voice sounded, Qi Yu'an came back to his senses. He carefully recalled Jiang Xi's needs, calmed down, and completed a simple drawing.
Jiang Xi was not good at these things, he just thought the painting was very beautiful.
Qi Yu'an handed the blueprint to Wu Youli and said, "Uncle Wu, it's roughly like this. Saw this piece of board into this shape, and this piece of board will take up the slack underneath. If you have screws, use air bolts, which will make it easier to fix. It doesn't matter if you don't have any, nails will also work."
Wu Youli nodded: "The drawings you drew are very clear. I understand them."
Qi Yu'an said: "Let me help you, it will be faster this way."
Wu Youli was surprised: "Comrade Qi, you can also do carpentry?"
Qi Yu'an explained with a smile: "My grandfather likes carpentry. When I was little, I often watched him do it, so I know a little bit."
Wu Youli couldn't help but admire him. Comrade Qi can do a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Isn't he a jack of all trades? He is really amazing.
Qi Yu'an and Wu Youli started to work, and Jiang Xi helped them pass a piece of board or tools from time to time. The three of them divided the work and cooperated with each other, and soon a small cart was made.
The cart meets Jiang Xi's needs very well. It is not big and can hold four jars and some other sundries. Qi Yu'an also added a bracket to the cart. When the bracket is lowered, it can support the cart, so that the cart can also be used as a table, and Jiang Xi does not have to push an extra table.
Jiang Xi looked at the cart from left to right, unable to let it go. This was her tool for making money: "Comrade Qi, thank you so much."
Qi Yu'an's eyes were deep, with a little starlight in them: "I'm very happy to be able to help you."
After a pause, Qi Yu'an added: "Comrade Jiang, I know you are very capable, but if you need help in the future, please tell me. I will be happy to help you."
Jiang Xi sincerely said: "Comrade Qi, you are really kind-hearted. You are always willing to help others. Thank you in advance."
Warm-hearted? Qi Yu'an... Although he was often praised like this, he felt inexplicably unhappy this time.
Jiang Xi had already turned around and discussed with Wu Youli: "Uncle, how much does this cart cost? I'll give you the money."
Wu Youli waved his hand: "No need, we are all family, why should we pay for such a small matter?"
Jiang Xi said, "Uncle, let's not talk about labor costs, but the boards also cost money. Even if you cut them yourself in the mountains, it takes time and energy. This is what I asked you to do, so you still have to collect the money."
Wu Youli shook his head and said, "Thanks to you for the medical expenses last time, otherwise the girl wouldn't have received timely treatment. So this time, consider it as a thank you, and don't give me any money."
Jiang Xi remained noncommittal: "Uncle, since you mentioned Niu'er, you should pay me. Now that the family is run by you, grandma is old and it's all thanks to you taking care of her. Last time we went to the hospital, the doctor said that Niu'er was weak and often sick because of malnutrition. Niu'er also needs regular nutritional supplements. Everything costs money, so don't refuse, uncle."
Wu Youli was touched by Jiang Xi's thoughtfulness. Jiang Xi's analysis made sense. He was indeed short of money. "Then give me one dollar."
Jiang Xi knew that Wu Youli had just casually said a number. She compared the market price and said to Wu Youli, "Uncle, I'll give you five yuan. Don't say anything more. This is what you should give me. Besides, I calculated it as a cheap price and didn't give you more."
Wu Youli gratefully agreed. Jiang Xi then said, "I'll be pushing a cart every morning to sell fermented brine. I can push it all the way to the county town by myself, but it's difficult. So I'd like to ask my uncle to help me push the cart."
Wu Youli agreed immediately: "No problem, I have to go to the county town every day to find work anyway, so I will help you push the cart."
Jiang Xi said, "Uncle, I'm not asking you to push the cart for free. Can I give you three dollars for the first week?"
This is the number Jiang Xi has considered. If she wants to ask someone for help, the price will be about the same. Instead of asking others for help, it is better to let Wu Youli do it, so that Wu Youli can earn extra money.
Wu Youli got anxious when he heard this: "Why do you have to charge for everything? I just helped you push the cart, don't charge me for it."
Jiang Xi still insisted: "It's still the same thing. Business is not a one-day or two-day thing, but it has to be done every day. Even if you don't help me, I will still find other people and pay the money I owe you. So, uncle, just accept it with peace of mind. This is what I should do."
Wu Youli didn't know what to say. He was not good at talking and couldn't beat Jiang Xi, but he knew in his heart that Jiang Xi was helping him and wanted him to make more money.
Thinking of his daughter, who was so thin that she could be blown away by a gust of wind, and his elderly mother who was still working on the land, Wu Youli could only agree: "From now on, I will come early every day to help you push the cart, and I will also push the cart back for you in the afternoon, so you don't have to do anything."
Jiang Xi nodded: "Thank you, uncle."
Wu Youli's eyes turned red: "I should thank you."
Qi Yu stood quietly by the side. This scene seemed familiar. He suddenly recalled the last time Jiang Xi took Niu'er to the hospital. Jiang Xi was obviously the youngest in the family, but she used her thin shoulders to support her strong wings, wanting to protect every cherished family member. Jiang Xi was very brave and cute.
The preparations have been completed. Wu Youli and Chen Xiulian took Niu'er home. Qi Yu'an didn't want to stay any longer, so he left Jiang's house with Wu Youli. Before leaving, Qi Yu'an specifically asked Jiang Xi where she would set up her stall tomorrow. Jiang Xi told Qi Yu'an her plan, and Qi Yu'an said goodbye.
The guests had all left, but Jiang Xi and Wu Yaqin did not stop working.
Jiang Xi had already made plans. In the first step, he would make fewer varieties and quantities. Jiang Xi decided to make some vegetarian dishes such as chicken feet and edamame first.
We will start selling fermented braised food tomorrow, so we need to make all the preparations today. Chen Xiu Lian and Niu Er have already helped Jiang Xi clean all the tools, and all that remains is to prepare and cook the ingredients.
Jiang Xi was responsible for cutting the nails of the chicken feet, while Wu Yaqin was responsible for chopping the chicken feet in half. The chopped chicken feet were placed in cold water and soaked for a few hours to soak out the blood.
While soaking the chicken feet, Jiang Xi and Wu Yaqin began to clean the seasonings and cook the wine lees soup. Wu Yaqin mixed the wine lees and various seasonings and simmered them slowly over low heat to allow all the seasonings to fully blend. The aroma of wine soon filled the air.
The two of them worked for several hours before preparing all the ingredients and brine.
The edamame needs to be marinated for about four hours, and the chicken feet for about six hours. Wu Yaqin said, "I get up in the middle of the night and put them in the jars. I can take them out and sell them tomorrow morning."
Working in the snack industry is always hard work. To ensure the freshness of the ingredients and the best taste, you have to spend time and even sacrifice a lot of sleep time.
At night, Wu Yaqin calculated the time and got up, and Jiang Xi also got up.
"You go to bed, I'll be fine on my own."
Jiang Xi shook his head: "This is a business between the two of us, of course we have to do it together."
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