As soon as they stepped into the yard, they were greeted by laughter and joy. Grandma Qiu was busy picking vegetables with her little grandson in the corner of the yard. Seeing them come back, Grandma Qiu waved enthusiastically:
"You're back! Our mining area isn't big, and you can explore it in half a day. But we sell everything here, so it's much more convenient than back home."
Huang's mother smiled and replied, "Yes, Auntie. There's really nothing missing here. It's very convenient."
Grandma Qiu nodded and said proudly, "That's right! Although our mining area is not big, there are many villages around us, and everyone has to come here to buy things. There are only a few people in a village who can become workers. The working-class families here are really enviable."
Huang's mother turned her gaze to the little grandson beside Aunt Qiu and asked curiously, "Auntie, is this your little grandson? He looks so well-behaved. How old is he?"
Aunt Qiu smiled and introduced: "Yes, his name is Cheng Xin, he is nine years old and will be in the second grade at the beginning of the school year. This child is very naughty, but also very sensible."
"Oh, what a coincidence!" Huang's mother said happily, "My little girl is also in the second grade at the start of the school year, so they can be classmates."
After saying that, Huang's mother turned around and called Wenxia over. Soon, the two little guys were playing together, laughing and talking happily.
Wenxia and Chengxin became good friends, often eating and playing together. Sometimes, when Mrs. Huang wasn't as fast at cooking as Grandma Qiu, Wenxia would grab a bun or steamed bread and run after Chengxin when she called out. Soon, Wenxia became familiar with the other children in the village.
That day, Wenxia came home skipping and dancing, holding half a white steamed bun in her hand. Xu Mengyao looked at the bun in her hand and asked curiously:
"Didn't you want to eat cornmeal steamed buns for lunch? I asked mom to steam a big pot of them. I guess we don't have white flour buns at home."
Wenxia explained excitedly, "Sister, let me tell you something! Today, Cheng Xin and I went out to play, and a few kids came out with steamed buns in their hands. I gave them a taste of my steamed buns, and they all said they were delicious and sweet. Then one kid wanted to trade her white steamed bun for some steamed buns. I thought I still had some at home, so I agreed. Besides, other people wanted to trade with me, but I had none left, so I agreed to trade with them in the evening."
Xu Mengyao was at a loss for words after hearing this. She hadn't expected that the children working in the mines would trade their white flour buns for whole grain steamed bread from others! It seemed like the workers' families were well-off and willing to spend money on their children. This was great! A profitable business was about to begin!
In the evening, the sky was tinged with a faint orange-red hue, and the breeze was a touch cool. Wenxia led a group of children into the yard, each clutching a white steamed bun, their eyes sparkling as they stared at Wenxia, lining up to exchange their steamed buns with her.
Huang's mother saw this, feeling helpless and amused. She shook her head and walked forward.
"Children, you can't exchange them like this. Our steamed bread is made of mixed flour, and the ones you have are made of white flour. Your parents will be angry if they find out."
One of the children shouted, "Auntie, my parents are busy at work every day and don't have time to cook for me, so they only leave me steamed buns. I'm tired of them! Your steamed buns are sweet and delicious. Please give them to me instead!"
The other children joined in, their voices rising and falling like a small protest.
Huang's mother looked at the children and felt a warm feeling in her heart. She thought for a moment and decided to fulfill the children's wish. She smiled and said:
"Okay, that's it, one steamed bun for two steamed buns. But you have to promise me that if your parents don't agree, you have to come back and exchange it back."
The children cheered and handed the steamed buns to Wenxia, then took the steamed bread from Huang's mother, their faces filled with satisfied and happy smiles. They held hands and skipped out to play again.
Watching the children leave, Xu Mengyao walked over to Huang's mother and said softly, "Mom, look how much these children like our steamed bread. Let's steam more steamed bread and sell it every day."
Huang's mother looked at Xu Mengyao in surprise when she heard this: "Selling steamed bread? Now that everyone's life is better, who would still want to eat coarse grains?"
Xu Mengyao patiently explained, "Mom, this village is crowded, and there are many miners' families renting here. Some of them have working parents, and while their salaries are high, they have little time. Their children either eat in the workers' canteen or get by on the steamed buns left at home. They're not short of money, but they lack places to buy things and delicious, fresh food. Our steamed buns are delicious, so we're sure they'll sell. You can also make flower rolls and sell them too. Even if we don't sell them, we can keep them for ourselves so they don't go to waste."
Huang Wenbin, who was standing nearby, echoed, "I think it's a good idea! When I lived with my dad, we had to buy food and walk to the street cafeteria. There are so many people in Chengjia Village, so selling steamed bread and steamed buns will definitely work! Besides, there are a bunch of greedy little cats clamoring for food."
Huang's mother frowned slightly after hearing what her son and daughter said, lost in thought. Xu Mengyao knew she couldn't rush Huang's mother, so she didn't push her any further. She decided to take a more gentle approach to promoting the plan.
That night, when Wenxia returned home, Xu Mengyao pulled her aside and whispered, "Wenxia, tell your friends tomorrow that we won't be exchanging steamed bread anymore. We'll start selling it for two cents each."
Wenxia's eyes widened after hearing this, as if she had discovered a new world. She gave a rather uncharacteristic salute and playfully said, "I promise to complete the mission!" Xu Mengyao couldn't help but laugh at her expression.
The next morning, before lunchtime, a group of children arrived at the Huang family's door impatiently. They rushed to shout:
"Auntie Huang, we want to buy some steamed bread!" Mother Huang came out with a smile and asked the children whether they had told their family about this.
The children nodded one after another, and one of them said excitedly, "I told my dad that your steamed bread is so delicious! He even asked me to buy a few more for him to try!"
Xu Mengyao had already prepared watermelon sauce and pickled beans as side dishes. She knew that these side dishes were essential if she wanted her business to flourish.
She took out two large bowls and poured out the watermelon jam and sour beans. Then she used an iron spoon to spread a layer of watermelon jam on the freshly cooked steamed bread and put a few chopped sour beans on it.
The children's eyes widened as they watched her work. They stretched out their hands, eagerly taking the steamed bread and taking a bite. Their satisfied and happy expressions seemed to say, "This steamed bread is so delicious! I want to buy more!"
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