Chapter 16: Going to the Old House to Buy Eggs
The three of them were unusually cheerful—no one had expected the first day of business to go so well.
Seeing Wen Xiuyi rubbing his arm, Wen Jun took the initiative to sit beside him and take over the massage—after all, he was familiar with it.
As Wen Xiuyi enjoyed his son’s attentive service, he also began arranging the next steps.
“In a bit, Xiaojun and I will tidy everything up and send it over to Liuzi’s third uncle’s house. Then we’ll go buy more rice and vegetables. Also, we need to get a handcart—we can’t keep using Liuzi’s.”
“As for tonight’s evening market, let’s skip it. For one, we didn’t prepare enough supplies, and rushing now wouldn’t give us enough time. What do you two think?”
Wen Yao agreed—if nothing else, the rice hadn’t soaked long enough, and steamed rice with inadequate soak time wouldn’t taste the same. They couldn’t ruin their reputation just to make a quick buck.
Besides, today was already a successful first outing. Setting aside costs, they’d made a good profit. People didn’t get fat off one meal, and a business wasn’t built in a single day.
And Datou’s head was nearly drooping to the ground—if Wen Yao weren’t holding him up, the kid might’ve just toppled over and fallen asleep on the spot.
When they heard the family needed a cart, Liuzi waved his hand grandly. “What are you buying it for? Just use ours. It’s not a problem.”
But Wen Xiuyi didn’t agree. “Liuzi, let’s keep things clear. Uncle knows you mean well, but the cart belongs to your family, and we’re not using it for just a day or two, right? Just tell us where to buy one—we’ll handle it ourselves.”
Hearing that, Liuzi couldn’t say much else, so he replied, “Why go elsewhere? My dad can make one. Don’t forget, our family’s in the woodworking business.” He proudly pointed to the wooden wares behind him.
“Haha, that’s true. Uncle completely forgot. So how much would it cost to make a cart like yours?” Wen Xiuyi asked. Hopefully not too expensive—he really wished he could split every copper coin in half.
Liuzi wasn’t trying to make money off them, so he said, “Uncle, just give sixty wen to cover the cost of the wood. I’ll tell my dad tonight. It’ll take about two or three days to finish. Until then, just keep using this one.”
The three looked at each other—they weren’t sure about market prices, but since Liuzi was being straightforward, they trusted he wouldn’t cheat them. And sixty wen, by the pricing standards of the space, was about sixty yuan. In their original world, could you buy a pushcart for sixty yuan? Yeah, right.
“Alright then. Uncle won’t be polite. Yao Yao, pay up.”
As the family’s treasurer, Wen Yao swiftly counted out sixty copper coins and handed them to Liuzi.
Liuzi accepted the money and patted his chest, promising to make the sturdiest cart for them.
Seeing that Datou was really about to fall asleep, Wen Xiuyi and Wen Jun delivered the tables and chairs to Liuzi’s third uncle’s storage shed, cleaned up the stove and stall area, then loaded the cart again. With Datou nestled inside one of the empty buckets, the family headed out for more shopping.
Compared to last time, this round of shopping was much smoother—they knew the ropes now.
Before nightfall, the family of four returned to the village. Plenty of people were still outside, either working or chatting. Seeing them come back, gossip started again.
They could vaguely hear things like “that scholar doesn’t know how to behave” or “don’t let the kids hang around them.” The three didn’t care.
They just pushed the cart home. Wen Yao immediately ran inside and dumped the coins from the jar onto the table, excitedly starting to count.
So many coins—it really delighted her.
“Sixty wen for the cart, fifty jin of rice cost four hundred wen, five jin of meat was sixty wen, ten jin of pork lard a hundred wen—six hundred and twenty spent total. That leaves seven hundred and twelve. Dad, we made over thirteen hundred wen today!” Wen Yao said excitedly as she counted.
A thousand wen equaled one tael of silver. Earning a whole tael in one day—this business was definitely promising.
Days of feasting weren’t far off now.
Wen Xiuyi looked at the remaining money and felt immensely pleased. At least they had income now, and a brighter future to look forward to.
“Yao Yao, take some money and go see your grandma. See if she has any eggs to sell. Eggs in the city cost three wen for two. Offer her the same price—we don’t want her losing money. And it saves her from having to haul them to market.”
“Got it. Just the chance I needed to show some presence at Grandma’s,” Wen Yao said cheerfully. She packed away the rest of the money, took out seventy-five wen, and wrapped up three of the five pastries they’d bought along the way—each costing two wen. She’d really splurged.
She and Datou had shared one on the road, nearly choking her. Compared to her own baking, these pastries were seriously lacking.
Now she grabbed Datou—who had recovered and was bouncing around again—and the two of them skipped off toward the old house.
“Getting to relive childhood really is a bonus for Yao Yao this time around. But it’s hard on you, son, having to follow your old man around making a living.” Wen Xiuyi sighed as he patted his son on the shoulder.
Wen Jun’s mouth twitched. “Professor Wen, I’m thirty-five—not really sixteen.” Then he added jokingly, “If I’d known we’d end up in a place like this, I would’ve studied traditional Chinese medicine.”
Wen Xiuyi waved his hand. “Pfft, who could’ve seen this coming? But it’s fine. Once your dad makes money, I’ll send you to study Chinese medicine too. Then you’ll be a dual-degree doctor in Chinese and Western medicine—how impressive would that be?”
Wen Jun burst into laughter. “Sure, sure. You’ll be the most impressive dad ever. Let’s go, back inside so I can stretch you out a bit. Otherwise, tomorrow you won’t even be able to lift your arms.”
“Let’s go, let’s go. Flipping woks all day—my arms are done for,” Wen Xiuyi said, laughing as he threw an arm around his son’s shoulders and headed back in.
Meanwhile, Wen Yao cheerfully brought Datou to the old house. Before they even got there, she started calling out.
“Grandma, open the door! We’re here to see you!”
Inside the house, Granny Luo suddenly felt a flutter in her chest and looked toward the door. “Who’s shouting out there?”
Li Shi quickly went to check. When she opened the door, she saw Wen Yao and Datou standing there hand-in-hand, looking up at her.
No sign of Wen Xiuyi—Li Shi sighed in relief.
“Oh, it’s Yao Yao and Datou. What’s up? Something wrong?” she asked, eyes already glancing at the paper-wrapped bundle in Wen Yao’s hand.
Wen Yao held Datou’s hand and stepped inside. “Yep, Second Aunt. I’m here to talk to Grandma.”
“Grandma, I’m here! Grandma!” Wen Yao said dramatically, pulling Datou along and calling out loudly.
Granny Luo got off the kang and muttered to Grandpa Wen, “That girl never used to say a word—now her voice could break tiles.”
Then she yanked the door open.
“What do you want?” she asked with a scowl.
