After Lin Shi married into the family, Qiao Youfu and his wife divided the household among their three sons. They lived with the eldest son, Qiao Mancang, while the other two sons contributed monthly rice and money for filial support.
Zhang Shi was broad-minded. In the second month after Lin Shi married in, she handed over the household management to her. Since then, all matters big and small in the family had been decided by Lin Shi, while Zhang Shi and Qiao Youfu rarely interfered.
Setting up a food stall required money—from renting a spot to buying pots, bowls, chopsticks, and all kinds of supplies. It was not a small expense.
Lin Shi couldn’t decide on her own, so she gathered the whole family to discuss it.
Qiao Mianmian had originally planned to bring it up in a month or two, but now that Lin Shi mentioned it, she figured her mother had been upset recently.
Still, earlier was better—earn money sooner, enjoy life sooner.
“Mancang, what do you think?” Lin Shi asked her husband.
Qiao Mancang usually followed Lin Shi’s lead. He knew his youngest daughter was good at cooking, but the idea of running a food stall still made him a bit worried.
Before anything was started, anxiety was inevitable.
“Father, Mother, what do you think?” Qiao Mancang passed the question to his parents.
Qiao Youfu glanced at his youngest granddaughter and let out a full burp. “I’ve lived more than half my life and eaten at many banquets. I can say without shame that Mianmian’s cooking is excellent. Look at the Wu and Wang families next door—they’re getting better off. Our family can’t fall too far behind. I’ve long told your mother that while Mianmian hasn’t married yet, we should set up the stall.”
He had a traditional mindset: once his granddaughter married, she would be helping another family earn money. Better to establish the business now and pass the skills to the grandsons.
Zhang Shi shot her husband a glare before turning to Lin Shi. “I was worried you’d be overwhelmed, but since you’ve made up your mind, go ahead. We’re old and can’t help much, but we won’t drag you down either. You’ve done so much for this family—this will only make things harder for you.”
“It’s not hard, Mother. As long as our life improves, I’m happy,” Lin Shi said. With her in-laws’ support, she felt reassured. As for the children’s opinions, they weren’t as important—elders would make the decisions. “Tomorrow, Mancang won’t sell meat. He’ll go look for a suitable stall, preferably close by. I’ll find someone selling secondhand bowls and chopsticks.”
She had already planned what needed to be prepared.
At the end, Lin Shi looked at her youngest daughter with concern. “Mianmian, if we set up a food stall, can you handle it?”
“I definitely can’t do it alone. The braised meat for Chunxi Restaurant can’t stop, and the stall will need people to chop vegetables and wash dishes,” Qiao Mianmian said. “So, I’ve been teaching Fourth Sister how to make braised dishes. After a day or two more of practice, she can handle it on her own.”
“Mother, you can help with chopping and serving. My brothers can carry water and chop firewood. I’ll focus on cooking and making noodles—I’ll manage. And if all of you learn along with me, maybe one day we can even open a restaurant with branches!”
She understood her grandfather’s thinking. In the future, once everyone had their own families, it would be hard to rely on each other. It was better to build everyone’s skills now so they would always have a way to make a living.
Lin Shi held her daughter’s hand, feeling distressed. “If I knew how to cook, I wouldn’t let you work so hard. When we move to a bigger house, I’ll prepare dowries for you girls so everyone in the alley can see how well our family is doing.”
She was determined to improve their life.
After the discussion, everyone went their separate ways.
Qiao Mianmian lay down with her fourth sister. Sleep quickly overtook her, but Lin Xiahe suddenly held her hand.
“Mianmian, I’ll remember what you’ve done for me,” Lin Xiahe said. She understood why her sister taught her braised cooking—another skill meant another way to survive. With this skill, no matter where she married, she could support herself.
“Oh, Fourth Sister, we’re family. No need to say things like that. Go to sleep—we have to get up early tomorrow,” Qiao Mianmian said, turning over and patting her arm. “We’ll only live better if we work together.”
“Yes, we’ll get better and better!”
In the darkness, Lin Xiahe’s eyes were full of determination. Even her dreams were about running a stall and making money.
They slept until morning. When they got up, Lin Shi had already prepared porridge and pickled vegetables.
The siblings exchanged smiles at the table. Even if it didn’t taste great, it was made with care.
“Xiahe, Mianmian, eat quickly. Afterward, go do your work. Jiawang, help your sisters carry their loads and then come find me. Jiaxing, don’t go to the dock today—come with me to get supplies,” Lin Shi instructed briskly before heading out.
After she left, Qiao Mianmian took out a string of coins and handed it to her grandmother. “Please buy some duck eggs. We can make salted duck eggs at home and sell them at the stall.”
“You little girl, hiding money from your mother again. If she finds out, she’ll scold you,” Zhang Shi said fondly, pushing the money back. “Keep it for yourself—you’re almost grown. Buy something you like. If we want salted duck eggs, I have money.”
She kept the money sent by her second and third sons, handing only food supplies to Lin Shi. Even Lin Shi and her husband had to give the elderly couple half a tael of silver each month.
“Grandmother, are you secretly giving Fifth Sister food again?” Qiao Jiaxing peeked in from the doorway.
Zhang Shi spread her hands. “You greedy little cat, what food do I have? Your sister just asked me to buy duck eggs.”
Taking the chance, Qiao Mianmian slipped the money back into her grandmother’s hand. “Second Brother, look how kind Grandmother is—she’s spending so much to buy duck eggs. Hurry and go with Mother. If I have something to eat, I’ll make sure you get some too.”
“Alright, remember that—no sneaking food!” Qiao Jiaxing said, grinning before running after their mother.
Qiao Mianmian also went out to set up her stall. Since Qiao Mancang wasn’t selling meat today, she used his spot.
It was already August, and the morning breeze carried a hint of coolness. Qiao Mianmian first picked a piece of pig heart for herself, then gave one to her fourth sister. “It tastes best while hot. Even if we’re running a stall, we shouldn’t go hungry.”
She usually ate a lot—two meals a day were hard to endure. Since she couldn’t convince the family to add another meal, she secretly ate a little more and shared with her siblings.
Lin Xiahe was startled when the pig heart was suddenly put into her mouth. After swallowing, she asked, “Can you manage on your own? I need to go wash the offal by the river.”
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry—Big Brother will come help later,” Qiao Mianmian said. She still couldn’t carry heavy loads—at most she could handle twenty to thirty pounds with the stove and jars.
Lin Xiahe stayed to help for a while before leaving once the crowd thinned.
Qiao Mianmian continued selling braised dishes. With her cheerful calls and delicious food, she had already gained many regular customers.
“Sis, having guests today? I’ll give you some extra intestines. I’ll be opening a food stall soon—come support me!”
“Miss Qiao, will you be cooking?”
“Yes.”
“You’re amazing, setting up a stall at such a young age. I’ll definitely come!”
She tirelessly promoted her stall to each customer. Many regulars promised to come, and even new customers agreed politely.
When Lu Zhao and Qing Jiu passed by, they saw her energetically calling out.
Qing Jiu remembered the braised food she had given them yesterday and came to thank her. “Miss Qiao, thank you for the food—it was delicious. Even better than what I’ve had in Bianjing.”
“I’m glad you liked it. We’ll be opening a stall soon—come by if you can,” Qiao Mianmian said with a smile. Lu Zhao stood silently beside him, cold and distant.
“I will!” Qing Jiu said, then returned to his master. “Sir, Miss Qiao is really nice—warm and generous, unlike the delicate noble ladies in Bianjing.”
“A gentleman does not gossip,” Lu Zhao said as he walked ahead. After a moment, he turned back and, seeing Qing Jiu’s eager face, sighed and handed him some money. “Go buy some braised offal for yourself tonight.”
Qing Jiu happily ran back. Knowing his master didn’t eat offal, he asked for half vegetables instead.
“Your master is quite picky,” Qiao Mianmian said, adding three slices of meat. “Since we’re neighbors, I’ll mix it for you. It wouldn’t be right to let him just watch you eat.”
Then Qing Jiu crouched down and asked how to cook rice without burning it.
“If you have patience, make drained rice—boil it until the grains split, then steam it. It’s soft and fragrant. If not, cook it in a pot and open the lid when the starchy water boils over a few times. When the water dries up, it’s done—and you’ll get crispy rice at the bottom.”
At the mention of crispy rice, Qiao Mianmian felt tempted. “You can crush the crispy rice and mix it with chili powder and salt, or soak it in pork bone soup. Do you know how to make that? It’s cheap—simmer it long enough, and the soup turns milky white…”
She suddenly stopped. “Hey… your mouth…”
Qing Jiu was drooling.
Lu Zhao, who had been waiting, saw the scene and frowned. “Still not done?”
Qing Jiu snapped back to reality. Lu Zhao grabbed him and dragged him away, embarrassed.
Back at the stall, Qiao Mianmian continued selling until her mother arrived.
“I found this spot from a candy seller who couldn’t sell food here,” Lin Shi said. Seeing the empty jars, she added, “Jiawang, tomorrow send him a bowl of braised meat and bring back his handcart. I’ve already paid a deposit.”
The space, combined with Qiao Mancang’s stall, could fit four or five small tables.
“Being next to Father’s stall is perfect. We can advertise fresh meat and have him cut it for customers,” Qiao Mianmian said.
Lin Shi nodded. “Once we fix the cart and prepare everything, we can open.”
The whole family walked home happily, full of hope.
Over the next ten days, they were as busy as spinning tops. Neighbors came to watch.
Chunsheng’s mother was especially enthusiastic, clearly hoping Qiao Mianmian would marry her son. Wang the widow teased her openly, hinting that many suitors would come once Mianmian came of age.
Later, Lin Shi was pulled aside and urged to consider Chunsheng as a match. Lin Shi didn’t agree outright but didn’t refuse either.
After sending her off, Lin Shi saw Wu Ermao returning home. She thought of his matchmaking and felt even more determined to improve their life.
In the backyard, Qiao Mianmian was preparing dinner, unaware someone had already set their sights on her as a future daughter-in-law.
“Fourth Sister, keep an eye on the braised pot—I’ll handle the kitchen,” she said.
She cooked rice, leaving a layer to form crispy rice at the bottom. After adding oil, the grains sizzled and turned golden and fragrant. She stir-fried diced pork with mushrooms to eat with it.
When she broke a piece of crispy rice, it cracked perfectly—crispy on the outside, soft inside. Combined with the savory topping, it was irresistible.
“Fifth Sister, you’re sneaking food!” Qiao Jiaxing said, walking in.
“I’m testing the taste. Here, you try too,” she said, stuffing a piece into his mouth.
His eyes lit up. “So good!”
“Go call everyone to wash up. I’ll cook some salted duck eggs,” she said.
The salted eggs were perfectly cured—the yolks rich and sandy, at their most delicious stage.