There were five children in the family. Qiao Jiawang was twenty-two this year and usually followed Qiao Mancang in slaughtering pigs. His marriage had been arranged with the Hu family’s daughter—the same family that partnered with Qiao Mancang to sell half a pig.
Qiao Jiaxing had just turned twenty and was also at marriageable age. However, because the house was cramped and the family didn’t have enough money, Madam Lin and Qiao Mancang decided to wait until Qiao Jiawang got married before arranging his match.
The third child, Lin Wangchun, was nineteen and had married a hunter from Linjia Village last year, thanks to matchmaking by her grandparents.
Now it was Lin Xiahe’s turn. Madam Lin paid extra attention to her privately. While Qiao Jiaxing still had his grandparents to think for him, Lin Xiahe was born from Madam Lin’s previous marriage. Although her in-laws treated the children equally on the surface, Madam Lin knew that people’s hearts were biased. For example, the snacks in Madam Zhang’s room were only given to Qiao Mianmian, not to Lin Xiahe and her sister.
“Mother said he’s a constable from the yamen. He was previously engaged, but after his parents passed away, he didn’t want to burden the girl, so he broke off the engagement. He’s twenty-four this year.”
Hearing this, Lin Xiahe felt quite satisfied. A constable had good fighting skills, wouldn’t be easily bullied, and earned an official salary.
But Qiao Mianmian thought the age gap was too big. “Isn’t he older than Big Brother?”
“Only two years older. If not for family matters, he would’ve married long ago. Mother just mentioned it—we still need to meet him to decide.”
Lin Xiahe lay down and patted her sister’s arm. “You were really bold today. Mother is usually so frugal—she keeps mending the same pair of cloth shoes even when the soles are worn through.”
As she said this, she felt a little envious. The whole family doted on her younger sister. Still, she knew things were different. Her grandparents had never mistreated her, and her stepfather never beat or scolded her just because she wasn’t his biological child. When her elder sister married, the family even prepared a decent dowry.
Qiao Mianmian said she wanted to earn money.
“Tell me honestly—are you still hurt by that Xu licentiate?” Lin Xiahe asked softly. As sisters sharing a bed, this was the time for honest talk.
Qiao Mianmian shook her head. “Next year Big Brother will get married, and the house is already cramped. You know how frugal our parents are to save for a new house. Fourth Sister, I’ve grown up—I should help share the burden.”
“You’re still young,” Lin Xiahe sighed, still thinking her sister hadn’t let go of Xu Tongsheng.
If only their family were richer, maybe the Xu family would accept her sister. With that thought, Lin Xiahe silently wished that the braised offal would sell well tomorrow and bring in some money.
The room was pitch dark. Qiao Mianmian yawned and soon fell asleep.
Early the next morning, afraid that Madam Lin might go sell the goods without her, Qiao Mianmian woke up before dawn. “Mother, I’ll make breakfast.”
“No need. Sit down,” Madam Lin said, pulling her to a seat.
Qiao Mianmian added charcoal to the stove. Breakfast was usually sweet potato porridge, sometimes just plain sweet potatoes with no side dishes. Seeing only sweet potatoes in the pot, she decided to heat up the braised offal instead.
Madam Lin asked while cleaning, “Why are you lighting the stove? Charcoal costs money. It’s already hot—who would buy hot food?”
Normally, leftover charcoal was saved for future cooking.
“Mother, do you have an appetite for cold offal?” Qiao Mianmian asked as the pot began bubbling, releasing a rich aroma. “When we go out, we’re drawn to things that look or smell good. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s true…” Madam Lin admitted, though she still felt pained about the wasted charcoal.
As dawn broke, the family got up one by one, each eating a sweet potato.
Madam Lin carried the stove and braised offal, while Qiao Mianmian carried a bamboo basket. As they left, neighbors asked where they were going.
“Yesterday Mianmian made braised offal. We all thought it tasted good, so we’re taking it to the market to try selling it,” Madam Lin replied.
The neighbors were surprised. Everyone in the alley knew how much the Qiao family spoiled their youngest daughter.
A neighbor sniffed the air and chased after them. “Is that really braised offal? Why does it smell so good?”
Qiao Mianmian opened the jar and let the aroma spread. She offered a piece. “Auntie, would you like to try?”
Madam Lin felt pained seeing the food being given away for free but held back.
The neighbor hesitated but tried it—and was instantly amazed. “Mianmian, did you really make this?”
More people gathered.
“Everyone can try! Today is our first day selling. For neighbors, it’s only ten coins a bowl—others would pay fifteen!”
After tasting it, several neighbors bought bowls, praising the flavor.
Soon, everything in the jar was sold.
Qiao Mianmian handed the money to her mother. “Ninety coins total—we’ve earned back the cost of the spices, right?”
Madam Lin stared in disbelief. “Don’t get too happy. Neighbors only bought it out of goodwill. It may not sell as well at the market.”
But she couldn’t hide her smile.
At the market, they set up near Qiao Mancang’s stall. Qiao Mianmian reheated the offal, and the aroma quickly spread.
Soon, customers came asking. Some were hesitant at first but changed their minds after tasting.
“We’re newly opened—fifteen coins per bowl, or two bowls for twenty-five!” Qiao Mianmian said confidently.
Sales picked up quickly, and within half an hour, everything was sold.
Madam Lin counted the money twice. “Two hundred coins! That’s almost as much as your father earns in a day!”
Qiao Mianmian smiled. “If we sell more, we can earn even more.”
Just then, a man came running back. “Do you have more? I want ten portions!”
When told it was sold out, he placed a deposit for the next day.
Seeing this, Madam Lin made up her mind. “We’ll do this business!”
Qiao Mancang immediately went to buy more offal.
Qiao Mianmian, feeling pleased, said, “Mother, since we made money today, can we take some bones home to eat?”
After some persuasion, Madam Lin agreed.
When Qiao Mancang returned, he said, “Take the rest too. Our family deserves a good meal.”
He handed over some mushrooms as well. “You watch the stall. I’ll bring these home with your mother.”