Before they even reached the dock, Lin Yao spotted Wang Shan waiting at their stall with a young lady.
The three of them quickened their pace. As soon as they set down their vending supplies, Wang Shan approached with the young lady.
"Here are fifty buns, Lady Lin. Please check if the count is correct," Wang Shan said, handing over the basket.
Lin Yao took it and gave the buns a quick glance before smiling. "I naturally trust what you deliver." She then turned and signaled Lin Cheng to scoop two cups of Perilla Chrysanthemum Drink. "Sir, Miss, please have a cup of Perilla Chrysanthemum Drink to cool off from the heat."
"Oh no, we couldn’t! This drink is meant to be sold," Wang Daye waved his hands repeatedly.
Lin Yao stepped forward with a smile and pressed two cups into their hands. "Please don’t stand on ceremony. You and the young lady took the trouble to deliver these buns so early. We have plenty more of this drink in the bucket—two cups won’t make a difference. Please, try it."
Hearing this, Wang Daye stopped refusing. He accepted the two cups and handed one to the young lady beside him.
They each took a sip. A refreshing sweetness spread across their tongues, followed by the fragrance of chrysanthemums and the crispness of perilla, instantly dispelling the heat and fatigue.
Wang Shan couldn’t help but praise, "No wonder the longshoremen at the dock are willing to spend a coin on your drink. After just one sip, I feel completely refreshed—the summer heat just melts away."
The young lady beside him nodded shyly.
Lin Yao had noticed her earlier but hadn’t had the chance to observe her closely. Now, taking advantage of the conversation, she studied the young lady. She wore a light blue cotton blouse—simple in material but neatly kept, with a few small flowers embroidered at the cuffs and collar, revealing her deft hands. Her features differed greatly from Wang Daye’s; her skin was fair, her eyes curved gently, exuding a gentle and refined demeanor.
Seeing the two young ladies sizing each other up, Wang Shan took the initiative to introduce his granddaughter. "Lady Lin, this is my granddaughter, A Yu. She’s been by my side since she was little, helping me make buns. The buns we sell every day are all made by the two of us. These we delivered today, for instance, are entirely A Yu’s handiwork. Why don’t you take a closer look and tell us what you think of my granddaughter’s skills?"
Wang Shan couldn’t quite explain it, but this Lady Lin seemed even younger than his own granddaughter, A Yu. Yet, this young girl carried herself with such efficiency and clarity of mind, radiating an intangible charisma that made people instinctively trust her. Deep down, Wang Shan hoped A Yu could learn from Lin Yao—even if just a fraction of her skills. That way, when she married someday, she would at least have a craft to rely on.
Having weathered many storms in his life, he now had no other desires. His only wish was to raise his granddaughter safely, find her a good marriage, and ensure her future would be smooth and free of hardship.
Lin Yao praised sincerely, "Sister A Yu, these steamed buns you've made are so uniform in size and smooth on the surface. Just the aroma alone is mouthwatering—I'm sure they taste wonderful."
Wang Xiaoyu's cheeks flushed slightly as she replied modestly, "Lady Lin, you flatter me. I've just been helping my grandfather for some years and gained some practice. But you, Miss Lin, at such a young age, have come up with so many novel dishes and built such a thriving business. Both my grandfather and I admire you greatly."
Wang Shan nodded in agreement beside her, "That's right, Lady Lin. Your skills are truly remarkable. My granddaughter has been with this old man since she was little and is quite shy, not as bold and enterprising as you."
Lin Yao waved her hand with a smile, "Uncle, Sister A Yu, please don't say that. I've just been lucky, stumbling upon these new recipes by chance."
After seeing the two off, Lin Cheng had already arranged everything neatly at the stall, and customers began to trickle in.
Since it was the first day selling the steamed buns, they needed to set an example. Lin Yao took a bun from the basket, sliced it open, pan-fried both sides until golden brown, then stuffed it generously with Lu Zhu Xia Shui and a fried egg. Holding it in her hand, she began to call out, "Family Bliss Bun! Don't miss out if you're passing by! One bite, and it's bursting with flavor!"
A young dockworker was drawn by Lin Yao's voice. His eyes scanned the various foods before settling on the bun that had expanded several times its size, his face full of curiosity, "Miss, is this the Family Bliss Bun?"
While efficiently preparing the food, Lin Yao replied, "That's right! Our Family Bliss set is a bun stuffed with Lu Zhu Xia Shui and a fried egg, for seven wen. If you don't want the fried egg, it's five wen; if you skip the Lu Zhu Xia Shui, it's four wen."
More people gradually stopped in front of the stall. Lin Yao continued her pitch, "The Family Bliss Bun is our latest offering. It's a bun filled with crispy fried eggs and flavorful Lu Zhu Xia Shui, drizzled with a special braising sauce. One bite, and you'll experience a rich, savory delight! Come and try one!"
The young man couldn't help but swallow his saliva at her description, "Hearing you say that really makes me crave it. Well… I'll take one then."
Lin Yao worked deftly, quickly picking up a bun, slicing it open, and stuffing it with a golden, crispy fried egg and a few pieces of glossy Lu Zhu Xia Shui. Finally, she ladled over some warm braising sauce from the pot and handed it to the young man, "Here you go, sir. Be careful, it's hot."
The young man eagerly took a big bite. The rich textures unfolded in his mouth—the crispiness of the fried egg, the hearty depth of the Lu Zhu Xia Shui, the slight sweetness of the bun, and the savory aroma of the braising sauce blended perfectly. His eyes widened in surprise and delight, "So delicious! This taste is amazing!"
"Zhang Da Niu, what are you eating that's so tasty?" A young man in a short coarse coat with his trousers rolled up approached. He looked curiously at the bun stuffed with fried egg and Lu Zhu Xia Shui in Zhang Da Niu's hand.
Zhang Da Niu chewed as he spoke, "Li Shan, you're finally here! Try this—a bun with fried egg and Lu Zhu Xia Shui. I just took a bite, and it's incredibly good. I've never tasted anything so delicious!" Saying this, he offered the half-eaten bun in his hand to Li Ergou.
Li Ergou dodged backward with a look of disgust. "Get away! Who'd eat something you've bitten? Miss, give me one too."
Lin Yao responded with a smile, "Alright, young man, please wait a moment." As she spoke, she quickly made another and handed it over.
Li Ergou took it and couldn't wait to take a bite, revealing the same expression as Zhang Da Niu.
Seeing his friend like this, Zhang Da Niu couldn't resist teasing, "Well? Tasty, isn't it?"
Li Ergou had no time to reply, nodding as he lowered his head to continue eating his bun.
Passersby nearby were drawn by the two men's eating expressions, stopping in small groups at the stall to inquire about prices.
At seven coins each, the buns were quite a significant expense for the laborers toiling at the docks. Therefore, most people tended to choose the option with only Lu Zhu Xia Shui. After all, like the egg bun, it cost just four coins but provided substantial meat, making it clearly more cost-effective. Because of this, the Lu Zhu Xia Shui sold out rapidly, completely cleared in just one morning.
Some with tighter budgets opted for only a fried egg. "Miss, could you add a ladle of braising sauce to the bun?"
Lin Yao replied cheerfully, "Of course!"
With that, she swiftly picked up another bun, sliced it open, and inserted the golden, crispy fried egg. Then she scooped a ladle of braising sauce from the pot—the sauce rich in color and fragrant with spices—and poured it slowly over the fried egg. The sauce seeped into the egg's texture, soon soaking the entire inside of the bun, filling the air with an enticing aroma. "Here's your bun with fried egg and braising sauce, sir."
Lin Yao had initially thought that with the new additions to the menu, they might have to wait until the hour of the Goat to sell out. To her surprise, just past noon, the food at the stall was nearly gone. Though she and Lin Cheng were exhausted, they couldn't hide their excitement and joy—they had made quite a profit today!
"Second Sister, I want a bun!" Lin Song patted his belly while gazing eagerly at Lin Yao, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. He had been guarding the stall all morning, the rich aromas constantly wafting into his nose, yet he could only watch, unable to taste a single bite, leaving him utterly restless with craving.
Lin Yao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She took out the last three buns from the basket and deftly prepared three deluxe versions, making sure to add extra braising sauce.
The three of them sat on the ground, eating with great relish, completely unaware that not far away, a malicious gaze was fixed intently on them.
As soon as they returned home, Lin Cheng poured out the bulging money pouch from his embrace. The copper coins clinked crisply and pleasingly as they spilled onto the table. Hearing the sound, Lin Yao hurried over and counted them. "We earned eighty coins more than yesterday!"
"Wow, so many coins!" Lin Song's eyes widened in surprise and excitement, his small hands unable to resist sifting through the pile of coins.
Looking at the copper coins on the table, Lin Yao's lips curved into a slight smile, her eyes gleaming with light.
While deftly helping to organize the copper coins, she enthusiastically analyzed: "Lu Zhu Xia Shui sells for twelve wen per jin, while the steamed buns cost one and a half wen each. If we only fill the buns with Lu Zhu Xia Shui, roughly one jin can make four buns. The profit margin for the 'Family Feast' set is even greater—since the buns have limited filling capacity, it takes five 'Family Feast' buns to use up one jin of Lu Zhu Xia Shui. Calculated this way, we're bound to earn more than before. The more 'Family Feast' sets we sell, the higher our profits will be."
Lin Yao sighed inwardly, thinking how making money was truly her best tonic—it ignited her greatest passion no matter where she was.