Having achieved her goal, Lin Yao wiped the remaining tear stains from her face. While everyone's attention was still focused on Aunt, she quietly turned and slipped away.
Along the way, the villagers looked at her with sympathy in their eyes. Their earlier aloofness and avoidance had completely vanished. Several aunts even pulled her aside to talk, comforting her not to take things to heart and to speak up if she ever faced difficulties. Lin Yao responded to each one, putting on an obedient act.
When she returned home, she found Lin Cheng and Lin Song waiting at the door. Lin Yao said, "It's done." Only then did Lin Cheng breathe a sigh of relief.
Lin Yao ruffled the little tuft of hair on Lin Song’s head. "Brother, Song'er, let’s not waste any time. We need to prepare the ingredients for tomorrow’s stall."
Lin Cheng grinned and replied, "Alright!"
Lin Yao picked up a vegetable basket and prepared to head out. "I’m going up the mountain to pick some fresh chives. We’ll make more pancakes tomorrow."
Lin Song chimed in, "Second Sister, I want to help too!"
Lin Yao hurried along the familiar mountain path. As the mountain breeze brushed against her, she felt some of her weariness dissipate. When she reached the usual spot for picking chives, she found the patch lush and thriving. Squatting down, she swiftly cut handfuls of fresh, tender chives. In no time, her basket was filled to the brim.
Next, Lin Yao dug up some chive roots as well. She carefully wrapped the harvested roots in cloth, placed them in the basket, and headed down the mountain with Lin Song.
After walking just a few steps, Lin Yao suddenly noticed a patch of wild scallions growing vigorously not far away.
After a moment’s thought, she led Lin Song to the wild scallion patch and dug up a good number of them, roots and all.
Whether in modern times or ancient times, people’s tastes vary—some love chives, while others dislike them. By making wild scallion egg pancakes, she might attract customers who weren’t fond of chives.
On the way back, Lin Song asked curiously, "Sister, why are we bringing these roots home?"
Lin Yao smiled and patted his head. "Song'er, chives and wild scallions grow easily with just a little care. If we plant these roots on the wasteland behind our house, we won’t have to worry about running out of fresh chives in the future."
When they returned home, Lin Cheng was repairing bamboo arrows used for hunting. Most hunters in the area sharpened bamboo for arrowheads, as metal arrowheads, though effective, were too expensive for the Lin family to afford at the time.
Seeing them enter, Lin Cheng quickly took the vegetable basket. Noticing the roots inside, he understood his sister’s plan. "After dinner, I’ll go plant these."
Lin Yao added, "Brother, tomorrow we’ll not only make chive egg pancakes but also sell some wild scallion egg pancakes. Even though they’re both egg pancakes, the flavors are quite different. Offering more variety will help attract more customers."
Lin Cheng nodded repeatedly. "You’ve thought it through well. Let’s do it!"
Lin Yao washed her hands, then cleaned the wild scallions she had dug up. The scallions were slender, carrying the fresh, unique scent of the mountains. After chopping them, she placed them in a bowl—vibrant green and tender. Next, she cracked a few eggs into the bowl with the scallions. The golden egg yolks shone brightly. She added an appropriate amount of flour and salt, then poured in water and stirred. As she whisked with chopsticks, the batter gradually thickened and became smooth—a pale yellow mixture flecked with bits of wild scallion.
Nearby, Lin Cheng heated the pan and added lard. As the lard melted, even its faint meaty aroma made Lin Yao feel as if the whole room was filled with fragrance.
She slowly poured the batter into the pan, watching it spread out as tiny bubbles formed around the edges. Holding a spatula, she gently nudged the edges of the pancake to ensure even cooking, until the bottom turned golden and crispy. Soon, a wild scallion egg pancake was ready.
Lin Song had been staring eagerly at the pancake, unable to contain his craving. Lin Yao smiled, divided the pancake into several pieces, and handed them to her brothers.
Lin Song took a bite, his eyes widening instantly as he mumbled in admiration, "Second Sister, this is delicious! Even better than the chive egg pancake!"
For a cook, nothing brings more joy than praise for their dishes. "If you like it, have more," Lin Yao said, picking up a piece of the wild scallion egg pancake herself.
The unique pungent aroma of wild scallions blended perfectly with the rich flavor of eggs. The tip of her tongue first met the crispy outer layer, followed by the soft, fragrant interior bursting with flavor in her mouth. After swallowing, a subtle sweetness lingered.
Lin Cheng nodded as he ate, "This tastes really good. It’s sure to sell well tomorrow."
After the meal, moonlight bathed the small courtyard. The three of them made their way to the field behind the house under the moonlight, planted the chive roots, and watered them thoroughly. Lin Yao also planted the wild scallions in a corner of the yard, patting the soil firmly.
The next day, before dawn had fully broken, Lin Yao, Lin Cheng, and Lin Song were already up. After a quick wash, they gathered the ingredients and tools prepared the night before and hurried toward the dock.
By the time they arrived, the dock was already bustling with noise. Dockworkers shouted as they unloaded cargo, vendors enthusiastically called out to customers, and boats came and went on the river, their splashes glimmering in the morning light.
Old Woman Li, who ran the congee stall, spotted them immediately and waved eagerly, "Oh, you’re finally here! I didn’t see you yesterday."
Lin Yao quickened her pace and replied, "We had some matters at home yesterday that kept us busy, so we didn’t set up the stall."
After a brief exchange, the three of them swiftly set up their stall.
Lin Yao skillfully oiled the hot pan. When the oil was just right, she poured in the prepared chive egg batter. The sizzling sound erupted instantly, and the familiar aroma wafted through the air. Soon, a customer approached.
Lin Yao looked up and recognized him—it was the very first customer who had bought a pancake from them before.
The man rubbed his hands together and said, "Miss, I’ll have one chive egg pancake."
Lin Yao deftly wrapped one and handed it to him, wearing a sweet smile. "Big brother, today we’ve also made a new wild scallion egg pancake. It’s absolutely delicious. Would you like to try one as well?"
The customer’s eyes lit up. "Oh? A new flavor? Then give me one of those too." He paid, took the pancakes, and walked over to Old Woman Li’s congee stall to order a bowl of hot congee.
"Head Escort Wu, is the escort agency keeping you busy lately?" Old Woman Li asked casually as she served the congee.
"Indeed, we received a big order yesterday and are setting off tomorrow," Head Escort Wu replied.
Head Escort Wu placed the wild scallion egg pancake on the table and gently broke it in half. Steam rose, carrying the rich aroma of scallions and eggs. He took a small bite, and the crispy outer layer cracked between his teeth, revealing the soft, savory interior filled with tender wild scallions and smooth eggs. The complex layers of flavor burst on his tongue. Unable to hold back his praise, he exclaimed, "Hey, this tastes even better than the pancakes from the Qian Family Pancake Shop in town!"
His loud exclamation drew sidelong glances from many nearby diners. Coincidentally, several bodyguards who had just finished escorting a shipment were nearby searching for food on empty stomachs. Hearing the familiar voice, they turned to see their escort leader eating with evident relish. A young bodyguard approached with a teasing grin: "Boss, what delicacy has you so captivated that you'd forget to share with your brothers?"Bounty Hunter Wu swallowed his food and cheerfully pointed toward Lin Yao's stall: 'Go buy some of those wild scallion egg pancakes, and get everyone a bowl of hot congee!" Put it all on my tab! Guaranteed to satisfy!The bodyguard promptly hurried toward the stall.
Each of the young bodyguards ordered one leek egg pancake and one wild scallion egg pancake, bringing in twenty-four coppers instantly. Lin Cheng helped wrap the pancakes and collect payment nearby, his eyes crinkling into joyful slits.
After the bodyguard departed, the next customer stepped forward: "Finally caught you today!" I bought one of your pancakes two days ago – absolutely delicious. Came specially at noon yesterday but you weren't here. Been craving it ever since." He paid for a leek egg pancake – though three coppers wasn't cheap, he'd been particularly yearning for the leek version. Lin Yao felt pleasantly surprised that someone would seek out their pancakes specifically. "We had family matters yesterday, but we'll be at this spot regularly from now on. Please come again if you enjoy them!"A passerby who'd overheard the escort leader Wu and the customer called out skeptically: 'Really that good?" You two aren't shills, are you?"Biao Tou Wu finished chewing and declared: "I'm the head courier of Tiger Gate Courier Company!" Would I stoop to such tricks? Their leek egg pancakes have crispy shells with soft, fragrant centers! The wild scallion ones are excellent too."The goods peddler Dong added: 'I may not be as imposing as the escort leader Wu, but I've no reason to lie about pancakes.'" Try them and see!"
Lin Yao kept working while warmly inviting: "Our pancakes use quality ingredients – why not try one?"
The skeptical passerby sheepishly bought a wild scallion pancake. Upon tasting it, he couldn't help murmuring praises.
Seeing even the doubter enjoy it so thoroughly, hesitant customers shed their reservations. Soon a small queue formed before Lin Yao's stall, and Lin Cheng's smile widened with each copper collected.
Before long, all pancakes had sold out.
"Thank you all for your patronage! We're sold out for today, but we'll be here tomorrow!" Lin Yao announced while packing items into her back basket.
Those still in line expressed disappointment: "Young lady, you must prepare more pancakes tomorrow!"
Lin Yao repeatedly agreed until the crowd gradually dispersed.
They had prepared twenty more pancakes than the first day – thirty leek and thirty scallion pancakes – yet closed earlier than last time. Staring at the empty stall, Lin Cheng couldn't stop beaming. Counting the heavy coppers in his hand, his voice brimmed with excitement: "A Yao, business was even better than last time!"
"Lady Lin, you've boosted this old woman's business too today. This bowl of congee is my treat – drink it while it's hot to soothe your throat." Old Woman Li from the congee shop approached bearing a steaming bowl.
Lin Yao hastily took it, repeatedly expressing her gratitude, "You're too kind! If it weren't for being next to your porridge stall, our pancakes wouldn't have sold so well!"
After bidding farewell to Old Woman Li, the three siblings packed up their stall and headed home.
As soon as they entered the house, Lin Yao set the carrying basket down in the corner and collapsed onto the worn-out little stool in the yard, letting out a long sigh. Although business had been good today, standing for most of the day had left her back and shoulders aching with exhaustion.
Lin Cheng carefully brought out the money pouch. Lin Yao counted the day's earnings—a total of one hundred and eighty wen. They had used fifteen eggs today, costing thirty wen, while the flour and lard came to twenty-five wen. Their net income for the day was one hundred and twenty-five wen.
Hearing this, Lin Cheng grinned from ear to ear, his rough hands repeatedly stroking the money pouch as if it weren't just copper coins but a treasure that could hatch golden eggs.