In a great mood, she spotted a stall selling Steamed Buns nearby. She quickly walked over, inquired about the price, and spent over ten Wen Qian to buy more than ten Meat Buns.
Fortunately, the Steamed Bun seller was quite kind. Knowing she was the girl who had just set up a stall to sell chestnuts, he even gave her a large plain Steamed Bun for free.
Upon learning she would be selling Honey Chestnuts there for the next few days, he also kindly reminded her that it would be better to buy some oil-paper wrappers from the General Store.
Xu Jianing grumbled internally, never expecting that setting up a stall involved so many tricks and nuances. This truly broadened her horizons.
After thanking the seller, she took out two individually wrapped Meat Buns and handed them to Uncle Wang, saying politely, "Uncle Wang, thank you again just now. Please take these two Steamed Buns to eat. We are leaving now."
"No, no, you mustn't. Why are you being so polite, girl? We seem to have hit it off. Will you be back tomorrow? I can save your spot for you."
Xu Jianing hadn't expected this Uncle Wang to be so warm-hearted; she felt those two Meat Buns were definitely worth the money.
During their casual chat, Xu Jianing learned a lot of information. For example, that Pig offal was simply thrown away during the pig slaughtering process in this era.
For instance, Pig trotters, Ribs, and things like marrow bones were all considered worthless items.
This allowed her to discover another business opportunity.
They hadn't tried Braised Pig Trotters, had they? They hadn't tried Chinese sausage, had they? She couldn't help but feel eager to try.
Having made up her mind, she bought all the remaining Pig trotters and bones from Uncle Wang at a low price.
Thinking they were out of oil at home, she resolutely bought a large chunk of fatty meat and a piece of lard, planning to render it into lard when she got back.
This shopping spree cost quite a bit of money. However, Father Xu and Eldest Sister beside her didn't say a word, which made Xu Jianing a little uneasy.
As they walked back carrying the goods, Xu Jianing couldn't help but ask, "Father, Sister, do you think I spent too much money?"
Both of them shook their heads simultaneously.
Father Xu knew what she was worried about and quickly comforted her, "Those are just daily necessities, what's the big deal about spending a little? Come on, Father will take you to buy more things. We are not short of a few coins."
"However, you must come with Father to sell the Game Meat."
Led by Father Xu, they arrived at the Back courtyard of a Restaurant. The Servant guarding the entrance greeted him naturally upon seeing him.
Soon, a figure resembling a Steward walked out with a smiling face, "Dongyang, why aren't you coming inside to talk this time? Are these your two nieces? They've grown so tall. Very good, very good."
"Jianing, Jiayin, quickly come and greet your Uncle Fu."
"Jiayin, Jianing greet Uncle Fu."
The two sisters bowed slightly to Uncle Fu.
Xu Jiayin nervously clutched Xu Jianing's hand tightly and gave Uncle Fu a shy smile.
"Jiayin seems much better. This child hasn't smiled like this in a long time, has she? Come, let's go inside to talk."
Father Xu hurriedly declined, "No need, Brother, next time. I still need to take the children to buy some things; we are low on grain at home."
"You wait, I'll go get the money for you right now."
Uncle Fu ordered someone to take the Game Meat inside and went to the front courtyard to get the money.
In less than fifteen minutes, he returned.
He was carrying a small half-sack of goods, which he handed over, "As we agreed before, here is three taels of silver, keep it safe. Take this small half-sack of rice back for the children to eat."
"Brother, I'll take the money, but you keep the grain to eat yourself. Being a Steward isn't easy for you; don't let anything compromise you. Besides, I have money now, we can buy our own."
"Haha, so you are worried about that. Don't worry, however much rice I take, someone will record it, and it will be deducted at the end of the month."
No matter what Uncle Fu said, Father Xu simply refused to accept those things.
Finally, having no other choice, Father Xu pulled the two sisters and took off running.
They only stopped once they were sure no one was chasing them.
Xu Jianing, panting heavily, felt utterly exhausted. Was it necessary? It felt like they were fleeing a famine.
After catching their breath, they started shopping.
Coincidentally, there was a Grocery store ahead. When the group walked in, they found that this shop had quite a complete selection of goods—everything from firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea, they had it all.
Before Xu Jianing could even suggest it, Father Xu generously asked for twenty catties of white rice to be weighed, and also bought some brown rice, white flour, and cornmeal.
After all this, two taels of silver were gone.
Just as they finished paying, they heard a sarcastic voice from the doorway, "Oh, isn't this Second Uncle? Buying so many things at once, have you struck it rich?"
The person speaking was Xu Jianing's second cousin, Xu Lanhua.
She was accompanied by a strange man, who was shamelessly letting his lecherous gaze sweep back and forth over the two Xu sisters.
Noticing Xu Jianing looking at him, the man smoothed his hair and put on what he thought was a charming smile, saying to her, "Miss, you know Lanhua? Are you her sister?
Xu Jianing felt completely unwell.
Especially seeing the man staring at them with ill intent and theatrically running a hand through his hair, it truly disgusted her.
Seeing that she ignored him, the man turned to the person behind him and said, "Lanhua, this is your fault for not quickly making an introduction. Good, very good, you sisters are all prettier than the last."
Xu Lanhua's mouth was twisted with anger. What was this but lifting a rock only to drop it on her own foot?
She had intended to bring this Young Master Huang to the Grocery store to thoroughly humiliate the members of the Second Branch.
But she never expected this fellow's eyes to be glued to the two sisters from the Second Branch. How could she allow that?
Since she couldn't openly fall out with him, to show her magnanimity, Xu Lanhua had no choice but to step forward, feigning sincerity, and intimately link arms with Xu Jianing.
She said in a voice sickeningly sweet, "Look what Young Master Huang said. These are my Second Uncle's Little Sister and Eldest Sister. Jianing, this is Young Master Huang, the nephew of wife's brother from the Yun Jin Restaurant."
Xu Jianing felt goosebumps erupt all over. Enduring the discomfort, she quickly pulled her arm out of her second cousin's grasp.
She unconsciously rubbed her arms.
Young Master Huang noticed this detail and asked solicitously, "Little Sister Jianing, are you feeling a bit cold? Why don't you put on my outer coat!"
That's enough. Xu Jianing, who had been holding back for a long time, gave him a sidelong glance, "Call me sister! We aren't close, don't claim kinship randomly. I have mysophobia."
Xu Lanhua shrieked loudly, "You crazy girl! Do you know who he is? So many people can't even get a chance to build a relationship with him, yet you say such things."
Father Xu truly couldn't stand it anymore. He couldn't help but roar, "Enough! Control yourself. My Jianing is not like you. If you want to build connections, do it yourself, but don't involve my Daughter."
That shout was truly satisfying. Xu Jianing gave her Father a thumbs-up; she wanted to give Father Xu a like.