When Liu Lihua heard the price, she was too stunned to speak.
Ten wen? Why not just rob people?
No one would even buy it for three wen — how could anyone possibly pay ten?
She rolled her eyes, losing even more confidence in Shen Yunzhi’s so-called business venture.
“I’ll take two servings,” the well-dressed woman said immediately, paying without hesitation.
“Of course, of course.” Shen Yunzhi scooped out three bowls — one extra as a complimentary gift.
After the woman left, Liu Lihua leaned in. “Is this made of gold or something? You’re charging that much?”
She had tasted the new ice jelly. It was good — but certainly not worth ten wen.
“The rich lack nothing but money. If we price it higher, it highlights their status. That’s exactly why they’ll buy it.”
Shen Yunzhi repeated word for word what Song Yinuo had taught her.
Liu Lihua remained unconvinced. Wealthy families dined at grand restaurants. Why would they come to a tiny roadside stall?
Su Jingci also felt ten wen was steep — but he found his mother’s reasoning surprisingly logical.
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
Ever since Father passed away, Mother seemed different.
Aside from the first woman, several more customers arrived. Most chose the regular version after tasting it; only a few opted for the “luxury” edition.
They hadn’t prepared much, but the day’s earnings reached one hundred and fifty wen.
After deducting the stall fee and brown sugar, the rest was almost pure profit.
Liu Lihua stared at the copper coins in the box, both shocked and delighted.
They had actually made money.
Shen Yunzhi handed each of them ten wen.
“The business has just started. This is your wage. When we truly begin earning well, I’ll give you more.”
Help should never be taken for granted. It was better to be clear from the start.
Liu Lihua froze.
Shen Yunzhi had truly changed — she was giving them money.
She was moved, but pushed it back. “Keep it. We’re helping you, not doing this for money.”
“When there’s money, we earn it together. This is only the beginning. I’ll need your help more in the future. You must take it.”
She pressed the coins into Liu Lihua’s palm.
Liu Lihua’s eyes reddened.
Her eldest sister-in-law really wasn’t the same anymore.
She decided to keep it for now — and return it later if needed.
She glanced at her husband and nodded. Su Second Brother understood and put the coins away.
Su Jingci said, “I’m not like Second Aunt. I’m family. Just keep my share for me.”
“You’re a grown young man now. You’ll need spending money.”
After much pushing back and forth, he finally accepted it.
On the way home after closing the stall, they passed a pork vendor. Most of the meat had been sold. The offal remained unwanted, sitting in a basin attracting flies.
“Boss, how much for these?”
The vendor glanced at the offal. “Give me whatever you think is fair.”
He had planned to take it home to feed the dogs anyway.
Shen Yunzhi handed over ten copper coins.
The vendor grinned from ear to ear.
Feeling generous, he added the last bit of minced trimmings. “Take this too.”
The Su family hadn’t eaten meat in a long time. Shen Yunzhi herself was craving it, so she didn’t hold back.
Liu Lihua covered her nose. “Why did you buy this trash? It smells awful.”
“I’ll turn waste into treasure,” Shen Yunzhi said mysteriously.
When they returned home, the rest of the Su family had already washed the false groundcherry.
The first thing Liu Lihua did after getting off the cart was report the day’s events to Old Madam Su.
“Sister-in-law even gave me ten wen as wages.”
She was incredibly proud. After so many years, she had tasted the joy of earning money for the first time.
“I just don’t know how long she’ll stay like this,” Liu Lihua admitted. She still feared Shen Yunzhi would revert to her old ways.
“No matter how long it lasts, she’s still your sister-in-law,” Old Madam Su said quietly. “And listen — the ice jelly recipe stays within this family. If anyone leaks it, they’ll be expelled from the Su household.”
That morning, Old Master Su had heard villagers gossiping about Shen Yunzhi’s business.
If it failed, fine. But if it succeeded, envy would follow.
“Don’t worry. This is Sister-in-law’s livelihood. We understand.”
Following Song Yinuo’s instructions, Shen Yunzhi thoroughly cleaned the pork offal, mixed the spices, and began stewing it.
Liu Lihua, preparing dinner, stared at the pot. “Can that really be eaten?”
“Yes. And go make a few flatbreads.”
Cooking wasn’t Shen Yunzhi’s strength.
Liu Lihua, however, was known for her skill. Villagers even hired her for weddings.
“Use white flour.”
Liu Lihua’s heart skipped. White flour was a luxury — usually reserved for holidays.
But remembering today’s earnings, she gritted her teeth and started kneading.
Before the bread even left the pan, the aroma drifted over the walls.
“Husband, do you smell that?” It was the third daughter-in-law.
She had never liked Shen Yunzhi, resenting how she took from the Su family to support her natal home. Eventually, they had been split off into their own household.
Except during holidays, they never stepped into the old residence.
Having just returned — after hiding at her natal home to avoid lending money — she sniffed suspiciously.
“It smells like flatbread,” Su Laosan muttered.
“Must be Shen Yunzhi stirring up trouble again. Just watch — once she drains what little the Su family has left, she’ll leave.” She sneered. “Remember, when we split the household, we agreed we wouldn’t handle the old couple’s affairs. If they can’t afford food, you’re not to help.”
“My parents favored Elder Brother all their lives. They never treated me fairly,” Su Laosan grumbled.
“Wait… there’s meat too.” She sniffed again. “Go check. If they’re stewing meat, bring back a bowl.”
Though they lived decently, they were too frugal to buy meat.
Su Laosan went to investigate.
Meanwhile, Shen Yunzhi lifted the lid. The meat was tender and fragrant. She chopped the green peppers Song Yinuo had sent her, mixed them into the meat, and stuffed it into the freshly baked flatbread.
She took a bite.
It was even better than she expected — better than any meat dish they’d ever made before.
Liu Lihua wiped sweat from her forehead. Sister-in-law was something else. Even that could be turned into this.
Shen Yunzhi handed her one. “Try it.”
Liu Lihua forced a smile that looked more painful than tears. “I’ll pass.”
If she ate even one bite of that stuff, she’d probably have nightmares for days.