Hearing Wen Ranran’s voice, Shen Shi hastily wiped her hands and cheerfully stepped forward to help her daughter push the cart. As she pushed, she glanced inside—the two large basins that had been filled to the brim in the morning were now completely empty, without even a trace of scallions left. The stack of pancakes was gone too, not a single one remaining.
Her eyes instantly lit up with joy: “Not a scrap left!”
“That’s right!” Wen Ranran took Shen Shi’s hand, her eyes sparkling. “They sold out in no time! Many who lined up couldn’t even get any and said they’d come back tomorrow!”
Overjoyed, Shen Shi pulled her daughter into a warm embrace, her face beaming with pride. “Our Ranran is so capable!”
Liang Shi and Sun Shi had been watching from the side with sidelong glances, grinding their teeth in envy.
The whole family had been enduring hardship and poverty together, yet the third branch had turned around and started a business! And by the looks of it, they’d made quite a profit—how utterly unfair.
Liang Shi silently observed Wen Ranran, her eyes repeatedly darting toward the cart. Two large basins of food completely sold out, and they’d brought back so many goods—they must have earned a tidy sum.
She lowered her gaze to hide the shrewd glint in her eyes, already scheming to approach Shen Shi later when no one was around to borrow some silver for a new pair of shoes for Rong Ge’er. How could the eldest grandson of the Wen family have only one pair of shoes? It would be a laughingstock if word got out.
The second branch had always been kind and easy to talk to—even if the money wasn’t repaid, it wouldn’t matter. In that case, the silver would be as good as free!
Sun Shi, her heart sour with jealousy, stepped forward with a forced smile. “Oh! It’s all sold out? Your aunt and I were just worried earlier. How much did you earn? Share the good news so we can be happy for you too.”
Wen Ranran, busy tidying up, didn’t even look up. “It’s my first time in business, so I’m not very skilled. I didn’t earn much.”
“How much is ‘not much’?” Wen Ruru pressed, stepping closer.
“Just not much!”
Hearing this, Sun Shi rolled her eyes inwardly and cursed: Acting all high and mighty after making a few coins!
But she kept the thought to herself, maintaining a pleasant smile, though a hint of bitterness tinged her tone. “What’s there to be afraid of? Your aunt and I aren’t going to borrow from you.”
“Aunt, you flatter me. You and my elder aunt are elders—how could you possibly borrow money from a junior like me? That would be so undignified, don’t you think?” Wen Ranran looked up, her dark, bright eyes as innocent and guileless as a fawn’s, making her sarcastic remarks sound utterly sincere.
Sun Shi’s smile stiffened slightly. She hadn’t expected Wen Ranran to respond like this and was momentarily caught off guard.
Liang Shi, her ulterior motives abruptly exposed, felt somewhat embarrassed and defensively retorted, “Exactly! Who would borrow from a mere girl?”
She lifted her chin haughtily. “Running a little stall—how much could you possibly earn?”
Sun Shi was about to say more when she suddenly spotted Wen Yiliang emerging cheerfully from the house. Having been sternly reprimanded by him yesterday, she didn’t dare say another word in his presence and quickly pulled Wen Ruru inside.
Wen Yiliang finally saw his daughter and hurried back inside to fetch her a cup of water. “Ranran, rest now!”
Wen Ranran, who hadn’t had a drop of water all morning, took the cup and gulped it down in one go. Handing the coarse ceramic cup back to Wen Yiliang, she smiled and said, “Father, I’d like more.”
“Of course!” Wen Yiliang’s heart ached with concern. “I’ll get it right away!”
Wen Ranran drank three cups in quick succession, then energetically focused on organizing the purchases before fetching a basin to wash them.
Shen Shi immediately took it from her: “You’ve been up since before dawn and busy all morning. Don’t bother with these—let me help. I’ll make sure they’re spotless!”
Unable to refuse, Wen Ranran beamed and cooed, “You’re the best, Mother!”
Shen Shi was thoroughly pleased, pursing her lips to suppress a laugh as she gently tapped her daughter’s nose affectionately. “Such a big girl already!”
Wen Yiliang pretended to be jealous, grumbling sourly, “And what about Father? Am I not good?”
“Father is wonderful too!” Wen Ranran grasped Wen Yiliang with one hand and Shen Shi with the other, her eyes sparkling with joy. “You’re both the best!”
Wen Yiliang found his daughter increasingly adorable. After a moment of laughter, he suddenly turned serious. “Tomorrow, I’ll escort you. That cart is so heavy—how could a young lady manage all that effort?”
“It’s not heavy!” Wen Ranran chuckled, her dark eyes clear and bright. “Father, you’ve been copying books day and night lately. These next few days, you should rest properly.”
“Listen to your father,” Shen Shi added with a smile. “Otherwise, he won’t stop worrying.”
Wen Ranran didn’t argue further and turned to wash the long beans, chili peppers, and bamboo shoots she’d bought that day, preparing to make pickles.
Amid the lively chatter of the family of three, Wen Ranran suddenly noticed a figure sneaking out from the main room, pretending to be busy but casting occasional, furtive glances her way.
His antics were so comical that Wen Ranran lowered her head, biting her lip to stifle a laugh, and pretended not to see him, waiting for him to eventually approach her.
Wen Junliang stretched exaggeratedly, glancing now at the grass on the ground, now at the clouds in the sky, but his wandering gaze inevitably settled on the vibrant green long beans in Wen Ranran’s hands, brimming with curiosity: What delicacy is Third Niece concocting now!
Earlier, Second Brother had shared half a jianbing with him—it was so fragrant it made him call out for his mother! Strangely enough, though he was born into wealth and had dined at many fine restaurants, having seen his share of the world, for some reason, the food Third Niece made was just more aromatic!
Wen Junliang watched for a long while, salivating at the memory of the morning’s jianbing, until he could no longer resist and shuffled over.
“Third Brother is here!” Wen Yiliang greeted while helping his daughter wipe down the cart.
“Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law.” After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wen Junliang headed straight for Wen Ranran. “Third Niece, what are you up to?”
Wen Ranran spread the long beans in a winnowing basket, shaking them loose, and smiled as she replied, “I’m making pickles.”
“Pickles?” Wen Junliang had never heard of them and looked utterly intrigued.
“It’s basically a type of preserved vegetable,” Wen Ranran explained. “After these are air-dried, they’ll go into a pickle jar with water and salt, sealed and stored away from light. In ten days to half a month, they’ll be ready to eat. Sour, crunchy, and appetizing—they’re delicious!”
As she spoke, she glanced at Wen Junliang and continued, “Stir-fried sour long beans with pork is also incredibly tasty. The beans are crisp and juicy, and the pork soaks up the tangy flavor. Add some chili peppers, and it becomes a delightful sour-spicy dish!”
“And with pickled peppers, you can make so many dishes! Like Pao Jiao Feng Zhua, Pao Jiao Ji Za, Pao Jiao Zhu Xue, Pao Jiao Zhu Gan… Oh, and you can even make Pao Jiao Jiang to mix with rice or noodles—so fragrant and spicy!”
Gulp~
Wen Junliang stared in wide-eyed fascination, while Wen Yiliang and Shen Shi, who had been busy with their tasks, drifted over unnoticed. All three wore expressions of longing, their swallowing sounds unusually loud.
Wen Ranran was no exception, smacking her lips as she described the delicacies.
She lowered her head with a long sigh, her hands moving swiftly.
So tempting! Better hurry up and cook!
With practiced efficiency, Wen Ranran split the bamboo shoots to dry them properly. With most ingredients prepped, she carried the winnowing basket filled with vegetables to the wooden rack in the courtyard.
Noticing Wen Junliang’s thoughtful expression, she approached him with a smile. “Third Uncle, would you help me plant vegetables? If you do, you’ll get a share of all the dishes I mentioned once the pickles are ready.”
Wen Junliang snapped out of his reverie, recalling his bold declarations from yesterday. He stiffened his neck, about to refuse, when the smiling girl before him asked with curled lips, “Third Uncle, have you ever tried grilled chicken frames?”
“Chicken frames?” Wen Junliang shook his head with a light snort. “What’s there to eat on bone scraps?”
“Don’t underestimate these bones!” Wen Ranran’s voice was crisp and sweet as she vividly described, “Grilled chicken frames become crispy outside yet tender inside. Every shred of meat soaks up the marinade thoroughly – fragrant and juicy with every bite, even the marrow in the bones tastes incredible!”
She observed Wen Junliang’s reaction as she spoke, noting his captivated expression and unconsciously parted lips.
“So… will you help me plant vegetables, Third Uncle?” Wen Ranran asked again. “I’ll grill chicken frames for you – savory and spicy ones!”
“Gulong—”
Wen Junliang swallowed hard, his resistance visibly weakening.
“I’ve already bought the chicken frames! We can grill them soon!”
Wen Junliang’s last mental defense crumbled completely. Gritting his teeth, he nodded: “I’ll plant! It’s just planting vegetables! What’s so difficult about that?”
“But…” he paused, then added, “you must keep your word, Third Niece. If I help you plant vegetables, you have to include me in all future delicious treats!”
“Deal!” Wen Ranran promised, patting her chest. “I’ll start cooking for you right now.”
She moved quickly, immediately retrieving the chicken frames she had bought from Li’s Butcher Shop on her way home and washing them in a basin.
That shop supplied restaurants and taverns daily, and these chicken frames were leftovers from deboning. Coincidentally, she had passed by and inquired about the price. The shopkeeper’s wife, a warm and straightforward woman, gave them to her for free when she showed interest.
Thinking of this, Wen Ranran couldn’t suppress her smiling lips: Who among my family understands the joy of getting things for free!
After cleaning the chicken frames, she used the back of her knife to tap along the spine several times. The previously folded frames spread open, ready for grilling. Then she soaked them in scallion-ginger water to remove the gaminess. Meanwhile, Wen Ranran quickly caramelized sugar and poured it into a bowl, adding soy sauce and stirring before dropping in several star anise.
Next, she prepared the seasoning liquid. Starting with a bowl of water, she added garlic slices, scallion segments, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns, finally pouring in white vinegar. A quick stir with chopsticks released an immediate aroma of sourness and numbing spice.
With preparations nearly complete, Wen Ranran looked up at Wen Junliang, who had been circling around her. “They need to marinate for a while to absorb the flavors. Shall we go plant vegetables first?”
Wen Junliang nodded, wearing the solemn expression of someone marching to their doom.
Standing by the vegetable patch, Wen Ranran directed him: “Third Uncle, see those weeds in the field? Pull them all out.”
Wen Junliang thought it sounded simple after hearing it: “I thought farming was much harder! Is that all?”
As he spoke, he strode over to pull weeds.
Wen Ranran stood nearby, smiling without a word.
The afternoon sun was quite scorching. Wen Junliang complained while pulling weeds, saying he wouldn’t do it anymore, but surprisingly didn’t give up. Instead, he vented his frustration by stomping hard on the weeds.
Wen Ranran’s opinion of him improved somewhat: although he was a spoiled brat, he did understand perseverance.
When she estimated the time was about right, she turned and skillfully built a fire in the center of the yard. Just as she was about to fetch the chicken frames to roast, she suddenly noticed Wen Junliang cursing while pulling up chives.
Wen Ranran’s pupils shook with alarm, her voice urgent and changed: “Third Uncle! What are you doing?”
“Huh?” Wen Junliang stood up upon hearing this, wiping the sweat from his face with his hand and smearing dirt all over. He said dazedly, “Pulling weeds!”
“Those aren’t weeds!” Wen Ranran hurried over, snatched the chives he had uprooted, and felt heartache. “These are chives!”
“Chives?” Wen Junliang was stunned for a moment before suddenly remembering something. “Is this what you used to make those Vegetable Corn Cakes?”
Wen Ranran nodded and crouched down to examine them. Fortunately, she had discovered it in time, so the loss wasn’t great. As for those already pulled, roasting them later wouldn’t be a waste.
Wen Junliang stood dazed for a long time. When he finally processed it, he clutched his chest in regret: “Such delicious things were pulled up by me! I really deserve to die!!!”
Wen Ranran found it amusing to see him so regretful. She turned to get a hoe and taught him how to till the soil.
Wen Junliang watched intently: “So I just need to loosen this patch of soil, right?”
“Right!” Wen Ranran praised with a smile. “Third Uncle is so smart!”
Wen Junliang was so flattered by the praise that he lost his bearings and worked even harder.
Wen Ranran covered her mouth with a light laugh. She had seen many such spoiled heirs in modern times. As long as they weren’t rotten to the core, most were like stubborn donkeys that needed coaxing.
Wen Yiliang and Shen Shi, watching from the side, clicked their tongues in amazement. Wen Junliang was the youngest in the family, doted on by the old lady like he was the apple of her eye, spoiled to the point of lawlessness. For such a spoiled heir to now obey Ranran so readily was truly like the sun rising from the west!
After observing for a while and seeing that Wen Junliang was still relatively serious, Wen Ranran set her mind at ease and focused on roasting the chicken frames.
She took the chicken frames, skewered them on branches, brushed them with a layer of soy sauce mixture, and placed them over the fire. The chicken frames took on an exceptionally tempting reddish shine. The outer layer of fat sizzled as it was roasted, the dripping oil causing the fire to crackle and pop.
Wen Ranran brushed on layers of soy sauce and seasoning water, the rich, roasted aroma filling the yard.
Wen Junliang was intoxicated by the fragrance, glancing toward Wen Ranran while tilling the soil: How could a few bony frames smell so good!
When they were almost done, Wen Ranran sprinkled a layer of white sugar. Because sugar was expensive, her heart ached with each sprinkle.
Modern times were better—salt, sugar, pepper, and cumin were all cheap, affordable for every household.
Gritting her teeth, she finished sprinkling the sugar and then drizzled a layer of white vinegar. Under the flame’s heat, a strong sweet and sour aroma burst forth, mingling with the meaty scent of rendered fat and rushing into the nostrils, making saliva flow.
Finally, Wen Ranran sprinkled some sesame seeds and chili. Cumin was too expensive to use, but these two ingredients were enough.
She first distributed the chicken frames to Wen Yiliang and Shen Shi, then called out to Wen Junliang: “Third Uncle! Come over and have some chicken frames!”
Wen Junliang had long been unable to wait. After a hasty hand wash, he rushed over, grabbed a steaming chicken frame, and took a bite. The flavor stunned him—it was incredibly fragrant!
The surface of the chicken frame was roasted to a crispy, aromatic perfection, infused with flavor through and through. Even the crevices of the bones carried a sweet, sour, and spicy aroma, accompanied by a faint, elusive smokiness from the firewood, creating a rich and layered fragrance. Occasionally, biting into a piece of crisply roasted chicken skin, the scalding, savory juices sent his senses soaring.
Then there were the grilled leeks, bursting with salty flavor, crunching with each bite and filled with the distinct aroma of leeks.
Wen Ranran savored the chicken bones with relish, sucking every bit of meat and juice clean.
Wen Yiliang and Shen Shi followed her example, and the whole family ate with immense enjoyment.
The courtyard was filled with the enticing aroma of the chicken frames, and those inside the house, unable to resist the smell, came out one by one to take a look.
Wen Ranran, holding the last two remaining chicken frames, felt as if she were in a den of wolves, surrounded by pairs of gleaming, eager eyes.
Liang Shi and Sun Shi, having just quarreled with Wen Ranran, remained silent but couldn’t stop swallowing their saliva at the sight of the glossy chicken frames. Though they were drooling uncontrollably, their mouths remained stubborn: “We thought it was something special, but it’s just a pile of bones.”
“Exactly!”
The two echoed each other, turned around, and went back inside.
Wen Ranran raised an eyebrow, pretending not to notice their longing glances as they took three steps forward and looked back twice.
She turned to Old Mrs. Wen, who was uncontrollably smacking her lips, and proactively offered her one: “Grandmother, try it!”
Old Mrs. Wen looked at the young girl before her, smiling as sweetly as a lucky doll, and felt a warmth in her heart—but only for a moment. Seeing that Wen Ranran had already eaten from it, she handed the chicken frame to Wen Rong beside her: “You have it.”
She added, her gaze sweeping over Wen Ranran as if unintentionally, as if explaining: “Grandmother’s teeth aren’t good enough to chew this.”
Wen Ranran thought it was indeed unreasonable to expect an elderly woman to gnaw on a chicken frame. After a moment’s thought, she smiled and said, “It’s alright, Grandmother. I’ll make something softer for you tomorrow.”
Old Mrs. Wen was taken aback by her words. Meeting her young granddaughter’s bright, clear eyes, she suddenly felt a pang of guilt and unease.
There was one left…
Wen Ranran looked up at Wen Zhengliang. He had spoken up for her last time, so this one ought to go to him. Just as she called out “Uncle,” the chicken frame vanished from her hand.
“Third Brother!” Wen Zhengliang glared furiously at Wen Junliang, who was devouring it like a starved wolf, his hands trembling with anger: the chicken frame he had almost secured was gone!
Wen Junliang gnawed on the chicken frame, the sweet, sour, and savory flavors dancing on his tongue, moving him to the point of tears. He couldn’t care less about anyone else.
All he knew was that he had worked hard all afternoon and was now starving. This chicken frame was the most delicious thing he had ever eaten in his life, and no one was going to take it from him!
Old Mrs. Wen glanced at her eldest son’s darkened face and chided, “Third Son, he is still your elder brother. Share some with him.”
Wen Junliang, sucking on the bones, mumbled indistinctly, “Even if he were my father, I wouldn’t share!”
Furious, Wen Zhengliang stormed off with a flick of his sleeve. Old Mrs. Wen was so enraged she nearly stumbled backward, hitting him twice in frustration: “What nonsense are you spouting!”
Wen Junliang didn’t dodge, instead laughing and coaxing her while continuing to eat the chicken frame without interruption: “I earned this by helping Third Daughter with her work! It’s mine alone! If he wants some, he should go help Third Daughter too!”
Even Wen Ranran couldn’t help but agree: That actually makes sense…
Before they knew it, evening had arrived. Wen Ranran watched as Wen Junliang scattered vegetable seeds, covered them with soil, and finally topped them with a layer of plant ash.
Throughout the afternoon, whenever Wen Junliang thought about being able to eat plentiful food in the future, he felt an inexhaustible surge of energy.
Supporting his waist, he gazed at the neat vegetable patch with immense satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment, his backache completely forgotten. “Is that all?” he asked.
“Far from it!” Wen Ranran replied with a smile, a hint of mischief flickering in her eyes. “In the future, fertilizing, watering, pruning, and setting up trellises for the beans… all of these will be your tasks!”
Wen Junliang’s previously raised eyebrows instantly drooped. It seemed he had gotten the short end of the stick…
Wen Yiliang and Shen Shi covered their mouths to stifle their laughter as the family of three chatted and joked their way back into the house.
Once inside, Wen Ranran eagerly pulled her parents to sit down, lowering her voice mysteriously. “Guess how much I earned today?”
“Forty or fifty coppers?” Shen Shi guessed conservatively.
Wen Yiliang studied his daughter’s expression and waved his hand with a smile. “No, no, it must be seventy or eighty coppers!”
Wen Ranran shook her head with feigned profundity. “Both wrong!”
Shen Shi tapped her forehead affectionately. “Stop keeping us in suspense! How much was it?”
Wen Ranran placed the heavy coin pouch in Shen Shi’s hand, beaming with pride and joy. “I made a net profit of one hundred and twenty coppers today!”
“Really?”
Shen Shi and Wen Yiliang were overjoyed. They never expected Ranran to earn so much on her first day of setting up a stall, their faces glowing with delight.
However… Wen Ranran recalled something, and the joy in her expression gradually faded.
A mobile stall had no fixed location and no shelter. If it rained, she wouldn’t be able to set up shop. There were too many uncertainties, far less stable than a fixed stall.
But… she couldn’t guarantee that business would always be as good as it was today. Based on her current situation, even with a conservative estimate, it would take one or two months of saving every penny to afford her own fixed stall…
At this thought, Wen Ranran frowned. Relying solely on the morning stall wouldn’t do—she needed to set up a night market stall too!
“Ranran, what’s wrong?” Shen Shi noticed the change in her daughter’s expression and asked with concern. “Did something unpleasant happen?”
Wen Ranran snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head in denial. After a moment of contemplation, she said seriously, “Mother, Father, I want to set up a stall at the night market.”