The snowy-white tofu brain adorned with a splash of red looked utterly appetizing. The customer named Wu took the bowl from Shen Zhihe and eagerly scooped a large spoonful into his mouth. The spicy, fragrant flavor instantly exploded on his tongue, and soon fine beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
Without a word, he buried his head and rapidly shoveled the tofu brain into his mouth. In no time, the bowl was empty. Reluctantly setting down the bowl, he wiped his gleaming red lips and leaned closer to Shen Zhihe. “Young lady, what is this? At first it’s intensely stimulating, but as the tofu brain slides down, a warm sensation quickly rises, driving away the chill from my entire body. The taste is remarkably better than usual.”
Hearing this, Shen Zhihe flashed a sly smile and held up a delicate small jar. “This is called chili oil. It aids digestion and dispels cold. I noticed many of you seem to have frostbite on your hands—this can also help reduce it.”
Her words caused an immediate stir among the crowd. Winters at the Northern Border were extremely harsh, and unlike in later times, not every household had access to hot water. Consequently, most people suffered from some degree of frostbite on their hands. Normally it wasn’t bothersome, but once the wounds scabbed over, approaching a fire would cause unbearable itching. People often scratched until their skin broke, leaving them bleeding and miserable.
Suddenly, a sallow-faced woman with sunken cheeks emerged from the crowd, eyeing the small jar in Shen Zhihe’s hand with disdain. She sneered coldly, “Don’t be fooled, everyone. This young girl looks no more than fourteen or fifteen—what would she know about medicine? This is just a gimmick to sell her tofu brain.”
The woman expected her words to rally the crowd, but instead, everyone remained curiously focused on the chili oil, with several regular customers even looking eager to try it. Furious, the woman thought to herself: She’s just relying on her youthful beauty. If she were ugly, would these gentlemen still patronize her stall?
Seeing that she had failed to sow doubt, the woman refused to give up. Her shrewd eyes darting, she quickly positioned herself in front of Shen Zhihe’s stall, one hand on her hip while pointing at the surrounding crowd with the other. “Could it be that you’re all taken with this young lady? Rain or shine, you come to her stall every single day. Otherwise, why would you believe such nonsense she made up?”
Initially, Shen Zhihe had no intention of engaging with this person. Although her earlier statement about chili oil wouldn’t be inaccurate for modern chili peppers, she didn’t yet know if the current variety differed from later ones. Thus, her words were indeed meant to attract customers. But now this woman was starting trouble.
Shen Zhihe restrained Shen Zhian, who was about to rush forward, placed her ladle back into the wooden bucket, raised her willow-leaf eyebrows, widened her almond eyes, and rolled up her sleeves ready to argue. But before she could speak, Granny Wang’s acerbic voice drawled from beside her, “Granny Qian, isn’t it just because the Shen family girl’s business is thriving while your congee shop has been slow lately? Are you so jealous that you’ve come here to spread rumors?”
Hearing this, the crowd erupted in knowing laughter. “No wonder! A few days ago, I saw Granny Qian standing in front of her congee stall, glaring fiercely at the Shen Family young lady’s stand. So this is what it was about.”
“Exactly. Although the young lady introduced chili oil today, she didn’t raise her prices. How could this be the gimmick Granny Qian claimed it was to sell tofu brain?”
“Perhaps that mother and son who came to cause trouble the other day were also hired by Granny Qian.”
“That can’t be. Granny Qian is notoriously stingy—getting her to spend money is like asking for her life.”
“True. The congee she sells is practically just rice water—you can search the bottom of the pot and not find a single grain of rice. Who can she blame if her business is poor?”
…
Mocking remarks surged from all directions like a tidal wave. Granny Qian’s wrinkled face flushed bright red. She glared viciously at Granny Wang and spat through gritted teeth, “Do you think just because you’ve latched onto this young lady now, you’ve got yourself a golden-egg-laying chicken? What a joke! She’s just a lowly peasant girl dreaming of rising above her station!”
After speaking, Granny Qian swept a cold glare over Shen Zhihe before turning and disappearing into the crowd.
Shen Zhihe was utterly perplexed, trying to recall how she might have offended the old woman. But seeing her slink away, the surrounding customers immediately swarmed forward. Shen Zhihe promptly put the matter aside, as everyone wanted to try the chili oil due to what the customer named Wu and Shen Zhihe had said earlier.
Perhaps because the chili oil stimulated appetites, the entire bucket of tofu brain sold out in just half an hour. Wang Niangzi, who had accompanied her, grinned from ear to ear, looking at Shen Zhihe as if she were a wealth-bringing doll.
“Young lady, you’re so capable. I expect you’ll be able to rent a shop in this town within a few days,” Wang Niangzi said flatteringly as she deftly helped Shen Zhihe clean the bowls and spoons. “But young lady, there’s something I’m wondering if I should mention?”
Shen Zhihe, who was keeping accounts, looked up at Wang Niangzi’s busy back and said, “Go ahead.”
Wang Niangzi placed the bowls and spoons into a wooden bucket, casually picked up a rag to wipe her hands, then turned and leaned against the cart. “Young lady, your business is so good now. Why haven’t you raised prices? A full bowl of tofu brain costs only three coins, while Granny Qian’s nearly grainless congee sells for five coins per bowl.”
Hearing this, Shen Zhihe paused in her accounting. She looked up at Wang Niangzi, her eyes unreadable. Suddenly, she let out a light laugh, put down her brush, and leaned back casually against her chair. “Then, Wang Niangzi, how much do you think a bowl of tofu brain should sell for?”
At these words, Wang Niangzi beamed with joy, thinking to herself that she must have misjudged yesterday. What schemes could a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl have? Now she still has to listen to me.
“Young lady, ours is the only stall in the whole town selling tofu. As the ancients said, rarity increases value. Naturally, we should raise the price—it should sell for at least ten coins per bowl.”
Wang Niangzi clapped her hands. If each bowl sold for ten coins, selling fifty bowls a day would bring in five hundred coins. With a fifty-fifty split, she would get two hundred and fifty coins. In less than half a month, she could save up for her second son’s Shu Xiu. Lost in her beautiful fantasy, she completely failed to notice the fading smile on Shen Zhihe’s face.
Suddenly, a cool voice came from the side, shattering Wang Niangzi’s daydream.
“Madam, surely you know that integrity is the foundation of a merchant’s livelihood. I’ve only been selling tofu brain here for five days and you suggest raising prices – what kind of practice is that? It’s a breach of trust that absolutely cannot be done. If you still wish to continue this business, let’s not mention price increases again.”
Wang Niangzi, whose pride had been wounded, gave an embarrassed smile while inwardly dismissing the notion. As the saying goes, no merchant is without cunning – what’s wrong with abandoning integrity if it means earning more silver? However, since she still needed to rely on Shen Zhihe for now, she didn’t dare show her true feelings.
“Young miss is absolutely right. I spoke out of turn today and hope you won’t take offense.” Seeing no room for negotiation, Wang Niangzi quickly stepped forward to Shen Zhihe’s side and offered an apologetic smile.
Meanwhile, Shen Zhihe set down her account book, stood up and stretched, then reached out to pat Shen Zhian’s head. Glancing at the woman beside her who appeared sincerely remorseful, she remembered she needed to take Zhi An to buy two sets of clothes today and purchase some ingredients as well.
She looked up at the gloomy sky, wondering what time it was, suddenly missing the mobile phones from her previous life. Judging by the sky, it seemed likely to snow. Having no desire to prolong the conversation with Wang Niangzi, she just wanted to finish her errands and return home early.
Shen Zhihe waved her hand at Wang Niangzi and handed her the account book. “Can you read, madam?”
“Young miss wants me to keep accounts? While I can’t boast about other things, I’m first-rate at bookkeeping.” Wang Niangzi took the account book with a smile.
Hearing this, Shen Zhihe took Shen Zhian’s small hand and slowly walked away from the stall, a slight smile curling her lips. “That’s perfect then. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be in charge of the accounts. Just give me the books when you’re done. I have some important matters to attend to at the Ji Shi. If Big Brother Wang comes later, you can go back with him first. Just leave the cart at the entrance.”
Wang Niangzi, left behind, watched the siblings’ retreating figures disappear, gritting her teeth in secret resentment. This young woman had humiliated her twice since yesterday. Once she married into the Wang family, she would repay this with interest. She would discuss this with her husband when she returned home today.
“Elder sister, Zhi An doesn’t like how that Wang Niangzi looks at you.” Shen Zhian, who had walked some distance away, suddenly turned back to look at their stall.
Children’s hearts are pure and particularly sensitive to others’ gazes.
Hearing this, Shen Zhihe led Shen Zhian to the side, crouched down, and held his shoulders, her eyes full of seriousness. “Zhi An, do you know why elder sister is working with Wang Niangzi?”
“Because elder sister wants to redeem our father’s shop, but just selling tofu brain would take forever. You’re already five years old – the age when you should begin your studies – but elder sister doesn’t have the money. So elder sister wants to create some new foods to sell, and leave the time-consuming tofu brain making to Wang Niangzi.”
Seeing Shen Zhian’s confused expression, Shen Zhihe couldn’t help but chuckle softly, thinking she must be crazy expecting a five-year-old to understand. Just as she prepared to stand up, Shen Zhian’s warm little hand covered hers. “Elder sister, Zhi An will grow up quickly and share your burdens.”
The soft, sweet voice struck deep in Shen Zhihe’s heart, filling her with bittersweet emotion. Gently stroking Shen Zhian’s head, she smiled and said, “Good. Elder sister will wait for you to grow up.”
As they spoke, the siblings arrived at the tailor shop entrance. The shop assistant leaning by the doorway glanced at them with lowered eyes but remained motionless, thinking they would leave if ignored. Unexpectedly, the two walked straight into the shop, making the assistant roll his eyes skyward while inwardly cursing about where these little beggars came from.
“What would you like to see?” Seeing Shen Zhihe about to step inside, the assistant hurried forward with a perfunctory smile.
“We need two sets of ready-made clothes each for him and me.” Shen Zhihe’s gaze swept through the shop, noting shelves filled with various garments. Though she knew ready-made clothes were more expensive than buying fabric to sew themselves, her clever hands were utterly useless with needlework, forcing her to come here.
“With this bitter cold weather, perhaps you’d like to look at these Wadded Jackets?” The assistant’s spirits lifted as he pointed to a plain velvet embroidered jacket. “Your delicate features would be perfectly complemented by this simple cotton robe.”
Following his gesture, Shen Zhihe saw the plain-colored jacket adorned with floral embroidery that looked quite appealing. She quickly approached and felt the thick, substantial fabric before having the assistant wrap it up. Following the assistant around for about fifteen minutes, the siblings finally completed their clothing purchases.
Though initially planning to buy only two jackets, they each ended up adding a heavy cloak to their purchases.
Shen Zhian looked at his new cloak wrapped around him, then glanced at his elder sister before sighing with feigned maturity and shaking his head: “Elder sister got cheated!”
Hearing this, Shen Zhihe couldn’t help laughing as she pinched the plump cheeks she’d nourished on her brother’s face. Taking his hand, she led him toward the butcher’s shop.