As the days went smoothly, the little Su family courtyard seemed to come alive with new energy.
The persistent musty, bitter smell under the eaves seemed to be washed away by the steam rising daily from the bamboo steamers. In its place came the fragrance of wheat and meat, and the happy laughter of a family at ease.
The Su family stall on Shuigui Street had changed even more.
Su Qingyan no longer stayed there every day, leaving the “front line” in the capable hands of her younger sisters, Su Mingyue and Su Mingyao.
Before opening, Su Qingyan crouched down to adjust her sisters’ collars.
“Mingyue, Mingyao, remember—what we’re selling isn’t just buns and steamed bread,” she said, pointing to her own mouth and giving a big, cheerful smile. “We’re also selling this.”
Mingyue looked puzzled but nodded slowly: “Selling smiles?”
“Yes!” Su Qingyan pinched her little sister’s cheek. “When you see a lady carrying her basket, greet her with ‘Good day, ma’am!’ When you see a grandmother with her grandson, say ‘Take care, grandma!’ Be sweeter with your words, show more smiles—the buns will taste even better that way.”
Mingyue nodded vigorously, engraving her sister’s words in her heart.
Three-year-old Mingyao, meanwhile, was a natural advertisement. Wang Shi made her a bright red little jacket with the silk sent by Housekeeper Fu, making her look like a delicate porcelain doll. She sat on a small stool, holding a bun bigger than her face, her mouth moving busily as she ate, eyes squinting in pure delight.
This lively, colorful scene proved far more effective than any shouting or call to customers.
“Oh my, look at this little girl from the Su family! She’s eating so happily!” A passing woman stopped, laughing.
Mingyue immediately chirped: “Hello, aunty! My little sister says today’s buns are even better than yesterday’s. Would you like to try a couple?”
The woman, fond of such lively displays, melted at the child’s words and waved her hand: “Alright! Four meat buns and two vegetable ones! Let me share some of your little sister’s luck!”
Nearby, a usually stern regular customer, who bought only two buns every day without fail, approached. Mingyue handed him a warm bun and said sweetly:“Uncle, you came just in time—the buns are fresh from the steamer! Be careful, they’re hot!”
The man was startled. The warmth in his fingers seemed to reach his heart, softening his previously stern expression. He even pulled an extra coin from his purse: “Add a vegetable bun as well.”
In this way, Mingyue’s sweet words and Mingyao’s adorable presence became another “golden signboard” for Su Ji.
Many neighbors, even if they didn’t need food, would stop by to see Mingyao and buy a few buns, listening to Mingyue’s auspicious greetings.
Gradually, Su Ji’s stall became more than just a place to buy food—it turned into a hub of local gossip.
“Did you hear? The Zhang butcher’s family in the west of the city just had a grandson!”“Hey, Mrs. Li, has your husband secured his grain transport job this year?”
Lin Grandma’s drink cart was set up nearby. She watched the lively scene with a wide smile.
One noon, a man bought some buns and began eating so quickly that he started coughing, his face red.
Mingyue, quick-eyed, pointed to Lin Grandma’s cart: “Sir, hurry! Go get a bowl of her sour plum drink—it’s refreshing and helps with digestion! Perfect with our meat buns!”
The man felt relieved, rushing off to get a bowl.
Su Qingyan, watching nearby, felt a spark of inspiration. She whispered a few words to Lin Grandma.
The next day, Shuigui Street’s customers noticed something new.
Su Ji and Lin Grandma’s stalls had merged. A small wooden sign, written in neat clerical script, announced:“Su Ji Special Offer: Two meat buns with a bowl of Lin Grandma’s secret sour plum drink, only 8 wen!”
Buying separately would be more expensive; this set saved two wen!
“Oh wow, that’s a good deal!”“Perfect for when I’m thirsty—give me a set!”
The “Lin-Su Combo” instantly became the sensation of Shuigui Street. The savory buns paired with the sweet-sour plum drink—a perfect match. Customers ate happily, spending money with satisfaction.
The line stretched from the street corner to the alley.
Across the street, Liu Ji’s bakery was deserted.
Since Liu Sanniang was released, business had plummeted.
She watched Su Ji’s bustling scene, heard the praise for the Lin-Su Combo, her face turning green with rage, veins bulging on her hand as she gripped the rolling pin, but could do nothing but watch helplessly.
She dared not make any more schemes—Su Ji now had a connection to the Xie family; who could she, a mere bakery owner, provoke?
…
As evening fell, the sunset bathed the small courtyard.
It was time for the Su family’s happiest “review meeting.”
The family gathered around a small table. There was no money on it—only an open ledger and a bright oil lamp.
Scholar Su cleared his throat, adjusted the reading glasses perched on his nose, and looked revitalized, as if back in the classroom, instructing the world.
“Today, we sold 320 buns and 210 steamed breads. Of these, 68 were the special combo with Lin Grandma’s drink, which brought extra customers.” His fingers moved deftly on the abacus, producing crisp sounds.
“After deducting all costs, today’s net profit from the stall is 710 wen—30 more than yesterday! The share with Lin Grandma has also been settled.” He looked up, pride barely concealed in his tone.“Additionally, the egg cakes brought in 300 wen, remaining stable.”
Over one day, the net profit exceeded a string of cash!
Wang Shi covered her mouth, her eyes nearly overflowing with joy.
Su Mingxuan reported excitedly: “Sis, a few students from the academy asked if we could make snacks that aren’t too sweet but can help keep them alert—they get sleepy at night while studying.”
Mingyue also chimed in: “And Mrs. Wang from West Street asked if we have any small snacks to whet the appetite for her picky grandson.”
Su Qingyan listened carefully, recording each request in her mind.
These frontline feedbacks were far more valuable than anything she could have dreamed up herself.
Finally, Scholar Su closed the ledger, looking at his calm, composed daughter under the lamp, and sighed in admiration:
“My daughter Qingyan, I always thought your skill was mere culinary luck. Today I see—you not only cook, but you are a born shopkeeper. Your skill in reading people’s hearts surpasses even half a lifetime of learning.”
This praise made Su Qingyan happier than any money ever could.