The next day, the Lin-Su combination stall on Shui Gui Street was still as bustling as ever.
In line, there were not only familiar neighbors but also many new faces.
A few young students, wearing square headscarves and long robes, were quietly chatting while waiting—precisely the Grand Academy students Su Mingxuan had mentioned.
“This is the place, I’ve heard Brother Shen mention it. Their buns have a chewy skin, full fillings, and paired with Grandma Lin’s sour plum soup, they’re the perfect comfort after a night of study.”
“But I heard their most famous item is a kind of pastry called the ‘Egg Cake.’ Even Third Young Master of the Xie Mansion can’t stop praising it. Why isn’t it for sale today?”
Su Mingyue, with her keen ears, caught this and immediately raised her sweet smile. “Gentlemen, good day! The Egg Cakes are limited to ten per day, all delivered to the Xie Mansion early in the morning by my brother. If you want a refreshing boost while studying, we have a new product today: Mint Mung Bean Cake—cooling and perfect for scholars!”
She took from a small bamboo basket a neatly cut square of mung bean cake, wrapped in oiled paper. The cake was a pale green, flecked with tiny pieces of mint leaves, giving off a fresh, cooling aroma.
This was a new product Su Qingyan had prepared overnight after hearing Su Mingxuan’s report, using mung beans and fresh mint leaves from her space.
The leading student, Shen Yan, looked intrigued at the cake. “Oh? This is new. How much?”
“One small piece for three wen—very affordable! You can try it first,” Su Mingyue replied smartly, offering a bite on a small toothpick.
Shen Yan took a bite, and his eyes lit up immediately.
The mung bean paste was ground extremely fine, melting in the mouth, perfectly sweet but not greasy. Best of all, the mint’s coolness shot up the nose like a breeze through a hall, instantly dispelling the summer heat and late-night fatigue.
“Excellent! What a good item!” Shen Yan clapped and said. “Give us two pieces each!”
This little episode brought a new, steady stream of customers to the Su Ji stall.
A few days later, an even bigger change occurred.
A man in short clothes, with a sweat towel over his shoulders, appeared at the stall, dust-covered and weary. Behind him were several similarly dressed porters.
“Little shopkeeper! Finally, it’s my turn!” The man’s voice was loud, drawing the attention of everyone around. “Twenty meat buns, ten vegetable buns, five steamed buns!”
The quantity made it clear this was not for personal consumption.
While Su Mingyue efficiently packed the buns, she asked curiously, “Uncle, are you going on a trip?”
“Of course!” the man replied, taking the oiled paper packages with a hearty laugh. “We’re river transport workers, always on the move. We’ve heard in Bianjing, your ‘Su Ji’ buns are the best to satisfy hunger, and taste excellent! We pooled our money to buy some as travel rations.”
Another porter chimed in, “Exactly! We won’t be back for at least a month. Little shopkeeper, it’d be great if your buns could be pre-ordered!”
What was said casually was caught with interest by Su Qingyan, who had just arrived with freshly steamed buns.
Pre-order?
At that night’s family debrief, Su Qingyan did not first listen to her father’s accounts but instead proposed this idea:
“I want to try a prepayment system.”
She took out two small wooden plaques. One read, “Prepay 100 wen, get two meat buns free”; the other, “Prepay 300 wen, receive a full Lin-Su set.”
“What’s prepayment?” Wang Shi asked, puzzled.
“It means they put money with us in advance. Next time they buy, they don’t have to pay each time—just deduct from the stored money. And those who pay first get extra products,” Su Qingyan explained.
Upon hearing this, Su Xiucai frowned. “Qingyan, isn’t this like taking their money before earning it? Why would anyone trust us? What if we take their money and run?”
“You’re right, Father,” Su Qingyan nodded. “That’s why this only applies to trusted regular customers, as well as merchants or porters traveling long distances. They pay once, save the trouble, and get extra. And we get a large sum of money in advance.”
“A large sum?” Su Mingxuan’s eyes brightened.
“Yes,” Su Qingyan said, a hint of excitement in her voice.
The next day, when the small wooden signs advertising the prepayment offer were put up, they caused quite a stir.
“Give them money first? How can that work?”
“What if you don’t open tomorrow? Who will I get my money from?”
Doubtful voices rose and fell.
But soon, the river transport man returned. He glanced at the wooden plaque and, without hesitation, pulled a string of copper coins from his pocket and slammed them onto the table.
“I trust Su Ji! Prepay 300 wen for me!” he bellowed. “Next time I return from shipping, I want your buns!”
Once the first brave customer went ahead, the regulars, who came daily, followed suit.
“All right, Little Mingyue, prepay 100 wen for me too!”
“Count me in!”
In just one morning, Su Qingyan’s money pouch had gained over three guan of heavy copper coins.
Their liquid capital skyrocketed instantly!
That night, when Su Mingxuan emptied a full bag of coins onto the table, the whole family was dumbfounded.
The pile of copper coins formed a small mountain, more spectacular than ever, glittering dazzlingly in the oil lamp light.
Wang Shi’s hands trembled as she whispered, “So… so much money… where can we put it?”
With nothing in the house—not even a proper chest—it was unnerving to store so much money.
Su Qingyan paused, walked to a corner, and pried up a loose floor tile.
She carefully wrapped most of the copper coins in cloth and placed them in the dug-out pit, then replaced the floor tile flush.
When she finished, she patted the dirt from her hands, but did not feel a trace of relief.
She knew this was only a temporary solution. They needed a proper shop—a place to house their business and their hopes.
Late at night, Su Qingyan sank her consciousness into the space again.
The virtual panel showed that her fame points had quietly surpassed 100.
【Current Fame: 115 points】
【Space Function Upgrade: New “Seasoning Customization” Module.】
【New Reward: “Master Butcher Knife Set” (Refined Steel).】
Su Qingyan’s mind stirred. In the corner of the shelf, a black sheath package appeared out of nowhere. With a thought, she opened it.
Inside lay a full set of gleaming, razor-sharp knives: slicing knife, cleaver, boning knife, carving knife… each perfectly balanced, with smooth handles and excellent grip.
Far superior to the clunky iron knives sold by blacksmiths in Bianjing.
She then activated the “Seasoning Customization” module. A palette-like interface appeared, listing basic spices: star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, fennel…
Below, a line explained: “Can be mixed in any ratio per host requirements to create exclusive seasoning blends.”
Her heart raced.
This meant she could perfectly replicate modern optimized compound seasonings—whether thirteen-spice mix or special braising powders—effortlessly!
This was truly a game-changer.
Just as Su Qingyan was reveling in her joy, a faint sigh came from the outer room.
She refocused and stepped out to find her father staring at the ledger under the lamp. The book, bound with fine bamboo paper, bore his neat clerical script.
“Father, what’s the matter? Is there a mistake in the accounts?” Su Qingyan asked softly.
Su Xiucai shook his head, a bitter smile on his face. “No, the accounts are clear. I just… seeing this handwriting brings back memories.”
He stroked the ledger cover, his voice low. “Half a year ago, before I fell ill, I accepted a commission from Master Wu of East City to transcribe a collection of poems from the previous dynasty, for a promised fee of two guan.”
Su Qingyan’s heart sank.
“I spent half a month meticulously copying the poems. But when I delivered it, Master Wu changed his mind,” Su Xiucai’s eyes showed humiliation. “He held my writing, shaking his head, claiming ‘the handwriting is too sharp, unpleasant to the heart,’ and arbitrarily withheld half the money—only paying one guan.”
“What?!” Su Qingyan’s anger flared instantly.
One guan! At the time, that was lifesaving money!
More importantly, for a scholar, this was such an insult! To be told your handwriting was bad—it stings more than a beating!
Su Xiucai forced a bitter smile. “When I argued, his wicked servant shoved me out… I lost my temper, and shortly after, I fell ill.”
So that was the final straw that broke her father.
“That despicable Master Wu! How dare he bully people like this!” Wang Shi burst out, her eyes reddening. “Husband, that was the past. Now our lives are better. That one guan… just let it go. He’s a powerful man in East City; we, small folk, cannot provoke him.”
“Let it go?”
Su Qingyan’s voice was icy.
Supporting her father, trembling with rage, she spoke slowly and deliberately: “Mother, this isn’t about one guan. It’s about Father’s face! The pride of a scholar!”
She looked at her father’s pale face and dim eyes, sneering—but the smile did not reach her eyes.
“Cannot provoke him? Even the powerful must eat. As long as he has appetite, as long as he is greedy, I have a way to make him give back everything he consumes—principle and profit included!”