Hongye Town had a population of seven to eight thousand, with over six hundred households in the town proper, making it a fairly sizable town.
People in town were generally wealthier than those in the villages, so five coins for a snack was quite reasonable.
Moreover, potatoes were something they had never seen before, and they tasted delicious, so the price definitely wasn’t expensive.
Additionally, since eggs were added along with various seasonings and labor costs, each pancake cost about two coins to make. Selling them for less would be quite unprofitable.
Chen Xingyue immediately became happy—her mother had agreed to her suggestion. The other two had no choice but to drop the matter.
Afterward, Xiao Ying tried making a batch of Tiancan Potatoes. However, due to tool limitations, she only cut the potatoes into strips without actually shaping them like silkworms.
She briefly fried them in oil, then set them aside. After they cooled, she mixed them with seasonings to create a completely different flavor.
The three siblings ate with delighted exclamations—the taste was truly excellent. It could be served as both a dish and a snack.
Xiao Ying made a generous portion, planning to sell each serving for five coins as well.
But the current problem was that she had nothing to package them in. For those eating on-site, it was fine—they could simply be served in bowls. But for takeaway, it was troublesome.
“Mother, could we wrap them in lotus leaves like medicine?”
Chen Xinghai suddenly had an idea, remembering that the medicine packages from yesterday had been wrapped in lotus leaves when brought home.
In these times, paper was expensive—even pharmacies couldn’t afford to use it for wrapping.
Xiao Ying’s eyes lit up as she nodded approvingly: “That’s indeed a good idea. We can use lotus leaves for the potato strips, and bamboo leaves for the potato and egg pancakes.”
This way, they saved on packaging costs without spending extra money.
“I know where to find lotus leaves and bamboo leaves. I’ll go gather them tomorrow.”
Chen Xinghai took responsibility for the task, happy that he could also contribute to this business venture.
“Good.”
Xiao Ying agreed. The leaves could be dried after being picked, and they would be ready for use in a few days.
After dinner, Xiao Ying continued treating Chen Xinghai’s foot injury while Chen Xingyun and her sister heated water.
After the treatment, Chen Xinghai added fodder for the ox. The ox seemed to particularly like the potato vines his mother provided, even showing less interest in other grasses.
That night, after entering the Xianfu, Xiao Ying began with farm work as usual.
She used a magical artifact to plow the spiritual field where the spiritual rice was planted, leveling it out. Then she used another sowing artifact to scatter the spiritual rice seeds, finally watering them with spiritual spring water.
Fortunately, this entire process could be handled by magical artifacts. She didn’t even need to channel spiritual power—the artifacts could be directly powered by spirit stones.
Still, the whole operation took two to three hours. She planned to continue with the remaining field the next night.
Spiritual rice had much stronger vitality than ordinary rice and was less particular about environment and climate.
Of course, with suitable environment, climate, and planting methods, the yield would be higher.
But she obviously didn’t have those conditions and could only plant casually.
The remaining time she still devoted to cultivation, feeling that she would reach Qi Refining Stage Two in just a few more days.
…
The next day, Chen Jin came to help voluntarily, bringing his son Chen Daniu along.
His family had less than one mu of field left, which could all be transplanted today, so he had time to help.
Xiao Ying naturally wouldn’t let them work for free. Calculating at yesterday’s rate, it came to forty coins per person.
Both father and son felt somewhat embarrassed. They had originally come to help, but it ended up seeming like they were here to earn money.
Chen Daniu shared the same temperament as Chen Jin—steadfast and introverted—but had possessed remarkable strength since childhood, truly living up to his bovine-inspired name.
At just fifteen, he was already the primary laborer in his household, skilled in every task from plowing fields to tilling land.
As father and son worked with vigorous enthusiasm, Xiao Ying, unable to contribute much, decided to venture into the mountains again.
Halfway there, she unexpectedly heard a chorus of children’s taunts.
“Look, Cripple Brother is here.”
“Wow, the cripple is out again.”
“Cripple Brother’s heading to the pond—bet he’s not afraid of drowning.”
“Don’t be like that. Cripple Brother’s pitiful—already sixteen but can’t find a wife. I heard no village girl wants him.”
“…”
Four or five children jeered playfully, unaware of the deep wounds their words inflicted on Chen Xinghai.
Chen Xinghai remained expressionless, ignoring them as he focused on gathering lotus leaves.
In his younger years, such mockery would have hurt him deeply, even reducing him to silent tears. But after so long, he had grown accustomed to it.
Besides, his mother had promised he would be healed, and he trusted her.
Thud!
Suddenly, something struck his back. Chen Xinghai grunted softly as a stone splashed into the water behind him.
He glanced back, frowning slightly, and was about to scold them when a series of pained cries erupted.
“Oww…”
“Who hit me?”
“Waaah…”
The children yelped in unison, some bursting into tears, likely stung by the impacts.
“Call him ‘cripple’ one more time, and I’ll cripple every one of you.”
Xiao Ying emerged from the shadows, casually tossing small stones in her palm, her gaze sharp.
Whose ill-mannered children are these?
“Mother…”
Chen Xinghai froze, startled by her sudden appearance. Had she witnessed the entire scene?
Did she strike those children?
Hearing her defend him, his nose tingled with emotion. No one had stood up for him like this since his father’s passing.
“It’s Widow Xiao—the one who sells her children!”
One child recognized her and shouted.
“Hmph, you’re an adult hitting kids! I’m telling my dad!”
Another protested defiantly.
Xiao Ying suddenly slammed her palm against a nearby rock. Fragments sprayed everywhere, leaving a dent where she’d struck.
The children’s eyes widened in terror, faces pale with shock.
“Your fathers would face the same fate. If I ever catch you bullying my son again, I’ll make cripples of every last one of you.”
Her voice was calm but edged with a chilling intensity.
Unaccustomed to such threats, the children broke into frightened sobs and scrambled away.
“Mother, I’m sorry for worrying you again.”
Chen Xinghai hung his head, unwilling to let her see his vulnerability.
He was grown now, yet still causing his mother concern. How useless.
“You’ve done nothing to apologize for.”
Xiao Ying shook her head and joined him in gathering lotus leaves.
This pond of lotuses was unclaimed. Each year at harvest, villagers gathered lotus roots, each family taking several dozen jin.
Now, with the leaves fully grown, picking a few was harmless.
“But you must learn to stand up for yourself. If anyone bullies you, fight back. I’ll handle the consequences.”
She knew Chen Xinghai’s physical condition had made him a target since childhood, molding him into someone introverted and insecure.
But this couldn’t continue forever, otherwise he would fail to keep up with her pace.
Chen Xinghai opened his mouth slightly, seeming somewhat troubled by this.
Xiao Ying didn’t mind, knowing such matters couldn’t be changed with mere words.
“By the way, I just heard them say you’re already sixteen. Have you considered getting married?”
She knew people here married very early, with both men and women able to wed at fifteen.
Chen Xinghai’s cheeks instantly flushed crimson with embarrassment and awkwardness.
Of course he had thought about it, but knowing no one would ever consider him suitable, he had eventually stopped entertaining the thought altogether.