"Chapter 18"

"We're really earning money now!!!"

"The two siblings were so happy they were nearly delirious with joy."

"Sang Luo let the siblings revel in their excitement over the two coins while she seized the moment to continue offering samples to nearby stall owners."

"While doing so, she called out, 'For the first three customers this morning, to bring good luck, buy one piece and get a small piece extra. Hurry and seize this opportunity, pay for one and get half more!'"

"This call caught the interest of the elderly woman who had just tried the sample."

"Normally, the idea of spending two wen on a dish would not appeal to her – why spend when they grew vegetables at home? Eating is eating, after all."

"But for two wen, getting a main dish plus a bonus for a dessert, and that bonus is free, a giveaway!"

"The elderly woman instantly felt this was a great deal!"

"This treat would taste good with some sugar water, and her little grandson would definitely love it."

"Spending two wen for a large piece as a savory dish would provide something novel for the whole family, and the smaller bonus piece, sweetened with sugar water, would delight her grandchildren."

"With this thought, the elderly woman quickly stepped closer to Sang Luo."

"'Young lady, I'd like to trade some eggs for it, would that be okay?'"

"She still hesitated to spend money, but trading eggs laid by her own chickens was less painful for her."

"'Of course, that's fine.'"

"Bartering was still very common at that time, especially in rural markets. While some paid with money, many traded goods with stall owners. As long as both parties agreed, such exchanges were welcome."

"Sang Luo’s household was in need, so why not?"

"At that time, eggs were priced at one wen each. Hearing Sang Luo's agreement, the old lady quickly picked two eggs from her basket to offer in exchange."

"Shen Ning took the eggs, and Sang Luo noticed that the old lady hadn’t picked the smallest ones to give."

"In that case, Sang Luo was generous too. When scooping out the Fairy Tofu for the old lady, she also chose a relatively large piece for the bonus, handing it over with a warm smile: 'Thank you for your patronage. If you enjoy it, come back to me next time, whether to buy or to trade.'"

"The old lady's eyes crinkled up with happiness at the sight of the bonus piece Sang Luo had picked for her, 'Sure thing, sure thing!'"

"She joyfully returned to her stall, holding her two pieces of tofu."

"The option of bartering opened up possibilities, and the nearby stall owners who had tasted the samples were now intrigued. Didn't they hear the young lady announcing the first three customers would receive an extra piece?"

"One stall-owning woman thought to act, but a plump woman with a basket was quicker. From a distance, she sprinted over, shouting even before she reached the stall: 'The third one is mine!'"

"As soon as she arrived, two copper coins were already in her hand, quickly passed to Shen An. Then, grinning widely at Sang Luo, she said, 'The bonus piece, right?'"

"It was not only free to taste but also came with a bonus, and it was a new delicacy. She had heard about it from afar."

"Initially, she just wanted to try the free sample, but seeing that two of the three bonus offerings were already claimed, she rushed over without even trying, eager to make a purchase first!"

"A new food that sold immediately upon sampling must be good."

"Having paid and secured her purchase, and seeing Sang Luo nod in agreement, she finally took the time to examine the Fairy Tofu she'd heard being advertised from afar."

"Looking down into the ceramic pot, she recognized the small cut pieces as samples."

"The appearance of the food was very appealing, especially for a woman like her who disliked the heat. The green color itself seemed cooling and refreshing!"

"Her eyes and mouth were both eager as she turned to Shen Ning, 'Young lady, can I also try a sample? I still don’t know what it tastes like.'"

"The woman who was too late to act first was frustrated, 'You don’t even know the taste and you competed with me?!'"

"Huh??"

"That's not fair at all!!!!"

"Isn't that too annoying?"

"Shen Ning, who had spent the morning just passing leaves to her sister-in-law and wasn't sure what else to do, quickly responded when given a task by the plump woman."

"'Okay, sure, just a moment.'"

"She quickly turned to grab a small leaf, scooped a piece of the tofu with the spoon, and carefully presented it to the plump woman on the small leaf."

"The plump woman, who had come out just to buy vegetables, was thrilled to get a free treat."

"Being a food lover, she brought the leaf to her mouth, tilted her head back, letting the tofu slide off the leaf along with every drop of the sugar syrup, savoring it all."

"Chewing contentedly, her eyes lit up with delight!"

"Bouncy, refreshing, smooth, sweet – oh, how it suited her taste! If only it had a bit more sugar, it would be even more delicious."

"One piece plus the bonus wasn’t enough for her – she could easily snack on it all by herself!"

"Without hesitation, the plump woman took out two more wen from her purse, 'Young lady, give me another piece, I want two, plus the bonus piece. That makes two large and one small, three pieces in total, right?'"

"Sang Luo smiled, 'Yes.'"

"While speaking, she had already added another piece to the lotus leaf, 'Here are three pieces of Fairy Tofu for you, take care!'"

"The plump woman, beaming, carefully placed her purchase into her small bamboo basket. Satisfied and proud, she walked away amid the envious glances of others who had wanted but missed the third special offer."

"The woman who missed the third special offer looked on in dismay: '…'"

"So, the bonus is gone, should I buy it or not?"

"Before she could decide, Sang Luo was already calling out again: 'Fairy Tofu, fresh and delicious, bouncy and smooth, suitable for both sweet and savory tastes, cooling, detoxifying, and anti-aging. A unique delicacy you've never tried before!'"

"'Only two wen for a large piece, a small price to let your family enjoy a new culinary experience they’ve never had before.'"

"'Don't miss out as you pass by. It’s not easy to make this, there are only a little over thirty pieces left, and now only twenty-eight remain. First come, first served, miss it now and you’ll have to wait for the next market!'"

"This last statement, coupled with the actual counting, immediately removed the hesitation of those like the stall woman who had initially wavered due to missing the bonus."

"It's only two wen to introduce something new to the whole family, why hesitate! If you wait, it might be gone!"

"I’ll buy it!"

"As soon as one person made a move, a second person began approaching the stall."

"The crowd at the market, which had unknowingly grown, noticed the bustle around Sang Luo’s stall and the sound of a woman advertising 'Fairy Tofu', and they began to gather around to see what was happening."

"Sang Luo selling, Shen An collecting money, and Shen Ning, finally realizing her role after the plump woman's request for a sample!"

"Shen Ning thought, 'Sister-in-law is busy, but I can help!'"

"She began preparing samples, holding a leaf and a spoon."

"The shy young girl, excited by the prospect of earning money from her sister-in-law's creation, flushed with enthusiasm and courageously raised her voice: 'Anyone who hasn’t tried it yet, come get a small piece for a free tasting.'"

"It was her first time attracting customers. While not as outgoing as Sang Luo and a bit quieter, the small stall was gaining popularity. And she was offering free samples. As soon as Shen Ning finished speaking, people passing by started responding."

"'Free tasting? Then give me a piece to try.'"

"The word 'free' held great appeal at such a rural market in ancient times."

"Who wouldn't take something that's free?"

"Passersby stopped in their tracks."

"Shen Ning suddenly found herself busy, her words becoming more fluent as she spoke."

"'Yes, it's free.'"

"'There's a limit of one piece per person.'"

"'Auntie, you've already taken one piece before.'"

"Sang Luo was busy with her hands and mouth, calling out while selling, keeping everyone updated: 'Delicious Fairy Tofu, only twenty-six pieces left! If you haven’t tried it, come for a free tasting. If you have, don't hesitate, take it home for only two wen and let your family taste it too!'"

"On the bustling streets of the market, which had just come alive in the early morning, the crowd was especially concentrated around this one stall at the crossroads, buzzing with activity."

"It's human nature to be drawn to excitement, especially in a market where a crowd and commotion usually mean good and affordable eats!"

"Moreover, Sang Luo’s voice was clear and unceasing, with a variety of enticing phrases: fresh delicacies, free tasting, two wen per piece, almost sold out, hurry or you’ll miss out. Each concept was thrown out to accelerate the pace of the oncoming crowd."

"Chen Youtian, who had been quietly sitting and selling eggs without much success, was now caught in the lively, almost dazed atmosphere."

"Goodness me, with Sang Luo’s ability like this, she really doesn't need any help from me, her son."