"Chapter 17"

"Feeling a bit pressured under the scrutiny of six eyes, Chen Youtian recalled his past experiences at the market and nodded."

"Seeing his nod, Shen An, carrying his own basket, quickly led Shen Ning to an empty space big enough for both of their stalls, swiftly removing his basket to claim the spots."

"After helping to place the two buckets of tofu, Chen Youtian considered his task done. He took his basket of eggs and squatted at the spot Shen An had reserved for him."

"Surveying their surroundings, Sang Luo noticed that their stalls were flanked by a vegetable seller on the left and a winnowing basket seller on the right. Further along were vendors selling maltose, eggs, hemp fiber, homespun cloth, mats, and brooms – a variety of mostly local produce."

"In addition to the vendors, there were already groups of people, presumably locals, strolling along with baskets, coming to shop."

"Shen An, observing the nearby stall owners who mostly stood up, engaging passersby about their goods, and then looking at Chen Youtian, who was sitting quietly beside his basket, turned to ask Sang Luo, 'Sister-in-law, how do we sell our tofu? Do we need to call out to attract customers?'"

"The matter being crucial to their livelihood, Shen An was getting nervous."

"'Yes, we do. Even the finest wine needs to be advertised. Besides, many people are unfamiliar with our product. But before that, we need to do some preparations,' Sang Luo explained."

"As she spoke, she arranged the two buckets, took Shen An’s basket containing sugar water bamboo tubes, and placed them in Shen Ning’s basket with the lotus leaves. She then had Shen An hold the ceramic pot and bamboo knife while she turned over the now-empty basket to use as a makeshift stand, placing the ceramic pot on top to check its stability."

"'Done, our display table for selling is all set.'"

"For food items, especially those that can be eaten directly without further processing, presentation is key. No matter how good the product, it loses appeal if just placed on the ground."

"Sang Luo, having set up stalls several times before formally starting her work in her previous life, was adept at improvising these arrangements."

"Then she called over to Shen Ning, 'Ah Ning, we need the clean water for washing hands.'"

"Shen Ning, not knowing what to do earlier, reacted with eagerness when asked by Sang Luo to help."

"She quickly found a bamboo tube filled with clean water from among several, turned her back to the street with Sang Luo, and poured the water for Sang Luo to wash her hands."

"After washing her hands, Sang Luo took out a piece of trim from the Fairy Tofu, held it in one hand, and with a bamboo knife in the other, began to slice it into smaller pieces right above the ceramic pot."

"Her meticulousness in cleaning her hands before touching the food caught the attention of neighboring stall owners. They were especially intrigued by the unfamiliar, shimmering green substance Sang Luo was handling. A curious elderly woman selling eggs asked, 'Young lady, what is that you're selling? It looks like food?'"

"Sang Luo smiled, 'It is indeed food, Fairy Tofu. It's delicious!'"

"The old woman, hearing of such a novel and divinely named item, craned her neck to see better, 'I've never seen this before. How do you eat it?'"

"'It depends on your preference. If you have malt sugar or honey at home, you can dissolve some into sugar water, pour it over the sliced tofu as a dressing, and eat it directly as a dessert. Or, if you prefer savory, you can season it with oil, salt, soy sauce, and some chopped green onions to make it a dish.'"

"Her clear voice ensured that the surrounding stall owners, drawn by the novelty, heard her explanations."

"They watched as she swiftly sliced the glistening green 'Fairy Tofu' into neat squares. With a deft movement, she let the pieces fall into the earthenware pot, where the color of the tofu contrasted beautifully against the pot's base color, making it even more visually appealing and inducing salivation among the onlooking vendors."

"It seemed to them that this must be quite a tasty treat."

"No sooner had this thought crossed their minds than Sang Luo scooped up another piece of trim from the bucket, rapidly slicing it horizontally and vertically. In no time, the pile of Fairy Tofu in the earthenware pot grew."

"With her skillful slicing, the nearby vendors remained rooted in place, captivated by her actions."

"After slicing four pieces of trim, Sang Luo finally covered the bottom of the earthenware pot. She looked up at Shen Ning, 'Ah Ning, add the sugar water.'"

"The mention of sugar water piqued the curiosity of the elderly woman who had asked earlier, as she instinctively stretched her neck to get a better view."

"Shen Ning, eager to contribute, quickly came forward with the sugar water, uncorking the bamboo stopper and evenly pouring it over the Fairy Tofu. She then stirred it with a wooden spoon brought from home until well mixed before placing the spoon in the pot."

"'Done, sister-in-law,' Shen Ning announced proudly."

"It was her first time handling such an important task, and her sense of accomplishment was evident in her voice."

"Sang Luo smiled and praised her, then turned and took a small leaf from the basket, eyeing a few women nearby with baskets. She raised her voice and called out, 'Fairy Tofu here, the perfect summer delicacy, a fresh taste you've never experienced before! Sweetened with sugar water it's a dessert, seasoned with oil and salt it's a great dish. Suitable for both sweet and savory preferences, only two wen per large piece, don’t miss out as you pass by!'"

"Her voice was high and clear, standing out amidst the hum of others asking 'Buying vegetables?', 'Need a winnowing basket?', 'Malt sugar, anyone?'. Her pitch was exceptionally eye-catching."

"Sang Luo continued, 'Fairy Tofu, great for both sweet and savory tastes, turned into a delicious dish when mixed cold. It’s cooling, detoxifying, and anti-aging. For just two wen, you’re not buying a loss or a trick, but a delightful food you’ve never tried before!'"

"Shen An, Shen Ning, and Chen Youtian, squatting nearby watching over his sales, were all astounded."

"Shen An swallowed hard, 'My sister-in-law, usually so calm... to think she can be this assertive for the sake of making money to support the family!'"

"Shen Ning looked at Sang Luo with admiration, thinking, 'My sister-in-law is the best!'"

Chen Youtian, in amazement: "…Selling goods can be done with such a flourish?"

Several nearby stall owners were also astonished: "This young lady is impressive! Though she’s a new face here, her confidence and skill are of a seasoned seller."

By then, Sang Luo was already holding a small leaf in one hand and a wooden spoon in the other, deftly placing a piece of Fairy Tofu on a clean, crisp green leaf and offering it to the malt sugar seller closest to her: "Uncle, it’s our first day setting up a stall. Try this fresh delicacy."

The old man was dumbstruck, unsure whether to accept it or not.

He wondered, "If I take it, will it cost me two wen?"

Sang Luo, as if reading his mind, smiled and said, "It’s a free sample. For two wen, you get a much larger piece. Feel free to try it without worry."

After saying this, she extended the tofu towards him.

"A free taste…" The old man, encountering such a treat for the first time at the market, hesitantly accepted it.

Sang Luo swiftly prepared a second piece and offered it to the elderly woman who had first engaged in conversation with her: "Auntie, please try this as well."

The elderly woman hesitated, "Really free?"

Sang Luo, with a smile: "Yes, it’s free!"

Hearing it was free, the other stall owners exchanged glances. Some were tempted to move closer, others shifted their feet but remained hesitant, while an outspoken tall man had already walked straight up to Sang Luo’s stall: "Young lady, I'd like to try a piece too."

"Alright!"

She scooped up a piece of Fairy Tofu, caught it with a leaf, and handed it over.

The tall man popped it into his mouth right there, chewing thoughtfully, his eyes lighting up.

Sang Luo smiled, "Big brother, how do you like the taste of this Fairy Tofu?"

The man nodded, "It's good. I bet it would taste great savory as well."

He peered into the bucket where Sang Luo was keeping the Fairy Tofu and asked, "How big is the piece for two wen?"

Sang Luo reached in and pulled out a piece larger than her palm, smiling, "Big brother, if you cut it up at home, it's enough for a whole dish."

Pleased with the size, the man readily said, "Alright, give me one piece."

"Sure thing!"

Sang Luo’s voice was especially cheerful, celebrating their first sale, "We're open for business!"

Shen Ning, excited, quickly took out a lotus leaf from her basket and passed it over. Sang Luo received it, placed the Fairy Tofu on the leaf, then bent down to scoop up another small piece to add, smiling warmly, "Big brother, as a token of appreciation for supporting our opening day, here's an extra small piece for you."

The man, not expecting this extra treat, thanked her with a smile and pulled out two wen to give to Sang Luo.

Sang Luo gestured for Shen An to take the money, while she handed the leaf holding the two pieces of Fairy Tofu to the man, "Enjoy, and come back for more next time."

"The man nodded, took the lotus leaf-wrapped Fairy Tofu, and returned to his own stall."

"Shen An and Shen Ning were so elated they were practically beaming. Shen An, holding the two wen in his hand, trembled with excitement, 'Sister-in-law, did we really make money?'"

"Sang Luo smiled with her eyes curved, 'The money is in your hand, isn't it enough proof?'"

"'Yes! Yes!' Shen An was overjoyed, glancing at the money in his hand before asking Sang Luo, 'Sister-in-law, where should we keep this money?'"

"Sang Luo, busy with other things, simply gestured, 'You keep it for now.'"

"She trusts me with this!"

"Shen An's eyes shone with determination, 'Sister-in-law, I’ll take good care of it!'"