Chapter 26: Spicy Duck Parts

Chapter 26: Spicy Duck Delights

They returned home, and Lu Xiang unpacked her purchases. The fresh duck parts were thoroughly washed in water, then steeped in seasoning to absorb more flavor before braising.

While she was busy, Xiao Cailian came in from outside. Seeing her son, she asked, "What are you doing home?"

Fu Qinhui replied, "I have the day off today."

Xiao Cailian, hearing her son's explanation, didn't question him further. She simply said, "Why didn't you tell us you had the day off? And where did this bicycle come from?"

Fu Qinhui said, "I borrowed it from the leader."

Before Xiao Cailian could inquire about the duck necks and other items, Lu Xiang proactively explained, "I want to try making some things and setting up a stall."

Xiao Cailian knew Lu Xiang made delicious food. The last time she steamed a bowl of chili sauce, the bowl was wiped clean with coarse grain steamed buns. Everything Lu Xiang made was fragrant, and her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law were particularly fond of her.

However, Xiao Cailian had never considered using this skill to make money. She said, "Don't do this—it's not respectable. My son is now with the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. Don't do anything that might make him lose face."

Seeing the dozens of catties of duck necks and wings, she frowned and asked, "How much did these cost?"

Lu Xiang, however, said, "If I set up a stall outside, it won't affect him, right?" Unable to make eye contact with Fu Qinhui in front of her mother-in-law, she looked at him eagerly, hoping he would help smooth things over.

Fu Qinhui, still red-faced from earlier, now met Lu Xiang's intense gaze and cleared his throat uncomfortably, his expression unnatural.

Lu Xiang was somewhat surprised. Why was he suddenly so bashful?

Xiao Cailian watched as her new daughter-in-law and son exchanged glances right in front of her. The anger she had been building up dissipated, and she then said, "Since you've already bought the ingredients, make them this once. If it doesn't make money, drop the idea for good."

Hearing her mother-in-law agree, Lu Xiang immediately praised her as the best mother-in-law in the entire village.

Xiao Cailian's personality was somewhat like her son's—stubborn on the outside but soft-hearted. As a widow raising children, she had developed a strong character. Her daughters-in-law had seen her fierce side and were as timid as mice around her.

But Lu Xiang wasn't afraid of her at all and even praised her cheerfully with a smile.

Xiao Cailian had no daughters of her own and felt closest to Lu Xiang, her youngest daughter-in-law. No wonder her discerning son was so fond of Lu Xiang.

Xiao Cailian could barely hide her smile and said, "Alright, you just know how to sweet-talk me." Her tone was light and cheerful.

Lu Xiang said, "Mom, this business of mine is going to be amazing. Do you want to invest? If it makes money, I'll share the profits with you. Just chip in one yuan."

Even Fu Qinhui looked at her sideways in surprise. Lu Xiang was truly bold. Xiao Cailian valued money highly, and it was already a miracle she hadn't scolded Lu Xiang. Now Lu Xiang was asking her to invest.

Xiao Cailian refused.

Lu Xiang realized that Xiao Cailian and Fu Qinhui were alike—they responded well to gentle persuasion. She then showered Xiao Cailian with compliments as if they cost nothing.

Xiao Cailian found it both amusing and exasperating. Seeing her daughter-in-law's earnestness, she said, "Just one yuan, and no next time."

Just then, Third Sister-in-Law Fu's voice chimed in, "What one yuan?"

The other three daughters-in-law had returned together. All three had asked Lu Xiang to bring back some items for them, and upon hearing that Lu Xiang was back, they hurried home to check. As soon as they arrived, they heard talk of money.

The Fu family lived together without dividing the household, and the mother-in-law held the family purse strings. However, the younger members also saved a little money for themselves. Any extra expenses had to come out of their own pockets.

Hearing that the mother-in-law seemed to have given Lu Xiang one yuan, Third Sister-in-Law Fu couldn't sit still.

She believed that a mother-in-law should treat all her daughters-in-law equally, or she wouldn't have it.

The smile that had just appeared on Xiao Cailian's face froze. Third Sister-in-Law Fu was always meddling. She was a good person but was particularly stingy when it came to money. If it weren't for the fact that she'd given birth to three sons for the Fu family, Xiao Cailian wouldn't indulge her.

Since when did daughters-in-law get to dictate how their mother-in-law spent money? She could spend it however she wanted, without having to sneak around.

Xiao Cailian was seething off to the side.

Just then, Lu Xiang said, "Sisters, you've come at the right time. I want to make some duck necks and wings to sell at the small market near the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. Mom said she'd invest one yuan, and if it makes money, I'll give her a tenth of the profits. Why don't you all put in a little too? Money makes money."

With one sentence, Lu Xiang defused the tense conflict between the mother-in-law and her daughters-in-law over money.

Third Sister-in-Law Fu asked, "Can this really make money?" In those days, there was little concept of private enterprise, as everyone relied on collective work.

She was worried that business might not go well, but she had confidence in Lu Xiang's cooking skills and was somewhat tempted.

The other two sisters-in-law felt the same. However, they usually had to support their children, and their money was already tight. They also had to cover various unexpected expenses, so one yuan was quite a sum.

Lu Xiang said, "I can't make promises. If it makes money, I'll share the profits with everyone. If it doesn't, we'll all share the loss."

The eldest sister-in-law said, "Duck necks and wings are mostly bones, anyway. Who would eat them?"

Surprisingly, the usually stingy second sister-in-law said, "I'll invest one share." She immediately went to get the money.

Third Sister-in-Law Fu, who was still hesitating, felt that if the second sister-in-law was being so generous, it would make her look cheap by comparison. She said, "Then I'll also take one yuan."

The eldest sister-in-law saw that she was the only one left and steeled herself. After all, if the sky fell, everyone would suffer together. As sisters-in-law under the same roof, she didn't want to be laughed at. She said, "You wait here, I'll get the money."

Mother-in-law Xiao Cailian watched in amazement.

She knew these three daughters-in-law well. They were usually kind and friendly, but when it came to money, they turned into misers who wouldn't part with a single cent.

When Lu Xiang married into the family, Xiao Cailian had worried about how she would get along with her sisters-in-law. But now it seemed this girl had a talent for getting misers to open their wallets. Impressive.

Lu Xiang collected four yuan, which already covered the cost. She took a 60% share, while the others each took one share. Since she didn't participate in farm work and had more free time, others might have opinions. It was better to bind everyone together and share the venture!

After all, making braised dishes would inevitably require using the family's stove, firewood, and seasonings. It was impossible to account for every little detail. Using a small amount of money to share the risk made sense. Since the business belonged to everyone, no one would complain.

Lu Xiang planned to do this long-term and had considered every aspect.

Soon, she started stewing the duck parts. The large pot at home was reserved for cooking meals, and with so many mouths to feed in the evening, she couldn't use it. Instead, she found an old large pot in the shed and started a fire in the small kitchen in the backyard.

Braised duck wings only needed ample seasoning to turn out well. Soon, the spicy aroma filled the air. She simmered them over a low flame until the flavors seeped in, then let them soak in the braising liquid overnight. By then, even the bones would be infused with flavor, making them even more delicious.

In the evening, after dinner, Lu Xiang gave each person a duck wing to taste.

The duck wings didn't have much meat after cooking, but they were spicy and crispy. The more you gnawed on the bones, the more flavorful they became. At first, it didn't seem like much, but after eating one, the spiciness and craving made you want more.

In the 1980s, people had never tasted such a snack. They were instantly hooked: "What is this? Are there any more?" They hadn't had enough.