Chapter 34: The Stall is a Hit

Chapter 34: The Stall's Roaring Success

Lu Zhaodi brushed off her mother's concerns: "Don't worry, it's fate." She had initially planned to keep it secret, but to win her mother's support, she recounted yesterday's events, albeit sugarcoating the part where she stubbornly refused to leave.

She claimed Li Yucai had accidentally rescued her, taken her to his home, and only brought her to the police station the next day. It was a classic hero-saves-the-damsel narrative.

Aunt Lu's eyes gleamed upon hearing this: "Then he must be smitten with you; otherwise, he wouldn't have brought you home." In the village, regardless of the reason, an unmarried man and woman spending a night together would undoubtedly spark gossip.

But the Li family were county residents—surely they understood basic decorum!

Lu Zhaodi declared, "I want to find a job in the county town to be closer to him."

Aunt Lu was wholeheartedly supportive but soon her face clouded with worry: "Our family doesn't know anyone. Who can we ask for help?"

Lu Zhaodi replied, "We might not know anyone, but the Li family does. Mom, just listen to me. Tomorrow, take some gifts and visit them. First, express your gratitude, then state your purpose!"

Aunt Lu hesitated, "Will that work?" Thanking someone and then asking for a favor.

But Lu Zhaodi frowned, clearly disapproving: "I'm not some stranger. Once I marry Li Yucai, I'll be a proper daughter-in-law of the Li family. Getting me a job to elevate my status will also make them look good."

Aunt Lu sensed something was amiss, but her daughter's confident demeanor left her too bewildered to pinpoint it.

As night deepened, Aunt Lu decided to stop dwelling on it.

The next day, she remembered what she had meant to ask and turned to Lu Zhaodi: "Does he like you?"

Lu Zhaodi was brimming with confidence: "Don't worry." In her previous life, they had always been deeply in love. She had even borne Li Yucai a son. How could their bond not be profound?

Her confident and assured manner gave Aunt Lu a bad premonition: "You didn't... give him your innocence, did you?"

Li Yucai was a journalist from a prominent family. Aunt Lu couldn't fathom where her daughter, a village girl, got such self-assurance.

Lu Zhaodi quickly said, "Mom, don't talk nonsense." It was the 1980s—any unsavory rumors would make them the laughingstock of the entire village.

Only then did Aunt Lu feel relieved.

She tidied up, bought two bottles of premium liquor, and accompanied Lu Zhaodi to the county town to thank the Li family.

...

Lu Xiang's duck parts marinated until midnight. Finally, she took the large pot off the heat and let the pieces soak in the marinade overnight, allowing the flavors to fully penetrate.

In the morning, Third Brother Fu helped load the wooden barrel filled with duck necks and wings onto the tricycle. This time, Lu Xiang also brought along some convenient bowls and chopsticks. In the morning rush, she made herself and Fu Qinhui a delicious bowl of dough drop soup. After they finished, Fu Qinhui had Lu Xiang sit on the tricycle.

They had just set off when they spotted Lu Zhaodi and Aunt Lu at the village entrance.

The only way to reach the county town was by bus. A ticket cost ten fen, and the bus was always crowded. At this hour, it was sure to be packed. Moreover, the rural dirt road was rough, occasionally kicking up dust and pebbles, jostling enough to make even someone who didn't get carsick utterly dizzy.

Aunt Lu had botched Uncle Lu's job and felt somewhat disgraced at home. She didn't have much money left. Buying those two bottles of good liquor had already pained her, and spending more on bus fare to the county town was even harder to swallow. Seeing Lu Xiang and the others on a tricycle, an idea sparked in her mind.

"Lu Xiang, Little Fu, where are you headed? Give us a ride. I've never ridden in a tricycle before."

Lu Xiang replied, "Sorry, there's no room."

Lu Xiang admired Aunt Lu's thick skin. After all that had happened, and with relations completely severed, how could she have the nerve to ask for a free ride?

Lu Xiang wasn't like her mother, who was meek and afraid of offending others. Lu Xiang didn't care about them and wasn't afraid to offend them.

Fu Qinhui said nothing, and the tricycle sped past, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Aunt Lu had hoped to save money but was unexpectedly rebuffed. She turned to her daughter and said, "What's so great about them? Hurry up and marry a city man, then you'll outdo her." She couldn't stand Lu Xiang's arrogant demeanor.

Lu Zhaodi thought the same: "She's like a grasshopper in late autumn—she won't be hopping around for long."

Unable to get a ride with Lu Xiang, they had to take the bus. The bus conductor was skilled at cramming people in—the small bus was packed beyond capacity. Even before the bus started moving, the cabin was thick with the smell of sweat, making Lu Zhaodi feel nauseous.

When the bus started bumping along, Lu Zhaodi's face turned green. She felt even more like vomiting.

...

Lu Xiang rode on the tricycle, wearing the straw hat Fu Qinhui had given her, unafraid of the rising sun. When they reached the supply and marketing cooperative, Fu Qinhui helped her set up the stall and then pushed the tricycle to the cooperative's backyard to lock it up.

As soon as Lu Xiang settled in, nearby stall owners said, "Why didn't you come yesterday? Lots of people were looking for you." They were craving her food.

Lu Xiang said, "These marinated duck parts aren't available all the time. I make some when I can, and if not, then that's it."

The nearby stall owners also wanted to buy some to try. Lu Xiang had only been open for a day, yet she had so many returning customers. They wondered what made her marinated duck parts so special.

Lu Xiang set up her stall, opened the lid to let the aroma waft out, and soon people came flocking.

Returning customers asked, "Why didn't you set up shop yesterday?"

"How do you marinate this? At first, it's too spicy to handle, but then you get addicted." They hissed from the spiciness, their lips swelling.

"Give me three duck necks."

"Give me two duck necks and two duck wings. Hey, are you coming tomorrow?" Now, gnawing on a duck neck was pure joy—every shred of meat between the bones was picked clean, leaving it shiny and giving a great sense of accomplishment.

Lu Xiang answered them while saying, "Don't worry, I'll pick the big ones for you."

She added, "I'm not sure if I'll be here tomorrow."

Hearing this, those who had planned to buy just one duck neck to satisfy their craving gritted their teeth and bought two. It was best to eat their fill in one go, so they wouldn't crave it every day!

Lu Xiang packed their orders and briskly collected payment.

Soon, when the official's son arrived, only about a dozen duck necks and two small duck wings remained.

"Wrap them all up for me." His family was well-off, and he often ate lavish feasts, but these marinated duck parts were even more satisfying.

Lu Xiang was also savvy in business: "I'll charge for the duck necks, but the wings are complimentary."

The official's son was thrilled. His grandparents, parents, and all were workers—the family had money. Some people liked hanging out with him just to make him pay more, which he disliked though he never said it. Seeing Lu Xiang's generous business style, he said, "I'll spread the word when I go back. I'll get everyone in the workers' residential building to come buy from you."

Lu Xiang smiled, "That would be great."

By the time Li Yucai's friends arrived, Lu Xiang had already packed up. Only the enticing aroma lingered in the air, making them even more eager!