The sale of shrimp paste buns is different from selling braised pork and pig trotters, the shrimp paste buns haven’t gained much popularity, and no one has come specifically to buy them.

Thus, Ping Ger and Dad Chen decided to set up a stall under the old tree in front of the house, displaying the shrimp paste buns without shouting to attract attention. Villagers passing by might stop out of curiosity and possibly buy some. Around lunchtime, when there would be a rush for braised pork and pig trotters, they hoped some shrimp paste buns would sell as well.

There were only fifty buns, if they didn’t sell, they would skip cooking for lunch and dinner and just have the buns with a couple of dishes.

If things didn’t go well, they would make fewer buns tomorrow and take it slow.

After making the buns, Dad Chen left the kitchen to handle other chores.

After breakfast, he went to his second son’s house to help with some tidying up, and after that, he took a hoe to work in the fields.

With Dad Chen helping inside and out, Liu Guixiang had little to do except take care of the baby. She carried Qiaoniu to the old house.

“Ping Ger, let me help you watch the stall from here.”

Ping Ger was in the kitchen preparing braised pork and pig trotters. Hearing her, he peeked out: “It’s great if Second Sister-in-law can help keep an eye on it. Can Qiaoniu sit still?”

“She can sit still. I’ll carry her around a bit. By the way, Ping Ger, can you bring me Qiaoniu’s basket? Once she falls asleep, I can just place her in it.”

It’s simple in the countryside, they use a straw mat and a small quilt in the basket, just right for a baby a few months old.

With few customers at the stall, Liu Guixiang kept herself busy with sewing.

Qiaoniu hadn’t fallen asleep, so Liu Guixiang placed her in the basket while doing her sewing and playing with her.

Qiaoniu was very well-behaved, rarely crying. When played with, she would laugh, flailing her little arms and legs adorably.

In Liu Guixiang’s eyes, her child was the most beautiful in the village. She thought Qiaoniu was the prettiest baby she had ever seen.

She expressed this thought to Qiaoniu, her voice gentle and warm like the early spring breeze.

Although Qiaoniu couldn’t understand, it didn’t stop her from smiling at her mother with joy.

“Yuandongs’s wife, what are you selling?”

“Shrimp paste buns. Ping Ger sold them during the last market, they’re only a penny each and taste amazing.”

“Only a penny for a bun? Doesn’t everyone know how to make those?”

“Everyone can make buns, but only our Ping Ger can make shrimp paste. You haven’t tried them yet, once you do, you’ll see how good they are. Just look at how fast our Ping Ger’s braised pork and pig trotters sell every day.”

While her mother was chatting, Qiaoniu started to whine, showing her dissatisfaction.

Liu Guixiang skillfully rocked the basket and smiled at Qiaoniu: “Good girl, Mama is helping your third uncle sell buns.”

An old aunt didn’t come to buy but another villager passed by, having tasted the shrimp paste buns before. Hearing the conversation, he came over happily.

“I thought Ping Ger stopped selling shrimp paste buns. I’ll take two, my son hasn’t had much of an appetite lately.”

Liu Guixiang recognized him as her second uncle: “Has Can Ger not recovered yet? What did the doctor in town say?”

“He’s mostly better, just lacking an appetite, probably from all the medicine he’s been taking. The smell of the medicine from the clinic makes him nauseous.”

After a brief chat, her uncle paid and took two buns.

“Ping Ger,” Liu Guixiang called out cheerfully to the kitchen, “today’s sales are off to a good start!”

With not much going on in the kitchen except watching the heat, Ping Ger came out to chat with his sister-in-law while also playing with Qiaoniu.

In a short while, more people came wanting to buy shrimp paste buns.

Curious, Liu Guixiang asked, “How did you all find out Ping Ger was selling shrimp paste buns?”

“Old Aunt Jiang was gossiping under the banyan tree at the village entrance, saying your family was crazy to want to make money selling buns for a penny each, like who doesn’t know how to make buns… Her complaints were quite loud, and everyone pushed back against her.”

“She’s always been like that, making a fuss.”

“A penny for a bun, how does that bother her? No one’s forcing her to buy. It’s a willing transaction.”

“She’s just jealous seeing the Chen family make money.”

Everyone laughed heartily at this.

Once the braised pork and pig trotters were ready, Ping Ger brought them out to the stall, covering them with a thin layer of cloth. The rich aroma wafted through the air, carried by the wind.

Liu Guixiang joked, “Looks like it’s going to get busy soon.”

“It will only be busy for a little while.”

Indeed, not long after, a crowd hurried toward the Chen household.

From afar, someone shouted, “Ping Ger, why did you set everything out? I want two pig trotters, give me two, I missed buying them the last couple of days.”

“Give me two pieces of braised pork and one pig trotter.”

“Just shouting doesn’t count, it’s whoever pays first. Ping Ger, don’t listen to them.”

“Hey! You little brat, I was around before you were even born.”

Everyone bantered back and forth, creating a lively atmosphere. It didn’t matter the age, the playful spirit was universal.

“Don’t rush, line up and come one by one.” As the crowd approached, Ping Ger quickly spoke up: “In addition to braised pork and pig trotters, we have shrimp paste buns. If you haven’t tried them, get one to taste, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.”

“Ping Ger, be sure to save my two pig trotters!” After a moment, his uncle added, “I’m the oldest here, so you all better take it easy!”

“Right, respect your elders. I’m the youngest here, so you uncles should be gentle with me.”

“Go on, I’m the oldest here. Am I complaining? You all need to behave, even my old arms and legs can’t keep up with the line.”

 They were queuing, but there was no peace or quiet. There was an indescribable sense of intimacy in the bustle.

Neighbors and villagers saw each other often, no one was genuinely angry, they were just enjoying the lively banter.

“Even buns are being sold now, I’m finally at ease! Eating shrimp paste buns with pig trotters and a little wine, what a delight!”

“Since Ping Ger started selling food, my pockets are getting lighter every day.”

“Let’s not mention anything else, the Shen family selling liquor should thank our village’s Ping Ger. I’m going to their place every few days for that bite to go with my drink. Ping Ger’s braised pork and pig trotters are so satisfying, if I don’t drink, it feels like something’s missing.”

As they joked, the braised pork sold out, the pig trotters sold out, and the shrimp paste buns were all gone.

Those who lined up but didn’t get to buy left dejectedly, while those who got their delicious treats walked away in groups, satisfied and happy.

Chen Yuandong heard the shrimp paste buns sold out and exclaimed, “I told you we should have made a hundred!”

“Such big ambitions, don’t stretch too far,” Father Chen teased his youngest.

“Selling out is great,” Dad Chen said happily, handing twenty coins to his third son, five coins each to his youngest and second sons, and keeping twenty coins for himself. “Ping Ger, how many do you think we should make tomorrow? A hundred is definitely too much.”

Ping Ger thought for a moment: “Let’s stick with fifty, it’s safer. The most important thing is selling a lot, we can’t let our shrimp paste supplies fall short.”

With fifty a day, enough shrimp paste is available, and would add up to a good income over the month.

Even if it were divided into three shares, it wouldn’t be too little. With several hundred coins, even if Chen Yuandong and Chen Yuqiu received a little less, they could still get one hundred fifty coins. If business continued to be good and the shrimp paste supply held up, they might even sell more, aiming for about two hundred coins a month.

For a farming family, relying solely on crops and the pigs and chickens they raise, a good harvest could yield one or two taels of silver a year. Adding some short-term work during the slack season could help them save two to three taels, which was considered quite good.

With busy days passing quickly, the end of the month approached, coinciding with the market day on the seventh.

On the twenty-sixth, Dad Chen and his third son took the village cart to town early.

They visited all the pork stalls and bought up all the pig trotters.

Ping Ger decided to buy some pig intestines to prepare at home and try selling them the next day.

Pig intestines were cheap but a hassle to prepare, costing three coins for a set of large and small intestines.

With several sets in hand, they felt heavy and smelled unpleasant. Dad Chen frowned, “Ping Ger, can we really sell these?”

“Yes, Dad, trust me, they’ll taste great once braised. I’ll stop by the Shen family to pick up some wine.”

The Shen family’s wine was a bit cheaper than in town.

The whole afternoon was spent preparing the intestines.

Dad Chen didn’t work in the fields, he stayed home to help his third son, following his instructions repeatedly.

“This is more tiring than working in the fields. After cleaning, the smell is completely gone.”

“You rest a bit, I’ll get the braising pot ready.”

“No need to rest, I’ll take care of the fire.”

At dinner, the braised intestines still weren’t ready, they would need to sit overnight to develop flavor.

Thinking about how easy this business could be, Ping Ger planned to sell them at the stall at home after tomorrow’s market.

The braised intestines would have a bolder, spicier flavor compared to the pig trotters.

Before sleeping, Ping Ger tasted one and was delighted!

The intestines didn’t need to stew for too long, overcooking made them mushy and unappetizing. He let the braising liquid cool and stored it, leaving the seasoned intestines to marinate overnight for better flavor the next day.

Market days required an early start, arriving late meant missing good spots.

With serious matters at hand, Ping Ger didn’t slack off. When Dad Chen got up, he followed suit.

After a flurry of activity, without waiting for Father Chen and his son to return for breakfast, they headed to the Shen Village for the market, leaving breakfast warm in the pot—scallion pork buns.

Arriving at the stall, before they could even set down their bundles, the Shen family’s young man approached.

“I’ve been eagerly awaiting the market! I’ve heard so many people say your braised pig trotters and pork are delicious. I’ll take three of each and four shrimp paste buns.”

“Would you like to try a portion of braised intestines too? Just a penny for one.”

They were skewered with bamboo sticks, made by Father Chen and his sons.

“Intestines?” The young man wrinkled his nose at the mention. But when Ping Ger held up a skewer of braised intestines, the spicy aroma wafted into his nose, captivating him. He quickly exclaimed, “I’ll take five skewers!” and eagerly bit into one. “Wow! This is amazing! The spicy, savory flavor is just perfect!”

“Make it another five skewers.”