Chapter 10: We’ll Make Money Soon

It was already mid-afternoon when they returned home.

Gu Yunchi was picking vegetables in the garden with the two children. Seeing her carrying a cart full of things, he hurried over to help. Yueyue and Tiantian, taking unsteady steps, also came over. Jiang Yiyi gave each child two candies, then handed the snack box and fabric to Gu Yunchi, saying, “These are for Mother and the children. Let them eat freely; we’ll buy more when these are gone. We’ll make money soon.”

Hearing about making money, Gu Yunchi’s eyes lit up. She sent the children and things to Gu’s mother’s room and eagerly went to find Jiang Yiyi, wanting to ask her about this money-making method.

However, she saw Jiang Yiyi go into the room and take out a large porcelain plate used for teacups and teapot. Jiang Yiyi scooped water to wash them clean. Although Gu Yunchi was puzzled, she didn’t ask and followed Jiang Yiyi to the kitchen.

Jiang Yiyi poured about half a pound of chili powder into a small basin, started a fire, heated oil, and poured it over the chili powder. The aroma of chili was instantly released; one didn’t need to smell it to know it was delicious. Besides the taste of the Liangpi itself, the chili oil was also crucial. The current chilies were all natural, making the chili oil fragrant.

Then she steamed the gluten and cut it into small pieces.

She brought over the basin of starch water and scooped off the yellow liquid on top. She added baking soda to the remaining starch water, stirred it evenly, scooped some onto the porcelain plate, and shook the plate to spread the batter evenly. She placed it in the inner pot, covered it, and steamed it for a minute. When bubbles appeared, she took out the porcelain plate, brushed it with a layer of oil, and peeled off the Liangpi onto a cutting board, continuing to make the next one.

Looking at the crystal-clear Liangpi, Gu Yunchi could hardly believe her eyes. “Sister-in-law, is this Liangpi?”

“It’s light and refreshing, perfect for summer. Go pick some cucumbers, wash them, and slice them.”

Gu Yunchi picked five cucumbers and sliced a small basin full.

Jiang Yiyi made a bowl for her first, letting her add the chili herself. “It would be even better with some crushed peanuts, but we don’t have any now.”

Gu Yunchi couldn’t wait to take a bite. She felt the heat in her body recede, and her whole body felt refreshed from the inside out.

Her eyes widened.

“About eight to ten sheets can be made from one pound of flour, and I plan to sell each portion for three cents.”

Three cents a portion, ten portions is thirty cents. One pound of flour costs only three cents. Excluding the cucumbers and chili oil, one pound of flour can earn two cents.

Gu Yunchi was excited. “Sister-in-law…”

“I can’t do it alone; I need your help.”

Gu Yunchi nodded vigorously.

“Make one for Mother and the two children; don’t add chili.”

Gu Yunchi followed Jiang Yiyi’s steps to cut and mix, placing them in three bowls and taking them to the room. After a while, Gu’s mother excitedly came over, “Yiyi, Mother can also help make them.”

Even if they sold twenty sheets a day, they could earn three or four yuan, which would be over one hundred yuan a month, more than her son’s allowance. How could she not be excited?

“Me and Eldest Sister are enough. Mother just needs to take care of her health and the two children.”

Gu’s mother wanted to say something but didn’t know what to say, circling the stove several times.

Jiang Yiyi wanted to laugh. She made the last sheet. Since it was only for the family, she didn’t make many, only about ten, just enough for dinner.

…

The ten-plus sheets of Liangpi were eaten up. After finishing, the family still smacked their lips, praising how delicious it was. Even the little ones, Tiantian and Yueyue, imitated them, childishly saying it was delicious.

“I’ve ordered a tricycle and flat-bottomed pans; I’ll pick them up in three days. Eldest Sister will come with me then. Eldest Sister will make them at home, and I’ll sell them.”

“I’ll go instead.”

Gu Yunchi said.

Gu Yunyang, whose excitement about the Liangpi’s profitability hadn’t subsided, nodded repeatedly. As long as Jiang Yiyi was kept at home, she wouldn’t see that man. Over time, she might forget him.

“You’re not familiar with the county town, and making Liangpi is hard work. I can’t handle that kind of hardship, so you make it.”

Jiang Yiyi didn’t just plan to make and sell Liangpi; she had other plans.

Gu’s mother wanted to say she could help, letting both Gu Yunchi and Jiang Yiyi go sell, but she knew they wouldn’t agree. She went back to her room and brought out the one thousand yuan Jiang Yiyi had given her. “Mother doesn’t need this money; you can use it first. If it’s not enough, tell Mother.”

Jiang Yiyi accepted it. If she refused, Gu’s mother might have other ideas, which would not be conducive to her recovery.

Gu Yunyang watched Jiang Yiyi take the money, feeling an urge to snatch it back, but he dared not. The scene of Jiang Yiyi kicking the Qin family’s door was still swirling in his mind. If he dared to grab it, Jiang Yiyi might beat him up. But he was uneasy. Who knew if Jiang Yiyi was telling the truth? What if she said she was going to sell Liangpi just to get the money back?

Over the next two days, Gu Yunchi learned to make Liangpi from Jiang Yiyi. On the third day, Jiang Yiyi rode her bicycle and took Gu Yunchi to pick up the tricycle.

When they arrived, Brother Liu was already waiting. Ten flat-bottomed pans were packed in bags. Jiang Yiyi checked them and paid. She gave him the prepared Liangpi. “This is Liangpi I made myself. Brother Liu, take it home and try it. It has chili oil; those with sensitive stomachs should eat less.”

The Liangpi was in an enamel jar, a full jar, crystal clear. Brother Liu had never seen or eaten it before and was very curious. He couldn’t help but say to Cui Yong, “Get me a big bowl and chopsticks.”

Cui Yong quickly went back to the house to get a bowl and chopsticks. Brother Liu poured the Liangpi into the bowl, handed the jar to Cui Yong, picked up the chopsticks, and took a bite. The coolness went straight to his heart, refreshing him. He ate several more bites before reluctantly putting down his chopsticks. The weather was hot, and they couldn’t afford a fan, so he hadn’t had such a good appetite in days.

“Delicious.”

Seeing his praise, Cui Yong couldn’t help but go back to the house and get a pair of chopsticks and take a bite. Before he could take a second bite, Brother Liu stopped him.

“I’ll have one more bite, just one.”

Brother Liu simply turned and left. When he reached the door, he stopped and said to Jiang Yiyi, “I have some connections in this county. If you need any help in the future, feel free to find me.”

“I won’t hesitate to trouble Brother Liu.”

Brother Liu waved his hand and quickly left. Cui Yong looked at Jiang Yiyi longingly; the taste of the Liangpi was still lingering in his mouth, indescribably refreshing and delicious.

Jiang Yiyi gave him the prepared portion. Cui Yong immediately took it and said the same thing as Brother Liu, “I have some connections in this county. If you need any help in the future, feel free to find me.”

“Thank you, Brother Cui.”

Jiang Yiyi paid the remaining money, and Cui Yong pushed out the tricycle. “The tricycle is different from a bicycle; it’s a bit awkward to ride at first. Otherwise, I’ll deliver it for you.”

On such a hot day, if he helped deliver the tricycle, Jiang Yiyi would have to give him a few more portions of Liangpi. He would take it home for his family to try.

“I’ve ridden one before, so I won’t trouble Brother Cui.”

Cui Yong was quite disappointed. Watching Jiang Yiyi ride away on the tricycle, he reluctantly poured out half of the Liangpi in his bowl. After thinking for a moment, he added some back, keeping some for himself and taking the rest home for his family to try.