Chapter 19: A Young Bull is Not Afraid of a Tiger

Brother Liu rode his bicycle over, and Jiang Yiyi handed him the mixed liangpi, “This is a thank-you gift. I have something to ask of you, Brother Liu.”

Hearing that she had something to ask, Brother Liu retracted his hand, accepting the enamel bowl instead, “What is it? Tell me.”

Jiang Yiyi lowered her voice, “I want to make fifty more frying pans.”

Fifty?

Brother Liu was surprised.

“No rush, Brother Liu. Just finish them within three days, and send them to West City. I’ve rented a place there and plan to wholesale liangpi.”

Brother Liu looked at her a few more times. In just a few days, she had rented a house in the county town; that wasn’t a small sum of money. Should he say she was a young bull unafraid of a tiger, or that she was fearless because she didn’t know any better?

But whichever it was, Brother Liu was very impressed. He’d seen many beautiful girls, but Jiang Yiyi, who was both beautiful and good at business, was the first.

…

After selling for only a little over ten minutes, Jiang Yiyi packed up her stall and went to the gate of County No. 1 Middle School. She made a portion and gave it to the old gatekeeper. Without her needing to say anything, the old man happily called Jiang Jinzhong out.

“Sister, I don’t need to eat liangpi every day, steamed buns are fine.”

Steamed buns cost two cents each, four would fill him up, costing only eight cents, while a portion of liangpi cost thirty cents.

“I’ve rented a house in the county, and I plan to expand the liangpi business. Big brother and sister-in-law will come to help and live here long-term. From now on, sister-in-law will make you different dishes for lunch every day.”

The rented place was a bit far from County No. 1 Middle School, and it would waste Jiang Jinzhong’s time to run back and forth.

Jiang Jinzhong was overjoyed.

Bai Jun came out of school. He had just finished his meal and wanted to take advantage of the noon break to go to Xinhua Bookstore to buy books. Before he left, he saw Jiang Yiyi and subconsciously hid behind the wall of the gatekeeper’s room, pricking up his ears to listen to their conversation.

Although he had fifty yuan, he didn’t dare to spend it recklessly. He only dared to eat in the school cafeteria every day. The cafeteria food was really hard to swallow. Every time he ate, he would curse Jiang Yiyi hundreds of times in his heart. If Jiang Yiyi hadn’t suddenly changed her mind, he would still be eating in the state-run restaurant.

Hearing that Jiang Yiyi was actually running a private business selling liangpi, he sneered. Ignoring him, this potential stock with a bright future, and instead doing some private business; she’ll regret it.

Seeing Jiang Yiyi smiling and chatting happily, remembering her humiliation of him that day, he wanted to walk out proudly, throw a dollar at Jiang Yiyi to buy liangpi, and tell her not to give him change. But he still owed Jiang Yiyi money, so he didn’t dare to go out.

Spitting on the ground, Bai Jun turned to go back, but he happened to see the gatekeeper enjoying his food. It looked crystal clear; he had never even seen such a thing. He looked outside again, and Jiang Jinzhong also just picked up a chopstick, the same as the gatekeeper outside.

This thing is liangpi?

Bai Jun subconsciously swallowed, then his mind stirred, and he walked sideways into the gatekeeper’s room, “Old man, please buy me a portion of liangpi.”

The gatekeeper had only taken one bite before he was reluctant to eat any more. He put down his chopsticks and was savoring the taste. Hearing his words, he quickly took the money and went out happily. Jiang Yiyi would always give him some to eat, making him feel embarrassed. He couldn’t help but want to sell some for Jiang Yiyi.

After a while, he came back with the liangpi, “The enamel bowl needs a one-yuan deposit. I know the girl outside, so I didn’t ask for the deposit. After you’re finished eating, wash it clean and bring it back to me, and I’ll give it to her tomorrow.”

Bai Jun wasn’t eating it himself; he wanted to curry favor with Qin Lan. He hadn’t had any excuse to see Qin Lan these days, and now was the perfect opportunity.

After Jiang Yiyi left, Jiang Jinzhong came out of school, holding the liangpi and hurrying to Qin Lan’s rented house to knock on the door. “Who is it?”

Qin Lan’s lazy voice came from inside.

“It’s me, Bai Jun.”

There was a pause inside, and Qin Lan quickly came out of the room. She was wearing a different dress today and white sandals.

Bai Jun was panting, sweat dripping from his forehead, but he didn’t go in. “There’s liangpi for sale at the school gate. I thought it looked interesting and bought a portion to give you. Thank you for lending me money.”

Qin Lan was overjoyed. Bai Jun hadn’t made any contact with her for the past couple of days, and she was worried about finding an excuse to contact him.

“There’s too much for me to eat; the rest will go to waste. Have you eaten? If not, come in and let’s eat together.”

This was exactly what he wanted. Bai Jun suppressed his excitement, feigning reluctance, “I haven’t had time to eat yet. You eat it first, I’ll go back to read, and I’ll eat what’s left later.”

“How can that be?”

Qin Lan reached out to pull him. Her fair, small hand seemed to carry fire, and Bai Jun’s body trembled slightly, following Qin Lan into the room.

The room was very clean, and Qin Lan’s skincare products were on the table. The lids seemed to be not properly closed, and there was a fragrance. Perhaps because of the smell, Bai Jun felt a little dizzy.

Qin Lan asked him to sit down, then took a bowl and gave Bai Jun most of it, “Eat more.”

Bai Jun’s heart pounded. The skincare products alone were worth a lot of money. Qin Lan wasn’t lying; her family was indeed wealthy. If he could get her, he could easily repay Jiang Yiyi’s money, and he wouldn’t have to worry about college tuition.

…

Jiang Yiyi bought thirty more large steamed buns and returned to her rented place. Everyone was still working, sweating profusely and working hard.

Jiang Yiyi told everyone to stop, cut the liangpi, let them add cucumbers, gluten, and chili oil themselves, plus two buns per person.

This was the first time everyone had seen crystal-clear liangpi, and they didn’t stand on ceremony, eagerly taking their enamel bowls and buns to find a shady place to eat.

Jiang Yiyi mixed some for Jiang Fu and Jiang Jinfeng and handed them to them separately, “Father and big brother eat first, I’ll go collect the money.”

It was almost one o’clock; Zhang Mei should be finished at her end.

The weather was so hot, and her daughter still had to run around. Jiang Fu felt very sorry for her, but he couldn’t help much, only instructing, “Don’t work too hard, your health is important.”

Jiang Yiyi smiled and agreed.

At the textile factory gate, Zhang Mei held a handful of money and looked around. Seeing Jiang Yiyi, she excitedly ran to meet her, “Yiyi, I sold them all!”

She earned five yuan in one noon, more than she earned in a month. How could she not be excited?

Jiang Yiyi smiled and congratulated her. Zhang Mei handed her the money she had counted, “This is twenty-five, count it.”

Jiang Yiyi counted it and made an appointment to deliver more the next morning at ten o’clock. Watching her excitedly run away and get on a tricycle, Jiang Yiyi went to deliver liangpi to Cui Yong.

Cui Yong had been waiting anxiously. A woman was standing beside him.

“Sister Jiang, this is my wife. She’s idle at home. Do you think she can sell liangpi with you?”

Yesterday, he had thought it over and over again, and he really couldn’t bear to give up such a good opportunity. But he couldn’t give up his stall either, so he went home and told his wife. Hearing how much money she could make, his wife readily agreed and came early today to wait for Jiang Yiyi.