Chapter 28.2

On their way back, Cao Simei finally voiced her curiosity. “Hehua, what do you need so many tables, chairs, and a handcart for?”

Li Hehua didn’t hide her plans. “Cao jie, I’m planning to set up a small food stall.”

“Ah? You’re going to set up a stall? Will you be selling noodles or tea?” Cao Simei asked in surprise. In town, most stalls sold either noodles or tea.

Li Hehua shook her head. “Neither. I’m selling fast food—simple dishes that are quick to eat and filling. It’s similar to selling noodles, but I’ll offer more than just that. I’ll also have fried rice, fried noodles, rice bowls, vermicelli, dumplings, and more. Customers can order whatever they want.”

Cao Simei had never heard the term “fast food,” but she understood Li Hehua’s meaning. She was offering a wide variety of dishes, giving customers plenty of choices.

“Hehua, I’ve never seen a stall like that in town before! Your cooking skills are excellent, and you offer so many options. Everyone will find something they like. You won’t have to worry about business.”

Li Hehua smiled. “That’s good to hear. I’ll take your kind words to heart and hope business goes well.”

“Don’t worry,” Cao Simei said firmly. “With your skills, business is sure to thrive. But Sister, if you’re setting up a stall, will we still sell our pastries?”

“Of course!” Li Hehua replied. “But I won’t have time to manage it myself. I’ll need you and the children to sell them. You can set up right next to my stall—we’ll attract customers to each other. People buying meals might want pastries, and those buying pastries might get hungry for a meal. Plus, you can rest at my stall when you’re tired.”

Cao Simei’s eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands. “Sister, that’s a brilliant idea! Selling both meals and pastries—perfect!”

Li Hehua planned to set up her stall at the mouth of the alley where her rented courtyard was located. The alley opened directly onto Main Street, a bustling thoroughfare with constant foot traffic.

When she’d searched for a place, she had specifically considered the possibility of running a street stall, so she only looked at houses near Main Street, rejecting more secluded courtyards. The one she finally chose had the best location: though tucked in an alley, it opened directly onto Main Street, ensuring a steady stream of customers. Plus, it was close to home, making daily setup and takedown much easier. She wouldn’t have to haul tables, chairs, and benches across town every day.

The alley’s location offered another advantage—it was near the main road leading to the town’s only wharf. All travelers arriving or departing by ship would pass this way, and her stall would be clearly visible at the end of the road.

Cargo ships docked daily at the wharf, bringing merchants from afar who often lingered in town for a meal. Moreover, the wharf employed many laborers who had nowhere to eat at noon. They could easily grab lunch at her stall, ensuring a steady stream of customers.

The location of the small courtyard Li Hehua had chosen was truly excellent. Even though the rent was higher than average, she was willing to pay for the convenience it offered her business. She was confident her stall would thrive—maybe even become wildly popular. She might even struggle to keep up with the demand.

But even if business was slow, she couldn’t handle everything herself. Running a snack stall required at least two people: one to cook, and one to serve, clear bowls, and wipe tables. She was on her own. She could have asked Cao Simei for help, but Cao Simei was already busy selling pastries. She needed to find someone else.

Ideally, the helper should be a man. The work was physically demanding, and the customers would be a mixed bunch. A woman might face unnecessary difficulties.

With this in mind, Li Hehua turned to Cao Simei, wondering if she would be willing to let Dahe help her.

Cao Simei, who was resting and drinking water, noticed Li Hehua staring at her. “What is it, Hehua?” she asked, puzzled. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Li Hehua thought for a moment before speaking. “Cao jie, if I set up a food stall, I’ll only be able to handle the cooking. I’ll need a helper. After thinking it over, Dahe seems like the most suitable choice. But it’s not an easy job, so I wanted to ask if you’d be willing to let him help me.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Dahe, the subject of the conversation, returned from the fields with his hoe slung over his shoulder. Hearing his name, he asked, “Mother, Aunt Hehua, were you talking about me? What were you saying?”

Cao Simei explained, “Aunt Hehua was just telling me she wants to set up a food stall in town. She can’t manage it alone and asked if you could help as a server. She was asking if I’d let you.”

Dahe immediately dropped his hoe and rushed over. “What’s there to consider, Mother? Of course I’ll help Aunt Hehua!”

Li Hehua suspected he didn’t understand how hard the job would be. She quickly clarified, “Dahe, being a server isn’t easy. You’ll have to carry bowls to customers, clear dishes, wipe tables, handle money—from morning till night. It’s hard work.”

Dahe sat down and looked earnestly at her. “Aunt Hehua, I know what it’s like. I’ve seen the waiters working at the restaurant in town. I know it’s not easy, but I’m willing to do it. It’s much better than farm work at home. My father does most of the farming, and I just help out sometimes. Working for you means an extra income, which would help my family. Don’t worry, I’m not afraid of hard work. I’ll work hard for you.”

Li Hehua patted Dahe’s shoulder approvingly. “You’re a good boy. But we still need to ask your parents.”

Cao Simei, clearly pleased by Dahe’s maturity, spoke up. “Sister, his father and I agree. He’s getting older, and in a couple of years he’ll be ready to marry. He can’t just keep helping his father on the farm. Otherwise, how will he support a family? Let him help you. Just tell him what to do. If he can’t handle this, how will he ever provide for his wife and children?”

Hearing this, Li Hehua made up her mind. “Then it’s settled. Once my stall opens, Dahe will come work for me. And you, Daya, and Xiao San’er will continue selling my pastries.”