Chapter 7: Setting up a stall

Making cold noodles and jelly wasn’t difficult, but it was time-consuming. Lin Yitang worked the entire afternoon before finally getting everything ready.

When making the sauce, she deliberately used some spring water. This made the jelly and noodles taste fresher and gave a feeling of complete fatigue relief.

She left some for Aunt Zhang and Chu Peilan as their dinner, then put the prepared noodles and jelly, along with the sauce, into a large cardboard box.

The Yu family had a small handcart, and Aunt Zhang helped her secure the box to it. It wasn’t difficult for Lin Yitang to pull.

Seeing her leave, Yu Chengyu, coming down from upstairs, subconsciously pouted.  She hadn’t expected Lin Yitang to actually set up a stall. Would she sell all of that?

As she thought this, she smelled a fragrance and went to the kitchen, discovering the prepared cold noodles and jelly Lin Yitang had left.

They smelled good, but who knew if they tasted good?

Maybe she should try a bite?

Yu Chengyu hesitantly picked up a pair of chopsticks, first taking a bite of the noodles.

The sour and spicy taste spread instantly in her mouth. The noodles were smooth, chewy, and refreshing, making her unconsciously eat several more bites.

Aunt Zhang came in just as Yu Chengyu was happily eating the noodles.

Yu Chengyu felt embarrassed and coughed.

Aunt Zhang patted her back, “Oh, Chengyu, slow down, no one’s competing with you!”

Yu Chengyu coughed until tears came out, but she was reluctant to put down her chopsticks. It was so hot, and she wanted something refreshing. These noodles were perfect.

Aunt Zhang couldn’t help but smile, “Yitang’s cooking is really good. Not only are the noodles delicious, but the jelly is also delicious. Try it!”

Yu Chengyu eagerly picked up some jelly. It had a different texture from the noodles, but it was also delicious!

Her appetite was completely aroused, and she didn’t stop until she was full.

Looking at the half-eaten noodles and jelly, she felt a little embarrassed and quickly ran upstairs.

Aunt Zhang shook her head and smiled, what a childish temper!

Lin Yitang pulled the handcart to the entrance of the steel mill to set up her stall.

The Yu family wasn’t far from the steel mill, a twenty minute walk. Lin Yitang chose this location because the steel mill was known for its excellent employee benefits.

The steel mill was profitable, and those who could work there weren’t ordinary people. Their families generally weren’t poor and were willing to spend money, so Lin Yitang wanted to try here.

She parked by the roadside.  As it was almost quitting time, workers began to leave the factory, and Lin Yitang started shouting loudly.

“Cold noodles and jelly! Delicious cold noodles and jelly, only fifty cents a serving! Ma’am, would you like to try one?”

Lin Yitang was pretty, and her voice was clear and sweet, attracting many people’s attention.

Li Xuemei, who was called out, stopped and walked over curiously.

“Cold noodles and jelly? Girl, did you make these?”

“Yes, ma’am, I made them myself. I worked all afternoon!  This serving is large, enough for a family. Would you like to try some?”

Lin Yitang had a bright smile. Her delicate face was striking, and Li Xuemei couldn’t resist buying a serving.

Lin Yitang quickly prepared it for her and gave her a little extra.

“Ma’am, come back again if you like it!”

After the first sale, more people came to buy.

In those days, cold noodles and jelly were rare treats, and few people sold them on the street. 

Coupled with Lin Yitang’s good looks and confident demeanor, many people bought them, and soon only a few servings remained.

Lin Yitang happily counted her money, her eyes full of joy.

Just then, two men swaggered over.

“Beauty, who allowed you to set up a stall here?”

A bald man leered at Lin Yitang, clearly with bad intentions.

Lin Yitang frowned slightly and ignored them. She didn’t want to cause trouble on her first day and wanted to leave with her handcart.

But another man stopped her.

“Where are you going! This is our territory. If you want to set up a stall here, you have to pay us protection money!”

“Get out of the way!”

The man’s lecherous expression disgusted Lin Yitang.

“Oh, you have quite a temper, but I like it! You don’t want to pay protection money? Then treat us to a meal.

If we’re happy, we won’t charge you, and we’ll protect you in the future!”

The bald man reached out to touch Lin Yitang’s face. Lin Yitang kicked him in the knee and quickly ran away.

“Damn it, she dared to hit me! I’ll teach her a lesson!”

The bald man was furious. He gestured to his companion, and they chased after Lin Yitang.

There were some steel mill workers around, but these two were notorious thugs in this area, and no one dared to provoke them.

Lin Yitang abandoned her cart and tried to escape, but the two men were closing in.

“You stinky woman, you dare hit me! I’ll teach you a lesson now!”

The bald man raised his hand, his slap about to land on Lin Yitang’s face. Lin Yitang instinctively closed her eyes and raised her hand to block it, but the expected pain didn’t come.

She heard a man’s scream.  She quickly opened her eyes and saw a broad, upright figure in army green standing in front of her.

Yu Jingchuan grabbed the bald man’s wrist, his hand like an iron clamp. The bald man felt like his hand was about to break and wailed continuously.

Seeing Yu Jingchuan in uniform, the other man panicked and tried to escape, but was stopped by another figure in army green.

“Let go! I won’t do it again, I won’t dare again!”

The bald man begged for mercy.

Yu Jingchuan kicked him in the knee, making him kneel.

Chen Xiuyuan also subdued the other man and called someone nearby to call the police.

The police station wasn’t far, and several officers arrived soon. Seeing that Yu Jingchuan and Chen Xiuyuan were soldiers, and after hearing Lin Yitang’s account, they immediately arrested the two men.

Lin Yitang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Yu Jingchuan looked back at her coldly, displeased, “What are you doing making a mess here?”

Lin Yitang was grateful to him, but hearing this, she was unhappy.

“Yu Jingchuan, what do you mean? Which eye of yours saw me making a mess? Setting up a stall to sell things is making a mess?”

Anger was in her eyes, her red lips pouted, her hair slightly disheveled, and her angry expression was exceptionally beautiful.

Chen Xiuyuan hadn’t paid attention to Lin Yitang’s appearance before, but now he was stunned. His dark face turned slightly red.

He looked at Yu Jingchuan and tentatively asked, “Battalion Commander Yu, do you know this woman?”

Yu Jingchuan didn’t answer but looked at the handcart. Lin Yitang was here to sell things?

What was she up to?

Lin Yitang’s face showed some displeasure. She ignored Yu Jingchuan and smiled at Chen Xiuyuan.

“Thank you for your help. My name is Lin Yitang. What’s your name?”

Chen Xiuyuan didn’t expect Lin Yitang to greet him and smile. His ears turned red, and he stammered his name.

Yu Jingchuan coldly glanced at Chen Xiuyuan and warned Lin Yitang.

This woman was truly persistent, misbehaving even in front of him. What was she trying to do by smiling at Chen Xiuyuan like that?