Chapter 31

After arriving home, the donkey cart owner helped Li Hehua unload the tables and chairs and carry them into the courtyard. Li Hehua was extremely grateful and thanked him repeatedly, thinking that the next time she needed help with transport, she would definitely hire him again.

She picked up the little one and placed him on a chair in the main room, giving him a kiss. “Sweetheart, this is where Mommy lives now. But this place is rented since I don’t have enough money yet to buy a house of my own. But I’m working hard to earn money! Soon, I’ll be able to buy a house even better than this one. Then, I’ll bring you to live with me, and you can invite your little friends over to play.”

The little one sat obediently, his dark eyes staring at Li Hehua, blinking his big eyes slowly.

Li Hehua patted his head. “Alright then, Mommy has to go prepare the pastries to sell tomorrow. Can you play by yourself for a bit? You can play anywhere in the courtyard, just don’t go outside, okay?”

Li Hehua planned to officially open her food stall the day after tomorrow. By then, her cart would also be delivered. Tomorrow, after selling pastries, she would begin preparing ingredients for the food stall. As for this afternoon, she’d just make a few more pastries.

Just as she took a couple of steps toward the kitchen, her pants leg was tugged. She looked down and saw Shulin had slid off the chair and was holding onto her pants, looking up at her.

Li Hehua pinched his little nose. “Do you want to go to the kitchen with Mommy?”

The child blinked again.

He clearly wanted to. “Alright, come with me then.”

Li Hehua carried him into the kitchen and placed him on a chair beside the table. “Okay, sit here and keep me company. I’m going to make pastries. When I’m done, I’ll make you a portion of double-skin milk. I just bought some goat milk yesterday and stored it in the well.”

The little one sat quietly, eyes focused on Li Hehua’s hands.

Li Hehua chuckled and shook her head, then started working under his watchful gaze. Unlike most children, he could sit in one place all day without moving, or fix his gaze on something without getting bored. Just like now, his big black eyes followed Li Hehua closely, showing no impatience, even as she finished making all the pastries for the next day.

Li Hehua couldn’t help but laugh as she walked over and tapped his nose. “You little rascal, how are you so quiet? Don’t you find it boring just watching Mommy like this?”

He blinked again, as if to say, Not boring at all.

“You…” Li Hehua smiled and went to retrieve the goat milk from the well. “Alright, then Mommy will make some double-skin milk for you.”

The goat milk had been purchased from a man who came to town selling goats. Originally, she just wanted meat, but knowing how nutritious goat milk was, she asked if he had any. He said his family had more than they could drink, so she offered to buy it for five copper coins a bucket. The man had been overjoyed and began delivering a bucket every few days.

However, goat milk had a strong odor. Most people who didn’t know how to handle it would find it unpleasant. But with the right method, the smell could be removed and the milk was highly nutritious—perfect for children and great for making pastries. That’s why she bought so much.

Li Hehua poured the goat milk into a pot and added almonds she had purchased earlier, then simmered it over low heat to eliminate the smell.

Once the odor was gone, she added white sugar and stirred to sweeten the milk—kids didn’t like bland desserts, after all.

Next came the eggs. She cracked four eggs and separated the whites, then whisked the egg whites until they formed stiff peaks. Gradually, she poured in the goat milk while stirring continuously, ensuring a smooth blend.

After that, she poured the mixture into two bowls and steamed them. It didn’t take long—soon, the double-skin milk had set.

She had red beans at home, so she made a quick batch of sweetened red beans and layered them over the top. This made red bean double-skin milk, even more delicious.

Double-skin milk could be eaten hot or cold, but since the little one had a weak stomach, it was better hot. The other bowl would be chilled in the well and taken to town tomorrow for the little boy from Mr. Gu’s household.

“Come, sweetheart. The double-skin milk is ready. Try it.” Li Hehua sat beside him, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it, and fed it to him.

The little one immediately opened his mouth and took a bite. His big eyes narrowed slightly as if savoring the taste.

“How is it? Tasty, right?” Li Hehua didn’t even need to see his expression—she already knew he liked it.

He answered by action—bite after bite, he ate happily, making her heart fill with joy. She thought, If only he could stay by my side forever. In just two months, I could fatten him up and make him even more adorable.

Sadly, that wasn’t realistic. Sigh…

……

Since it was still early after he finished eating, Li Hehua took the little one outside to sit in the courtyard. She brought out a square wooden board she had asked Carpenter Qian for and prepared to write her food stall menu.

To adapt to this era, she had previously bought a book similar to a dictionary, filled with traditional characters. Though she’d never written them, she recognized most and copied the characters from the book for her menu.

Once she confirmed the characters, she dipped a brush into ink and wrote the names of various dishes on the board, along with corresponding prices.

She’d already planned the pricing: basic fried rice, fried noodles, and soup noodles would be four copper coins per bowl. Meat additions—beef or pork—would cost two extra coins each. Dumplings would be priced at five veggie dumplings for one coin, or three meat dumplings for the same. Rice bowls with toppings came in vegetarian (four wen) or meat (six wen). So her menu would mostly offer two price points: four and six coins, which would be easy to remember.

She also planned to sell steamed buns and stuffed buns for laborers who couldn’t afford a full meal. Alongside, she’d offer free vegetable soup—each paying customer could have a bowl. It would be a way to attract more customers.

Though her prices were slightly higher than others selling noodles, she was confident that her cooking would far outshine theirs, and her variety would justify the cost.

Once the menu was done, she naturally thought of her kitchen workload. She had originally planned to handle everything herself—but now she realized that was unrealistic. The menu had too many items, and each day after closing shop, she’d have to prep various ingredients: dumpling and bun fillings, noodles, kneading dough, and still make pastries for Cao Simei’s business. She would be working until dawn.

Clearly, she needed a kitchen helper.

She wanted someone who lived nearby, could stay late, and had good cooking skills. But being new in town, she didn’t know anyone—making it even harder.

Thinking it over, she decided to ask someone familiar with the area. And who better than Fang Saozi, her landlady? The woman had lived here for years and was bound to know everyone well.

So, Li Hehua wrapped a few pastries in oil paper, picked up the little one, locked the door, and went to Fang Saozi’s house.

Fang Saozi was sitting in the courtyard plucking vegetables. When she saw Li Hehua, she stood up quickly. “Hehua-jie, what brings you here? Come in and sit!” Then, noticing the child, she asked, “Who’s this little one?”

“This is my son. He doesn’t talk much—hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not.”

Li Hehua handed her the pastries. “These are for you and your children to try.”

Fang Saozi waved her hands. “No need! You didn’t have to bring anything. Keep it for your child.”

Li Hehua insisted, “Don’t be polite, Saozi. I sell pastries—this is nothing. I’ll be counting on your help in the future. If you’re too polite, I’ll feel bad asking for favors.”

Fang Saozi had no choice but to accept. “Alright, but don’t bring anything next time.”

Once they sat down, Li Hehua got straight to the point. “Saozi, I actually came to ask for your help.”

“Of course, tell me what you need.”

Li Hehua explained, “I’m setting up a food stall at the street entrance, but I can’t manage everything alone. I want to hire someone to help, but I don’t know anyone here. I was hoping you might know someone suitable.”

“Ah, I see. Then you’ve asked the right person!” Fang Saozi beamed. “I’ve lived here over ten years—I know everyone. Tell me your requirements.”

Li Hehua smiled. “I need someone who lives nearby and can stay late. Also, someone with decent cooking skills, clean and diligent, not the kind who’s greedy or petty.”

“Don’t worry, I’d never recommend someone unreliable.” She thought for a moment. “Actually, I do know someone perfect. Lives just behind us in the alley. Her husband’s surname is Xie, and everyone calls her Xie Saozi. She’s good at cooking, neat and capable. But…”

Fang Saozi sighed. “Her life’s been hard. Her husband used to be a bricklayer, and they lived well. But one day he fell from a roof and became paralyzed. Since then, she’s had to support their family of four. She can only earn a little washing clothes.”

Worried Li Hehua might misunderstand, Fang Saozi added, “I’m not recommending her out of pity. She really meets your criteria. You should see for yourself.”

Li Hehua didn’t mind helping someone in need. If Xie Saozi was suitable, she’d be happy to hire her.

“Then can you take me to meet her, Saozi? If she’s a good fit, I’ll ask her to help me.”

“Of course!” Fang Saozi stood up immediately. “Let’s go. It’s just around the corner.”

They soon arrived at Xie Saozi’s home. She was in the courtyard washing a basin of laundry. Seeing them, she quickly rinsed her hands. “Fang Saozi, what brings you here? Come in and sit!” She looked curiously at Li Hehua. “And this is…?”

“A new tenant in my courtyard,” Fang Saozi said, pulling Li Hehua forward. “She’s opening a food stall and needs help. I thought of you, so I brought her here.”

Xie Saozi looked stunned but then happily wiped her hands. “Oh! Come in, come in!” She called inside, “San’er, bring two cups of water!”

Li Hehua waved her hands. “No need to be formal. I just came to talk.”

But Xie Saozi insisted and ushered them in. “It’s no trouble. Let’s sit and chat inside.”

Once seated, Li Hehua smiled. “I heard your cooking is quite good. Do you know how to steam buns and mantou?”

Relieved at the familiar topic, Xie Saozi nodded. “Yes, I used to make them often. My kids love them.”

Fang Saozi added, “She’s not lying—I’ve had her buns. They’re just as good as the shops’.”

Li Hehua was already confident in her cooking. What she wanted to confirm was her character. From the look of it, Xie Saozi was honest and sincere—not the troublesome type.

“Saozi, I’ll need help preparing ingredients daily, starting in the late afternoon until evening. You may not have time to return home for dinner. Would that be okay?”

“That’s fine. My three kids are grown and can take care of themselves. Honestly, I’m already up late washing clothes anyway.”

With that final concern gone, Li Hehua decided to give her a try. “Then here’s what I’m offering: hours from late afternoon to early evening, helping with dough, dumplings, steaming buns, etc. Pay is ten copper coins per day for now. If it works out long-term, and you do well, I’ll raise it.”

“Yes, yes! Absolutely!” Xie Saozi agreed without hesitation. Compared to washing clothes all day for less money, this was a golden opportunity.

She anxiously asked, “When should I start? I can come now!”

Li Hehua laughed. “No rush, Saozi. My stall opens the day after tomorrow. Today, finish up your chores. Start helping tomorrow afternoon.”

Xie Saozi eagerly nodded. “Got it! I’ll be there tomorrow. I’ll definitely work hard.”

Seeing how enthusiastic she was, Li Hehua could tell she truly cherished this opportunity. If she performed well, Li Hehua was determined to treat her generously.