Chapter 91 - Advanced Paymen (2/2)

Liu Pei and Liu Han raised their heads and grinned at her, “Hey, Xiaocao. How’s the business going today? Look, your head is full of sweat, you must be exhausted right?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine! Today my father came with me as well. Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle, here’s some of the braised food and pickled fish I made. You should all try some and see how it tastes. I didn’t make enough the past two days so I couldn’t leave you guys any…” Xiaocao replied somewhat bashfully.

The honest and timid Liu Han shook his hand hastily and said, “Your eldest aunt had packed us some salted vegetables. Earlier I noticed that your braised food sells really well here, so you should keep the food to make money. Your family has a great need for money at the moment…”

Xiaocao smiled, “I made a bit too much food today, so there’s still some left in my basket! When we were remodeling the house, Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle were both a great help to us. It’s right and necessary that I repay your kindness with my feelings of respect. Please take the food. Oldest Cousin, you should try this pickled fish, I bet you’ll really like the taste.”

The three men from the Liu Family only brought a few pancakes made from coarse grain and three salted radishes from home for breakfast. At the congee stall, they also bought three bowls of bean soup for one copper coin apiece. Although Liu Zhiwei had a tall and imposing figure, he was only around fourteen to fifteen years of age. This was the time when boys like him constantly hungered for food to eat.

Had the person selling the braised food for one copper coin a portion not been Xiaocao, he would have gone over earlier to queue for the food. Sometimes, he would see his fellow dock workers eating the braised food with gusto, and he could catch a whiff of its tantalizing and appetizing smell. Those were the times when he almost couldn’t keep the drool in his mouth.

When he noticed that Xiaocao had already opened the oiled paper packets and the tempting, savory smell of the braised food hit his nose, Liu Zhiwei had to swallow down the saliva that flooded his mouth. He glanced at his father and older uncle. His eyes glinted with a look of pure envy that was the exact same look Little Shitou had whenever he wanted to eat something.

Xiaocao stifled her desire to burst out laughing and snatched the pancake from his hand. She unfolded it flat and put a piece of stir-fried fish and a couple pieces of fatty pig head meat in the middle. She then gently placed the food back in his hands and said, “Oldest Cousin, try it! This was all made by me…”

Back by the noodle stall, Yu Hai had a few more customers come up to him to buy food. After that, other than the portion of braised food reserved for Foreman Sun, the rest of the food had pretty much been sold out. He placed the basket back on the wheelbarrow and walked over to where Xiaocao and the others were. He also urged the men when he got there, “Eldest Brother-in-law, Second Older Brother-in-law, it’s only three copper coins worth of food. Xiaocao is showing her filial respect to you, so just eat some!”

Seeing that they couldn’t refuse the offer, Liu Pei and Liu Han each used a pair of chopsticks to pick up a piece of braised pig head meat and placed it into their mouths to slowly savor. A burst of delicious flavor hit their tongues. They had never eaten anything so delicious, so it prompted them both to praise the food endlessly. The two brothers then tried only a bite or two of the other two dishes. They left the rest of the food for Liu Zhiwei to eat, as he was still a growing adolescent.

After Liu Pei finished eating breakfast, he took a look at his younger brother-in-law’s leg. With sincere concern, he asked, “I’ve been a bit busy lately, so I haven’t had the time to visit you. Does your leg give you any problems after walking so far a distance?”

Yu Hai slapped his left leg a couple of times and grinned, “Not a problem at all! The doctor in town even told me to walk a bit more on it when I have the time! It’s all thanks to Xiaocao for massaging my leg every night. Otherwise, I don’t think my leg would get better so quickly! Who knows, maybe after more time passes, I can also go to the docks to find some work.”

The two brothers from the Liu Family complimented their younger sister and brother-in-law for raising such an obedient and sweet daughter. Yu Hai felt more happy from hearing the praises than he did about his own leg getting better.

The small group of people chatted for a little bit more until it was time to start working again. Yu Hai and his daughter had also gotten enough rest during this interlude. They left the saved portion of braised food for Foreman Sun at Old Liu’s noodle stand and prepared to go into town with their wheelbarrow to buy some stuff at the town’s markets.

At this point, the solemn looking Brother Six came over. He threw some silver bits at Xiaocao and said, “Tomorrow I have an important client coming over. Are you able to help me prepare some food for them?”

Xiaocao looked at the money in her hands and estimated that it must be around two taels worth of money. She proceeded to ask him more details about his clients. How many people did he plan on entertaining? Were they southerners or northerners? Did they have any specific tastes or requests regarding their food? Brother Six answered her questions one by one. After that, Xiaocao had a good idea on what she needed to prepare.

At this time, Foreman Sun hurriedly rushed over from the docks to here and clearly didn’t take any time to catch his breath. He looked at the silver bits in Xiaocao’s hands and frowned, “What’s going on, Xiaocao? Is there someone trying to cause trouble for you here? If so, don’t feel shy to tell me. You have me behind you!”

Brother Six stared at him with an imperceptible smile on his face until Foreman Sun started to feel uncomfortable. Only then did Brother Six speak, “Foreman Sun, I know what you’re thinking about! The larger one’s head is, the larger the hat you’ll have to wear! Beware of biting off more than you can chew! Xiaocao is someone who does business with everyone and is not just an instrument for you to use to bring in clients! Old Sun, tomorrow’s customer isn’t someone you can steal just because you want to!”

Foreman Sun rubbed his nose out of embarrassment and said, “Ah Liuzi, don’t be so petty! Xiaocao has helped me a bit, so I was afraid that she was being bullied by others…”

Brother Six glanced at him with disinterest and then returned his gaze back on Xiaocao. He said, “Then I’ll be counting on you tomorrow…” After that, he turned and left the area.

Foreman Sun took offense to his attitude and sneered while quietly grumbling, “What’s he’s so proud about? If I had come to the docks to work two years earlier, then I wouldn’t have to deal with your blustering—Xiaocao, what did that stupid Liuzi want you to do for him? He gave you so much money, he’s not asking you to do something illegal, right?”

Xiaocao looked at him with a faint smile on her face and said, “Older Uncle Sun, he was merely admiring my culinary talent and wanted me to make some delicious food for him tomorrow. He gave me this money to buy ingredients…Older Uncle, the braised food you reserved is back at Grandpa Liu’s place. It’s getting late, I need to go into town and restock my seasoning and condiment supplies.”

Xiaocao’s clear and bright eyes seemed to pierce through Foreman Sun’s small schemes, and he replied with slight embarrassment, “Then go! Here’s the money I owe you for the food…”

It wasn’t a special market day at the markets at the docks today, so there weren’t a lot of people browsing. Most of the shops were open at the market, and Butcher Wang’s meat shop was one of those open stalls.

“Xiaocao, are you here to buy some another pig head and pig offal? How was business today? This uncle has heard that your one copper coin per meat dish is very popular at the docks” Butcher Wang smiled genially as he greeted her.