Chapter 13 Small Business
"What's the matter?" Song Wei Ping went along with her and asked.
Xu Xiao Jiao pondered for a while and asked him, "Have you eaten the stew I told you to make today? How was it?"
Honestly, he felt that all the dishes tasted very good today. Song Wei Ping contemplated. The stew was indeed as Xu Xiao Gang said, "It's delicious."
Xu Xiao Jiao praised him, "Song Wei Ping, I noticed that you are quite talented in cooking."
What she gave were simplified steps. Still, the results that Song Wei Ping made were still delicious. The flavors were authentic. She had eaten a lot of delicacies from mountains and sea and had eaten a lot of them. She asked: "Say, there are a lot of rich people in town, right? The businesses in the alleys must be very good, aren't they?"
Song Wei Ping had been there quite a few times, so he knew very well. That Elder Sister who bought fabric last time didn't even bat an eye when she spent more than ten yuan. One can tell that many people in the town were very rich.
"It's pretty good."
"Then let's sell the stewed meat you made, okay?" She rubbed her chin, "Actually, that stewed meat had another name, it's called pot stewed pork. It tastes better than braised pork in brown sauce. It’s not just pot stewed pork belly, but also many other things can be pot stewed. Recently, I had inquired; the state-run restaurant in the town also has pot stewed meat. Not to mention there’s not much on each plate, I heard that the taste is quite average and one need a coupon. Not many people can bear to buy it. If we sell it, it can be easily sorted. Cut it into small pieces. A #jin (500g) of meat produces 8 #liang(50g). We can sell two liang a piece and sell for 40 cents. It’s quite profitable."
Her brain was filled with methods on making authentic pot stewed meat, "I have a secret recipe. It’ll definitely be much tastier than today's."
In fact, pot stewed chicken feet and pot stewed pig's feet were more delicious to eat. But in this era, chicken feet and pig's feet mostly consisted of bones and time wasting things. If ordinary families buy them, they would feel that they were at a loss. They weren’t particularly rich. So no one would buy it. If pot stewed pork belly was really easy to sell, they could try selling it along with it. Braised pork head meat was also pretty good. However, the pig head was too big. The risk factor was too high. Selling pot stewed pork belly first was the safest.
Song Wei Ping heard her speak in detail and asked her, "Have you been thinking about it for a long time?"
Xu Xiao Jiao nodded, "That's right. After you took me around the town last time, I started thinking about it. What do you think?"
Ever since he decided to get married, Song Wei Ping had thought of many ways to earn money. But there were too few ways. So he went to find Li San Tie to go out with him for transportation. It was hard to say if they could pick a loophole. Majority of the time, it was earning the subsidy money. He had contemplated about it for several days and planned to do something in the alley. He didn't expect Xu Xiao Jiao to have the same thought as him.
"We can try it first."
Xu Xiao Jiao clapped her hands. As expected of the future business tycoon. He was courageous. One must know that although the policy had loosened now, it wasn't so easy to break through the deeply ingrained ideas instilled in everyone. She thought it would take a long time to mobilize Song Wei Ping.
"Then you can accompany me to the town to buy meat tomorrow. Try buying two jins first. If it doesn't work, we can eat the meat ourselves. You need to buy some seasonings."
The two of them took a few days off because of their marriage. They happened to be free.
Song Wei Ping was one to dilly dally either. Now that he had decided, he didn't hesitate, "Okay."
Xu Xiao Jiao rubbed the corner of the quilt. She was a little sleepy. Her voice became soft, "You don't have to worry about the money. Use mine. I still have fifteen yuan. If this time doesn't work, we can try something else. It’s best that it does. If we earn money, I want my younger brother, to go to school. He is already in his teens, don't recognise much words. Also, Grandmother isn't in good health. Have to buy some nutritional supplements, and bring her to a medical checkup. And I want new clothes."
Drowsiness took over. She spoke intermittently. Subconsciously, she muttered words according to the modern’s rich standard, "I want a bicycle, a big watch, and a TV and a big house. Song Wei Ping, you have to make good money. Let me be a salty fish sooner."
After a long time, Xu Xiao Jiao had fallen into a sweet dream. Song Wei Ping's low voice sounded, "We’ll have it all."
A good night's sleep. When Xu Xiao Jiao woke up in the morning, she felt that this was the first time she had slept so well since she came here.
Song Wei Ping probably put two straw mattresses on and added a quilt. The quilts were sun dried until fluffy. It had a faint smell of grass and trees. It was very comfortable to stick her face to it. Although she unexpectedly was not picky about the bed, she was used to the soft cushions in her previous life. The hard bed in Wu Chun Hua's house was always a bit uncomfortable. While Song Wei Ping’s side was fine.
She stretched her body before poking her head out of the curtain. There was only a neatly stacked quilt left. Song Wei Ping had already got up.
She put on her clothes and put away the curtain. Right at this time, Song Wei Ping knocked on the door and said that the meal was ready.
She opened the door for Song Wei Ping, "You got up so early. Why didn't you call me?"
"You must be tired from yesterday, you should sleep more." When Song Wei Ping saw her, he thought of waking up in the morning and saw her small feet and white ankles stretched out. Then he thought how he ran away in a panic. He coughing lightly. "Come out and eat."
Xu Xiao Jiao thought about it. She really didn't do anything except eat yesterday. If she was tired, Song Wei Ping was more tired.
Once again, she mentally gave a good person card to Song Wei Ping. The two went to the town after eating.
Although Xu Xiao Jiao had been a salted fish for a long time, she had never been one to dilly dally. While Song Wei Ping was set on a matter without hesitation. The two of them got to work in the afternoon. When it was about time, Song Wei Ping turned off the fire.
When the pot was opened, the aroma rushed to the face. The bright red stewed meat was full of soup. The sight made people's index fingers itch to move.
Xu Xiao Jiao asked Song Wei Ping to cut a few slices. She took a slice and tasted it.
The taste was delicious. The sauce was overflowing. The fatty meat melted in the mouth, while the lean meat wasn't too dry. It was very delicate and chewy, "Wow, it’s better than what I have eaten before. Song Wei Ping, you are amazing.”
He had never made it before and could produce such delicious pot stewed meat just by following her recipe. Amazing. Simply amazing!
Song Wei Ping tasted a slice and was surprised that it tasted so good. Seeing Xu Xiao Jiao's eyebrows beaming, the mouth corners curved, "You command well."
Xu Xiao Jiao took another slice, "You have a talent for cooking. Make a few more times and you don't need me to oversee. It's cold now. The meat can be left overnight. If the weather is hot, you have to get up early in the morning to make it to sell. It'll be hard on you at that time. I can't get up early."
She was coquettish as she declared that she wanted to sleep in.
"I'll do it," Song Wei Ping said. He cut another piece to for another a plate. "Go and call Mom and Xiao Gang. They'll eat here today."
When there’s good things, of course it had to share. So Xu Xiao Jiao happily went to call them.
Needless to say, this pot stewed pork had received unanimous praise from the family.
The next day, while Xu Xiao Jiao was still asleep, Song Wei Ping had already set off.
The six cuts of steaming sauced meat were placed in a small earthen basin. In order to keep warm, Song Wei Ping also burned pebbles and wrapped them with cloth and spread them under the basket. When arriving in the town, the sauced meat didn’t lose it’s heat. Once the white cloth that covered it was opened, the fragrance immediately spread out.
"What's the smell? It smells so good." After a while, a man wearing a hat came over and asked in a hushed voice.
Song Wei Ping had covered himself tightly like everyone else. His voice came out from the scarf, "The pot stewed pork made by my family. It’s absolutely delicious. Elder Brother, buy a piece and try it?"
The man sniffed and was craving for it, "How much?"
"A piece of meat is two liang. A piece is forty cents."
The man hissed, "It’s too expensive."
Song Wei Ping was unhurried. He took out the meat crumbs from another bowl and handed it over, "My pot stewed pork is made of quality ingredients. It’s the family’s secret recipe. Much better than the ones in the restaurant. Try it."
The man could be seen putting the minced meat into his mouth. His eyes lit up and he showed a satisfied expression. He continued in a low voice, "There are only a few slices of meat in the restaurant’s one piece and a bit. Not only is it expensive but also not tasty. My two pieces is more than that. It’s a good deal to buy one piece home to enjoy with a drink or to satisfy the child’s cravings. If there’s guests at home, buy two pieces, cut it into thin slices, and it’s a dish. Quite decent.”
The taste of this meat was pretty good. The man knew what he said was right. If he buys a piece, he can eat a few slices with wine. The rest can satisfy his wife's cravings. It was a good idea, "Okay, give me a piece. Pick a big one. "
Song Wei Ping picked out one, wrapped it, and handed it over, "I guarantee Elder Brother will find it unforgettable. Come again next time."
At seven o'clock, the sky brightened. Xu Xiao Jiao had just woken up when Song Wei Ping came back, "You guys dispersed. How did it go?"
Song Wei Ping handed over the remaining 80 cents, "It's all sold. Someone asked for three pieces. One piece was a bit small. After negotiating the price, I asked for one yuan. Then I bought two jins of meat. 80 cents is left. "
"All sold?" Xu Xiao Jiao was surprised. She thought he should be able to sell some of them. Never expect them to sell so well. Though Song Wei Ping seemed normal and solemn, he was quite skillful in doing business.
Holding the money was useless. She waved her hands to indicate no need. She wanted to keep a few yuans and give the rest to Song Wei Ping, "Song Wei Ping, I really admire you more and more. You are amazing. You take the money. Once your business gets up, my money is equivalent to the principal capital. Once you earn more, give it to me then."
With how good the business was, another problem came up, "We don't have meat coupons. I can go to find Ping Xiang and the others to exchange for some coupons today. But it can only solve the amount for a day or two."
Song Wei Ping had a solution, "I'll ask Third Eldder Brother Li. He should have a way."
That would be great.
Song Wei Ping looked at her, "If it sells well, Xiao Gang will be sent to school in two months."
Xu Xiao Jiao was a little surprised, "Shouldn't you pay back the money to your uncle's family first?"
According to Grandmother, all the money Song Wei Ping earned in the past few years had been saved to pay off the debts. She knew without asing that the money for buying the dress last time was borrowed.
Song Wei Ping pursed his lips, "There's no rush. We'll talk about it after the New Year."
If the business was good and the problem of buying meat was solved, he can still earn more than ten yuan even if he only sold it for half of the whole month. This was a huge sum of money. Xu Xiao Jiao discovered she gained the hobby of liking money. At the rush of money, she felt satisfied, "Song Wei Ping, you must do well."
Sure enough, one should not underestimate the ability of the future business tycoon. Give him a little chance and he will grab it with all his strength and go up. The good days were coming soon.
Previous
"What's the matter?" Song Wei Ping went along with her and asked.
Xu Xiao Jiao pondered for a while and asked him, "Have you eaten the stew I told you to make today? How was it?"
Honestly, he felt that all the dishes tasted very good today. Song Wei Ping contemplated. The stew was indeed as Xu Xiao Gang said, "It's delicious."
Xu Xiao Jiao praised him, "Song Wei Ping, I noticed that you are quite talented in cooking."
What she gave were simplified steps. Still, the results that Song Wei Ping made were still delicious. The flavors were authentic. She had eaten a lot of delicacies from mountains and sea and had eaten a lot of them. She asked: "Say, there are a lot of rich people in town, right? The businesses in the alleys must be very good, aren't they?"
Song Wei Ping had been there quite a few times, so he knew very well. That Elder Sister who bought fabric last time didn't even bat an eye when she spent more than ten yuan. One can tell that many people in the town were very rich.
"It's pretty good."
"Then let's sell the stewed meat you made, okay?" She rubbed her chin, "Actually, that stewed meat had another name, it's called pot stewed pork. It tastes better than braised pork in brown sauce. It’s not just pot stewed pork belly, but also many other things can be pot stewed. Recently, I had inquired; the state-run restaurant in the town also has pot stewed meat. Not to mention there’s not much on each plate, I heard that the taste is quite average and one need a coupon. Not many people can bear to buy it. If we sell it, it can be easily sorted. Cut it into small pieces. A #jin (500g) of meat produces 8 #liang(50g). We can sell two liang a piece and sell for 40 cents. It’s quite profitable."
Her brain was filled with methods on making authentic pot stewed meat, "I have a secret recipe. It’ll definitely be much tastier than today's."
In fact, pot stewed chicken feet and pot stewed pig's feet were more delicious to eat. But in this era, chicken feet and pig's feet mostly consisted of bones and time wasting things. If ordinary families buy them, they would feel that they were at a loss. They weren’t particularly rich. So no one would buy it. If pot stewed pork belly was really easy to sell, they could try selling it along with it. Braised pork head meat was also pretty good. However, the pig head was too big. The risk factor was too high. Selling pot stewed pork belly first was the safest.
Song Wei Ping heard her speak in detail and asked her, "Have you been thinking about it for a long time?"
Xu Xiao Jiao nodded, "That's right. After you took me around the town last time, I started thinking about it. What do you think?"
Ever since he decided to get married, Song Wei Ping had thought of many ways to earn money. But there were too few ways. So he went to find Li San Tie to go out with him for transportation. It was hard to say if they could pick a loophole. Majority of the time, it was earning the subsidy money. He had contemplated about it for several days and planned to do something in the alley. He didn't expect Xu Xiao Jiao to have the same thought as him.
"We can try it first."
Xu Xiao Jiao clapped her hands. As expected of the future business tycoon. He was courageous. One must know that although the policy had loosened now, it wasn't so easy to break through the deeply ingrained ideas instilled in everyone. She thought it would take a long time to mobilize Song Wei Ping.
"Then you can accompany me to the town to buy meat tomorrow. Try buying two jins first. If it doesn't work, we can eat the meat ourselves. You need to buy some seasonings."
The two of them took a few days off because of their marriage. They happened to be free.
Song Wei Ping was one to dilly dally either. Now that he had decided, he didn't hesitate, "Okay."
Xu Xiao Jiao rubbed the corner of the quilt. She was a little sleepy. Her voice became soft, "You don't have to worry about the money. Use mine. I still have fifteen yuan. If this time doesn't work, we can try something else. It’s best that it does. If we earn money, I want my younger brother, to go to school. He is already in his teens, don't recognise much words. Also, Grandmother isn't in good health. Have to buy some nutritional supplements, and bring her to a medical checkup. And I want new clothes."
Drowsiness took over. She spoke intermittently. Subconsciously, she muttered words according to the modern’s rich standard, "I want a bicycle, a big watch, and a TV and a big house. Song Wei Ping, you have to make good money. Let me be a salty fish sooner."
After a long time, Xu Xiao Jiao had fallen into a sweet dream. Song Wei Ping's low voice sounded, "We’ll have it all."
A good night's sleep. When Xu Xiao Jiao woke up in the morning, she felt that this was the first time she had slept so well since she came here.
Song Wei Ping probably put two straw mattresses on and added a quilt. The quilts were sun dried until fluffy. It had a faint smell of grass and trees. It was very comfortable to stick her face to it. Although she unexpectedly was not picky about the bed, she was used to the soft cushions in her previous life. The hard bed in Wu Chun Hua's house was always a bit uncomfortable. While Song Wei Ping’s side was fine.
She stretched her body before poking her head out of the curtain. There was only a neatly stacked quilt left. Song Wei Ping had already got up.
She put on her clothes and put away the curtain. Right at this time, Song Wei Ping knocked on the door and said that the meal was ready.
She opened the door for Song Wei Ping, "You got up so early. Why didn't you call me?"
"You must be tired from yesterday, you should sleep more." When Song Wei Ping saw her, he thought of waking up in the morning and saw her small feet and white ankles stretched out. Then he thought how he ran away in a panic. He coughing lightly. "Come out and eat."
Xu Xiao Jiao thought about it. She really didn't do anything except eat yesterday. If she was tired, Song Wei Ping was more tired.
Once again, she mentally gave a good person card to Song Wei Ping. The two went to the town after eating.
Although Xu Xiao Jiao had been a salted fish for a long time, she had never been one to dilly dally. While Song Wei Ping was set on a matter without hesitation. The two of them got to work in the afternoon. When it was about time, Song Wei Ping turned off the fire.
When the pot was opened, the aroma rushed to the face. The bright red stewed meat was full of soup. The sight made people's index fingers itch to move.
Xu Xiao Jiao asked Song Wei Ping to cut a few slices. She took a slice and tasted it.
The taste was delicious. The sauce was overflowing. The fatty meat melted in the mouth, while the lean meat wasn't too dry. It was very delicate and chewy, "Wow, it’s better than what I have eaten before. Song Wei Ping, you are amazing.”
He had never made it before and could produce such delicious pot stewed meat just by following her recipe. Amazing. Simply amazing!
Song Wei Ping tasted a slice and was surprised that it tasted so good. Seeing Xu Xiao Jiao's eyebrows beaming, the mouth corners curved, "You command well."
Xu Xiao Jiao took another slice, "You have a talent for cooking. Make a few more times and you don't need me to oversee. It's cold now. The meat can be left overnight. If the weather is hot, you have to get up early in the morning to make it to sell. It'll be hard on you at that time. I can't get up early."
She was coquettish as she declared that she wanted to sleep in.
"I'll do it," Song Wei Ping said. He cut another piece to for another a plate. "Go and call Mom and Xiao Gang. They'll eat here today."
When there’s good things, of course it had to share. So Xu Xiao Jiao happily went to call them.
Needless to say, this pot stewed pork had received unanimous praise from the family.
The next day, while Xu Xiao Jiao was still asleep, Song Wei Ping had already set off.
The six cuts of steaming sauced meat were placed in a small earthen basin. In order to keep warm, Song Wei Ping also burned pebbles and wrapped them with cloth and spread them under the basket. When arriving in the town, the sauced meat didn’t lose it’s heat. Once the white cloth that covered it was opened, the fragrance immediately spread out.
"What's the smell? It smells so good." After a while, a man wearing a hat came over and asked in a hushed voice.
Song Wei Ping had covered himself tightly like everyone else. His voice came out from the scarf, "The pot stewed pork made by my family. It’s absolutely delicious. Elder Brother, buy a piece and try it?"
The man sniffed and was craving for it, "How much?"
"A piece of meat is two liang. A piece is forty cents."
The man hissed, "It’s too expensive."
Song Wei Ping was unhurried. He took out the meat crumbs from another bowl and handed it over, "My pot stewed pork is made of quality ingredients. It’s the family’s secret recipe. Much better than the ones in the restaurant. Try it."
The man could be seen putting the minced meat into his mouth. His eyes lit up and he showed a satisfied expression. He continued in a low voice, "There are only a few slices of meat in the restaurant’s one piece and a bit. Not only is it expensive but also not tasty. My two pieces is more than that. It’s a good deal to buy one piece home to enjoy with a drink or to satisfy the child’s cravings. If there’s guests at home, buy two pieces, cut it into thin slices, and it’s a dish. Quite decent.”
The taste of this meat was pretty good. The man knew what he said was right. If he buys a piece, he can eat a few slices with wine. The rest can satisfy his wife's cravings. It was a good idea, "Okay, give me a piece. Pick a big one. "
Song Wei Ping picked out one, wrapped it, and handed it over, "I guarantee Elder Brother will find it unforgettable. Come again next time."
At seven o'clock, the sky brightened. Xu Xiao Jiao had just woken up when Song Wei Ping came back, "You guys dispersed. How did it go?"
Song Wei Ping handed over the remaining 80 cents, "It's all sold. Someone asked for three pieces. One piece was a bit small. After negotiating the price, I asked for one yuan. Then I bought two jins of meat. 80 cents is left. "
"All sold?" Xu Xiao Jiao was surprised. She thought he should be able to sell some of them. Never expect them to sell so well. Though Song Wei Ping seemed normal and solemn, he was quite skillful in doing business.
Holding the money was useless. She waved her hands to indicate no need. She wanted to keep a few yuans and give the rest to Song Wei Ping, "Song Wei Ping, I really admire you more and more. You are amazing. You take the money. Once your business gets up, my money is equivalent to the principal capital. Once you earn more, give it to me then."
With how good the business was, another problem came up, "We don't have meat coupons. I can go to find Ping Xiang and the others to exchange for some coupons today. But it can only solve the amount for a day or two."
Song Wei Ping had a solution, "I'll ask Third Eldder Brother Li. He should have a way."
That would be great.
Song Wei Ping looked at her, "If it sells well, Xiao Gang will be sent to school in two months."
Xu Xiao Jiao was a little surprised, "Shouldn't you pay back the money to your uncle's family first?"
According to Grandmother, all the money Song Wei Ping earned in the past few years had been saved to pay off the debts. She knew without asing that the money for buying the dress last time was borrowed.
Song Wei Ping pursed his lips, "There's no rush. We'll talk about it after the New Year."
If the business was good and the problem of buying meat was solved, he can still earn more than ten yuan even if he only sold it for half of the whole month. This was a huge sum of money. Xu Xiao Jiao discovered she gained the hobby of liking money. At the rush of money, she felt satisfied, "Song Wei Ping, you must do well."
Sure enough, one should not underestimate the ability of the future business tycoon. Give him a little chance and he will grab it with all his strength and go up. The good days were coming soon.
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