Chapter 32

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“There must be a lot of people who think that way, but they don’t say it out loud as honestly as I do.”Chen Xiaosang responded smugly.

Old Chen lifted her up, placing her on the handcart, then set off with Wushu towards the county town.

By the time they reached the county town entrance, the sky was brightening. The queue at the entrance was already winding down the adjacent street.

Chen Xiaosang, after a quick scan of the surroundings, urged Old Chen to move their large soup pot next to a local bun shop. She then dispatched Wushu to join the line.

The bun shopkeeper was unhappy about them setting up in front of his shop. He was about to tell them to leave after seeing off a customer.

Before he could utter a word, Old Chen presented him with a big bowl of their homemade radish bone soup, saying warmly, “Please, taste our bone soup.”

Chen Xiaosang, cocking her head, chimed in with a beaming smile, “Our soup is truly delightful.”

One shouldn’t strike a smiling face, especially not two.

Swallowing his initial harsh words, the bun shopkeeper softened his tone, “My shop is small. Perhaps you could sell elsewhere?”

Chen Xiaosang quickly stepped forward, her voice childish and persuasive, “If customers buy buns, they could also have a bowl of our soup. It’s even better than soup noodles. It’ll certainly boost your business too.”

The shopkeeper hesitated.

Chen Xiaosang tenderly suggested, “We’ll give you five coins as a rental fee for the spot, how does that sound?”

The mention of money piqued the shopkeeper’s interest.

Five coins weren’t much, but considering they were vending against the wall, not obstructing his shop entrance, it was easy money, and a profitable arrangement.

The shopkeeper glanced at petite Chen Xiaosang, then shifted his gaze to Old Chen, querying, “Brother, do you agree?”

There was no reason for Old Chen to refuse, and he immediately agreed.

Chen Xiaosang borrowed a bucket of water from the shopkeeper, washed all the bowls they had brought, then positioned herself at the front. In her most enticing voice, she announced, “Selling aromatic bone radish soup here!”

Her youthful callout instantly attracted many passersby. A 16 or 17-year-old girl carrying a load walked over, asking Chen Xiaosang, “How much is your bone soup?”

Upon seeing the potential customer, Chen Xiaosang greeted her warmly, “One coin for a bowl. It’s really tasty. You look tired, sister, how about having a bowl of soup for a rest?”

The girl with a tanned skin laughed, glanced back at her parents, then turned to Chen Xiaosang, “Alright, give me three bowls.”

Old Chen didn’t expect to sell three bowls at once. He didn’t even bother to smoke. He quickly scooped three bowls of soup and scooped a few more radishes.

The tanned girl called her parents over and each of them held a bowl of soup.

Chen Xiaosang did not forget to take the opportunity to get some business for the bun shop. “Just drinking soup could leave you hungry, sister. Why not buy a few buns to eat with your soup? It’s delicious and filling.”

The bun shopkeeper, a good businessman himself, walked up to the doorway, smiling warmly, “My buns are large, just two or three can satisfy a hard worker.”

“But dear, we’d spend a lot of money if we each bought a bun. A bowl of soup should be enough,” the older woman remarked.

However, the young girl had her own plans. After comforting her parents, she ordered from the bun shopkeeper, “I’ll take six steamed buns.”

Steamed buns were cheaper and filling, perfect to eat with soup.

The shopkeeper happily welcomed them in and gave Chen Xiaosang a thumbs up.

Chen Xiaosang smiled proudly and turned to the street, shouting even louder.

Her business was booming now, selling one bowl of soup after another.

As Chen Xiaosang collected the coins in her plump little hand, she would call her father to deliver a bowl of soup.

Many people, intrigued by her youthful energy, stopped by. She welcomed them with sweet words, cleverly promoting the bun shop as well.

The bun shopkeeper couldn’t stop smiling, and even helped them wash dishes when he had time.

Within a few hours, their large pot of bone radish soup was sold out.

Chen Xiaosang, her hands resting on her full pockets, grinned like a mischievous cat.

At last, she could take her brothers back home!

As Old Chen cheerfully cleaned the dishes, he reminded her, “Remember to give the shopkeeper his five coins.”

Only then did Chen Xiaosang recall. She counted five coins in her little hand, strolled into the bun shop, and extended her small fists towards the busy shopkeeper.

“Uncle, here’s our stall rent,” she said.

The shopkeeper of the bun shop swiftly pinched a bun and placed it on the chopping board. He chuckled and said, “You’ve already helped me pull in a lot of business, so I won’t take the money.”

He’d sold ten more baskets of buns that day than usual.

Chen Xiaosang placed the coins in the shopkeeper’s flour-dusted hand, “We have an agreement. We have to keep our word.”

The shopkeeper, touched by her honesty, tucked the money away. He picked up three large meat buns, wrapped them in oilpaper, and handed them to Chen Xiaosang.

Patting her full belly, Chen Xiaosang replied, “I’m already full, no more for me.”

“Then eat it when you’re hungry. Take what Uncle gave you. It’s free.”The shopkeeper grabbed Chen Xiaosang’s hands and held the bun.

“Well, eat it when you’re hungry. Keep these, they’re on the house,” the shopkeeper insisted, pressing the wrapped buns into her hands.

Chen Xiaosang hesitated as she held the paper-wrapped package, but eventually decided to accept the shopkeeper’s kind offer.

The shopkeeper, seeing his shop full of customers, was intrigued. He leaned closer to Chen Xiaosang and asked, “Will you be back tomorrow?”

Chen Xiaosang nodded eagerly, “Yes! Can we sell soup at the entrance of your shop?”

“Of course! But you’ll need to help call out to the customers.”

Shouting didn’t cost anything, so Chen Xiaosang was willing. She nodded vigorously.

The shopkeeper was satisfied.

Having reached an agreement, Chen Xiaosang, holding her buns, went to tell her father.

Old Chen came in, after discussing further with the shopkeeper and thanking him profusely, he accompanied Chen Xiaosang to find Wushu.

Wushu was astonished, “You sold all the bone soup?”

“Yes! We made quite a bit of money. Our brothers can come home now,” Chen Xiaosang joyfully patted her pockets.

Only after seeing the empty wooden bucket did Wushu believe it.

Hearing that the bun shop’s shopkeeper was willing to let them set up a stall by the shop’s entrance, he pinched himself out of disbelief. The pain followed by joy made his face turn red.

They could finally do business in town!

Old Chen pulled Chen Xiaosang aside and said, “Xiaosang, let dad handle the money.”

Guarding her pocket, Chen Xiaosang responded, “I want to buy lots of delicious food for when our brothers come home. I can’t give the money to you.”

Old Chen’s heart skipped a beat as he tried to persuade her, “Your uncle sent us three chickens that we haven’t slaughtered yet, one would be enough for today.”

Chen Xiaosang kept shaking her head, “No, I also want to buy pork ribs.”

This reckless daughter of his!

Why would they eat pork ribs when it wasn’t a holiday?

Old Chen’s eyes darted towards Chen Xiaosang’s pocket. Chen Xiaosang quickly took shelter behind Wushu.

“I also want to buy lots of rice for a grand meal.”

She had plans to spend half of her hard-earned money on their daily needs, not to let all of it be saved by her father.

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