บท 19: Chapter 019: Selling Tofu
Zhuang Qingsui then got off the bullock cart.
"No need for manners." The man smiled, waiting until the two sisters had fully disembarked before cracking his whip and driving the cart away.
Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui, each carrying a bamboo basket full of tofu, looked around the street before finally finding an open space to set their baskets down.
To their left was a vendor selling fried chop rice cake and to their right was a pea cake vendor. Both sold food items that required delicate care, unable to withstand dust or force, hence this clean area was a suitable place to sell their tofu.
They opened their bamboo baskets, placing a soft white block of tofu on top, thus their small stall was established.
Zhuang Qingning cleared her throat and began to hawk her goods.
"Tofu for sale, delicious tofu here, it's a coin for a catty, tofu here, tofu..."
After hearing her sister's calls, Zhuang Qingsui, who had initially been hesitant to call out, also began to loudly peddle their goods following her sister's lead.
This lasted the time it took for a cup of tea to steep.
Many people passed by and plenty glanced their way upon hearing the shouts of tofu, but not a single one stopped to inspect their goods, let alone make a purchase.
"Big Sister, why isn't anyone buying our tofu..." Zhuang Qingsui's face was as crumpled as a bun.
Standing here for such a long time with their throats going dry from shouting, yet no one had shown any interest in their tofu. The feeling of defeat was self-evident.
Especially considering the vendor selling pea cake next to them had sold two portions, while the vendor selling fried chop rice cake had sold three, their pitiful sales seemed even more dismal by comparison.
Zhuang Qingsui looked around somewhat gloomily, her eyes welling up with tears.
Zhuang Qingning also frowned slightly.
"You two don't usually come to town, do you?" The kindly elderly woman next door selling fried chop rice cake, Mrs. Liu, asked, seeing the dejected expressions on the sisters' faces.
"Yes, it's our first time coming to town to sell tofu; we rarely come here." Zhuang Qingning responded politely, sidling closer to the old woman's side with a smile and asking, "It seems like you might know something. Could you share it with us?"
"To tell you the truth, my sister and I have been relying on each other at home. We managed to find the means of making a living by grinding tofu to sell. If we can't sell the tofu and end up losing rather than making money, life won't be easy."
"We would be extremely grateful if you could give us some advice."
Hearing this, Mrs. Liu chuckled, "The only reason I'm saying anything is because I see you two youngsters out here selling tofu with no adults in sight. I understand that you're probably orphans, and that's why I'm speaking up."
"As newcomers to selling goods in town, you wouldn't know that there's already a well-established tofu shop in town called Changji Tofu. The tofu they grind is made with Physalis, which gives it a great flavor and longevity. It's also reasonably priced. Usually, the townsfolk only recognize Changji Tofu when they want to buy tofu."
"A few years ago, there was a tofu shop called Mrs. Wen's Tofu from a nearby village. I heard it was run by a widow. They also made their tofu with Physalis, and its taste could compare with Changji's. Unfortunately, they stopped operating a couple of years ago due to old age."
"The tofu you two youngsters grind definitely can't compete with Changji's, so it's normal that no one comes to buy it. Listen to me and just treat this experience as a lesson. You two should find something else to do. You can't keep this tofu business going in our town."
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Qingsui's face became even more gloomy.
At first, they had been afraid that they wouldn't be able to rent the tofu shop, then they were afraid they wouldn't be able to produce tofu. Now they had rented the tofu shop, and had made tofu. They even brought it to the market, but they were told the tofu wouldn't sell.
Life was really too hard.
Zhuang Qingsui's tears were about to fall.
However, Zhuang Qingning replied with a smile, "Thank you, Mrs. Liu, for the reminder and for letting us know the reason."
"Since you know, you should pack up early. Think of something else, find another way to survive. You two seem thin and sallow, I can't help but feel sorry for you." Mrs. Liu sighed, "If the tofu business is a loss, just let it be a loss. There are ups and downs in business, you just have bad luck."
"Thank you for thinking for us."
Zhuang Qingning smiled, "But we've already made this first batch of tofu, and we've hauled it all the way here to sell. We have to figure out a way to sell the tofu."
"That's true, and since you've already made the tofu, it would be a waste to just throw it away, but..."
Unable to finish her sentence, Mrs. Liu fell silent.
Those orphaned children, trying to make money and survive, had carried that heavy tofu to town. Now she was telling them that the tofu wouldn't sell, it sounded harsh and was also distressing.
"Alright, since you're already here, just go ahead and sell your tofu."
"Exactly, since we're already in town, we must focus on selling this tofu." Zhuang Qingning laughed with her eyes twinkling. She used the tofu knife to cut the block into half-inch cubes, "But Mrs. Liu, please taste our tofu. It is not inferior to the tofu made by the tofu shop you mentioned."
"This..." Those poor girls couldn't even sell their tofu, it wasn't really right for her to take a piece of their product.
Mrs. Liu hesitated a moment.
"Mrs. Liu, don't be polite. Please taste it. Only after you've tasted it can you judge whether our tofu is delicious, right?" Zhuang Qingning picked up a piece of tofu with a clean cloche and handed it to Mrs. Liu.
If she rejected their offer now, it would seem insincere.
So, Mrs. Liu smiled and picked up the tofu, "Alright, I'll taste it then."
Saying this, she put the tofu in her mouth.
"Huh..."
After a couple of bites, Mrs. Liu was surprised.
This tofu was indeed very delicious, soft and fragrant, even better, in fact, than the tofu from Changji. The tofu tasted so good that she was reluctant to swallow.
"Your tofu..." Mrs. Liu hesitated to swallow the tofu, staring at the white, tender tofu resting on top of the bamboo basket with disbelief.
"How is it?" Zhuang Qingning's eyes lit up as she smiled and asked.
"It's delicious." Mrs. Liu exclaimed, "This tofu is so soft and elastic, and incredibly fragrant. It's already so delicious raw, if you cook it, won't it taste even more heavenly?"
She continued, "How did you make this tofu? How come it's so delicious?"
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