Chapter 27: The Bustling Market Scene

“Husband, do you think we’ll be able to sell our food?” Dong Fangfang asked anxiously.

“You know how powerful the aroma of this Spicy Skewered Chicken is. Once we start cooking, the fragrance will carry for miles—of course we’ll sell it. What I’m worried about is messing up the accounting,” Li Zhengqiang replied, unconcerned about their chances of making sales. After all, this was an idea from Si, and anything Si thought up was sure to sell.

His only fear was letting Si down and failing to meet expectations.

“Enough, let’s not talk about it—I'm getting more nervous the more we discuss it.” Dong Fangfang pressed a hand to her chest, deciding to drop the topic for now.

They pushed their little cart to the docks, where many other vendors had already set up. The other stallholders eyed them warily—another couple here to compete for business. They watched Li Zhengqiang and Dong Fangfang with added scrutiny, making the two so self-conscious that they nearly tripped over their own feet.

But running a business wasn’t easy. Though the docks were crowded, so were the vendors, and many newcomers left after just a few days.

Dong Fangfang gripped Li Zhengqiang’s arm nervously.

“Honey, you’re hurting me a little,” he whispered.

She quickly let go, embarrassed. “Sorry, I’m just nervous.”

They found an empty spot and began unpacking their things. The prime spaces at the front were already taken, but Si had reassured them that their food’s aroma would travel far, so a spot further back wouldn’t matter. There was no need to argue over stalls.

Seeing them head for the back, the other vendors thought to themselves: they’ll probably only last a few days—the customers can’t even see them from there. What kind of business will they get?

Meanwhile, Li Su had already spent a few copper coins that morning, hiring several young beggars to roam the streets and spread the word, making sure they mentioned the time and place.

Li Zhengqiang and Dong Fangfang laid out their wares. The moment they poured the base into the pot, the aroma wafted out instantly.

They set up the sign written by Si, listing the prices for Spicy Skewered Chicken, both vegetarian and meat options, and noting a special—buy ten skewers and get one free.

Although Li Zhengqiang couldn’t read, he could see at a glance that their sign looked much better than the others—none of the other vendors' signs could compare to Si’s beautiful handwriting.

Suddenly, his nerves faded—he couldn’t embarrass Si.

“What’s that smell? It’s so good!”

“Where’s it coming from?”

“I think it’s from that young couple who just arrived.”

“I’m going to check it out.”

Now, lunchtime was still a ways off, so the vendors were free to wander.

A few, curious, approached to ask what the couple was selling.

“What are you selling? It smells amazing,” asked a young man from the steamed bun stall.

“We’re selling Spicy Skewered Chicken—one copper a skewer for vegetarian, three for meat,” Li Zhengqiang replied warmly.

“That expensive?” the young man exclaimed. He’d never heard of Spicy Skewered Chicken, but the price seemed steep—a skewer was just a bite, while a large steamed bun cost only two copper coins and could easily fill an adult.

But Si had taught him how to answer this.

“My friend, you’re forgetting the cost. We cook everything fresh, right in front of you—it takes more firewood and it’s fresher. Plus, look at my broth: mostly oil, with sesame and spices, all of which are expensive ingredients. It’s really not overpriced,” Li Zhengqiang rattled off confidently.

Dong Fangfang glanced at her husband; she’d never realized how eloquent he could be.

The young man still thought it was costly, but the aroma was irresistible.

After all, wasn’t making money about enjoying something better once in a while? He hesitated, then decided to treat himself.

It wasn’t like he’d eat it every day—just a taste couldn’t hurt, could it?

With that, he gritted his teeth. “Give me three skewers to start with.” He picked three vegetarian ones to try.

Other vendors watched, calculating. When they heard the price, they inhaled sharply.

Dong Fangfang quickly accepted the order, thrilled—first sale!

“All right, we’ll cook it up right now!”

The young man took the skewers and immediately popped one into his mouth, as all eyes watched.

The moment he took a bite, his face lit up. “Delicious!”

Li Zhengqiang and Dong Fangfang couldn’t help but smile.

In the end, the young man and another vendor pooled together for ten skewers, asking for extra broth, then used the skewers and steamed buns to make a satisfying lunch.

Before long, the dockworkers came for lunch, drawn by the overpowering fragrance of Spicy Skewered Chicken.

Some thought it too expensive, but others joined friends to share ten skewers, using the leftover broth to season rice or steamed buns.

Li Zhengqiang and Dong Fangfang’s faces glowed with happiness—they were making so much money!

***

Li Su packed up his books after school. “I won’t be eating with you today—I have somewhere to go.”

“Where to?” Lin Ze asked quickly, surprised—he was so used to their group meals that missing one felt odd.

Li Su didn’t intend to hide it. “My second brother and his wife have set up a food stall at the docks. I’m going there for lunch.”

“They’re selling food? Su, can we come too?” Qin Ming chimed in.

“If you want, come with me,” Li Su agreed easily.

“We can help your brother and sister-in-law with their business,” Ren Shuhua added, curious.

The four of them headed to the docks together.

“Why does it seem even busier than usual?” Lin Ze wondered aloud.

“It really does,” Qin Ming replied, eyeing the bustling crowd. “What are they holding? It smells amazing.”

Qin Ming took a deep breath of the fragrant air. As the son of a wealthy landlord, he’d tasted plenty of delicacies, but never anything whose aroma alone was this intoxicating.

Li Su recognized it instantly—his family’s Spicy Skewered Chicken. It looked like his brother and sister-in-law’s business was booming.

He chuckled. “Let’s go see for ourselves.”

Though their stall was near the back, it was easy to find—a long line stretched out before it.

Qin Ming peered at the stall, then sighed, “So many people in line. Otherwise, I’d like to try it now. They’ll be out tomorrow, right? I’ll have my family buy some for me.”

Since they had to return to the academy soon, he gave up on waiting in line.

Lin Ze and Ren Shuhua nodded in agreement. The aroma alone was enough to tell them the taste would be even better.

“That’s easy—just follow me.” He couldn’t afford to treat his friends to a whole meal, but he could at least let them sample a taste. He planned to share his own portion with them.

“Su, you have a way?” Qin Ming asked in surprise.

Li Su led the three straight to the stall, and the others quickly followed.

Li Zhengqiang and Dong Fangfang were run off their feet, but delighted. Though they were busy, the money was rolling in!

They hadn’t had time to count their earnings, but from the feel of the coins passing through their hands, they knew it was a lot.

“Hey, you four—don’t you see everyone’s lining up?” an older man near the front called out, glaring at Li Su and his friends.