239 Soup Dumplings

The family used an extended bench as a table, and a row of small stools was in front of it. The customers could sit there and enjoy their duck vermicelli and soup dumplings.

“Shopkeeper, give me a big bowl of duck vermicelli. Oh, and a set of soup dumplings.”

Feng Sisi replied smilingly, “They’ll be ready soon.”

Then Liu Chengwen placed the noodles into a bowl while his wife added the duck blood soup and handed it to the customer. Mrs. Liu also helped by handing the soup dumpling to Feng Sisi to pass to the customer.

“Shopkeeper, your soup dumplings are amazing because of the slight sweetness. I don’t know how you guys make these.”

Mrs. Liu said smilingly, “We’re delighted that you think so. The way we make these is rather complicated. It’s something my daughter’s sister-in-law taught us.”

“Your daughter must’ve married into a good family then.”

Mrs. Liu smiled and chimed in, “That’s right. I wondered why my daughter’s sister-in-law would teach us such a thing, so I told my daughter to go and live a good life with them.”

“Indeed, your soup dumplings are delicious. Still, they’re a little expensive. Is it possible to get a discount?”

A bowl of duck vermicelli would cost five coins, but a set of soup dumplings cost fifteen coins. Of course, it was a little expensive for ordinary people.

Therefore, most customers went to the Liu family’s stall to have duck vermicelli. Only sometimes would they order a set of soup dumplings to taste the freshness.

Mrs. Liu explained, “Fifteen coins a set is already quite cheap because we make the skins with white flour and stuff them with meat. These ingredients are expensive, honestly.”

Only after hearing Mrs. Liu’s explanation did the customers think the price was reasonable. After all, pork cost 20 to 30 coins a pound back then. White flour was also an expensive ingredient.

“Shopkeeper, give me a serving of soup dumplings too.”

“Please wait a moment, sir. They will be ready soon.” Feng Sisi put aside the soup dumplings for the customer. When she stood up, she saw Su Binglan nearby.

She even thought she was hallucinating. “L-Little Su, Is that you?”

Su Binglan walked over, saying, “Hello, Sister-in-law Feng.”

Then Mrs. Liu and her son also saw Su Binglan.

Mrs. Liu stopped caring about the soup dumplings to rush over and hold Su Binglan’s hand, which was rare for her. “We were busy and didn’t notice you coming. Your hands are cold from the weather.

“You haven’t eaten yet, have you? I’ll serve you some duck vermicelli and soup dumplings. You can sit here and eat.”

Su Binglan hurriedly stopped Mrs. Liu and said, “Don’t worry, Mrs. Liu. I had lunch before coming here. I was just stopping by to check on how your business is going.”

Mrs. Liu smiled happily and said, “It’s going great! Business is booming, as you can see. It’s all thanks to you. I only asked Yinyin what would go well with the duck vermicelli and if the customers could eat it with dumplings.

“I never expected you to teach her how to make dumplings and have her teach us. I don’t even know how to thank you, Little Su!”

Mrs. Liu was sincerely grateful to Su Binglan. Mrs. Liu was the one who brought her son and the others to town to sell the duck blood vermicelli in the beginning, but there was a limit to the amount they could make.

No matter how much the customers ate, they would return in the afternoon for more, so Mrs. Liu thought of making another staple dish to fill the customers’ stomachs.

That’s why she asked her daughter for suggestions. However, she never expected to learn how to make soup dumplings.

Su Binglan waved her hand, saying, “You’re too polite, Mrs. Liu. Still, the duck blood vermicelli goes well with soup dumplings. Oh, right, where’s Mr. Liu?”

Mrs. Liu explained, “There’s still work to do in the fields, so he’s taking care of that, especially since we need to harvest rice soon. While he does that, I’ll be here helping at the stall. My husband only comes here occasionally since my son and his wife can handle this.”

Su Binglan looked at the things on display and asked, “Do you bring these things back and forth every day?”

Mrs. Liu replied, “We have a small cart, so it’s convenient to push them home.”

Su Binglan said, “You guys can put these things in my shop’s backyard and come to retrieve them whenever you set up your stall. Then you won’t have to travel so far with these.”

Mrs. Liu interjected, “Oh, we can’t impose on you. Don’t worry. We farmers aren’t that delicate. Besides, we’ve troubled you enough.”

Su Binglan knew Mrs. Liu was being considerate by not wanting to trouble her. She wasn’t a member of the Su family, after all.

Nonetheless, Su Fengzhi usually put his things in Su Binglan’s shop backyard, but Mrs. Liu still felt it was inappropriate.

After some thought, Su Binglan said, “Mrs. Liu, once you’ve saved up enough money, you can rent a shop in the west. It will cost one silver tael a month to rent a shop like mine, but prices have risen lately, so it’s worth it to rent one earlier.”

Shop rentals increased because of the Su family’s barbecued lamb skewers and haggis soup. There was more foot traffic there, so people started renting more shops in the west.

Mrs. Liu said, nodding, “I see. We can even buy a shop if we earn and save more.”

She thought fewer customers would come since the weather was getting colder and winter was just around the corner. After all, no one would want to sit in the cold and eat. Hence, it was better to eat in a shop and stay warm.

Still, she had to make more money before winter arrived, so she made some calculations in her heart.

‘When we finish harvesting our rice, my husband can come to town and help us. Then we can sell more duck vermicelli and soup dumplings and earn more money. We can rent a cheap shop with what we earn.’

Su Binglan’s shop was massive, and the rent cost one silver tael a month. If Mrs. Liu rented a small shop, perhaps it would be more affordable. Then she could make money selling her dishes without worry.

However, it would cost half a year’s rent for a shop, and the Liu family could not afford that because they needed some for emergencies.

After pondering, Mrs. Liu said, “The weather is getting colder, and we need to rent a shop during the winter.”

Su Binglan nodded, saying, “Let me know if you need help, Mrs. Liu.”

Mrs. Liu smiled. “Thank you, Little Su.”

Su Binglan’s gestures truly moved her; she thought the Su family were good people. Others would never be so selfless and help the Liu family.

Su Binglan exchanged a few more pleasantries and went shopping for supplies.

Then Mrs. Liu said to her son, “We can rest assured since your sister is married into the Su family.

Liu Chengwen said, “I think Little Su is a great person too.”

“Yeah, she’s sincerely helping us without expecting anything in return. Still, I don’t think she would’ve helped us if it weren’t for your sister.” Mrs. Liu understood everything.

Feng Sisi said, “Chengwen, what your mother said makes sense. Little Su treats us as a family for Yinyin’s sake.”

Mrs. Liu said, “Exactly. You and your sister must visit the Su family during the New Year and other festivals.”

Feng Sisi nodded thoughtfully and said, “Chengwen and I know that, Mother-in-law. Don’t worry.”

…

Su Binglan bought meat and flour from the grocery shop and prepared to go home. She was going to leave when Su Wenxiu ran over. He said while panting, “There you are, Binglan. I’ve finally found you.”

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