The Family Had Split, Why Should I Care if They Go Broke? - Chapter 12

Of course, Xu Zhichun hadn’t made it before.

After all, if she had, there was no reason she’d eat it all herself without letting her little brother have even a single bite.

If they accidentally let something slip in front of him later, there’d be no way to cover it up.

Xu Zhichun shook her head with a light sigh.

“Before, I was busy with chores, just focusing on tending the fields while waiting for Minglang to come back. Who knew things would turn out like this? If I don’t find a way to earn some money, the days ahead will be tough. So I thought I’d give this a try.”

“There were so many delicious things back in my hometown. I remember my mother teaching me most of them, but it’s been so long. And I got seriously ill before leaving with Minglang, so I forgot a lot of things. I don’t even know how much I still remember—or whether I can still make them right. But I figure… might as well try.”

Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu’er both knew her background. Thinking about her hardships, even they couldn’t help but feel sympathy.

“Sorry, Sister-in-law Zhichun, I brought up something sad for you.”

“I’m sure you remember it right. Whatever you make will definitely be delicious. We’ll surely make money, and life will only get better—so don’t be sad.”

“Yes, yes, Aunt Zhu’er is right.”

In truth, Xu Zhichun wasn’t sad at all. That little bit of sorrow was all an act, though she was still a bit nervous, wondering if she was convincing enough.

Judging from their reactions, she had pulled it off quite well.

She let out a small breath, smiled, and nodded. “Mm, let’s work hard together. Life will only get better from here.”

Aunt Zhu’er went to check the dishes on the stove and the chicken simmering in the pot, while Xu Zhichun and Zeng Xiaoyan worked together to prepare the jelly base.

Once the mixture was kneaded, Xu Zhichun slowly poured in the settled lime water, stirring as she went. When she judged it was about right, she stopped.

“Alright, that’s it. Just leave it here to cool. We’ll have dinner first, then taste it afterward.”

Zeng Xiaoyan grinned. “It looks crystal clear. Prettier than the Osmanthus water chestnut cake we make at home. It’s bound to taste great!”

From the stove, Aunt Zhu’er added garlic shoots to the pot. “This konjac chicken stew looks ready to serve. The chicken soup’s done too—time to eat!”

“Alright, alright, let’s eat!”

The three bustled about, serving dishes and setting the table.

“Xiaoyan, are you taking some home first or eating here?” Xu Zhichun asked.

“Let’s eat first. I’ll bring some back afterward.”

If she went back now and ran into Second Sister-in-law, she’d only start another fit, ruining her appetite.

Aunt Zhu’er laughed. “Then I’ll leave half in the pot—actually, I’ll leave a bit more, so Mingxuan can have some too.”

Zeng Xiaoyan smiled. “Good idea. And pick out some nice pieces for Little Prodigy, too, Sister-in-law Zhichun, you don’t know how much my father-in-law praises him. He says our village has never had such a remarkable child.”

Xu Zhichun loved hearing that and couldn’t help but smile. “My Mingxuan is a good boy.”

They brought the fragrant chicken soup and konjac chicken to the table and sat together.

“Quick, taste the konjac tofu,” said Xu Zhichun.

“Alright!”

They dug in eagerly. The konjac tofu had soaked up the rich broth and was slippery yet chewy, with a springy texture that surprised them. The more they chewed, the better it tasted, with a unique freshness that made it hard to stop.

Zeng Xiaoyan’s eyes lit up first. “Delicious! The flavor’s so unique. I’ve never had anything like it. Just for the novelty alone, this would sell.”

Aunt Zhu’er nodded. “I agree. The konjac tofu goes well with anything, and I bet it would be great just stir-fried with vegetables. More variety on the menu—city folks would surely want to try it.”

Xu Zhichun felt reassured. “Yes, this is the flavor I was hoping for. If we all like it, then it’s worth trying. Konjac is free—we just dig it up from the mountains, so no ingredient cost. That’s already a big plus. I brought home half a basket yesterday. After we eat, let’s discuss a partnership. We could make twenty or thirty jin this afternoon and take it to the city tomorrow to test the market.”

Aunt Zhu’er hesitated. “Isn’t that… a bit too soon?”

But Zeng Xiaoyan immediately agreed. “I think it’s perfect. In business, the sooner the better. If we think it’ll work, why wait?”

Xu Zhichun continued, “The first step is always the hardest. No one’s seen konjac tofu before, so it might not sell well at first. But that’s fine—we’ll see how it goes tomorrow and improve from there. The business will grow bit by bit.”

Her words lit a spark in them both, their eyes shining with new confidence, as if they could already see the money coming in.

“Yes!”

“Zhichun’s right!”

She smiled. “Alright, let’s eat first. We’ll talk after.”

“Yes, yes—eat while it’s hot.”

With such delicious food in front of them, how could they not savor it right away?

The chicken soup was rich and fragrant, the meat tender with no grease under the skin. The konjac chicken, spiced with chili, was fresh, spicy, and addictive.

They ate to their hearts’ content.

By the time lunch was over, the ice jelly1 had set—clear and shimmering, with a soft springiness that jiggled when touched with a spoon.

Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu’er gasped in amazement, eager to taste it.

Smiling, Xu Zhichun quickly prepared some brown sugar syrup, then scooped the jelly into three clean bowls. She broke it into smaller pieces with a spoon—just like beating an egg—added two or three spoonfuls of syrup, and mixed it well. The crystal-clear jelly, tinged with amber sweetness, looked instantly more tempting.

“Here, try it!” she said, handing them each a bowl.

They didn’t need telling twice.

The first bite was cool, sweet, silky, and springy, melting softly on the tongue. Both women’s eyes lit up.

“This is amazing! Sister-in-law Zhichun, this will definitely sell.”

“Yes, it’s so good. I’ve never had anything like it. Who would’ve thought that lantern fruit could make something this delicious?”

“The best part is that lantern fruit is free. This is pure profit.”

“Haha, exactly!”

Their confidence soared.

One bowl wasn’t enough—they each had another large bowl before finally stopping.

Putting down her spoon, Xu Zhichun smiled. “Alright, now let’s discuss how we’ll run this business.”

Even between close friends, accounts should be kept clear—otherwise, resentment could grow.

Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu’er immediately said they’d follow her lead.

“Sister-in-law Zhichun, whatever you say, we’ll do.”

Xu Zhichun almost laughed—how could that work?

After some discussion, they agreed: after deducting costs, Xu Zhichun would take 60%, while each of them got 20%. Only the three of them would know the method—no one else, not even their husbands. It had to stay secret.

The idea of hiding it even from their own husbands made Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu’er pause. It felt… a bit strange.

Xu Zhichun realized she’d have to spin this carefully—