The Family Had Split, Why Should I Care if They Go Broke? - Chapter 21

After buying everything they each needed, the group headed to the butcher’s stall.

There were quite a few meat stalls in town—both the east and west markets had them. Since they were selling in the east today, it was more convenient to buy meat here as well.

The best fat for rendering lard was pork suet, but that was also the most popular cut. By the time they arrived, it was already long gone. With no choice, they bought regular pork with both lean and fat, planning to trim off the fatty parts later to render into oil.

In ancient times, pigs were fed clean and healthy food, so they weren’t overly fatty. In fact, finding cuts with extra fat was actually hard.

Xu Zhichun didn’t mind much. She figured the warehouse might or might not have lard, but there was plenty of vegetable oil there. She could always mix a few pounds of soybean oil with what little pork fat she rendered—blending it into a bigger batch.

She ended up buying a big marrow bone, two pounds of pork belly, and over three pounds of spare ribs. With the late-March weather, the meat would keep for two days just fine. When they finished it, she could buy more.

Zeng Xiaoyan bought four pounds of front-leg pork and two pounds of ribs.

As for Aunt Zhu’er, she was counting the days—her husband was due back tomorrow. In addition to buying meat, she also picked up a big pig’s trotter to stew into soup for him.

Having just left the butcher’s stall, Zeng Xiaoyan turned hopeful eyes toward Xu Zhichun. “Sister-in-law Zhichun, why don’t you take these two pounds of ribs and cook them for us? Then my husband and I can come over to your place and eat together. We never cook ribs at home.”

The truth was, Zeng Xiaoyan had been born into a wealthy family. Even though her stepmother had treated her harshly, she had always eaten better than most farmers. She loved eating delicious ribs.

But among farming families, who in their right mind would buy ribs? Of course, people wanted solid meat—preferably fatty, less lean.

The last time Zeng Xiaoyan brought ribs home, Lady Zhao had mocked and lectured her endlessly. “What a waste of money! Buying bones with barely any meat—what good is that? Won’t even fill a tooth gap! Truly wasteful!” The two of them ended up quarreling fiercely.

If she carried ribs home again, Lady Zhao’s sharp tongue would definitely start up once more, and Zeng Xiaoyan didn’t want her good mood ruined. Better to hand the ribs to Xu Zhichun to cook instead.

Besides, Xu Zhichun’s cooking was better anyway.

Xu Zhichun hesitated, but Liang Mingliang quickly chimed in with a laugh. “Sister-in-law Zhichun, it’s true, we never cook ribs at home. Especially my second sister-in-law—she’d just scold us again for wasting money. Why bother fighting with her? Could we trouble you instead?”

Now Xu Zhichun understood. She smiled. “All right then. Just let your family know, and come to my house for supper. I need to buy soy sauce anyway—may as well pick up half a pound of vinegar too. I’ll make one dish of red-braised ribs and one of sweet-and-sour ribs. How does that sound?”

Zeng Xiaoyan’s eyes lit up. She nodded eagerly. “Perfect, perfect! Should I buy some brown sugar? I’ll go get two pounds.”

Xu Zhichun laughed. “No need—you already gave me some last time, I still have plenty. Aunt Zhu’er, why don’t you come eat with us too? I bought quite a bit of ribs myself.”

Aunt Zhu’er had eaten braised ribs and stewed ribs before, but she had no idea what red-braised ribs were supposed to taste like—or why they were red. As for sweet-and-sour ribs, she had never even heard of such a thing. Meat cooked with sugar? Unimaginable. But judging from Zeng Xiaoyan’s excitement, it had to be delicious. Tempting indeed.

“All right, I’ll come. Tomorrow I’ll stew pig’s trotters and bring you a bowl.”

“Great!”

On their way past the tofu stall, Xu Zhichun bought three pieces of soft tofu as well. She planned to fry them golden brown, then cook them with pork and scatter garlic shoots on top—another delicious dish.

With everything bought, they stopped by Lotus Restaurant.

Manager Tang greeted them cheerfully. “Your gray tofu and gray tofu strips are selling very well. From now on, whenever you come, bring us ten jin each. And if you’re also selling your ice jelly, how about twenty jin tomorrow? If we ever need more, we’ll let you know in advance.”

That meant they had secured a steady customer—stable income! A few hundred copper coins in hand. The four of them were overjoyed, and Xu Zhichun readily agreed.

Manager Tang didn’t demand exclusivity either. After all, ingredients were just ingredients—what mattered was the chef’s skill. If Lotus Restaurant wanted sole rights, they’d have to buy every last bit of the group’s stock, which wasn’t realistic.

Business settled, they ate a steaming bowl of pork noodle soup, then on the way home they stopped at the blacksmith’s. Xu Zhichun wanted to custom-order a huge iron pot—about seventy centimeters in diameter, twice the size of her current one.

The blacksmith had made pots like that before; wealthy households, winemakers, and tofu makers all used them.

Yes, he could make one. But the price? A whole tael of silver—paid upfront.

After all, small pots could always be resold if a buyer backed out. But a giant pot like this? Who knew how long it would take to find another buyer?

Good heavens—Xu Zhichun hadn’t expected it to be so expensive!

Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu’er were equally shocked.

Xu Zhichun only had five hundred copper coins on her, but fortunately they had made quite a profit today. After discussing with the others, she used the deposit from her share to pay and received a receipt for delivery.

Both Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu’er felt guilty. Who needed such a massive pot for daily life anyway? Weren’t they all partners in making konjac tofu?

“How about we split the cost of the pot between the three of us?”

“Yes, that’s what I was thinking too.”

But Xu Zhichun shook her head firmly.

“No need, truly. I really do want a big pot. It’ll make heating water easier, and during the Dragon Boat Festival we can boil rice dumplings, at New Year’s we can cook pork dishes and fry meatballs—much more convenient. Honestly.”

Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu’er just stared at her.

Who in the world needed a pot that size just to boil dumplings or fry meatballs?

Back in the village, Liang Mingliang—as usual—drove the ox cart straight to Xu Zhichun’s house.

Passing the big locust tree in the village center, they found many women gathered there gossiping after lunch, resting before heading back to the fields. When they saw the cart returning, every head turned in unison, eyes scrutinizing the covered buckets and jars.

“Sister Zhu’er, did you really go sell those ghost taros in town? Can those things actually sell? Don’t get yourselves into trouble!”

“Heavens, they’re bold!”

“Everyone wants to earn money, but you can’t stray from the proper path. Doing harmful business will only bring disaster.”

“Xiaoyan, Zhichun—did you really make any money? How much?”

Zeng Xiaoyan bristled, ready to snap back, but forced herself to hold it in. She glanced at Xu Zhichun instead.

Aunt Zhu’er, terrified of saying the wrong thing, just gave a silly grin and stayed quiet.

Xu Zhichun, however, couldn’t ignore them completely. After all, this business was meant to last long-term. Sooner or later, word would spread. And if she claimed they hadn’t earned anything, that would sound unlucky.