In the backyard of the Chen family's grain shop, Su Xiaoqi sat on the steps, chin propped on her hand, watching Chen Jinniang and Shen Xiaomei busy themselves in the kitchen.
They were currently studying the latest food recipes provided by Su Xiaoqi.
Despite being more than twenty years apart in age, they shared a common interest in cooking.
Shen Xiaomei, in particular, possessed a culinary talent that was beyond compare.
Su Xiaoqi would explain a pastry recipe to her, and she could execute it about eighty percent perfectly.
After trying it once more with Chen Jinniang, she could make the complete pastry.
With a few more attempts, she would quickly master the technique, producing food so delicious that Su Xiaoqi's eyes would practically pop out with delight, and her mouth would not stop praising it.
And she accomplished all of this in just three days.
Now, Shen Xiaomei had won over Chen Jinniang, who had initially been skeptical of her, to the point of being completely smitten.
Not only did Chen Jinniang allow her to participate in the production of the first ten pastries,
but she also roped her into jointly researching egg tarts, a new idea Su Xiaoqi had recently conceived.
The two were at a critical juncture in their research when Chen Jinniang called out to Su Xiaoqi:
"The tart shells are quite simple, but the egg custard filling is proving difficult to perfect."
Su Xiaoqi blinked her eyes and confidently replied, "As it happens, this is something I'm quite good at."
In her past life, she was not only a foodie but also someone who enjoyed making food herself.
Making egg tarts from scratch was something she did frequently.
However, she wasn't skilled at making the tart shells.
She usually bought pre-made tart shells online and then made the egg custard filling herself.
So, this task wouldn't be a problem for her.
She took a bowl of milk and three eggs.
She added white sugar and the condensed milk she had made herself, then stirred it all together.
Using a ladle, she instructed Shen Xiaomei to fill the tart shells.
Each shell was filled to seven-tenths capacity with the egg custard, then placed into the brick-built stove oven.
Fifteen minutes later, Su Xiaoqi called them over to taste the egg tarts.
"Mmm, delicious, so delicious," Su Xiaoqi said, grabbing one for herself and taking the first bite.
She had been worried that her skills might have dulled from lack of practice, and that the old-fashioned stove oven might not bake them well.
But after tasting them, she was reassured.
The tart shells were flaky and crisp, and the custard filling was soft and tender.
Ignoring the heat, she ate four in a row before stopping.
Chen Jinniang and Shen Xiaomei, drawn in by her ecstatic expression, also tried them.
Chen Jinniang gave a thumbs-up, "Mmm, so tender and sweet, delicious."
She marveled at her own good fortune, having met Su Xiaoqi and Shen Xiaomei, this aunt and niece pair.
It was as if Su Xiaoqi’s mind held a "cookbook encyclopedia," with an endless supply of food ideas.
And Shen Xiaomei, in terms of culinary skills, was truly gifted; her talent was astonishing.
With their combined efforts, the egg tarts were soon successfully developed.
Chen Jinniang took a deep breath, feeling that the idea she had been contemplating could now be put into action.
She exchanged a glance with Su Xiaoqi.
Then, taking Shen Xiaomei's hand, she said, "Xiaomei has learned all the previous ten snacks.
She's also learning the new ones well. It's time we opened a snack shop."
Su Xiaoqi thought the same and nodded, quietly reminding Chen Jinniang of their earlier agreement.
Chen Jinniang smiled and suggested they three go into business together.
After all, while she and Shen Xiaomei were skilled enough to make many delicious foods,
she believed that Su Xiaoqi was the most crucial element.
Without her consistently providing new pastry recipes, their skills would be of little use.
As the saying goes, even the most capable housewife cannot cook without ingredients.
Before she finished speaking, she received a confused look from Shen Xiaomei.
Though reluctant to admit it, she had to ask.
This matter seemed to involve her quite significantly.
Su Xiaoqi smiled and explained the situation to Shen Xiaomei.
Shen Xiaomei was stunned, remaining motionless for a long time.
Partnering in business, with profit sharing...
Was this for real?
A flicker of hesitation crossed Shen Xiaomei's timid face.
Yet, she couldn't bring herself to doubt it.
After all, this was something her most trusted sister-in-law had said.
Her sister-in-law had never lied to her, and this time would be no different.
Shen Xiaomei's reaction was as Su Xiaoqi had anticipated. She had already prepared what she would say to comfort her.
Putting aside other considerations, she focused on Shen Xiaomei's culinary talent.
She added that Shen Xiaomei's involvement would surely make their business flourish.
Then, she encouraged Shen Xiaomei to think of her family. If they earned money here, Shen Yun would have the funds for his journey to the provincial examinations and the imperial exams.
These words struck a chord deep within Shen Xiaomei. She bit her lip and agreed, "I, I'll try."
If it worked out, she would do it. If not, she wouldn't want to delay others from opening their shop.
With the matter settled, all that remained was to sign the agreement.
Coincidentally, Chen Jia'an returned home from school.
At Su Xiaoqi's request, he took on the task of drafting the document.
Chen Jinniang stood beside him, giving him instructions.
Soon, the document was written with elegant strokes.
Su Xiaoqi leaned in to read it.
While Chen Jia'an's calligraphy was not as flowing and grand as Shen Yun's, it was still delicate and pleasing to the eye.
However, upon seeing the content, Su Xiaoqi raised an eyebrow:
"Auntie, it's enough for you and my sister-in-law to be partners. You don't need to include me."
The reason she had shared the pastry recipes from her mind was with Shen Xiaomei in mind.
"It won't work if it's just the two of us doing the work without your ideas," Chen Jinniang had already made up her mind.
Whether Shen Xiaomei agreed or not, she was determined to bring Su Xiaoqi in.
After all, only those who had worked with food knew how valuable a recipe could be.
In this era, where everything relied on family inheritance,
many recipes were passed down through generations, and some could not be obtained even with money.
Shen Xiaomei also held onto Su Xiaoqi's arm. She was truly afraid to partner with Chen Jinniang alone; her whole body trembled.
But if her sister-in-law was with her, she felt much less scared.
Su Xiaoqi was not one to stand on ceremony. She cupped her hands towards Chen Jinniang, "Then I gratefully accept your offer."
Chen Jinniang smiled and discussed with her, saying she would prepare the ingredients the next day.
The twelfth of May, the day after tomorrow, was an auspicious day, and they could begin selling the few pastries they had already mastered.
Su Xiaoqi agreed.
Just then, Zhao Laoshi's mule cart arrived outside.
She bid farewell to Shen Xiaomei and Chen Jinniang.
To her surprise, she saw them busily packing samples of the pastries they had tested with Shen Xiaomei into oil paper bags.
They said not to mind the appearance, as the taste was truly good, despite the varied shapes.
Su Xiaoqi had tasted almost every item.
Knowing the taste was impeccable, she was far from displeased; she was overjoyed.
Back home, she could use them to appease Old Madam Yu and Shen Erdan.
Zhao Laoshi's mule cart stopped in front of the Shen family's thatched cottage.
As Su Xiaoqi and the others walked into the courtyard, Zhao Guanggun, hidden at the corner of the mud wall, seemed to have fire in his eyes.
He angrily propped himself up with a tea tree stick and walked towards the gap between the two rooms.
Reaching the deepest part, a slender figure blocked his path.
"Hey, Uncle Dexing, why haven't you made your move yet? When are you going to wait?"
Zhao Guanggun squinted at the person and began to complain:
"Damn it all, that bitch is running around the city all day.
She's having a grand old time in that mule cart, speeding along.
I can't even catch up, no matter how hard I try.
I've been following her for days, and it's exhausting, but I haven't found a chance to make my move."
"Sister Xiaohua said that if you can't find an opportunity, you have to create one!" A hint of coldness flashed across Zhao Haie's dark, ruddy face.